Беседа 27

Conversation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Rom 14.24–26. Now to him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, the years that were silent forever, are now revealed in the prophetic scriptures, according to the commandment of the eternal God, in the obedience of faith, known in all nations, to the one... God, Jesus Christ, to Him... be glory forever. Amen. It was Paul's constant custom to conclude an exhortation with prayers and doxologies, since he knew that this was of no small importance, and was accustomed to do this out of strong love and piety. It is common for a child-loving and God-loving teacher not only to teach with words, but also to ask God for help to students through prayers. This is what (Paul) does in the present case. Here is the sequence of his speech: “To him who is able... to establish... you... be glory forever. Amen." Here again he has in mind the weak and addresses the word to them. When he offered reproof, he rebuked both, but now, when he prays, he offers prayer for the weak. Having said: “to establish,” he also adds in what manner: “according to my gospel.” By this he makes it known that they had not yet been approved and, although they stood, they hesitated. Then, in order to give more credibility to his words, he added: “and the preaching of Jesus Christ,” i.e. and Christ himself preached about this. And if Christ himself preached this way, then this is not our teaching, but His laws. (The Apostle), philosophizing about the sermon itself, shows that it is a gift of great benefit and high value. And he first reveals this from the indication of the person who preached, then from the nature of the truths preached, since the gospel was preached, and, finally, from the fact that it was not revealed to anyone before us. This is what the apostle pointed out, saying: “by the revelation of the mystery.” This is proof of the greatest love for us, if God made us participants in the mysteries, and no one is worthy of this before us. “Years that were silent for eternity, but have now appeared.” This mystery was predetermined from ancient times, but has now appeared. How did she appear? "The Scriptures of the Prophets". Here (the apostle) again frees the weak from fear. What are you afraid of? In order not to deviate from the law? But this is what the law wants, it was predicted by it from ancient times. And if you are inquiring why the mystery has appeared now, then you are doing a dangerous thing when you are curious about the mysteries of God and demand an account, since you should not be curious about them, but accept them with love and joy. Therefore (the apostle), wanting to stop such a striving of the mind, he added: “according to the command of the eternal God, in obedience to faith.” Faith requires obedience, not curiosity, and when God commands, one must obey, not inquire. Then (the apostle) reinforces their faith with new convictions, saying: “knew in all nations.” You are not alone, but the whole universe believes so and was taught this not by man, but by God. That’s why he added: “By Jesus Christ.” The mystery is not only announced, but also established: both are the work of Jesus Christ. And therefore it should read like this: “to him who is able to establish you... through Jesus Christ.” Both, as I said, (the apostle) attributes to Him, or, better to say, not only both, but also the glory belonging to the Father. That’s why he said: “To him be glory forever.” Amen." The apostle praises, again expressing amazement at the incomprehensibility of these mysteries. And now, when the secrets are revealed, it is impossible to comprehend them with the mind, but one must recognize them only by faith. The apostle said beautifully: “to the only wise God.” When you think about how God brought the pagans (into the church) and joined them to the ancient righteous, how He saved those who despaired of salvation, how He raised those unworthy of earth to heaven, brought those who had fallen away from the present life into a higher life, immortal and ineffable, made those trampled by demons equal to the angels, opened paradise, destroyed all ancient evil and accomplished all this in a short time, in a convenient and short way, then You will understand the Wisdom of God by seeing that the pagans suddenly learned from Jesus Christ what neither the angels nor the archangels knew. So, while you should have been amazed at His Wisdom and glorified Him, you revolve around trifles and still sit under the shadow: this is characteristic of one who glorifies (Christ) little. He who does not have hope in Him and is not guided by faith does not confess the greatness of His works. But (Paul) himself gives glory to God for them, thereby inciting others to the same zeal. When you hear that (the apostle) says: “to the only wise God,” do not think that this was said to humiliate the Son. If everything in which the Wisdom of God is revealed was accomplished through Christ, without Him not a single work was accomplished, then it is clear that He is equal in wisdom to the Father. Why did (the apostle) say: “to one?” To oppose all creation. Thus, having given praise, he again moves from prayer to exhortation and, turning his speech to the strongest, says this: Rom 15.1–2. We must be stronger. In a word, “must” shows that this is a matter of obligation, not a gift. What should we do? Do you see how (the apostle) exalted them with praise, not only calling them strong, but also placing them alongside himself? And not by this alone he attracts them to himself, but also by indicating the benefit of his neighbor, without any burden for them. You are strong, he says, and if you condescend, you will not suffer harm, but he, if you do not bear with his weaknesses, is in extreme danger. And he did not say “the weak,” but “the infirmities of the weak,” attracting and calling them to mercy, as in another place he says: “You spiritually correct such a one” (Gal. 6.1). Have you become strong? Give thanks to God who made you strong. But you will also pay tribute if you heal the weakness of the exhausted. For we too were weak, but by grace we became strong. This should be done not only in this case, but also in relation to the weak of another kind. So, if someone is hot-tempered or proud, or has some other fault, you bear it. How is this possible? Listen to what (the apostle) says next. Having said: “We must... wear,” he added: and don't please yourself. Let every one of you please your neighbor for the good of creation. This is what (the apostle) says: Are you strong? Let the weak receive proof of your strength, let him know your strength: please him. And not only did the apostle say: “let him please,” but he added: “for good,” and not only for good, but so that the perfect one would not say: “Here I am attracting him to good,” he added “for creation.” Thus, if you are rich or in power, do not please yourself, but the poor and those who have need, since by doing this you will gain true glory and bring much benefit. After all, worldly glory quickly flies away, but spiritual glory remains if you do this for creation. Therefore (the apostle) demands this from everyone, he does not say one or the other, but “everyone ... you.” Then, since he commanded something important and commanded the perfect to leave his perfection in order to heal the infirmities of another, he again presents Christ as an example, saying: Rom.15:3. for even Christ does not please himself. This is what Paul always does. When he was talking about alms, he pointed to Him, saying: “We know... the grace of the Lord,... for because of your poverty he was rich” (2 Cor 8.9); when he encouraged us to love, he convinced us by the same example, saying: “Love us as Christ also” (Eph 5.25); when he advised us to endure shame and adversity, he resorted to Him, saying: “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, being careless about the shame” (Heb. 12.2). So here it shows that Christ himself acted in this way and that the prophet foretold this from ancient times, which is why he added: as it is written: The reproaches of those who reproach You attack Me. What does it mean: “please not yourself?” Christ could not have been slandered and not endured what He endured if He had wanted to mean only Himself, but He did not want to, and in caring for us, He despised Himself. Why did not (the apostle) say: He exhausted Himself? Because He wanted to express not only one thing, that the Son of God became man, but also that He was subjected to reproach and acquired a bad reputation from many, since He was considered powerless. They said to him: “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27.40), and: “He who saved another, cannot save himself” (Matthew 27.42)? Therefore (the apostle) mentioned the circumstance that he needed for the present subject, but, however, here he expresses much more than he promised. From his words it is clear that not only Christ was slandered, but also the Father, since it is said: “the reproach of those who reproach You attack Me.” And this, by the way, means that nothing new and unusual happened. The very same ones who in the Old Testament learned to revile God also became mad against His Son. And this was written so that we would imitate (the Son of God). Here (the apostle) encourages believers to be patient in temptation, saying: Rom.15:4. For great things were written, for our punishment they were written: that through the patience and consolation of the Scriptures there may be hope for the imams, that is, so that we do not fall away. There are various struggles - internal and external, so that, drawing strength and consolation from the Scriptures, we show patience and so that, living in patience, we remain in hope. Of these, one leads to the other - patience to hope, hope to patience, but both of them are drawn from Scripture. Then (the apostle) again turns his speech into prayer, saying: Rom.15:5. May the God of patience and consolation grant you also to philosophize with one another about Christ Jesus. Since (the apostle) offered his admonition, presented the deeds of Christ as an example and cited evidence from Scripture, he now shows that God, who gave Scripture, himself gives patience. Therefore he said: “May the God of patience and consolation grant you also to philosophize with one another about Christ Jesus.” After all, this is characteristic of love - to think about another the same thing that everyone thinks about himself. Then (the apostle), showing again that he was demanding more than just love, added: “about Christ Jesus.” This is what he always does, because there is another love. What is the fruit of agreement? Rom.15:6. Yes, with one accord,” he says, “with one mouth glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He didn’t just say with his lips alone, but he commanded him to do it with his soul alone. Do you see how he united the whole body and how he again concluded his speech with a doxology? This is what he most of all convinces of unanimity and agreement. Then he continues the same exhortation again, saying: Rom.15:7. In the same way, accept each other, as Christ accepted you, for the glory of God. Another high example and an indescribable gain, because God is especially glorified by the fact that we are in a common fence. Thus, if you, upset for yourself, start a quarrel with your brother, then, thinking that by putting aside anger you will glorify your Master, reconcile with your brother, if not for himself, then for the glory of God, or better said, first of all for glory. Christ constantly repeated this and, talking with the Father, He said: “Let all understand this, because You sent Me, if they were to be one” (John 17.21–23). Let us therefore follow the exhortation and be in unity with one another. He encourages not just the weak to do this, but everyone in general. If someone wanted to separate from you, do not separate from him and do not utter this cold word: if he loves me, then I will love him; If my right eye does not love me, I will tear it out. These are satanic speeches worthy of tax collectors and pagan cowardice. And you, as being called to a higher life and inscribed in heaven, are also subject to higher laws. Don’t say this when he doesn’t want to love you, but then show great love in order to attract him. After all, he is a member, and when a member, for some reason, is separated from the rest of the body, then we use all measures to reattach it and even in this case we show more care. And the reward is greater when you attract someone who is unwilling to love. If Christ commands to invite people to dinner who cannot repay us in kind, so that we can receive a greater reward for this (Luke 14.12), then this should be done all the more in relation to love. If your loved one also loves you, then he has already shown you recompense, and if your loved one does not love you, then he has made God your debtor. Moreover, when he loves you, then you don’t need to take much care of him, but when he doesn’t love you, then he especially needs your help. Therefore, do not turn the reason for care into the reason for negligence and do not say: since he is sick (after all, the cooling of love is a disease), then I do not care about him, but warm the one who is cold. But you say: what should I do if it doesn’t warm up? Keep doing your thing. What should I do if he starts to turn away from me even more? In this way he is preparing an even greater reward for you and the more he reveals in you an imitator of Christ. If mutual love is a sign of Christ’s disciples: “They understand this,” says Christ, “as you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13.35), then imagine how important it is to love someone who hates? After all, your Master loved and called to Him those who hated Him, and the weaker they were, the more he cared for them and loudly preached: “they do not require a doctor to be healthy, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9.12). He honored tax collectors and sinners with His meal and, in general, as much as the Jewish people caused Him great dishonor, so much, or better yet, much more did He show them care and favor. And you imitate Him. This is no small matter, but without it, as Paul says, even the great martyr cannot please God. Don’t say: since he hates me, I don’t love him either. On the contrary, that’s why you should love him especially. And, in general, it is impossible to quickly hate someone who loves, but everyone, even if he were an animal, will love those who love him; Both pagans and publicans do this, says Christ (Matthew 5.46–47). And if everyone loves those who love, who will not love those who love while being hated? So, prove this to yourself, don’t stop saying: no matter how much you hate me, I will not stop loving you, and by this you will overcome every stubbornness, soften every soul. After all, this disease occurs either from inflammation or from cooling, but the power of love with its warmth usually heals both. Haven’t you ever seen that those who are devoted to shameful love suffer beatings, spitting, curses and thousands of troubles from prodigal women? But can all these insults cool their love? Not at all, but they inflame it even more. And although the women who insult them are dishonest both because of their indecent life and because of their low and unknown origin, and the insulted can often point out famous ancestors and talk about other fame, however, this does not weaken their love, does not turn them away from the woman they love. Aren't we ashamed if, in love pleasing to God, we cannot show such power as the love of the devil and demons? How do you not understand that love pleasing to God is the strongest weapon against the devil? Or don’t you notice that an evil demon is on guard, attracting the one you hate and wants to make him its member? Do you run past and lose your reward for fighting? For your reward is your brother, who lies between you and your enemy; if you win, you will receive a crown, and if you are careless, you will leave uncrowned. Stop uttering these satanic words: if my brother hates me, I don’t want to see him. There is nothing more shameful than such speech, although many consider it a sign of a noble soul, but there is nothing more ignoble, more insane, more cruel than this. That is why I especially regret that many consider evil deeds to be a virtue and that to neglect and despise others seems to them to be a beautiful and honest thing. This is the most dangerous snare of the devil, when vice is clothed with good glory, and therefore it is indestructible. I myself have heard how many take credit for the fact that they did not approach the person who turned away from them, although your Master boasts of this. How many times did people spit on Him? How many times have you turned away from Him? But He does not stop coming to them. So, do not say: I cannot approach people who hate me, but say: I cannot spit on those who spit on me. This will be the speech of a disciple of Christ, and the first is the speech of the devil. This has made many famous and glorious, and the first - despicable and ridiculous. That is why we are surprised by Moses, that when God Himself said: “Leave Me, and being angry with me, I will consume them” (Exodus 32.10, 32), he could not despise those who repeatedly turned away from him, but said: “If you forgive them their sin, leave it: otherwise, blot me out.” So Moses was a friend and imitator of God. Let us not boast of what we should be ashamed of, let us not utter the words used by vicious people in the market: “I don’t care about anyone.” And if anyone else says this, we will reprove him and force him to remain silent, as a person who boasts of something that he should be ashamed of. And tell me: what are you saying? You despise a believer, but Christ did not despise him when he was an unbeliever. What am I saying - I didn’t despise? Christ loved him so much that he died for him, although he was His enemy and covered with ugliness. Christ loved him a lot even in this state, but you despise him now that he has become beautiful and worthy of wonder, has become a member of Christ, the body of the Lord. How come you don’t think about what you say, how you don’t feel what you decide to do? Christ is his head, his meal, his clothes, his life, his light, his bridegroom, Christ is everything to him, and you dare to say: I spit on him, and not on him alone, but on everyone like him. Resist, man, put aside your madness, recognize your brother, understand that such words are befitting of a mad or crazy person, and say exactly the opposite: even if he spat on me a thousand times, I will not leave him. In this way you will gain a brother, and you will live to the glory of God, and you will become a partaker of future blessings, which may it be given to all of us to achieve through grace and love for mankind, etc. You might be interested in: