|
HOME | GREEK LANGUAGE |
LIBRARIES |
BLOG | HELP | SEARCH | BOOKSTORE | FREEWARE |
|
|
Translated by Bl. Jackson.
St Basil the Great Resources Online and in Print
|
This Part: 128 Pages
Page 35
3. The Christian ought not to grudge another's reputation, nor rejoice over any man's faults; [1958] he ought in Christ's love to grieve and be afflicted at his brother's faults, and rejoice over his brother's good deeds. [1959] He ought not to be indifferent or silent before sinners. [1960] He who shows another to be wrong ought to do so with all tenderness, [1961] in the fear of God, and with the object of converting the sinner. [1962] He who is proved wrong or rebuked ought to take it willingly, recognizing his own gain in being set right. When any one is being accused, it is not right for another, before him or any one else, to contradict the accuser; but if at any time the charge seems groundless to any one, he ought privately to enter into discussion with the accuser, and either produce, or acquire, conviction. Every one ought, as far as he is able, to conciliate one who has ground of complaint against him. No one ought to cherish a grudge against the sinner who repents, but heartily to forgive him. [1963] He who says that he has repented of a sin ought not only to be pricked with compunction for his sin, but also to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. [1964] He who has been corrected in first faults, and received pardon, if he sins again prepares for himself a judgment of wrath worse than the former. [1965] He, who after the first and second admonition [1966] abides in his fault, ought to be brought before the person in authority, [1967] if haply after being rebuked by more he may be ashamed. [1968] If even thus he fail to be set right he is to be cut off from the rest as one that maketh to offend, and regarded as a heathen and a publican, [1969] for the security of them that are obedient, according to the saying, When the impious fall the righteous tremble. [1970] He should be grieved over as a limb cut from the body. The sun ought not to go down upon a brother's wrath, [1971] lest haply night come between brother and brother, and make the charge stand in the day of judgment. A Christian ought not to wait for an opportunity for his own amendment, [1972] because there is no certainty about the morrow; for many after many devices have not reached the morrow. He ought not to be beguiled by over eating, whence come dreams in the night. He ought not to be distracted by immoderate toil, nor overstep the bounds of sufficiency, as the apostle says, "Having food and raiment let us be therewith content;" [1973] unnecessary abundance gives appearance of covetousness, and covetousness is condemned as idolatry. [1974] A Christian ought not to be a lover of money, [1975] nor lay up treasure for unprofitable ends. He who comes to God ought to embrace poverty in all things, and to be riveted in the fear of God, according to the words, "Rivet my flesh in thy fear, for I am afraid of thy judgments." [1976] The Lord grant that you may receive what I have said with full conviction and shew forth fruits worthy of the Spirit to the glory of God, by God's good pleasure, and the cooperation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[1958] 1 Cor. xiii. 6.
[1959] 1 Cor. xii. 26.
[1960] 1 Tim. v. 20.
[1961] 2 Tim. iv. 2.
[1962] 2 Tim. iv. 2.
[1963] 2 Cor. ii. 7.
[1964] Luke iii. 8.
[1965] Heb. x. 26, 27.
[1966] Tit. iii. 10.
[1967] to proestoti. & 233; proestos is the "president" in Justin Martyr's description of the Christian service in Apol. Maj. i.
[1968] cf. Tit. ii. 8.
[1969] Matt. xviii. 17.
[1970] Prov. xxix. 16, LXX.
[1971] Eph. iv. 26.
[1972] cf. Matt. xxiv. 14; Luke xii. 40.
[1973] 1 Tim. vi. 8.
[1974] Col. iii. 5.
[1975] cf. Mark x. 23, 24; Luke xviii. 24.
[1976] Ps. cxix. 120, LXX.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/basil/letters.asp?pg=35
