But all are to be used with moderation, as being the gifts of God. "For who shall eat or who shall drink without Him? For if anything be beautiful, it is His; and if anything be good, it is His."[1] Give attention to reading,[2] that thou mayest not only thyself know the laws, but mayest also explain them to others, as the earnest servant[3] of God. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier; and if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully."[4] I that am in bonds pray that my soul may be in place of yours.
Chap. ii.—Cautions against false teachers.
Every one that teaches anything beyond what is commanded, though he be [deemed] worthy of credit, though he be in the habit of fasting, though he live in continence, though he work miracles, though he have the gift of prophecy, let him be in thy sight as a wolf in sheep's clothing,[5] labouring for the destruction of the sheep. If any one denies the cross, and is ashamed of the passion, let him be to thee as the adversary himself. "Though he give all his goods to feed the poor, though he remove mountains, though he give his body to be burned,"[6] let him be regarded by thee as abominable. If any one makes light of the law or the prophets, which Christ fulfilled at His coming, let him be to thee as antichrist. If any one says that the Lord is a mere man, he is a Jew, a murderer of Christ.
Chap. iii.—Exhortations as to ecclesiastical duties.
"Honour widows that are widows indeed."[7] Be the friend of orphans; for God is "the father of the fatherless, and the judge of the widows."[8] Do nothing without the bishops; for they are priests, and thou a servant of the priests. They
- ↑ Eccles. ii. 25 (after LXX.); Zech. ix. 17.
- ↑ Comp. 1 Tim. iv. 13.
- ↑ Literally, "athlete."
- ↑ 2 Tim. ii. 4.
- ↑ Comp. Matt. vii. 15.
- ↑ 1 Cor. xiii. 2.
- ↑ 1 Tim. v. 3.
- ↑ Ps. lxviii. 5.
