Works Volume 15-16

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...must, in particular, follow Christ, that is, do everything which he may command, be prepared for suffering, even for death. (Chrys.) This commandment about distributing one's possessions to the poor is given conditionally: if thou wilt be perfect. We may say of it what was said above of celibacy: All men cannot receive this saying. How hardly shall they that have riches, etc.: Christ with all his power rebukes, not the riches, but him who is addicted to the riches. The danger of riches in the matter of salvation or of the moral perfection does not lie in them, but in this, that to the sinful nature of man they present many temptations and obstacles in observing the commandments of the law and of the will of God, when man loves them inordinately. It is easier for a camel, etc.: This was a popular Jewish proverb, which is still current among the Arabs. To show that a certain thing was impossible or exceedingly difficult of execution, they used to say, that it was easier for a camel or an elephant to pass through an eye of a needle than for the thing to happen. However, some people do not understand an animal by the camel, but a thick rope which is used by boatmen in throwing out the anchors with which to steady the ships. In neither sense can the words be taken in their literal sense; all that is intended is to show the impossibility or unusual difficulty. But why did Jesus tell his disciples that it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, since they were poor and had nothing? Of course, in order to teach them not to be ashamed of their poverty, and, as it were, in order to justify himself for having advised them before not to have anything. Who then can be saved f If it is so difficult for a rich man to be saved,...