Homilies on Jeremiah and 1 Kings 28

Homily 11 : Jeremiah 12.11–13.11

103 HOMILY 11 Jeremiah 12.11–13.11 On “All of the earth was obliterated in destruction” and on the “waistcloth.” ho is the one who says: On account of me all of the earth was obliterated in destruction? 1 Christ says this, since before his coming many sins had occurred in the people, but not of such a nature that they were altogether forsaken and delivered for a long time into captivity. But when they filled up the measure of their fathers 2 and continued denying the Prophets3 and persecuting the righteous, killing the Christ of God,4 then the verse Your house is forsaken has been realized. And on account of him they have suffered these things and all of the earth was obliterated in destruction. 2. But if one wishes to hear the passage On account of me all of the earth was obliterated in destruction in a higher way, note that, when Jesus came, the earth in you was obliterated in some sense. For it was obliterated when the5 members on the earth were put to death6 and the earth no longer produced its own works. There no longer arose in the righteous man the works of flesh, by which the flesh was flourishing, no longer immorality, no longer impurity, not licentiousness, not idolatry, not sorcery, and the rest.7 But the Savior also says: Why do you suppose that I came: to bring peace on the earth? I did not come to bring peace but a sword.8 For truly before he came, there was no sword on the 1. Jer 12.11. 2. Cf. Matt 23.32. 3. Cf. Matt 23.37. 4. Luke 9.20. 5. Jerome has “our” instead of “the.” 6. Col 3.5. 7. Gal 5.19–20. 8. Cf. Matt 10.34. earth, the flesh did not desire against the spirit nor the spirit against the flesh,9 but when he came we were also taught what is of the flesh, and what is of the spirit, the teaching appearing on earth as a sword10 divided the flesh and the earth from the spirit.11 (2) And the earth was obliterated when we carry around the death of Jesus in the body,12 and no longer do we live according to the flesh, but the spirit lives, and we sow nothing in the flesh, but everything in that spirit in order that we may not reap corruption from the flesh but eternal life from the spirit.13 3. For it is said to the sinners: Sow wheat and reap thorns.14 For even if they are acquainted with the words15 of God, those who are not well acquainted with them, who neither live in a way required nor believe, sow wheat and reap thorns. But these things are especially understood16 for the heretics who read the Scriptures and reap thorns not from the Scriptures but from their own inventions.17 (2) Their offices will not profit them.18 Others have also discussed these matters before us, and since we do not19 reject their discussion, we are bringing it up publicly with gratitude , not as having found it ourselves, but as having received a good lesson. If we attend to what is written, this word will help both you and us. Some of us suppose there to be by virtue of office some who preside over you such that some20 want to reach for this office. But know that the office does not altogether save. For even many presbyters will be damned; even many laity will be proven blessed. Since there are some in the office who do not live in a way that they profit and honORIGEN 104 9. Cf. Gal 5.17. 10. Jer 12.12. 11. Cf. Heb 4.12. 12. Cf. Rom 8.13. 13. Cf. Gal 6.8. 14. Jer 12.13. 15. “Word” (logivoi"), a correction of Klostermann. S has aJgivoi". The Catena has lovgoi". 16. “Understood” (tau'ta noh'sai), a correction of Klostermann. S has katanoh'sai. 17. ejpivnoia. 18. Jer 12.13. 19. “Not” (oujk), a correction of Huet from Jerome. S has tou't∆. 20. “Some” (tine;"), a correction of Huet. S has tino;". HOMILY 11 105 or the office, because of this, say the commentators, it is written : Their offices will not profit them. For to profit is not the same as to assume a position among...