Commentary on the Gospel of John, Books 1-10

Book 6

BOOK 6 Preamble Calm which is necessary for the whole structure VERY HOUSE, in order to be built as solidly as possible, is built in fair and calm weather that nothing may prevent it from being solidly constructed. The purpose is to make it capable of withstanding the rush of flood,l the onslaught of river, and all the other things which are apt to test the weak parts of buildings when a storm occurs, and show those which have been constructed with the excellence proper to them. (2) This is especially true for that structure which is capable of receiving the principles of the truth, the spiritual structure which consists in proclamation and written characters, as it were. Such a structure is certainly built when the soul is experiencing the peace which passes all understanding,2 and is calm, and separated from all trouble, and is by no means tossed by waves. At such a time God correctly cooperates in building with the one who has proposed to complete this most excellent work. (3) It seems to me that because the servants of the prophetic spirit and the ministers of the proclamation of the gospel had understood these things accurately that they made themselves worthy of receiving that hidden peace from him who always gives it to those who are worthy, and who said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives peace do I also give peace."3 (4) Now consider whether the story about David and Solomon concerning the temple hints at something like this. For 1. Cf. Lk 6.48. 3· Cf. In 14.27. 168 2. Cf. Phil 4.7. COMMENTARY ON JOHN, BOOK 6 169 when David, who wages the wars of the Lord and stands firm against many personal enemies and enemies of Israel, wishes to build a temple for God, he is prevented by God through Nathan who says to him,. "You shall not build me a house, because you are a man of blood."4 (5) Solomon, however, who saw God in a dream and received wisdom in a dream (for the reality [of God] was reserved for him who said, "Behold a greater than Solomon is here"5), who enjoyed the profoundest peace so that each man at that time rested under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and who was named after the peace in his time (for Solomon means "peaceful"6), because of this peace, has time to construct the famous temple for God. The temple for God is also rebuilt in the times of Esdras, when the truth overcomes wine along with the hostile king and the women.7 The interruption of the Commentary (6) We have said these things as a defense to you, holy Ambrose , wishing, in accordance with your pious encouragement , to construct in writing a tower like that described in the Gospel.s We sat down and counted the cost to see if we have what is necessary to complete it, so that we not be mocked by those who see it, despised because we laid a foundation, but cannot complete the work. (7) After counting up what is at our disposal, we see that we do not possess what is needed to complete the structure. We have, however, trusted in God who enriches us in all speech and knowledge,9 trusting that he will enrich us as we struggle to keep the spiritual laws. On the basis of what he supplies, we anticipate advancing in the construction even to the parapet of the house. It is this which prevents him who has ascended onto the house of the word from falling. Consequently , those who fall because of unfinished buildings fall 4. Cf. 1 Chr 28·3; 2 Kgs 16.8. 5. Mt 12-42. 6. Cf. 1 Chr 22.g; Lagarde, Onomastica 208.40. 7. Cf. 1 Ezr 4.36-38 (LXX). 8. Cf. Lk 14.28-3°. g. Cf. 1 Cor 1.5. 170 ORIGEN only from houses which lack the parapet. Those buildings bear the blame for such slaughters and falls.10 (8) Although the storm at Alexandria seemed to oppose us, we dictated the words which were given us as far as the fifth book, since Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves of the sea.l1 But after we had proceeded for a while in...