Proverbial Exegesis

Weak nations fleeing to Christ; for a rock is a refuge for swine who made dwellings in rocks. And you, he says, even if you are a weak animal, take hold of the rock of true faith, and direct your life toward it. One entering the kingdom is said to rely on a deed.

Surely you, he says, do not through weakness of faith become unbelieving toward the kingdom of the heavens, but believing in the promise concerning it, participate in the precepts of this that are doing the work. Lion Christ; for all rational things are cattle to him; for Moses says, 'But I am irrational' (Exodus 4:10). It is said to pass through natural energy without hindrance.

is drawn toward sin and walks in pride has the flock clinging to him. 'For when I am exalted,' he says, 'I will draw all things toward myself.' The rooster bears the face of the teacher, who strongly proclaims the light, sowing the word in the souls. 'Repent; for the kingdom of heaven has come near' (Matthew 4:17). This was he who from the beginning was piercing the hearts of men, and through many was foretelling the day of his incarnate presence; and driving out darkness, and clearly showing the eternal light to all. Walking among females churches cheerfully, that is, in the Churches, cheerfully and bravely, as he says, 'Behold, I am with you all the days until the completion of the age' (Matthew 28:20).

ou bring yourself into the mind of the Scriptures; or, if you do not have a student's ear, but are argumentative, do you hear? 'And if you are a man of contention, we do not have such a habit.' give your wealth to strange pleasures or teachings. To drink wine with intention. He who drinks the wine of the true vine, the interpretation of the Scriptures, and the contemplation of existing things, with much approaching discernment of the intellect's oversight.

[St. 6] Now he called pain 'toil.' Therefore those who toil and suffer for God, even if they become intoxicated with the drink of the Lord's house, forget the pains. [St. 7] Have your will toward attending to my words, spoken by God. [St. 23] The North Wind, the devil, stirring up and tempting the saints who are lofty, and not wanting to work; or stirring up words against his own dogmas. S these things are rather transferred to the benefit of animals, so the rod, that is, rebuke, regulates the lawless nation.

[St. 7] Of such things, he says, he rather strips away the power, and neither pours out a practical principle nor a rational one to these. [St. 14] If a tree of life is nourished from fruits of righteousness, everyone hiding righteousness with injustice, which is called a hand, will not eat from the tree of life. [St. 23] Of your disciples, so that you do not lead the teaching toward outward appearance. [St. 22] He says that the contemplation of events, and the contemplation of the Holy Trinity, is a garment for a pure mind, of fine linen and purple (Revelation 19:8).