Fragments on the Letter to the Philippians · §3 · Oecumenius

The refuse was once useful for the seed to grow

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Oecumenius is explaining Paul's word 'refuse' by comparing the law and prophets to a stalk that grew from the seed of Abraham's faith.

So this refuse was once most useful for the seed to be produced. For just as root, stalk, and ear of grain come from a seed, so from the faith of Abraham, as from a seed, came the root from those in the law, and the stalk of the prophets and the ear of grain already proclaiming Christ in secret. Their harvest and threshing took place at the first coming of the Savior, whose winnowing fork is in his hand and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor.

Greek

τοῦτο ουν τὰ σκύβαλον ποτὲ χρησιμώτατον εἰς τὸ τεχθῆναι τὸν σπόρον. ωσπερ γὰρ

ἀπὸ σπόρου ῥίζα καὶ καλάμη καὶ στάχυς, ουτως ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως τοῦ ̓Αβραὰμ

ὡσπερεὶ ἀπὸ σπόρου ἡ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐν νόμῳ, καὶ ἡ καλάμη τῶν προφητῶν καὶ ὁ στάχυς

ηδη τὸν Χριστὸν ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ προκαταγγέλλων. ὁ δὲ τούτων θερισμὸς καὶ ὁ

ἁλοητὸς ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ σωτῆρος, ου τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ καὶ διακαθαριεῖ

τὴν αλωνα.

About this text

Short notes on Philippians: Paul's aim to teach humility, the fruit of his chains, and why he counts his former gains as loss.

These fragmentary comments on the Letter to the Philippians are attributed to Oecumenius, though the compiler of the Pauline commentary is unknown and the historical Oecumenius, a sixth-century commentator on the Apocalypse, is a different writer. The fragments were preserved in catenae, or chains of excerpts, and address clergy rather than laity. They explain difficult phrases and the purpose of Paul's letter.

Paul's main goal was to cultivate humility, since pride especially afflicts those who live well. The fragments also explain how Paul's sufferings and defenses prove fruitful through the Philippians' faith and steadfastness.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 118 – 119 (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.