Moral Rules (Moralia) 73.1–80

That a husband must not be separated from his wife, nor a wife from her husband, unless one of them is caught in sexual immorality, or [is hindered] with regard to godliness … Matthew: “It was said: Whoever puts away …” … “But I say to you that whoever puts away his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her … marries, commits adultery.” Luke: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Matthew: “And I say to you: whoever puts away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery.” … “not I, but the Lord: that a wife is not to be separated from her husband; but if she is in fact separated, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband; and that a husband is not to send away his wife.”

That one who has put away his own wife may not marry another, nor may a woman who has been put away by her husband be married to another. Matthew: “And I say to you: whoever puts away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery.”

That husbands must love their wives with the love with which Christ loved the church, giving himself up for it, that he might sanctify it. … their own [wives], just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for it, that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.” And a little later: “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies,” and so on.

That wives must be subject to their own husbands, as the church is to Christ, doing the will of God. … be subject [to your own husbands] as to the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, and he himself is the Saviour of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also are wives to their husbands” … “that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

That women must not adorn themselves for show, but must have all their zeal and care for good works, and consider this the true [adornment]. … in seemly dress, to adorn themselves with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, as befits … with good works.”

That women must keep silent in church, but at home converse earnestly about pleasing God. … keep silent in the churches; for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be subject. And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women [to speak] in church.” … “Let [a woman] learn in quietness with all subjection. I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to have authority over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being thoroughly deceived, fell into transgression. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, if they remain in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

That a widow who has a stronger body must spend her life in care and diligence, mindful of what was said by the apostle and [of the example of Dorcas]. Acts: “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named [Tabitha, which translated is Dorcas]. She was full of good works and of the acts of mercy which she did.” And a little later: “And all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing tunics and garments which Dorcas used to make while she was with them.” First to Timothy: “Let a widow be enrolled who is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, well attested for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, [if she has devoted herself to every good work].”

That the widow who has been approved in the achievements spoken of by the apostle, and has attained to the order of those who are truly widows, must persevere in supplications and prayers, with fastings, night and day. Luke: “And there was Anna, a prophetess, a daughter [of Phanuel], of the tribe of Asher; she was advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about [eighty-four years], who did not depart from the temple, serving with fastings and supplications night and day.” First to Timothy: “She who is truly a widow and left alone has set her hope on God, and [continues in supplications and prayers night and day] …”

[75] That slaves must obey their masters according to the flesh for the glory of God, with all good will, in things in which the commandment of God is not broken. To the Ephesians: “Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; not [by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but] as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, serving with good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good each one does, this he will receive from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.” First to Timothy: “Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise [them because they are brothers, but rather] let them serve them, because those who receive the benefit are believers and beloved.” [To Titus: “Exhort] slaves to be subject to their own masters, to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, not pilfering, but showing all good faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Saviour in all things.”

That masters, mindful of the true Lord, must also do for their slaves, as far as they can, the things they enjoy from them, in the fear of God and with gentleness toward them, in imitation [of the Lord]. John: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, and laid aside his garments, and taking a towel girded himself. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.” And a little later: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If then I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, you also should do.” To the Ephesians: “And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.”

[76] That children must honour their parents and obey them in [all things] in which the commandment of God is not hindered. Luke: “And his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been seeking you in sorrow.’” And a little later: “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.” To the Ephesians: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honour your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with a promise, ‘that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.’”

That parents must bring up their children in the discipline and admonition of the Lord with meekness and long-suffering, and give them no occasion of anger or grief, so far as it lies with them. To the Ephesians: “And fathers, do not provoke your children [to anger], but bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.” To the Colossians: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they lose heart.”

That virgins must be freed from every care of the present age, so as to be able to give thanks to God without distraction both in mind and in body, in hope of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew: “There are eunuchs [who made themselves eunuchs] for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.” First to the Corinthians: “I want you to be free from care. The unmarried man cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but the married man cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. There is a difference also between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but the married woman cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not to put a noose upon you, but for what is seemly and for devotion to the Lord without distraction.”

That those who serve as soldiers may not extort [nor accuse falsely]. Luke: “Soldiers also asked him, saying, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Extort from no one [by violence, nor accuse anyone falsely,] and be content with your wages.’”

That rulers must be avengers of the ordinances of God. To the Romans: “For rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil. Do you wish not to fear the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it. For it is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain. For it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath on him who does evil.”

That one must be subject to the higher authorities and obey them in all things in which the commandment of God is not [hindered]. To the Romans: “Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been appointed by God. So he who [resists] the authority has resisted the ordinance of God; and those who have resisted will receive judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil,” and so on. Acts: “We must obey God rather than men.” To [Titus]: “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.”

What sort of people the word wants Christians to be: as disciples of Christ, formed only by what they see in him or hear from him. Matthew: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” John: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If then I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, you also [should do].”

As sheep of Christ, hearing only the voice of their own shepherd and following him. John: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” And earlier: “[A stranger they will not] follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

As branches of Christ, rooted in him and bearing fruit in him, and doing and having whatever is proper to him and worthy of him. John: “I am the vine, you are the branches …”

As members of Christ, made complete in every working of the Lord's commandments or of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, in a manner worthy of the head, who is [Christ]. First to the Corinthians: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” To the Ephesians: “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, [joined and held together] by every joint of supply, according to the working in measure of each single part, makes the growth of the body for the building up of itself [in love].”

As a bride of Christ, guarding her purity by walking only by the will of the bridegroom. John: “He who has the bride is the bridegroom.” Second to the Corinthians: “For I betrothed you to one husband, [to present you as a pure virgin to Christ].”

As holy temples of God, pure, and filled only with what belongs to the worship of God. John: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Second to the Corinthians: “For you are the temple of the living God. For Scripture says: I will dwell in them and walk among them, and I will be their [God].”

As a sacrifice to God, unblemished and spotless, preserving soundness in every member and part of godliness. To the Romans: “I exhort you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

As children of God, formed after the image of God according to the measure granted to men. John: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you.” To the Galatians: “My little children, for whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you.”

As light in the world, so that they themselves admit no evil and enlighten those who come near them to the knowledge of the truth, so that these either become what they ought to be or are shown up for what they are. Matthew: “You are the light of the world.” [To the Philippians:] “among whom you shine as lights …”

As salt in the earth, so that those who share their life are renewed in spirit unto incorruption. Matthew: “You are the salt of the earth.”

As a word of life, confirming the hope of the true life by being dead to present things. To the Philippians: “among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, so that I may boast on the day of Christ.”

What sort of people the word wants those to be who are entrusted with the preaching of the Gospel: as apostles and ministers of Christ and faithful stewards of the mysteries of God, accomplishing in deed and word only what has been ordained by the Lord, omitting nothing. Matthew: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.” “Go and make disciples of all nations.” First to the Corinthians: “Let a man regard us so, as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

As heralds of the kingdom of heaven, for the overthrow of him who holds the power of death through sin. Matthew: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” Second to Timothy: “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word …”

As a model or rule of godliness, for setting right in every respect the uprightness of those who follow the Lord, and for exposing the perversity of those who [are otherwise disposed]. [To the Philippians: “… forgetting what lies behind] and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let as many of us as are mature think this; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal this also to you. Only, to the point we have reached, let us walk by the same rule, let us think the same thing.” First to Timothy: “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Second to Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly handling the [word of truth].”

As an eye in the body, discerning good and bad, and directing the members of Christ toward what befits each. Matthew: “The lamp of the body is the eye; if then your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.”

As shepherds of the sheep of Christ, not refusing even to lay down their lives for them when the time comes, so as to impart to them the gospel of God. John: “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Acts: “Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God.”

As physicians, healing the passions of souls with great compassion and with the skill of the Lord's teaching, so as to win the health that is in Christ. Matthew: “Those who are strong have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” To the Romans: “We who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the [weak].”

As fathers and nurses of their own children, with a great disposition of love in Christ, glad to impart to them not only the gospel of God but also their own souls. John: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you.” First to the Corinthians: “For in Christ Jesus I begot you through the gospel.” First to the Thessalonians: “As a nurse cherishes her own children, so, yearning for you, we were glad to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you had become beloved [to us].”

As God's fellow workers, who have given themselves wholly to works worthy of God alone, on behalf of the [church]. First to the Corinthians: “For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.”

As planters of God's branches, setting in nothing foreign to the vine, which is Christ, and nothing fruitless, but [tending] what belongs to it with all care. [John]: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every one that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” First to the Corinthians: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

As builders of God's temple, fitting each one's soul to be joined to the foundation of the apostles and prophets. First to the Corinthians: “According to the grace of God given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each take heed how he builds on it. For no one can lay another foundation than the one that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” To the Ephesians: “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built together into a dwelling place of God in [the Spirit].”

What is the mark of a Christian? Faith working through love. What is the mark of faith? An unhesitating full assurance of the truth of the inspired words, [not to be shaken] by any reasoning, whether brought in by natural necessity or [put forward under a show of piety. What is the mark of a] believer? To be disposed, in such full assurance, according to the force of what has been said, and not to dare to reject anything or to add anything. For if “whatever is not of faith is sin,” as the apostle says, and “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God,” everything outside the inspired Scripture, not being of faith, is sin. What is the mark of love toward God? To keep his commandments with his glory as the aim. What is the mark of love toward one's neighbour? Not to seek one's own good, but the good of the one loved, both for soul and for body. What is the mark of a Christian? To be born from above through baptism, of water and the Spirit. What is the mark of one born of water? That, as Christ died to sin once for all, so he too should be dead and unmoved toward every sin, according to what is written: “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, knowing this, that our old man [was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be done away with, that] we should no longer be slaves to sin.” What is the mark of one born of the Spirit? To become, according to the measure given, that very thing from which he was born, as it is written: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” What is the mark of one born from above? To put off the old man with his deeds and desires, and to put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of the one who created him, according to what is said: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” What is the mark of a Christian? To be cleansed from every defilement of flesh and spirit in the blood of Christ, and to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God and the love of Christ, and to have no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but to be holy and blameless, and so to eat the body of Christ and drink the blood. For “he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself.” What is the mark of those who eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord? To keep unceasing remembrance of him who died and rose for us. What is the mark of those who keep such remembrance? To live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and rose for them. What is the mark of a Christian? That his righteousness should abound in everything, more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, according to the measure of the teaching of the Lord in the Gospel. What is the mark of a Christian? To love one another as Christ also loved us. What is the mark of a Christian? To see the Lord always before him. What is the mark of a Christian? To keep watch every day and every hour, and to be ready in the perfection of pleasing God, knowing that the Lord comes at an hour that he does not expect.