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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 176: Who are the Enemies We are Told to Love? And How Shall We Love Our Enemies 2 by…
It is the characteristic mark of an enemy to injure and plot against every one. Therefore, whoever he be that injures another would be called an enemy; and especially the sinner. For, so far as in him lies, he injures in various ways and plots against his companion or chance acquaintance. Now since the whole man consists of body and soul, as regards the soul, let us love such men, rebuking them and admonishing them and leading them to conversion in every way; and as regards the body, benefiting them when they are in need of the necessities of life. Now that love consists in a disposition of the mind is clear to every man. Its possibility is proved and taught by the Lord, Who showed the love of the Father and His own by obedience unto death, on behalf of His enemies, not His friends, as the apostle testifies, saying: But God commendeth his own love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”1 And he exhorts us to the same course, when he says: ‘“Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice unto God.”2 He, so good and righteous, would not have given the commandment, unless He had bestowed the power of doing it; this He showed implanted of necessity in our very nature. Even animals naturally love benefactors. But what benefit can a friend bestow to match that conferred by enemies, who win for us the blessing pronounced by the Lord when He said: Blessed are ye when men shall persecute you and reproach you, and say all manner of evil words against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”3
Notes
- Rom. v. 8 ὁ θεός before εἰς ἡμᾶς*.
- Eph. v. 1; 2.
- Mt. v. 11 διώξωσιν before ὀνειδίσωσιν, add ῥῆμα K; 12.