Luke 9:25 — Community Reflections

LUKE 9:25 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?”

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? — the economic logic applied to ultimate value: the entire world's worth against the soul/self. The forfeit (zēmiōtheis, experiencing loss) communicates the irreversibility — there is no recovery of a forfeited self by the wealth of the world.

Church Fathers on Luke 9:25

Great and noble leaders provoke the mighty in arms to deeds of velour, not only by promising them the honors of victory, but by declaring that suffering is in itself glorious. Such we see is the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. For He had foretold to His disciples, that He must needs suffer the accusations of the Jews, be slain, and rise again on the third day. Lest then they should think that Christ indeed was to suffer persecution for the life of the world, but that they…
Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

He rightly addressed Himself to all, since He treats of the higher things (which relate to the belief in His birth and passion) apart with His disciples.
Bede · 8th century

Now the Savior of His great mercy and loving kindness will have no one serve Him unwillingly and from constraint, but those only who come of their own accord, and are grateful for being allowed to serve Him. And so not by compelling men and putting a yoke upon them, but by persuasion and kindness, He draws to Him every where those who are willing, saying, If any man will, &c.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 22 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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