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| Explanatio Apocalypsis
, Patrologia Latina 93, coll. 129-206 |
The Explanation of
the Apocalypse by Venerable Beda, trans. the Rev. Edw. Marshall (Oxford:
Parker, 1878). |
BOOK THE FIRST.
ON CHAPTER 2.
RETURN to Apocalypse Index Page
This page last modified 20 February 2001.
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2:1 angelo Ephesi
ecclesiae scribe haec dicit qui tenet septem stellas in dextera sua qui ambulat
in medio septem candelabrorum aureorum
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1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus
write: These things saith he, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,
who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:
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Et angelo Ephesi
Ecclesiae scribe. Hujus Ecclesiae juxta nominis qualitatem, partem increpat,
et partem laudat. Ephesus enim et lapsus magnus et voluntas mea in ea, interpretari
dicitur.
Haec dicit qui tenet septem stellas in dextera sua
. Id est, vos in manu suahabet, suaque potestate regit et continet.
Qui ambulat in medio septem candelabrorum aureorum.
Qui in medio vestri digrediens corda singulorum, {137C}
et renes investigat.
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1. Ephesus. Part
of this Church he blames, and part he praises, according to the character of
the name. For Ephesus is said to be interpreted "a great fall," as well as "my
will in it." [ If it appears fanciful in Beda to attach any importance to the
signification of the names of the seven churches, it may be remembered,on the
other hand, that so recent and approved a commentation, as Rudolph Stier, in
his remarks on the epistles to the seven churches, inThe Words of the Risen
Saviour, does very much the same thing. He treats the name as symbolical
of the character of the period of the Church to which he considers the epistle
to apply, and observes, "the name appears in all cases significant." See
The Words of the Risen Saviour, Edinb.Tr.,p. 111 sqq. 1859.]
stars. That is, Who has you in His right hand,
and seeks you by His power.
walketh. Who goes about in the midst of you, and
searches the hearts and the reins of all.
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2:2 scio opera
tua et laborem et patientiam tuam et quia non potes sustinere malos et temptasti
eos qui se dicunt apostolos et non sunt et invenisti eos mendaces
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2 I know thy works, and thy
labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are
evil, and thou hast tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not,
and hast found them liars:
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Scio opera tua, et laborem
tuum, etc. Video te (inquit) opera bona solerter agentem, et injurias malorum
intolerabiles aequanimiter tolerantem; qui pseudoapostolorum verba factaque
diligenter examinans, nullatenus eis cedere voluisti.
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2. I know. I see,
that is, that thou art diligent in the practice of good works, and bearest
calmly the insufferable injuries of the wicked, for thou hast diligently examined
the words and works of the false Apostles,and hast not been willing to give
way to them in anything.
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2:3 et
patientiam habes et sustinuisti propter nomen meum et non defecisti
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3 And thou hast patience, and hast endured
for my name, and hast not fainted.
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2:4 sed habeo
adversus te quod caritatem tuam primam reliquisti
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4 But I have somewhat against thee, because
thou hast left thy first charity.
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Sed habeo adversum
te, quod charitatem tuam primam reliquisti, etc. In quibusdam quidem coeptum
deseruisti amorem, quem nisi recuperaverint, lucis eos promissae munere privabo.
In quibusdam vero pravorum exempla, idololatriam scilicet et fornicationem,
odisti. Haec enim sunt facta Nicolaitarum, sicut in sequentibus aperitur.
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4. love. In the
person of some, thou hast forsaken the love which began at first, and if they
do not regain it, I will deprive them of the promised reward of light. But
in others, thou hatest the examples of evil men, idolatry,that is, and fornication,
for these are the deeds of the Nicolaitans, as is shewn in what follows.
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2:5 memor
esto itaque unde excideris et age paenitentiam et prima opera fac sin autem
venio tibi et movebo candelabrum tuum de loco suo nisi paenitentiam egeris
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5 Be mindful therefore from whence thou
art fallen: and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to thee,
and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance.
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2:6 sed hoc
habes quia odisti facta Nicolaitarum quae et ego odi
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6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest
the deeds of the Nicolaites, which I also hate.
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2:7 qui habet
aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis vincenti dabo ei edere de ligno
vitae quod est in paradiso Dei mei
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7 He, that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him, that overcometh, I will give
to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.
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Qui habet aurem audiendi,
audiat, etc. Quae singulis scribit, universis se dicere demonstrat Ecclesiis
.{137D} Non enim Ephesiorum Ecclesia sola, si eam non poeniteret, de loco
suo movenda erat, aut Pergamis tantum sedes est Satanae, et non ubique. Sic
et caetera singularum, omni communia sunt Ecclesiae.
Vincenti dabo edere de ligno vitae quod est in paradiso
. Lignum vitae Christus est, cujus in coelesti paradiso visione, et in praesenti
Ecclesiae corpore, sanctae reficiuntur animae.
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7. ear. He indicates
that he writes for all the churches the things which he addresses to them individually; for it was not the Church of the Ephesians alone, which, if it did not repent, was to be removed from its place;nor was Satan's seat at Pergamos alone, and
not rather in every place. In like manner also, the other things of the several
churches are common to every church.
overcometh. The "tree of life" is Christ, by the
vision of Whom in the celestial paradise, and in the present body of the Church,
holy souls are refreshed.
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2:8 et angelo
Zmyrnae ecclesiae scribe haec dicit primus et novissimus qui fuit mortuus
et vivit
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8 And to the angel of the church of Smyrna
write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive
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Et angelo Smyrnae
Ecclesiae scribe. Huic Ecclesiae de toleranda persecutione suggerit, cui
et nomen congruit. Smyrna enim myrrha dicitur, quae mortificationem carnis
designat.
Haec dicit primus et novissimus, qui fuit mortuus et
{138A} vivit. Qui et omnia creavit, et omnia moriendo restauravit. Apta
praefatio patientiam suasuro.
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8. Smyrna. He
speaks to this church of enduring persecution, and its name also agrees with
this. For Smyrna is interpreted "myrrh," which denotes the mortification of
the flesh.
the first. He who both created all things, and renewed
all things by His death. This is a suitable preface when he is going to enjoin
patience.
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2:9 scio tribulationem
tuam et paupertatem tuam sed dives es et blasphemaris ab his qui se dicunt
Iudaeos esse et non sunt sed sunt synagoga Satanae
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9 I know thy tribulation and thy poverty,
but thou art rich: and thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews
and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
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Scio tribulationem
tuam et paupertatem, sed dives es. Beati enim pauperes spiritu, quoniam
ipsorum est regnum coelorum. Quod pulchre Fortunatus brevi versu exposuit dicens:
Pauper in angusto regnat habendo Deum.
Qui se dicunt Judaeos esse, et non sunt. Confitentur
se nosse Deum, factis autem negant. Judaeus enim religionis est nomen. Unde
et apostolus: Qui inabscondito (inquit) Judaeus est, et circumcisio cordis
in spiritu, non littera.
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9. tribulation.
Yea, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
[Matt. 5:3]." Fortunatus has beautifully expressed this in a short verse,saying:
" In narrow realm the poor man reigns possessing God."
[Venantius Fortunatus, Opp., pt. 1. bk. viii. ch. 6, tom. i. p.273, Rome 1786]
Jews. "They profess that they know God, but in works
they deny Him.[Tit. 2:16]" For Jew is a name of religion. And so also the Apostle
says,"who is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, is not in the
letter [Rom. 2:29]." |
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2:10 nihil
horum timeas quae passurus es ecce missurus est diabolus ex vobis in carcerem
ut temptemini et habebitis tribulationem diebus decem esto fidelis usque ad
mortem et dabo tibi coronam vitae
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10 Fear none of those things which thou
shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison that you
may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful
until death: and I will give thee the crown of life.
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Ecce missurus est
ex vobis diabolus in carcerem, ut tentemini. Universali Ecclesiae haec
dicta conveniunt, adversus quam diabolus inextricabiles semper inimicitias
{138B} exercet.
Et habebitis tribulationem diebus decem. Totum tempus
significat, in quo Decalogi sunt necessaria mandata. Quandiu enim lucem verbi
divini sequeris, carcerem necesse est adversantis inimici patiaris. Quidam
decem gentium persecutiones a Nerone Caesare usque ad Diocletianum significatas
intelligunt.
Esto fidelis usque ad mortem, etc. Quo decem dies
pertingant, ostendit, quiusque ad mortem fidem servare suadet.
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10. devil. These
words apply to the Universal Church, against whichthe devil is always exercising
an enmity from which there is no escape.
ten days. He means the whole of the time during which
the commandments of the decalogue are necessary. For as long as thou shalt follow
the light of the divine word, thou must needs suffer imprisonment from the enemy
who opposes thee. Some understand that the ten persecutions of the heathen, from the
Emperor Nero to Domitian, are signified.
death. He shews how far the ten days reach, in that
he counsels them to keep the faith unto death... |
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2:11 qui
habet aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis qui vicerit non laedetur
a morte secunda
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| 11 He, that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that shall overcome,
shall not be hurt by the second death. |
Qui vicerit, non laedetura
morte secunda. Qui fidelis permanserit usque ad mortem carnis, mortem animae non
timebit aeternam.
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11. second death
. He who shall have remained faithful unto the death of the flesh, will not
fear the death of the soul. |
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2:12 et angelo
Pergami ecclesiae scribe haec dicit qui habet rompheam utraque parte acutam
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12 And to the angel of the church of Pergamus
write: These things, saith he, that hath the sharp two edged sword:
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Et angelo Pergami
Ecclesiae scribe. Pergamus interpretatur {138C} dividens cornua eorum,
qui judicando distinxit inter virtutem fidelium, et Nicolaitarum perfidiam,
ut cornua peccatorum confringerentur, et exaltarentur cornua justi.
Haec dicit, qui habet romphaeam utraque parte acutam
. Judiciariam potestatem congrue praemisit, qui erat victoribus praemia, et
poenam redditurus errantibus.
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12. Pergamos.
Pergamos is interpreted, "dividing their horns," for by his judgment he made
a distinction between the virtues of the faithful and the perfidy of the Nicolaitans,
that "the horns of the sinners might be broken, and the horns of the righteous
one exalted [Ps. 74:11 (76:10, A.V.) Bed., with Heb., Sept., Vulg., takes this
<i.e., "righteous"> in the singular; A.V. appears to take it as plural]."
sword. He has fitly mentioned first His judicial
power, for He was to assign rewards to the victors, and punishment to the transgressors. |
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2:13 scio
ubi habitas ubi sedes est Satanae et tenes nomen meum et non negasti fidem
meam et in diebus Antipas testis meus fidelis qui occisus est apud vos ubi
Satanas habitat
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13 I know where thou dwellest, where the
seat of Satan is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith.
Even in those days when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among
you, where Satan dwelleth.
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Scio ubi habitas,
ubi sedes est Satanae, etc. Approbo quidem patientiam tuam, quae inter
reprobos, qui thronus sunt diaboli, commorata, me non nomine tantum, quo Christiana
diceris, sed fide colis integra etiam in tempore persecutionis cruentae, sed
improbo quod seductores etiam in te cerno doctores.
{138D} Et in diebus illis Antipas testis meus fidelis, etc. Quidam
martyrem Pergamo passum, alii Dominum Christum intelligunt, qui ab incredulis
etiam nunc, quantum in ipsis est, occiditur.
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13. seat. I approve
indeed of thy patience, because although thou dwellest among the reprobate,
thou dost not honour Me in name alone, as called Christian, but with perfect
faith, even in the time of a persecution unto death. But I do not approve of
this, that I see seducing teachers even in thee.
Antipas. Some understand a martyr who suffered at
Pergamos [Tertullian is of this opinion, Scorp., c. xii. Arethas says
that the record of his martyrdom was still preserved in his time, circ. A.D.
911, in Cramer's Catena, tom. viii. p.208, Oxf. 1840. Baronius notices
the tradition, that he was shut up in a heated brazen bull during the persecution
by Domitian,Mart. Rom., at April 11.], others the Lord Christ, who
even now is put to death by the unbelieving, so far as in them lies. |
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2:14 sed
habeo adversus te pauca quia habes illic tenentes doctrinam Balaam qui docebat
Balac mittere scandalum coram filiis Israhel edere et fornicari
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14 But I have against thee a few things:
because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught
Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat, and
to commit fornication:
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Edere et fornicari.
Haec duo sunt principalia, quibus carnales quique militant, quorum deus venter
est, et gloria in confusione ipsorum. Sed et omne opus malum idololatria est,
et fornicatio spiritualis.
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14. eat. These
are the two principal things in which all the carnal exercise themselves,"whose
god is their belly, and their glory in their shame [Phil. 3:19]." But besides
this, every evil work is idolatry and spiritual fornication |
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2:15 ita
habes et tu tenentes doctrinam Nicolaitarum
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15 So hast thou also them that hold the
doctrine of the Nicolaites.
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Tenentes doctrinam
Nicolaitarum.Nicolaitae sunt dicti a Nicolao diacono, quem refert Clemens
de zelo pulcherrimae conjugis increpatum respondisse ut quicunque vellet eam
acciperet uxorem, et ob hoc infideles docuisse quod apostoli cunctis promiscua
communiaque feminarum consortia permitterent. {139A} Dicuntur autem Nicolaitae
quaedam etiam fabulosa et pene gentilia de mundi praedicasse principio, nec
ab eisquae immolantur cibos suos separasse.
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15. Nicolaitans.
The Nicolaitans are named from Nicolas the deacon, of whom Clement
relates [Strom., bk. iii, ch.4] that when he was reproved for his jealousy
of a most beautiful wife, he answered that whoever would might take her to
wife, and says that, on account of this, unbelievers taught that the Apostles
allowed to all a promiscuous and common intercourse with women. And the Nicolaitans
are reported to have put forth some fabulous and almost heathen statements
concerning the beginning of the world, and not to have kept their meats separate
from things offered to idols. |
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2:16 similiter
paenitentiam age si quo minus venio tibi cito et pugnabo cum illis in gladio
oris mei
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16 In like manner do penance: if not,
I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of
my mouth.
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2:17 qui
habet aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis vincenti dabo ei manna absconditum
et dabo illi calculum candidum et in calculo nomen novum scriptum quod nemo
scit nisi qui accipit
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17 He, that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh, I will give
the hidden manna, and will give him a white counter, and in the counter,a
new name written, which no man knoweth, but he that receiveth
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Vincenti dabo manna
absconditum. Qui carnis ille cebram, hypocritis licet suadentibus, contempserit,
jure dulcedine panis invisibilis, qui de coelo descendit, saturabitur.
Et dabo illi calculum candidum. Id est, corpus nunc
baptismo candidatum, tunc incorruptionis gloria refulgens.
Et in calculo nomen novum scriptum. Ut filii Dei
nominemur et simus.
Quod nemo scit, nisi qui accipit. Quia qui dicit
se nosse Deum, et mandata ejus non custodit, mendax {139B} est. Non enim gustat
hypocrita quam suavisest Dominus.
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17. manna. He
who shall have despised the allurements of the flesh in spite of the advice
of hypocrites, will of right be satisfied with the sweetness of the invisible
bread which comes down from heaven.
stone. That is, a body which is now made white by
baptism,and is then refulgent with the glory of incorruption.
name. That we should be named, and should be, sons
of God.
knoweth. Because "he who says that he knows God,
and does not keep His commandments, is a liar [1 Jn. 2:4]," for the hypocrite
tastes not how sweet the Lord is. |
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2:18 et
angelo Thyatirae ecclesiae scribe haec dicit Filius Dei qui habet oculos
ut flammam ignis et pedes eius similes orichalco
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18 And to the angel of the church ofThyatira
write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame
of fire, and his feet like to fine brass.
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Et angelo Thyatirae
Ecclesiae scribe. Thyatira transfertur in hostiam. Sancti autem exhibent
corpora sua hostiam viventem.
Haec dicit Filius Dei, qui habet oculos tanqum flammam
ignis. Qui sunt oculi flammei, inferius aperit, dicens: Ego sum scrutans
renes et corda: et dabo unicuique vestrum secundum opera vestra.
Et pedes ejus similes aurichalco. Et hoc exponit
quod hujus Ecclesiae novissima sint opera plura prioribus.
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18. Thyatira.
Thyatira is translated, "for a sacrifice;"and the saints "present their bodies
a living sacrifice [Rom.12:1]."
eyes. He explains farther on what eyes of flame
are, saying, "I am He Who searcheth the reins and the hearts, and I will give
to everyone of you according to your works."
feet. This also he explains to be, that "the last
works of this church are more than the first." |
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2:19 novi
opera tua et caritatem et fidem et ministerium et patientiam tuam et
opera tua novissima plura prioribus
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19 I know thy works, and thy faith, and
thy charity, and thy ministry, and thy patience, and thy last works which
are more than the former.
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2:20 sed
habeo adversus te quia permittis mulierem Hiezabel quae se dicit propheten
docere et seducere servos meos fornicari et manducare de idolothytis
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20 But I have against thee a few things:
because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess,
to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of
things sacrificed to idols.
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Sed habeo adversus
te, quia permittis mulierem Jezabel, etc. In tuo quidem opere et fide laudabilises, sed in hoc vituperabilis, quia pseudoapostolorum {139C} synagogam,quae se Christianam
fingit, non digna invectione redarguis. Nomen Jezabel,quod fluxum sanguinis
sonat, convenit haereticis. Et specialiter fuisse conjicitur mulierin supradicta
Ecclesia docens memorata facinora, quae figura esset totius Jezabel per orbem,
cui etiam manifestam comminatur ultionem.
Et seducere servos meos, fornicari, etc. Utique sub
Christi nomine fornicationem et idololatriam spiritualem docebat. Nam quomodo
aperte idolorum culturam doceret, quae in Ecclesia prophetam se dicebat. |
20. Jezebel.
In thy work indeed, and thy faith, thou art to be praised. But in this thou
art to be blamed, that thou dost not confute with proper energy the synagogue
of false Apostles, which pretends to be Christian. The name Jezebel, which
implies "an issue of blood," belongs to heretics; and in particular, she
is conjectured to be a woman in the aforenamed church, who teaches the evil
deeds which have been mentioned, who was to be a figure of the Jezebel throughout
the world, whom also he manifestly threatens with vengeance.
seduce. Under the name of Christ forsooth, she taught
spiritual fornication and idolatry, for how could she openly teach the worship of
idols, when she said that she was a prophetess in the Church. |
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2:21 et
dedi illi tempus ut paenitentiam ageret et non vult paeniteri a fornicatione
sua
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21 And I gave her a time that she might
do penance, and she will not repent of her fornication.
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2:22 ecce
mitto eam in lectum et qui moechantur cum ea in tribulationem maximam
nisi paenitentiam egerint ab operibus eius
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22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed:
and they that commit adultery with her shall be in very great tribulation,
except they do penance from their deeds.
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Ecce mitto eam in
lectum.Justo Dei judicio agitur, ut in lecto poenae jaceat aeternae, quae
miseros in lecto libidinis stravit.
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22. bed. It is
brought to pass by the just judgment of God, that she should lie in a bed
of eternal punishment, who made the wretched lie down in a bed of lust. |
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2:23 et
filios eius interficiam in morte et scient omnes ecclesiae quia ego
sum scrutans renes et corda et dabo unicuique vestrum secundum opera
vestra
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23 And I will kill her children
with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the
reins and hearts,and I will give to every one of you according to your works.
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Et filios ejus in
mortem .Filios hic posterioritatem et opera mulieris nominat, quibus
mortem non momentan eam corporis, sed animae, minatur aeternam.
Et scient omnes Ecclesiae quia ego sum scrutans renes
et corda. In renibus, delectationes; in corde, cogitationes significat.
Et dabo unicuique vestrum opera vestra. Opera ergo
nostra, et dicta, possunt esse nota hominibus, sed quo animae fiant et quo
per illa pervenire cupiamus,solus ille novit qui perspicit quid quisque cogitet,
quid quemque delectet.Qua autem consequentia fornicationem et idololatriam,
quae crimina sunt manifesta, puniens occultorum dicitur cognitor, nisi quia
haec in minimis etiam possunt appellari delictis? {140A} Perdes, inquit,
omnes qui fornicantur abs te (Psal.LXII). Et idem qui haec audit apostolus
Joannes, cum de falsis fratribus disputaret, ita conclusit: Filioli, inquiens,
custodite vos a simulacris (I Joan. V).
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23. children.
He here names the posterity and works of the woman,"children," and
he threatens them not with the momentary death of the body, but the eternal
death of the soul.
hearts. Under the reins he signifies delights, under
the heart thoughts.
works. Our works and words, no doubt, may be known
to men.But with what intention they are accomplished, and whereunto we desire
to attain by their means, He alone knows Who perceives what each one thinks,
and in what he takes delight. And with what consistency in punishing fornication
and idolatry, which are open faults, can He be said to be a discerner of
secret things, unless these names may be applied even to the least offences?
"Thou wilt destroy," he says, "all those who commit fornication from Thee
[Ps. 72 (AV 73):27] ." And the same Apostle John, who heard this, when he reasoned
of false brethren, ended by saying "Little children, keep yourselves
from idols [1 Jn. 5:21]." |
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2:24 vobis
autem dico ceteris qui Thyatirae estis quicumque non habent doctrinam
hanc qui non cognoverunt altitudines Satanae quemadmodum dicunt non
mittam supervos aliud pondus
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24 But to you I say, And to the rest who
are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this doctrine, and who have not known
the depths of Satan, as they say, I will not put upon you any other burthen.
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Vobis autem dico et caeteris
qui Thyatirae estis. Sicut impiis poenitentiam suadet, et poenam minatur,
sic ad patientiam pios praemiis hortatur aeternis.
Qui non cognoverunt altitudines Satanae, etc. Sic
et qui operantur iniquitatem, non cognoscunt Deum, licet ipsum praedicent.
Hoc modo et Deus, licet omnes noverit, non cognovit operarios iniquitatis.
Non mittam super vos aliud pondus, etc. Non patiar
vos tentari supra id quod potestis sustinere. {140B} Aliter. Attendite, inquit,
a falsis prophetis (Matth. VII). Non enim ego vobis novam mitto doctrinam,
sed quam accepistis, servate in finem.
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24. you. As he
commends repentance to the ungodly, and threatens them with punishment, so
he exhorts the godly to patience by holding forth eternal rewards.
known. So, again, they who work iniquity know not
God, although they preach Him. In this way also, God Who knoweth all men,
knoweth not those who work iniquity.
send. I will not suffer you to be tempted above
that which ye are able to endure [I Cor. 10:13]; otherwise: "Beware," He says,
"of false prophets[Matt. 7:15]," for I send unto you no new doctrine;
but keep that which ye have received unto the end. |
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| 2:25 tamen
id quod habetis tenete donec veniam |
25 Yet that, which you have, hold
fast till I come.
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2:26 et
qui vicerit et qui custodierit usque in finem opera mea dabo illi potestatem
super gentes
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26 And he that shall overcome, and keep
my works unto the end, I will give him power over the nations.
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Qui enim vicerit falsa, et
mea jussa custodierit, etc. In Christo habet Ecclesia hanc potestatem
tanquam corpus in capite. In quo, secundum Apostolum, nobis Deus omnia donavit
(Rom. VIII).
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25. overcometh.
The Church has this power in Christ, as the body in the Lord: for
"in Him," according to the Apostle, "God has given unto us all things [2
Pet. 1:3]." |
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2:27 et
reget illas in virga ferrea tamquam vas figuli confringentur
|
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of
iron, and as the vessel of a potter they shall be broken,
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Et reget illas in
virga ferrea. Inflexibili justitia regit mites, ut fructum plus afferant;
destruit vero contumaces, ut vel in aeternum pereant, vel conterantur in
eis cupiditates terrenae, et veteris hominis lutulenta negotia, quidquid de
peccatorum limo contractum atque inolitum est.
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27. iron. With
inflexible justice He rules the meek, that they may the more bring forth
fruit, but over-throws the contumacious, that they may either perish for ever,
or that earthly desires may be destroyed in them, and the impure things of
the old man, whatever has been contracted and wrought in them from the sinful
clay. |
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2:28 sicut
et ego accepi a Patre meo et dabo illi stellam matutinam
|
28 As I also have received of my Father:
and I will give him the morning star.
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Et dabo illi stellam
matutinam. Christus est stella matutina, qui, nocte saeculi transacta, lucem
vitae {140C} sanctis promittit et pandit aeternam.
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28. star. Christ
is "the morning star," Who promises and reveals to the saints the eternal
light of life, when the night of the world is past. |
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2:29 qui
habet aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis
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29 He that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
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