Thematic Bible: Stoicism


Thematic Bible





and he that does not take his cross, and so follow after me, is unworthy of me. he that would preserve his life, shall lose it: and he that exposeth his life for my sake, shall save it.

Then addressing himself to the people, and his disciples, he said, he that desires to be under my conduct, let him renounce himself, and follow me. for he that would save his life, shall lose it; and he that would lose his life out of love to me and the gospel, he shall save it.

Then he said to the whole company, if any one will be my follower, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. for whoever would save his life, shall lose it: and he that would lose his life, out of love to me, shall save it. what advantage is it for a man to have gain'd the whole world, if he himself runs into utter loss and ruin? read more.
for whoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my doctrine, of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in the glory of his father, and of the holy angels.

The wife is bound as long as her husband lives: but if her husbnd be dead, she is at liberty to be married, if she pleases; provided it be to a christian. but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.

Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?" I answer, with regard to the licentious, it is best for a man, to have his wife; and for a woman to have her husband. let the husband discharge his obligations to his wife: and likewise the wife to the husband. read more.
the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife. don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency. but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command. for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do. but if they have not the gift, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to be in pain.

As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished. I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still.

the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord: he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife.

but I perceive in the animal part of me another law warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my animal part. Verse ConceptsBodily LimbsSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictLiving Not For The MaterialEvil PrinciplesPrinciples Of WarMind BattlesGoing Through the MotionsstruggleWarLife StrugglesThe MindConflictStrugglesBeing DifferentBeing Uniquelawworkingmindset

for we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold a slave to sin. what I do I allow not: for what my mind leads me to, that do I not; but what I have an aversion to, that I do. if then I do what I in my mind am against, the consent of my mind is, that the law is right. read more.
now then, it is not wholly I that do it, but the sinful passions that dwell in me. for I experience, that in the carnal part of me dwells no good: for it is familiar to me, to will, but not to execute that which is good. for the good that I purpose to do, I do not: but the evil which I resolve against, that I do. now if I do that which my mind is against, it is not meerly I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a settled custom, that evil is objected in my way whenever I have a mind to act well: for my mind takes delight in the law of God, but I perceive in the animal part of me another law warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my animal part. O wretched man that I am, what shall deliver me from this body of death?




for John the Baptist, when he came, abstain'd from bread and wine; yet you say, he is possess'd with a demon. Verse ConceptsAbstinenceAsceticism, People PracticingJohn The BaptistSelf DenialWineCharacter AssassinationAccused Of Being DemonisedDrinking No WineFasting Regularly

but I mortify my body, and bring it into subjection: lest after having been a herald to others, I my self should be thrown out. Verse ConceptsLicentiousnessCastawaysBodyAsceticism, TypesLustMortificationSelf DisciplineConduct, ProperDietsMinisters, Should BeBeating OneselfMaking SlavesslaveryRacetrainingmyself

there certain Epicurean and Stoick philosophers encountred him: "what does this mountebank mean?" said some: "he seems to proclaim some strange deitys," said others: because he talk'd to them of Jesus and the resurrection. Verse ConceptsBabblersevangelism, nature ofPhilosophyResurrection, Of The DeadFalse Teachers, Examples OfScoffersAmateursAmbiguityEncouraged To Serve Foreign gods

now John wore a coat made of camels hair, with a leathern girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild hony. Verse ConceptsLeatherClothingBeltsAsceticism, People PracticingHairsInsectsJohn The BaptistLocustsWaistsHoneyHairclothHair GarmentsChristmas Tree