Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian In Defence of His Flight to Pontus and His Return, After His Ordination to the Priesthood, with an Exposition of the Character of the Priestly Office (Oration II), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

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Page 23

52. Since, however, I have mentioned Paul, and men like him, I will, with your permission, pass by all others who have been foremost as lawgivers, prophets, or leaders, or in any similar office—for instance, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, the Judges, Samuel, David, the company of Prophets, John, the Twelve Apostles, and their successors, who with many toils and labors exercised their authority, each in his own time; all these I pass by, to set forth Paul as the witness to my assertions, and for us to consider by his example how important a matter is the care of souls, and whether it requires slight attention and little judgment. But that we may recognize and perceive this, let us hear what Paul himself says of Paul.

53. I say nothing of his labours, his watchings, his sufferings in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, his assailants from without, his adversaries within. [2666] I pass over the persecutions, councils, prisons, bonds, accusers, tribunals, the daily and hourly deaths, the basket, the stonings, beatings with rods, the travelling about, the perils by land and sea, the deep, the shipwrecks, the perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from his countrymen, perils among false brethren, the living by his own hands, the gospel without charge, [2667] the being a spectacle to both angels and men, [2668] set in the midst between God and men to champion His cause, [2669] and to unite them to Him, and make them His own peculiar people, [2670] beside those things that are without. [2671] For who could worthily detail these matters, the daily pressure, [2672] the individual solicitude, the care of all the churches, the universal sympathy, and brotherly love? Did anyone stumble, Paul also was weak; did another suffer scandal, it was Paul who was on fire.

[2666] 2 Cor. xi. 23 et seq.

[2667] 1 Cor. iv. 12; ix. 18.

[2668] Ib. iv. 9.

[2669] His cause reading tou: v. 1. ton.

[2670] Tit. ii. 14.

[2671] 2 Cor. xi. 28, 29.

[2672] Pressure epistasian, 2 Cor. xi. 28, epistasin.

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