Basil of Caesarea — Commentary on Scripture

1 Chronicles 16:41

We know two psalms with the title “For Idithun,” the sixty-first and the thirty-eighth. We think that the composition of the work is owed to David; that was given to Idithun for his use that he might correct the passions of his soul and also as a choral song to be sung in the presence of the people. Through it, also, God was glorified, and those who heard it amended their habits. Now, Idithun was a singer in the temple, as the history of the Paralipomenon testifies to us, saying, “And after them Heman and Idithun sounded the trumpets and played on the cymbals and all kinds of musical instruments to sing praises to God.” And a little later it says, “Moreover David the king and the chief officers of the army separated for the ministry the sons of Asaph, and of Heman and of Idithun: to prophesy with harps, and with psalteries and with tympana.”

HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 21:1 (PS 61)

1 Corinthians 6:7

In this manner we shall save our adversary also, even against his will, from evil consequences, and we ourselves will not violate the commandment of God, being as his ministers neither contentious nor avaricious, steadily intent upon the manifestation of truth and never overstepping the appointed limits of zeal.

THE LONG RULES 9

1 Corinthians 7:23

The price of man is the blood of Christ. “You have been bought,” it is said, “with a price; do not become the slaves of men.” The powers of the evil one are trying to render this price useless to us. They try to lead us back into slavery even after we are free.

HOMILY 21

1 Corinthians 7:24

The apostle himself practiced very meticulously what he preached to others.

CONCERNING BAPTISM 12

1 Corinthians 7:33

Paul allows marriage and considers it worthy of blessing, but he contrasts it with his own preoccupation with the concerns of God and hints that the two things are incompatible.

THE LONG RULES 5

1 Corinthians 8:12

Consequently, either when something is done which is intrinsically evil and scandal results, or if the performance of a licit act and one within our sphere of competence causes scandal to one who is weak in faith or knowledge, then the penalty is clear and unescapable.… “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck.”.

CONCERNING BAPTISM 10

1 Corinthians 9:25

No one is crowned except he strive lawfully.

GIVE HEED TO THYSELF

1 Corinthians 10:32

Do not be a stumbling block in any way to those you meet. Be cheerful, a lover of the brethren, gentle, humble. Do not demean the aim of hospitality by seeking extravagant foods. Be content with what is at hand.

Letter 42

1 Corinthians 10:32

Do all things decently and according to order for the purpose of edification. The person, the time, the need and the place all should be properly chosen and determined upon. By consideration of all these details every shadow of evil suspicion will be avoided.

THE LONG RULES 33

1 Corinthians 11:1

If, indeed, the goal of Christianity is the imitation of Christ according to the measure of his incarnation, insofar as is conformable with the vocation of each individual, they who are entrusted with the guidance of many others are obliged to animate those still weaker than themselves, by their assistance, to the imitation of Christ.

THE LONG RULES 43

1 Corinthians 12:3

If two yardsticks are compared with each other, their straightness is in agreement. But if a distorted piece of wood is compared with a ruler, the crooked one will be at variance with the straight. Since, therefore, the praise of God is righteous, there is need of a righteous heart, in order that the praise may be fitting and adapted to it. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except in the Holy Spirit.” So how can one offer due praise if one does not have the right spirit in one’s heart? HOMILY 15.

ON PSALM 32

1 Corinthians 12:7

Since no one has the capacity to receive all spiritual gifts, but the grace of the Spirit is given proportionately to the faith of each, when one is living in community with others, the grace privately bestowed on each individual becomes the common possession of the others.… One who receives any of these gifts does not possess it for his own sake but rather for the sake of others.

THE LONG RULES 7

1 Corinthians 12:25

With those among whom harmony is not secured, however, the bond of peace is not preserved, mildness of spirit is not maintained, but there is dissension, strife and rivalry. It would be a great piece of audacity to call such persons “members of Christ” or to say that they are ruled by him. It would be the expression of an honest mind to say openly that the wisdom of the flesh is master there and wields a royal sovereignty. .

1 Corinthians 12:26

Our sufferings are such as to have reached even to the limits of our inhabited world. When one member suffers, all the members suffer along with it.

LETTER 242, TO THE WESTERNERS

1 Corinthians 13:5

A person living in solitary retirement will not readily discern his own defects, since he has no one to admonish or correct him with mildness and compassion. In fact, admonition from an enemy often produces in a prudent man the desire for amendment.

THE LONG RULES 7

1 Corinthians 13:6

Cast off the sullenness of an angry man which you are evincing by your silence, and regain joy in your heart, peace toward your likeminded brothers and sisters, and zeal and solicitude for the preservation of the churches of the Lord.

Letter 65, TO ATARBIUS

1 Corinthians 13:10

Even though more knowledge is always being acquired by everyone, it will ever fall short in all things of its rightful completeness until the time when that which is perfect being comes, that which is in part will be done away.

CONCERNING FAITH

1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I was a child”—that is, fresh from committing to memory the first elements of the divine Word—“I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But now that I have become a man”—that is, and am hastening to attain the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ—“I have put away the things of a child.”

CONCERNING FAITH

1 Corinthians 13:12

But, before I take up the matter itself of the profession of faith, the following warning should be given: It is impossible to express in one word or one concept, or to grasp with the mind at all, the majesty and glory of God, which is unutterable and incomprehensible, and the Holy Scripture, although for the most part employing words in current use, speaks obscurely 'as through a glass (1 Cor 13.12),’ even to the clean of heart. They have been promised to those who are accounted worthy in the life to come. But now, even if a man be a Paul or a Peter, even though he truly sees what he sees and is not misled nor deceived by his imagination, yet he sees through a glass and in a dark manner, and he looks forward with great joy to perfect knowledge in the future of that which he receives now in part with thanksgiving. - "Homily on Faith"

1 Corinthians 14:23

Even if a stranger should address his inquiries through ignorance to some other person and although he who is questioned by mistake is able to make a satisfactory reply, yet, for the sake of good order, he should keep silence and direct the stranger to him whose function it is, as the apostles did when the Lord was present. In this way, speech will be employed in a well-ordered and fitting manner.

THE LONG RULES 45