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Evagrius Ponticus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · d. AD 399 · 114 passages across 8 books

Commentary

1–20 of 114
Exodus 3:5

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

If Moses, when he attempted to draw near the burning bush, was prohibited until he should remove the shoes from his feet, how should you not free yourself of every thought that is colored by passion seeing that you wish to see One who is beyond every thought and perception?
Judges 7:5-7

So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

Limiting one’s intake of water helps a great deal to obtain temperance. This was well understood by the three hundred Israelites accompanying Gideon just when they were preparing to attack Midian.

Praktikos 17

Psalms 2:10-12

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

If you remember the Judge only when you are in difficulties as one who inspires fear and who is incorruptibly honest, then you have not as yet learned to “serve the Lord in fear and to rejoice in him with trembling.” For understand this point well: one is to worship him even in spiritual relaxations and in times of good cheer with even more piety and reverence.
Psalms 3:7

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

The teeth of sinners are thoughts foreign to reason coming to us on account of our nature by which our enemies approach us, just like using their teeth time after time again to devour our flesh. That is, those [are] things that spring forth from the flesh: “Manifest are the works of the flesh,” as the apostle says.

Notes on the Psalms 3:8

Psalms 4:1

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Whenever we realize the reasons why we suffer and are tested, then our minds are greatly opened.

Notes on the Psalms 4.2

Psalms 5:7

But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

The holy temple of God is Christ, concerning which “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.” In the fear of God each one turns away from evil; in fear he worships in the temple of the Lord that is Christ.

Notes on the Psalms 5:8

Psalms 7:12-13

If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

The ones who are burning are those who have received the flaming arrows of the devil.

Notes on the Psalms 7:14

Psalms 10:7-10

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

[By contrast] the righteous person praises God at all times.

Notes on the Psalms 9[10].28-29

Psalms 10:15

Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

The sinner is the one who sins out of lust and weakness; the wicked one is he who follows after evil with a deliberated plan.

Notes on the Psalms 9[10].36

Psalms 11:4

The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

If the eyes of God look on the poor, let us be numbered among the poor, so that the eyes of the Lord may look down on us. If the rich do not become poor, very little will the eyes of the Lord look on them.

Notes on the Psalms 10[11].4

Psalms 11:5

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

If the one who values iniquity hates his own life, then the one who hates iniquity esteems his own life.

Notes on the Psalms 10[11].5

Psalms 12:2

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

First the righteous fail, then the truth is diminished. Not only is there no truth among the righteous, there is no holiness among honest people. Now, since the righteous have failed, truth is diminished. Perhaps the poverty of righteous people is the reason why so many heresies have shot up.

Notes on the Psalms 11[12].2

Psalms 16:5

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The inheritance is the contemplation of the present and future ages; the inheritance of Christ is the understanding of God.

Notes on the Psalms

Psalms 16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

If the line is measured, how is it written the Gospel of John: “For God gives the Spirit without measure” and “I will pour out my spirit on you.” Perhaps by chance it is called “measure” not in terms of knowledge itself but on account of him who receives it, because its receptivity cannot be greater. The rain itself also may exceed the measure, yet it is measured in that vessel in which it is received.

Notes on the Psalms 15[16].6

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Even if now [the way] is full of pain and without joy, later it will bear the fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained in it.

Notes on the Psalms 16[17].3, 4

Psalms 17:12

Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

Through impure thoughts our adversary like a lion overcomes our mind.

Notes on the Psalms 16[17].12

Psalms 18:14

Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

When we compare spiritual things with spiritual things, we flash forth lightnings, indicating the knowledge advancing from them.

Notes on the Psalms 17[18].15, 16

Psalms 18:35

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

He who sits on the right of the Father corrects us with discipline, and accordingly he teaches us. For he directs the spirit with a right foundation; true understanding leads one into fullness.

Notes on the Psalms 17[18].36

Psalms 18:37

I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

If you pray against your passions or the demons that assail you recall to mind [this verse].… You are to say this at the appropriate moment, thus arming yourself against your adversary with humility.
Psalms 18:39

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

If fighters find themselves being assailed and assailing in return, and if the demons fight against us, then they too when they assail us will be assailed by us in return. Scripture says, “I will assail them, and they will not be able to stand”; and again, “Those who assail me and are my enemies, they have weakened and fallen.”

Praktikos 72

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