Primasius of Hadrumetum — Commentary on Scripture

Revelation 4:10

When the animals resound with praise, that is, when the Evangelists preach and celebrate the dispensation of Christ, … the twenty-four elders, that is, the whole church, that is, the leaders and people immediately fall on their faces and adore him who lives forever and ever.… By casting their crowns before the throne, they are ascribing to God whatever they possess of virtue and dignity. For whatever good we seek and acquire by right is attributed to him from whom he who conquers receives assistance. A figure of this action occurred in the Gospel when the people, going before the Lord, cast their garments and palm branches on the road before him, saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel.”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:10

Revelation 5:1

The book is in the right hand because it is in Christ, for he is the arm of God, he is the right hand of the Father, or it means that it was in the highest blessedness. The book written on the inside and the outside is both Testaments, the Old Testament on the outside because it was visible, and the New Testament on the inside because it lay hidden within the Old. The apostle speaks to the Hebrews of this: “For you have not come to what may be touched, a fire, a storm, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice with words whose hearers entreated that no further word be given to them, for they could not bear what was said,” and the following. However, now “comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, we do not contemplate what is seen but what is not seen, for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” And therefore one book is mentioned, since the New Testament cannot be without the Old, nor the Old without the New. For the Old Testament is the messenger and the veil of the New, while the New is the fulfillment and…

The book is in the right hand because it is in Christ, for he is the arm of God, he is the right hand of the Father, or it means that it was in the highest blessedness. The book written on the inside and the outside is both Testaments, the Old Testament on the outside because it was visible, and the New Testament on the inside because it lay hidden within the Old. The apostle speaks to the Hebrews of this: “For you have not come to what may be touched, a fire, a storm, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice with words whose hearers entreated that no further word be given to them, for they could not bear what was said,” and the following. However, now “comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, we do not contemplate what is seen but what is not seen, for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” And therefore one book is mentioned, since the New Testament cannot be without the Old, nor the Old without the New. For the Old Testament is the messenger and the veil of the New, while the New is the fulfillment and revelation of the Old. And because the Old Testament was on the outside, it neither disclosed everything nor did it conceal everything. Or, to express this more clearly, every dispensation of the Savior that is either promised or enacted in either Testament is collected here in this book.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:1

Revelation 5:3

When it says that no one in heaven was found worthy, it indicates that [opening the scroll] exceeded the capacities of the angels. This was not because they were ignorant of the future mystery of the Lord’s incarnation and work but because this was not to be completed through an angelic creature. For the Son of God, who through the assumption of true humanity was going to redeem humanity, wishes to fulfill all things through himself. Therefore Isaiah said, “Neither an angel nor a messenger but the Lord himself saved them.” When it says that no one on the earth was worthy, it means that no one of the just remains perfect in this life, for in order to be re-created man requires the assistance of him who alone is Creator. And that no one could be found under the earth means that no one among the saints who had died was found worthy to open the scroll or even to see it. Here “to see” means “to comprehend,” and therefore Paul says that he preaches the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles of which the Lord spoke, that is, the glory of the New Testament that was hidden in the law a…

When it says that no one in heaven was found worthy, it indicates that [opening the scroll] exceeded the capacities of the angels. This was not because they were ignorant of the future mystery of the Lord’s incarnation and work but because this was not to be completed through an angelic creature. For the Son of God, who through the assumption of true humanity was going to redeem humanity, wishes to fulfill all things through himself. Therefore Isaiah said, “Neither an angel nor a messenger but the Lord himself saved them.” When it says that no one on the earth was worthy, it means that no one of the just remains perfect in this life, for in order to be re-created man requires the assistance of him who alone is Creator. And that no one could be found under the earth means that no one among the saints who had died was found worthy to open the scroll or even to see it. Here “to see” means “to comprehend,” and therefore Paul says that he preaches the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles of which the Lord spoke, that is, the glory of the New Testament that was hidden in the law and that Christ reserved for his own presence. And so, no one was able to see this with an adequate sight, so that he might be able to effect it, since Christ had the power to fulfill it by his own dispensation. For [this glory] could only be foreseen by them, but it could not be effected.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:3

Revelation 5:4

It was the church that wept in John’s weeping, for she is weighed down with the burden of sins and beseeches her own redemption, which was shown to exist in the opening of this book.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:4

Revelation 5:7

The Son of man is said to have received the book from the right hand of God as both the dispensation from the Father and an arrangement from himself, for each reigns upon the throne with the Holy Spirit. And also here we ought understand the right hand to represent the blessedness of the victory. Nor ought it be understood in a fleshly manner as though he received the book from another hand of the Father, since the self-same is Son of the Father and the self-same the right hand [of God]. But since he who said, “Rejoice, for I have overcome the world,” always conquers in those who belong to him, he also makes his own church to exist as a conqueror, and it is declared of her that she receives the book.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:7

Revelation 5:8

The bowls that are accepted by God are the pious confession in which no one is hidden with a duplicitous heart but is rather sincere with an open affection. They are also the golden vessels that are in the great house, burning with the sweetness of the pleasant odor of Christ. Moreover, the prayers of the saints are the grateful deeds of those who rejoice over the salvation of the world and their intercessions for the wellbeing of the helpless. [The apostle] says, “Christ suffered for us, leaving for us an example that we should walk in his footsteps.” When, therefore, “those who belong to Christ crucify their own flesh with its passions and desires,” it is as though they are playing to Christ on harps, so that what he has done for them, they might do for him, “looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:8

Revelation 5:9-10

Christ wrote a new song by the harmonious truth of both Testaments. This he did when he, remaining the Word which was in the beginning, was born by a new sort of birth through the Virgin. This he did when he as God put on man in a new manner. This he did when he gave himself over to his killers by his own power. This he did when he was wondrously made alive from the dead and when at a time of his own choosing was ascended beyond the heavens. And this new song he bestowed upon all those who belong to the church which he acquired, that it might be sung continually, and that in this [the church] might rest secure as it awaits in hope the coming judge, that “we might walk in the newness of life.” As he said, “If any one wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:9

Revelation 6:1

He said, “I heard one of the four animals say, ‘Come and see.’ ” This one animal is the whole church preaching with a great voice and inviting the church to greater faith, “Come and see!” “If anyone thirsts, let him come and drink.” “Approach him and you will be illuminated.” “Arise, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will illuminate you.”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:1

Revelation 6:2

This white horse can be understood as the church of truth, represented in the persons of the apostles and preachers, which was made whiter than snow by grace. The rider upon the horse is Christ. Therefore, it was said to him through the prophet, “For you mounted your horses and your army is salvation.” For the same reason he is said to hold an arrow. An arrow is aptly compared with the preaching of the Word of God, for when the hearts of people are pierced, they are able to bear the fruit of faith. And so we read, “Your sharp arrows are very powerful; people fall before you.” The crown indicates the reward rightly given to preachers.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:2

Revelation 6:3

The same words of exhortation to “come and see” are repeated, but for a different reason. The white horse is portrayed as good, but the red horse is portrayed as evil. Just as in regard to the good, joy is promised for the church’s victory, so here there is a warning against evil from a foreknowledge of the future.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:3

Revelation 6:6

I think that the different numbers of one and three are mentioned on account of the diversity of personal habitations. In the one denarius is indicated eternal life that is common to all even though [they live] among many mansions. And if one is there regarded as more sublime than another according to merits or is given a greater reward, yet no one is thought to be preeminent in comparison with another. For where there is a single immortality to each, there a common eternity exists for all. So also in the wine and oil he prohibits the dishonoring of the power of the sacraments, since that is the chrismation and the precious blood. Therefore we read, “What does he have which is good and beautiful, unless it be the fruit of the elect and producing virgins as wine.” And in the psalm: “Wine gladdens the heart of man, and his face is made cheerful in oil.”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:6, HOMILY 5

Revelation 6:10

This ought not be understood in a carnal manner, as though they were inflamed by animosity and wished revenge. We know that we are to love our enemies through an abundance of love, but it is manifest that they prayed against the kingdom of sin and were praying out of a desire for that kind of kingdom for which we say, “Thy kingdom come!”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:10

Revelation 6:11

We believe that this was revealed to them by the knowledge of divine wisdom, that since the impious will inevitably be punished with eternal punishment and since the fountain of heavenly grace will flow forth unto the end of the world, many will until then be taken into the company of the holy martyrs. And when they received this response, they were filled with an inexpressible joy, which we believe is aptly symbolized by the white robes. Therefore, each one received a white robe, so that through the perfection of love that is poured out into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit, they might be content with this consolation and prefer rather to wait for the completion of the number of other brothers.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:11

Revelation 7:9

By the sign of the sacred number he signifies the multitude of the elect, “whom God foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” For those who come from the nations are made to be Israel and so by right are called sons of Abraham, not by flesh but by faith in that seed which is Christ, the cornerstone, of whom the apostle said, “He is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in the place of two, and so make peace, and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross.”

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:9

Revelation 7:9

By the robes he suggests baptism, and by the palms the triumph of the cross. Since they have conquered the world in Christ, it may be that the robes signify the love which is given through the Holy Spirit.… They are said to carry palm branches in their hands. “In their hands” indicates either their perseverance in good works—we read here, “The Lord made strong his arm for a good work,” and “With my hands at night I was before him, and I was not deceived”13—or it indicates that power which they received so that they might become sons of God, as is said of Joseph, “And the Lord had placed all things in his hand,” that is, into his power.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:9

Revelation 7:10-12

They were confessing with a “loud voice,” that is, with a deep devotion and unceasing praise. “Upon the throne,” that is, the Father and the Son reign in the Church, with the Holy Spirit ruling equally with them. There is here such an order to the words, “To our God and to the Lamb who sits upon the throne belongs salvation.” We find a similar manner of speaking in the Gospel, “That they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This is as though he said, “That they might know you and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, the one true God.” In the one throne is indicated the power of one nature. However, in the name of the Lamb the personal character of the Father and the Son is designated, just as when the Holy Spirit is alone named, the Father and the Son are there also to be understood. For we read in the Acts of the Apostles, “Take heed to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,” and it immediately adds, “to rule the church of God which he obtained by his own blood.” Now, we know that no one has poured out their blood for us except…

They were confessing with a “loud voice,” that is, with a deep devotion and unceasing praise. “Upon the throne,” that is, the Father and the Son reign in the Church, with the Holy Spirit ruling equally with them. There is here such an order to the words, “To our God and to the Lamb who sits upon the throne belongs salvation.” We find a similar manner of speaking in the Gospel, “That they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This is as though he said, “That they might know you and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, the one true God.” In the one throne is indicated the power of one nature. However, in the name of the Lamb the personal character of the Father and the Son is designated, just as when the Holy Spirit is alone named, the Father and the Son are there also to be understood. For we read in the Acts of the Apostles, “Take heed to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,” and it immediately adds, “to rule the church of God which he obtained by his own blood.” Now, we know that no one has poured out their blood for us except the person of Christ. And so it is sufficiently clear that whenever one alone is named, the entire Trinity is to be understood.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:10

Revelation 7:10-12

Whatever this multitude might be, by expressing these names he indicates the universal church.… Through the naming of these seven virtues, we are exhorted to inquire after the reason why he named those things here in which God desires his church to participate. It is for this reason, that when these [virtues] are given to God in praise, they might confess that they have received each of them from him. For we ought not consider that God alone is capable of the [virtues] named here, but that he has found them worthy also to give to the faithful. We rejoice that the church of Christ is allowed to participate in all of these good things: blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might. It does not mention omnipotence or majesty or eternity, for God alone always rightly possesses these things. But in these seven we recognize all those virtues that could be granted to the faithful from him who gave them power to become sons of God. And so, if we have acquired any of these good things, we shall know with certainly that we have them by the generosity of God.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:11-12

Revelation 7:13

This one elder represents either the body of the prophets or the church. It depicts the leaders teaching the other members of the future reward for which the laborers might hope, just as the apostle spoke of the gospel, “In it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,” that is, from the faith of those who preach, for the faith of those who hear.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:13-14

Revelation 7:14

When it says that a number of the faithful had come out of the great tribulation, what else is indicated except what we read elsewhere, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Therefore, the apostle also said, “Brothers, let us not grow weary, for in due time we shall reap.” It is through the endurance of struggles that the number of the faithful are sifted out, just as by the weight of the press oil is prepared with diligent care and grain that is to be stored in a barn is collected through the threshing machine. That they wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb reveals their reward, so that the labor of the aforementioned struggle might be endured with equinimity. And he rightly adds that they made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. It is as though he said that the robes that some had befouled after the grace of baptism through neglect, ignorance or contempt, these had made white in the blood of the Lamb, that is, in the grace of Christ, or even in undergoing martyrdom. This reward is to be assigned especially to those in the church who have spilled…

When it says that a number of the faithful had come out of the great tribulation, what else is indicated except what we read elsewhere, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Therefore, the apostle also said, “Brothers, let us not grow weary, for in due time we shall reap.” It is through the endurance of struggles that the number of the faithful are sifted out, just as by the weight of the press oil is prepared with diligent care and grain that is to be stored in a barn is collected through the threshing machine. That they wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb reveals their reward, so that the labor of the aforementioned struggle might be endured with equinimity. And he rightly adds that they made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. It is as though he said that the robes that some had befouled after the grace of baptism through neglect, ignorance or contempt, these had made white in the blood of the Lamb, that is, in the grace of Christ, or even in undergoing martyrdom. This reward is to be assigned especially to those in the church who have spilled their blood for Christ and have returned the robe of baptism with a greater brilliance by a better service of blood. But if this grace is to refer to all the faithful generally, we must finally conclude that if anyone is cleansed by the font of his Lord, is fed by his flesh and is enflamed by the call of the Spirit, he is in this manner made white as snow. For there are those who are proven to be martyrs before God by their inner character, even though they are not martyrs by way of a public act.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:13-14

Revelation 7:15

Before the throne of God is the church, in whose “heart he has placed ways to go up in the valley of tears to a place which he has established.” They serve him day and night, that is, in times of prosperity and in times of adversity. They are regarded as a “temple” who are said to serve in the temple, just as [they are regarded as] a throne. Therefore, it continues, “And he who sits upon the throne will dwell among them.” The soul of the righteous is the seat of wisdom. However, wisdom is Christ, and Christ is truly God.

COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:15