Patristic Periodicals: Origen's 'Homilies on Numbers'

[PatristicArcana]

As I read through Origen's writing, I will post any passages that may capture me as noteworthy to early Christian thought, or any oddities that might stand out. Feel free to contribute any relevant comments or questions.

"For us the expectation of a resurrection from the dead is a certainty, . . . some will go to paradise, or some are to be transferred to some other locations out of the many stages that are with the Father [cf. John 14:2]. Now the distinction in destination and glory will doubtless be bestowed based on the merits and deeds of each one. Each will be in that ranking that the merits of his deeds have earned for him, as Paul himself attests when he says of those who rise: 'But each in his own ranking.' [cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23]"
(Origen, Homilies on Numbers 1:3:2, in Ancient Christian Texts 3:4)

[PatristicArcana]

"On this Scripture, the heretics place a 'strange fire' by introducing a meaning and an interpretation that is estranged from God and contrary to the truth. . . . But if some things from the meanings of the divine Scriptures are found inserted into the words even of heretics, let these things not be rejected equally with those things that are contrary to the truth and to the faith. . . .
"So if we bring these 'bronze censers,' that is, the words of the heretics, to the altar of God, where there is divine fire, where the true proclamation is, the truth itself will gleam more brightly in comparison with what is false. . . . For if the teaching of the church were simple and not surrounded from without by assertions from the teachings of heretics, our faith would not be able to seem as clear and as examined."
(Origen, Homilies on Numbers 9:1:2-3, in Ancient Christian Texts 3:36)

[PatristicArcana]

"Let those who incriminate both God and the law notice how Moses himself and Aaron have previously done what the Gospel subsequently taught. Behold, Moses 'loves his enemies and prays for his persecutors.' [Cf. Matthew 5:44] This is precisely what Christ teaches us to do in the Gospels. For listen to how they 'fall on their face on the ground' [Numbers 16:45] and pray for those who had risen up in an insurrection to kill them."
(Origen, ca. 248, Homilies on Numbers 9:4:1, in Ancient Christian Texts 3:39)

[PatristicArcana]

"And in order to show still more fully by means of the words of the Lord himself that these things must be observed even according to the letter, let us add the following. The Lord says in the Gospels: 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, you who tithe'—that is, you give a tenth—'of mint and cumin and dill, and you neglect what are the greater matters of the law; hypocrites, these things ought to be done and the others not omitted.' [Cf. Matthew 23:23] So consider very carefully how the Lord's words mean that the greater matters of the law are by all means to be done, yet these things that are according to the letter are designated as things that are not to be neglected. But if you reply that he said these things to the Pharisees, not to the disciples, listen again to this same One, who says to the disciples: 'Unless your justice abounds more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' [Matthew 5:20] So then, what he wills to be done by the Pharisees, in much greater measure and with more abundance does he will to be fulfilled by the disciples; but what he does not will to be done by the disciples, he does not command to be done by the Pharisees."
(Origen, Homilies on Numbers 11:2:3, in Ancient Christian Texts 3:52)

[PatristicArcana]

"Again I think a third well can be seen in the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. For he too is different from the Father and from the Son, as it is said of him no less in the Gospels: 'The Father shall send you another Paraclete, the Spirit of truth.' [John 14:16-17] So there is this distinction of three persons in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, which is recalled in the plural number of the wells. Yet of these wells there is one spring. For the substance and nature of the Trinity is one."
(Origen, Homilies on Numbers 12:1:4, in Ancient Christian Texts 3:63)

[KingsGambit]

So much for the Trinity being a 3rd century invention.

[One Bad Pig]

So much for the Trinity being a 3rd century invention.

Origen is (early) third century. However, I know of at least two extant instances of the word prior to Origen's use here (by Theophilus of Antioch in his writings to Autolycus (2.15) and Clement of Alexandria in his Stromata 5.14).

More on-topic, a number of Origen's homilies on the Psalms have been found recently.

[rogue06]

Origen is (early) third century. However, I know of at least two extant instances of the word prior to Origen's use here (by Theophilus of Antioch in his writings to Autolycus (2.15) and Clement of Alexandria in his Stromata 5.14).

More on-topic, a number of Origen's homilies on the Psalms have been found recently.

ness

[Stefcui]

"For us the expectation of a resurrection from the dead is a certainty, . . . some will go to paradise, or some are to be transferred to some other locations out of the many stages that are with the Father.

This view is reminiscent of the Shepherd of Hermas.