Origen, COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, Part II, Complete

Translated by John Patrick.

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Page 108

And if one should dare, using a Scripture which is in circulation in the church, but not acknowledged by all to be divine, to soften down a precept of this kind, the passage might be taken from The Shepherd, concerning some who as soon as they believe are put in subjection to Michael, [6212] but falling away from him from love of pleasure, are put in subjection to the angel of luxury, [6213] then to the angel of punishment, [6214] and after this to the angel of repentance; for you observe that the wife or soul who has once been given to luxury no longer returns to the first ruler, but also besides suffering punishment, is put in subjection to one inferior to Michael; for the angel of penitence is inferior to him. We must therefore take heed lest there be found in us any unseemly thing, and we should not find favour in the eyes of our husband Christ, or of the angel who has been set over us. For if we do not take heed, perhaps we also shall receive the bill of divorcement, and either be bereft of our guardian, or go to another man. But I consider that it is not of good omen to receive, as it were, the marriage of an angel with our own soul. [6215]

[6212] Cf. Her. Sim. viii. 3.

[6213] Cf. Her. Sim. vi. 2.

[6214] Cf. Her. Sim. vi. 3.

[6215] The text is probably corrupt. Perhaps it means the marriage of a second angel with our soul.

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