Tertullian - On Prayer

Of the Parting of Brethren.

Chapter XXVI.—Of the Parting of Brethren.

You will not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer.—"Have you seen," says Scripture, "a brother? you have seen your Lord;" ^[8931] —especially "a stranger," lest perhaps he be "an angel." But again, when received yourself by brethren, you will not make ^[8932] earthly refreshments prior to heavenly, for your faith will forthwith be judged. Or else how will you—according to the precept ^[8933] —say, "Peace to this house," unless you exchange mutual peace with them who are in the house?

Previous Page 690 Next

[8931] I have ventured to turn the first part of the sentence into a question. What "scripture" this may be, no one knows. [It seems to me a clear reference to Matt. xxv. 38, amplified by the 45th verse, in a way not unusual with our author.] Perhaps, in addition to the passages in Gen. xviii. and Heb. xiii. 2, to which the editors naturally refer, Tertullian may allude to such passages as Mark. ix. 37; Matt. xxv. 40, 45. [Christo in pauperibus.]

[8932] I have followed Routh's conjecture, "feceris" for "fecerit," which Oehler does not even notice.

[8933] Luke x. 5.

Chapters with similar language

(Computer-generated by common words)

8:6.3.4.30.0 (27%)
3:6.4.11.0.0 (23%)
9:16.2.5.28.0 (22%)
3:6.4.18.0.0 (19%)
3:6.4.25.0.0 (19%)