Commentary On The Gospel According To John, Books 1-10 (The Fathers Of The Church)
Overview
Origen composed at least 32 books of a commentary on the Gospel according to John, at the request of St. Ambrose of Milan. Of these, only nine books are extant in almost complete form, although we have selections of others persevered in other collections of the works of Origen. The commentary proceeds verse by verse, and is particularly notable for its emphasis on the spiritual meaning of the Gospel.
This volume contains books 1, 2, 6, and 10, and fragments of books 4 and 5. Origen’s main interest is the allegorical interpretation of the Gospel according to John, which makes this an important work in the study of Origen's mystical thought. A secondary interest is the refutation of Valentinian gnosticism. According to Eusebius, Ambrose had been a Valentinian before his conversion by Origen, and Origen refers to the Gnostic writer Heracleon regularly throughout the commentary in order to refute his views.
For more of the church fathers, check out the Fathers of the Church: Fathers of the Ante-Nicene Era (23 vols.).
Top Highlights
“Now, in my opinion, there are four Gospels, as though they were the elements31 of the faith of the Church. (The whole world which has been reconciled to God consists32 of these elements, as Paul says: ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.’33 Jesus took away the sin of this world, for the word which is written, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,’34 is about the world of the Church.) But I think that John’s Gospel, which you have enjoined us to examine to the best of our ability, is the firstfruits of the Gospels. It speaks of him whose descent is traced, and begins from him who is without a genealogy.” (Pages 36–37)
“Most of us who approach the teachings of Christ, since we have much time for the activities of life and offer a few acts to God, would perhaps be those from the tribes who have a little fellowship with the priests and support the service of God in a few things. But those who devote themselves to the divine Word and truly exist by the service of God alone will properly be said to be Levites and priests in accordance with the excellence of their activities in this work.” (Page 33)
“It is now time, however, to examine what the term ‘gospel’ means, and why these books have this title. The gospel, therefore, is a discourse containing a report of things which, with good reason, make the hearer glad whenever he accepts what is reported, because they are beneficial. Such a discourse is no less gospel should it also be examined with reference to the hearer’s attitude. The gospel is either a discourse which contains the presence of a good for the believer, or a discourse which announces that an awaited good is present.” (Page 39)
- Title: Commentary on the Gospel according to John, Books 1–10
- Author: Origen
- Series: The Fathers of the Church
- Volume: 80
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 1989
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 355
- Era: era:ante-nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. John › Commentaries--Early works to 1800
- ISBNs: 0813210291, 9780813210292
- Resource ID: LLS:CMMGSPLCCRDNGJH10
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:24:38Z
Origen of Alexandria (ca. 182–ca. 251) was a Christian scholar and presbyter in the third century. He is thought to have been born at Alexandria, and died at Caesarea.