Undusted Texts

Fragments from the Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon Origen of Alexandria (185-283) Part Two For Part One, see here .  For selections from the Septuagint version of Proverbs, see here .  The source for this selection is PG 13:25D-33D. Crown of graces (Prv 1:9): the enclosure [1] of the virtues, through which they are bound to each other. Golden collar around your neck (Prv 1:9): he calls the surrounding splendor and circular blaze of the divine words “golden collar.”    And he calls the mind “neck.” We will remove his memory from the earth (Prv 1:12): for those who say these things are also those saying: This is the heir; come, let us slay him, so that the inheritance will become ours (Mt 21:38). And cast your lot among yourselves [2] (Prv 1:14): leaving that society, be among yourselves, make the Sabbath among yourselves, prepare the unleavened bread among yourselves, and may you keep the other parts of the law. For they are partakers of slaughter ...

Below I have translated selected passages from the Septuagint version of Proverbs, in order to provide context for Origen’s commentary (Part One) .  Since Origen—like many of the Fathers—often focused heavily on the exact words of a Scriptural verse, I have tried to be overly-literal in my translations here.  Occasionally, in the notes, I have referenced Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s well-known Septuagint translation, first published in 1844 and widely available online. Greek has many words for “understanding” or “knowledge.”   To keep this difference visible in my translation, I have consistently used a distinct word for each Greek word.   Φρονησις becomes “thoughtfulness”: it often has the connotation of “prudence,” as well as “intention.”   Αισθησις becomes “good-sense,” as the word is also used to refer to feelings or physical sensations; etymologically, it is related to the word aesthetics .   Εννοια becomes “reflection,” though it can also h...

Introduction Origen has the dubious claim of both writing theology worthy of a Doctor of the Church and sowing the seeds of the wildest of heresies.  While being perhaps the first to schematically discuss the spiritual senses of Scripture, in the same work (On First Principles), he also theorizes the reincarnation of souls in various lifeforms, from devils, through rocks and animals, to humans, and even to angels, and he preached a final salvation of all souls (apokatastasis panton) , even Satan.  While Origen himself recognized how speculative his theology was and declared that he would fully submit his thought to the corrections of the Magisterium, later thinkers took his oddest speculations and hardened them into heresies.  As a result, when this "Origenism" was condemned, Origen himself--though dead--was condemned as well, and his works were ordered destroyed.  Thankfully, some theologians recognized the abundance of good theology in him, and so they worked to sa...