Origen: Prayer, Exhortation to Martyrdom
Overview
Composed in AD 233, Origen’s Prayer combines both a theological treatise on prayer and a unique expression of prayer. Exhortation to Martyrdom, also in this volume, was written to provide solace to Origen’s great friend and patron, Ambrose, and the presbyter, Protoctetus, both of whom had been imprisoned. Exhortation to Martyrdom was written in AD 235.
Top Highlights
“You no longer have need of milk, but of solid food.5 Hear then how, since you have been weaned from milk and drawn away from the breast, not a simple tribulation, but tribulation upon tribulation is prophesied for you as for athletes6 that have indeed been weaned. He who does not refuse tribulation upon tribulation, but promptly accepts it as a valiant athlete would, accepts also hope upon hope which he will enjoy shortly after the tribulation upon tribulation. This is the meaning of: after a little, after a little.” (Page 141)
“The Lord is my light and my saviour: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? Whilst the wicked draw near against me to eat my flesh, they that trouble me and my enemies have themselves been weakened and have fallen. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. If war should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.162 Most likely these words spoken by the prophet apply to no one else but the Saviour, who because of the light and salvation which have come to Him from the Father fears nobody and who because of the powerful protection given Him by God is afraid of no man. The heart of the Saviour never feared in any way when the whole camp of Satan was drawn up against Him.” (Page 169)
“Let us then welcome eagerly the sufferings incurred for Christ; and let them abound in us, if we truly strive for the abundant consolation with which all they who weep283 shall be consoled, though perhaps in unequal measure. For if consolation were given in equal measure to all, it would not be written: As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also by Christ doth our comfort abound. They who are partakers of the sufferings, will be partakers of the consolation also,284 according to the measure of the sufferings which they share with Christ. This you learn also from him who says with entire confidence: For we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.” (Page 185)