Origen: The Song of Songs, Commentary and Homilies
Overview
Origen’s Commentary on the Song of Songs, widely regarded as the first great work of Christian mysticism, is characterized by extraordinary intellectual depth and spiritual understanding. The Homilies, also reflecting profound insight, were likely written only a short time after the Commentary.
Top Highlights
“First, in Proverbs he taught the moral science, putting rules for living into the form of short and pithy maxims, as was fitting. Secondly, he covered the science known as natural in Ecclesiastes; in this, by discussing at length the things of nature, and by distinguishing the useless and vain from the profitable and essential, he counsels us to forsake vanity and cultivate things useful and upright. The inspective science likewise he has propounded in this little book that we have now in hand—that is, the Song of Songs. In this he instils into the soul the love of things divine and heavenly, using for his purpose the figure of the Bride and Bridegroom, and teaches us that communion with God must be attained by the paths of charity and love.” (Page 41)
“But the wine that comes from the true Vine is always new; for, as learners advance, their understanding of the divine knowledge and wisdom is perpetually renewed. And that is why Jesus said to His disciples: I will drink this wine with you new in the Kingdom of my Father.63 For the understanding of secrets and the revelation of mysteries through the wisdom of God is always being renewed, not to men only, but also to the angels and celestial powers.” (Page 187)
“If, then, a man has completed his course in the first subject, as taught in Proverbs, by amending his behaviour and keeping the commandments, and thereafter, having seen how empty is the world and realized the brittleness of transitory things, has come to renounce the world and all that is therein, he will follow on from that point to contemplate and to desire the things that are not seen, and that are eternal.83 To attain to these, however, we need God’s mercy; so that, having beheld the beauty of the Word of God, we may be kindled with a saving love for Him, and He Himself may deign to love the soul, whose longing for Himself He has perceived.” (Pages 45–46)