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Shorter Rules

St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925

Rule 270: What is the Meaning of, Perplexed Yet Not Unto Despair?

The apostle is here showing the full conviction of his own trust in God by contrasting human calculations, and in this way he arranges each of the things contained in this passage. For as regards human calculations he says: “We are pressed on every side”’ but as regards trust in God he adds: “‘yet not straitened.” Again, as regards human calculations “perplexed,” but as regards trust in God2 yet not unto despair.” And so with the rest. Elsewhere also he says similar things: “As dying, and behold we live; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Notes

  1. 2 Cor. iv. 8 †.
  2. 2 Cor. vi. 9; 10.

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