Discipline Quote by John Behr
““As Maximus explains in Ad Thalassium 64, each law has its own proper discipline (ἀγωγή) and its own place within the gospel of Jesus. The natural law trains us in the basic solidarity and single-mindedness appropriate to individual human beings who share a common nature; it is enshrined in Jesus’s Golden Rule (Mt 7:12; Lk 6:31). The scriptural law leads to a higher discipline wherein human beings are motivated no longer by the mere fear of divine punishment but by a deep-seated embrace of the principle of mutual love. “For the law of nature,” writes Maximus, “consists in natural reason assuming control of the senses, while the scriptural law, or the fulfillment of the scriptural law, consists in the natural reason acquiring a spiritual desire conducive to a relation of mutuality ith others of the same human nature.”44 The essence of the scriptural law is thus summarized in Jesus’s dictum Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18; Mt 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mk 12:31). Finally, the spiritual law, or law of grace, leads humanity to the ultimate imitation of the love of Christ demonstrated in the incarnation, a love which raises us to the level of loving others even above ourselves, a sure sign of the radical grace of deification. It is enshrined in Jesus’s teaching that There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend (Jn 15:13).””
About This Quote
Source Book: Maximus the Confessor, Ad Thalassium, 64
The passage distinguishes natural law, based on shared human nature and solidarity, from scriptural law, which calls for mutual love and self‑sacrifice, culminating in divine grace and deification.
In simple terms: Natural law teaches solidarity; scriptural law calls for self‑sacrificial love.
Key Takeaway
Embrace love that exceeds self‑interest.
Themes
the
ethics
theology
spirituality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- Personal relationships
- community building
- religious practice
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
Natural law
scriptural law
grace
deification
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we practice self‑less love without burnout?
- What limits does human frailty place on divine love?
A Different Perspective
The ideal of self‑sacrifice can be unrealistic for many people.
![“Q. [69] If, as St John says, he who is born of God does not sin, because his seed dwells in God, and he cannot sin (1 Jn 3:9), and yet he who is born of water and Spirit is himself born of God (cf Jn 3:5–6), then how are we who are born of God through baptism still able to sin? R. The manner of…” quote by John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec2/john-behr-64123_baptism_q-69-if-as-st-john-says-he-who-is-born-o_2845101.jpg)
