Body of christ Quote by The Church Fathers
““He shall also judge those who give rise to schisms, who are destitute of the love of God, and who look to their own special advantage rather than to the unity of the Church; and who for trifling reasons, or any kind of reason which occurs to them, cut in pieces and divide the great and glorious body of Christ, and so far as in them lies, [positively] destroy it,—men who prate of peace while they give rise to war, and do in truth strain out a gnat, but swallow a camel. For no reformation of so great importance can be effected by them, as will compensate for the mischief arising from their schism. He shall also judge all those who are beyond the pale of the truth, that is, who are outside the Church; but he himself shall be judged by no one. For to him all things are consistent: he has a full faith in one God Almighty, of whom are all things; and in the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom are all things, and in the dispensations connected with Him, by means of which the Son of God became man; and a firm belief in the Spirit of God, who furnishes us with a knowledge of the truth, and has set forth the dispensations of the Father and the Son, in virtue of which He dwells with every generation of men, according to the will of the Father.””
About This Quote
Source Religious Text: The Epistle of the Church Fathers, 4th‑5th century
The passage condemns those who cause division, prioritize personal gain over unity, and speak peace while inciting war, urging judgment of such hypocrisy.
In simple terms: Warns against hypocrisy and division within the Church.
Guard against personal ambition that harms communal unity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- church governance
- conflict resolution
- leadership training
- personal reflection
- community building
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance unity with diverse viewpoints?
- What role should humility play in leadership?
The text assumes a singular authority can judge all, which may conflict with modern pluralism.