Miscellanies 4.20.127
Summary: A wife troubled by her husband will first try reason and persuasion; if he will not listen, she will live sinlessly, even to death, with God as her helper and guide, aiming at his friendship.
Greek text · Stählin 2:304
δῆλον οὖν οἶμαι ὡς ἕκαστον τῶν προσπιπτόντων λυπηρῶν πρὸς τἀνδρὸς κατὰ τὴν οἰκουρίαν λόγῳ θεραπεύειν μετὰ πειθοῦς προαιρήσεται· εἰ δὲ μὴ ὑπακούοι, τότε ἤδη πειράσεται καθʼ ὅσον οἷόν τέ ἐστιν ἀνθρωπίνῃ φύσει ἀναμάρτητον διεξάγειν βίον, ἐάν τε ἀποθνῄσκειν δέῃ μετὰ τοῦ λόγου ἐάν τε ζῆν, συλλήπτορα καὶ κοινωνὸν τῆς τοιαύτης πράξεως τὸν θεὸν εἶναι νομίζουσα, τὸν τῷ ὄντι παραστάτην καὶ σωτῆρα εἴς τε τὸ παρὸν εἴς τε τὸ μέλλον, στρατηγόν τε καὶ ἡγεμόνα πάσης πράξεως ἐκεῖνον πεποιημένη, σωφροσύνην μὲν καὶ δικαιοσύνην ἔργον ἡγουμένη, τὸ θεοφιλὲς δὲ ποιουμένη τέλος.
English · Claude translation
It is clear, then, I think, that she will choose to treat with reason and persuasion each of the troubles that befall her from her husband in the management of the home; and if he does not listen, then she will try, as far as is possible for human nature, to lead a sinless life, whether she must die with the Word or live, believing God to be the helper and partner in such conduct, the true champion and Savior for the present and for the future, making him the general and leader of every action, considering self-restraint and justice her work, and making God's friendship her goal.
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Cite this passage
Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 4.20.127 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-stromata/4/20/127/).
Plain text
Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 4.20.127 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-stromata/4/20/127/).
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