Theopesta
29-03-2006, 04:52 PM
Those "which are in the water" are said to be clean, which have "fins and scales", but if they do not have them, they are unclean.
Origin sees that these things are figures to be understood by spirit not by the letter and carnal:
that is shown in the fact that, if anyone is put in these waters and in the sea of this life and placed in the waves of the age, then he ought to do enough that he may not be cast down into the depths of the waters as are those fish which are said "not have fins or scales". For their nature produces these so that they always delay in the lowest part around the mire itself, just as eels and those similar to it are those which can not ascend to the top of the water nor reach its heights.
But those fish which are aided by "by fins" and are protected by "scales" ascend to greater heights and become more near to this are as those who seek the freedom of the spirit.
Therefore, each saint is like this one who enclosed within "the net" of faith, is called "a good fish".
For unless he had had "fins', he could not have risen from the mire of incredulity nor come into "the net" of faith.
but why is it that he is also, said to have "scales" except that he is prepared to lay aside old garments (eph 4: 22)?
For these who do not have scales are as if they are wholly of the flesh and totally carnal, who cannot lay aside any thing.
Therefore, if someone has "fins" with which he advances to the superior things, he is clean.
But he who does not have "fins" but remains in the interior things and always is living in filth, is unclean
Origin sees that these things are figures to be understood by spirit not by the letter and carnal:
that is shown in the fact that, if anyone is put in these waters and in the sea of this life and placed in the waves of the age, then he ought to do enough that he may not be cast down into the depths of the waters as are those fish which are said "not have fins or scales". For their nature produces these so that they always delay in the lowest part around the mire itself, just as eels and those similar to it are those which can not ascend to the top of the water nor reach its heights.
But those fish which are aided by "by fins" and are protected by "scales" ascend to greater heights and become more near to this are as those who seek the freedom of the spirit.
Therefore, each saint is like this one who enclosed within "the net" of faith, is called "a good fish".
For unless he had had "fins', he could not have risen from the mire of incredulity nor come into "the net" of faith.
but why is it that he is also, said to have "scales" except that he is prepared to lay aside old garments (eph 4: 22)?
For these who do not have scales are as if they are wholly of the flesh and totally carnal, who cannot lay aside any thing.
Therefore, if someone has "fins" with which he advances to the superior things, he is clean.
But he who does not have "fins" but remains in the interior things and always is living in filth, is unclean