Commentary on Hebrews

Basil of Caesarea (330–379)

According to the words of the wise Solomon in the Proverbs, he was created. "The Lord," he says, "created me." And he is called "the beginning of the evangelical way" which leads us to the kingdom of heaven, since he is not a creature in substance but was made the "way" in the divine dispensation. For "being made" and "being created" have the same meaning. In fact, as he was made a way, so also was he made a door, a shepherd, a messenger, a sheep, and, in turn, a high priest and apostle, different names given according to the different conceptions.

And Scripture calls by the name of "sword" the Word which has the power of trying and of discerning thoughts and which "extends even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow." … Every soul at the time of the passion was subjected to a sort of test, as it were, according to the words of the Lord, who said, "You will all fall away because of me." Simeon prophesies concerning Mary that, standing beside the cross and looking at what was happening and hearing his words—even after the testimony of Gabriel, after the secret knowledge of her divine conception, after the great showing of miracles—"Even you will flee," he says, "a…

See also

• More works by Basil of Caesarea

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