Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume III/Ethical/On Prayer/Of the Parting of Brethren
Chapter XXVI.—Of the Parting of Brethren.
You will not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer.—“Have you seen,” says Scripture, “a brother? you have seen your Lord;”[1]—especially “a stranger,” lest perhaps he be “an angel.” But again, when received yourself by brethren, you will not make[2] earthly refreshments prior to heavenly, for your faith will forthwith be judged. Or else how will you—according to the precept[3]—say, “Peace to this house,” unless you exchange mutual peace with them who are in the house?
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ I have ventured to turn the first part of the sentence into a question. What “scripture” this may be, no one knows. [It seems to me a clear reference to Matt. xxv. 38, amplified by the 45th verse, in a way not unusual with our author.] Perhaps, in addition to the passages in Gen. xviii. and Heb. xiii. 2, to which the editors naturally refer, Tertullian may allude to such passages as Mark. ix. 37; Matt. xxv. 40, 45. [Christo in pauperibus.]
- ↑ I have followed Routh’s conjecture, “feceris” for “fecerit,” which Oehler does not even notice.
- ↑ Luke x. 5.