Caesarius of Arles

In his own words on 2 Thessalonians

• 2 Thessalonians 1:8

  by a flame of fire This refers to what was said about those assembled at Armageddon.

• 2 Thessalonians 3:1

  Just as it is expedient for us to implore God's mercy for the salvation of your souls, so you ought to pour forth prayers to the Lord on our behalf. We should not consider the apostle's actions inappropriate. To so great an extent did he long to be commended to God through prayer that he himself implored the people and said, "Pray for us." Therefore we ought to say what can both encourage ourselves and instruct you. Just as we must reflect with great fear and anxiety on how we may fulfill the office of bishop without reproach, so you should observe that you ought to strive to practice humble obedience in everything that has been commanded you. So let us pray, dearly beloved, that my episcopacy may be profitable for both you and me.

  SERMONS 232

• 2 Thessalonians 3:10

  We read in sacred Scripture, dearly beloved, that a holy understanding should keep those who are concerned about their soul's salvation, as the divine Word puts it, "Holy understanding shall protect you." If such holy understanding keeps a soul, that which is unholy not only fails to keep it but even kills it. Perhaps someone says, "Who can always be thinking of God and eternal bliss, since all men must be concerned about food, clothing and the management of their household?" God does not ask us to be free from all anxiety over the present life, for he instructs us through his apostle, "If any man will not work, neither let him eat." The same apostle repeats the idea with reference to himself when he says, "We worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you." Since God especially advises reasonable concern for food and clothing, so long as avarice and ambition … are not linked with it, an ordinary action or thought can be most rightly considered holy. The only provision is that those preoccupations should not be so excessive that they do not allow us to have time for God, according to the words, "The burdens of the world have made them miserable."

  SERMONS 45.1