Commentary on the Daily Lectionary of the Orthodox Church
Author: Fr. Basil
Now retired, the Very Rev. Archpriest Basil Ross Aden has served as a parish priest, parish pastor, diocesan mission director, writer, and college teacher of New Testament and Religious Studies. He has a Master of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of Chicago and has published daily devotional and stewardship materials as well as a college textbook on Religious Studies. He also has published papers and/or lectured on the Orthodox perspective on Luther and the Reformation. religious freedom, current issues of religion and society, and St. John Chrysostom. He is married to Sandra and has two sons and three grandchildren. He is still active as a priest as well as a writer of articles and materials on Orthodoxy and topics of faith and life today.
Today, our reading of Hebrews 5:11-6:8 emphasizes the necessity that everyone should continue to grow in faith and the knowledge of the faith. The apostle writes, “Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation…” (vs. 6:1). As this passage begins, the apostle notes that there is much more to say about the High Priest Melchizedek. Yet, he gives up trying to explain it because he complains that his readers have become “dull of hearing” (vs. 11). The Greek word that the apostle uses means sluggish (Strong’s #3576, 174). Note that they have become slothful in their comprehension of the teachings of the faith. They may have been members…
The word of the is day is “rest.”  In our reading of Hebrews 4:1-13, we hear that the doors of God’s offer of “heavenly rest” remain open to us. Therefore, we should not pass by the opportunity. But we should mix hearing the Gospel of hope with faith in its promise lest we lose that heavenly calling. Think what our Heavenly Father offers us in the proclamation of the apostle. It is the rest of divine help in trial and temptation now and the greater rest of glory and relief from our labors in the age to come.  It is the precious “heavenly calling” (vs. 3:1) that as the Creator rested from his works on the first Sabbath, so we may have repose in the completion of our…
The word of the day is “revelation.”  In our reading of Galatians 1:11-19, Paul insists that the gospel that he preaches did not come from any human source. He writes, “I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (vs. 12). Paul declares that “His” Gospel was not “according to man” (vs. 11 OSB). The Greek term for “according” means “to come down in place or time” (Strong’s #2596, 128). Thus, the gospel did not come from any human being, nor was he taught it. Accordingly, The Oxford Annotated Bible translates that “it is not of human origin” (vs. 11 OAB). Revealed in the Damascus Experience Paul goes to great lengths to say the message…
God Sent Forth His Son (Sat. Dec. 25) The word of the day is “sent.” In our reading of Galatians 4:4-7, we hear Paul’s concise summary of the gospel on this glorious day. He writes, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons” (vs. 4-5). How long did it take for the time to be filled up with hours, days, years, and decades (Strong’s #4136, 204)? How much suffering did the Chosen People endure as the centuries heaped up one on top of the other? How much perseverance did it take for God’s People to maintain…
The word of the day is “promise.” Since the Reformation, many think in opposites: Law/Gospel, Faith/Works, grace/merit. In terms of today’s reading of Galatians 3:15-22, they juxtapose the promise given to Abraham with the directives given to Moses. But the problem is that then these believers pit one category against the other as if each canceled out the other. Today we learn that we need to put the categories that describe God’s work of salvation in the proper relationship.  So when Paul argues that righteousness is by faith, he states, “Is the law then against the promises of God?  Certainly not!” (vs. 21).  You see, the Almighty is One and has one will and purpose.  He did not establish one order of…
The word of the day is “virtue.” In today’s reading of Titus 1:15-2:10, St. Paul gives instructions about the virtues that Timothy should teach his flock.  Paul gives special counsel for different groups in the congregation: older men and older women, younger women and younger men, and bondservants. A Pattern of Good Works But the young bishop himself should be “a pattern of good works in doctrine, showing integrity, reverence and incorruptibility” (vs. 2: 7) (Strong’s #5179, 254).  The Greek word that The Orthodox Study Bible translates as “pattern” comes from the idea of “stamping with a blow.” What is struck by the die is a copy of the original (Strong’s #5179, 254). As such a stamp, Timothy should “show himself” to be worthy of being…
The word of the day is “pure.”  Today with the reading of Titus 1:5-2:1, we begin the reading of Paul’s letter to one of his most trusted co-workers, Titus. In about 63 AD, Paul had appointed this Gentle Christian to oversee the mission in Crete. It was a challenging ministry because the church was young and susceptible to smooth talkers who were already deceiving whole households of church members (vs. 11). In our reading, Paul instructs Titus to censure these false teachers because they are “abominable,” that is, “detestable” (Strong’s #947, 53), “disobedient,” and “unqualified for every good work” (Strong’s #96, 6) (Titus 1:16).  Moreover, their motives are “dishonest,” that is “shameful” (Strong’s #150, 9) (Titus 1:11). The Commandments of Men What are…
The word of the day is “stood.”  St. Paul closes his second letter to Timothy in our reading of 2 Timothy 4:9-22. The passage is a collection of requests and reports of what has happened to Paul and his companions.  There seems to be no clear order to these topics. Paul brings them up as he thinks of them. However, the most dramatic of Paul’s news is his account of his first trial before the emperor. The apostle writes, “At my first defense no one stood with me.  But the Lord stood with and strengthened me” (vs. 17).  This short comment is the only account in the scriptures of what occurred when Paul was put on trial in Rome. Paul states that he stood in court…
The word of the day is “Scripture.”  In our reading of 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4, St. Paul declares that the Scriptures are effective for instructing the faithful. He states, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness” (vs. 16). Paul’s execution is in sight. He says, “The time for my departure is at hand” (vs. 4:6).  Knowing this, Paul passes on the mantle of his authority to the young Bishop Timothy. As he transfers his apostolic ministry to Timothy, Paul foresees the primary challenge that the young preacher and pastor will face. He says, “the time will come when many will have “itching ears.” (vs. 4:3). They will reject the…
The word of the day is “honorable.”  In today’s reading of 2 Timothy, 2:20-26, St. Paul teaches how to become a more useful servant of the Kingdom. The Apostle contrasts church members who are effective as “vessels of honor” and those who are “instruments of dishonor” (vs. 20), that is, “for common use” (NIV 2 Timothy 2:20). The term household “vessels” that Paul refers to are all sorts of utensils, not necessarily containers (Strong’s #4632, 232). Therefore, the comparison is not of the contents that the container holds.  The contrast is in the composition of the implements. What they are made of determines what they are used for.  One does not use a silver punch bowl as a washbasin or a…