The Shepherd of Hermas - Parable 10

The Shepherd of Hermas

The Parables (or Similitudes)

Similitude Tenth. Concerning Repentance and Alms-Giving.





"After I had fully written down this book, that messenger who had delivered me to the Shepherd came into the house in which I was, and sat down upon a couch, and the Shepherd stood on his right hand. He then called me, and spoke to me as follows: “I have delivered you and your house to the Shepherd, that you may be protected by him.” [1]

 

Hermas agreed to accept the protection of the Shepherd.  The protection was against harsh treatment, presumably discipline and to ensure reward in his labor. Several virgins are assigned to him to assist him, but they would leave if he did anything wrong.  He is told by the angel prior to his departure that Hermas is to live by the commandments and let others know of them also.

 

"The angel then said to me, “Conduct yourself manfully in this service, and make known to every one the great things of God, and you will have favour in this ministry. Whoever, therefore, shall walk in these commandments, shall have life, and will be happy in his life; but whosoever shall neglect them shall not have life, and will be unhappy in this life." [2]

 

Hermas is also to relay these commandments to others in order to save them from difficulty in life.  Again he is encouraged:

 

"Do good works, therefore, ye who have received good from the Lord; lest, while ye delay to do them, the building of the tower be finished, and you be rejected from the edifice: there is now no other tower a-building. For on your account was the work of building suspended. Unless, then, you make haste to do rightly, the tower will be completed, and you will be excluded.” [3]

 

The Vatican has: “Here ends the Book of the Shepherd, the disciple of the blessed apostle Paul. Thanks be to God.”

 

 

 

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1.  Schaff, Philip (2009-06-08). Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 2 - Enhanced Version (Early Church Fathers) (Kindle Locations 2855-2857). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.

2. Ibid, (Kindle Locations 2886-2890)

3. Ibid, (Kindle Locations 2896-2898).