Chapter 35.--Commendations of Love.
The Apostle Peter, likewise, says, "And, above all things, have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins." [3151] The Apostle James also says, "If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well." [3152] So also the Apostle John says, "He that loveth his brother abideth in the right;" [3153] again, in another passage, "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother; for this is the message which we have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." [3154] Then he says again, "This is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another." [3155] Once more: "And this commandment have we from Him that he who loveth God love his brother also." [3156] Then shortly afterwards he adds, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments; for this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." [3157] While, in his second Epistle, it is written, "Not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another." [3158]
[3151] 1 Pet. iv. 8.
[3152] Jas. ii. 8.
[3153] 1 John ii. 10.
[3154] 1 John iii. 10, 11.
[3155] 1 John iii. 23.
[3156] 1 John iv. 21.
[3157] 1 John v. 2, 3.
[3158] 2 John ver. 5.
Chapter 36.--Love Commended by Our Lord Himself.
Moreover, the Lord Jesus Himself teaches us that the whole law and the prophets hang upon the two precepts of love to God and love to our neighbour. Concerning these two commandments the following is written in the Gospel according to St. Mark: "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him: Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him: The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel! the Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. [3159] This is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [3160] There is none other commandment greater than these." [3161] Also, in the Gospel according to St. John, He says, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love to one another." [3162]
[3159] Deut. vi. 4, 5.
[3160] Lev. xix. 18.
[3161] Mark xii. 28-31.
[3162] John xiii. 34, 35.
Chapter 37 [XVIII.]--The Love Which Fulfils the Commandments is Not of Ourselves, But of God.
All these commandments, however, respecting love or charity [3163] (which are so great, and such that whatever action a man may think he does well is by no means well done if done without love) would be given to men in vain if they had not free choice of will. But forasmuch as these precepts are given in the law, both old and new (although in the new came the grace which was promised in the old, but the law without grace is the letter which killeth, but in grace the Spirit which giveth life), from what source is there in men the love of God and of one's neighbour but from God Himself? For indeed, if it be not of God but of men, the Pelagians have gained the victory; but if it come from God, then we have vanquished the Pelagians. Let, then, the Apostle John sit in judgment between us; and let him say to us, "Beloved, let us love one another." [3164] Now, when they begin to extol themselves on these words of John, and to ask why this precept is addressed to us at all if we have not of our own selves to love one another, the same apostle proceeds at once, to their confusion, to add, "For love is of God." [3165] It is not of ourselves, therefore, but it is of God. Wherefore, then, is it said, "Let us love one another, for love is of God," unless it be as a precept to our free will, admonishing it to seek the gift of God? Now, this would be indeed a thoroughly fruitless admonition if the will did not previously receive some donation of love, which might seek to be enlarged so as to fulfil whatever command was laid upon it. When it is said, "Let us love one another," it is law; when it is said, "For love is of God," it is grace. For God's "wisdom carries law and mercy upon her tongue." [3166] Accordingly, it is written in the Psalm, "For He who gave the law will give blessings." [3167]
[3163] ["Love or charity," the disjunctive being intended to identify, not distinguish, the two. The word amor is distinguishable from the pair (dilectio and charitas) here used, though even this must not be pressed too far. See Augustin's City of God, xiv. 7.--W.]
[3164] 1 John iv. 7.
[3165] 1 John iv. 7.
[3166] Prov. iii. 16.
[3167] Ps. lxxxiv. 6.