Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock,

“Otherwise; By the showers He signifies the allurements of smooth and gently invading pleasures, with which the faith is at first watered as with spreading rills, afterwards comes down the rush of torrent floods, that is, the motions of fiercer desire, and lastly, the whole force of the driving tempests rages against it, that is, the universal spirits of the Devil’s reign attack it.”

“He teaches the precautions against which one must be on guard. Now they are described from their profession, since they are prophets. But it can be asked, of which prophets, since the Law and the Prophets extend up to John: hence at that time there were no prophets concerning Christ, since they come to an end in him. Therefore it must be said that the prophets here are the teachers and prelates in the Church. But what is meant by his calling them false? Those are called false who are not sent. Of such it is said, Jeremiah 23:21: "I did not send them, and they ran." Likewise those are called false who speak a lie; hence Jeremiah 2:8: "their prophets prophesied in Baal." Thus too there were many false prophets among the people, just as among us too there will be lying teachers. "Attend," that is, diligently beware, because they are hidden, and one must beware of hidden snares. Hence their malice lies hidden within. He says therefore: "who come to you in the clothing of sheep," etc. Sheep are the faithful: "but we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture," Psalm 99:3. But their clothing is fasting and almsgiving, with which they cover themselves; 2 Timothy 3:5: "having the appearance of piety, but denying its power." But it must be known that if wolves cover themselves with the skins of sheep, the sheep does not for this reason lose its own skin: so, although those evil men are covered with good works, still much good is accomplished. But "within they are ravenous wolves." This is expounded chiefly of heretics, and consequently of evil prelates. Hence it is said, on that text of John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd," that one man is a shepherd, who governs and rules; another is a wolf, who intends destruction; another is a hireling, who seeks his own advantage. Hence the shepherd is to be loved, the wolf to be fled, the hireling to be tolerated. What is said, then — "but within they are ravenous wolves" — is understood of those who have the intention of perverting the people, and these must be called wolves. Likewise hirelings, namely evil Christians, who scatter the flock by bad example, who have an evil life; as to their effect, they have the manner of a wolf; Acts 20:29: "for after my departure ravenous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock," etc. And he says "within," because they have an evil intention of killing the people. "By their fruits you shall know them," etc. "By their fruits," that is, by their works. But this seems to be against the point, because they also have the clothing of sheep, and clothing too is a work; therefore they would be known by these as well. Chrysostom: the fruit is the confession of the faith. Hence if one confesses the faith, he is not a heretic. Ephesians 5:9: "for the fruit of light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth," etc. But if it is expounded of hypocrites, then it is expounded thus, that by "clothing" are meant exterior works. Hence Galatians 5:22: "but the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, and peace," etc. But you might ask: how can they be known? It must be said that scarcely can any hypocrite be so composed that something of malice does not appear either in word or in deed: Proverbs 27:19: "as in water the faces of those who look in shine back, so the hearts of men are manifest to the prudent." And Seneca: "no one can long bear a feigned mask." Now they are made manifest chiefly in two ways: in those things which must be done suddenly, since in those things which one does with deliberation he is on his guard; likewise in tribulations; Ecclesiasticus 6:8: "there is a friend for his own time, and he will not remain in the day of tribulation." Likewise they are made manifest when they cannot have what they wish, or when they have already obtained it — hence "power reveals the man." "Do men gather grapes from thorns?" By grapes, from which wine is made, is understood spiritual joy, because "wine gladdens the heart of man," Psalm 103:15. By figs is meant the sweetness of ecclesiastical peace, which is charity. These cannot be born from briers, that is, from sinners, because "thorns and briers it shall bring forth for you," Genesis 3:18. And he proves this by an example: "every good tree bears good fruits, but a bad tree bears bad fruits." From this the Manicheans assumed two natures, namely a good one and an evil one. But this is not true, because we see good fruit come from an evil creation, and the converse. Hence for this you should understand that the tree is the principle of the fruit. But the principle is twofold: a principle of nature, and a principle of moral conduct. The principle of nature is the soul, and whatever proceeds from it naturally is wholly good. But the principle of moral conduct is the will; therefore if the will is good, the work too is good, provided it has a good will together with a good intention — for if someone wished to steal in order to give alms, even though the will is good, the intention nonetheless is not right. But what will become of the bad tree? "Every tree which does not bear fruit will be cut down": because if it does not bear fruit, or if it fails to bear it when it could, it will be cut down; hence John 15:6: "if anyone does not remain in me, he shall be cast out as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns." Hence in Luke 13:7 it is said of the fig tree, which the lord commanded to be cut down and removed: "let the impious man be taken away, lest he see the glory of God." He concludes therefore: "by their fruits you shall know them." "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord," etc. Having set forth the teaching, he shows that it must be observed, because nothing else suffices for salvation. And concerning the commandments, or the teaching of God, four things are necessary, or praiseworthy: that we confess with the mouth, that it be confirmed by miracles, that the word of God be heard, and that it be carried out in deed. Concerning the first, Romans 10:10: "with the heart one believes unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Concerning the second, Mark, last chapter, 20: "the Lord cooperating, and confirming the word by the signs that followed." Likewise, that it be heard; John 8:47: "he who is of God hears the words of God." Likewise, fourth, it is required that one do it; James 1:22: "be doers of the word, and not hearers only." Hence he wishes to show that the three without the fourth do not profit; hence he says: "not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord," etc. But this seems contrary to the Apostle, who says: "no one can say, Lord Jesus, except in the Holy Spirit." But whoever has the Holy Spirit enters into the kingdom of heaven. Augustine resolves this, saying that "to say" is spoken in many ways: commonly, and strictly, and properly. Strictly it is nothing other than to manifest affection and will; and it is in this sense that the Apostle says: "no one can say, Lord Jesus, except in the Holy Spirit," etc. And this is nothing other than to believe the Lord, and to obey him. Commonly, however, it means to proclaim in whatever way with the mouth; concerning which we have Jeremiah 26:13: "this people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." Or it may be taken thus. "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord," etc. He repeats this word, "Lord, Lord," to signify that confession is twofold, namely of voice and of praise, neither of which suffices by itself. Hence Isaiah 26:13: "this people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." Who then shall enter? Not he who says "Lord, Lord," but he who has done the will of my Father, etc. John 3:13: "no one ascends into heaven, except he who descended from heaven," etc. Hence no one can ascend, unless he descends as Christ did, of whom it is said, John 6:38: "I descended from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me." Hence one must do the will of God; 1 Thessalonians 4:3: "for this is the will of God, your sanctification." Hence David said, Psalm 142:10: "teach me to do your will." And likewise, just as the Lord taught us to pray, "your will be done." But it must be noted that by his saying "kingdom," eternal reward is touched upon; hence he says "shall enter." For that kingdom consists in spiritual goods, not in exterior goods; therefore he says "shall enter." Hence Song of Songs 1:4: "the king brought me into his storerooms." Likewise he says "of heaven," because although someone here has riches, or honors, all this is for the sake of that kingdom. Hence the reward shall be among the lofty things. But someone might say that working miracles suffices for salvation. This he excludes, because "many will say to me on that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name?" etc. And he says "many," signifying those who withdraw from unity, because they are under multitude, for "the number of fools is infinite," Ecclesiastes 1:15. Likewise he brings this in for the understanding of what he had said, that "every tree which does not bear fruit will be cut down." And he had not said by whom; therefore he said "to me," as to the judge appointed, because "the Father has given all judgment to the Son," John 5:22. Likewise he says "on that day." "Day" names the term, but not according to the quality of time, because the day of judgment is sometimes called night, and sometimes it is called day, sometimes night, because it is uncertain when it will come. Hence below, 25:6: "at midnight a cry was made: behold, the bridegroom comes, go forth to meet him." The Apostle calls it "day," 1 Corinthians 4:3. And in Psalm 36:6: "and he will bring forth your justice as the light, and your judgment as the noonday." "Lord, Lord." He repeats it to signify greater confusion and fear; Wisdom 5:2: "for they shall be troubled with horrible fear." "Have we not cast out demons in your name?" This is supernatural power; Job 41:24: "for there is no power upon earth that can be compared to this," namely, to the power of the Devil. But then it is asked how those who cast out demons become reprobate. Chrysostom answers that these men are lying. Another answer is that at one time they were good, and worked miracles, and afterward became evil. But this cannot stand, because the Lord says, "I never knew you." In another way it must be said that they say "in your name," not in the name of the Holy Spirit; for some act in the power of the Holy Spirit, some not. For as we have it, Jeremiah 2:8, some prophesied in the name of Baal; likewise some act through magic arts. But it is asked how demons work miracles. I say that they cannot; but they do certain things which appear to be miracles, though they are not miracles. Those things are called miracles when the effects are evident but the causes are hidden. Hence there can be something wondrous to those who are less learned, which is not wondrous to the wise, as is clear in the case of an eclipse. Hence, since demons know natural things in a truer way, they can do things which seem to us to be miracles. Otherwise, according to Jerome: because, as he says, among the gifts of the Holy Spirit there are some which are given freely; charity alone is that which distinguishes between the sons of God and the sons of the Devil; 1 Corinthians 12:7: "to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for usefulness," or for the profit of his own goodness, or of the Church, so that the faith which he preaches may be made manifest. And thus too sometimes a prelate living wickedly can work miracles. And then "I will declare to them, that I never knew you," that is, I did not approve, not even when you were working miracles; 2 Timothy 2:19: "the Lord knows who are his." He says "I never knew you," when he says "depart from me," because you were never approved. "Everyone therefore who hears," etc. He shows that without works nothing suffices, not even the hearing of the word of God, because hearing is ordered to faith. Romans 10:17: "but faith is from hearing." For hearing does not suffice. And he shows this in two ways, for he sets forth, under a comparison, the outcome of him who hears and does, and of him who hears and does not do. And first he does three things: first he sets down the building; second, the assault, at "and the rain came down," etc.; third, the immutability, at "and it did not fall," etc. He says therefore that hearing does not suffice; for hearing is necessary — John 8:47: "he who is of God hears the words of God" — but it does not suffice; Romans 2:13: "for not the hearers of the law but the doers shall be justified." Likewise he says well, "these my words," because whatever pertains to salvation is contained there. Hence "he who hears these words, and does them, shall be likened to a wise man." And he does not say that he is wise, but that he "shall be likened." This comparison can be understood of a bodily builder, and thus the letter is plain. Or it can be understood spiritually, and thus this man is Christ. Ecclesiastes 7:29: "one man out of a thousand I have found." The house of Christ is the Church, for he knows how it must be built. Hence concerning him, Proverbs 9:1: "wisdom has built herself a house." And Proverbs 14:1: "a wise woman builds her house." "Upon the rock"; 1 Corinthians 10:1: "and the rock was Christ." Hence Christ builds upon himself, for he himself is the foundation; hence 1 Corinthians 3:11: "no other foundation can anyone lay besides that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus." For this is the foundation of eternal truth. And this is altogether immovable; Psalm 124:4: "they who trust in the Lord are like Mount Sion." There follows the assault upon this house: "and the rain came down." By rain is understood teaching, and there is good rain, and bad rain. The rain, therefore, which rushes in, is bad teaching; Genesis 19:24: "the Lord rained upon Sodom sulphur and fire." Likewise "rivers" are good, and not good; Isaiah 18:2: "the rivers have wasted his land"; and by this are signified the wise who consider themselves to be wise. These rivers are generated from the rains. By "winds" are meant demons. Hence in the canonical epistle of Jude, verse 12: "clouds without water, which are carried about by winds," etc. "And they rushed against the house," that is, against the Church, "and it did not fall." "For its cords shall not be broken forever," Isaiah 33:20. And why? "It was founded upon the rock," that is, upon Christ. Next he sets forth the comparison, setting down the outcome of him who hears and does not do; and concerning this he first sets down the building; second, the assault, at "and the rain came down," etc.; third, the ruin, at "and it fell," etc. He says: "and everyone who hears these my words, and does not do them, shall be like a foolish man," who has fallen from the light of wisdom. Hence Ecclesiastes 4:13: "better is a wise servant than an old and foolish king." Likewise the fool is the Devil. The house which he builds is the congregation of the unfaithful; hence Psalm 73:30: "the earth is filled with houses of iniquity." And this man builds "upon sand." By sand are meant the unfaithful, who are unfruitful. Likewise, on account of their great number: for "the number of fools is infinite," Ecclesiastes 1:15. Likewise sand does not cohere, so these men are always at strife. He founds, therefore, upon sand, that is, upon an end which is, as it were, a foundation, namely he fixes his intention upon a temporal good. "The rain came down," that is, bad teaching came; "the rivers came," that is, false teachers; "the winds blew," that is, angels — Psalm 103:4: "who makes his angels spirits." "And they rushed against that house, and it fell." Apocalypse 14:8: "fallen, fallen is Babylon," namely through preaching. "And great was its fall." If we wish to adapt the comparison, it must be said thus, that a man ought to build as Christ built. And this the Apostle teaches, 1 Corinthians 3:10: "let each one see how he builds upon it." For one man builds a dwelling place of God; another, on the contrary, as below is stated, and as we have it in 1 Corinthians 3:12, some build upon stubble. For the foundation is that upon which someone places his intention. For some hear in order to know, and these build upon the intellect, and this is building upon sand; hence James 1:23: "he who hears, and does not do, is like a man beholding the face of his birth in a mirror." Hence they build upon what is changeable. But another hears in order to do and to love, and this man builds upon the rock, because upon what is firm and stable; Proverbs 22:6: "a young man according to his way, even when he is old, will not depart from it." For this foundation rests upon charity. The Apostle, Romans 8:35: "who shall separate us from the charity of Christ?" But here it can be asked why the foundation which is in the intellect is unstable and not firm, while that which is in the affection is firm. The reason is that the intellect deals with universals, for it cannot know many things except in a universal way; therefore, wandering about the universal, it has no stability; but operations and affections concern particulars, and concern a good habit; therefore if temptation comes, one clings to that to which he is accustomed, namely to a good operation, and so he resists. But then it is asked what he means by "rain." It must be said, then, that the Devil never tempts first in greater things, but first in lesser things, and then proceeds to greater ones. Hence by "rain" is meant a depraved thought. He tempts, therefore, in a depraved thought, and if one consents, he then tempts him in something greater, and thus it is afterward increased. And from these come the "rivers," and afterward he rushes in with all his strength, and the man necessarily falls; Ecclesiasticus 19:1: "he who despises small things shall fall little by little." Or thus: "rain" is the temptation of the flesh; "rivers," the temptation of the world; "winds," the temptation of the Devil. Or, according to Augustine, "rain" is superstitious teaching, clinging to which one falls most gravely, and this is made a great fall; but it is not great when one merely stumbles and does not fall, because when temptation occurs, he fears and grieves. But some fall entirely; Psalm 136:7: "raze it, raze it, even to its foundation." Or it is called "a great fall" because the heart is impenitent; Job 21:13: "they spend their days in good things, and in a moment they go down to hell." "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished." The effect is set down. For there was a threefold manner of men who followed the Lord Jesus. Some indeed were astonished and were scandalized, as the Pharisees, concerning whom see below, chapter 15. Some were astonished, but were not scandalized, as the crowds. Some indeed, as the perfect, were not astonished at all. But it must be asked concerning this, why he says "the crowds," since the crowds were not there. And it can be said that the sermon was addressed both to the crowds and to the disciples; but on the mountain, beneath the summit of the mountain, there was a certain plain. The disciples, therefore, were on the summit with Christ, but the crowds were on the plain. Or it can be said that it was addressed first to the disciples, and afterward to the crowds. Or it can be said: crowds of disciples followed him. But what was the reason for their astonishment? Because "he was teaching them as one having power." Hence in him is fulfilled what is said, Ecclesiastes 8:4: "his word is full of power." Hence, as "one having power," because he spoke as the Lord, or as a lawgiver. Or, as "having power," with the power of penetrating the heart. Hence it is said, Psalm 67:34: "he will give to his voice the voice of power." Or with the power of working miracles, because what he said, he confirmed by miracles. Augustine says that all the things which are said in this sermon must be reduced to the seven gifts, and to the beatitudes, because that which is first said, "you shall not kill," pertains to the gift of fear, and to the beatitude of poverty. That which follows next, "be agreeable with your adversary," pertains to the gift of piety, through which meekness is fulfilled. That, "you shall not commit adultery," etc., pertains to the gift of knowledge, through which the beatitude of mourning is fulfilled. That concerning enduring wrongs pertains to the gift of fortitude, by which is fulfilled also the beatitude of those who are blessed who hunger and thirst for justice, etc. That which is said, "love your enemies," pertains to the gift of counsel, by which the beatitude of mercy is fulfilled. And through that which follows in chapter 6, concerning not having anxiety, up to "enter through the narrow gate," he intends to cleanse the heart; hence it pertains to the gift of understanding, and to the beatitude which is purity of heart; hence, "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." But whatever follows pertains to the gift of wisdom.”

“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings,.... Delivered in this, and the two foregoing chapters, concerning true happiness; the duty and usefulness of Gospel ministers; the true sense and meaning of several commandments in the law; concerning alms, prayer, and fasting; concerning the care of worldly things, rash judging, rigid censures, and reproofs; the straitness and narrowness of the way to eternal life, and the largeness and breadth of the way to destruction; concerning false prophets, and the right hearing of the word. The people were astonished at his doctrine; it being something new, and unheard of, what they had not been used to; and coming in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power, it carried its own evidence along with it, wrought conviction in their minds, and obliged them to acknowledge the truth of it.”

“In the Greek text, “I will compare him;” an apposite comparison, to shew the necessity of good works. It is the duty of each individual to erect this spiritual edifice of good works in the interior of his soul, which may be able to resist all the attacks of our spiritual enemy: whilst those men who have true faith and no works are compared to a fool, and are sure to perish. (Menochius) —Here again our Saviour dispenses his rewards to such as order their lives according to his instructions; but as before he promised the kingdom of heaven, divine consolations, and other rewards, so here he promises them the numberless blessings attendant on virtue in this life. The just alone are surrounded with virtue as with a strong guard, and amidst the high swelling waves of worldly troubles, enjoy a calm and unchangeable tranquillity. Thus was Job strengthened by his virtue against the attacks both of men and satan. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xxv.)”

“Therefore--to bring this discourse to a close. whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them--see Jam 1:22, which seems a plain allusion to these words; also Luk 11:28; Rom 2:13; Jo1 3:7. I will liken him unto a wise man--a shrewd, prudent, provident man. which built his house upon a rock--the rock of true discipleship, or genuine subjection to Christ.”

“He said not, I will account him that hears and does, as wise; but, He shall be likened to a wise man. He then that is likened is a man; but to whom is he likened? To Christ; but Christ is the wise man who has built His house, that is, the Church, upon a rock, that is, upon the strength of the faith. The foolish man is the Devil, who has built his house, that is, all the ungodly, upon the sand, that is, the insecurity of unbelief, or upon the carnal, who are called the sand on account of their barrenness; both because they do not cleave together, but are scattered through the diversity of their opinions, and because they are innumerable. The rain is the doctrine that waters a man, the clouds are those from which the rain falls. Some are raised by the Holy Spirit, as the Apostles and Prophets, and some by the spirit of the Devil, as are the heretics. The good winds are the spirits of the different virtues, or the Angels who work invisibly in the senses of men, and lead them to good. The bad winds are the unclean spirits. The good floods are the Evangelists and teachers of the people; the evil floods are men full of an unclean spirit, and overflowing with many words; such are philosophers and the other professors of worldly wisdom, out of whose belly come rivers of dead water. The Church then which Christ has founded, neither the rain of false doctrine shall sap, nor the blast of the Devil overturn, nor the rush of mighty floods remove. Nor does it contradict this, that certain of the Church do fall; for not all that are called Christians, are Christ’s, but, The Lord knows them that are his. (2 Tim. 2:19.) But against that house that the Devil has built comes down the rain of true doctrine, the winds, that is, the graces of the Spirit, or the Angels; the floods, that is, the four Evangelists and the rest of the wise; and so the house falls, that is, the Gentile world, that Christ may rise; and the ruin of that house was great, its errors broken up, its falsehoods laid open, its idols throughout the whole world broken down. He then is like unto Christ, who hears Christ’s words, and does them; for he builds on a rock, that is, upon Christ, who is all good, so that on whatsoever kind of good any one shall build, he may seem to have built upon Christ. But as the Church built by Christ cannot be thrown down, so any such Christian who has built himself upon Christ, no adversity can overthrow, according to that, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom. 8:35.) Like to the Devil is he that hears the words of Christ, and does them not. For words that are heard, and are not done, are likened to sand, they are dispersed and shed abroad. For the sand signifies all evil, or even worldly goods. For as the Devil’s house is overthrown, so such as are built upon the sand are destroyed and fall. And great is that ruin if he have suffered any thing to fail of the foundation of faith; but not if he have committed fornication, or homicide, because he has whence he may arise through penitence, as David.”