Library › St Basil the Great › Shorter Rules

Shorter Rules

St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925

Rule 293: How are We to Deal with Those Who Avoid Greater Sins But Commit Small Sins…

First of all we must know that in the New Testament it is impossible to observe this distinction.² For one sentence is passed against all sins, that of the Lord Who said: Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.”³ And again: “The word that I spake, the same shall judge him at the last day.”⁴ Then there is the sentence of John who cried: He that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God will abide on him.”⁵ Disobedience receives this threat not because it is worse than other sins but because it is refusing to hear.

Generally speaking, however, if we are allowed to speak of a little and a great sin, it can be proved unanswerably that for each man that sin is great which has the mastery of him and that is little of which he is the master, just as among athletes he who conquers is the stronger and he who is beaten is the weaker whoever he be. We must then in the case of every one who sins, whatever his sin be, observe the precept of the Lord Who said: ‘“If thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the Church. And if he refuse to hear the Church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.” And in all these matters let the apostle’s saying be kept: “Why did ye not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you?⁶’⁷ For long-suffering and mercy should be joined with severity.

Previous · Contents · Next