A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 9)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 9)

Tenth Similitude

The Angel Shepherd of Hermas is the Angel of Repentance.

"1. AFTER I had written out this book, the Angel which had delivered me
to the Shepherd came into the house where I was,
and sat down upon the couch; and the Shepherd stood on the right hand.
Then he called me and spake thus to me.
2. I have delivered thee and thine house, quoth he, 
to this Shepherd that thou mayest be protected by him. 
Yea, sir, quoth I. 
If therefore, quoth he, thou wilt be protected from all vexation and all harshness,
and have success in every good work and word and every virtue of righteousness, 
walk in his commandments which I have given unto thee; 
and thou shalt be able to have the mastery over all wickedness. 
3. For while thou keepest his commandments every lust and delight of this world 
shall be subject unto thee, and success in every good thing shall follow thee. 
Take his gravity and modesty upon thee; and say unto all, 
that he (The Angel Shepherd) is in great honour and dignity with the Lord; 
and that he is set in great authority, and powerful in his office. 
To him alone is the power of repentance committed in all the world. 
Seemeth he not to thee to be powerful? 
Yet ye contemn his gravity and the respect which he hath toward you."  
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 1.1-3)

Hermas has a ministry to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord calling people to repentance.

"3. I for my part, sir, quoth I, proclaim to every man the mighty acts of the Lord;
for I trust that all who have sinned beforetime, if they hear these things,
will repent with a willing mind and recover life.
4. Continue stedfast therefore, quoth he, in this ministry, and accomplish it."   
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 2.3,4)

"1. THEN he said to me, Quit thee manfully in this ministry,
rehearse unto every man the mighty acts of the Lord,
and thou shalt find favour in this ministry.
Whoso walketh in these commandments shall live and be happy in his life;
but whoso disregardeth them shall not live, and he shall be unhappy in his life. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 4.1)

Without the virgins that represent the Holy Spirit and its fruits it´s impossible to keep the commandments.

"...for without these virgins (Holy Spirit) it is impossible that
these commandments should be kept."    
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 3.1)

"...If therefore they find thine house pure they will abide with thee,..."
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 3.2)

"5. When he had thus spoken, he delivered me again to the Shepherd,
and called the virgins and said unto them,
Forasmuch as I perceive that ye gladly dwell in this man's house,
I commit him and his house unto you, to the intent that ye may never at all
depart from his house.
And they willingly heard these words." 
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 3.5)

Do good deeds. Help someone else to be free from affliction.

"... Now I say that every man ought to be delivered from distresses.
For he who hath need and suffereth distresses in his daily life is
in great anguish and necessity.

3. Whoso therefore rescueth the soul of such an one from straitness getteth
great joy to himself; for he who is afflicted with this manner of distress
is racked and tormenteth himself with the like torment as one who is in bonds.
Many indeed because of such miseries, which they are not able to bear,
bring death upon themselves.
He who knoweth therefore the calamity of such an one and delivereth him not
committeth a great sin and is guilty of his blood.

4. Do good works therefore, ye who have received from the Lord,
lest while ye delay to do them the building of the tower be finished;
for for your sakes the work of the building of it hath been delayed.
Except then ye make haste to do aright, the tower shall be finished and
ye shall be shut out."
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Sim 4.2-4)


End of The Book of Hermas.

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 8)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 8)

The presumptuousness of some believers.

"1. The believers from the fifth mountain, which had green herbs and was rough,
are of this kind; they are faithful but slow to learn, presumptuous
and pleasers of their own selves; would be knowers of all things
when they know nothing at all.
2. Because of this their presumptuousness prudence hath forsaken them,
and senseless folly hath entered into them.
They commend themselves as having wisdom, and choose to be professing teachers
when they are without understanding.
3. Because of this highmindedness many were made vain who exalted themselves;
for a great demon is selfconceit and vain confidence.
Many of these therefore were cast away; but some repented and believed
and submitted themselves to those who had understanding, having come to know
their own folly.
4. And to the residue also of this sort repentance is offered;
for they were not wicked, but rather foolish and without understanding.
These if they repent shall live unto God; ..."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 22.1-4)

Repent and quit slandering.

"...And the rest shall repent when they hear my commandments,
for their evil speakings are of small account and they will quickly repent.
3. But they with the great clefts aie men who persevere in their slanders,
and grow resentful in their ragings against one another.
These were flung away from the tower and disallowed for the building thereof.
Hardly therefore shall such like live."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 23.1-3)

 "4. If God and our Lord, who hath the mastery of all things and beareth rule
over all His creation, remembereth not evil against those who confess their sins,
but is forgiving; shall man who is perishable and full of sins remember evil
against a man as though he could destroy or save him?
5. I, the Angel of Repentance, say unto you, as many as are of this persuasion,
put it away and repent, and the Lord shall heal your former sins
if ye purge yourselves from this devil;
else ye shall be delivered unto him for death. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 23.4,5)

The perfect believers of God (from the seventh mountain)

"1. The believers from the seventh mountain, on which were green pleasant herbs,
and the whole mount was well liking, and every kind of cattle and the fowls
of heaven were feeding upon the herbs of that mountain,
and the herbs they fed upon grew the more thriving, are such as these.
2. They were always simple and guileless and happy,
having nothing against one another but always rejoicing over the servants of God;
they were endued with the Holy Spirit of these virgins,
and continually had compassion upon every man, and out of their labours
they furnished every man without upbraiding or doubting.
3. The Lord therefore, seeing their singleness and perfect childliness,
gave them increase in the labours of their hands and favoured them
in all their doing.
4. I, the Angel of Repentance, say unto you who are such like,
Remain such, and your seed shall never be blotted out.
For the Lord hath proved you and written you in our number,
and all your seed shall dwell with the Son of God;
for ye have received of His Spirit." (Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 24. 1-5)

Apostles and teachers, the believers from the eighth mountain.

"1. The believers from the eighth mountain, where were the many springs,
and the whole creation of the Lord was watered from the springs, are such as these.
2. Apostles and teachers who preached to the whole world,
and taught the word of the Lord reverently and purely, and kept not back anything
for evil desire, but always walked in righteousness and truth,
even as they had received the Holy Ghost.
The passing of such as these is with the angels." (Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 25. 1-2)

The believers from the ninth mountain

"1. The believers from the ninth mountain, which was desert
and had in it the creeping things and beasts hurtful to men, are of this kind. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 26.1)

The spoted ones:

"2. They with the spots are deacons who ministered amiss,
and plundered the living of widows and orphans,
and gat gain for themselves from the ministry which they had received to administer.
If therefore they continue in the same covetousness,
they are dead and have no hope of life; but if they convert and discharge
their ministry incorruptly, they shall be able to live. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 26.2)

The scabbed ones:

"3. The scabbed ones are those who denied and turned not again unto their Lord;
but being grown barren and desert, not cleaving to the servants of God
but keeping alone, they destroy their own souls.
4. For as a vine left alone within a fence and treated with neglect is spoiled
and wasted by the weeds, and in time groweth wild and is no longer meet
for its master's use; so such men despair of themselves, and having grown wild
become unprofitable to their Lord.
5. For these however there is repentance, unless they be found to have denied
from the heart; but if one be found to have denied from his heart I know not
if he can live.
6. This I say not for these days, that a man after denying should be allowed
repentance, for it is impossible that one who is now going to deny his Lord
should be saved; but for those who denied long ago there seemeth yet
to be opportunity of repentance.
If then any one is about to repent, let him be quick
before the tower is finished off;
else he shall be wasted by the women unto death. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 26.3-6)

The stunted ones:

"7. The stunted ones, these are wily men and slanderers;
and the beasts which thou sawest on the mountain are these also.
For as the beasts poison and destroy a man by their venom,
even so do the words of such persons corrupt and destroy a man.
8. These therefore are maimed in their faith by reason of the customs
which they practise; but some repented and were saved.
And the rest who are such may be saved if they repent; but if they repent not,
they shall die by the hand of those women, of whose power they are possessed."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 26.7,8)

11th Mountain - Sufferers for the sake of the name of the Son of God

1. The believers from the eleventh mountain, whereon were very fruitful trees
decked with different kinds of fruits, are such as these. 
2. Sufferers for the sake of the name of the Son of God,
who suffered readily with their whole heart and gave up their lives. ...
4. As many, quoth he, as were brought before authorities and questioned
and denied not, but suffered with a ready mind, these are in greater honour
with the Lord; and theirs is the fruit which excelleth.
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 28.1-4)

...Ye who suffer for the sake of the name ought to glorify God,
for that He hath counted you worthy to bear this name,
and to have all your sins healed.
6. Therefore count yourselves happy; yea, and think that one of you
hath done some great thing if he suffer for God's sake.
The Lord graciously giveth you life though ye perceive it not;
for your sins were heavy upon you, and except ye had suffered for the name
of the Lord ye would have died unto God because of your sins.  
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 28.5,6)

12th Mountain - as infant babes in whose heart no thought of evil ariseth.

"1. The believers from the twelfth, which was the white mountain, are of this kind;
they are as infant babes in whose heart no thought of evil ariseth.
They know not what wickedness is, but always continued in their infancy.
2. Such therefore dwell without doubt in the kingdom of God;
because in no manner of thing did they violate the commandments of God,
but they continued as it were infants all the days of their life, in the same mind."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 29.1,2)

"...The stones taken from the plain, which were put into the building of the tower
instead of the rejected ones, are the roots of this white mountain.
2. Seeing then that the believers from this mountain were all found void of offence,
the lord of the tower ordered these stones from the roots of this mountain
to be cast into the building of the tower; for he knew that, if these went
into the building of the tower, they would remain bright,
and none of them would turn black. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 30.1,2)

"3. I, the Angel of Repentance, judge you all happy, as many as are blameless
as infants, for that your estate is good and honourable with God. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 31.3)  

Amend you therefore while the tower is yet being built.

"1. Amend you therefore while the tower is yet being built.
2. The Lord dwelleth in men who love peace, for peace is dear unto Him;
but He is far off from the contentious and malicious.
Give your spirit back to Him therefore whole as ye received it." 
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 32.1,2)

"...what thinkest thou the Lord will do to thee,
when He gave thee a perfect spirit and thou hast made it quite useless,
so that it can be made no use of by its owner?
For the use thereof began to be of no account when it had been damaged by thee.
Will not then the Lord of that spirit destroy thee because of this thy deed?
5. Assuredly, said I, He will so do to all whom He shall have found continuing
mindful of offences. Choose not, quoth he, to trample His mercy under foot;
but rather glorify Him because He is so patient toward your misdeeds,
and is not as ye are.
Repent therefore, as is expedient for you."  
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 32.4,5)

Repent with your whole heart and have your sins blotted out.

"1. ALL the things before written I, the Shepherd, the Angel of Repentance,
have declared and spoken with the servants of God.
If then ye believe and attend to my words and walk in them and amend your ways,
ye shall be able to live.
But if ye continue in malice and resentfulness, none such shall live unto God."   
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 33.1) 

"...These are they who have now heard my commandments and repented with their
whole hearts. And when the Lord saw that their repentance was good and pure,
and that they were able to continue in it, He commanded their former sins
to be blotted out. For these prints were their sins; and they were made even,
that they might not appear."  (Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim 33.3)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 7)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 7)

The Ninth Similitude

The Ninth similitude is about a tower that is been bult by virgings that are over a big anciente rock.
Some men bring the stones passing through a new stone gate and delivering the stones to the virgins. The virgins set the stones in place in the tower.

The rock and the gate are the Son of God

"1. FIRST of all, sir, quoth I, declare this unto me;
what are the rock and the gate? This rock, quoth he, and likewise the gate,
is the Son of God. How then, sir, quoth I, is the rock ancient, but the gate new?
Hearken, quoth he, foolish man, and understand. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 12.1)

The Son of God is ancient, but recently manifested.

"2. The Son of God is elder than all His creation,
so that He became His Father's counsellor concerning His creation;
therefore He is ancient But the gate, sir, quoth I, why is that new?
3. Because, quoth he, He was manifested in the last days of the consummation.
For this cause the gate was new, that such as should be saved might
enter through it into the kingdom of God. " (Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 12.2,3)

There is only one gate (way) to salvation, and it is through the Son of God

"4. Sawest thou, quoth he, that the stones which came in through the gate
went into the building of the tower, whereas those which came not in through it
were cast forth again into their own place?
I saw, sir, quoth I. Even so, quoth he, none shall enter into the kingdom of God
except He receive the name of His Son.
5. For if thou desire to enter into a city, and that city be walled about
and have but one gate, canst thou enter into that city except by the gate
which it hath?
Nay, sir, for how else were it possible?
If then thou canst not enter into that city except by the gate thereof, so,
quoth he, a man can enter none otherwise into the kingdom of God than through
the name of His Son who is beloved by Him. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 12.4,5)              

"6. Sawest thou, quoth he, the multitude building the tower?
I saw them, sir, quoth I.
They all, quoth he, are glorious angels, and by them the Lord is walled about.
The gate is the Son of God; He is the one entry unto the Lord.
None otherwise shall any one enter unto Him than through His Son."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 12.6)

The tidings of affliction.

One thing I particularly struggle in my life at the moment is to keep the faith and good mood during afflictions and also to not get overwhelmed for the tiding of affliction. A few year ago I decided to stop watching the news on TV or reading the news of the newspapers. This is helping me on this issue, but still is very difficult when I meet people and they complain about the government or the weather. I try to quickly change the topic of the conversation and to avoid fomenting the complains. Sometimes I fail and catch myself complaining too.
Another case that I struggle is when I notice that I´m making less money than I spend in my domestic life. It´s tougth to keep a good mood and to not feel some hurt in the faith. I hope I can pass this probation and be not afflicted by the tidings of affliction that cames in my life.

"3. Even as their plants when they saw the sun withered, so also the doubleminded,
when they hear tidings of affliction, by reason of their fearfulness turn idolaters
and are ashamed of the name of their Lord.
4. Such men neither live nor are dead. Yet these too if they repent quickly may live;
but if they repent not, they are already given over to the women (figurative evel angel)
who rob them of their life."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Sim. 17.3,4)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 6)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 6)

The Eighth Similitude

  
The eighth similitude is a long text that explains how the angel of the Lord
gave rods cutt off from a huge tree to each person and how this angel
claimed back the rods and evaluated them.
The rods that were green were the saved people. The rods that dried up represented the lost.
The rods had a watering and in this second chance many of the rods that
were not compleatly green got green and some gave fruits. This represented saved people.
In this similiude the kind of people that were most considered were represented as green rods that gave fruits.
I think the watering represents tribulation to generate repention.

The law of God, the Son of God, and Michael.

"2. Hearken, quoth he; this great tree, which overspreadeth plains and mountains
and the whole earth, is the law of God which was given to all the world;
and this law is the Son of God who hath been preached unto the ends of the earth.
The peoples under the shadow of it are they who when they heard the preaching
believed on Him.
3. And the great and glorious Angel is Michael,
who hath the authority over this people and governeth them;
for it is he who putteth the law into the hearts of them that believe.
He therefore visiteth those to whom he hath given it,
to see if so be they have kept it.
4. Thou seest the rods of all of them; for the rods are the law.
Thou seest many of the rods made useless,
and thou shalt know all them that kept not the law;
thou shalt see the abode of every one."
(Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 2.2-4)

The three most rewarded types of men.

All such as wrestled with the devil and vanquished him are crowned.


1st - They that have suffered (death) for the law.

"6. Who then, sir, quoth I, are they that are crowned and enter the tower?
Quoth he, All such as wrestled with the devil and vanquished him are crowned.
These are they that have suffered (death) for the law. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 2.6)



2nd - They that have been afflicted for the sake of the law, but didn't suffered death for it.

"7. And those others who likewise gave up their rods green and having shoots,
but without fruit, are they that have been afflicted for the sake of the law,
but neither suffered death nor denied their law. " (Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 2.7)




3rd - They received them are holy and just men, who walked earnestly with a pure heart, and have kept the commandments of the Lord.

"8. And they who gave them up green as they received them are holy and just men,
who walked earnestly with a pure heart, and have kept the commandments of the Lord."
(Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 2.8)

Repentance leads to life.

After the water that watered the rods and the wait fore some days, the Shepherd and Hermas go see the rods. Some lived, others not.

"6. Thou seest that many of them have indeed repented from when thou spakest
my commandments unto them; and yet more shall repent.
Such as would not repent lost their life; but whoso of them repented
became good and had their dwelling within the first walls,
and some even went up into the tower.
Thou seest then, quoth he, that repentance from sins hath with it life,
but impenitence death."  (Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 6.6)

Keep it simple. Worry not about precedence and honour. 

"6. Life belongeth to all who keep the commandments of the Lord;
and in the commandments there is nothing about precedence or any honour,
but about patience and lowliness of mind in a man.
In such like therefore is the life of the Lord,
but in them that are contentious and lawless death."
(Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 7.6)

Repention

In chapter 10 Hermas says:

"... I am persuaded that every one, when he considereth his own deeds
and feareth God, will repent.
3. He answered and said unto me, All such as repent with their whole heart,
and cleanse themselves from all the wickednesses before said,
and never again add aught to their sins, shall receive from the Lord healing
of their former sins if they doubt not about these commandments;
and they shall live unto God.
But such, quoth he, as add to their sins and have their conversation
in the lusts of this world, condemn themselves unto death."
(Shepherd of Hermas 8th Sim. 10.2,3)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 5)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 5)

The Seventh Similitude

The affliction comes to provoke repenting:

"...thou shouldest be afflicted for a while, that they also may repent
and cleanse themselves from every lust of this world.
When therefore they repent and are cleansed,
then the avenging angel shall depart."
(Shepherd of Hermas 7th Sim. 1.2)

The head of the house bears a bigger responsability and may suffer because of his family:

"The Glorious Angel is angered, yet what have I done?
They, quoth he, cannot else be afflicted except thou,
the head of all the house, be afflicted; for when thou art afflicted
of necessity they too shall be afflicted, but so long as thou prosperest
they can suffer no affliction.
(Shepherd of Hermas 7th Sim. 1.3)

The delay time between repention and healing.

"Thinkest thou then that the sins of those who repent are straightway remitted?
By no means; but he who repenteth must vex his own soul,
and humble himself mightily in all that he doeth, and be afflicted with all the
different afflictions; and if he endure the afflictions that come upon him,
He who created and strengthened all things will surely have mercy and
grant an healing.
(Shepherd of Hermas 7th Sim. 1.4) 

The afflictions of the righteous are shown before:

"And herein thank thou the Lord, for that He hath accounted thee worthy
to have thine affliction shewed thee before, so that foreknowing it thou mayest
bear it stedfastly." (Shepherd of Hermas 7th Sim. 1.4)

The Lord is with us during the affliction period too.

"6. I said to him, Sir, be thou with me,
and I shall be well able to bear all adversity.
I, quoth he, will be with thee; and I will also entreat the avenging angel
to afflict thee more lightly.
Yet a little while thou shalt be afflicted, and again thou shalt be restored
to thy house; only continue to be of lowly mind and serve the Lord
with a pure heart, thou and thy children and thy house,
and walk in my commandments which I command thee,
and thy repentance shall be able to be effectual and pure. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 7th Sim. 1.6)

If we keep these commandments the afflictions shall depart.

"7. If thou keep them, with thy house, all affliction shall depart from thee;
and affliction, quoth he, shall depart from all such as walk in these
my commandments. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 7th Sim. 1.7)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 4)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 4)

The angel of luxury and deceit

"1. And the Shepherd said to me, Seest thou this pastor? 
I see him, sir, quoth I.  This, quoth he, is the angel of luxury and deceit       
He weareth out the souls of God's servants and subverteth them from the truth,
cheating them with evil lusts whereby they perish.
2. For they forget the commandments of the living God,
and walk in vain deceits and delights, and are destroyed by this angel,
some unto death and some unto decay." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 2.1,2)

"In them there is no repentance unto life, for they added to their sins
and blasphemed against the name of God.
To such men belongeth death." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 2.3)

The angel of retribution

"1. Seeing them then so scourged and in misery I was grieved over them,
because they were thus tormented and had no respite at all.
2. And I said to the Shepherd who was speaking with me, Sir,
who is this shepherd that is so unmerciful and cruel and quite without pity
upon these sheep? This, quoth he, is the angel of retribution;
and he is one of the righteous angels, and is set over punishment.
3. He rcceiveth therefore such as have strayed away from God and walked
in the lusts and deceits of this world, and punisheth them with dreadful
and divers punishments according to their deserving." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 3.2,3)

 "... the divers punishments and torments are torments during lifetime.
For some are punished with losses, some with wants, some with sundry infirmities,
some with all unsettlement; and some by being insulted by the unworthy,
and by suffering many other mishaps." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 3.4)

The suffering, repentance, righteousness, happiness.

"6. When therefore they have been afflicted with all manner of affliction,
they are delivered to me for good instruction and made strong
in the faith of the Lord, and the rest of the days of their life
they serve the Lord with a pure heart;
and if they repent, the evil things that they have done come into their mind,
and then they glorify God, saying that He is a just judge and that they
have suffered justly, each according to his doings.
And thenceforth they serve the Lord with a pure heart and are prospered
in all their doings, receiving from the Lord all things that they ask;
and then they glorify the Lord for that they were delivered to me,
and they never again suffer any ill." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 3.6)

The time of torment. One year per day.

"As many days therefore as one liveth in pleasure,
so many years he is tormented." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 4.4)

OBS: In accordance with Num. xiv. 34, Ezek. iv. 6 each day for a year, and
John xi. 9 Are there not twelve hours in the day?
although "day" there means daytime, he makes " the day of torment " equal
twelve months. Compare in Aboth iv. (Jewish Fathers, p. 74),
" Better is one hour of repentance and good works in this world than all the life
of the world to come  better is one hour of refreshment of spirit in the world
to come than all the life of this world." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. Taylor vol II, page 42)

The pleasures that hurt men.

"5. What manner of pleasures, sir, quoth I, are hurtful?
Every act, quoth he, which he doeth gladly is a pleasure to a man,
The passionate man in satisfying his own temper delighteth himself;
and the adulterer and the drunkard and the slanderer and the liar
and the covetous and the defrauder and they who
(do the like to these things indulge their proper disease, each taking pleasure
in what he doeth.
6. All these pleasures are hurtful to the servants of God,
and because of these deceits do they suffer who are punished and tormented. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 5.5,6)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 3)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 3)

Fifth Similitude

Do no wickdness and serve with pure heart is better than fasting.

Fasting is good, but doesn´t help if the person don´t keep the commandments of the Lord.
If keeping the commandments he adds the fasting, so great, but otherwise the fast is not going to fix the lack of obedience.

Hermas was fasting and sit in a mountain, but his fasting was said to be unprofitable by the angel.
Hermas explained he fasted as acustomed and that he was "keeping a station", but the angel said he would tell he what kind of fast pleases the Lord.

"4. God desireth not such vain fasting; for by fasting thus unto God thou shalt
do nothing for righteousness. But fast thou such a fast as this unto God.
5. Do no wickedness in thy life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart.
Keep His precepts and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil lust arise
in thy heart; but believe in God.
If thou do these things and fear Him, and contain thyself from every evil deed,
thou shalt live unto God; and these things if thou do,
thou shalt accomplish a great fast and one acceptable to God." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th Sim. 1.4,5)

"5. This fasting, quoth he, when the commandments of the Lord are observed,
is exceeding good. Thus then shalt thou keep this fast which thou art about
to observe.
6. First of all keep thyself from every evil word and every evil desire,
and cleanse thy heart from all the vanities of this world.
If thou keep these things, this shall be a perfect fast for thee." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th Sim. 3.5,6)

"8. If thou thus accomplish the fast as I have enjoined thee,
thy sacrifice shall be accepted of God, and this fast shall be registered;
for the service so performed is good and agreeable and acceptable unto the Lord." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th Sim. 3.8)

Keep your body also clean and pure.

"Attend now, quoth he; keep this thy flesh pure and undefiled,
that the Spirit which dwelleth in it may bear witness to it,
and thy flesh maybe justified.
2. Beware lest the thought arise in thy heart that this thy flesh is to perish,
and thou abuse it with any pollution.
If thou pollute thy flesh thou shalt pollute the Holy Spirit also;
the which if thou pollute thou shalt not live." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th Sim. 7.1,2)

"¹⁶ yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Gal. 2:16)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 2)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 2)

Third Similitude

The righteous and the sinners are like the live and the dead trees.
In the winter they look alike, but when the summer comes
a great difference will became evident.

"... These trees which thou seest are they that dwell in this world.  
... neither the righteous nor the sinners appear in this world, 
but they are alike; for this world is winter to the righteous, 
and they appear not while they dwell with the sinners.
3. For as in the winter the trees when they have cast their
leaves are alike, and neither the dry nor the living are seen
to be what they are, so in this world neither the righteous
nor the sinners appear, but they are all alike." (Shepherd of Hermas 3rd Sim. 1.1-3)

Forth Similitude

The forth similitude is actually a continuation of the third similitude.

"2. These trees, quoth he, which are sprouting are the righteous,
who shall dwell in the world to come; for the world to come
is summer to the righteous but winter to sinners." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th Sim. 1.2)

"When therefore the mercy of the Lord shall shine forth,
then shall they who serve God be manifested, and all shall be manifested.
3. For as in summer the fruits of the several trees are manifested,
and it is known of what kind they are, so also shall the fruits of the righteous
be manifest; and all of them shall be known when they are blossoming in that world.
4. But, as thou sawest the dry trees, so the heathen and the sinners shall be found
dry and unfruitful in that world, and they shall be burned like logs
and shall be manifest; because their doing in their lifetime was evil.
The sinners shall be burned because they sinned and repented not;
and the heathen shall be burned because they knew not Him who created them.
5. Do thou therefore bear fruit, that in that summer thy fruit may be known."
(Shepherd of Hermas 4th Sim. 1.2-5)

Refrain from excess of business

"Refrain from excess of business, and thou shalt commit no sin.
For they who are busied overmuch also sin much,
being cumbered by their affairs and not serving their own Lord.
6. How, quoth he, can such an one ask and receive anything from the Lord,
when he doth not serve the Lord?
They who serve Him are they that shall receive their requests,
and they who serve not the Lord shall receive nothing."
(Shepherd of Hermas 4th Sim. 1.5,6)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 1)

A resume of the Similitudes of the Shepherd of Hermas Book (part 1)

The Book Shepherd of Hermas have many similitudes that I find very instructive for the servants of God. These texts help us understand better some doctrines of Lord Jesus and the way of thinking of the righteous of the first century.
I recommend you to read the whole book, but if you want a resume to have a look of what this book have to offer this is it.

First Similitude - We are dwelling in a foring city, preparing to return to our own city.

Why prepare vain habitations?

"1. HE said to me, Ye know, ye who are God's servants,
that ye are dwelling in a strange land;
for your city is far off from this city.
If then ye know your city in which ye are to dwell,
why prepare ye here fields and costly arrays and buildings
and vain habitations?
2. He who prepareth these things for this city thinketh not of
returning to his own city." (Shepherd of Hermas 1st Sim. 1.1,2)

"6. Take heed therefore and, as one that dwelleth in a strange land,
provide no more for thyself than the competency which sufficeth thee..."
(Shepherd of Hermas 1st Sim. 1.6)

Keep the law of your (celestial) city.

"For rightly saith the lord of this country unto thee,
Either use my laws or get thee out of my country.
5. Thou then, what wilt thou do, seeing thou hast a law in thine own city?
See if it is not unprofitable for thee to deny thy law;
for if thou then desire to return to thy city,
thou shalt surely not be received, because thou hast denied the law
of thy city, but shalt be shut out from it. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 1st Sim. 1.5)

What should the rich do with the money?
Invest in people salvation, help the poor.

"7. Take heed ye that serve God and have Him in your heart;
work the works of God, remembering His commandments and the promises
which He promised, and believe that He will perform them
if His commandments be kept.
8. Instead of fields therefore purchase souls that are afflicted,
according as one is able, and visit widows and orphans and neglect them not.
On such fields and houses freely spend your wealth and all your array
which ye have received from God.
9. For thereunto did the Master enrich you, that ye might fulfil
these ministrations unto Him. Far better is it to buy
such lands and possessions and houses as thou shalt find in
thy city when thou goest home to it."
(Shepherd of Hermas 1st Sim. 1.7-9)

Second Similitude - The Elm and the Vine - Rich and Poor

In this similitude the Elm represents a servant of God that is rich but produces no fruit alone, and the Vine represents the servant of god that is poor and produces fruit. If the Elm support the Vine, the vine will produce more fruits and the elm will share the participation on th vine´s fruits so the fruits are from both.
So the rich servant of God should help and support the poor servant so they can produce toguether many fruits.

"... the elm having water nourisheth the vine, and the vine having continual
moisture yieldeth double increase, for itself and for the elm.
Thus also the poor by interceding with the Lord for the rich fulfil
their wealth; and again the rich by supplying the needs of the poor
satisfy their souls.
9. So then both become partners in the righteous work."
(Shepherd of Hermas 2nd Sim. 1.8,9)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 6)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 6)

The Resume List of The Commandments of God
according to the book of Shepherd of Hermas.

1 - Believe there is one God Creator of all things
2 - Fear God
3 - Be continent
4 - Learn no guile
5 - Speak evil of no man. Slander not.
6 - Do good. Work the thing that is good.
7 - Give
8 - Say only truth
9 - Purity of thought. Don´t even think about another man´s wife.
10 - Never remarry. But receive the repented wife.
11 - Be longsuffering and prudent
12 - Believe in what is righteous (in the agnel of righteousness), and put no faith in the unrighteous (in the angel of wickedness).
13 - Doubt not when asking something to the Lord.
14 - Repent, but don´t live in sorrow forever.
15 - Put on joyfulness.
16 - Study the scriptures. Search about the truth. Cleave therefore unto the Lord.
17 - Put away from thee every evil desire, and put on the good and holy desire

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 5)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 5)

Twelveth Mandate

17 - Put away from thee every evil desire, and put on the good and holy desire:

"1. HE said to me, Put away from thee every evil desire,
and put on the good and holy desire; for having put on this desire thou shalt
hate the evil desire, and shalt curb it as thou wilt. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 1.1)

Examples of evil desires:

 "1. FOREMOST of all is the desire for another's wife or husband,
and for much outlay of wealth, and for divers vain meats and strong drinks
and many other foolish luxuries; for all luxury is foolish and vain to
the servants of God." (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 2.1)

Evil desires are deadly:

 "3. But as many as are overmastered by them and withstand them not perish utterly,
for these desires are deadly.
4. But do thou put on the desire of righteousness, and being fully armed
with the fear of the Lord withstand them.
For the fear of the Lord dwelleth in the good desire.
The evil desire, if she see thee armed in the fear of God and withstanding her,
will flee far from thee and be no more seen of thee, being in fear of thy arms."
(Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 2.3,4)

Examples of good desires:

 "1. I WOULD know, sir, quoth I, by what behaviour I must serve the good desire.
Hear, quoth he;
work righteousness and virtue, truth and fear of the Lord,
faith and meekness, and whatsoever good things are like unto these.
If thou do these things thou shalt be a wellpleasing servant of God,
and shalt live unto Him; and every one who serveth the good desire shall
live unto God."
 (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 3.1)

The end of the commandments list:

 "2. So he made an end of the twelve commandments, and said unto me,
Thou hast these commandments; walk therein, and exhort them that hear,
that their repentance may be pure the rest of the days of their life.
3. Do thy diligence to accomplish this ministry which I give thee,
and thou shalt do much; for thou shalt find favour with those who are about
to repent, and they shall be persuaded by thy words; for I will be with thee,
and will constrain them to obey thee."  (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 3.2,3)

Keeping these commandments is not as hard as it looks.

"... But I wot not if these commandments can be kept by a man,
because they are exceeding hard.
5. He answered and said to me, If thou put it to thyself that they can be kept,
thou shalt keep them easily, and they will not be hard;
but If it enter thy heart that they cannot be kept by a man,
thou wilt not keep them." (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 3.4,5)

Salvation depends on keeping these commandments:

"6. Now therefore I say unto thee, If thou keep them not, but neglect them,
thou shalt not have salvation, neither thy children nor thy house,
since thou hast already judged for thyself that these commandments
cannot be kept by a man." (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 3.6)

"5. Thou shalt keep them, quoth he, if thy heart be pure unto the Lord;
and all who cleanse their hearts from the vain desires of this world
shall keep them, and they shall live unto God. " (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 6.5)

Repent:

"O foolish, unwise, and doubleminded man, perceivest thou not the glory of God,
how great and strong and marvellous it is for He created the world for the sake
of man, and put all His creation in subjection to man, and gave him
all authority to rule over all things under heaven?
3. If then, quoth he, man is lord of the creatures of God and hath dominion
over them all, can he not have dominion over these commandments also?
The man, quoth he, who hath the Lord in his heart is able to have dominion
over all things and all these commandments.
4. But they who have the Lord on their lips, and their heart hardened,
and who are far from the Lord, to them these commandments are difficult and hard
to walk in.
5. Set ye therefore the Lord in your hearts, ye that are empty and light
in the faith, and ye shall know that there is nothing easier nor sweeter
nor gentler than these commandments.
6. Turn again ye that walk in the commandments of the devil,
that are so hard and bitter and wild and wanton, and fear not the devil,
because in him there is no power against you.
7. For I, the Angel of Repentance, who have dominion over him,
will be with you.
The devil hath only fear, and his fear hath no force; fear him not therefore,
and he shall flee from you." (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 4.2-7)

 "... if ye turn to the Lord with all your heart and do righteousness the rest
of the days of your life and serve Him rightly according to His will,
He will heal your former sins; and ye shall have power to have dominion
over the works of the devil.
3. Hearken to me therefore, and fear Him who is all-able,
to save and to destroy; and observe these commandments,
and ye shall live unto God. " (Shepherd of Hermas 12th Mand. 6.2,3)

"3. These commandments are profitable to such as are about to repent;
for except they walk in them their repentance is in vain.
4. Do ye therefore who repent cast off the wickednesses of this world
which wear you away; and having put on every virtue of righteousness
ye shall be able to observe these commandments, and no longer to add
to your sins. If ye add no more at all to them, ye shall depart from your
former sins. Walk then in these my commandments, and ye shall live unto God."
(Shepherd of Hermas 6th Sim. 1.3,4)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 4)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 4)

Eleventh Mandate

A Warning against false prophets:

"Hear, quoth he, concerning both the prophets (true and false); and as I will now tell thee,
so shalt thou prove the prophet and the false prophet.
From his life prove thou the man that hath the divine Spirit.
8. First he that hath the divine Spirit which is from above
is meek and peaceable and lowly, and refraineth himself from every wickedness
and vain desire of this world, and he maketh himself more needy than all men,
and answereth nothing to any when enquired of,
and speaketh not solitarily, neither when a man would speak doth the Holy Spirit
speak; but when God willeth that he should speak, then he speaketh.
9. Whensoever therefore the man who hath the divine Spirit cometh into a synagogue
of just men who have faith in the divine Spirit, and the congregation of those men
make their prayer unto God, then the Angel of the prophetic spirit which besetteth
him filleth the man, and the man being filled with the Holy Spirit speaketh
to the multitude as the Lord willeth."
(Shepherd of Hermas 11th Mand. 1.7-9)

OBS:
Hilgenfeld supposes that Mand. xi originally stood after Sim. iv. as one
of the similitudes; and he remarks that pseudo-Athanasius quotes Mand. x., xii. in
reverse order as the Eleventh and Tenth commandments,
and does not quote Mand. xi.
(Shepherd of Hermas, to english by Taylor, 1903, 11th Mand. page 149)

 "But men who are of two minds and often repent use divination like the heathen,
and bring upon themselves the greater sin by their idolatry;
for he that enquireth of a false prophet about any matter is an idolater
and void of the truth and foolish.
For any Spirit given of God is not enquired of,
but having the power of the God-head it speaketh all things of itself,
because it is from above, from the power of the divine Spirit
6. But the Spirit that is enquired of and speaketh according to the desires
of men is earthly and light and hath no power,
and it speaketh not all except it be enquired of." (Shepherd of Hermas 11th Mand. 1.4-6)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 3)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 3)

Ninith Mandate

13 - Doubt not when asking something to the Lord.

"1. HE said to me, Put away from thee doublemindedness, and
doubt not to ask anything at all from God, saying within thyself,
How can I ask and receive anything from the Lord who have so greatly
sinned against Him?
2. Reason not thus with thyself, but with all thy heart turn to the Lord,
and ask of Him without doubting, and thou shalt know His much compassion,
how that He will not forsake thee but will fulfil the request of thy soul.
3. For God is not as men who bear malice, but He remembereth not wrong
and pitieth His handiwork.
4. Do thou therefore cleanse thy heart from all the vanities of this world
and the things before spoken of to thee, [from doubtfulness]
and
ask of the Lord and thou shalt receive all things,
and shalt not be disappointed of any of thy requests,
if thou ask of the Lord without doubting.
5. But if thou doubt in thy heart, thou shalt surely not receive any of thy requests.
For they who doubt toward God, these are the doubleminded, and
they obtain nothing at all of their petitions.
6. But such as are whole in the faith ask all things trusting on the Lord,
and they receive because they ask confidently, nothing doubting.
For every man of doubtful mind, except he repent, shall hardly be saved.
7. Cleanse therefore thy heart from doubtfulness, and put on faith,
for she is strong; and trust God that thou shalt receive all thy petitions
which thou askest.
And if at any time when thou hast made a request of the Lord thou receive it
somewhat slowly doubt not because thou didst not receive the request of thy soul
speedily; for it is surely because of some temptation or some trespass
which thou art not aware of that thou receivest thy request the more slowly.
8. Do thou therefore cease not to make the request of thy soul,
and thou shalt receive it."
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Mand. 1.1-8)

12. Do thou therefore serve faith which hath power,
and keep thy-self from doubt which hath no power,
and thou shalt live unto God;
and all shall live unto God who are thus minded.
(Shepherd of Hermas 9th Mand. 1.12)

Tenth Mandate

14 - Repent, but don´t live in sorrow forever.

"1. Put away sorrow from thee, quoth he; for she is a sister of doublemlndedness
and quick temper." (Shepherd of Hermas 10th Mand. 1.1)
"Perceivest thou not that sorrow is worse than all the spirits
and most dreadful to the servants of God, and corrupteth a man more than all
the spirits, and weareth out the Holy Spirit, and again saveth?"
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Mand. 1.2)

"1. Hear now, quoth he, O foolish man, how sorrow weareth out the Holy Spirit
and again saveth.
2. When the doubleminded man setteth himself to any business
and faileth in it because of his doublemindedness, this same sorrow entereth
into the man and grieveth and weareth out the Holy Spirit.
3. Then again, whenever quick temper hath joined itself to a man in respect
of some matter, and he is in much bitterness, again sorrow entereth
into the heart of the man that was angered, and he is grieved at his deed
which he did, and repenteth of having wrought evil.
4. This sorrow then seemeth to have salvation, because when he had done evil
he repented.
Both behaviours therefore grieve the Spirit; doubting, because it
had not good success in its doing, and anger likewise, because it wrought evil.
Both are grievous to the Spirit of God, doublemindedness and passionateness.
5. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart and afflict not the Holy Spirit
which dwelleth in thee, lest it make intercession against thee with God and
depart from thee. For the Spirit of God which was given to be in this flesh
beareth neither sorrow nor straitness."
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Mand. 2.1-5)

15 - Put on joyfulness.

"1. Put on joyfulness therefore, which always hath favour with God and is acceptable
to Him, and delight thou in her.
For every joyful man worketh good things, and mindeth good things
and despiseth sorrow,
2. But the sorrowful man always doeth wickedly. "
(Shepherd of Hermas 10th Mand. 3.1,2)

"4. Cleanse thyself therefore from this evil sorrow, and thou shalt live unto God;
and all shall live unto God, as many as put away sadness from them and
put on all joy fulness." (Shepherd of Hermas 10th Mand. 3.4)


16 - Study the scriptures. Search about the truth. Cleave therefore unto the Lord.

"4. Hear, quoth he ; they who never searched about the truth
nor enquired diligently concerning the things of God,
but believed only, and were mixed up with business and wealth and
heathen friendships and many other affairs of this world; such, I say,
as are intent upon these things understand not the parables of divinity,
for they are darkened by these employments, and they decay and grow barren.
5. Even as goodly vineyards, when they meet with neglect, are made barren
by thorns and all manner of weeds, so do men who after they have believed
fall into these many doings before said wander from their mind and apprehend
nothing at all about righteousness; for when they hear the things of God and truth,
their mind is sunk in their business, and they understand nothing at all.
6. But they who have fear of God, and search about divinity and truth,
and have their heart set unto the Lord, do more quickly perceive and understand
all the things said to them because they have the fear of the Lord within them;
for where the Lord dwelleth, there is also much understanding.
Cleave therefore unto the Lord, and thou shalt understand and apprehend all things."
(Shepherd of Hermas, 10th Mand. 1.4-6)

"Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?" (James 4:4-5)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 2)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 2)

The sixth mandate:

12 - Believe in what is righteous (in the agnel of righteousness), and put no faith in the unrighteous (in the angel of wickedness).

"Do thou believe in what is righteous, and put no faith in the unrighteous. For the way of righteousness is traight, and the way of unrighteousness crooked." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Mand. 1.1)

The two angels. 

The angel of righteousness:

"Mand 6; 2.1: Hear now, quoth he, about faith.
There are two angels with a man, one of righteousness
and the other of wickedness.
2 How then, sir, quoth I, shall I know their operations, seeing that both angels dwell with me ?
3 Hearken, quoth he, and understand them,
The angelof righteousness is delicate and shamefast and meek and quiet.
When therefore he cometh into thy heart, immediately he talketh with thee of righteousness, of pureness, of modesty, of contentment, of every just work and every honourable virtue.
When all these things come into thy heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with thee.

... Have faith therefore in him and his works." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Mand. 2.1-3)

The angel of wickedness:

"4 Now see also the works of the angel of wickedness.
First of all he is angry and bitter and foolish, and his works are evil and overturn the servants of God,
When this one therefore cometh into thy heart, know him from his works." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Mand. 2.4)

 "6 Do thou therefore take knowledge of his works and withdraw from him and put no trust in him ..." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Mand. 2.6)

"Thou hast then the operations of both the angels; understand them, and have faith in the angel of righteousness. 7 And withdraw from the angel of wickedness ..." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Mand. 2.6-7)

 "This commandment sheweth the things concerning faith, to the end that thou mayest believe the works of the angel of righteoussness, and doing them mayest live unto God." (Shepherd of Hermas 6th Mand. 2.10)

"But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." John 10:38

The seventh mandate

The seventh mandate is a more explained version of the second commandment in mandat one:
Fear the Lord.

The eighth mandate

In the eight mandate Hermas gives us more details about the temperance.
 "We should refrain oursevers ... from adultery and fornication, (from lawless drunknness, from evil luxury), from many meats, from the extravagance of wealth, from vanity, from pride (arrogance), from vain-glory (haughtiness), from lies (falsehood), from evil speaking (slander) and hypocrisy, from malice (remembrance of wrong) and all other blasphemy."
(Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.3, Hoode, 1870, page 97 with additions in paranthesis from the translation of Taylor 1903.)
and the list continues further on the text.

"... the servant of God must abstain: theaf, lying, fraud, false witness, covetousness, evil concupiscence, deceit, vainglory, boastfulness, and all such things as are like unto these." (Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.5)
"Abstain therefore from all these, that thou mayest live unto God and be inscribed with them that abstain therefrom." (Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.6)

Hermas asks the angel to tell him about the good thing to do to be saved.
"Hear, quoth he, the works of goodness also, which thou must do and not abstain from.
First of all faith, fear of the Lord, love, concord, words of righteousness, truth, patience:
There is nothing better than these in the life of men." (Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.7-9)

The promisse about these commandments:

"If a man keep these and abstain not from them, he shall be happy in his life." (Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.9)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas (part 1)

A resume of the Mandates on the Book of Shepherd of Hermas

The Shepherd of Hermas is a book that was consider important to some early christian writers.
The opinion of the fathers of the very earliest period concerning the authority of this book is that it was undoubtedly regarded as on a level with the canonical books of the New Testament, accordingly to Charles Hoole - 1870. Hoole says that Irenaeus quoted the book of Hermas as Scripture. (Shepherd of Hermas to english by Charles Hoole, 1870, introtuction, page xi.)
It´s part of the Stichometry of Nicephorus.
"The Shepherd of Hermas was one of the most popular books produced in the early Church, and for a time it was frequently quoted and regarded as inspired." #1

So I decided to study it. It´s been a real bless and I found appropriate to make a small resume of the commandments, the mandates, of this book.

You can download the translation I used in the links bellow:
Shepherd of Hermas - Vol I - Rev C Taylor 1903.pdf
Shepherd of Hermas - Vol II - Rev C Taylor 1903.pdf
Shepherd of Hermas - to english by Charles Hoole - 1870.pdf

The Mandates:

First Mandate

1 - Believe there is one God Creator of all things:
"First of all believe that there is one God, the creator and Framer of all things ..." (Shep.Her. 1st Mand 1.1)

"Fear the Lord, quoth he, and keep His commandments; and while thou keepest the commandments of God thou shalt be able in all that thou doest, and thy doing shall be beyond compare. For fearing the Lord thou shalt do all things well. This is the fear which thou must fear, that so thou mayest be saved. 2. But fear not the devil: for if thou fear the Lord thou shalt have dominion over the devil, because there is no power in him." (Shep.Her. 7th Mand 1.1)

2 - Fear God:
"Believe therefore in Him and fear Him." (Shep.Her. Mand 1)

3 - Be continent:
"... and fearing Him be continent." (Shep.Her. Mand 1)
Countinance:
"Which comes next to Faith in Vis iii,8 and Sim. ix 15. "
Countinace is Power over thyself, Power over thy own will.
(Shepherd of Hermas Taylor 1903, vol I page 110, 111)

1st Promisse about the first group of commandments:
"These things observe , and thou shalt cast away all wickedness from thee, and thou shalt put on every virtue of rightousness, and shalt live unto God, if thou keep this commandment."

Second Mandate

4 - Learn no guile:
"Hold to simplicity and be without guile, and thou shalt be as little children which know not the wickedness ..." (Shep.Her. Mand 2.1)

5 - Speak evil of no man. Slander not.
"First speak evil of no man, neither hearken gladly to one that speaketh evil. Else thou also that hearkenest shalt be guilty ..."  (Shep.Her. 2nd. Mand)

Promisse about the "slander not" mandate:
"Keep thyself therefore from if (slandering), and thou shalt be in harmony always with all men."


6 - Do good.

"Work the thing that is good..." (Shep.Her. 2nd. Mand)

"Next hear the things sequent upon these:
To minister to widows, to visit orphans and the needy, to redeem the servants of God from necessities, to love hospitality, for in hospitality may haply be found well doing; to be opposed to no man, to be quiet, to make thyself poorer than all men, to reverence the aged, to practise righteousness, to preserve brotherhood, to endure despite, to be longsuffering, not to have remembrance of wrong; to confort the weary in soul, not to cast away them that have stumbled from the faith, but to convert and cheer them; to admonish sinners, not to oppress poor debtors; and if there be any other things like unto these."
(Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.10)

"If thou do good and abstain not from it, thou shalt live unto God; and all shall live unto God who do so." (Shepher of Hermas 8th Mand. 1.10)


7 - Give:
"Work the thing that is good, and of thy labours which God giveth thee give liberally to all that need, not doubting to whom thou shouldest give or not give. Give to all; for God would have us give to all out of His own gifts."

Promisse about the "give" mandate:
"Keep then this commandment (give), as I have said unto thee, that thou and thy house may be found sincere in your repentance, and thy heart pure and undefiled."

Third mandate

8 - Say only truth:
"Love truth, and let all be tryth which proceedeth out of thy mouth, that the spirit which God made to dwell in this flesh may be found true with all men; and so the Lord who dwelleth in thee shall be glorified. For the Lord is true in every word, and with Him is no lie." (Shepherd of Hermas Mad. 3)

"And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you,
and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you;
concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you,
ye abide in him." (1 John 2:27)

Warn about mandate 3, "Say only truth":
"The spirit of man is a sacrad deposit, one day to be returned to God who gave it.
He who corrupts it by lying will have filched away something from that deposit: consequently they that lie have became robbers." (Shepherd of Hermas, Taylor 1903 vol 1 page 120 about the mandate 3).

"If they return this (the spirit) falsified, thy have defiled the commandment of the Lord and become robbers." (Shepherd of Hermas, Mand. 3.2)

Fourth Mandate

9 - Purity of thought. Don´t even think about another man´s wife.:

"I charghe thee, quoth he, to observe purity, and to let no thought about another man´s wife or about any fornication ..." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.1) (See also: Mark 10.11f; 1 Cor. 12. 11f, 28, 39, 40.)

Tip to the married men keep away from this sin:
"whereas if thou remember always thine own wife, thou shalt never fall into sin." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.1)
"... for where modesty dwelleth, there iniquity should not come into the heart of a righteous man." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.3)

10 - Never remarry. But receive the repented wife.

"During ignorance, quoth he, he sinneth not; but if the man come to know of her sin (adultery), and the wife repent not but continue in her fornication, and the man live with her, he becameth guilty of her sin and a partner in her adultery." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.6)
"Let him put her away and let the husband abide alone; but if when he hath put away his wife he marry another, then he likewise committeth adultery." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.6)
"if ... she repent and desire to return to her own husband ... if the husband receive her not he sinneth." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.7)

"Thus the case standeth with both wife and husband." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.8)

Hope for couples with trouble:
"As for his former sin, there in One who can give healing; for it is He that hath the power over all things." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 1.11)
"I am set over repentance, and to all who repent I give understanding." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 2.2)

If the husband or wife died, can someone remarry?
"He sinneth not (if remarry after the partner died), quoth he; but if one abide alone, he winneth for himself more exceeding honour and great glory before the Lord." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 4.2 page 125)

Hermas humbleness:

For this case ... I (Hermas) enquire diligently of thee (angel of God) about all things; because first
I am a sinner, and then I know not what things I should do that I may live, for my sins are many in number and manifold. (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 2.3)
Thou shalt live, quoth he (The Angel of God), if thou keep my commandments and walk in them; and whosoever heareth these commandments and keepeth them shall live unto God. (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 2.4)

Shepherd of Hermas Mandate 4, chapter 3 teatches about the one only repentace a man have.
Truly repantance is when you stop doing what you say you repent on doing.

"But if he sin oft and repent it advantageth not such an one, for hardly shall he live." (Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 3.6)

 Promisse about the mandates:
"All these things which I say and shall say unto thee observe henceforth, from the day thou wast delivered unto me, and I will dwell in thy house. And thou shalt have forgiveness of thy former transgressions if thou keep my commandments ... and walk in this purity."(Shepherd of Hermas 4th mand. 4.3, 4)

Fith Mandate

11 - Be longsuffering and prudent:
(Commandment with promisses.)

"1.Be longsuffering and prudent, quoth he, and thou shalt have dominion over all wicked works, and shalt do all righteousness. 2. For if thou be longsuffering, the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in thee shall be clear and not darkened over by another evil spirit, but dwelling at large shall joy and rejoice with the vessel in which it dwelleth, and shall serve God with much gladness having harmony within itself. 3. But if any ill-temper approach, immediately the Holy Spirit, which is delicate, is straitened by not having clear space, and seeketh to depart from the place; for it is choked by the evil spirit, and hath not room to serve the Lord as it would, because it is fouled by the ill-temper; for the Lord dwelleth in forbearance, but the devil in passionateness." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th mand. 1.1-3)

"3. But longsuffering is great and strong, hath mighty and firm power, and thriveth in
great enlargement; is joyous, exulting, void of care, and glorifieth the Lord at all seasons; and it hath in itself no bitterness, but abideth continually meek and quiet." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th mand. 2.3)

"See that thou never neglect this commandment; for if thou have the mastery of this commandment, thou shalt be able also to keep the rest of the commandments which I shall command thee." (Shepherd of Hermas 5th mand. 2.8)