14.

But it may be asked, What is the difference when He says, "when men shall revile you," and "when they shall say all manner of evil against you," since to revile ¹ is just this, to say evil against? ² But it is one thing when the reviling word is hurled with contumely in presence of him who is reviled, as it was said to our Lord, "Say we not the truth ³ that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?" ⁴ and another thing, when our reputation is injured in our absence, as it is also written of Him, "Some said, He is a prophet; ⁵ others said, Nay, but He deceiveth the people." ⁶ Then, further, to persecute is to inflict violence, or to assail with snares, as was done by him who betrayed Him, and by them who crucified Him. Certainly, as for the fact that this also is not put in a bare form, so that it should be said, "and shall say all manner of evil against you," but there is added the word "falsely," and also the expression "for my sake;" I think that the addition is made for the sake of those who wish to glory in persecutions, and in the baseness of their reputation; and to say that Christ belongs to them for this reason, that many bad things are said about them; while, on the one hand, the things said are true, when they are said respecting their error; and, on the other hand, if sometimes also some false charges are thrown out, which frequently happens from the rashness of men, yet they do not suffer such things for Christ's sake. ⁷ For he is not a follower of Christ who is not called a Christian according to the true faith and the catholic discipline.