ACC ~ Mark 14 v38b

THE STRENGTH OF THE SPIRIT AMID THE WEAKNESS OF THE FLESH

TERTULLIAN: He clearly acknowledged that his “soul was sorrowful, even unto death,” [1] and his flesh weak. His intention was to show, from his troubled soul and weak flesh, that both his soul and body were fully human. For some have wrongly asserted that either the flesh or soul of Christ might be entirely different from ours. He sought by an extraordinary exhibition of the body-soul interaction, to show that neither body nor soul has any power at all of itself apart from the spirit. This is why he states first that the spirit is willing, so that you may understand that you have within you the spirit’s strength and not merely the weakness of the flesh. From this it is hoped that you may learn what to do under challenge, by what means to do it, and how to order priorities. The weak must be brought under the strong—the flesh under the spirit. This will help you avoid making excuses, as you are now prone to do, for the weakness of your flesh while failing to understand the strength of the spirit. [2] ON FLIGHT AMID PERSECUTION 8. [3]

[1] Mt 26:37; Mk 14:34.

[2] Cf. Mt 26:41; Mk 14:38.

[3] Cetedoc 0025, 8.5; ANF 4:120-21**.

MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE WEAKNESS OF THE FLESH

TERTULLIAN: Let us, however, not take premature comfort in the Lord’s acknowledgment of the weakness of the flesh. For note that he declared first of all that the spirit is willing. He wanted to show which one ought to be subject to the other: the flesh is called to be submissive to the spirit, the weaker to the stronger, so that the flesh may draw strength from the spirit. Let the spirit converse with the flesh on their common salvation. Do not despair over the hardships of prison. Rather think about the eventual outcome of the contest. TO THE MARTYRS 4.1-2. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0001, 6.4.11; FC 40:24**.