ACC ~ Mark 4 v13

THE WORD IS MADE EFFECTIVE BY ITS OWN POWER

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: At times our Savior spoke the Word to the apostles by means of mysterious sayings. For prophecy says of him: “He will open his mouth in parables, and will declare things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” [1] … The efficacy of the Word itself, being strong and powerful, [2] gradually draws into itself secretly and invisibly everyone who receives it. STROMATEIS 5.12. [3]

[1] LXX: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter dark sayings which have been from the beginning” (Ps 78:2; [77:2 LXX]).

[2] Cf. Heb 4:12.

[3] TLG 0555.004, 5.12.80.7.1-8.1, 9.3-5; cf. ANF 2:463.