ACC ~ Mark 4 v7

CHOKING OUT FRUITFULNESS

THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS: The thistles are the rich, and the thorns are those obsessed with business deals. They tend not to remain long with the servants of God. They wander away, choked by commercial preoccupations. [1] The rich cleave only with great difficulty to the servants of God, fearing lest someone might ask something of them. Such people, therefore, will enter the kingdom of God only with difficulty. You know how hard it is to walk through thistles with bare feet? Just that hard it will be for them to enter the kingdom of God. [2] THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 3.9.20. [3]

[1] Cf. 1 Tim 6:9.

[2] Cf. Mt 19:23-24; Mk 10:23-25; Lk 18:25.

[3] TLG 1419.001, 97.1.1-3.1; ANF 2:50**; cf. AF 278.