ACC ~ Matthew 25 v16 - 18

TO EACH ACCORDING TO ABILITY

ORIGEN: There is the ability of those to whom “five talents” were given, the ability of those to whom “two talents” were given and the ability of those to whom “one talent” was given. Also, one person did not receive the same amount as the other. And “he who had received the one talent” received by no means a paltry sum, for even one talent from this master is considerable. However, three in number are the servants of him who “set out like a man going abroad,” just as in another parable those who bear fruit are three in number: “some” of them. Again “one hundred, some sixty and some thirty.” [1] But he who gains thirty is saved. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 66. [2]

[1] Mt 13:23.

[2] GCS 38.2:154.

FIVE TALENTS MORE

GREGORY THE GREAT: The person who received five talents gained another five. There are some who, even without knowing how to probe into inward and mystical matters, use the natural gifts they have received to teach correctly those they can reach to strive for their heavenly home. While guarding themselves from physical wantonness, from striving after earthly things and from taking pleasure in things they can see, they restrain others too from these things by their counsel. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 9.1. [1]

[1] PL 76:1106; CS 123:127-28 (Homily 18).

TWO TALENTS MORE

GREGORY THE GREAT

And there are some endowed with two talents, so to speak, who comprehend both theory and practice. They understand the fine points of interior matters and accomplish astonishing things outwardly. When they preach to others by both theory and practice, their business venture, so to call it, yields a twofold gain. It is good that another five and another two are said to have been gained, since when preaching is provided for both sexes the talents received are so to speak doubled. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 9.1. [1]

[1] PL 76:1106; CS 123:128 (Homily 18).

HE DUG IN THE GROUND

ORIGEN: The master’s words scold him “who had received the one talent” and “hid it in the ground.” And I wonder whether those who received “five talents” can be deemed to be more mature than those who study and receive the more noble and sublime context of Scripture. Now those who received “two talents” improved somewhat on the original sum given but were unable to gain more. Those in the third group, however, were unable to capitalize on the amount they had first received. It is entirely a matter of numbers, therefore, in those words that form a fitting discourse of our Lord and Savior—namely, five and two and one. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 66. [1]

[1] GCS 38.2:154.

HE HID THE MONEY

GREGORY THE GREAT: But the person who received one talent went away, dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. Hiding a talent in the earth means employing one’s abilities in earthly affairs, failing to seek spiritual profit, never raising one’s heart from earthly thoughts. There are some who have received the gift of understanding but have a taste only for things that pertain to the body. The prophet says of them, “They are wise in doing evil, but they do not know how to do good.” [1] FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 9.1. [2]

[1] Jer 4:22.

[2] PL 76:1106-7; CS 123:128 (Homily 18).