Справедливость
What is Justice?
Justice is the virtue of giving each their due, including returning good for evil and not wishing harm, as exemplified by Christian love and the fulfillment of the law.
Question 12. What is justice? Answer. Justice is the virtue that gives everyone what is owed, and that upholds one's duty without regard to persons, not only in matters of wealth but also of honor and dignity. Christian justice, however, not only repays evil with good but doesn't even allow us to wish harm to someone who has wronged us, according to the Apostle's teaching: 'Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is good in the sight of all.' (Rom. 12:17). Of this justice the same Apostle says: 'Render therefore to all what is due to them; render to each what is due: tax to whom tax is due, revenue to whom revenue is due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.' Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Rom. 13:7–8).
Justice in Governance
Rulers and judges do not sin against justice when punishing the guilty, as their authority comes from God to uphold good and punish evil.
Question 13. Do rulers and judges sin against justice when they punish the guilty for their crimes? Answer. They do not sin. 'For there is no authority except from God,' as Paul says, 'rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.' Do you want to avoid fearing authority? Then do good, and you will receive its approval. For it is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.' (Rom. 13:1. 3–4).
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Вопрос 12. Что есть справедливость?
Ответ. Справедливость есть добродетель, воздающая каждому должнoe и соблюдающая долг свой без рассмотрения лиц не только в делах, касающихся богатства, но и чести и достоинств. Справедливость же Христианская не только воздает добром за зло, но даже не позволяет и желать зла тому, кто причинил нам зло, по учению Апостола: «ни единому же зла за зло воздающе, промышляюще добрая пред всеми человеки» (Рим. 12, 17). О сей справедливости тот же Апостол говорит: «Воздадите убо всем должная: емуже убо урок, урок: [а] емуже дань, дань: [а] емуже страх, страх: [и] емуже честь, честь. Ни единому же ничимже должни бывайте, точию еже любите друг друга, любяй бо друга закон исполни» (Рим. 13, 7–8).
Вопрос 13. Грешат ли Начальники и Судии против справедливости, когда наказывают виновных за их преступления?
Ответ. Не грешат. «Несть бо власть аще не от Бога, – как говорит Павел, – князи не суть боязнь добрым делом, но злым. Хощеши же ли не боятися власти; благое твори, и имети будеши похвалу от него: Божий бо слуга есть, тебе во благое. Аще ли злое твориши, бойся, не бо без ума мечь носит: Божий бо слуга есть, отмститель в гневе злое творящему» (Рим. 13, 1. 3–4).
Orthodox Confession (Pravoslavnoe Ispovedanie) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit