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← The Imitation of Christ/Book 3 · On Inward Consolation
Chapter 36Imit.3.36

Contra hominum vana judicia.

Trusting God Over Human Opinion

The soul is urged to fix its heart on the Lord rather than fear human judgment, since even Paul, who labored to please all, did not let human verdicts define him.

Son, set your heart firmly on the Lord, and do not fear human judgment when your conscience shows you to be devout and innocent. It is good and blessed to suffer in this way, and it will not be grievous to a humble heart that trusts in God more than in itself. Many people say many things, so little trust should be given to them. But it is not possible to be enough for everyone. And if Paul was eager to please everyone in the Lord and became all things to all people, he still counted it as very little that he had been judged by a human tribunal.✦✦1

Paul’s Example of Humble Patience

Paul did all he could for others’ salvation, yet left his judgment to God, defending himself only when necessary to avoid scandal.

He did enough for the building up and salvation of others, as far as lay within him and as far as he was able; but he could not hold himself back from ever being judged by others, or from not being despised.2 So he entrusted everything to God, who knew everything; and with patience and humility he defended himself against the wicked mouths of those who spoke, and also against the empty and worldly thoughts of those who speculated, and of those who boasted of themselves to suit their own pleasure.34 Still, he did answer at times, so that scandal would not arise for the weak on account of his silence.56

Do Not Fear Mortal Men

The reader is reminded of human frailty and called to fear God alone, keeping divine presence before the eyes rather than quarreling over earthly judgments.

Who are you, that you should fear a mortal human being?✦ Today he is here, and tomorrow he is gone. Fear God, and you will not be terrified by the fears people stir up.✦ Who can do anything against you?✦ By his words or his wrongs, he harms himself more than you; nor will he be able to escape the judgment of God, whoever he is. Keep God before your eyes, and do not quarrel with complaining words.

Endure Shame and Look to Heaven

When suffering undeserved shame, the soul should not grow impatient but look to Christ in heaven, who will vindicate and reward each according to their deeds.

And if for the moment you seem to be overcome, and suffer shame you have not deserved, do not be indignant over this, and do not let impatience diminish your crown.✦ But look rather to me in heaven, for I am powerful enough to rescue you from every shame and wrong, and to render to each one according to their deeds.

Read the original Latin

Fili, jacta cor tuum firmiter in Domino; et humanum ne metuas judicium, ubi te conscientia pium reddit insontem. Bonum est et beatum taliter pati: nec hoc erit grave humili cordi et Deo magis quam sibi ipsi confidenti. Multi multa loquuntur et ideo parva fides est adhibenda. Sed et omnibus satis esse non est possibile. Et si Paulus studuit omnibus in Domino placere, et omnibus omnia factus est, tamen etiam pro minimo duxit, quod ab humano die judicatus fuerit.

Egit satis pro aliorum ædificatione et salute, quantum in se erat, et poterat: sed ne ab aliis aliquando judicaretur, vel non despiceretur, cohibere non potuit. Ideo totum commisit Deo, qui totum noverat; et patientia et humilitate contra ora loquentium iniqua, ac etiam vana et mundana cogitantium, atque pro libitu suo quæque jactantium se defendit. Respondit tamen interdum, ne infirmis pro sua taciturnitate generaretur scandalum.

Quis es tu, ut timeas a mortali homine? Hodie est, et cras non comparet. Deum time, et hominum pavores non expavesces. Quis potest in te aliquid? Verbis, aut injuriis sibi potius nocet, quam tibi; nec poterit judicium Dei fugere quicumque est ille. Tu habe Deum præ oculis, et noli contendere verbis querulosis. Quod si ad præsens videris succumbi, et confusionem pati quam non meruisti, non indigneris ex hoc neque per impatientiam minuas coronam tuam. Sed ad me potius respice in cælum, qui potens sum eripere ab omni confusione et injuria et unicuique reddere secundum opera sua.

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩1Cor.9.22 — To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.
  2. ↩1Cor.4.3 — But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even examine myself.
  3. ↩Isa.51.12 — I, I am the one who comforts you. Who are you that you fear a mortal who must die, a human being who is given over to the grass?
  4. ↩Isa.8.12-Isa.8.13 — Do not call a conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, and do not be terrified. Isa.8.13 — But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
  5. ↩Rom.8.31 — What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
  6. ↩1Pet.5.4;2Tim.4.8 — And when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 2Tim.4.8 — From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Alludes to 1 Cor 9:22 ('I have become all things to all people') and possibly 1 Cor 4:3 ('I do not even judge myself... the one who judges me is the Lord'). The phrase 'ab humano die judicatus fuerit' echoes Paul's dismissal of human judgment.
  2. 2 ↩The adversative 'sed' marks a sharp turn: Paul's outward service was sufficient, yet he could not control how others received it. The double ne-clause (ne…judicaretur, vel non despiceretur) captures two related fears — being judged and being held in contempt.
  3. 3 ↩The chain of additive connectives (et…et…ac…atque) builds a cumulative portrait of the many fronts on which Paul had to defend himself — against speakers, thinkers, and self-promoters alike.
  4. 4 ↩Ora (mouths) is used figuratively for speech and public opinion, not literally.
  5. 5 ↩Tamen signals a concession: despite his general practice of not defending himself, Paul made an exception to protect the vulnerable.
  6. 6 ↩Scandalum (scandal) carries its full theological weight here — a stumbling block that could lead others into sin, not merely an offense.