Chapter 16
| 1 Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί, ἀφορμὴν λαβόντες οὐ μικρὰν εἰς τὸ μετανοῆσαι, καιρὸν ἔχοντες ἐπιστρέψωμεν ἐπὶ τὸν καλέσαντα ἡμᾶς θεόν, ἕως ἔτι ἔχομεν τὸν παραδεχόμενον ἡμᾶς. | Therefore, brothers, after receiving no minor opportunity for repentance, while having the time, we should return to God who called us, while we still have the one who receives us. |
| 2 ἐὰν γὰρ ταῖς ἡδυπαθείαις ταύταις ἀποταξώμεθα καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν ἡμῶν νικήσωμεν ἐν τῷ μὴ ποιεῖν τὰς ἐπιθυμίας αὐτῆς τὰς πονηράς, μεταληψόμεθα τοῦ ἐλέους Ἰησοῦ. | For if we renounce these pleasures and conquer our soul by refusing to fulfill its evil desires, we will share in the mercy of Jesus. |
| 3 γινώσκετε δέ, ὅτι ἔρχεται ἤδη ἡ ἡμέρα τῆς κρίσεως ὡς κλίβανος καιόμενος, καὶ τακήσονταί τινες τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ὡς μόλιβος ἐπὶ πυρὶ τηκόμενος· καὶ τότε φανήσεται τὰ κρύφια καὶ φανερὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων. |
But you know that the day of judgment is already coming as a burning furnace,
and some things of the heavens will melt, and the whole earth will be like lead melting in the fire, and then the secret and exposed works of men will be revealed. |
| 4 καλὸν οὖν ἐλεημοσύνη ὡς μετάνοια ἁμαρτίας· κρείσσων νηστεία προσευχῆς, ἐλεημοσύνη δὲ ἀμφοτέρων· ἀγάπη δὲ καλύπτει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν, προσευχὴ δὲ ἐκ καλῆς συνειδήσεως ἐκ θανάτου ῥύεται. μακάριος πᾶς ὁ εὑρεθεὶς ἐν τούτοις πλήρης· ἐλεημοσύνη γὰρ κούφισμα ἁμαρτίας γίνεται. |
Charitable donation therefore is a good thing, just as repentance from sin.
Fasting is better than prayer, but charitable donation is better than both. And love covers a multitude of sins, but prayer out of a good conscience delivers from death. Blessed is everyone who is found full of these. For charitable donation becomes the alleviation of sin. |
Summary
This passage centers on the urgency of repentance (μετάνοια) in light of the approaching apocalyptic Judgment Day.The author warns that the final judgment will be a cosmic trial by fire where all hidden and open human actions will be revealed.
To prepare, believers are urged to renounce worldly pleasures (ἡδυπάθειαι) and engage in traditional spiritual disciplines: prayer, fasting, and especially almsgiving (ἐλεημοσύνη).
The author presents a hierarchy of practical righteousness, exalting charitable giving and love as powerful means of securing God's mercy and alleviating the burden of sin.
Significant Greek Expressions
ἀφορμὴν... οὐ μικράν ("no small opportunity / occasion"):Ἀφορμή refers to a starting point, occasion, or opportunity. The present time is framed as a gracious window provided by God to turn back (ἐπιστρέφω) before judgment arrives.
ταῖς ἡδυπαθείαις ταύταις ἀποταξώμεθα ("bid farewell to these sensual pleasures"):Ἡδυπάθεια denotes self-indulgence, luxury, or gratification of bodily pleasures. Combined with ἀποτάσσομαι (to renounce or bid farewell to), it calls for a decisive break from worldly gratification.
ὡς κλίβανος καιόμενος ("like a burning furnace"): A vivid eschatological image drawing on Malachi 4:1. The day of judgment (ἡ ἡμέρα τῆς κρίσεως) is portrayed as an consuming fire that purges and tests all creation.
τακήσονται... ὡς μόλιβος ἐπὶ πυρί ("will melt... like lead upon fire"): Echoes apocalyptic imagery (cf. 2 Peter 3:10, Isaiah 34:4). Earthly elements and even celestial bodies are described as melting like lead (μόλιβος), stressing the absolute majesty and terrifying power of divine judgment.
ἐλεημοσύνη... κούφισμα ἁμαρτίας ("almsgiving... a lightening of sin"):Ἐλεημοσύνη (charity/almsgiving) is given primary emphasis among spiritual disciplines. The term κούφισμα means relief, alleviation, or lightening of a burden; act of charity lightens the moral guilt of past sins.
ἀγάπη δὲ καλύπτει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν ("love covers a multitude of sins"): A direct citation of 1 Peter 4:8 (cf. Proverbs 10:12). Active, self-sacrificing love within the Christian community covers and forgives transgressions, restoring spiritual wholeness.