Introduction
This month's book that I am listening to is called The Obstacle Is The Way. The title comes from Marcus Aurelius, who was born 1900 years ago on April 26th, 121 AD, "The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." He was the last of the Five Good Emperors and a Stoic philosopher. So, I thought we'd see what similarities there are with Stoicism and the Bible.
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| What stands in the way becomes the way |
This was a more difficult study than usual, as I am not as familiar with stoic sayings. However, my son was helpful by starting me out with a quote from Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, "“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.”
Meditations was the second book I listened to this month. So, it seems right to me to quote from 12 different sayings of the Stoics that overlap with verses from the Bible. One of the stoics, Heraclitus, coined the idea of Logos (literally, "word") as the force that controls the universe. Later, the Apostle John applied this term to Jesus, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."
Here are my top 12 verses on "stoicism:"
Jesus On Stoicism
Matthew 16:24 King James Version
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 5:37 King James Version
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Luke 12:29-31 King James Version
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 20:17-18 King James Version
17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Stoicism In The New Testament
Acts 17:18 King James Version
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
Romans 5:3-4 King James Version
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
1 Corinthians 15:22 King James Version
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
James 1:22 King James Version
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Stoicism In The Old Testament
Psalm 119:100 King James Version
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Proverbs 10:27 King James Version
27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shorten
Proverbs 15:2 King James Version
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Ecclesiastes 7:27-29 King James Version
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Conclusion Of The Whole Matter
Stoicism spans the entirety of the Bible's writings. However, it was easiest to find similar ideas in the Wisdom section of the OT. Jesus has many similar ideas in his discourses. Some of the Stoics actually make an appearance in the Book of Acts. And Paul seems to be the most stoic of the NT writers, but that could just be because he has the largest content and most chance for overlap.
Now, your task is to try to connect which Stoic saying relates to which Bible verse above. Looks like Heraclitus might be my favorite Stoic. He had a lot enjoyable quotes from which to choose.
1 Bible results for “stoic” from King James Version.
New Testament (1)
“I begin to speak only when I’m certain what I’ll say isn’t better left unsaid.” - Cato
"He has the most who is content with the least." - Diogenes
“Curb your desire—don’t set your heart on so many things and you will get what you need.” - Epictetus
“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.”- Epictetus
"Give me one man from among ten thousand if he is the best." - Heraclitus
"Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character." - Heraclitus
"Much learning does not teach understanding." - Heraclitus
“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.” - Marcus Aurelius
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” - Marcus Aurelius
"Death is the wish of some, the relief of many, and the end of all." - Seneca
“Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.” - Seneca
Scripture contributions for June 2021 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson
