The Spirit and the Letter

The Main Idea

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the difference between walking by the letter and walking by the spirit, based on the biblical saying: “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” He explains that the problem is not in the commandment itself, but in the way it is practiced: do we fulfill it outwardly, or do we live its spirit and deep meaning?

The Spirit of the Commandment, Not Its Formality

The intention is to understand God’s purpose behind the commandment, not merely to cling to its literal form. Literalism may lead to hypocrisy or self-righteousness, as happened with the Pharisees who cared for appearances without the essence. True spiritual life is based on understanding the spirit of the commandment and practicing it with love and humility.

Fasting Between Letter and Spirit

A person may abstain from certain foods, yet search for delicious alternatives that satisfy desire; thus he keeps the letter and leaves the spirit. True fasting is humbling the body and distancing oneself from materialism, not merely changing the type of food.

Prayer and Prostration

Prayer is not merely words that are spoken, but a real connection between the human spirit and the Spirit of God. Prostration is not only the bowing of the body, but the bowing of the soul in humility and reverence. Words spoken without understanding or feeling lose their spirit and become mere expressions.

Giving and Service

Giving is not an obligatory payment or like a tax, but love flowing from the heart. Likewise, service is not a position or authority, but a spirit of love aiming at the salvation of others and their spiritual edification. The letter says “give,” but the spirit says “love.”

Rites and Worship

Rites are not meaningless symbols or movements without meaning, but deep spiritual symbols. If a person does not enter into the spirit of the rite, the practices become formal. What is required is not abolishing the rites, but reviving them with spirit and understanding.

Understanding the Holy Scripture

Even in interpreting the Holy Scripture, one must not suffice with the letter, but should understand the context, the spirit, and the intended meaning. There are expressions that, if taken literally, may lead to misunderstanding, but through their spirit they lead to truth.

The New Life

In baptism we declare that we died with Christ and rose with Him. If this is merely spoken words, it is letter; but if it is a practical life lived by forsaking sin and walking in newness of life, it is spirit.

The Spiritual Message

The call is to live with inner sincerity and not with appearances, and that the heart be in harmony with the tongue, and action in harmony with faith. Life with God is not based on formalities, but on a living spirit working through love.

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