Leviathan · Chapter
XLIII: Of What Is Necessary for a Man’s Reception Into the Kingdom of Heaven explained
Hobbes resolves the apparent conflict between obedience to God and obedience to the civil sovereign by distinguishing what is necessary for salvation.
What happens
Hobbes resolves the apparent conflict between obedience to God and obedience to the civil sovereign by distinguishing what is necessary for salvation. He argues that only faith in Christ (that Jesus is the Christ) and obedience to the laws of Nature (which are the laws of God) are required. Since the civil sovereign is the supreme interpreter of Scripture and maker of civil law, there can be no contradiction between divine and civil commands. Subjects must obey their sovereign unless commanded to deny Christ, in which case they may accept martyrdom. Hobbes concludes by affirming the power of civil sovereigns and the duty of subjects, grounding his argument in Scripture interpreted according to its overall scope.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Civil Authority
Hobbes argues that the civil sovereign is the supreme pastor and interpreter of Scripture, and that obedience to God is fulfilled through obedience to the sovereign, as the laws of Nature are contained in civil law.
Liberty and Obligation
The chapter examines the subject's obligation to obey both God and the civil sovereign, resolving conflicts by distinguishing necessary from unnecessary commands for salvation.
Human Nature and Passions
Hobbes notes that false teachers and prophets are driven by ambition and private benefit, exploiting religious claims to gain reputation and govern others.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Referred to as the foundation of faith; His precept 'Fear not those that kill the body' is cited; He expounded the law of Moses and gave counsel to obey existing laws.
- St. Paul
Cited for the principle that a teacher who builds on the foundation with hay or stubble shall be saved; also noted as having withstood St. Peter.
- Peter
Mentioned as being withstood by St. Paul, illustrating that even apostles can err in superstructure.
- Moses
Referenced as the giver of the law to the Jews; Christ expounded the law of Moses.
- Abraham
Listed among those who believed God speaking supernaturally.
- Adam
Mentioned as the source of original disobedience requiring remission of sins.
- Naaman
Used as an example of a subject who may have internal faith while outwardly obeying an infidel sovereign.
- John the Evangelist
Quoted (1st Epistle 4:1) advising to examine spirits whether they are of God.
Key passages
“The most frequent pretext of sedition, and civil war, in Christian commonwealths, hath a long time proceeded from a difficulty, not yet sufficiently resolved, of obeying at once both God and man, then when their commandments are one contrary to the other.”
The main excuse for rebellion and civil war in Christian states has long been the unresolved problem of how to obey both God and human authority when their commands conflict.
Hobbes identifies the core political problem the chapter aims to solve.
“All that is 'necessary to salvation,' is contained in two virtues, 'faith in Christ,' and 'obedience to laws.'”
Everything required for salvation comes down to just two things: believing in Christ and obeying the laws.
Hobbes reduces the requirements for salvation to faith and obedience, simplifying the apparent conflict.
“For it is not the bare words, but the scope of the writer, that giveth the true light by which any writing is to be interpreted; and they that insist upon single texts, without considering the main design, can derive nothing from them clearly; but rather by casting atoms of Scripture, as dust before men's eyes, make everything more obscure than it is; an ordinary artifice of those that seek not the truth, but their own advantage.”
The true meaning of any text comes from the author's overall purpose, not isolated phrases; those who pick out single verses without context only create confusion, a trick used by those who care more for their own benefit than for truth.
Hobbes defends his method of interpreting Scripture by its overall harmony and scope, criticizing selective quotation.
