The City of God · Chapter
Book I explained
Augustine defends the Christian religion against pagan accusations that the sack of Rome by the Goths was due to the abandonment of the old gods.
What happens
Augustine defends the Christian religion against pagan accusations that the sack of Rome by the Goths was due to the abandonment of the old gods. He argues that the calamities of life befall both good and bad alike, and that the barbarians spared many pagans out of respect for Christ. He rebukes the ungrateful pagans who reproach Christianity while owing their lives to it, and reflects on the true wealth of Christians, which is spiritual and cannot be lost. He contrasts the earthly city, ruled by lust for power, with the City of God, which sojourns by faith and awaits eternal peace. He also notes that the two cities are intermingled until the last judgment.
Themes in this chapter
The Two Cities
Augustine introduces the earthly city, ruled by lust for domination, and the City of God, which lives by faith and awaits eternal peace.
Divine Providence and History
Augustine argues that the calamities of Rome are permitted by divine providence to chastise the wicked and test the righteous.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The pagans' ingratitude and moral corruption are contrasted with the grace shown through Christ's protection, calling for repentance.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and defender of the City of God, addressing the pagans and explaining the divine purpose behind temporal sufferings.
- Jesus Christ
Founder of the City of God, whose name and sanctuaries provided refuge during the sack of Rome.
- Romulus
Founder of Rome who opened a sanctuary for criminals, foreshadowing the Christian asylum that spared pagans.
- Job
Exemplar of faithful endurance, quoted for his response to losing all possessions: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.'
- Paulinus
Bishop of Nola who voluntarily became poor and trusted in heavenly treasure during the barbarian sack.
- Scipio Nasica
Roman statesman who warned that prosperity would corrupt Rome, preferring an enemy to keep morals intact.
Key passages
“The glorious city of God is my theme in this work, which you, my dearest son Marcellinus, suggested, and which is due to you by my promise.”
Augustine dedicates his work on the City of God to his friend Marcellinus, as promised.
Opening of the preface, establishing the purpose and audience of the treatise.
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble.
Key scriptural principle underlying Augustine's critique of pagan pride.
“Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; as it pleased the Lord, so has it come to pass: blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job acknowledges that all he had came from God and accepts loss with praise.
Augustine uses Job's example to teach detachment from earthly possessions.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Do not hoard wealth on earth, which is perishable, but store up eternal treasures in heaven.
Jesus' teaching on true security, which Christians should follow.
“He did not consider that republic flourishing whose walls stand, but whose morals are in ruins.”
Scipio Nasica valued moral integrity over physical defenses.
Augustine contrasts pagan concern for external prosperity with the need for inner virtue.
