The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of a religious life explained
This chapter emphasizes the necessity of self-mortification, humility, and perseverance in religious life, portraying it as a path of exile and pilgrimage where one must become a fool for Christ and seek only God and the health of the soul.
What happens
This chapter emphasizes the necessity of self-mortification, humility, and perseverance in religious life, portraying it as a path of exile and pilgrimage where one must become a fool for Christ and seek only God and the health of the soul.
Themes in this chapter
Contempt for the World
The chapter calls the religious to hold themselves as exiles and pilgrims on earth, seeking only God and the soul's health.
Humility and Self-Denial
Emphasizes mortification of affections, being least of all and servant of all, and humbling oneself for God's sake.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Implied as the one for whom one becomes a fool and the ultimate object of seeking.
- The Disciple
Addressed as 'thou' who is called to endure, labour, and humble himself.
Key passages
“It behoveth thee to learn to mortify thyself in many things, if thou wilt live in amity and concord with other men.”
You must learn to deny yourself in many ways if you want to live peacefully with others.
Sets the foundation for communal religious life as requiring self-discipline.
“Thou wilt have to be counted as a fool for Christ, if thou wilt lead a religious life.”
If you choose a religious life, you must be willing to appear foolish for Christ's sake.
Highlights the counter-cultural nature of religious commitment.
“He who seeketh aught save God and the health of his soul, shall find only tribulation and sorrow.”
Anyone who seeks anything other than God and the salvation of their soul will only find trouble and grief.
Reinforces the theme of single-minded devotion to God.