← LineageFrom the Fathers for · Friday, 5 July 2024

Quote in context

Gregory the Great on Scripture growing with us

Pope Gregory I (the Great) · Moralia in Job 20.1, paraphrase

Scripture grows with its readers.

Pope Gregory I (the Great)

Plain English

Gregory is describing the depth of biblical interpretation. Scripture does not change, but the reader's capacity to see its meaning deepens over time.

Why it matters

The line became a compact account of spiritual reading: the text keeps opening as the reader matures.

Who said it

Pope Gregory I (the Great)

Pope Gregory I (the Great)

c. 540 – 604 · Born in Rome · Roman West

Gregory was a Roman aristocrat who became a monk, then was drafted to be Pope, and during fourteen years in office (590–604) reorganised the Western church for the medieval world. He sent Augustine of Canterbury to convert the Anglo-Saxons, codified the chant that bears his name, wrote the Pastoral Care that every medieval bishop used as a manual, and held Italy together as the Roman state collapsed around him. The reason 'medieval' Christianity has the shape it does is largely his.

Read more about Pope Gregory I (the Great)
Cover of Sermons by Leo the Great
Daily reading

Book of the day

Tome (Letter to Flavian)

Pope Leo I

A reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. Leo's letter becomes a central text for Chalcedon and the two-natures formula.

·XFacebookRedditEmail

Daily Patristic Wisdom in your inbox

Get one early Church quote each morning, with historical context in plain English. Free. Unsubscribe whenever.

Today: Gregory the Great on Scripture growing with us — Patristic Lineage