Letter to Paulinus
Jerome's letter to Bishop Paulinus of Nola, encouraging the study of Scripture and surveying all the books of the Bible in order, demonstrating that each requires learned interpretation. A foundational text on biblical hermeneutics.
Pope Clement VIII, Jerome's Prefaces, On Worship
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II. JEROME TO PAULINUS.
— The full text of the letter is reproduced as the second section of this file
"II. JEROME TO PAULINUS."
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II. JEROME TO PAULINUS.
— Jerome opens with examples of ancient seekers of knowledge (Pythagoras, Plato, Apollonius, Paul) to commend Paulinus's zeal for learning
"Brother Ambrosius, bringing me your little gifts, delivered at the same time most delightful letters"
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II. JEROME TO PAULINUS.
— Jerome begins his systematic survey of the books of the Old Testament, starting with Genesis
"Presumably Genesis is perfectly clear"
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II. JEROME TO PAULINUS.
— Jerome transitions to the New Testament
"Let me touch briefly on the New Testament as well."
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II. JEROME TO PAULINUS.
— Jerome concludes with exhortations to Paulinus to renounce the world and devote himself to Scripture
"I pray you, dearest brother, to live among these things, to meditate on them, to know nothing else, to seek nothing else."