Scholarly Martyrdom and Self-Sacrifice
Lapide's concept of the commentator's vocation as a "slow martyrdom" — consecrating eyes, brain, hands, blood, and life itself to God through the labor of expounding Scripture, seeking no glory but God alone. He rejects gain, applause, and the smoke of glory.
Preface and Praise of Sacred Scripture
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Peroration and Conclusion of Section One
— Let the teacher desire martyrdom: for blood consecrate his faculties, eyes, brain, mouth, bones, fingers, hands, blood, and life itself, and by a slow martyrdom return it to God.
"Let the teacher desire martyrdom, and for blood consecrate and pour out to God his noblest faculties, and with them his eyes, brain, mouth, bones, fingers, hands, blood, every drop of vitality, and life itself, and by a slow martyrdom return it to Him"
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Peroration and Conclusion of Section One
— Lapide rejects gain, applause, and glory: "I will not chase after gain, nor applause, nor the smoke of glory."
"My strength I will keep for you": I will not chase after gain, nor applause, nor the smoke of glory; let them blame, praise, applaud, or hiss — I will not be detained."