St. Basil’s Letter 22 forbids envy of another person’s reputation and delight in their faults. He asks Christians to grieve over a brother’s sin and rejoice over his good deeds. The response to another person’s life should be governed by love in Christ, rather than by a rivalry for esteem. Basil, Letter 22, section 3, opening sentences
The counsel addresses two related temptations: another person’s success can feel like our loss, and their failure can become a private pleasure. Basil directs the heart toward the opposite response. He names the good as something to welcome and the fault as something calling for concern. Basil, Letter 22, section 3, opening sentences
Paul describes members of Christ’s body sharing suffering and honor. When one member is honored, the others rejoice together. The context is mutual belonging: the good of another member has a place within our common life. Basil’s counsel echoes this scriptural principle. 1 Corinthians 12:26
A present response can be simple and truthful. Acknowledge the actual good someone has done, give thanks to God for it and resist a needless comparison with yourself. If the person falls, do not turn the fault into entertainment. These applications follow the paired responsibilities Basil states. Basil, Letter 22, section 3, opening sentences
This rejoicing does not require pretending to see virtue where it has not been shown. Paul speaks about real honor within the body, and Basil speaks about good deeds. Attend to the good that is actually present. Let another Christian’s faithfulness become an occasion for thanksgiving and encouragement, rather than a reason to withdraw love. Basil, Letter 22, section 3, opening sentences
For prayer, use the Lord’s Prayer given by Christ in Matthew 6:9–13.
Sources and edition notes
- Basil, Letter 22. Source. Translated by Blomfield Jackson. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 8. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202022.htm.
Scripture references link to these comparison editions: NKJV. Biblical passages are paraphrased. Biblical language within a patristic quotation follows the identified historical English translation.