On the Duties of the Clergy

by Ambrose of Milan, H. De Romestin (Translator)

This edition of Ambrose's "On the Duties of the Clergy" was translated by Rev. H. De Romestrin with the assistance of Rev. E. De Romestin and Rev. H. T. F. Duckworth. It includes the original Greek citations.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 391

About the author

born perhaps 340

Saint , bishop of Milan from 374, wrote, composed, and imposed orthodoxy on the early Christian Church.

This ecclesiastical figure of the 4th century most influenced. He served as consular prefect of Liguria and Emilia, headquartered, before popular acclamation. Ambrose staunchly opposed Arianism, and people accused him of fostering persecutions of Jews and pagans.

Tradition credits Ambrose with promoting "antiphonal chant", a style in which one side of the choir responds alternately, as well as Veni redemptor gentium, a hymn of Advent.

Ambrose ranks of the four original doctors of the Church, and the patron. He notably influenced Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and detailed work providing a Christian take of Cicero's work on duties. It's specifically oriented towards the clergy, and there are certain emphases in accordance with that, such as a focus on modesty, chastity, and generosity.

In book 1, he discusses what is expedient. St Ambrose goes into detail about how the philosophers searched for the true meaning of expediency, but what they got and what they missed were both completely explained through the Christian religion. He says that examples from the Bible and patriarchs are much better at teaching virtue than the theory of the philosophers. There's a very interesting bit near the end on priestly celibacy, giving the principles for it in the new covenant.

In book 2, he discusses what is becoming. He discusses the beauties of prudence, generosity, and wisdom, and the guiding principles behind practical acts of charity. He gives stories of the patriarchs as examples for all of this. He especially goes into detail on how the love of money is a deadly vice.

In book 3, St Ambrose finally reviews what is both expedient and seemly, and shows (in accordance with Cicero's similar conclusion) that they cannot be in conflict. Book 3 contains excellent sections on mercy and the love of peace, sanctification of the Holy Spirit and its types in the Old Testament sacrifices, and finally a beautiful section on friendship.

This work isn't as rhetorically captivating as some other patristics, and it's a bit long. But it's completely full of biblical examples of virtue and their explanation, as well as a laser focus on the important things for Christians to cultivate. I recommend reading it right after Cicero's "On Duties".

Works along similar lines are St. Ambrose's "Jacob and the Happy Life", Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy", and Alcuin's "Virtues and Vices". I'm not sure if this is a good beginner work for St. Ambrose but it's definitely practical, and very interesting.

[Jacob Wigley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a slog. I found the writing a bit confused and unfocused. The main thing I got from it was an interesting insight into Ambrose's thinking and how he treats Scripture against the ancient Greek philosophies of his day and centuries passed. There is some gold in here, for sure. But if I'm honest, if I were looking for something more personally devotional and meaningful, I'd have been better reading something else.

[Joost Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This used to be standard reading for men preparing for ministry. It;s filled with wisdom, and will shake up some of our cultural/modern biases.

[Jack Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly practical for a church father. Interestingly, some very Aristotelian concepts of virtue and friendship wiggle their way into his pastoral theology too. Great read.

[Peter Vik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Ambrose of Milan since I learned that he refused communion to the Emperor Theodosius until he repented for the massacre in Thessalonica. This is the kind of ministry men we desperately need today. I loved this book. Rather than talking about the nitty gritty of daily ministry duties, Ambrose focuses on character qualities. He liberally uses the Scriptures to validate his points. Some of his exegetical work is a little funny by today's standards, but not nearly as much as I would have expected. And some of his specifics are a bit extreme or idiosyncratic, but he ministered in a very different time. Overall, he shares timeless principles from the Word of God that are absolutely necessary in any age.

[Tom Velasco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would’ve hit better had I actually read Cicero’s On Duties, given that this was clearly meant to follow the style and tenor of the great Roman orator’s work and serve as a kind of response. It had some good practical nuggets for a minister here and there, but mostly seemed concerned to tell us that virtue and expedience are the same thing over and over again without really addressing potential counterarguments.

Started reading over a year ago for our podcast discussion with Dr. Drew Harmon an Ambrose expert that we invited on the podcast. I read about half for the show and picked up the second half on the way home from Scotland yesterday.

[Adonis McReynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instructive, practical, filled with Godly wisdom, absolutely loved this work by Ambrose.

[Griffin Tschacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to read but good