Kindness Even to the Idle

Yet like a far-sighted and careful physician, he is anxious not only to heal the wounds of the sick but also to give fitting directions to the healthy, so that their health may be kept up continually. He says: “But as for you, do not grow weary in doing good.” You who follow us, that is, our ways, and copy the example given you by imitating us in work, and do not follow their sloth and laziness: “Do not grow weary in doing good.” That is, show kindness to them too, if perhaps they have failed to keep what we said. Just as he was severe with those who were weak, for fear that, softened by laziness, they might give way to restlessness and curiosity, so he urges those who are in good health not to hold back the kindness that the Lord’s command tells us to show to the good and the evil, even if some bad men will not turn to sound teaching. Nor are they to stop doing good to them and encouraging them, both by words of comfort and by rebuke, as well as by ordinary kindness and courtesy. [a]