Introduction to the Coptic Catechism
How does Origen explain allegorical interpretation?
Q59 · The Holy Bible
- a. Origen contemplates on the priest who skins the burnt offering (Lev. 6:1), saying that he “is the one who removes the veil of the letter (2 Cor. 3.14) from the word of God and uncovers its interior parts which are members of spiritual understanding.”181
- b. Origen does not find the spiritual meaning to be difficult: “The spiritual interpretation, however, is not so difficult and hard to come by. For the Bride of the Word, the soul who abides in His royal house—that is, in the Church—is taught by the Word of God, who is her Bridegroom, whatever things are stored and hidden within the royal court and in the King’s chamber.”182
- c. Origen understands the human being to be made up of body, soul, and spirit; and likewise, understands the Holy Bible to be of the same structure for the salvation of the human being: that is; the literal meaning, the moral meaning, and the spiritual meaning.
- d. Origen finds in Noah’s ark an example that confirms his theory, since it consists of three decks (Gen. 6:15–16). “And thus by ascending through the individual levels of the dwellings, one arrives at Noah himself, whose name means rest or righteous, who is Christ Jesus.”183
- i. The lower deck refers to the base — that is, the literal or historical interpretation of the Holy Bible.
- ii. The upper deck is the spiritual or mystical meaning. In his commentary on Genesis, he says, “These, indeed, who live by rational knowledge and are capable not only of ruling themselves but also of teaching others, since very few are found, represent the few who are saved with Noah himself and are united with him in the closest relationship, just as also our Lord, the true Noah, Christ Jesus, has few intimates, few sons and relatives, who are participants in his word and capable of his wisdom.”184
- iii. The middle deck represents the moral interpretation.185
181 Origen, Homilies on Leviticus 1.4.2 (FOTC 83:35).
182 Origen, Commentary on the Songs of Songs 3.13 (ACW 26:231).
183 Origen, Homilies on Genesis 2.3 (FOTC 71:79).
184 Origen, Homilies on Genesis 2.3 (FOTC 71:78).
185 Origen, Homilies on Genesis 2.6 (FOTC 71:85–88).