Treatise on the Incarnation
Question. 40 - OF CHRIST'S MANNER OF LIFE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Having considered those things which relate to Christ's entrance into
the world, or to His beginning, it remains for us to consider those
that relate to the process of His life. And we must consider (1) His
manner of life; (2) His temptation; (3) His doctrine; (4) His miracles.
Concerning the first there are four points of inquiry:
(1) Whether Christ should have led a solitary life, or have associated
with men?
(2) Whether He should have led an austere life as regards food, drink, and clothing? Or should He have conformed Himself to others in these respects?
(3) Whether He should have adopted a lowly state of life, or one of
wealth and honor?
(4) Whether He should have lived in conformity with the Law?
Art. 1 - Whether Christ should have associated with men, or led a solitary life?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have associated with
men, but should have led a solitary life. For it behooved Christ to
show by His manner of life not only that He was man, but also that He
was God. But it is not becoming that God should associate with men, for
it is written (Dan. 2:11): "Except the gods, whose conversation is not
with men"; and the Philosopher says (Polit. i) that he who lives alone
is "either a beast"---that is, if he do this from being wild---"or a
god," if his motive be the contemplation of truth. Therefore it seems
that it was not becoming for Christ to associate with men.
Objection 2: Further, while He lived in mortal flesh, it behooved
Christ to lead a most perfect life. But the most perfect is the
contemplative life, as we have stated in the [4207]SS, Q[182], AA[1],2. Now, solitude is most suitable to the contemplative life; according to Osee 2:14: "I will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart." Therefore it seems that Christ should have led a solitary life.
Objection 3: Further, Christ's manner of life should have been uniform: because it should always have given evidence of that which is best. But at times Christ avoided the crowd and sought lonely places: hence Remigius [*Cf. Catena Aurea, Matth. 5:1], commenting on Matthew, says: "We read that our Lord had three places of refuge: the ship, the mountain, the desert; to one or other of which He betook Himself whenever he was harassed by the crowd." Therefore He ought always to have led a solitary life.
On the contrary, It is written (Baruch 3:38): "Afterwards He was seen
upon earth and conversed with men."
I answer that, Christ's manner of life had to be in keeping with the
end of His Incarnation, by reason of which He came into the world. Now
He came into the world, first, that He might publish the truth. thus He
says Himself (Jn. 18:37): "For this was I born, and for this came I
into the world, that I should give testimony to the truth." Hence it
was fitting not that He should hide Himself by leading a solitary life, but that He should appear openly and preach in public. Wherefore (Lk. 4:42,43) He says to those who wished to stay Him: "To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent."
Secondly, He came in order to free men from sin; according to 1 Tim. 1:15: "Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners." And hence, as Chrysostom says, "although Christ might, while staying in the same place, have drawn all men to Himself, to hear His preaching, yet He did not do so; thus giving us the example to go about and seek those who perish, like the shepherd in his search of the lost sheep, and the physician in his attendance on the sick."
Thirdly, He came that by Him "we might have access to God," as it is
written (Rom. 5:2). And thus it was fitting that He should give men
confidence in approaching Him by associating familiarly with them. Wherefore it is written (Mat. 9:10): "It came to pass as He was sitting . . . in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and His disciples." On which Jerome comments as follows: "They had seen the publican who had been converted from a sinful to a better life: and consequently they did not despair of their own salvation."
Reply to Objection 1: Christ wished to make His Godhead known through
His human nature. And therefore, since it is proper to man to do so, He
associated with men, at the same time manifesting His Godhead to all, by preaching and working miracles, and by leading among men a blameless and righteous life.