Past Masters: Origen: The Original Expository Preacher?

If you ask preachers what they know about Origen of Alexandria, you might get one of two responses: "I think he is the one whose mother hid all his clothes so he could not go and volunteer for martyrdom"; or, "Isn't he the preacher who used allegory?" None is likely to identify him as the first expository preacher, but I think the case can be made.

Origen was born about 185 A.D. in Alexandria, Egypt. His godly parents gave him a thorough education in Scripture, as well as the usual grammar, math, logic and rhetoric. Eusebius reports that Origen grew up as a devoted Christian and cultured Greek.

When Origen turned 17, his father was arrested during a bloody persecution of the church on the charge of converting to Christianity, which was forbidden by the emperor. This is when Origen sought martyrdom with his father. When his mother foiled his plans, the youth wrote a passionate letter to his father urging him to remain true and not shirk death for the sake of his family.

When his father won his martyr's crown, all the family property was seized. The care of his mother and six younger brothers fell on the young man. He supported them by selling his library of manuscripts and teaching in a catechetical school. Soon a rich and generous lady who admired his talents came to his financial aid.

Clement of Alexandria, a remarkable Christian teacher, was Origin's mentor and a great formative influence on his youth. When Clement withdrew from the school, the direction of the work fell to Origen. This early responsibility convinced Origen to further his education. He devoted himself to the study of Plato, the Stoics and other philosophers. When Heracles joined him in the catechetical school, he studied Hebrew with him.

He interrupted his labors in the school to make several journeys, the first being to Jerusalem. When he was 30 years old, he fled Jerusalem. The governor of Arabia (modern Jordan) invited him there and sent a military escort. While there the governor invited him to preach, though he was still a layman. Later as he traveled into Greece, Origen passed through Caesarea; the bishop of that city, with the help of the Bishop of Jerusalem, elevated Origen to the priesthood.

His own bishop, Demetrius, took offense at the slight. Origen found a cool reception when he returned home to Alexandria. He soon thought it best to move on to Caesarea in Palestine. When he was gone, his bishop called two church councils at Alexandria. The first banished Origen from the city, and the second revoked his ordination as a priest. St. Jerome made it clear that there was no point of doctrine at issue in either sanction.

Many regarded Origen as a religious fanatic. He slept on the floor, ate no meat, drank no wine and fasted twice a week. He owned no shoes.

The years following were devoted almost without interruption to the composition of his Commentaries. Eusebius mentions a few excursions to holy places—a journey to Athens and two voyages to Arabia—one in order to convert prominent official Beryllus and the other was to refute certain heretics there who denied the resurrection. Both missions were successful.