Arcana Coelestia, Vol. VII

sense. The ancients, who possessed the formal systems of teaching regarding love and service doctrinals of charity; the structured principles of how to love one's neighbor, knew these things; but at this day they appear so remote that every one will wonder at its being said that these things are within. Moreover, the angels who are with man perceive these words no otherwise, for by the "hungry" they perceive those who from affection a deep, heartfelt attraction or inclination desire good; by the "thirsty," those who from affection desire truth; by a "stranger," those who are willing to be instructed; by the "naked," those who acknowledge that there is nothing of good and of truth in themselves; by the "sick," those who acknowledge that in themselves there is nothing but evil; and by the "bound," or those who are "in prison," those who acknowledge that in themselves there is nothing but falsity. If these things are reduced into one meaning, they signify what has been stated just above.

4957. From all this it is evident that there were Divine things within everything the Lord said, although to those who are in merely worldly things, and especially to those who are in bodily things those preoccupied only with physical sensations and material concerns, His words appear to be such as any man might say. Nay, they who are in bodily things will say of these and all other words of the Lord, that they have not so much grace, and therefore not so much weight, as the discourse and preaching of those of the present age who speak with eloquence and learning; when yet their discourse and preaching are like the husk and chaff in comparison with the kernel and grain.

4958. That "to hunger" is from affection to desire good, is because "bread" in the internal sense internal sense; the deeper, symbolic meaning of scripture hidden beneath the literal words is the good of love and of charity, and "food" in general is good (see notes 2165, 2177, 3478, 4211, 4217, 4735). That "to thirst" is from affection to desire truth, is because "wine" and also "water" denote the truth of faith (that it is so with "wine," see above notes 1071; 1798; and with "water," note 2702). That a "stranger" is one who is willing to be instructed, may also be seen above (notes 1463, 4444). That the "naked" means one who acknowledges that there is nothing of good or truth in himself, the "sick" one who acknowledges that he is in evil, and the "bound," or he that is "in prison," one who acknowledges that he is in falsity, is plain from the many passages in the Word The Holy Scriptures in which they are mentioned.