The Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 14 summary
Chapter 14 of 26 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 14, an unnamed speaker tells the narrator to reject doubt, ask God wholeheartedly, and trust His compassion despite personal sins. He explains that delayed answers require continued prayer rather than blame, and contrasts powerful faith from the Lord with destructive doubt from the devil.
What happens
- The speaker urges the narrator to ask God confidently rather than let past sins prevent prayer.
- He says that God shows compassion and grants requests made without wavering.
- He warns that doubt blocks requests and threatens salvation unless the doubter repents.
- He attributes delayed answers to temptation or unnoticed wrongdoing and urges continued prayer.
- He contrasts faith from the Lord with doubt from the devil and commands the narrator to embrace faith.
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The key line
“Cleanse your heart, therefore, of doubtful-mindedness, and put on faith, for faith is strong.”The unnamed speaker
This command sums up the instruction to replace doubt with trust. It also connects inward cleansing with the image of wearing faith.
Quick check
What does the speaker advise when an answer to prayer is slow?
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