The Imitation of Christ

By Thomas a Kempis

If you want to think—and live—like Jesus, join the millions of people who’ve read The Imitation of Christ over the past five centuries. This devotional classic by Thomas à Kempis, first published in 1472, has been lightly abridged and edited for ease of modern readers. Addressing the spiritual life, our thoughts, God’s consolation, and the act of Communion, à Kempis’s classic offers clarity and comfort, peace and joy to believers of any age or background. Drawing from nearly a thousand Bible texts, The Imitation of Christ explains both why and how we should be like Jesus.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing
• Release date: May 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781624160721

Thomas a Kempis

Thomas à Kempis, (1380 – 1471) was a late medieval German-Dutch monk who wrote The Imitation of Christ, one of the most popular and best known books on devotion. Born in Kempen to a blacksmith father and schoolteacher mother, Thomas attended a Latin school in the Netherlands from the age of 12 to 19. While there he became a member of the spiritual movement Modern Devotion, founded by Geert Groote. In 1406, he entered the monastery of Mount St Agnes in 1406, where he copied the bible four times, wrote four booklets and instructed novices. Thomas More called “The Imitation Of Christ” one of three books everybody ought to own.

Book preview

Christ.

BOOK I

ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

CHAPTER 1

OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST AND CONTEMPT FOR THE WORLD

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, says the Lord (John 8:12). These are the words of Christ, and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character if we desire true illumination and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell on the life of Jesus Christ.

His teaching surpasses all teaching of holy men, and those who have His Spirit find in it the hidden manna (Revelation 2:17). But there are many who, though they frequently hear the gospel, feel little longing for it, because they do not have the mind of Christ. He, therefore, who desires to fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ should strive to conform his whole life to the mind of Christ.

It is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life that makes a man dear to God. I would rather feel contrition than be skillful in the definition of it. If you know the whole Bible and the sayings of all the philosophers, what good will it do you without the love and grace of God? All is meaningless, except to love God and serve only Him. That is the highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom.

It is meaningless, then, to seek after and trust in the riches that will perish. It is meaningless, too, to covet honors and to lift up ourselves on high. It is meaningless to follow the desires of the flesh and be led by them, for this will bring misery in the end. It is meaningless to desire a long life and to have little care for a good life. It is meaningless to take thought only for the life that now is and not to look forward to the things that will be hereafter. It is meaningless to love what quickly passes away and not to hurry to where eternal joy abides.

Think often of the saying, The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing (Ecclesiastes 1:8). Strive, therefore, to turn away your heart from love of the things that are seen and to set it on the things that are not seen. For those who follow after their own fleshly lusts defile the conscience and destroy the grace of God.

CHAPTER 2

OF THINKING

HUMBLY OF ONESELF

What profit is knowledge without the fear of God? Better is a lowly peasant who serves God than a proud philosopher who watches the stars and neglects the knowledge of himself. He who knows himself well is vile in his own sight, neither does he regard the praises of men. If I knew all the things that are in the world and were not walking in love, how would it help me before God, who is to judge me according to my deeds?

Rest from excessive desire for knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear learned and to be called wise. There are many things to know that provide little or no profit to the soul. And foolish is he who focuses on things other than those that contribute to his soul’s health. Many words do not satisfy the soul, but a good life refreshes the mind, and a pure conscience gives great confidence.

The greater and more complete your knowledge, the more severely will you be judged, unless you have lived righteously. Therefore do not be prideful about any skill or knowledge that you have. If it seems to you that you know many things and understand them well, know also that there are many more things that you do not know. Why do you desire to lift yourself above another, when there are many more knowledgeable and more skilled in the scriptures than you? If you want to know and learn anything beneficial, love to be unknown and to be counted as nothing.

The best and most profitable lesson is when a man truly knows and judges himself humbly. To think humbly of one’s self and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even if you see your neighbour sin openly or grievously, you ought not to consider yourself better than he, for you know not how long you will keep your integrity. All of us are weak and frail; consider no man more frail than yourself.

CHAPTER 3

OU THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH

The more simplicity a man has within himself, the more things and the deeper things he understands, and that without hard work, because he receives the light of understanding from above. The spirit that is pure, sincere, and steadfast is not distracted though it has much work to do, because it does all things for the honor of God and strives to be free from all thoughts of self-seeking. A person who is good and devout determines beforehand within his own heart the work he has to do, and so is not drawn away by the desires of his selfish will but subjects everything to the judgment of right reason. Who has a harder battle to fight than he who strives for self-mastery? This should be our endeavor: to master self and thus daily grow stronger than self and strive for perfection.

All perfection has some imperfection joined to it in this life. A lowly knowledge of yourself is a surer way to God than the deep searchings of man’s learning. Not that learning is to be avoided nor the taking account of anything that is good; but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all. And because many seek knowledge rather than good living, they go astray and bear little or no fruit.

How many perish through empty learning in this world who care little for serving God. And because they love to be great more than to be humble, they have become futile in their thoughts (Romans 1:21). He only is truly great who has great love. He is truly great who considers himself small. He is the truly wise man who considers all earthly things as garbage that he may gain Christ. And he is the truly learned man who does the will of God and forsakes his own will.

CHAPTER 4

OF PRUDENCE IN ACTION

We must not trust every word of others or every feeling within ourselves, but must cautiously and patiently try each matter, whether it is of God. Sadly, we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others than good. But those who are perfect do not believe every word of gossip, for they know man’s weakness, that it is prone to evil.

This is great wisdom: to not be hasty in action or stubborn in our own opinions. A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, even though we believe it. Take counsel with a man who is wise and has a good conscience, and seek to be instructed by one better than yourself, rather than to follow your own ideas. A good life makes a man wise in God’s eyes and gives him experience in many things. The more humble a man is in himself, and the more obedient toward God, the wiser will he be in all things, and the more will his soul be at peace.

CHAPTER 5

OF THE READING OF HOLY SCRIPTURES

It is truth we must look for in Scripture, not cunning words. All Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it was written. We ought to read books that are devotional and simple, as well as those that are deep and difficult. And let not the education of the writer be a stumbling block to you, whether he has little or much learning, but let the love for the pure truth draw you to read. Ask not who has said this or that, but focus on what he says.

Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endures forever. God speaks to us in different ways. If you want to profit from your reading, read humbly, simply, and honestly.

CHAPTER 6

OF LUSTFUL THOUGHTS

Whenever a man desires something he does not have, he immediately becomes restless. The proud and greedy are never at rest, while the poor and humble of heart abide in peace. The person who is not yet wholly dead to self is easily tempted and overcome by small matters. It is hard for the one who is weak in spirit and still partly carnal and inclined to the pleasures of the senses to withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when he withdraws himself from these, he is often sad and easily angered if anyone opposes his will.

But if, on the other hand, he yields to his desire, immediately he is weighed down by the condemnation of his conscience, for he has followed his own desire and yet in no way attained the peace he hoped for. For true peace of heart is to be found in resisting temptation, not in yielding to it. Therefore there is no peace in the heart of a person who is carnal, but only in one who is fervent toward God and living the life of the Spirit.

CHAPTER 7

OF FLEEING FROM MEANINGLESS HOPE AND PRIDE

Meaningless is the life of anyone who puts their trust in men or any created thing. Do not be ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be considered poor in this life. Build your hope in God. Do what lies in your power, and God will help your good intent. Trust not in your learning, nor in the cleverness of anyone, but rather trust in the favor of God, who resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Boast not in your riches if you have them, nor in your friends if they are powerful, but in

Reviews for The Imitation of Christ

[neverstopreading-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thomas à Kempis' classic work needs no introduction. What makes this edition (Saint Joseph-GIANT TYPE Edition) better than the rest is that it is presented as the devotional that it is, and not as just another "classic writing." The print is giant type, which should make it easier to readfor those with vision problems, especially the elderly. There are also plenty of pictures (some in color, others in black in white) of biblical scenes. I bought this edition because the binding is the most sturdy, which, along with the large print, will enable me to enjoy this book for the rest of my life."The Imitation of Christ" is best read as a daily devotional. I recommend reading one chapter in the morning and one in the evening. It can be read over and over again, gaining continual spiritual benefit.

[alrtree · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There is always something fresh and inspiring to contemplate, no matter where I open this book to! I didn't read this cover to cover, but picked it up now and then.

[ggodfrey_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was forced for many years to attend hateful retrograde churches where the vitriolic rage spewed by parishioners against anyone slightly different from themselves was completely at odds with Christ's teachings. I could see this as a young kid of ten or eleven, and would often simply read the Bible in church, paying no mind to the damnation envisioned by some fulminating nincompoop behind the pulpit. As soon as my turn for Baptism arrived at age 12, I said 'no thanks' and took my gift Bible from the Church of the Brethren in Loganville PA and never looked back. I admire Kempis because he understands the New Testament the way I understand it: Jesus (and I don't think Jesus ever existed as anything other than a literary character) wants people to act like him, not worship him. It's difficult to bilk funds from people who give away all their shit and act like little children, however, so established churches have distorted his utterings down through the ages to justify doing so. Kempis cuts through all that bullshit, and provides a solid underpinning for a moral existence. Yeah, there's a bit too much of 'inviting Jesus into your heart,' etc., but whatever.

[thadeus_10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Part 4 is an excellent help in preparing yourself for Holy Communion. A must read if you are Catholic!

[ebnelson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Deserves to be seen as a classic by all Christians—even Lutheran or Calvinistic Evangelicals. His balance between God’s sovereign grace and personal piety is masterful, but the work’s most impressive feature is how well Thomas à Kempis knows the human heart: its trials and its wickedness. Amazing empathetic, even to modern readers living in a highly digital and consumer-driven world. Take, for example, this passage from iii.39: “A man often goes in eager pursuit of something he wants; when he has got it, he doesn’t feel the same about it. Man’s affections are unstable, and are apt to drive him from one desirable object to the next, so that even in trivial matters it is well worth renouncing oneself.” Is he not describing what we commonly call “buyer’s remorse” and the trials of a consumer-driven society? The work is filled with timeless insights such as this, where à Kempis proves that to someone who knows that the world around may change, but the human heart does not, speaking effectively across time is possible—in fact profitable. With his focus on human depravity and the sureness of God’s good grace, à Kempis shows how humility is the path we must be set upon to find any hope of rest or comfort. The dialog format in the second half of the book (between Christ and the learner) can be jarring at times as the voice continuously changes, but you get used to it. Great prayers are interspersed throughout the work, preventing the reader’s experience from becoming too intellectualized.Translations matter. I had tried another translation at first and struggled. The translation by Ronald Knox was immediately engrossing.

[bookomaniac-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Geschreven voor monniken en dat is er duidelijk aan te merken: erg contemplatief. Niet erg genietbaar meer voor wie in het actieve leven staat. Historische verdienste: de bijna exclusieve accentuering van de persoonlijke relatie tot God.

[stephenjchow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Counsels relentless self-deprecation on Earth for the sake of God in Heaven. Every sentence is pure gold. An unassuming, compact little black book that simultaneously devastates the mundane and pleases the spirit.I treated this binding with Obenauf's Heavy Duty Leather Preservative, let dry, and then polished thoroughly with a cloth. The leather now looks and feels very much like my 19th century calf bindings. The more you polish it, the better the light brings out the bubbly texture of the leather, which is beautiful.

[gdill-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I tried reading this classic, but just couldn't bring myself to finish it. There were certainly a lot of great quotes in it. But, I found the content too dark, lacking joy, very gloomy, with a strong focus on mortification of the soul. This is clearly a Catholic book (duh), with a focus on external deeds and works. Kempis also emphasizes being a hermit, staying away from "worldly" people and not associating with the things of this world. Then, I must ask, how does one possibly communicate the Gospel to those who need Christ the most if we are to stay away from them and their environs? How is the Gospel lived out and modeled to those who are seeking and observing if we are to stay locked in our chambers all day? The Imitation of Christ is clearly a product of Middle Ages Europe, with an emphasis on self-sanctification, mortification of the soul, suffering, and Roman Catholic monasticism. Not that it's bad or wrong, but it just doesn't seem to jive with the Christ that I have come to know as a believer for 20+ years.

[stephenbarkley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first read the Imitation when I was feeling especially spiritual in high school. I went to my local Christian book store with a few dollars to spend and found an abridged paperback version of it in the reduced bin. What a disaster! I don’t usually put books down once I’ve started them, but after reading the first few chapters carefully, I skimmed the rest. Now, a couple decades past high school, with a nice hardback Everyman’s Library edition in hand, I decided to give Thomas another try. Rather than reading it like a normal book, I read it one or two chapters per morning during my devotions.This book challenged me immensely. It has a poetic power that pierces the superficial skin of modern Christendom. I found myself praying Thomas’ prayers and confessing the things he was repenting. The most important message of the entire volume was the call to distrust your emotions. Divine consolations come and go. We often mature more when we don’t ‘feel’ God than when we do.I do have some difficulties with the work that I think are more than just time-period misunderstandings. For all his insight into the human condition, Thomas has missed a lot of what it means to imitate Christ. Read through the gospels at the same time as the Imitation and you’ll see what I mean. All the talk of mortification can wear you down. A more balanced imitation of Christ would not downplay self-denial, but would also stress the freedom of living eternal life without worry for tomorrow.The second issue is the individual nature of the work, which is a little odd, coming from the fifteenth century. Imitating Christ should drive us outward to love each other. This book, at times, makes it sound like the only thing that matters is the individual’s heart-condition.The last issue I have is a bit of a logical inconsistency. The first three quarters of the work go into detail about the need to distrust your feelings and trust God whether or not there are any heavenly consolations. In the last quarter, he practically begs for those worthy feelings that he believes he should have to celebrate the Eucharist aright.With all that said, this book is still one of the best books on spiritual formation I’ve ever encountered. It offers an almost offensive antidote for those people (like me) who are infected by the spirit of twenty-first century Western-style Christianity. Read it slowly, thoughtfully, and prayerfully at your own risk.

[mrdickie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just finished reading the William C. Creasy translation of this Christian classic by the monk, Thomas 'a Kempis. I've read this book several times and enjoyed it each time. This version is easy to read. I'd recommend reading this book to anyone interested in being exposed to a timeless work of literature that has survived for centuries.

[kwmcdonald_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book, likely by an Augustinian monk in the early 1400's, is a book of reflections on living a spiritual life. There is a lot of good insight in this book. I've read a book with selections from this, and liked it, so I decided to read the whole thing. You can get an idea of how popular a book it is from the fact that more copies of this book have been printed than any other book in the world, ever, except the Bible itself. He had some things to say about the Lord's Supper that I disagreed with, but his writings on personal consecration are excellent.

[hansarns · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This late Medieval classic, once a Catholic adjunct to the Bible, has suffered much neglect and even derision in recent years. However its emphasis on personal sanctification, acquiring self-knowledge and love of God prepares men and women better for making a contribution to society than activism without a solid spiritual base.

[gbill_7 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Sherley-Price’s introduction sets the stage for a closed-minded and intolerant book, referring to combatting “godless Communism” and the “anti-Christ”, and including passages such as “For Thomas, as for all Christians, the sole road to God is through the power and teachings of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man; by the subordination of nature to divine grace; by self-discipline; and by devout use of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, in particular that of the Holy Eucharist.” Thomas A Kempis himself isn’t much better:“Everyone naturally desires knowledge, but of what use is knowledge itself without the fear of God?”“We are born with an inclination towards evil.” “all those others who strove to follow in the footsteps of Christ … all hated their lives in this world, that they might keep them to life eternal.”“And were you to ponder in your mind on the pains of Hell and Purgatory, you would readily endure toil and sorrow, and would shrink from no kind of hardship.”The messages of humility and simplicity in other parts of the text quickly get lost for me. Man is a worm. God is great. Don’t you dare think of pleasure, or you’ll burn in Hell forever. Ugh.Read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations instead. Somehow these two have been linked by many, and they shouldn’t be at all. Marcus the pagan was far, far more enlightened.

[seoulful · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although written in the 15th century to a mainly monastic audience, The Imitation of Christ has great relevance for anyone today seeking a deeper spiritual life. His counsels are not easy to read and apply to one's life for his basic premise is dying to self which he explains with great clarity lest anyone should be slow to understand. Thomas a Kempis speaks as one who has struggled mightily with his own passions and demons, "The war against our vices and passions is harder than any physical toil; and whoever fails to overcome his lesser faults will gradually fall into greater. Your evenings will always be tranquil if you have spent the day well. Watch yourself, bestir yourself, admonish yourself and whatever others may do, never neglect your own soul. The stricter you are with yourself, the greater is your spiritual progress." These are not the words that people in any age are interested in hearing and yet he continues to draw large audiences more than five centuries later. There is a power in his writing because he has put into practice the difficult words of Jesus and thereby achieved a position of authority to teach others.

[borg6mx5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A profound meditation on the interior life and sin.

[deusvitae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A justly famous devotional work of the 15th century in an accessible translation.Creasy's translation allows the modern reader to really get into and understand the premises of The Imitation of Christ. It is highly recommended.The work itself is a masterpiece of devotional literature: even though Thomas a Kempis may have lived almost six hundred years ago, many of his comments makes it seem that he understands you today. It truly speaks to the unchanging condition of mankind. The author's goal is to increase devotion to Christ and writes compellingly to that end. He uncovers a lot of the difficulties and challenges under which we live and directs us in every respect to Christ. It is a work worth going over time and again.The author lived in medieval Catholicism and the work reflects this at times, but the language and concepts are easily accommodated.Highly recommended.**--galley received as part of early review program

[9inchsnails · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read this for a class and was pleasantly surprised. It's both an unmistakable product of its time (denouncing the secular entanglements of the medieval Church--I can't help but feel the Avignon Exile was at the back of his mind) and a surprisingly relevant devotional. A Kempis explores the ideas of Augustine and Plato and produces a simple exegesis that emphasizes faith and grace.

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: The Imitation of Christ (Classic Devotions in Today’s Language)Author: Thomas A. Kempis; edited by James N. WatsonPages: 288Year: 2016Publisher: Worthy InspiredMy rating is 5 stars.Thomas A. Kempis wrote a very serious and compelling even convicting devotional to use in personal quiet time with the Lord. I looked up some information on Thomas A. Kempis who was a very intelligent and serious man who sought God. I also learned that this devotional has been the second highest seller of books right behind the Bible. Not only that, this writing has been around for centuries plus it is in several languages. When many other works have long since disappeared, why has The Imitation of Christ not only continued to be around but is still being demanded by readers all over the globe?While it is true that it isn’t inspired and without error like the Bible, I can say I now understand the draw to many people. Originally written in Latin this new edition is in today’s language, making the compelling words easier to understand and apply to our lives. In the edition put together by James N. Watson, the writings are compiled by topic making the devotions easier to find when searching by topic.A couple of the devotions I really marked up because they spoke to my heart by exhorting, pruning or sheering my spirit to imitate the Savior in my life. For example, here is part of a devotion I marked so I can return to it to contemplate it often: “In the cross is health, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross I heavenly delight, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross is joy of the spirit, in the cross is the height of good deeds, in the cross is holy living.” (pg. 19). What do you think of the quote or better yet what do you sense in your heart as the Spirit speaks to you?There are devotions that are underneath topic headings such as trust, loving, wisdom or obedience. While this is not the complete list at least I hope it gives you enough to really consider obtaining a copy. Then sit before the Lord with your Bible, journal or notebook, writing utensils and this devotional. I promise it won’t take long before you just sit there in awe of God along with coming away from quiet time with a challenge if you really think about the pearls of wisdom within the book. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”