Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3696[2] Moreover, a “cup” is often mentioned in the Word, and by itin the genuine sense is signified spiritual truth, that is, the truth offaith which is from the good of charity—the same as by “wine”;and in the opposite sense is signified the falsity by which comesevil, and also falsity from evil. That a “cup” signifies the same as“wine” is because a cup is what contains, and wine is what iscontained, and hence they constitute one thing, and therefore theone is meant by the other.[3] That such is the signification of “cup” in the Word is plainfrom the following passages:Jehovah, thou wilt set in order a table before me in the presence ofmine enemies; thou wilt make fat my head with oil; my cup will runover (Ps. 23:5);“to set in order a table and anoint the head with oil” denotes beinggifted with the good of charity and love; “my cup will run over”denotes that the natural is thence filled with spiritual truth andgood. Again:What shall I render unto Jehovah? I will take the cup of salvations,and call upon the name of Jehovah (Ps. 116:12–13);“to take the cup of salvations” denotes the appropriation of thegoods of faith.[4] In Mark:Whosoever shall give you drink in a cup of water in my name,because ye are Christ’s, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward(Mark 9:41);“to give drink in a cup of water in my name” denotes instructing inthe truths of faith from a little charity.[5] In Matthew: