Evangelical counsels

In Christianity, the three evangelical counsels, or counsels of perfection, are chastity, poverty (or perfect charity), and obedience.^[1] As stated by Jesus in the canonical gospels,^[2] they are counsels for those who desire to become "perfect" (τελειος, teleios).^[3]^[4] The Catholic Church interprets this to mean that they are not binding upon all, and hence not necessary conditions to attain eternal life (heaven), but that they are "acts of supererogation" exceeding the minimum stipulated in the biblical commandments.^[5] Catholics who have made a public profession to order their lives by the evangelical counsels, and confirmed this by public vows before their competent church authority (the act of religious commitment known as a profession), are recognised as members of the consecrated life.

^ 1983 Code of Canon Law, canons 599–601
^ cf. Matthew 19:10–12; Matthew 19:16–22 = Mark 10:17–22 = Luke 18:18–23; see also Mark 10 and Jesus and the rich young man
^ Matthew 19:21
^ See also Strong's G5046 and Imitatio dei
^ The Complete Gospels, Robert J. Miller ed., notes for Mark 10:17–22, page 36: "To the traditional biblical commandments Jesus adds the mandates of personal sacrifice and becoming his follower."

[1] 1983 Code of Canon Law, canons 599–601

[2] . Matthew 19:10–12; Matthew 19:16–22 = Mark 10:17–22 = Luke 18:18–23; see also Mark 10 and Jesus and the rich young man

[3] Matthew 19:21

[4] See also Strong's G5046 and Imitatio dei

[5] The Complete Gospels, Robert J. Miller ed., notes for Mark 10:17–22, page 36: "To the traditional biblical commandments Jesus adds the mandates of personal sacrifice and becoming his follower."

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