This work was used by monastics. In fact it is read by monastics, to this day, during the [[Great Fast]]. It is also suggested as Lenten reading for those who are still "of this world" yet should be done with caution and under the guidance of a spiritual father. This work has made its mark on the lives of innumerable saints, including St. [[Theodore the Studite]], St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Joseph of Volokolamsk, St. Peter of Damascus, St. Theophan the Recluse amongst many others.

The aim of the treatise is to be a guide for practicing a life completely and wholly devoted to God. The ladder metaphor—not dissimilar to the vision that the Patriarch Jacob received—is used to describe one would ascend into heaven by first renouncing the world and ending up in heaven with God. There are thirty chapters that each covers a particular vice or virtue. They were originally called ''logoi'' but in the present day, they are referred to as "steps." The sayings are not so much rules and regulations, as with the Law that St. Moses received at Sinai before him, but rather observations about what is being practiced. Metaphorical language is employed frequently to better illustrate the nature of virtue and vice. Overall, the treatise does follow a progression that transitions from start (renunciation of the world) to finish (a life lived in love).

#Concerning the linking together of the supreme trinity among the virtues; a brief exhortation summarizing all that has said at length in this book

Like with other ascetical and spiritual texts, this one should be read carefully. Since the original audience were those practicing the monastic life, the language is very strong when contrasting the life of the world and the life devoted to God. This is one of the reasons why this work should be read under the guidance of a spiritual father. This work can be read at once with careful attention and intense concentration, trying to replicate as much as possible the monastic life. Yet this work can also be read in its individual steps as well. The bottom line is that a spiritual father should be there to be a guiding hand with this work.

''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'', published by [http://www.thehtm.org/ Holy Transfiguration Monastery]. This edition, based on [[Archimandrite]] Lazarus Moore's translation is generally preferred over the Paulist Press edition of the ''Ladder''—especially because of the verse numberings, which are the standard way of referencing Climacus' sayings (these are also present in older versions of Archimandrite Lazarus' translation). It is also physically beautiful and much nicer to have on one's bookshelf. It contains an icon of "The Ladder," many other embellishments, and is printed on high quality paper. All that said, the Paulist Press edition is also worth having, especially because of the helpful introduction by [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Bishop Kallistos]].