Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 10
Chrysostom — Homilies on Matthew
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A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF1-10. St. Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew Creator(s): Chrysostom, Saint Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Print Basis: New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886 Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Proofed; Early Church; LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian …
2,628 wordsSECTION 2While the influence of the Antiochian school seems transient, it has achieved much in stating more clearly the correct principles of interpr
While the influence of the Antiochian school seems transient, it has achieved much in stating more clearly the correct principles of interpretation; it has achieved still more in preparing for his work the greatest preacher of the Greek church. Avoiding to a great extent the extremes of both Origen and Diodorus, Chrysostom as an…
2,211 wordsSECTION 3Homily I.
[10] Westcott and Hort, Greek Testament, vol. ii. pp. 135-143. [11] In this volume most of the variations from the received text are indicated in the additional foot-notes. [12] On the untrustworthiness of patristic citations, see Scrivener, Introduction to Criticism of New Testament, 3d Ed., pp. 416-7. The labor bestowed on t…
2,251 wordsSECTION 4Now, where each one was abiding, when he wrote, it is not right for us to affirm very positively.
Now, where each one was abiding, when he wrote, it is not right for us to affirm very positively. But that they are not opposed to each other, this we will endeavor to prove, throughout the whole work. And thou, in accusing them of disagreement, art doing just the same as if thou wert to insist upon their using the same words a…
2,224 wordsSECTION 5And wherefore Luke hath made mention of other names, and not only not all of them the same, but also many more of them, while Matthew hath b
And wherefore Luke hath made mention of other names, and not only not all of them the same, but also many more of them, while Matthew hath both fewer and different, though he too hath ended with Joseph, with whom Luke likewise concluded. Ye see how much wakeful attention is needed on our part, not only for explanation, but even…
2,112 wordsSECTION 6Homily II.
Homily II. Matt. I. 1. "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham." Do ye indeed remember the charge, which we lately made you, entreating you to hearken unto all the things that are said with all silence, and mystical quietness? For [72] we are to-day to set foot within the holy vestibu…
2,210 wordsSECTION 7On account of this he makes the beginning at once from him who was more known, and then runs up to his father; accounting it superfluous, as
On account of this he makes the beginning at once from him who was more known, and then runs up to his father; accounting it superfluous, as far as regards the Jews, to carry the genealogy higher up. For these were principally the persons held in admiration; the one as a prophet and a king, the other as a patriarch and a prophet…
2,205 wordsSECTION 8This is a soul's food, this its ornament, this its security; even as not to hear is famine and wasting; for "I will give them," saith He, "n
This is a soul's food, this its ornament, this its security; even as not to hear is famine and wasting; for "I will give them," saith He, "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord." [107] What then can be more wretched? when the very evil, which God threatens in the way of punis…
1,137 wordsSECTION 9Homily III.
Homily III. Matt. I. 1. "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham." Behold a third discourse, and we have not yet made an end of the prefatory matter. It was not then for nought that I said, It is the nature of these thoughts to have a great depth. Come, then, let us speak to-day what …
2,219 wordsSECTION 10See, for instance, what befell Ruth, how like it is to the things which belong to us. For she was both of a strange race, and reduced to the
See, for instance, what befell Ruth, how like it is to the things which belong to us. For she was both of a strange race, and reduced to the utmost poverty, yet Boaz when he saw her neither despised her poverty nor abhorred her mean birth, as Christ having received the Church, being both an alien and in much poverty, took her to…
2,253 wordsSECTION 11[110] St. Ignatius ad Ephes. xix. init. Ka lathen ton rchonta to ano touto parthena Mara, ka tokets at, moo ka thnato to Kurou tra mustria k
[110] St. Ignatius ad Ephes. xix. init. Ka lathen ton rchonta to ano touto parthena Mara, ka tokets at, moo ka thnato to Kurou tra mustria kraug tina n such Theo prchthe. "Now the virginity of Mary, and her delivery, was kept in secret from the prince of this world, as was also the Lord's death; three most notable mysteries, yet…
1,345 wordsSECTION 12Homily IV.
Homily IV. Matt. I. 17. "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." He hath divided all the generations into three portions, to indicate that …
2,302 wordsSECTION 137. "And Joseph her husband, being," saith he "a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily."
7. "And Joseph her husband, being," saith he "a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily." [175] Having said that it was of the Holy Ghost, and without cohabitation, he establishes his statement in another way again. [176] Lest any one should say, "Whence doth this appear? Who h…
2,200 wordsSECTION 14Here again the thing is signified to be beyond all expectation. For not from visible wars, neither from barbarians, but what was far greater
Here again the thing is signified to be beyond all expectation. For not from visible wars, neither from barbarians, but what was far greater than these, from sins, he declares the glad tidings of deliverance; a work which had never been possible to any one before. But wherefore, one may ask, did he say, "His people," and not ad…
2,244 wordsSECTION 15Then when they considered that it was possible that God might be willing even to permit them to be burnt; lest, if this should come to pass,
Then when they considered that it was possible that God might be willing even to permit them to be burnt; lest, if this should come to pass, they might seem to be speaking falsehoods; they add this also and say, "If this happen not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we serve not thy gods." [208] For had they said, "Sins are th…
2,204 wordsSECTION 16Homily V.
[199] The Hebrew name proairseo, deliberate choice.--R.] [200] tn toioton logismn. [201] paesa. ["Boldness" or "confidence" would better express the meaning.--R.] [202] Joel i. 6. [203] Rom. viii. 38. [204] margarou. [205] Dan. iii. 18. [206] [esbeian.] [207] Dan. iii. 17. [208] Dan. iii. 18. [209] paraiptesthai, i.e.,…
2,407 wordsSECTION 17How then, one may say, are James and the others called His brethren? In the same kind of way as Joseph himself was supposed to be husband of
How then, one may say, are James and the others called His brethren? In the same kind of way as Joseph himself was supposed to be husband of Mary. For many were the veils provided, that the birth, being such as it was, might be for a time screened. Wherefore even John so called them, saying, "For neither did His brethren believe…
2,203 wordsSECTION 18Homily VI.
[227] ["Let us therefore remember again what was lately said, and thus go on to what is set before us to-day."--R.] [228] Ephes. ii. 14. [229] [The view here indicated, that this citation was part of the angelic message, is not generally held (but see J. A. Alexander in loco). It seems to me inconsistent with the last clause o…
2,261 wordsSECTION 194. Seest thou, by what store of proofs this star is shown not to be one of the many, nor to have shown itself according to the order of the
4. Seest thou, by what store of proofs this star is shown not to be one of the many, nor to have shown itself according to the order of the outward creation? And for what intent did it appear? To reprove the Jews for their insensibility, and to cut off from them all occasion of excuse for their willful ignorance. For, since He w…
2,328 wordsSECTION 20If thou also weep thus, thou art become a follower of thy Lord. Yea, for He also wept, both over Lazarus, and over the city; and touching Ju
If thou also weep thus, thou art become a follower of thy Lord. Yea, for He also wept, both over Lazarus, and over the city; and touching Judas He was greatly troubled. And this indeed one may often see Him do, but nowhere laugh, nay, nor smile but a little; no one at least of the evangelists hath mentioned this. Therefore also …
2,273 wordsSECTION 21Homily VII.
[280] ethelon for t thlosunkekleromnen . [281] [In Homily LXXX. the woman who was "a sinner" is identified with the woman who anointed our Lord at Bethany. The confusion of the persons is wide-spread, and the name of Mary Magdalene has been unwarrantably connected with one or both occasions.--R.] [282] [The mss. read ka, for w…
2,391 wordsSECTION 22Having therefore called them, he saith, "Go and search diligently [318] for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again
Having therefore called them, he saith, "Go and search diligently [318] for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also." [319] Seest thou his extreme folly? Why, if thou sayest these things in sincerity, wherefore dost thou inquire privily? But if intending to plot aga…
2,370 wordsSECTION 23However, not merely to find fault, come let us devise a mode of correction too. What then will the mode be? I would commit you to your own w
However, not merely to find fault, come let us devise a mode of correction too. What then will the mode be? I would commit you to your own wives, that they may instruct you. It is true, according to Paul's law, [334] you ought to be the teachers. But since that order is reversed by sin, and the body has come to be above, and the…
1,642 wordsSECTION 24Homily VIII.
Homily VIII. Matt. II. 2. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother." [342] How then saith Luke, that He was lying in the manger? Because at the birth indeed she presently laid Him there (for, as was not unlikely, in that large assemblage for the taxing, they could find no house; w…
2,423 wordsSECTION 25And this makes the Virgin also in no common degree glorious and distinguished; that the very thing which was the whole people's special endo
And this makes the Virgin also in no common degree glorious and distinguished; that the very thing which was the whole people's special endowment in the way of praise, she also might thenceforth have for her own. I mean, that whereas they were proud of their coming up from Egypt, and used to boast of it (which indeed the prophet…
1,657 wordsSECTION 26Homily IX.
Homily IX. Matt. II. 16. "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth." Yet surely it was a case not for anger, but for fear and awe: he ought to have perceived that he was attempting impossible things. But he is not refrained. For when a soul is insensible and incurable, it yields to none …
2,216 wordsSECTION 27Hence again we are taught this, which I mentioned before, never to be confounded when what is happening is contrary to the promise of God. B
Hence again we are taught this, which I mentioned before, never to be confounded when what is happening is contrary to the promise of God. Behold, for instance, when He was come for the salvation of the people, or rather for the salvation of the world, of what kind were His beginnings. His mother, first, in flight; His birth-pla…
2,507 wordsSECTION 28What then can be less trustworthy than Mammon, seeing that for his sake one travels, and ventures, and is slain? "But who," it is said, "wil
What then can be less trustworthy than Mammon, seeing that for his sake one travels, and ventures, and is slain? "But who," it is said, "will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent?" [405] For we ought, knowing its cruel tyranny, to flee that slavery, and destroy that grievous longing. "But how," saith one, "is this possib…
1,089 wordsSECTION 29Homily X.
Homily X. Matt. III. 1, 2. "In those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." How "in those days"? For not then, surely, when He was a child, and came to Nazareth, but thirty years after, John cometh; as Luke also testifies. How then is i…
2,308 wordsSECTION 304. "And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins." [435]
4. "And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins." [435] Observe, how the prophets foretold some things, others they left to the evangelists. Wherefore also Matthew both sets down the prophecies, and adds his own part, not accounting even this superfluous, to speak of the dress of the…
2,284 wordsSECTION 31Homily XI.
For so we shall both easily repulse all hostile devices, and attain unto the incorruptible crowns: by the grace and love towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom be unto the Father glory, might, and honor, together with the Holy Ghost, now, and always, even for ever and ever. Amen. [408] Matt. xxiv. 3. [409] Matt. xxiv.…
2,362 wordsSECTION 32Yet, although he hath terrified them again, he suffers them not to fall into despair; but as before he said not "He hath raised up," but "He
Yet, although he hath terrified them again, he suffers them not to fall into despair; but as before he said not "He hath raised up," but "He is able to raise up children to Abraham" (at once both alarming and comforting them); even so here also he did not say that "it hath touched the root," but "it is laid to the root, and is n…
2,333 wordsSECTION 33Let no man then become chaff, let no one be tossed to and fro, nor lie exposed to wicked desires, blown about by them easily every way. For
Let no man then become chaff, let no one be tossed to and fro, nor lie exposed to wicked desires, blown about by them easily every way. For if thou continue wheat, though temptation be brought on thee, thou wilt suffer nothing dreadful; nay, for in the threshing floor, the wheels of the car, that are like saws, [498] do not cut …
2,204 wordsSECTION 34Homily XII.
[459] ["When some of them were sending."--R.] [460] John i. 24. [461] John i. 25. [462] Matt. iii. 6. [463] Is. i. 10. [464] Amos ix. 7. [465] 1 Tim. i. 9. [466] [R.V., "worth of repentance," marg., "your repentance."] [467] [sunthe ] [468] The correct reading seems to be hote, "when," not hoti, "that."--R] [469] John …
2,209 wordsSECTION 35But why in the fashion of a dove? Gentle is that creature, and pure. Forasmuch then as the Spirit too is "a Spirit of meekness," [516] He th
But why in the fashion of a dove? Gentle is that creature, and pure. Forasmuch then as the Spirit too is "a Spirit of meekness," [516] He therefore appears in this sort. And besides, He is reminding us of an ancient history. For so, when once a common shipwreck had overtaken the whole world, and our race was in danger of perishi…
2,202 wordsSECTION 36Homily XIII.
[510] Matt. iii. 15. [R.V., "Suffer it (or me) now, for thus it becometh," etc.--R.] [511] Matt. iii. 15, 16. [R.V., "from the water," and "coming" for "lighting."--R.] [512] Is. v. 4. [Chrysostom varies from the LXX., introducing me dei, to strengthen his argument.--R.] [513] Matt. iii. 16. [514] Acts ii. 2. [515] 1 Cor. x…
2,311 wordsSECTION 37How then doth Christ? He is not indignant, nor provoked, but with that extreme gentleness He reasons with him again from the Scriptures, say
How then doth Christ? He is not indignant, nor provoked, but with that extreme gentleness He reasons with him again from the Scriptures, saying, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God:" [547] teaching us that we must overcome the devil, not by miracles, but by forbearance and long-suffering, and that we should do nothing at all …
2,270 wordsSECTION 38Wherefore now have I said this? Because evil demons confess hell, who would fain have hell disbelieved; but thou who enjoyest honor so great
Wherefore now have I said this? Because evil demons confess hell, who would fain have hell disbelieved; but thou who enjoyest honor so great, and hast been a partaker in unutterable mysteries, dost not so much as imitate them, but art become more hardened even than they. 8. "But who," one will say, "hath come from those in hell…
1,822 wordsSECTION 39Homily XIV.
Homily XIV. Matt. IV. 12. "Now when Jesus had heard that John was delivered up, He departed into Galilee." 1. Wherefore doth He depart? Again instructing us not to go to meet temptations, [561] but to give place and withdraw ourselves. For it is no reproach, the not casting one's self into danger, but the failing to stand man…
2,244 wordsSECTION 40For that our bodily ills are caused by the wickedness of the soul, is shown both by him that had the palsy thirty and eight years, and by hi
For that our bodily ills are caused by the wickedness of the soul, is shown both by him that had the palsy thirty and eight years, and by him that was let down through the roof, and by Cain also before these; and from many other things likewise one may perceive this. Let us do away then with the well-spring of our evils, and all…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.