Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 10
Chrysostom — Homilies on Matthew
SECTION 41
Homily XV.
Homily XV. Matt. V. 1, 2. "And Jesus seeing the multitudes went up into the mountain, and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him. And He opened His mouth, and taught them saying, Blessed," etc. See how unambitious He was, and void of boasting: in that He did not lead people about with Him, but whereas, when healing was …
2,201 wordsSECTION 42Thus He doth not incite us by means of the future blessings only, but of the present also, for the sake of the grosser sort of His hearers,
Thus He doth not incite us by means of the future blessings only, but of the present also, for the sake of the grosser sort of His hearers, and such as before the future seek those others. Thus, for example, further on also He said, "Agree with thine adversary." [605] Then He appoints the reward of such self-command, and saith,…
2,392 wordsSECTION 43And David also, letting pass all that he had suffered, sought of God a retribution for the calumny alone. For, "Let him curse," saith he, "f
And David also, letting pass all that he had suffered, sought of God a retribution for the calumny alone. For, "Let him curse," saith he, "for the Lord hath bidden him: that the Lord may see my humiliation, and requite me for this cursing of his on this day." [629] And Paul too proclaims the triumph not of those only who incur …
2,400 wordsSECTION 4412. Since then we know the gain that arises from this earnestness, and the danger of indolence (for if our Lord be blasphemed because of us,
12. Since then we know the gain that arises from this earnestness, and the danger of indolence (for if our Lord be blasphemed because of us, that were far worse than our perdition), let us "give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God." [646] And while the life which we present before the…
2,208 wordsSECTION 45Hear what precept Christ gave to the Jews, creeping as they did upon the earth: "If thou see," saith He, "thine enemy's beast of burden fall
Hear what precept Christ gave to the Jews, creeping as they did upon the earth: "If thou see," saith He, "thine enemy's beast of burden falling down, do not hasten by, but raise it." [658] And thou must see that to separate and reconcile men that are fighting is a much lighter thing than to lift up the fallen beast. And if we ou…
1,708 wordsSECTION 46Homily XVI.
Homily XVI. Matt. V. 17. "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets." Why, who suspected this? or who accused Him, that He should make a defense against this charge? Since surely from what had gone before [661] no such suspicion was generated. For to command men to be meek, and gentle, and merciful, and pure…
2,364 wordsSECTION 47But as I said, since He is going to say these things more clearly, and not only more clearly, but also to add again more than had been alrea
But as I said, since He is going to say these things more clearly, and not only more clearly, but also to add again more than had been already said (for He no longer merely seeks a merciful man, but bids us give up even our coat; not simply a meek person, but to turn also the other cheek to him that would smite us): therefore He…
2,222 wordsSECTION 48Let us now ask those who reject the law, "is, Be not angry' contrary to Do no murder'? or is not the one commandment the completion and the
Let us now ask those who reject the law, "is, Be not angry' contrary to Do no murder'? or is not the one commandment the completion and the development of the other?" Clearly the one is the fulfilling of the other, and that is greater on this very account. Since he who is not stirred up to anger, will much more refrain from murd…
2,465 wordsSECTION 4911. And see how He proceeds by little and little in His punishments, all but excusing Himself unto thee, and signifying that His desire inde
11. And see how He proceeds by little and little in His punishments, all but excusing Himself unto thee, and signifying that His desire indeed is to threaten nothing of the kind, but that we drag Him on to such denunciations. For observe: "I bade thee," saith He, "not be angry for nought, because thou art in danger of the judgme…
2,241 wordsSECTION 50But what is it "to agree?" He means either, "consent rather to suffer wrong?" or, "so plead the cause, as if thou wert in the place of the o
But what is it "to agree?" He means either, "consent rather to suffer wrong?" or, "so plead the cause, as if thou wert in the place of the other;" that thou mayest not corrupt justice by self-love, but rather, deliberating on another's cause as thine own, mayest so proceed to deliver thy vote in this matter. And if this be a gre…
2,201 wordsSECTION 51Homily XVII.
[717] Ps. iv. 5, LXX., comp. Eph. iv. 26. "Stand in awe, and sin not," in our version. Another part of the same Hebrew verb is, however, rendered "rage" in our translation: 2 Kings xix. 27, 28; Is. xxxvii. 28, 29. [The R.V. has the marginal rendering, "Be ye angry," in Ps. iv. 5. In Eph. iv. 26, the LXX. is accurately cited.--R.…
2,200 wordsSECTION 52"If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee."
"If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee." Thus, lest thou shouldest say, "But what if she be akin to me? what if in any other way she belong to me?" therefore He hath given these injunctions; not discoursing about our limbs;--far from it,--for nowhere doth He say that our flesh is to be blamed for thi…
2,244 wordsSECTION 53Yea, for first with respect to thy wife thou wilt say, "what if she be contentious and extravagant;" and then as to the right eye, "what if
Yea, for first with respect to thy wife thou wilt say, "what if she be contentious and extravagant;" and then as to the right eye, "what if I love it, and am quite on fire?" and of the unchaste look, "what then, if I cannot help seeing?" and of our anger against a brother, "what if I be hasty, and not able to govern my tongue?" …
2,249 wordsSECTION 54Wherefore we too mourn and lament. And if I see you persisting, I will forbid you for the future to set foot on this sacred threshold, and p
Wherefore we too mourn and lament. And if I see you persisting, I will forbid you for the future to set foot on this sacred threshold, and partake of the immortal mysteries; as we do fornicators and adulterers, and persons charged with murder. Yea, for it is better to offer our accustomed prayers, with two or three, who keep the…
1,060 wordsSECTION 55Homily XVIII.
Homily XVIII. Matt. V. 38, 39, 40. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, that ye resist not the evil: [787] but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him hav…
2,255 wordsSECTION 56For "to compel" [798] is this, to drag unjustly and without any reason, and by way of despite. Nevertheless, for this also be thou ready in
For "to compel" [798] is this, to drag unjustly and without any reason, and by way of despite. Nevertheless, for this also be thou ready in thy station, so as to suffer more than the other would fain do to thee. "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away." [799] These last are les…
2,384 wordsSECTION 57Homily XIX.
For this cause then let us anticipate them. Since we who are commanded to take blows, and be compelled to journey, [814] and to be stripped by enemies, and to bear it; what kind of indulgence should we deserve, exhibiting so great contentiousness in a mere formal address? 11. "Why," saith one, "we are despised and spit upon, th…
2,218 wordsSECTION 583. "And when ye pray," saith He, "ye shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of
3. "And when ye pray," saith He, "ye shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward." [830] "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in sec…
2,235 wordsSECTION 59"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven."
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven." Behold a most excellent train of thought! in that He bade us indeed long for the things to come, and hasten towards that sojourn; and, till that may be, even while we abide here, so long to be earnest in showing forth the same conversation as those above. For ye must long, saith …
2,263 wordsSECTION 60How great punishment then must they deserve, who after all this, so far from themselves forgiving, do even entreat God for vengeance on thei
How great punishment then must they deserve, who after all this, so far from themselves forgiving, do even entreat God for vengeance on their enemies, and diametrically as it were transgress this law; and this while He is doing and contriving all, to hinder our being at variance one with another? For since love is the root of al…
2,231 wordsSECTION 61[815] [All authorities of an early period, including many fathers prior to Chrysostom, read dikaiosnen (comp. R.V.). It seems likely that th
[815] [All authorities of an early period, including many fathers prior to Chrysostom, read dikaiosnen (comp. R.V.). It seems likely that the apparent homiletical advantage of the other reading made it the common one.--R.] [816] Luke xviii. 12. [817] Or, "by the publican:" t teln nedeknuto. [The dative is correctly rendered in…
853 wordsSECTION 62Homily XX. [883]
Homily XX. [883] Matt. VI. 16. "And when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast." Here it were well to sigh aloud, and to wail bitterly: for not only do we imitate the hypocrites, but we have even surpassed them. For I know, yea I know man…
2,362 wordsSECTION 63However, forasmuch as this was too high for the mind of His hearers, and neither was the mischief within easy view of the generality, nor th
However, forasmuch as this was too high for the mind of His hearers, and neither was the mischief within easy view of the generality, nor the gain evident, but there was need of a spirit of more self-command to perceive either of these; first, He hath put it after those other topics, which are obvious, saying, "Where the man's t…
2,258 wordsSECTION 646. But if thou tellest me of the time, and the delay of the recompence, I too can point out and tell how much thou receivest back even here:
6. But if thou tellest me of the time, and the delay of the recompence, I too can point out and tell how much thou receivest back even here: and besides all this, from the very things of this life, I will try to convict thee of making this excuse to no purpose. I mean, that even in the present life thou providest many things whi…
819 wordsSECTION 65Homily XXI.
Homily XXI. Matt. VI. 24. "No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to one and despise the other." Seest thou how by degrees He withdraws us from the things that now are, and at greater length introduces what He hath to say, touching voluntary poverty, and casts do…
2,362 wordsSECTION 66Of this lesson David also lays the foundation from old time, saying enigmatically on this wise, "Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest every
Of this lesson David also lays the foundation from old time, saying enigmatically on this wise, "Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest every living thing with bounty;" [924] and again, "To Him that giveth to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that call upon Him." [925] "Who then," it may be said, "have not taken thou…
1,241 wordsSECTION 67Homily XXII.
Homily XXII. Matt. VI. 28, 29. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Having spoken of our necessary food, and having signified that not even for this should we take thought, He passes…
2,349 wordsSECTION 68And He said not, "shall be given," but "shall be added," that thou mightest learn, that the things present are no great part of His gifts, c
And He said not, "shall be given," but "shall be added," that thou mightest learn, that the things present are no great part of His gifts, compared with the greatness of the things to come. Accordingly, He doth not bid us so much as ask for them, but while we ask for other things, to have confidence, as though these also were ad…
2,226 wordsSECTION 69So that though thou be no friend, though thou be not demanding thy due, though thou hast devoured thy Father's substance, and have been a lo
So that though thou be no friend, though thou be not demanding thy due, though thou hast devoured thy Father's substance, and have been a long time out of sight, though without honor, though last of all, though thou approach Him angry, though much displeased; be willing only to pray, and to return, and thou shalt receive all, an…
1,360 wordsSECTION 70Homily XXIII.
Homily XXIII. Matt. VII. 1. "Judge not, that ye be not judged." What then? Ought we not to blame them that sin? Because Paul also saith this selfsame thing: or rather, there too it is Christ, speaking by Paul, and saying, [972] "Why dost thou judge thy brother? And thou, why dost thou set at nought thy brother?" and, "Who art…
2,269 wordsSECTION 71For nothing results, beyond greater mischief to them that are so disposed when they hear; for both the holy things are profaned [1001] by th
For nothing results, beyond greater mischief to them that are so disposed when they hear; for both the holy things are profaned [1001] by them, not knowing what they are; and they are the more lifted up and armed against us. For this is meant by, "lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." [1002] Nay…
2,407 wordsSECTION 72See, at any rate, how He on another side also makes it easy, commanding not to hold intercourse with the dogs, nor to give one's self over t
See, at any rate, how He on another side also makes it easy, commanding not to hold intercourse with the dogs, nor to give one's self over to the swine, and to "beware of the false prophets;" thus on all accounts causing men to feel as if in real conflict. And the very fact too of calling it narrow contributed very greatly towar…
2,272 wordsSECTION 73Even here He shows His love, and indicates the yearning which He hath toward thee: not saying, "Depart into the fire prepared for you," but
Even here He shows His love, and indicates the yearning which He hath toward thee: not saying, "Depart into the fire prepared for you," but "prepared for the devil." And before He tells them what wrongs they had done, and neither so doth He endure to mention all, but a few. And before these He calls the other sort, those who hav…
2,243 wordsSECTION 74Homily XXIV.
[1023] Matt. xi. 30. [1024] 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. [1025] Eph. vi. 12. [R.V., "our wrestling is not," etc.--R.] [1026] Matt. xi. 12. [R.V., "men of violence," etc.--R.] [1027] They pass in stooping low, For strait and narrow was the way, which he did shew. _________ Each goodly thing is hardest to begin: But entered in, a spacio…
2,237 wordsSECTION 754. Wherefore also He made His argument more expressive, by trying its force [1053] in a parable; for it was not the same thing to say, "The
4. Wherefore also He made His argument more expressive, by trying its force [1053] in a parable; for it was not the same thing to say, "The virtuous man shall be impregnable, but the wicked easily subdued," as to suppose a rock, and a house, and rivers, and rain, and wind, and the like. "And every one," saith He, "that heareth …
1,488 wordsSECTION 76Homily XXV.
Homily XXV. Matt. VII. 28. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine." [1067] Yet was it rather natural for them to grieve at the unpleasantness of His sayings, and to shudder at the loftiness of His injunctions; but now so great was the power of the Teacher, that man…
2,213 wordsSECTION 774. Therefore bearing these things in mind, let us also fulfill all our duties to our neighbor, and to God let us give thanks continually. Fo
4. Therefore bearing these things in mind, let us also fulfill all our duties to our neighbor, and to God let us give thanks continually. For it is too monstrous, enjoying as we do His bounty in deed every day, not so much as in word to acknowledge the favor; and this, though the acknowledgment again yield all its profit to us. …
1,789 wordsSECTION 78Homily XXVI.
Homily XXVI. Matt. VIII. 5. "And when He was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home [1093] sick of the palsy, grievously tormented." The leper came unto Him "when He was come down from the mountain," but this centurion, "when He was entered into Cape…
2,350 wordsSECTION 79Wherefore he said likewise, "For I also am a man set under authority;" that is, Thou art God, and I man; I under authority, but Thou not und
Wherefore he said likewise, "For I also am a man set under authority;" that is, Thou art God, and I man; I under authority, but Thou not under authority. If I therefore, being a man, and under authority, can do so much; far more He, both as God, and as not under authority. Thus with the strongest expression he desires to convinc…
2,303 wordsSECTION 80What is it then which I add? The man's virtue; which makes the fault also greater. For all things are not judged alike in all men. "For migh
What is it then which I add? The man's virtue; which makes the fault also greater. For all things are not judged alike in all men. "For mighty" men (it is said) "shall be mightily tormented:" [1134] and "He that knew his Lord's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." [1135] So that more knowledge is a ground …
2,201 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.