Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 11
Chrysostom — Acts and Romans
SECTION 1
A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF1-11. Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Romans Creator(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Print Basis: Edinburgh: T&T Clark Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Early Church; Sermons; Proofed LC Call no: BR60 .S4 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literatu…
850 wordsSECTION 2ACTS OF THE APOSTLES,
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, translated, WITH NOTES AND INDICES, by rev. J. WALKER, m.a., of BRASENOSE college; rev. J. sheppard, m.a., of oriel college, oxford; and rev. h. browne, m.a., of corpus christi college, cambridge. revised, with notes, by rev. GEORGE B. STEVENS, Ph.D., d.d., professor IN YALE UNIVERSITY. Preface t…
2,499 wordsSECTION 3(2) It often happens, that the order of the comments both in the first and in the second exposition (or recapitulation), does not follow the
(2) It often happens, that the order of the comments both in the first and in the second exposition (or recapitulation), does not follow the order of the texts. Of course the Preacher might be supposed to have sometimes returned upon his own steps, but it was scarcely conceivable that St. Chrysostom should have delivered an Expo…
1,350 wordsSECTION 4Homily I.
Homily I. Acts I. 1, 2 "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day on which, having given charge to the Apostles, whom He had chosen, by the Holy Spirit, He was taken up." To many persons this Book is so little known, both it and its author, th…
2,259 wordsSECTION 5But now consider the benevolent and Apostolic feelings of the writer: that for the sake of a single individual he took such pains as to writ
But now consider the benevolent and Apostolic feelings of the writer: that for the sake of a single individual he took such pains as to write for him an entire Gospel. "That thou mightest have," he says, "the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed." (Luke i. 4.) In truth, he had heard Christ say, "It is not…
2,202 wordsSECTION 6Consider also how necessary He made it for them to abide in Jerusalem, by promising that the Spirit should be granted them. For lest they sh
Consider also how necessary He made it for them to abide in Jerusalem, by promising that the Spirit should be granted them. For lest they should again flee away after His Ascension, by this expectation, as by a bond, He keeps them to that spot. But having said, "Wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard of Me," He …
2,610 wordsSECTION 7Now if thou still questionest that Christ is God, stand away from the Church: be not here, even as a hearer of the Divine Word, and as one o
Now if thou still questionest that Christ is God, stand away from the Church: be not here, even as a hearer of the Divine Word, and as one of the catechumens: [27] but if thou art sure of this, and knowest clearly this truth, why delay? Why shrink back and hesitate? For fear, say you, lest I should sin. But dost thou not fear wh…
2,292 wordsSECTION 8Homily II.
[24] Ti oun han kataxiotheis phesin apeleusetai palin kenos katorthomaton, Cod. C, and so A, but with apeleuse In the latter recension this sentence is omitted, and instead of it, we have, Ti de tauta kata tes seautou soterias proballe; But why dost thou put forth such pretences against thine own salvation?' Chrys. had just said…
2,644 wordsSECTION 9Moreover the Angels did not say, whom you have seen taken up,' but, "going into heaven:" ascension is the word, not assumption; the expressi
Moreover the Angels did not say, whom you have seen taken up,' but, "going into heaven:" ascension is the word, not assumption; the expression "taken up," [41] belongs to the flesh. For the same reason they say, "He which is taken up from you shall thus come," not, "shall be sent," but, "shall come. He that ascended, the same is…
2,567 wordsSECTION 10[30] The emphatic position of en to chrono touto as well as the answer of Jesus shows that the disciples' earnest hope and expectation were
[30] The emphatic position of en to chrono touto as well as the answer of Jesus shows that the disciples' earnest hope and expectation were that their Lord should, during their life-time, personally organize a kingdom on the basis of the Jewish theocracy. Chrys. is explicit in pointing out their incorrect conception of the kingd…
1,941 wordsSECTION 11Homily III.
Homily III. Acts I. 12 "Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey." "Then returned they," it is said: namely, when they had heard. For they could not have borne it, if the angel had not (huperetheto) referred them to another Coming. It seems to me, that it …
2,294 wordsSECTION 12"For he was numbered with us," (prhotos tou pragmatos authentei absent from A.B.C ) says Peter. On this account it behooves to propose anoth
"For he was numbered with us," (prhotos tou pragmatos authentei absent from A.B.C ) says Peter. On this account it behooves to propose another; to be a witness in his place. And see how he imitates his Master, ever discoursing from the Scriptures, and saying nothing as yet concerning Christ; namely, that He had frequently predic…
2,252 wordsSECTION 13If then there were only the responsibility of the office itself for people to run after in the episcopate, none would be so quick to accept
If then there were only the responsibility of the office itself for people to run after in the episcopate, none would be so quick to accept it. But as things go, we run after this, just as we do after the dignities of the world. That we may have glory with men, we lose ourselves with God. What profit in such honor? How self-evid…
2,271 wordsSECTION 14[68] Here again, as usual, in the renewed exposition, the text is omitted.
[68] Here again, as usual, in the renewed exposition, the text is omitted. [69] E meter sou kai hoi adelphoi sou ezetoumen se. A. C. ho pater sou k. t. l. B. For ezet. we must read zetousin. The passage referred to is Matt. xiii. 47, where however it is not Mary that speaks, but "A certain person said unto Him, Behold, Thy moth…
1,534 wordsSECTION 15Homily IV.
Homily IV. Acts II. 1, 2 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven." Dost thou perceive the type? What is this Pentecost? The time when the sickle was to be put to the harvest, and the ingathering was made. See now the reality, when t…
2,879 wordsSECTION 16For what did it harm them, though they were so great a multitude? Did they not spend all their rage? did they not turn the distress upon the
For what did it harm them, though they were so great a multitude? Did they not spend all their rage? did they not turn the distress upon themselves? Of all mankind were ever any so possessed with both rage and terror, as those became possessed? Were they not in an agony, and were dismayed, and trembled? For hear what they say, "…
2,355 wordsSECTION 17[99] This, which we have marked as parenthesis, seems to be out of its place: it interrupts what is said about Ezekiel, and besides is not r
[99] This, which we have marked as parenthesis, seems to be out of its place: it interrupts what is said about Ezekiel, and besides is not relevant to the matter immediately in hand, 'Entautha de auto to Pn. to A. k. t. l. would come in more suitably after the mention of the fire in the bush, in which God appeared to Moses. And …
1,936 wordsSECTION 18Homily V.
Homily V. Acts II. 14 "Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words." ["Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,"] whom the writer above described as strangers. Here he directs his discourse to those others, the mockers, [123] and while he seems to reason wit…
2,088 wordsSECTION 19Homily V.
What, I pray you, is this you say? Do you talk of salvation for them after the Cross? Bear with me a little. Great is the mercy of God. And this very fact does, no less than the resurrection, prove him to be God, yea, no less than His miracles--the fact that He calls these to Him. For surpassing goodness is, above all things, pe…
2,286 wordsSECTION 20[123] The ekeinoi, if the old text be correct, are the mockers, but these are not "the devout men out of every nation under heaven," therefo
[123] The ekeinoi, if the old text be correct, are the mockers, but these are not "the devout men out of every nation under heaven," therefore hous xenous eipen anotero can hardly be meant to refer to the following clause, entaitha pros ekeinous k. t. l. The omission of the text-words, and the seeming antithesis of anotero and e…
2,173 wordsSECTION 21Homily VI.
Homily VI. Acts II. 22 "Ye men of Israel, hear these my words." ["Ye men of Israel"]: it is not for flattery that he uses this term; but, as he has borne hard upon them, he relaxes a little, and puts them in mind of their great ancestor [150] [Israel]. Here again he begins with an introduction, that they may not become excite…
2,777 wordsSECTION 22But the admirable and great ones, and beloved of God, need none of these motives: men, such as was Paul: not of the kingdom, not of hell, ma
But the admirable and great ones, and beloved of God, need none of these motives: men, such as was Paul: not of the kingdom, not of hell, made he account. For this is indeed to love Christ, this to be no hireling, nor to reckon it a matter of trafficking and trading, but to be indeed virtuous, and to do all for the love of God. …
2,341 wordsSECTION 23[152] Ei gar kai horismenon en, phesin, homos androphonoi esan. B. C. after apall. tou enklematos, and before the text. As the sentence so p
[152] Ei gar kai horismenon en, phesin, homos androphonoi esan. B. C. after apall. tou enklematos, and before the text. As the sentence so placed seemed to make Chrys. contradict himself, the other mss. and Edd. before Ben. omit it. Something is wanting, which perhaps may be supplied from OEcumen. 'Alla kai apallasson ouk aphies…
2,163 wordsSECTION 24Homily VII.
Homily VII. Acts II. 37 "Now when they heard these words (E.V. this,') they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Do you see what a great thing gentleness is? More than any vehemence, it pricks our hearts, inflicts a keener wound. For as in the c…
1,461 wordsSECTION 25Homily VII.
["Now when they heard this," etc. "Then Peter said unto them," etc.] (Recapitulation, v. 37.) What had been said was not enough. For those sayings indeed were sufficient to bring them to faith; but these are to show what things the believer behooves to do. And he said not, In the Cross, but, "In the name of Jesus Christ let ever…
3,193 wordsSECTION 26[175] This is strangely rendered by Ben. At alioquin, postquam illos sic appellare dignati fuerant, et dixerant. Erasmus rightly, Et aliter:
[175] This is strangely rendered by Ben. At alioquin, postquam illos sic appellare dignati fuerant, et dixerant. Erasmus rightly, Et aliter: quoniam illi eos primum ita appellare dignati fuerunt. OEcumen. "And because Peter in the beginning of his discourse had so addressed them, hence they themselves had a handle for so address…
1,391 wordsSECTION 27Homily VIII.
Homily VIII. Acts III. 1 "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour." Everywhere we find these two Apostles in great harmony together. "To him Simon Peter beckoned." (John xiii. 24.) These two also "came together to the sepulchre. (Ib. xx. 3 et seq.) And concerning John, …
2,294 wordsSECTION 28Let us then lay down daily laws for ourselves. For a time let us begin with the easier. Let us retrench all that superfluity of paths, and p
Let us then lay down daily laws for ourselves. For a time let us begin with the easier. Let us retrench all that superfluity of paths, and put a bridle on our tongues; let no one swear by God. Here is no outlay, here is no fatigue, here is no cost of time. It is sufficient to will, and all is done. It is a matter of habit. I bes…
2,226 wordsSECTION 29Homily IX.
[208] Ouden mega esti gen. didask. tes oik. Ou mikron k. t. l. The passage is manifestly corrupt, and the mss. lend no assistance. Ben. conjecturally, Nihil majus est quam esse doctores orbis: nec parum, etc. Ed. Par. Ben. 2. Fortasse, oukoun mega. But it is more likely that something is wanting, e.g. "It is no great matter [to …
2,466 wordsSECTION 30Observe again how he speaks covertly concerning Christ's power, showing that He raised Himself: just as in his first discourse he had said,
Observe again how he speaks covertly concerning Christ's power, showing that He raised Himself: just as in his first discourse he had said, "Because it was not possible that He should be holden of it" (ch. ii. 24), so here he says, "And killed the Prince of Life." (v. 15.) It follows that the Life He had was not from another. Th…
2,208 wordsSECTION 31Not a little does the habit of not swearing contribute to this end: I mean to the not giving way to wrath: [235] and by not giving way to wr
Not a little does the habit of not swearing contribute to this end: I mean to the not giving way to wrath: [235] and by not giving way to wrath, we shall not have an enemy either. Lop off the oaths of a man, and you have clipt the wings of his anger, you have smothered all his passion. Swearing, it is said, is as the wind to wra…
2,360 wordsSECTION 32[210] 'All' oude touto; ou gar, k. t. l. This seems to refer to eusebeia; "but not by our holiness any more than by our own power." The mode
[210] 'All' oude touto; ou gar, k. t. l. This seems to refer to eusebeia; "but not by our holiness any more than by our own power." The modern text: Oude touto hemeteron, phesin; ou gar, k. t. l. "Not even this is our own, he says; for not," etc. [211] or, Child, ton paida. OEcumen. seems to have considered this as a lowly titl…
2,266 wordsSECTION 33Homily X.
[237] Touto gar horkos esti, tropon apistoumenon engue. [238] pistoumenon heautous, A. B. C. N. as in the phrase pistousthai tina (horko), "to secure a person's good faith by oath." Edd. apistoumenon heautois, "being objects of distrust to each other." [239] homodoulon. So the mss. but we should have expected despoten, "the ma…
2,394 wordsSECTION 34"And as they spake unto the people, etc. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
"And as they spake unto the people, etc. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead." (Recapitulation, v. 1, 2.) So [253] then at first they did all for the sake of man's opinion (or glory): but now another motive was added: that they should not be thought guilty of murder,…
2,539 wordsSECTION 35Well, then, let us speak to you to-day from the Old Testament. What does it tell us? "Accustom not thy mouth to swearing; neither use thysel
Well, then, let us speak to you to-day from the Old Testament. What does it tell us? "Accustom not thy mouth to swearing; neither use thyself to the naming of the Holy One." And why? "For as a servant that is continually beaten shall not be without a blue mark, so he that sweareth." (Ecclus. xxiii. 10.) See the discernment of th…
2,361 wordsSECTION 36Homily XI.
[263] The author seems to give two different interpretations of the statement: "They recognized them that they had been with Jesus." (1) They perceived that these were the men whom they had before seen in company with Jesus. (2) They saw that their words and acts betokened association with Jesus. It is evident that the former on…
1,729 wordsSECTION 37Homily XI.
Let us now look over again what has been said. ["And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them."] (Recapitulation, v. 23.) See the unostentatious conduct of the Apostles, and their largeness of mind. They did not go about boasting, and say, "How we served …
2,660 wordsSECTION 38Put it in my power to speak out boldly, in the presence both of Gentiles and of Jews, and, above all, of God. Yea, I entreat you by the love
Put it in my power to speak out boldly, in the presence both of Gentiles and of Jews, and, above all, of God. Yea, I entreat you by the love, by the pangs wherewith I have travailed for your birth, "my little children." I will not add what follows, "of whom I travail in birth again;" nor will I say, "until Christ be formed in yo…
2,151 wordsSECTION 39Homily XII.
Homily XII. Acts IV. 36, 37 And Joses, who by the Apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Apostles' feet." The writer is now about to relate the affair of Ananias and Sapphira, …
2,572 wordsSECTION 40Peter all but pleads for himself, when at the point to inflict the punishment, and at the same time gives a lesson to the rest. For because
Peter all but pleads for himself, when at the point to inflict the punishment, and at the same time gives a lesson to the rest. For because the act would seem exceeding stern, therefore it is that he does so much [295] in the case. [296] In respect of the woman also the process of judgment was terrible. But [297] see how many ev…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.