Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 11
Chrysostom — Acts and Romans
SECTION 121
This man let us also imitate: to them that beat us, let us return blow for blow, by meekness, by silence, by long-suffering. More grievous t
This man let us also imitate: to them that beat us, let us return blow for blow, by meekness, by silence, by long-suffering. More grievous these wounds, greater this blow, and more heavy. For to show that it is not the receiving a blow in the body that is grievous, but the receiving it in the mind, we often smite people, but sin…
2,201 wordsSECTION 122[910] Here A. B. C. insert the sentence hora tous pistous k. t. l. which mod. text rightly removes to the comment on v. 8, and after it, hor
[910] Here A. B. C. insert the sentence hora tous pistous k. t. l. which mod. text rightly removes to the comment on v. 8, and after it, hora pos ho nomos kataluetai loipon: which unless it means, "See here the beginning of the judgment on the Jews, the dissolution of their Law, and overthrow of their nation," of which Chrys. sp…
1,177 wordsSECTION 123Homily XL.
Homily XL. Acts XVIII. 18 "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow." See how the Law was breaking up; see how they were bound by conscience. This, namely, wa…
2,738 wordsSECTION 124(a) We have one world that we all inhabit, with the same fruits we all are fed. But these are small matters: by the same Sacraments we parta
(a) We have one world that we all inhabit, with the same fruits we all are fed. But these are small matters: by the same Sacraments we partake of the same spiritual food. These surely are justifications of loving! (c) Mark [946] how many (inducements and pleas) for friendship they that are without have excogitated; community of …
2,268 wordsSECTION 125[933] Still overlooking the reference to the following narrative, B. C. read Ei de autoi hoi 'Ioannou--, "But if even John's disciples," etc
[933] Still overlooking the reference to the following narrative, B. C. read Ei de autoi hoi 'Ioannou--, "But if even John's disciples," etc.: mod. text and A., Plen ei kai autoi--, reading the next clause affirmatively, Cat. and OEc., ei de houtoi hoi 'Ioannou--, which we adopt. The scribes have further darkened the sense by in…
947 wordsSECTION 126Homily XLI.
Homily XLI. Acts XIX. 8, 9 "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, dis…
3,068 wordsSECTION 127But it is likely some man will say, "God forbid it should ever befall me to be sobered in this way!" Nor do I wish it for you, but a very di
But it is likely some man will say, "God forbid it should ever befall me to be sobered in this way!" Nor do I wish it for you, but a very different way, that you should do all from love of Christ: if however, which God forbid, it should so befall you, then even on this behalf I would comfort you. If then the demon does not cast …
2,489 wordsSECTION 128[950] mss. and Edd. Pantachou gar par auton ebouleto labein aphormen, hoper ephen. Ta te gar ethne parezelou loipon kai rhadios k. t. l. In
[950] mss. and Edd. Pantachou gar par auton ebouleto labein aphormen, hoper ephen. Ta te gar ethne parezelou loipon kai rhadios k. t. l. In parezelou there is an allusion to Rom. xi. 14, "if by any means I may provoke them to jealousy:" its subject therefore should be "the Apostle" (nam et gentes exstimulabat jam, Erasm.) "he wa…
1,877 wordsSECTION 129Homily XLII.
Homily XLII. Acts XIX. 21, 23 "After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in A…
2,551 wordsSECTION 130Seest thou how God permits trials, and by them stirs up and awakens the disciples, and makes them more energetic? Then let us not sink down
Seest thou how God permits trials, and by them stirs up and awakens the disciples, and makes them more energetic? Then let us not sink down under trials: for He Himself will "also make the way of escape, that we may be able to bear them." (1 Cor x. 13.) Nothing so makes friends, and rivets them so firmly, as affliction: nothing …
2,281 wordsSECTION 131[983] Dia tauta met' exetaseos dei poiein, Mod. text adds panta. This sentence, om. by A., seems to be out of place, and to belong rather to
[983] Dia tauta met' exetaseos dei poiein, Mod. text adds panta. This sentence, om. by A., seems to be out of place, and to belong rather to v. 36. We have transposed the text v. 28, 29, which in mss. and Edd. is given after hos pasi prokeisthai. [984] kai pantachou autois prokeintai. To make some sense of the passage, we adopt…
1,057 wordsSECTION 132Homily XLIII.
Homily XLIII. Acts XX. 1 "And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia." There was need of much comforting after that uproar. Accordingly, having done this, he goes into Macedonia, and then into Greece. For, it says, "when he had gone over those …
2,209 wordsSECTION 133Though thou be able to confer no relief, yet weep thou, groan, grieve over what has happened: even this is not to no purpose. If it behooves
Though thou be able to confer no relief, yet weep thou, groan, grieve over what has happened: even this is not to no purpose. If it behooves us to feel for those who are justly punished by God, much more for those who suffer unjustly at the hands of men. (They of) "Ænan," [1014] it saith, "came not forth to mourn for the house w…
2,175 wordsSECTION 134Homily XLIV.
Homily XLIV. Acts XX. 17-21 "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and…
2,423 wordsSECTION 135(Recapitulation.) "Not knowing," he says, "the things that shall befall me." (v. 22, 23.) Then is this why thou departest? By no means; on t
(Recapitulation.) "Not knowing," he says, "the things that shall befall me." (v. 22, 23.) Then is this why thou departest? By no means; on the contrary (I know that), "bonds and afflictions await me." That (there are) trials, I know, but of what kind I know not: which was more grievous. "But none of these things move me" (v. 24)…
2,253 wordsSECTION 136[1023] Neither of the two ideas which Chrys. draws from v. 25--(a) that though absent in body, he would be present with them in spirit; (b)
[1023] Neither of the two ideas which Chrys. draws from v. 25--(a) that though absent in body, he would be present with them in spirit; (b) that the "all" addressed refers to the whole company--comes naturally from the text. The apostle states his firm conviction that he shall not again visit Ephesus. Whether he ever did so or n…
905 wordsSECTION 137Homily XLV.
Homily XLV. Acts XX. 32 "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified." What he does when writing in an Epistle, this he does also when speaking in council: from exhorting, he ends with prayer: for since …
1,264 wordsSECTION 138Homily XLV.
(Recapitulation.) "Silver, or gold, or apparel," etc. (ch. xx. 33, 34; 1 Cor. ix; 2 Cor. xi.) So then, it was not in Corinth only that they did this [1037] --they that corrupted the disciples, but in Asia as well. But he nowhere casts this up as a reproach to the Ephesians, when writing to them. And why? Because he did not fall …
3,479 wordsSECTION 139Homily XLVI.
[1034] The phrase "which is able" (to dunameno) may be connected with the word "God," or with "the word of His grace." As standing nearer the latter, this would be the natural construction. So our author has taken it, understanding by "the word of His grace" rather the grace itself than the doctrine concerning it. Most critics h…
2,984 wordsSECTION 140These sayings are not contrary, nay, they are exceedingly in accord. For when the offence is with us, then woe unto us, but when not with us
These sayings are not contrary, nay, they are exceedingly in accord. For when the offence is with us, then woe unto us, but when not with us, not so. And again, Woe to (that man) through whom "the name of God is blasphemed." (Rom. ii. 24.) How then if I do what is right in anything, but another blasphemes? That is nothing to me,…
2,207 wordsSECTION 141Homily XLVII.
[1063] autos de ouk eti. Here, as above, p. 118, it seems to be assumed that St. Paul's judaizing at Jerusalem gave offence to the Gentile brethren in his company. Homily XLVII. Acts XXI. 39, 40 "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, suffer me to …
2,539 wordsSECTION 142For observe: because he had seen, because he had heard, he bears witness to all men, and nothing hindered him. We too bear witness (Mod. tex
For observe: because he had seen, because he had heard, he bears witness to all men, and nothing hindered him. We too bear witness (Mod. text "have heard") that there is a Resurrection and numberless good things: we are bound to bear witness of this to all men. "Yes, and we do bear witness," you will say, "and do believe." How; …
2,171 wordsSECTION 143Homily XLVIII.
Homily XLVIII. Acts XXII. 17-20 "And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisone…
3,143 wordsSECTION 144What a quantity of wealth that rich man spent, "who was clothed in purple and fine linen?" (Luke xvi. 19.) But he was not high-souled: for h
What a quantity of wealth that rich man spent, "who was clothed in purple and fine linen?" (Luke xvi. 19.) But he was not high-souled: for his soul was possessed by an unmerciful disposition and by numberless lusts: how then should it be great? Abraham had a great soul, spending as he did for the reception of his guests, killing…
2,205 wordsSECTION 145Homily XLIX. [1097]
[1094] hoti paruphestasin autais hai kakiai, te men parresi& 139; thrasutes te de epieikei& 139; anandria. It is seldom possible to match the ethical terms of one language with exact equivalents in another. Here thrasutes, as opposed to parresia "courage in speaking one's mind," is not merely "audacity," or "hardihood," or "pugn…
2,233 wordsSECTION 146(Recapitulation.) Let us look then to what has been said above. "I," he says, "am a Pharisee:" then, that he may not seem to pay court, he a
(Recapitulation.) Let us look then to what has been said above. "I," he says, "am a Pharisee:" then, that he may not seem to pay court, he adds, "Of the hope and resurrection of the dead it is, that I am called in question." (v. 6.) From this charge and calumny he commends himself. "For the Sadducees indeed," etc. The Sadducees …
2,203 wordsSECTION 147Homily L.
[1099] Mod. text "Either because spirit and angel is one, or because the term amphotera is taken not only of two but of three." (This is taken from Ammonius in the Catena. The innovator adds): "the writer therefore uses it katachrestikos, and not according to strict propriety." [1100] The last clause in the Vulgate text, me the…
2,874 wordsSECTION 148Let us imitate him, since he also was an imitator of Christ. If he, with enemies, who went even to the length of murder and slaughter, said
Let us imitate him, since he also was an imitator of Christ. If he, with enemies, who went even to the length of murder and slaughter, said nothing offensive to them, what pardon shall we deserve, who in reviling and abuse become infuriated, calling our enemies villains, detestable wretches? what pardon shall we deserve, for hav…
2,516 wordsSECTION 149[1107] tou demou ten orgen tes hormes. 'Epei oun tes poleos auton exebalon, tote aphistantai. So Edd. and our mss. but Cat. simply ten orgen
[1107] tou demou ten orgen tes hormes. 'Epei oun tes poleos auton exebalon, tote aphistantai. So Edd. and our mss. but Cat. simply ten orgen. The next sentence, if referred affirmatively to the Jews, would be untrue, for in fact the Jews ouk apestesan. Possibly the scribes took it to refer to the soldiers: but this is very unsat…
1,529 wordsSECTION 150Homily LI.
Homily LI. Acts XXIV. 22, 23 "And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them and said, When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his …
1,557 wordsSECTION 151Homily LI.
(Recapitulation.) "And when Felix," etc. (v. 22.) Observe on all occasions how the governors try to keep off from themselves the annoyance of the Jews, and are often compelled to act contrary to justice, and seek pretexts for deferring: for of course it was not from ignorance that he deferred the cause, but knowing it. And his w…
2,480 wordsSECTION 152If to injure another is not an evil, but a good, wherefore are we ashamed? wherefore do we cover our faces? Wherefore, being reproached, are
If to injure another is not an evil, but a good, wherefore are we ashamed? wherefore do we cover our faces? Wherefore, being reproached, are we vexed and disconcerted? If the being injured is not a good thing, wherefore do we pride ourselves, and glory in the thing, and justify ourselves on its account? Would you learn how this …
1,467 wordsSECTION 153Homily LII.
Homily LII. Acts XXV. 23 "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth." See what an audience is gathered together for Paul. Having collected all his guards…
1,840 wordsSECTION 154Homily LII.
(Recapitulation.) "And on the morrow," etc. (v. 23.) The Jews desisted ever since Paul exercised his right of appeal. [1144] Then also for him the theatre becomes a splendid one: "with great pomp" they were present. "And Festus said," etc. "The whole multitude of the Jews--"not some of them only, and others not so--"both at Jeru…
1,464 wordsSECTION 155Homily LII.
Such is a soul winged with heavenly love. For if those who cherish the foul (earthly passion which men call) love, think nothing either glorious of precious, but those things alone which tend to gratify their lust, they think both glorious and honorable, and their mistress is everything to them; much more do those, who have been…
2,286 wordsSECTION 156[1141] hosper epathe ti. This is explained in the Recapitulation: "with a loud voice--houto thumou en kai orges."
[1141] hosper epathe ti. This is explained in the Recapitulation: "with a loud voice--houto thumou en kai orges." [1142] Old text: "v. 27-29. Euxaimen an, phesin, egoge ouk en oligo, ti esti; para mikron. Kai ouch haplos euchetai alla kai epitetamenos. From the Recapitulation it appears that Chrys. supposes that Paul, as an idi…
1,398 wordsSECTION 157Homily LIII.
Homily LIII. Acts XXVI. 30-32 "And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: and when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at libe…
2,217 wordsSECTION 158(Recapitulation.) And Paul says, "I perceive that (this voyage will be) with hurt and loss." (v. 10.) And observe how unassuming the express
(Recapitulation.) And Paul says, "I perceive that (this voyage will be) with hurt and loss." (v. 10.) And observe how unassuming the expression is. That he may not seem to prophesy, but to speak as of conjecture, "I perceive," says he. For they would not have received it, had he said this at the outset. In fact he does prophesy …
2,328 wordsSECTION 159Homily LIV.
[1158] Rather, "on the Syrtis" (eis ten Surtin.) There were two shoals on the coast of Africa, called by this name, the Syrtis Major and the Syrtis Minor. The former to the S. W. of Crete is the one here referred to.--G.B.S. [1159] R.V. "they lowered the gear" (skeuos). The word skeuos--utensil, implement--is in itself indefini…
2,826 wordsSECTION 160Cain slew his brother, but in this he rather benefited him: for hear what Scripture says, "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me"
Cain slew his brother, but in this he rather benefited him: for hear what Scripture says, "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me" (Gen. iv. 10): and again in another place, "To the blood that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Heb. xii. 24.) He freed him from the uncertainty of the future, he increased his rew…
2,287 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.