Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 11
Chrysostom — Acts and Romans
SECTION 161
Homily LV.
Homily LV. Acts XXVIII. 17-20 "And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands o…
2,414 wordsSECTION 162More copious than this (sea) are (his) streams; purer and deeper; so that one would not err in calling Paul's heart both a sea and a heaven,
More copious than this (sea) are (his) streams; purer and deeper; so that one would not err in calling Paul's heart both a sea and a heaven, the one for purity, the other for depth. He is a sea, having for its voyagers not those who sail from city to city, but those from earth to heaven: if any man sail in this sea, he will have…
2,229 wordsSECTION 163GEORGE B. STEVENS, Ph.D., d.d.,
[1182] The report is very defective, but the meaning in general is this: See how his desire of coming to Rome is accomplished, but not in the way which he proposed. Hence in (h) we do not hesitate to supply the negative which is omitted in the mss. and the printed text. 'Oras pos OU panta proeora. [2] These Sermons were preache…
2,991 wordsSECTION 164But let no one consider this an undertaking beside the purpose, nor a search of this kind a piece of superfluous curiosity; for the date of
But let no one consider this an undertaking beside the purpose, nor a search of this kind a piece of superfluous curiosity; for the date of the Epistles contributes no little to what we are looking after. [1187] For when I see him writing to the Romans and to the Colossians about the same subjects, and yet not in a like way abou…
1,488 wordsSECTION 165Homily I.
Homily I. Rom. I. 1, 2 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, (which He promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.)" Moses having written five books, has nowhere put his own name to them, neither have they who after him put together the history of events after …
2,939 wordsSECTION 166Ver. 6. "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ."
Ver. 6. "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ." That is, along with whom ye also are: and he does not say, that he called the others with you, but you with the others. For if in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free, much less is there king and private man. For even ye were called and did not come over of you…
1,479 wordsSECTION 167Homily II.
Homily II. Rom. I. 8 "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." An exordium worthy of this blessed spirit, and able to teach all men to offer unto God the firstlings of their good deeds and words, and to render thanks not only for their own, but also for …
2,598 wordsSECTION 168Ver. 12. "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
Ver. 12. "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." As if he said, Do not suspect that I spoke to accuse you. It was not with this feeling that I said what I did. But what may it be that I wished to say? Ye are undergoing many tribulations, being drenched on every side (by those…
2,221 wordsSECTION 169Ver. 16. "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel."
Ver. 16. "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel." "What sayest thou, O, Paul? When it were fitting to say, that I boast, and am proud, and luxuriate in it; thou sayest not this, but what is less than this, that thou art "not ashamed," which is not what we usually say of things very glorious. What then is this which he says, and wh…
2,323 wordsSECTION 170Homily III.
[1204] exomidas, a short tunic leaving the arms and shoulders bare, which had with it a kind of mantle. It was used by slaves, and adopted perhaps by these philosophers as a badge of austerity. See Ælian. Var. Hist. 1. ix. c. 34. Ed. Varior. note of Perizonius. [1205] Field reads adomenos kai peripheromenos, Vulg. agomenos whic…
2,208 wordsSECTION 171The first charge is, that they did not find God; the second was, that it was while they had great and clear (Sav. marg. "wise") means to do
The first charge is, that they did not find God; the second was, that it was while they had great and clear (Sav. marg. "wise") means to do it; the third, that withal they said they were wise; the fourth, that they not only did not find that Reverend Being, but even lowered Him to devils and to stones and stocks. Now he takes do…
2,256 wordsSECTION 172[1214] St. Basil speaks similarly of various punishments, Regulæ. Br. Tr. int. 267, ed. Ben. text ii. p. 507. Theophylact on Matt. viii. 12,
[1214] St. Basil speaks similarly of various punishments, Regulæ. Br. Tr. int. 267, ed. Ben. text ii. p. 507. Theophylact on Matt. viii. 12, seems to allude to this passage. Both say that "outer darkness" implies an "inner," but seemingly in opposite senses, Theoph. taking eso to be towards Heaven. Origen on Matt. xxii. 13 makes…
800 wordsSECTION 173Homily IV.
Homily IV. Rom. I. 26, 27 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one towards another." All these affections then were vile, but chiefly the ma…
2,647 wordsSECTION 174Now, that this may not happen, let us keep clear before our eyes the fear of God. For nothing, surely nothing, so ruins a man as to slip fro
Now, that this may not happen, let us keep clear before our eyes the fear of God. For nothing, surely nothing, so ruins a man as to slip from this anchor, as nothing saves so much as continually looking thereto. For if by having a man before our eyes we feel more backward at doing sins, and often even through feeling abashed at …
1,115 wordsSECTION 175Homily V.
Homily V. Rom. I. 28 "Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." Lest he should seem to be hinting at them by delaying in his discourse so long over the unnatural sin, he next passes on to other kinds of sins also, and for t…
2,300 wordsSECTION 176Ver. 6, 7. "Who will render to every man according to his deeds, to them who by patient continuance in well doing," etc.
Ver. 6, 7. "Who will render to every man according to his deeds, to them who by patient continuance in well doing," etc. Since he had become awestriking and harsh by discoursing of the judgment and of the punishment that shall be, he does not forthwith, as one might expect, enter upon the vengeance, but turns his discourse to w…
2,299 wordsSECTION 177Ver. 14. "For when the Gentiles," he says, "which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law,
Ver. 14. "For when the Gentiles," he says, "which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves." I am not, he means, rejecting the Law, but even on this score I justify the Gentiles. You see how when undermining the conceit of Judaism, he giveth no handle a…
2,863 wordsSECTION 178[1230] mss. the evil mind and negligence (or self-will, rhathumias) to which the sins belonged. See St. Aug. Conf. b. 3, c. 16, b. 5, c. 18,
[1230] mss. the evil mind and negligence (or self-will, rhathumias) to which the sins belonged. See St. Aug. Conf. b. 3, c. 16, b. 5, c. 18, b. 7, c. 4, Oxf. Tr. pp. 40, 78, 110, etc. [1231] Chrys. is correct in denying that Paul refers sin to the flesh (in the sense of the body), as its cause and seat. With the apostle sarx is…
987 wordsSECTION 179Homily VI.
Homily VI. Rom. II. 17, 18 "Behold, [1246] thou art called a Jew, and restest in the Law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the Law." After saying that the Gentile wanteth nothing appertaining to salvation if he be a doer of the Law, an…
2,324 wordsSECTION 180Ver. 26. "Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be turned [1252] into circumcision
Ver. 26. "Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be turned [1252] into circumcision?" See how he acts. He does not say that the uncircumcision overcomes circumcision (for this was highly grating to those who then heard him), but that the uncircumcision hath become circumc…
2,326 wordsSECTION 181Ver. 7. "For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto His glory: why yet am I also judged as a sinner?"
Ver. 7. "For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto His glory: why yet am I also judged as a sinner?" For if God, he means is shown to be a Lover of man, and righteous, and good, by your acts of disobedience, you ought not only to be exempt from punishment but even to have good done unto you. But if so, that…
2,228 wordsSECTION 182Homily VII.
[1261] So Field with most mss. and Interp. [1262] elegen. St. Chrysostom treats it as his habitual teaching, so that it had been already misrepresented, though not yet embodied in this Epistle. [1263] goun. He is evidently aiming at some who still used such reasonings. [1264] i.e. The Greek, see a few lines below. Savile's pu…
2,365 wordsSECTION 183"To declare His righteousness." What is declaring of righteousness? Like the declaring of His riches, not only for Him to be rich Himself, b
"To declare His righteousness." What is declaring of righteousness? Like the declaring of His riches, not only for Him to be rich Himself, but also to make others rich, or of life, not only that He is Himself living, but also that He makes the dead to live; and of His power, not only that He is Himself powerful, but also that He…
2,126 wordsSECTION 184But since after this grace, whereby we were justified, there is need also of a life suited to it, let us show an earnestness worthy the gift
But since after this grace, whereby we were justified, there is need also of a life suited to it, let us show an earnestness worthy the gift. And show it we shall, if we keep with earnestness charity, the mother of good deeds. Now charity is not bare words, or mere ways of speaking (prosreseis) to men, but a taking care (prostas…
3,171 wordsSECTION 185For in the case of those who have money lent them, we see that this is what the lenders do, lending, that is, with greater readiness to thos
For in the case of those who have money lent them, we see that this is what the lenders do, lending, that is, with greater readiness to those who refund a long time after. For he that straightway repays the whole, cuts off the progression of the interest, but he that keeps possession of it for a longer time, makes also the gain …
2,302 wordsSECTION 186Homily VIII.
[1274] akrahigh or excellent things; thus Longinus. Or perhaps "terms." See Arist. Anal. Pr. 1. i. where this use of the word is explained. [1275] 4 mss. read ho deina Ellen, etc. for ho deina ho Ellen, making the sense, do not say (in contempt) "such an one is a Greek! such an one a Scythian!" etc. [1276] So Sav. Mor. Ben., a…
2,238 wordsSECTION 187"For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."
"For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness." After mentioning the Scripture above (for he said, "What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed in God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness,") here he goes on to secure also the judgment of the speakers, and shows that justification took place in the un…
2,554 wordsSECTION 188Ver. 18. "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall t
Ver. 18. "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be." How was it that he "believed in hope against hope?" It was against man's hope, in hope which is of God. (For he is showing the loftiness of the action, and leaving no room for …
2,302 wordsSECTION 189Let us then become worthy of His spotless hands. Let us invite Him to strike even upon our heart. For He rather needeth not any inviting. On
Let us then become worthy of His spotless hands. Let us invite Him to strike even upon our heart. For He rather needeth not any inviting. Only make it worthy of that touch, and He will be foremost in running unto thee. For if in consideration of their attainments not yet reached, He runneth to them (for when Paul was not yet so …
2,269 wordsSECTION 190[1296] 4 mss. that he that is of faith might also have whereof to glory.
[1296] 4 mss. that he that is of faith might also have whereof to glory. [1297] philosophou gnomes, the word is used (as frequently by Christian writers) in the sense of choosing wisdom for the guide of life. [1298] So the mss., omitting v. 3. [1299] So Vulg. and Field: most mss. have kamonta "that hath toiled." [1300] Or "i…
874 wordsSECTION 191Homily IX.
Homily IX. Rom. IV. 23 "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him for righteousness; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead." After saying many great things of Abraham, and his faith, and righteousness, and honor before God, le…
2,370 wordsSECTION 192Ver. 6-8. "For while we were yet without strength, Christ in due time died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: y
Ver. 6-8. "For while we were yet without strength, Christ in due time died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet pervadenture for a good man some would even dare to die. [1334] But God commendeth His love towards us." Now what he is saying is somewhat of this kind. For if for a virtuous man, no one…
2,770 wordsSECTION 193[1326] If a fresh argument commences here, there is no vicious circle. For there was independent proof of each proposition, and so, when sho
[1326] If a fresh argument commences here, there is no vicious circle. For there was independent proof of each proposition, and so, when shown to involve one another, they were mutually confirmed. [1327] So nearly all mss. here; and there is good authority for the reading in the text of the N.T. both from mss., versions, and Fa…
845 wordsSECTION 194Homily X.
Homily X. Rom. V. 12 "Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon (dihelthen6 mss. eis...) all men, for that all have sinned." As the best physicians always take great pains to discover the source of diseases, and go to the very fountain of the mischief, so doth the blessed P…
2,607 wordsSECTION 195Ver. 20. "Moreover the Law entered: that the offence might abound."
Ver. 20. "Moreover the Law entered: that the offence might abound." Since then he had shown that the world was condemned from Adam, but from Christ was saved and freed from condemnation, he now seasonably enters upon the discussion of the Law, here again undermining the high notions of it. For it was so far from doing any good,…
1,414 wordsSECTION 196But this he leaves for the present to the conscience of his hearers to reason out, but himself, after the resurrection to come had been set
But this he leaves for the present to the conscience of his hearers to reason out, but himself, after the resurrection to come had been set before us, demands of us another, even the new conversation, which is brought about in the present life by a change of habits. [1350] When then the fornicator becomes chaste, the covetous ma…
2,369 wordsSECTION 197[1339] This whole passage is introduced to show the glory and power of Christ's salvation as able to conquer the power of sin and death. The
[1339] This whole passage is introduced to show the glory and power of Christ's salvation as able to conquer the power of sin and death. The case of Adam's sin is not introduced for its own sake but as a background on which to exhibit the greatness of God's grace. Two erroneous assumptions are often made in respect to this passa…
765 wordsSECTION 198Homily XI.
Homily XI. Rom. VI. 5 "For if we have been planted together [1355] in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." What I had before occasion to remark, that I mention here too, that he continually digresseth into exhortation, without making any twofold division as he does in the other Epi…
2,368 wordsSECTION 199"But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead."
"But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead." See how by his bare words he exhorts them, on that side naming "sin" and on this "God." For by showing what a difference there is between the rulers, he casts out of all excuse the soldier that leaveth God, and desireth to serve under the dominion of sin. B…
2,761 wordsSECTION 200Through this, not cities and countries only, but roads and habitable and inhabitable parts, and mountains, and groves, and hills, and, in a
Through this, not cities and countries only, but roads and habitable and inhabitable parts, and mountains, and groves, and hills, and, in a word, all places are filled with blood and murder. And not even from the sea has this evil withdrawn, but even there also with great fury hath it revelled, since pirates beset it on all side…
2,213 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.