Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 11
Chrysostom — Acts and Romans
SECTION 201
Homily XII.
[1358] The word sumpheutoi should be rendered "united with" (as in R.V.)--literally "grown together," from sun--phuo, not "planted together" (A.V.) as if from sun--pheuteuo. The Dat. to homoiomati may be taken as instrumental after sum. gegon. (R.V., Weiss), or (I think better), after sun in composition (Thayer's Lex., Meyer), b…
2,253 wordsSECTION 202"How that the Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?"
"How that the Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?" He does not say, husband or wife, but "man," which name is common to either creature; "For he that is dead," he says, "is freed (Gr. justified) from sin." The Law then is given for the living, but to the dead it ceaseth to be ordained (or to give commands). Do yo…
2,534 wordsSECTION 203Do you observe, how by degrees he shows it to be not an accuser of sin only, but in a measure its producer? Yet not from any fault of its ow
Do you observe, how by degrees he shows it to be not an accuser of sin only, but in a measure its producer? Yet not from any fault of its own, but from that of the froward Jews, he proves it was, that this happened. For he has taken good heed to stop the mouths of the Manichees, that accuse the Law; and so after saying, "Nay, I …
2,515 wordsSECTION 204And so let us leave these contests, and again practise ourselves in exhortation. Or rather, this last part belongs to those contests. For if
And so let us leave these contests, and again practise ourselves in exhortation. Or rather, this last part belongs to those contests. For if we cast out wickedness, we should bring virtue in also: and by these means we shall clearly teach that wickedness is no natural evil, and shall be able easily to stop the mouths of them tha…
3,071 wordsSECTION 205[1371] The ground for Paul's speaking "after the manner of men because of the infirmity of their flesh" can hardly be, as Chrys. suggests, b
[1371] The ground for Paul's speaking "after the manner of men because of the infirmity of their flesh" can hardly be, as Chrys. suggests, because he would only demand for the service of the gospel an earnestness equal to that which they had formerly displayed in sin. The reference to the infirmity of their flesh gives the reaso…
1,274 wordsSECTION 206Homily XIII.
Homily XIII. Rom. VII. 14 "For we know that the Law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." After having said that great evils had taken place, and that sin, taking occasion by the commandment, had grown stronger, and the opposite of what the Law mainly aimed at had been the result, and after having thrown the hearer …
2,256 wordsSECTION 207Ver. 22. "For I delight," he says, "in the law of God after the inward man."
Ver. 22. "For I delight," he says, "in the law of God after the inward man." He means, for I knew even before this what was good, but when I find it set down in writing, I praise it. Ver. 23. "But I see another law warring against the law of my mind." Here again he calls sin a law warring against the other, not in respect of …
2,996 wordsSECTION 208Ver. 4. "That the righteousness [1406] of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh."
Ver. 4. "That the righteousness [1406] of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh." What meaneth this word, righteousness? Why, the end, the scope, the well-doing. For what was its design, and what did it enjoin? To be without sin. This then is made good to us (katorthotai hemhin) now through Christ. And …
2,705 wordsSECTION 209"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ." He does not say, if ye have not, but he brings forward the distressing word, as applied to o
"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ." He does not say, if ye have not, but he brings forward the distressing word, as applied to other persons. "He is none of His," he says. Ver. 10. "And if Christ be in you." Again, what is good he applies to them, [1409] and the distressing part was short and parenthetic. And that …
3,668 wordsSECTION 210[1390] Chrys. gives no hint of any controversy as to the interpretation of the passage vii. 14-25. In modern times the question has been gre
[1390] Chrys. gives no hint of any controversy as to the interpretation of the passage vii. 14-25. In modern times the question has been greatly disputed: Whom does the apostle represent by the "I" who is waging such an unsuccessful combat with sin? Passing by the views that he refers to himself personally (Hofmann) and that he …
1,075 wordsSECTION 211Homily XIV.
Homily XIV. Rom. VIII. 12, 13 "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." After showing how great the reward of a spiritual life is, and that it maketh Christ to dwe…
2,487 wordsSECTION 212Ver. 16. "The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
Ver. 16. "The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." For it is not from the language merely, he says, that I make my assertion, but from the cause out of which the language has its birth; since it is from the Spirit suggesting it that we so speak. And this in another passage he has put …
2,353 wordsSECTION 213Ver. 21. "That the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption."
Ver. 21. "That the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption." Now what is this creation? Not thyself alone, but that also which is thy inferior, and partaketh not of reason or sense, this too shall be a sharer in thy blessings. For "it shall be freed," he says, "from the bondage of corruption," tha…
2,257 wordsSECTION 214Ver. 27. "But He that searcheth the hearts."
Ver. 27. "But He that searcheth the hearts." You see that it is not about the Comforter that he is speaking, but about the spiritual heart. Since if this were not so, he ought to have said, "He that searcheth" the Spirit. But that thou mayest learn that the language is meant of a spiritual man, who has the gift of prayer, he pr…
2,701 wordsSECTION 215But when the kingdom of Heaven is set before you, that office (archhes) which hath none to supersede you in it, and God bids you take not a
But when the kingdom of Heaven is set before you, that office (archhes) which hath none to supersede you in it, and God bids you take not a part of a corner of the earth, but the whole of Heaven entirely, are you hesitating, and reluctant, and gaping after money, and forgetful that if the parts of that Heaven which we see are so…
2,254 wordsSECTION 216Homily XV.
[1428] apolutrosin. In the meaning of this word sometimes the manner, and sometimes the completeness of redemption predominates; see Rom. iii. 24, p. 377. [1429] lutrosis, showing that the completeness is implied in the preposition, which should be observed in the doctrinal use of the term. [1430] This blending of faith and ho…
2,330 wordsSECTION 217Ver. 32. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Ver. 32. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" And here the words he uses are high-wrought (meth' huterbolhes) and exceedingly warm, to show his love. How then is He to neglect us, in whose behalf "He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him…
2,581 wordsSECTION 218What then should we now deserve, when he is found not to esteem even the things in Heaven as compared with the desire for Christ, and we set
What then should we now deserve, when he is found not to esteem even the things in Heaven as compared with the desire for Christ, and we set more store by things of mire and clay than by Christ? And he out of desire of Him would take up with falling into hell, and being banished from the Kingdom, if the choice between the two we…
1,914 wordsSECTION 219Homily XVI.
Homily XVI. Rom. IX. 1 "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost." Did I not seem yesterday to you to have spoken some great and exorbitant things of Paul's love toward Christ? And great indeed they were, too great for any words to express. Yet what you have heard to-day ar…
2,576 wordsSECTION 220"For I could wish that I myself were accursed." What does the "I myself" mean? It means I that have been a teacher (1 Cor. ix. 27) of all, t
"For I could wish that I myself were accursed." What does the "I myself" mean? It means I that have been a teacher (1 Cor. ix. 27) of all, that have gathered together countless good deeds, that am waiting for countless crowns, that desired Him so much, as to value His love above all things, who all my days am burning for Him, an…
2,632 wordsSECTION 221Ver. 11-13. "For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might
Ver. 11-13. "For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." What was the cause then …
2,230 wordsSECTION 222See what pains he takes to embarrass the subject in every way. And the answer he does not produce forthwith, it being a useful thing not to
See what pains he takes to embarrass the subject in every way. And the answer he does not produce forthwith, it being a useful thing not to do so, but he first stops the disputant's mouth, saying as follows, Ver. 20. "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?" This he does to take down the objector's unseasonable…
2,288 wordsSECTION 223Ver. 25. "I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved."
Ver. 25. "I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved." Here to prevent their saying, that you are deceiving us here with specious reasoning, he calls Hosea to witness, who crieth and saith, "I will call them My people, who were not My people." (Hos. ii. 23.) Who then are the not…
2,401 wordsSECTION 224Homily XVII.
[1470] i.e. the true Seed of promise. [1471] Didymus in Psalm xcvii. 3, and Hesych. ps. lii. 7, ap. Corderium, t. 2. [1472] Gr. to them, i.e. to them considered as objections. Compare Matt. xxi. 27. "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. [1473] If this is to be read interrogatively, so as to imply the negati…
2,547 wordsSECTION 225Ver. 11-13. "For the Scripture saith," he proceeds, "Whosoever believeth on Him, shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between th
Ver. 11-13. "For the Scripture saith," he proceeds, "Whosoever believeth on Him, shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." You see how he produces witnesses, w…
2,528 wordsSECTION 226Hear then how Paul, who saw through these things thoroughly, is so far from seeking after them, that he even deprecates them, in the words,
Hear then how Paul, who saw through these things thoroughly, is so far from seeking after them, that he even deprecates them, in the words, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ." (Gal. vi. 14.) This glory then be thou also emulous of, that thou mayest not provoke the Master, because in so doing thou a…
1,597 wordsSECTION 227Homily XVIII.
Homily XVIII. "How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written." Here again he takes from them all excuse. For since he had said, "I bear the…
2,818 wordsSECTION 228Chap. xi. ver. 1. "I say then, Hath God cast away His people whom He foreknew? God forbid." [1501]
Chap. xi. ver. 1. "I say then, Hath God cast away His people whom He foreknew? God forbid." [1501] And he introduces the form a person would use in doubt, as though taking occasion from what had been said, and after making this alarming statement, by the denial of it he causes the sequel to be allowed with readiness; and what b…
2,838 wordsSECTION 229How miserable then will it be for the creation which was made for thee to be fashioned "according to the glorious liberty of the children of
How miserable then will it be for the creation which was made for thee to be fashioned "according to the glorious liberty of the children of God," (Rom. viii. 21) but for us who were made children of God, through our much listlessness, to be sent away to destruction and hell, for whose sake the creation shall enjoy that great fe…
2,212 wordsSECTION 230Homily XIX.
[1498] "They" "their" i.e. the Jews: "these" i.e. the Gentiles. [1499] This of course does not exclude the other interpretation of J. Martyr. Apol. i. 35. p. 27 O.T. Tryph. 97, p. 193 O.T. and others. See, on the contrary, St. John xii. 32, also St. Cyr. Hier. Cat. xiii. 27, and note, p. 157 O.T. add St. Cyprian, Test. ii. 20, …
2,247 wordsSECTION 231"Through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."
"Through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." This language is not his own only, but in the Gospels too the parables mean this. For He who made a marriage feast for His Son, when the guests would not come, called those in the highways. (Matt. xxii. 9). And He who planted the Vineyard…
2,221 wordsSECTION 232Ver. 18. "Boast not against the branches." He seems indeed to be comforting the Jew, but points out his vileness and extreme dishonor. And t
Ver. 18. "Boast not against the branches." He seems indeed to be comforting the Jew, but points out his vileness and extreme dishonor. And this is why he says not, "boast not," but, "boast not against" do not boast against them so as to sunder them. For it is into their place that ye have been set, and their goods that ye enjoy.…
2,278 wordsSECTION 233Ver. 30-32. "For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now
Ver. 30-32. "For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they may also obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all." He shows here that those of the Gentiles w…
2,226 wordsSECTION 234[1508] Or "language." He has before remarked on the term election as implying an approved character; see on v. 5, p. 483.
[1508] Or "language." He has before remarked on the term election as implying an approved character; see on v. 5, p. 483. [1509] So on x. 21. But see on viii. 26, and xi. 22. [1510] Accommodated to the A.V. Gr. "to feel compunction": the word is used thus on Rom. viii. 26, p. 447. In Is. xxix. 10, it is for trdmh a deep (often…
1,020 wordsSECTION 235Homily XX.
Homily XX. Rom. XII. 1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." After discoursing at large upon the love of God toward man, and pointing out His unspeakable concern for us, and unutterable goodness, …
2,374 wordsSECTION 236Ver. 3. "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to th
Ver. 3. "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." After saying above, "I beseech you by the mercies," here he says again, "by the grace." Observe th…
2,238 wordsSECTION 237Homily XXI.
[1524] 2 or 3 mss. "boileth" which Heyse prefers. [1525] semnoteros, which implies reverence as well as dignity. The word before probably refers also to dress. See Ex. xxviii. 43, but in this case the outward act so truly represents the inward, that it is difficult to separate them. [1526] A.V. conformed to. The translation is…
2,464 wordsSECTION 238Ver. 11. "Not backward in zeal." [1542]
Ver. 11. "Not backward in zeal." [1542] For this also gendereth love when with honor we also show a readiness to protect: as there is nothing that makes men beloved so much as honor and forethought. For to love is not enough, but there must be this also: or rather this also comes of loving, as also loving has its warmth from th…
2,509 wordsSECTION 239Homily XXII.
[1533] Or feel they need an effort enagonious. See on Rom. xi. 21 p. 349. [1534] Prophecy is to be kata ten analogian tes pisteos (6). In the view of some (as Meyer) the man's own faith is meant. He should not exceed in his speaking the limits of his faith. Others (as Philippi) take "faith" in the objective sense as a body of d…
2,246 wordsSECTION 240Ver. 18. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
Ver. 18. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." This is that: "let your light shine before men" (Matt. v. 16), not that we are to live for vanity, but that we are not to give those who have a mind for it a handle against us. Whence he says also in another place, "Give none offence, neither to…
2,222 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.