Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 12
Chrysostom — Corinthians
SECTION 1
This volume of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, embraces both volumes of the original London issue, one of which appeared in 1844, the ot
This volume of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, embraces both volumes of the original London issue, one of which appeared in 1844, the other in 1848. The author of the latter had, as appears from his statement above, the advantage of using the recension of the Greek text which was prepared by the late Frederick Field, M.A., L…
1,741 wordsSECTION 2Homily I.
Homily I. 1 Cor. i. 1-3 Paul, called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours…
2,323 wordsSECTION 3Homily II.
For as in bodies it is one thing to be healthy and plump, (sphrigonta, firm and elastic.) and another thing to be swoln, although both indicate a full habit of flesh, (but in this case of unsound, in that of healthful flesh;) so also here: it is one thing to be arrogant, which is, as it were, to be swoln, and another thing to be…
2,291 wordsSECTION 4[8.] Ver. 9. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son." Wonderful! How great a thing saith he here! How vast
[8.] Ver. 9. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son." Wonderful! How great a thing saith he here! How vast in the magnitude of the gift which he declares! Into the fellowship of the Only-Begotten have ye been called, and do ye addict yourselves unto men? What can be worse than this wretchedness? …
2,217 wordsSECTION 5Homily III.
[10] The image here seems to be taken from the vulgar use, in medicine, of a charm or amulet. [11] [Dr. Field's text reads epantlon.] [12] Yet in St. Luke xiv. 23. it is, "compel them to come in." But our Lord is there speaking of the kingdom of heaven, S. Chrysostom here, of heaven itself. [A better answer is that the words d…
2,267 wordsSECTION 6[6.] Ver. 14. "I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius." "Why are you elate at having baptized, when I for my part eve
[6.] Ver. 14. "I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius." "Why are you elate at having baptized, when I for my part even give thanks that I have not done so!" Thus saying, by a kind of divine art (oikonomikos) he does away with their swelling pride upon this point; not with the efficacy of the baptism, (God …
2,338 wordsSECTION 7[9.] Let this, I say, be our way of overpowering them, and of conducting our warfare against them; and let us astound them by our way of lif
[9.] Let this, I say, be our way of overpowering them, and of conducting our warfare against them; and let us astound them by our way of life rather than by words. For this is the main battle, this is the unanswerable argument, the argument from conduct. For though we give ten thousand precepts of philosophy in words, if we do n…
939 wordsSECTION 8Homily IV.
Homily IV. 1 Cor. i. 18-20 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent will I reject. Where is the Wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the Disputer of the World? To the …
2,239 wordsSECTION 9Vast is the import of the things here spoken! For he means to say how by contraries God hath overcome, and how the Gospel is not of man. Wha
Vast is the import of the things here spoken! For he means to say how by contraries God hath overcome, and how the Gospel is not of man. What he saith is something of this sort. When, saith he, we say unto the Jews, Believe; they answer, Raise the dead, Heal the demoniacs, Shew unto us signs. But instead thereof what say we? Tha…
2,387 wordsSECTION 10[10.] But they did not, you will say, introduce strange gods as the others did. Well, and in that you are naming the very point most to be w
[10.] But they did not, you will say, introduce strange gods as the others did. Well, and in that you are naming the very point most to be wondered at; that the innovation is twofold, both to pull down those which are, and to announce the Crucified. For from whence came it into their minds to proclaim such things? whence, to be …
1,908 wordsSECTION 11Homily V.
Homily V. 1 Cor. i. 26, 27 For behold [28] your calling, brethren, that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called;] but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise. He hath said that "the foolishness of God is wiser than men;" he hath shewed th…
2,320 wordsSECTION 12For this cause also he had vehemently inveighed against the wisdom of the Greeks, to teach men this lesson, (touto auto Savile; touto auto B
For this cause also he had vehemently inveighed against the wisdom of the Greeks, to teach men this lesson, (touto auto Savile; touto auto Bened.) and no other: that (as indeed is no more than just) they should boast themselves in the Lord. For when of ourselves we seek the things which are above us, nothing is more foolish, not…
2,239 wordsSECTION 13[9.] Next, tell me with what view were they to take such a course? They did not immediately, leaving Judæa, go into the Gentile cities, but
[9.] Next, tell me with what view were they to take such a course? They did not immediately, leaving Judæa, go into the Gentile cities, but went up and down within its limit. But how, unless they worked miracles, did they convince? For if such they really wrought, (and work them they did,) it was the result of God's power. If on…
1,510 wordsSECTION 14Homily VI.
Homily VI. 1 Cor. ii. 1, 2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Nothing was ever more prepared for combat than the spirit of Paul; or rather, I shoul…
2,295 wordsSECTION 15And that this is the truth, hear what He saith unto Thomas (St. John xx. 29.) "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." T
And that this is the truth, hear what He saith unto Thomas (St. John xx. 29.) "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." Therefore, in proportion to the evidence wherewith the miracle is set forth is the reward of faith lessened. So that if now also miracles were wrought, the same thing would ensue. For that th…
2,028 wordsSECTION 16Homily VII.
Homily VII. 1 Cor. ii. 6, 7 Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect, yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, which are coming to naught; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God fore-ordained before the worlds unto our glory. Darkness seems to be more …
2,321 wordsSECTION 17By the name of "wisdom," he calls both Christ, and the Cross and the Gospel. Opportunely also he called Him, "The Lord of glory." For seeing
By the name of "wisdom," he calls both Christ, and the Cross and the Gospel. Opportunely also he called Him, "The Lord of glory." For seeing that the Cross is counted a matter of ignominy, he signifies that the Cross was great glory: but that there was need of great wisdom in order not only to know God but also to learn this dis…
2,415 wordsSECTION 18[10.] "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit."
[10.] "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit." For as with these eyes no man could learn the things in the heavens; so neither the soul unaided the things of the Spirit. And why speak I of the things in heaven? It receives not even those in earth, all of them. For beholding afar off a square tower, we think…
2,292 wordsSECTION 19And again, another thing, not less than those mentioned, was added to make the change difficult. For besides the custom and the dangers, the
And again, another thing, not less than those mentioned, was added to make the change difficult. For besides the custom and the dangers, these precepts were both more burdensome, and those from which they withdrew men were easy and light. For their call was from fornication unto chastity; from love of life unto sundry kinds of d…
2,329 wordsSECTION 20Homily VIII.
Of all these things then, having observed them accurately, let us speak unto the Gentiles, and again, let us shew them the evidence of our lives: that by both means we ourselves may be saved and they drawn over by our means unto the glory of God. For unto Him be the glory for ever. Amen. [38] There seems to be a word or two wan…
2,216 wordsSECTION 21[5.] Ver. 3. "For whereas there is among you jealousy and strife."
[5.] Ver. 3. "For whereas there is among you jealousy and strife." At this point he prepares himself to wrestle with those whose part was obedience: for in what went before he hath been casting down the rulers of the Church, where he said that wisdom of speech is nothing worth. But here he strikes at those in subjection, in the…
2,226 wordsSECTION 22Shouldest thou then have gone all lengths in wickedness, yet say unto thyself, God is loving unto men and he desires our salvation: for "tho
Shouldest thou then have gone all lengths in wickedness, yet say unto thyself, God is loving unto men and he desires our salvation: for "though your sins be as scarlet, I will whiten you as snow," (Is. i. 10. Sept.) saith He; and unto the contrary habit I will change you. Let us not therefore give up in despair; for to fall is n…
1,140 wordsSECTION 23Homily IX.
Homily IX. 1 Cor. iii. 12-15 If any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he built thereon, h…
2,449 wordsSECTION 24Now his meaning is this: If any man have an ill life with a right faith, his faith shall not shelter him from punishment, his work being bur
Now his meaning is this: If any man have an ill life with a right faith, his faith shall not shelter him from punishment, his work being burnt up. The phrase, "shall be burned up," means, "shall not endure the violence of the fire." But just as if a man having golden armor on were to pass through a river of fire, he comes from c…
2,117 wordsSECTION 25Homily X.
Homily X. 1 Cor. iii. 18, 19 Let no man deceive himself. If any man (enhumin omitted.) thinketh that he is wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. As I said before, having launched out before the proper time into accusation of the fornicator, an…
2,213 wordsSECTION 26What if thou art come to great dignity, and hast at any time obtained some office of Church government? Be not high-minded. Thou hast not ac
What if thou art come to great dignity, and hast at any time obtained some office of Church government? Be not high-minded. Thou hast not acquired the glory, but God hath put it on thee. As if it were another's, therefore, use it sparingly; neither abusing it nor using it upon unsuitable things, nor puffed up, nor appropriating …
2,039 wordsSECTION 27Homily XI.
Homily XI. 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord. Together with all other ills, I know not how, there hath come upon man's nat…
2,203 wordsSECTION 28[5.] On two accounts you see, or rather on three, correct judgement belongs not to us. One, because, though we be conscious to ourselves of
[5.] On two accounts you see, or rather on three, correct judgement belongs not to us. One, because, though we be conscious to ourselves of nothing, still we need one to reprove our sins with strictness. Another, because the most part of the things which are done escape us and are concealed. And for a third besides these, becaus…
2,560 wordsSECTION 29What wild beast would not be softened by these things? Who is there so savage and inhuman that these things should not make him mild? and ye
What wild beast would not be softened by these things? Who is there so savage and inhuman that these things should not make him mild? and yet there are some who are arrived at such a pitch of cruelty as even to say that they deserve what they suffer. Yea, when they ought to pity, and weep, and help to alleviate men's calamities,…
813 wordsSECTION 30Homily XII.
Homily XII. 1 Cor. iv. 6 Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to think of men above that which is written. [58] So long as there was need of expressions as harsh as these, he refrained from drawing up the curtain, and went on arguing as …
2,208 wordsSECTION 31Observe too the good sense of Paul. The topics by which, when it is the proper time, he exalts and shews himself honorable and makes himself
Observe too the good sense of Paul. The topics by which, when it is the proper time, he exalts and shews himself honorable and makes himself great; by these he now puts them to shame, calling himself "condemned." Of so great consequence is it to do all things at the befitting season. By "doomed to death," in this place he means …
2,233 wordsSECTION 32How can these things be other than proofs of extreme infatuation? For I should like to ask them, is it or is it not, a dreadful thing to sub
How can these things be other than proofs of extreme infatuation? For I should like to ask them, is it or is it not, a dreadful thing to subvert the laws of nature, and introduce unlawful intercourse? They will surely [60] say, it is dreadful: at any rate, they make a show of inflicting a penalty on that crime. Why then dost tho…
2,221 wordsSECTION 33May I mention another thing yet more ridiculous than this? Only let no one tax us with speaking out of season, should our argument proceed w
May I mention another thing yet more ridiculous than this? Only let no one tax us with speaking out of season, should our argument proceed with that instance also. For he that would cleanse an ulcer will not hesitate first to pollute his own hands. What then is this so very ridiculous custom? It is counted indeed as nothing; (an…
1,535 wordsSECTION 34Homily XIII.
Homily XIII. 1 Cor. iv. 10 "We are fools for Christ's sake:" (For it is necessary from this point to resume our discourse:) "but ye are wise in Christ: we are weak, but ye are strong: ye have glory, but we have dishonor." Having filled his speech with much severity which conveys a sharper blow than any direct charge and havin…
2,226 wordsSECTION 35Did you utter applause here? Nay, not here is the time for plaudits; but in what follows: for applauding, I say, and for imitating too: for
Did you utter applause here? Nay, not here is the time for plaudits; but in what follows: for applauding, I say, and for imitating too: for so far we have but the material which is common to all without exception: inasmuch as soul differs not from soul in regard of its being a soul: but the purpose of heart shews the difference.…
2,265 wordsSECTION 36Homily XIV.
"But, that fear should accompany the gift, is more dignified." Nay, this is of all most disgraceful. For he who moves heaven and earth about his gains, who can be so laughed to scorn as he? For even unto dogs, not seldom, through fear, we throw whatever we had hold of. Which I ask again, is more disgraceful? that one clothed wit…
2,214 wordsSECTION 37There is much both of terror and of gentleness in this saying. For to say, "I will know," was the language of one as yet withholding himself
There is much both of terror and of gentleness in this saying. For to say, "I will know," was the language of one as yet withholding himself: but to say, "What will ye? Must I come unto you with a rod?" are the words of one thenceforth ascending the teacher's seat, and from thence holding discourses with them and taking upon him…
2,396 wordsSECTION 38There is another thing which I wish to mention, indicating the pleasure of the one and the discomfort of the other. He that is greedy of gai
There is another thing which I wish to mention, indicating the pleasure of the one and the discomfort of the other. He that is greedy of gain will never be stayed in that desire, not only because it is impossible, for him to obtain all men's goods, but also because whatever he may have compassed, he counts himself to have nothin…
1,011 wordsSECTION 39Homily XV.
Homily XV. 1 Cor. v. 1, 2 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you. When he was discoursin…
2,226 wordsSECTION 40"Know ye not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" "For," saith he, "though the offence be his, yet if neglected it hath power to
"Know ye not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" "For," saith he, "though the offence be his, yet if neglected it hath power to waste the rest of the body of the Church also. For when the first transgressor escapes punishment, speedily will others also commit the same faults." In these words he indicates moreover t…
2,286 wordsPage 1 of 5Next →
Source & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.