Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 12
Chrysostom — Corinthians
SECTION 121
Homily XLIV.
Homily XLIV. 1 Cor. xvi. 10 Now if Timothy come to you [344] , see that he be with you without fear. Perhaps some one may think there is something unworthy of Timothy's courage in this piece of advice. But not on Timothy's account is this said, but for the hearers' sake: lest by their design against him they should hurt thems…
2,204 wordsSECTION 122Ver. 22. "If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema."
Ver. 22. "If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema." By this one word he strikes fear into all: those who made their members the members of an harlot; those who put stumbling blocks in the way of their brethren by the things offered in sacrifice unto idols; those who named themselves after men; those who r…
2,358 wordsSECTION 123And let the matter of thine advice be brief, for there is no need of much teaching; but let the expressions of forbearance on the other hand
And let the matter of thine advice be brief, for there is no need of much teaching; but let the expressions of forbearance on the other hand be many and close upon one another. And continually have thou recourse to the topic of love; throwing into shade the painfulness of what thou sayest, and giving him his full power, and sayi…
2,245 wordsSECTION 124Homily I.
Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of constantinople, on the second epistle of St. paul the apostle. to the corinthians. ------------------------ Homily I. 2 Cor. i. 1, 4 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the Church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the …
2,245 wordsSECTION 125But he teaches something more in these words: Do you ask what? Namely, that God doeth this not once, nor twice, but without intermission. Fo
But he teaches something more in these words: Do you ask what? Namely, that God doeth this not once, nor twice, but without intermission. For He doth not one while comfort, another not, but ever and constantly. Wherefore he saith, "Who comforteth," not, "Who hath comforted," and, "in all affliction," not, "in this or that," but,…
2,695 wordsSECTION 126Homily II.
Say not then, "He is perished and shall no more be;" for these be the words of unbelievers; but say, "He sleepeth and will rise again," "He is gone a journey and will return with the King." Who sayeth this? He [380] that hath Christ speaking in him. "For," saith he, "if we believe that Jesus died and rose again" and revived, "ev…
2,242 wordsSECTION 127That is, we had no longer any expectation of living. What David calleth "the gates of hell, the pangs" and "the shadow of death," this he ex
That is, we had no longer any expectation of living. What David calleth "the gates of hell, the pangs" and "the shadow of death," this he expresseth by saying, "We endured peril pregnant with certain death." Ver. 9. "But we had the answer of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the…
2,745 wordsSECTION 128[7.] Then beginning the prayer, he saith, "That the all-pitying and merciful God would listen to their prayers." For that thou mayest not sa
[7.] Then beginning the prayer, he saith, "That the all-pitying and merciful God would listen to their prayers." For that thou mayest not say, What shall we pray? they are aliens, not yet united [to the body]. Whereby can I constrain [431] the regard of God? Whence can I prevail with Him to impart unto them mercy and forgiveness…
2,676 wordsSECTION 129Seest thou the completeness of this prayer, both in regard of doctrine and of behavior? for when we have mentioned the Gospel and the clothi
Seest thou the completeness of this prayer, both in regard of doctrine and of behavior? for when we have mentioned the Gospel and the clothing of incorruption and the Laver of Regeneration, we have mentioned all the doctrines: when again we spoke of a Godly mind, a sound understanding, and the rest of what we said, we suggested …
1,854 wordsSECTION 130Homily III.
Homily III. 2 Cor. i. 12 For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and [477] sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world. Here again he openeth to us yet another ground of comfort, and that not small, yea rather, exceeding great, and well fit…
2,560 wordsSECTION 131"For," saith he "we know not what we should pray for as we ought." And that he may not seem to be speaking modestly, he not only saith this,
"For," saith he "we know not what we should pray for as we ought." And that he may not seem to be speaking modestly, he not only saith this, but instances wherein he knew not in prayers what was expedient. Wherein then was it? When he entreated to be delivered from his trials, saying, "There was given to me a thorn in the flesh,…
2,246 wordsSECTION 132[6.] But if you will, let us listen too to the voice itself. What then was the voice? "Abraham, Abraham, lay not thy hand upon Isaac, neithe
[6.] But if you will, let us listen too to the voice itself. What then was the voice? "Abraham, Abraham, lay not thy hand upon Isaac, neither do thou any thing unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thy son, thy well-beloved, for My sake." (Gen. xxii. 11, 12.) What is this? He that knoweth all things…
2,291 wordsSECTION 133Homily IV.
So also art thou thyself made king and priest and prophet in the Laver; a king, having dashed to earth all the deeds of wickedness and slain thy sins; a priest, in that thou offerest thyself to God, having sacrificed thy body and being thyself slain also, "for if we died with Him," saith he, "we shall also live with Him;" (2 Tim…
2,241 wordsSECTION 134[3.] Next, whereas he said, he that makes me sorry makes me glad; lest they should say this then is what thou studiest, that thou mightest b
[3.] Next, whereas he said, he that makes me sorry makes me glad; lest they should say this then is what thou studiest, that thou mightest be made glad and mightest exhibit to all the extent of thy power;' he added, Ver. 4. "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears, not that ye should be …
2,827 wordsSECTION 135[6.] These things then having in mind, let us too never despise any one; nor ever, though we fall into sin, despair; on the other hand, agai
[6.] These things then having in mind, let us too never despise any one; nor ever, though we fall into sin, despair; on the other hand, again, let us not be easy-minded afterwards, but, when we transgress, afflict our minds and not merely give vent to words. For I know many who say indeed that they bewail their sins, but do noth…
1,660 wordsSECTION 136Homily V.
Homily V. 2 Cor. ii. 12, 13 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord, I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother. These words seem on the one hand to be unworthy of Paul, if because of a brother's absence he threw away so great an opportunity of…
2,265 wordsSECTION 137Not by our own wisdom, but instructed by the power that cometh from Him. Those who glory speak not in this way, but as bringing in something
Not by our own wisdom, but instructed by the power that cometh from Him. Those who glory speak not in this way, but as bringing in something from themselves. Whence he elsewhere also turns them into ridicule [552] , saying, "For what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if t…
2,260 wordsSECTION 138Homily VI.
[547] So Chrysostom, referring apparently to the first sentence in the Homily. It is manifest at least, that the preceding sentence required "the former" here, and not "the second." [548] [The Rev. Vers. renders this clause "leadeth us in triumph," in accordance with Meyer, Beet, et al. The principal reason is that the causativ…
2,459 wordsSECTION 139[3.] Since then It hath given us life, let us remain living and not return again to the former deadness: for "Christ dieth no more; for the
[3.] Since then It hath given us life, let us remain living and not return again to the former deadness: for "Christ dieth no more; for the death that He died, He died unto sin once:" (Rom. vi. 9, 10.) and He will not have us always saved by grace: for so we shall be empty of all things. Wherefore He will have us contribute some…
1,816 wordsSECTION 140Homily VII.
Homily VII. 2 Cor. iii. 7, 8 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly upon the face of Moses, for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away: how shall not rather the ministration of the Spirit be with glory? He said t…
2,923 wordsSECTION 141Ver. 15. "But even unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart."
Ver. 15. "But even unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart." For since he said that in the reading of the Old Testament the veil remaineth, lest any should think that this that is said is from the obscurity of the Law, he both by other things showed even before what his meaning was, (for by saying…
2,682 wordsSECTION 142[7.] Come then, let us discourse to you on this, the love of beauty, and let us see whereby the mischief is increased; for so we shall know
[7.] Come then, let us discourse to you on this, the love of beauty, and let us see whereby the mischief is increased; for so we shall know whether the fault be ours, or not ours. And if ours, let us do everything to get the better of it; whereas if not ours, why do we afflict ourselves for nought? And why do we not pardon, but …
2,055 wordsSECTION 143Homily VIII.
Homily VIII. 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy we faint not, but we have renounced the hidden things of shame. Seeing he had uttered great things and had set himself and all the faithful before Moses, aware of the height [593] and greatness of what he had said, observe how he mo…
2,272 wordsSECTION 144Ver. 7. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves."
Ver. 7. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves." For seeing he had spoken many and great things of the unspeakable glory, lest any should say, And how enjoying so great a glory remain we in a mortal body?' he saith, that this very thing is i…
1,379 wordsSECTION 145Homily IX.
Homily IX. 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9 We are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken. He still dwells upon proving that the whole work is to be ascribed to the power of God, repressing the highmindedness of those that glory in themselves. For not this only,' saith he, is marv…
3,071 wordsSECTION 146[4.] And wherefore,' saith one, doth he not punish here?' That He may display that longsuffering of His, and may offer to us the salvation t
[4.] And wherefore,' saith one, doth he not punish here?' That He may display that longsuffering of His, and may offer to us the salvation that cometh by repentance, and not make our race to be swept away, nor pluck away those who by an excellent change are able to be saved, before that salvation. For if he instantly punished up…
1,587 wordsSECTION 147Homily X.
Homily X. 2 Cor. v. 1 For we know, that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. Again he arouses their zeal because many trials drew on [652] . For it was likely that they, in consequence of his absence, were weaker in respect to t…
2,304 wordsSECTION 148[5.] Seeing then he has persuaded them by many good things, henceforth he alarms them also by those of gloomier aspect [668] . For our inter
[5.] Seeing then he has persuaded them by many good things, henceforth he alarms them also by those of gloomier aspect [668] . For our interest consists both in the attainment of the good things and the avoidance of the evil things, in other words, hell and the kingdom. But since this, the avoiding of punishment, is the more for…
2,302 wordsSECTION 149Homily XI.
[664] ta sphodra potheina. [665] alue. [666] prodiorthose. [667] to kephalaion. [668] skuthropoteron. [669] kataseisas. [670] So Chrysostom here, but below with the Received text, "according to that," &c. [671] anista. [672] meson. [673] euthunas apaiteisthai. [674] to stuphon. [675] harpagai. [676] basanisteria. [6…
2,291 wordsSECTION 150"And gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation."
"And gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation." Here again he sets forth the dignity of the Apostles; showing how great a thing was committed to their hands, and the surpassing greatness of the love of God. For even when they would not hear the Ambassador that came, He was not exasperated nor left them to themselves, but con…
2,329 wordsSECTION 151Homily XII.
[682] The Apostles'. [683] The false Apostles. [684] i.e., self commendation. [685] Rec. text, Christ, [which is certainly correct.] [686] [Chrysostom seems to understand this clause in the way given in the Auth. Vers., but all modern critics take the aorist strictly and hold the meaning to be, not that all were previously d…
2,254 wordsSECTION 152"In love unfeigned." This was the cause of all those good things; this made him what he was; this caused the Spirit also to abide with him,
"In love unfeigned." This was the cause of all those good things; this made him what he was; this caused the Spirit also to abide with him, by Whose aid also all things were rightly done of him. Ver. 7. "In the word of truth." A thing he says in many places, that we continued neither to handle the word of God deceitfully nor t…
2,388 wordsSECTION 153Wilt thou that I show thee thine own riches, that thou mayest cease to count them happy that are rich in money? Seest thou this heaven here,
Wilt thou that I show thee thine own riches, that thou mayest cease to count them happy that are rich in money? Seest thou this heaven here, the sun, this bright and far shining star, and that gladdeneth our eyes, is not this too set out [725] common to all? and do not all enjoy it equally, both poor and rich? And the wreath of …
1,209 wordsSECTION 154Homily XIII.
Homily XIII. 2 Cor. vi. 11, 12 Our mouth is open unto you, O ye Corinthians, our heart is enlarged, ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. Having detailed his own trials and afflictions, for "in patience," saith he, "in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (v. 4, 5.) in stripes, in i…
2,276 wordsSECTION 155"For ye [745] are a temple of the living God." Now what he says is this. Neither hath your King aught in common with him, "for what concord
"For ye [745] are a temple of the living God." Now what he says is this. Neither hath your King aught in common with him, "for what concord hath Christ with Beliar?" nor have the things [aught in common], "for what communion hath light with darkness?" Therefore neither should ye. And first he mentions their king and then themsel…
2,080 wordsSECTION 156Homily XIV.
Homily XIV. 2 Cor. vii. 2, 3 Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. I say it not to condemn you; for l have said before, [as I have also declared above] [760] , that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together. Again he raiseth the discourse about love, mitigati…
3,007 wordsSECTION 157Homily XV.
[760] This clause, inserted by St. Chrysostom, is not found in the Received text. [761] eleeinoteron. [762] plektikoteron. [763] philotimos. [764] i.e., the Corinthians. [765] en R.T. epi St. C. [The former is the true text. C.] [766] Or his brother.' [767] oikeioi. [768] Or natural.' [769] chalon Field. The mss. have k…
2,205 wordsSECTION 158Ver. 13. "Therefore we have been comforted."
Ver. 13. "Therefore we have been comforted." Since we both showed our care for you and have been wholly successful. As he said also in another place, "Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord;" (1 Thess. iii. 8.) and again, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye?" (ib. ii. 19.) For this is life, …
2,877 wordsSECTION 159Homily XVI.
[770] For,' Rec. Text [which is correct. C.] [771] therapeuein. [772] to metron tes epitimeseos. [773] tas aphormas. [774] lamponta. [775] sunedesthai. [776] prodioikoumenos. [777] sunestesate. [778] diatetraphthai. [779] i.e. the incestuous person. [780] [The true text of this clause is given in the Rev. Vers. "That y…
2,212 wordsSECTION 160For in everything their obedience was beyond our expectations; nor because they showed mercy did they neglect the other virtues,' "but first
For in everything their obedience was beyond our expectations; nor because they showed mercy did they neglect the other virtues,' "but first gave themselves to the Lord." What is, "gave themselves to the Lord?" They offered up [themselves]; they showed themselves approved in faith; they displayed much fortitude in their trials, …
1,628 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.