Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 13
Chrysostom — Galatians through Philemon
SECTION 1
A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF1-13. Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon Creator(s): Chrysostom, St. Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Print Basis: Edinburgh: T&T Clark Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Early Church; Sermons; Proofed LC Call no: BR1705 LC…
2,202 wordsSECTION 2EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE
on the EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO the GALATIANS AND EPHESIANS. The Oxford Translations Revised, with Additional Notes, by rev. GROSS ALEXANDER, d.d., PROFESSOR OF NEW TESTAMENT GREEK IN VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN. Preface. ------------------------ St. Chrysostom's Commentary on the Epistle to the Ga…
2,299 wordsSECTION 3"Who raised Him from the dead."
"Who raised Him from the dead." Wherefore is it, O Paul, that, wishing to bring these Judaizers to the faith, you introduce none of those great and illustrious topics which occur in your Epistle to the Philippians, as, "Who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God," (Philip. ii. 6.) or whi…
2,345 wordsSECTION 4"Why then," they say, "does Paul call the present life evil?" In calling the present world [age] evil, he has accommodated himself to our us
"Why then," they say, "does Paul call the present life evil?" In calling the present world [age] evil, he has accommodated himself to our usage, who are wont to say, "I have had a bad day," thereby complaining not of the time itself, but of actions or circumstances. And so Paul in complaining of evil principles of action has use…
2,302 wordsSECTION 5Ver. 8, 9. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any Gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be
Ver. 8, 9. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any Gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema." See the Apostle's wisdom; to obviate the objection that he was prompted by vainglory to applaud his own doctrine, he includes himself also in his anathema; and as they betook th…
2,327 wordsSECTION 6"That I might preach Him among the Gentiles." For not only his faith, but his election to the Apostolic office proceeded from God. The objec
"That I might preach Him among the Gentiles." For not only his faith, but his election to the Apostolic office proceeded from God. The object, says he, of His thus specially revealing Himself to me, was not only that I might myself behold Him, but that I might also manifest Him to others. And he says not merely, "others," but, "…
2,209 wordsSECTION 7Ver. 20. "Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not."
Ver. 20. "Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not." Observe throughout the transparent humility of this holy soul; his earnestness in his own vindication is as great as if he had to render an account of his deeds, and was pleading for his life in a court of justice. Ver. 21. "Then I came i…
1,762 wordsSECTION 8Chapter II.
Chapter II. Verse 1-2 "Then after the space of fourteen years, [41] I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. And I went up by revelation." His first journey was owing to his desire to visit Peter, his second, he says, arose from a revelation of the Spirit. Ver. 2. "And I laid before them the Gos…
2,286 wordsSECTION 9Ver. 6. "For those who were reputed to be somewhat, imparted nothing to me:"
Ver. 6. "For those who were reputed to be somewhat, imparted nothing to me:" That is to say, when told of my proceedings, they added nothing, they corrected nothing, and though aware that the object of my journey was to communicate with them, that I had come by revelation of the Spirit, and that I had Titus with me who was unci…
2,334 wordsSECTION 10Ver. 13. "Insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation."
Ver. 13. "Insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation." Be not surprised at his giving this proceeding the name of dissimulation, for he is unwilling, as I said before, to disclose the true state of the case, in order to the correction of his disciples. On account of their vehement attachment to the La…
2,203 wordsSECTION 11Ver. 19, 20. "That I might live unto God, [65] I have been crucified with Christ."
Ver. 19, 20. "That I might live unto God, [65] I have been crucified with Christ." Having said, "I am dead," lest it should be objected, how then dost thou live? he adds the cause of his living, and shows that when alive the Law slew him, but that when dead Christ through death restored him to life. He shows the wonder to be tw…
2,541 wordsSECTION 12Chapter III.
[57] [For the bearing of this passage upon the Tübingen theory of Baur, "the most important of recent theological controversies" see Lightfoot's Commentary on Galatians, Excursus on St. Paul and the Three, pp. 191 ff., and Fisher's Supernatural Origin of Christianity, pp. 205-ff.--G.A.] [58] [For the bearing of this passage upo…
2,258 wordsSECTION 13And here, as the Law was the subject of discussion, he moots another special point of controversy, and very opportunely and with much cogenc
And here, as the Law was the subject of discussion, he moots another special point of controversy, and very opportunely and with much cogency introduces a notice of Abraham. Ver. 6. "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness." Even the miracles done by themselves, he says, declare the power o…
2,203 wordsSECTION 14Thus God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that in his seed the blessing should come upon the heathen; and this blessing the Law canno
Thus God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that in his seed the blessing should come upon the heathen; and this blessing the Law cannot turn aside. As this example was not in all respects appropriate to the matter in hand, he introduces it thus, "I speak after the manner of men," that nothing might be deduced from it derog…
2,270 wordsSECTION 15[86] ["A parenthetic justification from Deut. xxi. 23. of the startling expression just used. The passage refers to those criminals who, aft
[86] ["A parenthetic justification from Deut. xxi. 23. of the startling expression just used. The passage refers to those criminals who, after being stoned, were hung upon a stake, but were not permitted to remain over night lest the holy land should be desecrated. Our Saviour fulfilled the legal curse by hanging dead on the cro…
796 wordsSECTION 16Chapter IV.
Chapter IV. Verse 1-3 "But I say, that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bond-servant, though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards, until the term appointed of the father. So we also when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world." The word "child" in t…
2,234 wordsSECTION 17Ver. 20. "Yea, I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice."
Ver. 20. "Yea, I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice." Observe his warmth, his inability to refrain himself, and to conceal these his feelings; such is the nature of love; nor is he satisfied with words, but desires to be present with them, and so, as he says, to change his voice, that is, to change to…
2,218 wordsSECTION 18Next he states another inducement to them to abide in his doctrine.
Next he states another inducement to them to abide in his doctrine. [98] ["This reference of nepios to mental immaturity is quite in opposition to the context."--Meyer. "The heir in his nonage represents the Jewish people and the state of the world before Christ."--Schaff. So Meyer: "The kleronomos nepios represents the Christi…
965 wordsSECTION 19Chapter V.
Chapter V. Verse 1 "With freedom did Christ set us free; stand fast therefore [119] ." Have ye wrought your own deliverance, that ye run back again to the dominion ye were under before? It is Another who hath redeemed you, it is Another who hath paid the ransom for you. Observe in how many ways he leads them away from the err…
2,283 wordsSECTION 20Ver. 12. "I would that they which unsettle you, would even cut themselves off."
Ver. 12. "I would that they which unsettle you, would even cut themselves off." Observe how bitterly he speaks here against their deceivers. [129] At the outset he directed his charge against those who were deceived, and called them foolish, once and again. Now, having sufficiently corrected and instructed them, he turns to the…
2,303 wordsSECTION 21Again, the Scripture is wont to give the name of the Flesh to the Mysteries of the Eucharist, and to the whole Church, calling them the Body
Again, the Scripture is wont to give the name of the Flesh to the Mysteries of the Eucharist, and to the whole Church, calling them the Body of Christ. (Col. i. 24.) Nay, to induce you to give the name of blessings to the things of which the flesh is the medium, you have only to imagine the extinction of the senses, and you will…
2,254 wordsSECTION 22Chapter VI.
[136] [That is, the "psychical" man, from psuche, the soul.--G.A.] [137] ["If you adopt the rule of the Spirit, you thereby renounce your allegiance to the Law. In this passage the Spirit is doubly contrasted; first with the flesh, and secondly, with the Law, both of which are closely allied."--Lightfoot.--G. A ] [138] ["Would…
2,503 wordsSECTION 23Ver. 11, 12. "See with how large letters I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, the
Ver. 11, 12. "See with how large letters I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised." Observe what grief possesses his blessed soul. As those who are oppressed with some sorrow, who have lost one of their own kindred, and suffered an unexpect…
2,280 wordsSECTION 24[152] ["If any one wishes to find matter for boasting, let it be truly searched for in his own actions and not derived from a contrast of hi
[152] ["If any one wishes to find matter for boasting, let it be truly searched for in his own actions and not derived from a contrast of his own fancied virtues with the faults of others."--Ellicott.--G.A.] [153] [Ellicott says, "The qualitative and humbling distinction of Chrysostom does not appear natural or probable, nor do…
1,391 wordsSECTION 25Homily I.
Homily I. Chapter I. Verses 1-2 "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, [170] and the faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Observe, he applies the word "through" to the Father. But what then? Shall we say that…
2,343 wordsSECTION 26"Which He freely bestowed on us," he saith. He does not say, "Which He hath graciously given us," (echarisato) but, "wherein He hath shown g
"Which He freely bestowed on us," he saith. He does not say, "Which He hath graciously given us," (echarisato) but, "wherein He hath shown grace to us." (echaritosen) That is to say, He hath not only released us from our sins, but hath also made us meet objects [180] of His love. It is as though one were to take a leper, wasted …
2,239 wordsSECTION 27[177] [These words, en agape, are in the Revised Version and in the text of Westcott and Hort joined with what precedes, hagious kai amomous
[177] [These words, en agape, are in the Revised Version and in the text of Westcott and Hort joined with what precedes, hagious kai amomous. So also Alford. Meyer and Ellicott, however, are in accord with Chrysostom and probably right in joining en agape with proorisas, following.--G.A.] [178] [The good pleasure of His will me…
910 wordsSECTION 28Homily II.
Homily II. Chapter I. Verses 11-14 "In whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will." Paul earnestly endeavors on all occasions to display the unspeakable loving-kindness of God towards us, to the utmost of his power. For that …
2,333 wordsSECTION 29Again, what is adultery? What sort of necessity is there to bring us to this? Doubtless, it will be said, the tyranny of lust. But why, tell
Again, what is adultery? What sort of necessity is there to bring us to this? Doubtless, it will be said, the tyranny of lust. But why, tell me, should this be? What, is it not in every one's power to have his own wife, and thus to put a stop to this tyranny? True, he will say, but a sort of passion for my neighbor's wife seizes…
1,944 wordsSECTION 30Homily III.
Homily III. Chapter I. Verses 15-20 "For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus, which is among you, and which ye show toward all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of w…
2,256 wordsSECTION 31"Which is His body."
"Which is His body." In order then that when you hear of the Head you may not conceive the notion of supremacy only, but also of consolidation, and that you may behold Him not as supreme Ruler only, but as Head of a body. "The fulness of Him that filleth all in all" he says. As though this were not sufficient to show the clos…
2,252 wordsSECTION 32As then it is not meet that any one of the uninitiated be present, so neither is it that one of them that are initiated, and yet at the same
As then it is not meet that any one of the uninitiated be present, so neither is it that one of them that are initiated, and yet at the same time defiled. Tell me, suppose any one were invited to a feast, and were to wash his hands, and sit down, and be all ready at the table, and after all refuse to partake; is he not insulting…
1,463 wordsSECTION 33Homily IV.
Homily IV. Chapter II. Verses 1-3 "And you did He quicken, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein aforetime ye walked, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived, in th…
2,204 wordsSECTION 34Ver. 10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them."
Ver. 10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." Observe the words he uses. He here alludes to the regeneration, which is in reality a second creation. We have been brought from non-existence into being. As to what we were before, that is, the o…
2,239 wordsSECTION 35Homily V.
[216] [Paul's motive in this passage is probably not what Chrysostom says, but, on the contrary, to show how desperately bad their state was.--G.A.] [217] ["The word aer which is commonly confined to the region of the air, may be extended to all that supra-terrestrial but sub-celestial region which seems to be, if not the abode…
2,319 wordsSECTION 36How so? In that He was slain and dissolved the enmity therein. And not in this way only but also by keeping it. But what then, if we are rel
How so? In that He was slain and dissolved the enmity therein. And not in this way only but also by keeping it. But what then, if we are released from the former transgression, and yet are again compelled to keep it? Then were the case the same over again, whereas He hath destroyed the very law itself. For he says, "Having aboli…
2,213 wordsSECTION 37Homily VI.
[229] ["The emphatic pronoun is used, autos. But He is not put in opposition to ourselves' having made the peace, but as Bengel says, Not merely is He peacemaker, for at the cost of Himself' He procured peace.'"--Meyer.--G.A.] [230] ["The only mode of taking echthran in harmony with the context is not as Chrysostom, "but of the…
2,277 wordsSECTION 38Ver. 6. "That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body and fellow partakers." [244]
Ver. 6. "That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body and fellow partakers." [244] What is this; "fellow-heirs, and fellow-partakers of the promise, and fellow-members of the body?" This last is the great thing, that they should be one body; this exceeding closeness of relation to Him. For that they were t…
2,299 wordsSECTION 39Homily VII.
[235] [This passage does not refer to His bodily advent upon earth, as Chrysostom interprets, but following the account of his crucifixion more naturally refers to a spiritual advent, namely in the Holy Spirit, (in so far as it is Christ's spirit) Christ Himself came. He is our peace; yes, and He came and by His spirit and the m…
2,237 wordsSECTION 40Thus is his prayer now again, the very same as when he began. For what were his words in the beginning? "That the God of our Lord Jesus Chri
Thus is his prayer now again, the very same as when he began. For what were his words in the beginning? "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calli…
2,411 wordsPage 1 of 7Next →
Source & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.