Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 13
Chrysostom — Galatians through Philemon
SECTION 81
How then is it that we shall not suffer the same things? Let us not commit the same acts, and then shall we not suffer the same punishment.
How then is it that we shall not suffer the same things? Let us not commit the same acts, and then shall we not suffer the same punishment. They murmured, they were ungrateful; let us therefore not cherish these passions. How was it that they fell all of them? "They despised the pleasant land." (Ps. cvi. 24.) "How despised' it? …
1,362 wordsSECTION 82Homily XXIV.
Homily XXIV. Ephesians vi. 14-17 "Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take …
2,260 wordsSECTION 83And not only this, but we shall take also "the sword of the Spirit," and thus not only ward off his missiles, but smite the devil himself. F
And not only this, but we shall take also "the sword of the Spirit," and thus not only ward off his missiles, but smite the devil himself. For a soul that does not despair of herself, and is proof against those fiery darts, will stand with all intrepidity to face the enemy, and will cleave open his breastplate with this very swo…
2,249 wordsSECTION 84However, "this corruption" of the body "shall put on incorruption" (1 Cor. xv. 53.), but the other of the soul, never; for where incorruptio
However, "this corruption" of the body "shall put on incorruption" (1 Cor. xv. 53.), but the other of the soul, never; for where incorruption is, there is no [504] corruption. Thus is it a corruption which is incorruptible, which hath no end, a deathless death; which would have been, had the body remained deathless. Now if we sh…
1,286 wordsSECTION 85EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE
EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO the PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, AND THESSALONIANS. The Oxford Translation Revised, with Additional Notes, by rev. jOHN A. BROADUS, d.d., PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, LOUISVILLE, KY. Preface [to the Oxford Ed.] ------------------------ The present Volume complete…
2,376 wordsSECTION 86Let us put on this ornament. Let us make a golden chain for our soul, of mercy I mean, while we are here. For if this age [517] pass, we can
Let us put on this ornament. Let us make a golden chain for our soul, of mercy I mean, while we are here. For if this age [517] pass, we can use it no longer. And why? There there are no poor, There there are no riches, no more want There. While we are children, let us not rob ourselves of this ornament. For as with children, if…
1,008 wordsSECTION 87Homily I.
Homily I. Philippians i. 1, 2 "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, fellow-Bishops [521] and Deacons: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Here, as writing to those of equal honor, he does not set down his rank of Teacher, but…
2,253 wordsSECTION 88"And in the confirmation of the Gospel," he says. So then his bonds were a confirmation of the Gospel, and a defense. And most truly so. How
"And in the confirmation of the Gospel," he says. So then his bonds were a confirmation of the Gospel, and a defense. And most truly so. How? For if he had shunned bonds, he might have been thought a deceiver; but he that endures every thing, both bonds and affliction, shows that he suffers this for no human reason, but for God,…
2,209 wordsSECTION 89Homily II.
[537] i.e. than if ye did not acknowledge this. [538] al. "in their toils in order that we may share also in their great prizes." [539] [This last clause was wanting in the text of the printed editions earlier than the Benedictine. It is found in a good group of mss.--J.A.B.] [540] There is a ms. discourse of St. Macarius on …
2,289 wordsSECTION 90By that other course they would have extinguished the wrath of the Emperor, they would have let him go at large and preach again; but by thi
By that other course they would have extinguished the wrath of the Emperor, they would have let him go at large and preach again; but by this course they thought that because of him all would be ruined, could they but destroy him. The many however could not have this intention, but certain bitter men alone. Then "and therein," …
2,405 wordsSECTION 91Homily III.
And sometimes by saying to him, [555] "A great deed it will be if you make away with such an one! If you slay one poor man, what vast advantage will you reap?" we may thus soften down his anger. But envy sets itself against the rich, and ceases not until it has wrought its will, and has poured forth its venom. See you, neither p…
2,821 wordsSECTION 92Ver. 22. "But if to live in the flesh,--if this is the fruit of my work, then what I shall choose I wot not."
Ver. 22. "But if to live in the flesh,--if this is the fruit of my work, then what I shall choose I wot not." Lest any should say, If what you say is life, wherefore hath Christ left you here? "It is," he says, "the fruit of my work;" so that it is possible to use to good purpose the present life, while not living it. Lest you …
2,033 wordsSECTION 93Homily IV.
Homily IV. Philippians i. 22-26 "Then what I shall choose I wot not. But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; which is very far better: yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea and abide with you all, for you…
2,285 wordsSECTION 94Ver. 29. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer in his behalf."
Ver. 29. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer in his behalf." Again does he teach them moderation of spirit by referring all to God, and saying that sufferings in behalf of Christ are of grace, the gift of grace, a free gift. Be not then ashamed of the gift of grace, …
2,332 wordsSECTION 95Homily V.
[561] [The editions in Greek, and the Latin translations, without support from any known Greek ms., here repeat, "thou oughtest to desire thy release from these things." Field retains it as if necessary. Yet it is not necessary, and is in character quite similar to the additions which are so common in the altered text.--J.A.B.] …
2,300 wordsSECTION 96Again, listen to him who descended from Joseph, than whom no one was wiser. "Art thou wiser," [589] says he, "than Daniel?" (Ezek. xxviii. 3
Again, listen to him who descended from Joseph, than whom no one was wiser. "Art thou wiser," [589] says he, "than Daniel?" (Ezek. xxviii. 3.) This Daniel then, when all the wise men that were in Babylon, and the astrologers moreover, the prophets, the magicians, the enchanters, yea when the whole of their wisdom was not only co…
1,417 wordsSECTION 97Homily VI.
Homily VI. Philippians ii. 5-8 "Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obed…
2,302 wordsSECTION 98Attend, I entreat you, for the reasoning is long. Again, who would ever exhort to humility from such grounds as this? Examples ought to be m
Attend, I entreat you, for the reasoning is long. Again, who would ever exhort to humility from such grounds as this? Examples ought to be much greater than the subject, to which we are exhorting, for no one will be moved by what is foreign to the subject. For instance, when Christ would lead us to do good to our enemies, He bro…
2,257 wordsSECTION 99For tell me, why didst thou betray Him? He called thee, when a man unmarked and unknown. He made thee one of the twelve, He gave thee a shar
For tell me, why didst thou betray Him? He called thee, when a man unmarked and unknown. He made thee one of the twelve, He gave thee a share in His teaching, He promised thee ten thousand good things, He caused thee to work wonders, thou wert sharer of the same table, the same journeys, the same company, the same intercourse, a…
1,975 wordsSECTION 100Homily VII.
Homily VII. Philippians ii. 5-11 "Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God; but emptied Himself, taking upon Him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, bec…
2,263 wordsSECTION 101Thus much against these heretics. I must now speak against such as deny that He took a soul. [626] If "the form of God" is "perfect God," th
Thus much against these heretics. I must now speak against such as deny that He took a soul. [626] If "the form of God" is "perfect God," then the "form of a servant" is "a perfect servant." Again, against the Arians. Here concerning His divinity, we no longer find "He became," "He took," but "He emptied Himself, taking the form…
2,292 wordsSECTION 102Listen to the Wise Man, who says, "I saw a man wise in his own conceit; there is more hope of a fool than of him." (Prov. xxvi. 12.) Seest t
Listen to the Wise Man, who says, "I saw a man wise in his own conceit; there is more hope of a fool than of him." (Prov. xxvi. 12.) Seest thou how it was not without reason I said that the evil of which I am speaking is worse than that of folly, for it is written, "There is more hope of a fool than of him"? Wherefore, Paul too …
1,898 wordsSECTION 103Homily VIII.
Homily VIII. Philippians ii. 12-16 "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disput…
2,235 wordsSECTION 104Wherefore then murmur? Because thou art poor? Yet think of Job. Or because sickness is thy lot? What then if, with the consciousness of as m
Wherefore then murmur? Because thou art poor? Yet think of Job. Or because sickness is thy lot? What then if, with the consciousness of as many excellencies and as high attainments as that holy man, thou hadst been so afflicted? Again reflect on him, how that for a long time he never ceased to breed worms, sitting upon a dunghil…
2,216 wordsSECTION 105Homily IX.
[633] [The Sept. uses this vague euphemism in place of "curse God." The Oxford tr. omits the clause.--J.A.B.] [634] Eng. Vers. "My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust." [635] Viz. that they were forced. [636] sozomenon. [637] [The term logos, "word," Chrys. here fancifully takes in the sense of ground, reason, prin…
2,244 wordsSECTION 106Ver. 29. "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy."
Ver. 29. "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy." "In the Lord" either means spiritually and with much zeal, or rather "in the Lord" means God willing. Receive him in a manner worthy of saints, as saints should be received with all joy. All this he does for their sakes, not for that of his messengers, for greater gain…
2,377 wordsSECTION 107But as I said, no one searches out these things, no one busies himself about these things, no one communes with himself on any of these thin
But as I said, no one searches out these things, no one busies himself about these things, no one communes with himself on any of these things. Would ye that I should add still more? "Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, saith the Christ, is not worthy of Me." (Luke xiv. 33; Matt. x. 37.) What when he says, "It is hard for …
1,800 wordsSECTION 108Homily X.
Homily X. Philippians iii. 1-3 "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and hav…
2,732 wordsSECTION 109Again, how is it when we erect splendid and spacious mansions, decorated with columns, marbles, porticos, arcades, and in every possible way
Again, how is it when we erect splendid and spacious mansions, decorated with columns, marbles, porticos, arcades, and in every possible way, setting images and statues everywhere? Many indeed even call demons out of these, i.e. the images, but let us omit the examination of those points. What too is the meaning of the gilded ce…
2,088 wordsSECTION 110Homily XI.
Homily XI. Philippians iii. 7-10 "Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yea verily, and I counted all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may gain Christ and be found in…
2,429 wordsSECTION 111Ver. 12. "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may apprehend that for which also I
Ver. 12. "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may apprehend that for which also I was apprehended by Christ Jesus." "Not that I have already obtained." What means "already obtained"? He speaks of the prize, but if he who had endured such sufferings, he who was persecuted…
1,728 wordsSECTION 112Homily XII.
Homily XII. Philippians iii. 13, 14 "Brethren, I count not myself yet to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Nothing so renders our real excell…
2,458 wordsSECTION 113For tell me, was captivity any harm? None at all. For consider, I pray thee, Joseph, who became a slave, and preserved his virtue. Consider
For tell me, was captivity any harm? None at all. For consider, I pray thee, Joseph, who became a slave, and preserved his virtue. Consider Daniel, and the Three Children, who became captives, and how much the more they shone forth, for virtue shineth everywhere, is invincible, and nothing can put hindrances in its way. But why …
1,140 wordsSECTION 114Homily XIII.
Homily XIII. Philippians iii. 18-21 "For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we wait fo…
2,354 wordsSECTION 115All we have, saith he, is in the heavens, our Saviour, our city, whatever a man can name: "whence," saith he, "we wait for a Saviour, the Lo
All we have, saith he, is in the heavens, our Saviour, our city, whatever a man can name: "whence," saith he, "we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." And this is an act of His kindness and love toward man. He Himself again cometh to us, he doth not drag us thither, but takes us, and so departs with us. And this is a mark…
1,373 wordsSECTION 116Homily XIV.
Homily XIV. Philippians iv. 4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: again I will say, Rejoice. Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understa…
2,261 wordsSECTION 117God is not a God of war and fighting. Make war and fighting to cease, both that which is against Him, and that which is against thy neighbor
God is not a God of war and fighting. Make war and fighting to cease, both that which is against Him, and that which is against thy neighbor. Be at peace with all men, consider with what character God saveth thee. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matt. v. 9.) Such always imitate the Son of Go…
862 wordsSECTION 118Homily XV.
Homily XV. Philippians iv. 10-14 "But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abused, and I kno…
2,418 wordsSECTION 119Ver. 16. "For even in Thessalonica, ye sent once and again unto my need."
Ver. 16. "For even in Thessalonica, ye sent once and again unto my need." Here again is great praise, that he, when dwelling in the metropolis, [679] should be nourished by a little city. And lest, by always withdrawing himself from the supposition of want, he should, as I said at first, render them amiss, having previously sho…
2,567 wordsSECTION 120These things we know from the writers [689] that are without: but if ye will, I will adduce instances from the Scripture too. Saul was the f
These things we know from the writers [689] that are without: but if ye will, I will adduce instances from the Scripture too. Saul was the first king, and ye knew how he perished, after experiencing numberless ills. After him, David, Solomon, Abia, Hezekiah, Josiah, in like sort. For it is not possible, without affliction and to…
1,525 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.