Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 13
Chrysostom — Galatians through Philemon
SECTION 121
Homily I.
Homily I. Colossians i. 1, 2 "Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colossæ: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father." Holy indeed are all the Epistles of Paul: but some advantage have those which he sent after he was …
2,441 wordsSECTION 122Let us then follow after these friendships which are of the Spirit, for they are strong, and hard to be dissolved, and not those which arise
Let us then follow after these friendships which are of the Spirit, for they are strong, and hard to be dissolved, and not those which arise from the table, for these we are forbidden to carry in Thither. For hear Christ saying in the Gospel, Call not thy friends nor thy neighbors, if thou makest a feast, but the lame, the maime…
2,217 wordsSECTION 123If thou wilt consider also the guests themselves, thou wilt see that the one are within just what the others are without; blind, maimed, lam
If thou wilt consider also the guests themselves, thou wilt see that the one are within just what the others are without; blind, maimed, lame; and as are the bodies of these, such are the souls of those, laboring under dropsy and inflammation. For of such sort is pride; for after the luxurious gratification a maiming takes place…
1,658 wordsSECTION 124Homily II.
Homily II. Colossians i. 9, 10 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding; to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in th…
2,319 wordsSECTION 125Ver. 13. "Who delivered us," he saith, "from the power of darkness."
Ver. 13. "Who delivered us," he saith, "from the power of darkness." The whole is of Him, the giving both of these things and those; for nowhere is any achievement of ours. "From the power of darkness," he saith, that is, of error, the dominion of the devil. He said not "darkness," but "power"; for it had great power over us, a…
2,394 wordsSECTION 126O man, hast thou sinned? Thou hast for thy Master One that loveth man. Entreat, implore, weep, groan; and terrify others, and pray them that
O man, hast thou sinned? Thou hast for thy Master One that loveth man. Entreat, implore, weep, groan; and terrify others, and pray them that they fall not into the same. If in a house some servant, of those that had offended their master, says to his son, "My child, I have offended the master, do thou be careful to please him, t…
1,529 wordsSECTION 127Homily III.
Homily III. Colossians i. 15-18 "Who is the Image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation: for in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; an…
2,268 wordsSECTION 128All this God's power hath wrought. Why then place ye confidence in Angels? [750] saith he. For so far are they from bringing you near, that
All this God's power hath wrought. Why then place ye confidence in Angels? [750] saith he. For so far are they from bringing you near, that they were ever your enemies, except God Himself had reconciled you with them. Why then run ye to them? Wouldest thou know the hatred which the Angels had against us, how great it was; and ho…
2,235 wordsSECTION 129[737] P. of Samosata held the Divine Word, or Reason, to be a mere Attribute, and not a Person. The Person of our Lord would thus be simply
[737] P. of Samosata held the Divine Word, or Reason, to be a mere Attribute, and not a Person. The Person of our Lord would thus be simply Human, only with a Divine influence. See St. Ath. Def. of Nic. Def. c. v. § 11, Tr. This text of St. Paul is quoted against P. of Samosata, Conc. Ant. i. Labbe, t. i, p. 846, by the orthodox…
804 wordsSECTION 130Homily IV.
Homily IV. Colossians i. 21, 22 "And you, being in time past, enemies and alienated [768] in your mind, in your evil works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreprovable before Him." Here he goes to show that He reconciled those even who were unwort…
2,441 wordsSECTION 131Although these things are really fit subjects for enquiry: yet not for a meddling curiosity: for this is not for enquiry at all. For I will
Although these things are really fit subjects for enquiry: yet not for a meddling curiosity: for this is not for enquiry at all. For I will tell you the reason I spoke of. For suppose human nature as being some one continued life, and that in the first times our race was in the position of boyhood; in those that succeeded, of ma…
1,916 wordsSECTION 132Homily V.
Homily V. Colossians i. 26-28 "Even the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to His saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we proclaim, admonishing eve…
2,279 wordsSECTION 133For seeing God hath bestowed upon us benefits surpassing man's reasoning, suitably enough He hath brought in faith. It is not possible to be
For seeing God hath bestowed upon us benefits surpassing man's reasoning, suitably enough He hath brought in faith. It is not possible to be steadfast, when demanding reasons. For behold all our lofty doctrines, how destitute they are of reasonings, and dependent upon faith alone. God is not anywhere, and is everywhere. What hat…
2,154 wordsSECTION 134Homily VI.
Homily VI. Colossians ii. 6, 7 "As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." Again, he takes hold on them beforehand with their own testimony, saying, "As therefore ye received." We introduce no str…
2,660 wordsSECTION 135Beware then lest we be condemned by this, after saying, I renounce Satan, and array myself with Thee, O Christ. Rather however this should n
Beware then lest we be condemned by this, after saying, I renounce Satan, and array myself with Thee, O Christ. Rather however this should not be called "a bond," but a covenant. For that is "a bond," whereby one is held accountable for debts: but this is a covenant. It hath no penalty, nor saith it, If this be done or if this b…
1,476 wordsSECTION 136Homily VII.
Homily VII. Colossians ii. 16-19 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day, or a new moon, or a sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the Angels, dwelling in the things …
2,440 wordsSECTION 137But what? Wilt thou that we examine that object of many prayers, wealth? Come, let us examine it in its several parts. It hath luxury, it ha
But what? Wilt thou that we examine that object of many prayers, wealth? Come, let us examine it in its several parts. It hath luxury, it hath honors, it hath power. First then, if thou wilt, let us examine luxury. Is it not dust? yea, rather, it goeth by swifter than dust, for the pleasure of luxurious living reacheth only to t…
2,324 wordsSECTION 138Let him that likes quit me at once; let him that likes accuse me, I will not suffer it in any one. When I am about to be judged at the Tribu
Let him that likes quit me at once; let him that likes accuse me, I will not suffer it in any one. When I am about to be judged at the Tribunal of Christ, ye stand afar off, and your favor, while I am giving in my account. "Those words have ruined all! he says, [828] let him not [829] go and transfer himself to another sect!' Na…
862 wordsSECTION 139Homily VIII.
Homily VIII. Colossians iii. 5-7 "Mortify your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things' sake, cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience; in the which ye also walked aforetime, when ye lived in these things." I know that…
2,259 wordsSECTION 140He hath represented an arena within, in the thoughts, and a contest, and a wrestling, and an umpire. Then again, exhortation, "to the which
He hath represented an arena within, in the thoughts, and a contest, and a wrestling, and an umpire. Then again, exhortation, "to the which ye were called," he saith, that is, for the which ye were called. He has reminded them of how many good things peace is the cause; on account of this He called thee, for this He called thee,…
2,339 wordsSECTION 141Wherefore then, saith one, doth not God reprove the aid from such sources? He hath many times reproved, and yet hath not persuaded thee; He
Wherefore then, saith one, doth not God reprove the aid from such sources? He hath many times reproved, and yet hath not persuaded thee; He now leaveth thee to thine error, for It saith, "God gave them up unto a reprobate mind." (Rom. i. 28.) These things, moreover, not even a Greek who hath understanding could endure. A certain…
1,829 wordsSECTION 142Homily IX.
Homily IX. Colossians iii. 16, 17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. [860] And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Fat…
2,416 wordsSECTION 143Ver. 17. "And whatsoever ye do," he saith, "in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father throug
Ver. 17. "And whatsoever ye do," he saith, "in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." For if we thus do, there will be nothing polluted, nothing unclean, wherever Christ is called on. If thou eat, if thou drink, if thou marry, if thou travel, do all in the Name of Go…
1,084 wordsSECTION 144Homily X.
Homily X. Colossians iii. 18-25 "Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in [871] the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. Servants, obe…
2,264 wordsSECTION 145Ver. 3. "Withal praying for us also." See his lowlymindedness; he sets himself after them.
Ver. 3. "Withal praying for us also." See his lowlymindedness; he sets himself after them. "That God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ." He means an entrance, and boldness in speaking. Wonderful! The great athlete said not "that I may be freed from my bonds," but being in bonds he exhorted other…
2,461 wordsSECTION 146Homily XI.
I have spoken thus, because love of ornament is of itself a great evil, even were no other gendered by it, and it were possible to hold it without peril, (for it inciteth to vainglory and to pride,) but now many other evils are gendered by finery, evil suspicions, unseasonable expenses, evil speakings, occasions of rapacity. For…
2,220 wordsSECTION 147Then, he saith, seek ye glory, then honors, then all those other things, but not so now, but give them up to those without. Next, lest thou
Then, he saith, seek ye glory, then honors, then all those other things, but not so now, but give them up to those without. Next, lest thou think that he is speaking of money, he adds, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one." That it may not be full of hypocris…
2,222 wordsSECTION 148Tread we under foot the goads of envy, we advantage ourselves, beloved, ourselves shall we enwreath with the crown. He that envieth another
Tread we under foot the goads of envy, we advantage ourselves, beloved, ourselves shall we enwreath with the crown. He that envieth another fighteth with God, not with him; for when he seeth him to have grace, and is grieved, and wisheth the Church pulled down, he fighteth not with him, but with God. For tell me, if one should a…
1,011 wordsSECTION 149Homily XII.
Homily XII. Colossians iv. 12, 13 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness, that he hath much zeal [901] for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.…
2,305 wordsSECTION 150Remember we then these tears of his, and we shall laugh to scorn all present things. These tears did Christ pronounce blessed, saying, "Bles
Remember we then these tears of his, and we shall laugh to scorn all present things. These tears did Christ pronounce blessed, saying, "Blessed are they that mourn, and blessed are they that weep, for they shall laugh." (Matt. v. 4; Luke vi. 21.) Such tears did Isaiah too, and Jeremiah weep; and the former said, "Leave me alone,…
2,335 wordsSECTION 151For this cause He also calleth her a help, to show that they are one (Gen. ii. 18.); for this cause He honoreth their cohabitation beyond bo
For this cause He also calleth her a help, to show that they are one (Gen. ii. 18.); for this cause He honoreth their cohabitation beyond both father and mother, to show that they are one. (Gen. ii. 24.) And in like manner a father rejoiceth both when son and daughter marry, as though the body were hastening to join a member of …
2,216 wordsSECTION 152Homily I.
[911] [This sunalgein was changed in most mss. and the editions into sunagein, "gather together." Hales conjectured sunalgein. Field finds it in a ms. The other is indeed the more difficult reading, and likely to have been altered into an easy one, but the difficulty in this case becomes practically unintelligible.--J.A.B.] [91…
2,243 wordsSECTION 153"With joy of the Holy Ghost," he says. That no one may say, how speakest thou of "affliction"? how "of joy"? how can both meet in one? he ha
"With joy of the Holy Ghost," he says. That no one may say, how speakest thou of "affliction"? how "of joy"? how can both meet in one? he has added, "with joy of the Holy Ghost." The affliction is in things bodily, and the joy in things spiritual. How? The things which happened to them were grievous, but not so the things which …
2,207 wordsSECTION 154Homily II.
[936] [This seems to belong (as Hales suggested) after the next sentence, which is a remark upon the foregoing.--J.A.B.] [937] See Acts xvii. 9. [938] prolepsei. Assuming good of them before trial. [939] [It is very doubtful whether Rev. Ver. of N.T. is here right in omitting en (as in ii. 10.), and so translating "towards." …
2,380 wordsSECTION 155But with an excess of forbearance we do none of these things, that we may stop the mouths of the adversaries. And it cannot be said, that to
But with an excess of forbearance we do none of these things, that we may stop the mouths of the adversaries. And it cannot be said, that to you we act thus, but not so others. For thus also he said in his Epistle to the Corinthians: "For ye bear with a man if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you c…
2,205 wordsSECTION 156Homily III.
[950] agoni. [951] [This sentence, after Field's text, is awkward; but the manifest alterations introduced into the text followed in most editions do not really mend matters.--J.A.B.] [952] i.e. though sent by mere earthly kings. The Catena omits the word. [953] psuchen, both "soul" and "life." [954] [The reference is to Chr…
2,352 wordsSECTION 157Ver. 19. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye before our Lord Jesus at His coming?"
Ver. 19. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye before our Lord Jesus at His coming?" Are the Macedonians, tell me, thy hope, O blessed Paul? Not these alone, he says. Therefore he has added, "Are not ye also?" For "what," he says, "is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying"? Observe then the words…
2,287 wordsSECTION 158We are the masters of injuring or not injuring ourselves. And if you will, let us make the whole matter plain in the case of theft itself. T
We are the masters of injuring or not injuring ourselves. And if you will, let us make the whole matter plain in the case of theft itself. The thief has cut through the wall, he has rushed into the chamber, he has carried off costly golden vessels, and precious stones, in short, he has cleared thy whole treasure, and has not bee…
1,868 wordsSECTION 159Homily IV.
Homily IV. 1 Thessalonians iii. 5-8 "For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have goo…
2,390 wordsSECTION 160Ver. 11, 12. "Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you: and the Lord make you to increase and a
Ver. 11, 12. "Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you: and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you." This is a proof of excessive love, that he not only prays for them by himself, but even in his Epistles…
2,250 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.