Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom205It saith, “things honest,” not only in the sight of the Lord, but also “in the sight of all men.” ( Rom.xii. 17 .) Let us then use every means that our neighbor be not offended. For a life, though it bevery upright, if it offend others hath lost all. But how is it possible for the life that is upright tooffend? When the society of those that are not upright invests it with an evil reputation; for when,trusting in ourselves, we consort with bad men, even though we be not harmed, we offend others.These things I say to men and women and maidens, leaving it to their conscience to see exactlyhow many evils are produced from this source. Neither I, perhaps, nor any of the more perfect,suspect any ill; but the simpler brother is harmed by occasion of thy perfection; and thou oughtestto be careful also for his infirmity. And even if he receive no injury, yet the Greek is harmed. NowPaul biddeth us be “without offense, both to Jews and Greeks, and to the Church of God.” ( 1 Cor.x. 32 .) (I think no evil of the virgin, for I love virginity, and “love thinketh no evil” ( 1 Cor. xiii.5 ); I am a great admirer of that state of life, 1535 and I cannot have so much as an unseemly thoughtabout it.) How shall we per suade those that are without? For we must take forethought for themalso. Let us then so order what relates to ourselves, that none of the unbelievers may be able evento find a just handle of accusation against us. For as they who show forth a right life glorify God,so they who do the contrary cause Him to be blasphemed. May no such persons be among 1536 us:but may our works so shine, that our Father which is in Heaven may be glorified, and that we mayenjoy the honor which is from Him. To which may we all attain, through the grace andlovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and with whom, to the Father and the HolyGhost, be glory forever and ever. Amen.Homily LVIII.John ix. 17, 18“They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? Hesaid, He is a Prophet. The Jews then did not believe.”[1.] We must go over the Scriptures not in a chance way or carelessly, but with all exactness,that we be not entangled. Since even now in this place one might with show of reason question,how, when they had asserted, “This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath,” theynow say to the man, “What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes?” and not, “Whatsayest thou of him, that he hath broken the Sabbath?” but put now that which was the ground ofthe defense, not that of the accusation. What then have we to reply? That these (who speak) are notthe men who said, “This man is not of God,” but those who separated themselves from them, whoalso said, “A man that is a sinner cannot 1537 do such miracles.” For desiring to silence their opponents1535πολιτείας1536Morel. “ from among. ”1537“ How can a man, ” &c., N.T.311