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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom224his comings in and goings out, and many other things, who is entirely given up 1660 and joined tohim, as it is likely that a body would be joined to a head, if she happen to be discreet and wellattuned, will go beyond and excel all others in the management of her husband.[4.] Wherefore I exhort women to make this their employment, and to give fitting counsel. Foras they have great power for good, so have they also for evil. A women destroyed Absalom, awoman destroyed Amnon, a woman was like to have destroyed Job, a woman rescued Nabal fromthe slaughter. Women have preserved whole nations; for Deborah and Judith exhibited successesworthy of men; so also do ten thousand other women. Wherefore Paul saith, “For what knowestthou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?” ( 1 Cor. vii. 16 .) And in those times we seePersis and Mary and Priscilla taking part in the labors 1661 of the Apostles ( Rom. 16 ); whom we1662also needs must imitate, and not by words only, but also by actions, bring into order him thatdwelleth with us. But how shall we instruct him by our actions? When he sees that thou art notevilly disposed, not fond of expense or ornament, not demanding extravagant supplies of money,but content with what thou hast, then will he endure thee counseling him. But if thou art wise inword, and in actions doest the contrary, he will condemn thee for very foolish talking. But whentogether with words thou affordest him also instruction by thy works, then will he admit thee andobey thee the more readily; as when thou desirest not gold, nor pearls, nor costly clothing, butinstead of these, modesty, sobriety, kindness; when thou exhibitest these virtues on thy part andrequirest them on his. For if thou must needs do somewhat to please thy husband, thou shouldestadorn thy soul, not adorn and so spoil thy person. The gold which thou puttest about thee will notmake thee so lovely and desirable to him, as modesty and kindness towards himself, and a readinessto die for thy partner; these things most subdue men. Indeed, that splendor of apparel even displeaseshim, as straitening his means, and causing him much expense and care; but those things which Ihave named will rivet a husband to a wife; for kindness and friendship and love cause no cares,give rise to no expense, but quite the contrary. That outward adornment becomes palling by use,but that of the soul blooms day by day, and kindles a stronger flame. So that if thou wouldest pleasethy husband, adorn thy soul with modesty, piety, and management of the house. These things bothsubdue him more, and never cease. Age destroys not this adornment, sickness wastes it not. Theadornment of the body length of time is wont to undo, sickness and many other things to waste,but what relates to the soul is above all this. That adornment causes envy, and kindles jealousy, butthis is pure from disease, and free from all vainglory. Thus will matters at home be easier, and yourincome without trouble, when the gold is not laid on about your body or encircling your arms, butpasses on 1663 to necessary uses, such as the feeding of servants, the necessary care of children, andother useful purposes. But if this be not the case, if the (wife’s) face be covered with ornaments,while the (husband’s) heart is pressed by anxiety, what profit, what kind of advantage is there? Theone being grieved allows not the marvelous beauty of the other to be seen. For ye know, ye knowthat though a man see the most beautiful of all women, he cannot feel pleasure at the sight whilehis soul is sorrowful, because in order to feel pleasure a man must first rejoice and be glad. Andwhen all his gold is heaped together to adorn a woman’s body, while there is distress in his dwelling,1660al. “ bound. ”1661σκαμμάτων , “ the arena, ” hence any severe labor.1662Ben. “ you. ”1663al. “ goes forward. ”339