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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom2972315freedom is, to want nothing at all; the next is, to want little; and this the Angels and their imitatorsespecially possess. But for men to succeed in this while tarrying in a mortal body, think how greatpraise this hath. This also Paul said, when writing to the Corinthians, “But I spare you,” and, “lestsuch should have trouble in the flesh.” 2316 ( 1 Cor. vii. 28 .) Riches are called “usables,” 2317 thatwe may “use” them rightly, and not keep and bury them; for this is not to possess them, but to bepossessed by them. Since if we are going to make this our aim how to multiply them, not that wemay employ them rightly, the order is reversed, and they possess us, not we them. Let us then freeourselves from this grievous bondage, and at last become free. Why do we devise ten thousanddifferent chains for ourselves? Is not the bond of nature enough for thee, and the necessity of life,and the crowd of ten thousand affairs, but dost thou twine also other nets for thyself, and put themabout thy feet? And when wilt thou lay hold on heaven, and be able to stand on 2318 that height? Fora great thing, a great thing is it, that even having cut asunder all these cords, thou shouldest be ableto lay hold on the city which is above. So many other hindrances are there; all which that we mayconquer, let us keep to the mean estate 2319 [and having put away superfluities, let us keep to whatis necessary.] Thus shall we lay hold on eternal life, through the grace and lovingkindness of ourLord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Homily LXXXI.John xvii. 6“I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine theywere, and Thou gavest them Me, and they have kept Thy word.”[1.] “‘ Messenger’ of great counsel” ( Isa. ix. 6 , LXX.), the Son of God is called, because ofthe other things which He taught, and principally because He announced the Father to men, as alsonow He saith, “I have manifested Thy Name unto the men.” For after having said, “I have finishedThy work,” He next explaineth it in detail, telling what sort of work. Now the Name indeed waswell known. For Esaias said, “Ye shall swear 2320 by the true God.” ( Isa. lxv. 16 .) But what I haveoften told you I tell you now, that though it was known, yet it was so only to Jews, and not to allof these: but now He speaketh concerning the Gentiles. Nor doth He declare this merely, but alsothat they knew Him as the Father. For it is not the same thing to learn that He is Creator, and thatHe hath a Son. But He “manifested His 2321 Name” both by words and actions.2315ἀ κριρῆς2316“ such shall have, ” &c., N.T.2317χρήματα2318al. “ rise up to. ”2319εὐτελείας2320[ ὁ μοῦνται ] LXX.2321i.e. the Father’s.447