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

NPNF (V1-14)St. ChrysostomThat by miracles, that by doctrines, 2357 and, that they should be of one soul; for this is glory,that they should be one, and greater even than miracles. As men 2358 admire God because there isno strife or discord in That Nature, and this is His greatest glory, “so too let these,” He saith, “fromthis cause become glorious.” “And how,” saith some one, “doth He ask the Father to give this tothem, when He saith that He Himself giveth it?” Whether His discourse be concerning miracles,or unanimity, or peace, He is seen Himself to have given these things to them; whence it is clearthat the petition is made for the sake of their comfort.Ver. 23 . “I in them, and Thou in Me.”“How gave He the glory?” By being in them, and having the Father with Him, so as to weldthem 2359 together. But in another place He speaketh not so; He saith not that the Father cometh byHim, but, “that He and the Father come, and take up their abode with him,” 2360 “there” removingthe suspicion of Sabellius, “here” that of Arius. 2361“That they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me.”( c. xiv. 23 .)He saith these latter words immediately after the other, to show that peace hath more power toattract men than a miracle; for as it is the nature of strife 2362 to separate, so it is that of agreementto weld together.“And I have 2363 loved them as Thou hast loved Me.”Here again the “as” means, as far as it is possible for a man to be loved; and the sure proof ofHis love is His giving Himself for them. After having told them that they shall be in safety, thatthey shall not be overturned, that they shall be holy, that many shall believe through them, that theyshall enjoy great glory, that not He alone loved them, but the Father also; He next telleth them ofwhat shall be after their sojourning here, 2364 concerning the prizes and crowns laid up for them.Ver. 24 . “Father,” He saith, “I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me whereI am.”“Then dost Thou gain by prayer, and dost Thou not yet possess that concerning which theyenquired continually, saying, ‘Whither goest Thou?’ What sayest Thou? How then didst Thou sayto them, ‘Ye shall sit upon twelve thrones’? ( Matt. xix. 28 .) How didst Thou promise other thingsmore and greater?” Seest thou that He saith all 2365 in the way of condescension? since how wouldHe have said, “Thou shalt follow afterwards”? ( c. xiii. 36 .) But He speaketh thus with a view toa fuller conviction and demonstration of His love.“That they may behold My glory which Thou hast given Me.”2357al. “ teaching. ”2358al. “ we. ”2359al. “ hold them. ”2360i.e. with him who keeps the commandments.2361al. “ there stopping the mouths of the Sabellians, here removing the folly of Arius. ” The earlier passage, c. xiv. 23 ,proves the distinct Personality, the latter, c. xvii. 23 , the Consubstantiality of the Son.2362al. “ division. ”2363“ and hast loved, ” N.T.2364Sav. conject. “ departure hence. ”2365al. “ all is said. ”455