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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom314injustice, let us still say, “The servant is not greater than his Lord” ( c. xiii. 16 ); and let us bringforward the words of the Jews, which they uttered in their madness, saying, “Thou art a Samaritan,and hast a devil” ( c. viii. 48 ); and, “He casteth out devils by Beelzebub.” ( Luke xi. 15 .) Foron this account He bare all these things, in order that we might walk in His footsteps, and endurethose mockings which disturb more than any other kind of reproach. Yet nevertheless He not onlybare these things, but even used every means to save and deliver from the appointed punishmentthose who did them. For He sent the Apostles also for their salvation, at least thou hearest themsaying, that, “We 2462 know that through ignorance ye did it” ( Acts iii. 17 ); and by these meansdrawing them to repentance. This let us also imitate; for nothing so much maketh God propitiousas the loving enemies, and doing good to those who despitefully use us. When a man insults thee,look not to him, but to the devil who moves him, and against him empty all thy wrath, but pity theman who is moved by him. For if lying is from the devil, to be angry without a cause is much moreso. When thou seest one turning another into ridicule, consider that it is the devil who moves him,for mockings belong not to Christians. For he who hath been bidden to mourn, and hath heard,“Woe, ye that laugh” ( Luke vi. 25 ), and who after this insults, and jests, and is excited, demandsnot reproach from us, but sorrow, since Christ also was troubled when He thought on Judas. Allthese things therefore let us practice in our actions, for if we act not rightly in these, we have cometo no purpose and in vain into the world. Or rather we have come to our harm, for faith is notsufficient to bring men to the Kingdom, nay, it even hath power 2463 in this way most to condemnthose who exhibit an ill life; for He “which knew his Lord’s will, and did it not, shall be beatenwith many stripes” ( Luke xii. 47 ); and again, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they hadnot had sin.” ( c. xv. 22 .) What excuse then shall we have, who have been set within the palace,and deemed worthy to stoop 2464 down and enter into the sanctuary, and have been made partakersof the releasing Mysteries, 2465 and who yet are worse than the Greeks, who have shared in none ofthese things? For if they for the sake of vainglory have shown so much true wisdom, much moreought we to go after all virtue, because it is pleasing to God. But at present we do not even despisewealth; while they have often been careless of their life, and in wars have given up their childrento their madness about devils, 2466 and have despised nature for the sake of their devils, but we donot even despise money for the sake of Christ, nor anger on account of God’s will, but are inflamed,and in no better state than the fevered. And just as they, when possessed by their malady, are allburning, so we, suffocated as by some fire, can stop at no point of desire, increasing both angerand avarice. On this account I am ashamed and astonished, when I behold among the Greeks mendespising riches, but all mad among ourselves. For even if we could find some despising riches,we should find that they have been made 2467 captive by other vices, by passion or envy; and a hardthing it is to discover true wisdom without a blemish. 2468 But the reason is, that we are not earnestto get our remedies from the Scriptures, nor do we apply ourselves to those Scriptures withcompunction, and sorrow, and groaning, but carelessly, if at any time we chance to be at leisure.2462“ I, ” N.T.2463or, “ the case admits, ” ἔ χει2464or, “ to peep, ” διακύψαι2465Ben. “ mysteries releasing from sins. ”2466i. e. their heathen worship.2467al. “ they are made. ”2468καθαράν472