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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostomsinner. Let us think of those who come to the justice-hall on some account of extortion, oroverreaching; 133 how base and ridiculous they appear to all by their utter shamelessness, their lies,and audacity. 134 But we are such pitiable and wretched beings, that we cannot bear ourselves toput on a garment awkwardly or awry; nay, if we see another person in this state, we set him right;and yet though we and all our neighbors are walking on our heads, we do not even perceive it. Forwhat, say, can be more shameful than a man who goes in to a harlot? what more contemptible thanan insolent, a foul-tongued or an envious man? Whence then is it that these things do not seem sodisgraceful as to walk naked? Merely from habit. To go naked no one has ever willingly endured;but all men are continually venturing on the others without any fear. Yet if one came into an assemblyof angels, among whom nothing of the sort has ever taken place, there he would clearly see thegreat ridicule (of such conduct). And why do I say an assembly of angels? Even in the very palacesamong us, should one introduce a harlot and enjoy her, or be oppressed by excess of wine, or commitany other like indecency, he would suffer extreme punishment. But if it be intolerable that menshould dare such things in palaces, much more when the King is everywhere present, and observeswhat is done, shall we if we dare them undergo severest chastisement. Wherefore let us, I exhortyou, show forth in our life much gentleness, much purity, for we have a King who beholds all ouractions continually. In order then that this light may ever richly enlighten us, let us gladly accept135these bright beams, 136 for so shall we enjoy both the good things present and those to come,through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom, and with whom, to theFather, and the Holy Spirit, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Homily VI.John i. 6“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”[1.] Having in the introduction spoken to us things of urgent importance 137 concerning God theWord, (the Evangelist) proceeding on his road, and in order, afterwards comes to the herald of theWord, his namesake John. And now that thou hearest that he was “sent from God,” do not for thefuture imagine that any of the words spoken by him are mere man’s words; for all that he utters isnot his own, but is of Him who sent him. Wherefore he is called 138 “messenger” ( Mal. iii. 1 ),for the excellence of a messenger is, that he say nothing of his own. But the expression “was,” in133πλεονεξίας .134ἰ ταμευόμενοι .135ἐ πισπασώμεθα .136ἀ κτῖνα .137τὰ κατεπείγοντα .138al. προηγόρευται , “is foretold.”43