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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostompersecuted, was spit upon, was accused, was mocked at, was falsely informed against, was drivenout, at last was crucified.“After our likeness, without sin.” In these words another thing also is suggested, that it is possibleeven for one in afflictions to go through them without sin. So that when he says also “in the likenessof flesh” ( Rom. viii. 3 ), he means not that He took on Him [merely] “the likeness of flesh,” but“flesh.” Why then did he say “in the likeness”? Because he was speaking about “sinful flesh”: 2839for it was “like” our flesh, since in nature it was the same with us, but in sin no longer the same.[6.] Ver. 16 . “Let us come then boldly [with confidence] unto the throne of His grace, thatwe may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”What “throne of grace” is he speaking of? that royal throne concerning which it is said, “TheLord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand.” ( Ps. cx. 1 .)What is “let us come boldly”? Because “we have a sinless High Priest” contending with theworld. For, saith He, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” ( John xvi. 33 ); for, this isto suffer all things, and yet to be pure from sins. Although we (he means) are under sin, yet He issinless.How is it that we should “approach boldly”? Because now it is a throne of Grace, not a throneof Judgment. Therefore boldly, “that we may obtain mercy,” even such as we are seeking. For theaffair is [one of] munificence, a royal largess.“And may find grace to help in time of need [for help in due season].” He well said, “for helpin time of need.” If thou approach now (he means) thou wilt receive both grace and mercy, for thouapproachest “in due season”; but if thou approach then , 2840 no longer [wilt thou receive it]. Forthen the approach is unseasonable, for it is not “then a throne of Grace.” Till that time He sittethgranting pardon, but when the end [is come], then He riseth up to judgment. For it is said, “Arise,O God, judge the earth.” ( Ps. lxxxii. 8 .) (“Let us come boldly,” or he says again having no “evilconscience,” that is, not being in doubt, for such an one cannot “come with boldness.”) On thisaccount it is said, “I have heard thee in an accepted time and in a day of salvation have I succoredthee.” ( 2 Cor. vi. 2 .) Since even now for those to find repentance who sin after baptism is ofgrace.But lest when thou hearest of an High Priest, thou shouldst think that He standeth, he forthwithleads to the throne. 2841 But a Priest doth not sit, but stands. Seest thou that [for Him] to be madeHigh Priest, is not of nature, 2842 but of grace and condescension, and humiliation?This is it seasonable for us also now to say, “Let us draw near” asking “boldly”: let us onlybring Faith and He gives all things. Now is the time of the gift; let no man despair of himself. Then[will be] the time of despairing, when the bride-chamber is shut, when the King is come in to seethe guests, when they who shall be accounted worthy thereof, shall have received as their portionthe Patriarch’s bosom: but now it is not as yet so. For still are the spectators assembled, still is thecontest, still is the prize in suspense.2839The words of Rom. viii. 3 , to which St. Chrys. alludes, are “ God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,” &c.2840τότε , “ at the Day of Judgment, ” opposed to “ now. ” “ in this life ” ; as ἐ κεῖ , “ there, ” “ yonder, ” is the usualexpression for the future state, opposed to ἐ νταῦθα , “ here, ” “ in this world. ”2841“ The throne of grace, ” as he has said, is that of Christ, on which He sits at the right hand of the Father.2842The Arians maintained that our Lord was Priest in His Divine Nature antecedent to the Incarnation. See the Oxfordtranslation of St. Athanasius against Arianism, p. 292, note m. [add p. 267. note l.; cf. also S. Cyril, Book 3 against Nestorius].577