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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostomwas [but] one. And how did the High Priest offer once for all? Thus were they wont [to do] fromthe beginning, for then also (he says) “the High Priest” offered “once for all.”And well said he, “not without blood.” (Not indeed without blood, yet not this blood, for thebusiness was not so great.) He signifies that there shall be a sacrifice, not consumed by fire, butrather distinguished by blood. For inasmuch as he called the Cross a sacrifice, though it had neitherfire, nor logs, nor was offered many times, but had been offered in blood once for all; he showsthat the ancient sacrifice also was of this kind, was offered “once for all” in blood.“Which he offers for himself;” again, “for himself; and for the errors of the people.” He saidnot “sins”; but “errors,” that they might not be high-minded. For even if thou hast not sinnedintentionally, yet unintentionally thou hast erred, 3041 and from this no man is pure.And everywhere [he adds] the “for himself,” showing that Christ is much greater. For if He beseparated from our sins, how did He “offer for Himself”? Why then saidst thou these things (onesays)? Because this is [a mark] of One that is superior.[3.] Thus far there is no speculation. 3042 But from this point he philosophizes 3043 and says, (ver. 8 ) “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet mademanifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing.” For this cause (he says) have these thingsbeen thus “ordained,” that we might learn that “the Holy of Holies,” that is, Heaven, is as yetinaccessible. Let us not then think (he says) that because we do not enter them, they have noexistence: inasmuch as neither did we enter the Most Holy [place].Ver. 9 . “Which” (he says) “was established 3044 as a figure for the time then present.” 3045 Whatdoes he mean by “the time present”? That before the coming of Christ: For after the coming ofChrist, it is no longer a time present: For how [could it be], having arrived, and being ended?There is too something else which he indicates, when he says this, “which [was] a figure forthe time then present,” that is, became the Type. “In which 3046 were offered both gifts and sacrifices,that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.” Thou seestnow what is [the meaning of] “The Law made nothing perfect,” ( Heb. vii. 19 ,) and “If that first[covenant] had been faultless.” ( Heb. viii. 7 .) How? “As pertaining to the conscience.” For thesacrifices did not put away 3047 the defilement from the soul, but still were concerned with the body:“after the law of a carnal commandment.” ( Heb. vii. 16 .) For certainly they could not put away3048adultery, nor murder, nor sacrilege. Seest thou? Thou hast eaten this, Thou hast not eaten that,which are matters of indifference. [“Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings.”“Thou hast drunk this,” he says: and yet nothing has been ordained concerning drink, but he saidthis, treating them as trifles. 30493041ἠ γνόησας3042θεωρία3043θεωρεῖ3044καθέστηκε3045ἐ νεστηκότα , or “ close at hand. ”3046καθ̓ ὃν [ καιρὸν ].3047ἠ φίεσαν , or “ forgive. ”3048ἀ φιέναι3049ἐ ξευτελίζων . As if they were so immaterial that he did not think it worth while to be accurate, and mentioned “ drinks,” about which there were no precepts. St. Chrys. had perhaps overlooked the law of the Nazarites, Numb. vi. 3635