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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostomotherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon 3076 neither the first[testament] was dedicated 3077 without blood.”[1.] It was probable that many of those who were more weakly would especially distrust thepromises of Christ because He had died. Paul accordingly out of a superabundance introduced thisillustration, 3078 deriving it from common custom. Of what kind is it? He says, “indeed, on this veryaccount we ought to be of good courage.” On what account? Because testaments are establishedand obtain their force when those who have made them are not living, but dead. “And for thiscause,” he says, “He is the Mediator of the New Testament.” A Testament is made towards the lastday, [the day] of death.And a testament is of this character: It makes some heirs, and some disinherited. So in this casealso: “I will that where I am,” Christ says, “they also may be.” ( John xvii. 24 .) And again of thedisinherited, hear Him saying, “I pray not for” all, “but for them that believe on Me through theirword.” ( John xvii. 20 .) Again, a testament has relation both to the testator, and to the legatees;so that they have some things to receive, and some to do. So also in this case. For after having madepromises innumerable, He demands also something from them, saying, “a new commandment Igive unto you.” ( John xiii. 34 .) Again, a testament ought to have witnesses. Hear Him againsaying, “I am one that bear witness of Myself, and He that sent Me beareth witness of Me.” ( Johnviii. 18 .) And again, “He shall testify of Me” ( John xv. 26 ), speaking of the Comforter. Thetwelve Apostles too He sent, saying, “Bear ye witness before God.” 3079[2.] “And for this cause” (he says) “He is the Mediator of the New Testament.” What is a“Mediator”? A mediator is not lord of the thing of which he is mediator, but the thing belongs toone person, and the mediator is another: as for instance, the mediator of a marriage is not thebridegroom, but one who aids him who is about to be married. So then also here: The Son becameMediator between the Father and us. The Father willed not to leave us this inheritance, but waswroth against us, and was displeased [with us] as being estranged [from Him]; He accordinglybecame Mediator between us and Him, and prevailed with Him.And what then? How did He become Mediator? He brought words from [Him] and brought[them to us], conveying over 3080 what came from the Father to us, and adding His own death thereto.We had offended: we ought to have died: He died for us and made us worthy of the Testament. Bythis is the Testament secure, in that henceforward it is not made for the unworthy. At the beginningindeed, He made His dispositions as a father for sons; but after we had become unworthy, therewas no longer need of a testament, but of punishment.3076“ whence. ”3077“ inaugurated. ” [ ἐ γκεκαίνισται . It cannot be denied that the word in the classics bears both the closely relatedmeanings of inaugurate and consecrate . The English editor has adopted the former throughout this homily; but as the commonmeaning in the LXX. is consecrate , and as the common name of the festival of the dedication of the restored temple was ἐγκαίνια , it seems better to keep to the word adopted both by the A.V. and the Revision.—F.G.]3078ὑ πόδειγμα3079This is not a citation of any words of our Lord: but probably John xv. 27 . which is substantially equivalent, was thepassage intended; the words are those of 1 Tim. v. 21 [I charge thee before God, Διαμαρτύρομαι ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ ] throwninto the imperative form.3080[ διαπορθμεύων , see above, p 379, note 1.]641