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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom484being reproached for the sake of Christ he accounted better than being thus at ease; and this itselfby itself was reward.“Choosing rather” (he says) “to suffer affliction with the people of God.” For ye indeed sufferon your own account, but he “chose” [to suffer] for others; and voluntarily threw himself into somany dangers, when it was in his power both to live religiously, and to enjoy good things.“Than” (he says) “to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” He called unwillingness “to sufferaffliction with the” rest “sin”: this, he says, [Moses] accounted to be “sin.” If then he accounted it“sin” not to be ready to “suffer affliction with” the rest, it follows that the suffering affliction mustbe a great good since he threw himself into it from the royal palace.But this he did, seeing some great things before him. “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greaterriches than the treasures of Egypt.” What is, “the reproach of Christ”? It is being reproached insuch ways as ye are, the reproach which Christ endured; Or that he endured for Christ’s sake: for“that rock was Christ” 3294 ( 1 Cor. x. 4 ); the being reproached as you are.But what is “the reproach of Christ”? That [because] we repudiate the [ways] of our fathers weare reproached; that we are evil-entreated when we have run to God. It was likely that he also wasreproached, when it was said to him, “Wilt thou kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?”( Ex. ii. 14 .) This is “the reproach of Christ,” to be ill-treated to the end, and to the last breath: asHe Himself was reproached and heard, “If Thou be the Son of God” ( Matt. xxvii. 40 ), from thosefor whom He was crucified, from those who were of the same race. This is “the reproach of Christ”when a man is reproached by those of his own family, or by those whom he is benefiting. For[Moses] also suffered these things from the man who had been benefited [by him].In these words he encouraged them, by showing that even Christ suffered these things, andMoses also, two illustrious persons. So that this is rather “the reproach of Christ” than of Mosesinasmuch as He suffered these things from “His own.” ( John i. 11 .) But neither did the one sendforth lightnings, nor the Other feel any [anger], 3295 but He was reviled and endured all things, whilstthey “wagged their heads.” ( Matt. xxvii. 39 .) Since therefore it was probable that they [thereaders] also would hear such things, and would long for the Recompense, he says that even Christand Moses had suffered the like. So then ease 3296 is [the portion] of sin; but to be reproached, ofChrist. For what then dost thou wish? “The reproach of Christ,” or ease?[5.] ( Ver. 27 ) “By faith he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the king; for he enduredas seeing Him who is Invisible.” What dost thou say? That he did not fear? And yet the Scripturesays, that when he heard, he “was afraid” 3297 ( Ex. ii. 14 ), and for this cause provided for safetyby flight, and stole away, and secretly withdrew himself; and afterwards he was exceedingly afraid.Observe the expressions with care: he said, “not fearing the wrath of the king,” with reference tohis even presenting himself again. For it would have been [the part] of one who was afraid, not toundertake again his championship, nor to have any hand in the matter. That he did however again3294The later mss. and common editions add some explanatory words, thus: “ he suffered for Christ’s sake when he wasreviled in the matter of the rock, from which he brought out water: and ‘ that rock ’ (he says) ‘ was Christ ’” ; they omit theclause next following.3295ἔ παθε τι3296ἄ νεσις3297See Ex. ii. 14, 15 . St. Chrys. is speaking of Moses’ flight after killing the Egyptian.701