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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom“Bear ye one another’s burdens,” saith he, “and so fulfill the law of Christ.” ( Gal. vi. 2 .) Sothen, both reproving and bearing with one another, shall we be able to fulfill edification. And thuswill ye make the labor light for us, in all things taking a part with us, and stretching out a hand, andbecoming sharers and partakers, both in one another’s salvation, and each one in his own. Let usthen endure patiently, both bearing “one another’s burdens,” and reproving: that we may attain tothe good things promised in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father together with the HolyGhost, be glory, might, honor, now and for ever and world without end. Amen.506Homily XXXI.Hebrews xii. 14“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, 3408 without which no one shall see the Lord .”[1.] There are many things characteristic of Christianity: but more than all, and better than all,Love towards one another, and Peace. Therefore Christ also saith, “My peace I give unto you.” (John xiv. 27 .) And again, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye love oneanother.” ( John xiii. 35 .) Therefore Paul too says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness,”that is, purity, 3409 “without which no man shall see the Lord .”“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.” As if they were traveling togetheron some long journey, in a large company, he says, Take heed that no man be left behind: I do notseek this only, that ye should arrive yourselves, but also that ye should look diligently after theothers.“Lest any man” (he says) “fail of the grace of God.” (He means the good things to come, thefaith of the gospel, the best course of life: for they all are of “the Grace of God.”) Do not tell me,It is [but] one that perisheth. Even for one Christ died. Hast thou no care for him “for whom Christdied”? ( 1 Cor. viii. 11 .)“Looking diligently,” he saith, that is, searching carefully, considering, thoroughly ascertaining,as is done in the case of sick persons, and in all ways examining, thoroughly ascertaining. “Lestany root of bitterness springing up trouble you.” ( Deut. xxix. 18 .) This is found in Deuteronomy;and he derived it from the metaphor of plants. “Lest any root of bitterness,” he says; which he saidalso in another place when he writes, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” ( 1 Cor. v. 6 .)Not for his sake alone do I wish this, he means, but also on account of the harm arising therefrom.That is to say, even if there be a root of this kind, do not suffer any shoot to come up, but let it becut off, that it may not bear its proper fruits, that so it may not defile and pollute the others also.For, he saith, “Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you; and by it many be defiled.”3408or, “ the sanctification. ”3409σεμνότητα , properly a disposition and conduct which creates respect or reverence: so specially (here as in other places)chastity. See Hom. xxx. [3], above, p. 504.733