Nicene/Post-Nicene, Series I, Volume 21
Chrysostom, A.D. 347 - 407
Again, consider the moderation of James.
He it was who received the Bishopric of Jerusalem ... .
Homilies on the Acts of the
Apostles, Homily III
... Therefore also this holy leader of the blessed
company, the lover of Christ, the good shepherd, the man
put in trust with the keys of heaven, the man who
received the Spiritual Wisdom, when he has first subdued
the Jews by fear; and has shown what great things have
been vouchsafed to the disciples, and what a right they
have to be believed, then first proceeds to speak
concerning Him....
Homilies on the Acts of the
Apostles, Homily VI
... "This is the stone," he says, "which
was set at nought of you builders, which is become the
head of the corner." (v. 11.) He reminds them also
of a saying which was enough to frighten them. For it had
been said, "Whosoever shall fall on this stone
shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will
grind him to powder. (Matt. xxi. 44.)...
¶ ... "This," says he, "is the Stone
which was set at naught by you builders ;" and then
he goes on to teach them, saying in addition, "Which
is made the head of the corner" (v. 11.); that is to
say, that the Stone is indeed approved!...
Homilies on the Acts of the
Apostles, Homily X
... Let us flee to this Rock which cannot be
shaken. If any one were to build for us a city, and throw
up a wall around it, and remove us to a land uninhabited,
where there were none to disturb us, and there supply us
with abundance of everything, and not suffer us to have
aught to trouble us with anybody, he would not set us in
such perfect safety, as Christ hath done now....
Homilies on the Acts of the
Apostles, Homily XIII
"And after they had held their peace, James
answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
Symeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And
to this agree the words of the prophets."
¶ This (James) was bishop, as they say, and therefore he
speaks last ... .
Homilies on the Acts of the
Apostles, Homily XXXIII
... They are like some labyrinth or puzzles which have no
end to them anywhere, and do not let the reason stand
upon the rock, and have their very origin in
vanity. For being ashamed to allow of faith ... .
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily II, Verses 12,
17
{The rock here being 'faith'}
... For what great thing, tell me, did Peter give? was it
not a net that was broken (Luke v. 6, 11), and a rod and
a hook only? Yet still God opened to him the houses of
the world, and spread before him land and sea, and all
men invited him to their possessions. Or rather they sold
what was their own, and brought it to their feet, not so
much as putting it into their hands, for they dared not,
so great was the honor they paid him, as well as their
profuseness. But he was Peter, you will say! And what of
this? O man! For it was not Peter only to whom He made
this promise, neither said He, Thou, O Peter, only art to
receive an hundred-fold, but "every one whosoever
hath left houses or brethren shall receive an hundredfold."
For it is not distinction of persons that He recognizes,
but actions that are rightly done....
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily VII, Verse 31
... For the people of the Jews did not receive the Spirit.
What then is his meaning here? It is the letter he giveth
this name to, for spiritual it was, and so he called the
Law spiritual also, and the water from the Rock,
and the Manna. "For they did eat," he says,
"of the same spiritual meat, and all drank of the
same spiritual drink." (1 Cor. x. 3, 4.) And to the Rock
he gives this name, when he says, "For they drank of
that spiritual Rock which followed them."...
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily XIV, Verse 15
Ver. 33. "As it is written, Behold I lay in Sion a
stumbling-stone, and rock of offence and whosoever
believeth on Him shall not be ashamed."
¶ ... so here too he implies that some will believe, and
some will stumble. But stumbling comes of not taking heed
... . Since then they did give heed to the Law, they
stumbled on the stone, "And a stone of
stumbling and rock of offence" he calls it
from the character and end of those that believe not.
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily XVI, Verse 33
... for He says, "He that abideth in Me and I in Him
"(John xv. 5): and a Friend; for, "Ye are My
friends "(ib. 14): and a Foundation, and Corner-stone.
And we are His members and His heritage, and building,
and branches, and fellow-workers....
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily XXIV, Verse 14
... even in the kingdom, the honors are not equal, nor
among the disciples were all alike, but the three were
preeminent above the rest. And among these three again
there was a great difference.... And yet all were
Apostles and all are to sit on twelve thrones, and all
left their goods, and all companied with Him; still it
was the three He took. And again, to these very three, He
said it was possible ... that some might even be superior.
"For to sit," He says, "on My right hand
and on My left, is not mine to give, save to those for
whom it is prepared." (Mark x. 40.) And He sets
Peter before them, when He says, "Lovest thou Me
more than these?" (John xxi. 15.) And John too was
loved even above the rest.
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily XXXI, Verse 16
Who is there then to pray over us, since Paul hath
departed? These who are the imitators of Paul. Only let
us yield ourselves worthy of such intercession ... , that
it may not be that we hear Paul's voice here only ... .
Or rather, if we hear him here, we shall certainly see
him hereafter ... near the Throne of the king. Where the
Cherubim sing the glory, where the Seraphim are flying,
there shall we see Paul, with Peter, and as a chief and
leader of the choir of the Saints, and shall enjoy his
generous love. For if when here he [Paul] loved men so,
that when he had the choice of departing and being with
Christ, he chose to be here, much more will he there
display a warmer affection. I love Rome even for this ...
and esteem it blessed on this account, that both in his
lifetime he wrote to them, and loved them so, and talked
with them whiles he was with us, and brought his life to
a close there. Wherefore the city is more notable upon
this ground, than upon all others together. And as a body
great and strong, it hath as two glistening eyes the
bodies of these Saints. Not so bright is the heaven, when
the sun sends forth his rays, as is the city of Rome,
sending out these two lights into all parts of the world.
From thence will Paul be caught up, from thence Peter.
Just bethink you, and shudder ... at the thought of what
a sight Rome will see, when Paul ariseth suddenly from
that deposit, together with Peter, and is lifted up to
meet the Lord. (1 Thess. iv. 17.) What a rose will Rome
send up to Christ! (Is. xxxv. 1) what two crowns will the
city have about it! what golden chains will she be girded
with! what fountains possess! Therefore I admire the
city, not for the much gold, not for the columns, not for
the other display there, but for these pillars of the
Church....
Homilies on the Epistle of St.
Paul to the Romans, Homily XXXII, Verse 24
Search Papacy Uncovered
Home | Early Church Writings | Email
|
|
|