Homily IV.

1 Thessalonians iii. 5–8

“For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you; for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

A question lies before us to-day, which is much disputed, and which is gathered from many sources. But what is this question? “For this cause,” he says, “when I could no longer forbear, I sent Timothy that I might know your faith.” What sayest thou? He, who knew so many things, who heard unutterable words, who ascended even to the third heaven, doth not he know, even when he is in Athens? And yet the distance is not great, nor has he been long parted from them. For he says, “Being bereaved of you for a short season.” He does not know the affairs of the Thessalonians, but is compelled to send Timothy to know their faith, “lest,” he says, “the tempter had tempted you, and our labors should be in vain.”

What then is one to say? That the Saints knew not all things. And this one might learn from many instances, both of the early ones, and of those who came after them, as Elisha knew not concerning the woman (2 Kings iv. 27.); as Elijah said to God, “I only am left, and they seek my life.” Wherefore he heard from God, “I have left me seven thousand men.” (1 Kings xix. 10 and 18.) Samuel again, when he was sent to anoint David; “The Lord said to him, Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for God seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. xvi. 7.)

And this comes to pass out of great care on God’s part. How, and in what way? For the sake both of the Saints themselves, and of those who believe in them. For as He permits that there should be persecutions, so He permits that they should also be ignorant of many things, that they may be kept humble. On this account also Paul said, “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted over much.” (2 Cor. xii. 7.) And again, lest others also should have great imaginations concerning them. For if they thought they were gods from their miracles, much more if they had continued always knowing all things. And this again he also says: “Lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.” (2 Cor. xii. 6.) And again hear Peter, when he healed the lame man, saying, “Why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk.” (Acts iii. 12.) And if even when they were saying and doing these things, and from these few and small miracles, evil imaginations were thus engendered, much more would they have been from great ones.

But for another reason too these things were allowed. For that no one might be able to say it was as being other than men that they performed those excellent actions, and so all should become supine, he shows their infirmity, that from their folly he might cut off every pretext of shamelessness. For this reason he is ignorant, for this reason also, after having purposed, he frequently does not come, that they might perceive there were many things he knew not. Great advantage then came of this. For if there were some yet saying, “This man is that power of God which is called Great” (Acts viii. 10.), and some, that it is this person, or that; unless these things had been so, what would they not have thought?

But here, however, there seems to be a censure on them. But quite otherwise, it even shows their admirable conduct, and proves the excess of their temptations. How? Attend. For if thou first sayest “that we are appointed thereunto,” and “let no man be moved,” why again dost thou send Timothy, fearing that something might happen which thou wouldest not wish. This indeed he does from his great love. For those who love suspect even what is safe, from their exceeding warmth. But this is caused by their great temptations. For I said indeed that we are appointed thereunto, but the excess of the temptations alarmed me. Wherefore he has not said, I send him as condemning you, but “when I could no longer forbear,” which is rather an expression of love.

What means, “Lest by any means the tempter had tempted you”? Dost thou see that to be shaken in afflictions proceeds from the devil, and from his seduction? For when he cannot shake us ourselves, he takes another way,52    ἑτέρως might be taken thus, “when he cannot shake us otherwise,” the other being a last resource against us. and shakes the weaker sort through our means, which argues exceeding infirmity, and such as admits of no excuse; as he did in the case of Job, having stirred up his wife, “Speak some word against the Lord,” she says, “and die.” (Job ii. 9, Sept.) See how he tempted her.

But wherefore has he not said, “shaken,” but “tempted”? Because, he says, I only suspected so much, as that you had been tempted. For he does not call his temptation a wavering. For he who admits his attack is shaken. Strange! how great is the affection of Paul! He did not regard afflictions, nor plots against him. For I think that he then remained there, as Luke says, that “he abode in Greece three months, when53    The Greek will read thus, but will hardly bear the construction. [The plot was at the end of the three months, and caused him to change his course.—J.A.B.] the Jews laid a plot against him.” (Acts xx. 3.)

His concern therefore was not for his own dangers, but for his disciples. Seest thou how he surpassed every natural parent? For we in our afflictions and dangers lose the remembrance of all. But he so feared and trembled for his children, that he sent to them Timothy, whom alone he had for his consolation, his companion and fellow-laborer, and him too in the very midst of dangers.

“And our labor,” he says, “should be in vain.” Wherefore! for even if they were turned aside, it was not through thy fault, not through thy negligence. But nevertheless, though this were the case, I think, from my great love of the brethren, that my labor had been rendered vain.

“Lest by any means the tempter had tempted you.” But he tempts, not knowing whether he shall overthrow. Does he then, even though he knows not, yet assail us, and do we, who know that we shall completely overcome him, not watch? But that he does attack us, though he knows not, he showed in the case of Job. For that evil demon said to God, “Hast Thou not made a hedge about his things within, and his things without? Take away his goods, and surely he will bless54    [The Hebrew word denotes both bless and curse (perhaps both derived from the idea of supplicating God). The Septuagint translates “bless” in i. 11 and ii. 5, and evades by paraphrases in i. 5, “devised evil against God,” and ii. 9, “say some word unto the Lord.”—J.A.B.] Thee to Thy face.” (Job i. 10, 11, Sept.) He makes trial; if he sees anything weak, he makes an attack, if strong, he desists. “And our labor,” he says, “be in vain.” Let us all hear, how Paul labored. He does not say work, but “labor”; he does not say, and you be lost, but “our labor.”55    [Three Greek words are employed. The Apostle’s term would be better translated “toil”; and so Chrys. remarks, “He does not say work, but toil.” The same distinction is to be observed in Rev. xiv. 13, “in that they shall rest from their toils, for their works follow with them.” The verb here employed by Chrys., “how Paul labored,” signifies weary or suffering labor.—J.A.B.] So that even if anything had happened, it would be happening with some reason. But that it did not happen was a great wonder. These things indeed we expected, he says, but the contrary happened. For not only did we receive from you no addition to our affliction but even consolation.

“But when Timothy came even now unto us, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love.” “Brought us glad tidings,” he says. Do you see the excessive joy of Paul? he does not say, brought us word, but “brought us glad tidings.” So great a good did he think their steadfastness and love. For it was necessary, the one remaining firm, that the other also must be steadfast. And he rejoiced in their love, because it was a sign of their faith. “And that ye have,” he says, “good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you.” That is, with praises. Not when we were present, nor when we were working miracles, but even now, when we are far off, and are scourged, and are suffering numberless evils, “ye have good remembrance of us.” Hear how disciples are admired, who have good remembrance of their teachers, how they are called blessed. Let us imitate these. For we benefit ourselves, not those who are loved by us. “Longing to see us,” he says, “as we also to see you.” And this too cheered them; for to him who loves, to perceive that the beloved person knows that he is beloved, is a great comfort and consolation.

“For this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord.” What is comparable to Paul, who thought the salvation of his neighbors was his own, being so affected towards all, as really towards members? Who now would be able to break forth into such speech? Or rather, who will ever be able to have such a thought? He did not require them to be thankful to him for the trials which he suffered for them, but he was thankful to them that they were not moved on account of his trials. As if he had said, that to you rather than to us was injury done by those trials; you were tempted rather than we, you who suffered nothing, rather than we who suffered. Because, he says, Timothy brought us these good tidings, we feel nothing of our sorrows, but were comforted in all our affliction; not in this affliction only. For nothing besides can touch a good teacher, as long as the affairs of his disciples go on to his mind. Through you, he says, we were comforted; you confirmed us. And yet the reverse was the case. For that when suffering they did not yield, but stood manfully, was sufficient to confirm the disciples. But he reverses the whole matter, and turns the encomium over to them. You have anointed us, he says, you have caused us to breathe again; you have not suffered us to feel our trials. And he has not said, we breathe again, nor we are comforted, but what? “Now we live,” showing that he thinks nothing is either trial or death, but their stumbling, whereas their advancement was even life. How else could any one have set forth either the sorrow for the weakness of one’s disciples, or the joy? He has not said we rejoice, but “we live,” the life to come.

So that without this we do not even think it life to live. So ought teachers to be affected, so disciples; and there will be nothing at any time amiss.56    ἄτοπον. Then further softening the expression, see what he says,

Ver. 9, 10. “For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”

Not only, he says, are ye the causes of life to us, but also of much joy, and so much that we cannot worthily give thanks to God. Your57    So Musculus, who may have had ms. authority. All Greek copies except Catena read “our,” which requires κατόρθωμα to be rendered “achievement” in a less proper sense. [Three mss. give “our,” and although two of them form a group that abounds in wrong alterations, yet the present reading is probably correct.—J.A.B.] good behavior, he says, we consider to be the gift of God. Such kindnesses have you shown to us, that we think it to be of God; yea, rather, and it is of God. For such a disposition of mind comes not of a human soul or carefulness.

“Night and day,” he says, “praying exceedingly.” This too is a sign of joy. For as any husbandman, hearing concerning his land that has been tilled by himself, that it is burdened with ears of grain, longs with his own eyes to see so pleasant a sight, so Paul to see Macedonia. “Praying exceedingly.” Observe the excess; “that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith.”

Here there is a great question. For if now thou livest, because they stand fast, and Timothy brought thee “glad tidings of their faith and love,” and thou art full of so much joy as not to be able worthily to give thanks to God, how sayest thou here that there are deficiencies in their faith? Were those then the words of flattery? By no means, far be it. For previously he testified that they endured many conflicts, and were no worse affected than the Churches in Judæa. What then is it? They had not enjoyed the full benefit of his teaching, nor learned all that it behoved them to learn. And this he shows toward the end. Perhaps there had been questionings among them concerning the Resurrection, and there were many who troubled them, not by temptations, nor by dangers, but by acting the part of teachers. This is what he says is lacking in their faith, and for this reason, he has so explained himself, and has not said, that you should be confirmed, where indeed he feared concerning the faith itself, “I have sent,” he says, “Timothy ‘to confirm you,’” but here, “to perfect that which is lacking,” which is rather a matter of teaching than of confirming. As also he says elsewhere, “that ye may be perfected unto every good work.” (From 1 Cor. i. 10, or 2 Tim. iii. 17.) Now the perfected thing is one in which there is some little deficiency: for it is that which is brought to perfection.

Ver. 11, 12. “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you: and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you.”

This is a proof of excessive love, that he not only prays for them by himself, but even in his Epistles inserts his prayer. This argues a fervent soul, and one truly not to be restrained. This is a proof of the prayers made there also, and at the same time also an excuse, as showing that it was not voluntarily, nor from indolence, that they58    St. Paul and Silvanus. did not go to them. As if he had said, May God Himself cut short the temptations that everywhere distract us, so that we may come directly to you. “And the Lord make you to increase and abound.” Do you see the unrestrainable madness of love that is shown by his words? “Make you to increase and abound,”59    The words are strong, “make you to exceed and overflow.” instead of cause you to grow. As if one should say, that with a kind of superabundance he desires to be loved by them. “Even as we do also toward you,” he says. Our part is already done, we pray that yours may be done. Do you see how he wishes love to be extended, not only toward one another, but everywhere? For this truly is the nature of godly love, that it embraces all. If you love indeed such an one, but do not love such an one, it is human love. But such is not ours. “Even as we do also toward you.”

Ver. 13. “To the end He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”

He shows that love produces advantage to themselves, not to those who are loved. I wish, he says, that this love may abound, that there may be no blemish. He does not say to stablish you, but your hearts. “For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts.” (Matt. xv. 19.) For it is possible, without doing anything, to be a bad man; as for example, to have envy, unbelief, deceit, to rejoice at evils, not to be loving, to hold perverted doctrines, all these things are of the heart; and to be pure of these things is holiness. For indeed chastity is properly by preëminence called holiness, since fornication and adultery is also uncleanness.60    This is legally opposed to holiness. But universally all sin is uncleanness, and every virtue is purity. For, “Blessed,” it is said, “are the pure in heart.” (Matt. v. 8.) By “the pure” He means those who are in every way pure.

For other things also know how to pollute the soul, and no less. For that wickedness defiles the soul, hear the prophet, saying, “O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness.” (Jer. iv. 14.) And again, “Wash you, make you clean, put away the wickednesses from your souls.” (Isa. i. 16, Sept.) He did not say “fornications,” so that not only fornication, but other things also defile the soul.

“To establish your hearts,” he says, “unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Therefore Christ will then be a Judge, but not before Him (only), but also before the Father we shall stand to be judged. Or does he mean this, to be unblamable before God, as he always says, “in the sight of God,” for this is sincere virtue—not in the sight of men?

It is love then that makes them unblamable. For it does make men really unblamable. And once when I was discoursing of this to a certain one, and saying, that love makes men unblamable, and that love to our neighbor does not suffer any entrance of transgression, and in my discourse going over, and pursuing all the rest—some one of my acquaintance interposing himself said, What then of fornication, is it not possible both to love, and to commit fornication? And it is indeed from love that this springs. Covetousness indeed, and adultery, and envy, and hostile designs, and everything of this sort can, from love of one’s neighbor, be stopped; but how fornication? he said. I therefore told him, that even this can love stop. For if a man should love a woman that commits fornication, he will endeavor both to draw her off from other men, and not himself also to add to her sin. So that to commit fornication with a woman is the part of one exceedingly hating her with whom he commits the fornication, but one who truly loved her would withdraw her from that abominable practice. And there is not, there is not any sin, which the power of love, like fire, cannot consume. For it is easier for a vile faggot to resist a great pile of fire, than for the nature of sin to resist the power of love.

This then let us plant in our own souls, that we may stand with all the Saints. For they all pleased God by their love to their neighbor. Whence was Abel slain, and did not slay? From his vehement love to his brother, he could not even admit such a thought. Whence was the destructive pest of envy received by Cain? For I will no longer call him the brother of Abel! Because the foundations of love had not been firmly fixed in him. Whence did the sons of Noah obtain a good report? was it not because they vehemently loved their father, and did not endure to see his exposure? And whence was the other cursed? was it not from not loving him? And whence did Abraham obtain a good report? was it not from love in doing what he did concerning his nephew? what he did as to his supplication for the Sodomites? For strongly, strongly, were the Saints affected with love and with sympathy.

For consider, I pray; Paul, he that was bold in the face of fire, hard as adamant, firm and unshaken, on every side compact, riveted in the fear of God, and inflexible; for, “who (said he) shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword”? (Rom. viii. 35.) he that was bold in the face of all these things, and of earth and sea, he that laughed to scorn the adamantine gates of death,61    [Field’s mss. all give “death”; the previous editions all had “Hades,” a natural alteration. Cases are not very rare in which the editions were without known ms. support.—J.A.B.] whom nothing ever withstood,—he, when he saw the tears of some whom he loved, was so broken and crushed,—the adamantine man,—that he did not even conceal his feelings, but said straightway, “What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart?” (Acts xxi. 13.) What sayest thou, tell me? Had a tear the power to crush that soul of adamant? Yea, he says, for I hold out against all things except love. This prevails over me, and subdues me. This is the mind of God. An abyss of water62    Perhaps alluding to 2 Cor. xi. 25. did not crush him, and a few tears crushed him. “What do ye, weeping and crushing my heart?” For great is the force of love. Dost thou not see him again weeping? Why weepest thou? Tell me. “By the space of three years,” he says, “I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.” (Acts xx. 31.) From his great love he feared, lest some plague should be introduced among them. And again, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears.” (2 Cor. ii. 4.)

And what did Joseph? tell me, that firm one, who stood up against so great a tyranny, who appears so noble against so great a flame of love, who so out-battled and overcame the madness of his mistress. For what was there not then to charm him? A beautiful person, the pride of rank, the costliness of garments, the fragrance of perfumes, (for all these things know how to soften the soul,) words more soft than all the rest! For ye know that she who loves, and so vehemently, nothing so humble but she will bring herself to say it, taking upon her the attitude of a supplicant. For so broken was this woman, though wearing gold, and being of royal dignity, that she threw herself at the knees perhaps of the captive boy, and perhaps even intreated him weeping and clasping his knees, and had recourse to this not once, and a second time, but oftentimes. Then he might see her eye shining most brilliantly. For it is probable that she not simply but with excessive nicety would set off her beauty; as wishing by many nets to catch the lamb of Christ. Add here I pray also many magic charms. Yet nevertheless this inflexible, this firm man, of rocky hardness, when he saw his brothers who had bartered him away, who had thrown him into a pit, who had sold him, who had even wished to murder him, who were the causes both of the prison and the honor, when he heard from them how they had worked upon their father, (for, we said, it says, that one was devoured by a wild beast [Gen. xxxvii. 20, and lxiv. 28,]) he was broken, softened, crushed, “And he wept,” it says, and not being able to bear his feelings, he went in, and composed himself (Gen. xliii. 30.), that is, wiped away his tears.

What is this? dost thou weep, O Joseph? and yet the present circumstances are deserving not of tears, but of anger, and wrath, and indignation, and great revenge and retribution. Thou hast thine enemies in thy hands, those fratricides; thou canst satiate thy wrath. And yet neither would this be injustice. For thou dost not thyself begin the unjust acts, but defendest thyself against those who have done the wrong. For look not to thy dignity. This was not of their contrivance, but of God, who shed His favor upon thee. Why dost thou weep? But he would have said, far be it that I, who in all things have obtained a good report, should by this remembrance of wrongs overturn them all. It is truly a season for tears. I am not more brutish than beasts. They pour out a libation to nature, whatever harm they suffer. I weep, he says, that they ever treated me thus.

This man let us also imitate. Let us mourn and weep for those who have injured us. Let us not be angry with them. For truly they are worthy of tears, for the punishment and condemnation to which they make themselves liable. I know, how you now weep, how you rejoice, both admiring Paul, and amazed at Joseph, and pronouncing them blessed. But if any one has an enemy, let him now take him into recollection, let him bring him to his mind, that whilst his heart is yet warm with the remembrance of the Saints, he may be enabled to dissolve the stubbornness of wrath, and to soften what is harsh and callous. I know, that after your departure hence, after that I have ceased speaking, if anything of warmth and fervor should remain, it will not be so great, as it now is whilst you are hearing me. If therefore any one, if any one has become cold, let him dissolve the frost. For the remembrance of injuries is truly frost and ice. But let us invoke the Sun of Righteousness, let us entreat Him to send His beams upon us, and there will no longer be thick ice, but water to drink.

If the fire of the Sun of Righteousness has touched our souls, it will leave nothing frozen, nothing hard, nothing burning,63    The translator suggests Milton’s sense:—   “The parching air   Burns frore, and cold performs th’ effects of fire.”   The extreme harshness of some fruits without the sun may be meant. In Hom. xvi. on St. Matt. Ben. p. 215 A, τὰ καυστικὰ is used for “combustibles,” but there is a various reading, ὑπαναπτικὰ in one ms.; see Ed. Field, p. 229. nothing unfruitful. It will bring out all things ripe, all things sweet, all things abounding with much pleasure. If we love one another, that beam also will come. Allow me, I beseech you, to say these things with earnestness. Cause me to hear, that by these words we have produced some effect; that some one has gone and thrown both his arms about his enemy, has embraced him, has twined himself around him, has warmly kissed him, has wept. And though the other be a wild beast, a stone, or whatever he be, he will be made gentle by such affectionate kindness. For on what account is he thine enemy? Hath he insulted thee? yet he has not injured thee at all. But dost thou for the sake of money suffer thy brother to be at enmity with thee? Do not so, I beseech you. Let us do away all. It is our season. Let us use it to good purpose. Let us cut asunder the cords of our sins. Before we go away to judgment, let us not ourselves judge one another. “Let not the sun” (it is said) “go down upon your wrath.” (Eph. iv. 26.) Let no one put it off. These puttings off produce delays. If you have deferred it to-day, you blush the more, and if you add to-morrow, the shame is greater, and if a third day, yet worse. Let us not then put ourselves to shame, but let us forgive, that we may be forgiven. And if we be forgiven, we shall obtain all blessings, through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, &c.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Δʹ. Διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων, ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, μή πως ἐπεί ρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων, καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν. Ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν, καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμῖν τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν, καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε μνείαν ἡμῶν πάντοτε ἀγαθὴν, ἐπιπο θοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς: διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοὶ, ἐφ' ὑμῖν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ θλίψει καὶ ἀνάγκῃ ἡμῶν, διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν, πίστεως: ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν, ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκητε ἐν Κυρίῳ. αʹ. Ζήτημα πρόκειται τήμερον ἡμῖν παρὰ πολλῶν ζητούμενον, καὶ πολλαχόθεν συλλεγόμενον. Τί δὲ τὸ ζήτημά ἐστι; Διὰ τοῦτο, φησὶ, κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων, ἔπεμψα Τιμόθεον εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν. Τί λέγεις; ὁ τοσαῦτα εἰδὼς, ὁ ἀπόῤῥητα ἀκούσας ῥήματα, ὁ μέχρι τρίτου ἀνελθὼν οὐρανοῦ, οὗτος οὐκ οἶδε, καὶ ἐν Ἀθήναις ὤν; καίτοι οὐ πολλοῦ ὄντος τοῦ διαστήματος, οὐδὲ πρὸ πολλοῦ χωρισθεὶς αὐτῶν: Ἀπορφανισθέντες γὰρ, φησὶν, ἀφ' ὑμῶν πρὸς καιρὸν ὥρας. Οὐκ οἶδε οὖν ὁ τοιοῦτος τὰ Θεσσαλονικέων, ἀλλ' ἀναγκάζεται πέμψαι Τιμόθεον εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν: Μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς, φησὶν, ὁ πειράζων, καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν; Τί οὖν ἄν τις εἴποι; ὅτι οὐ πάντα ᾔδεισαν οἱ ἅγιοι; Καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ᾔδεισαν, πολλαχόθεν ἄν τις μάθοι, ἀπό τε τῶν πρώτων, ἀπό τε τῶν μετὰ ταῦτα: καθάπερ Ἑλισσαῖος περὶ τῆς γυναικὸς ἠγνόησε: καθάπερ Ἠλίας ἔλεγε πρὸς τὸν Θεόν: Ἐγὼ ὑπελείφθην μόνος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου. Διὰ τοῦτο ἤκουε παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅτι Κατέλιπον ἐμαυτῷ ἑπτακισχιλίους ἄνδρας. Καθάπερ ὁ Σαμουὴλ πάλιν, ἡνίκα ἀπεστάλη χρῖσαι τὸν Δαυΐδ: Εἶπε, φησὶ, Κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν: Μὴ πρόσχες εἰς τὴν ὄψιν αὐτοῦ, μηδὲ εἰς τὴν ἕξιν τοῦ μεγέθους αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐξουδένωκα αὐτόν: ὅτι οὐχ ὡς ἄνθρωπος ὄψεται ὁ Θεός: ὅτι ἄνθρωπος ὄψεται εἰς πρόσωπον, ὁ δὲ Θεὸς εἰς καρδίαν. Τοῦτο δὲ γίνεται κατὰ πολλὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ κηδεμονίαν. Πῶς καὶ τίνι τρόπῳ; Αὐτῶν τε ἕνεκεν τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ τῶν πιστευόντων αὐτοῖς. Καθάπερ γὰρ καὶ διωγμοὺς συγχωρεῖ γίνεσθαι, οὕτως αὐτοὺς συγχωρεῖ πολλὰ καὶ ἀγνοεῖν, ἵνα καταστέλλωνται. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ Παῦλος ἔλεγεν: Ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκὶ, ἄγγελος Σατᾶν ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι: καὶ πάλιν, ἵνα καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι μὴ μεγάλα περὶ αὐτὸν φαντάζωνται. Εἰ γὰρ ἀπὸ σημείων θεοὺς αὐτοὺς εἶναι ἐνόμισαν, πολλῷ μᾶλλον, εἰ διαπαντὸς ἐπέμενον τὰ πάντα εἰδότες. Καὶ τοῦτο καὶ αὐτὸς πάλιν φησίν: Ἵνα μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει τι ἐξ ἐμοῦ. Καὶ πάλιν ἄκουε τοῦ Πέτρου λέγοντος, ἡνίκα τὸν χωλὸν ἐθεράπευσε: Τί ἡμῖν ἀτενίζετε ὡς ἰδίᾳ δυνάμει ἢ εὐσεβείᾳ τοῦτο πεποιηκόσι τοῦ περιπατεῖν αὐτόν; Εἰ δὲ καὶ αὐτῶν τοῦτο λεγόντων καὶ ποιούντων, ὅμως καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ὀλίγων καὶ μικρῶν οὕτως ἐτίκτοντο ὑπόνοιαι πονηραὶ, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἀπὸ τῶν μεγάλων. Καὶ δι' ἕτερον δὲ ταῦτα συνεχωρεῖτο. Ἵνα γὰρ μή τις ἔχῃ λέγειν, ὅτι οὐχὶ ἄνθρωποι ὄντες κατώρθωσαν ἅπερ κατώρθωσαν, καὶ οὕτω πάντες ὕπτιοι γίνωνται, διὰ τοῦτο δείκνυσι καὶ αὐτοὺς ὄντας ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ, ἵνα τῶν ἀγνωμονεῖν βουλομένων πᾶσαν ἐγκόψῃ ἀναισχυντίας πρόφασιν. Διὰ τοῦτο ἀγνοεῖ, διὰ τοῦτο καὶ πολλάκις προθέμενος οὐκ ἔρχεται, ἵνα μάθωσιν ὅτι πολλὰ οὐκ οἶδε. Πολὺ οὖν ἐκ τούτου τὸ κέρδος ἦν. Ἦ γὰρ ἂν ἦσαν ἔτι καὶ οὕτω λέγοντές τινες, ὅτι Οὗτός ἐστιν ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ μεγάλη, καὶ ἄλλοι τινὲς, ὅτι Ὁ δεῖνα καὶ ὁ δεῖνα. Εἰ μὴ ταῦτα ἐγένοντο, τί οὐκ ἂν ἐνόμισαν; Ἐνταῦθα δὲ δοκεῖ μέντοι εἶναι αὐτῶν κατηγορία: τῷ δὲ ἀκριβῶς σκοποῦντι καὶ πολὺ τὸ θαῦμα αὐτῶν ἐμφαίνει, καὶ τῶν πειρασμῶν ἡ ὑπερβολὴ δείκνυται. Πῶς, πρόσεχε. Εἰ γὰρ προεῖπες αὐτοῖς ὅτι, Εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα, καὶ Μηδεὶς θορυβείσθω, τί πάλιν πέμπεις τὸν Τιμόθεον, ὥσπερ δεδοικὼς μή τι γένηται ὧν οὐ βούλει; Τοῦτο μὲν οὖν ἀπὸ πολλῆς ἀγάπης ποιεῖ: οἱ γὰρ φιλοῦντες καὶ τὰ ἀσφαλῆ ὑποπτεύουσιν ἀπὸ τῆς πολλῆς θερμότητος: τοῦτο δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν πολλῶν πειρασμῶν. Εἶπον μὲν γὰρ, ὅτι Εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα: ἡ δὲ ὑπερβολὴ τῶν κακῶν ἐφόβησέ με. Διὸ οὐκ εἶπεν, ὅτι Καταγνοὺς ὑμῶν ἀποστέλλω, ἀλλὰ, Μηκέτι στέγων: ὃ μᾶλλον φιλίας ἦν. Τί ἐστι, Μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων; Ὁρᾷς ὅτι τὸ ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσι σαλεύεσθαι διαβολικόν ἐστι, καὶ τῆς ἐκείνου παρατροπῆς; Ὅταν γὰρ ἡμᾶς αὐτοὺς μὴ δυνηθῇ, ἑτέρως δι' ἡμῶν τοὺς ἀσθενεστέρους παρασαλεύει: ὅπερ ὑπερβαλλούσης ἀσθενείας ἐστὶ, καὶ οὐδεμίαν ἐχούσης ἀπολογίαν: καθάπερ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἰὼβ πεποίηκε, τὴν γυναῖκα διεγείρας: Εἰπέ τι ῥῆμα, φησὶ, πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ τελεύτα. Ἴδε πῶς αὐτὴν ἐπείρασε. Διὰ τί δὲ μὴ εἶπεν, ἐσάλευσεν, ἀλλ', Ἐπείρασεν; Ὅτι τοσοῦτον, φησὶν, ὑπώπτευσα μόνον, ὅσον πειρασθῆναι ὑμᾶς: οὐ γὰρ δὴ τὴν πεῖραν αὐτοῦ σάλον καλεῖ. Ὁ γὰρ δεχόμενος αὐτοῦ τὴν προσβολὴν, ἐσαλεύθη. Βαβαὶ! πόση φιλοστοργία τοῦ Παύλου: οὐκ ἔμελεν αὐτῷ τῶν θλίψεων οὐδὲ τῶν ἐπιβουλῶν. Οἶμαι γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ τότε μεμενηκέναι: καθάπερ φησὶν ὁ Λουκᾶς, ὅτι ἐν τῇ Ἑλλάδι ἔμεινε τρίμηνον, γενομένης αὐτῷ ἐπιβουλῆς ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων. βʹ. Οὐκ ἔμελεν οὖν αὐτῷ τῶν κινδύνων, ἀλλὰ τῶν μαθητευομένων. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι πάντα φυσικὸν πατέρα παρεληλύθει; Ἡμεῖς μὲν γὰρ ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσι καὶ τοῖς κινδύνοις πάντων τὴν μνήμην ἐκβάλλομεν: αὐτὸς δὲ οὕτως ἐδεδοίκει καὶ ἔτρεμεν ὑπὲρ τῶν παίδων, ὡς καὶ ὃν μόνον εἶχε παραμυθίαν, τὸν Τιμόθεον καὶ κοινωνὸν καὶ συνεργὸν, τοῦτον ἐν αὐτοῖς τοῖς κινδύνοις πέμψαι πρὸς αὐτούς. Καὶ εἰς κενὸν, φησὶ, γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν. Διὰ τί; εἰ γὰρ καὶ παρετράπησαν, οὐ παρὰ τὴν σὴν αἰτίαν, οὐ παρὰ τὴν σὴν ῥᾳθυμίαν. Ἀλλ' ὅμως καὶ τούτων ὄντων, κεκενῶσθαί μοι τὸν κόπον νομίζω ἀπὸ τῆς πολλῆς φιλαδελφίας. Μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων. Πειράζει δὲ οὐκ εἰδὼς εἰ καταβαλεῖ. Εἶτ' ἐκεῖνος μὲν καὶ ὡς οὐκ εἰδὼς ἐπέρχεται, ἡμεῖς δὲ εἰδότες ὅτι σφόδρα αὐτοῦ περιεσόμεθα, οὐ νήφομεν; Ὅτι δὲ οὐκ εἰδὼς ἡμῖν προσβάλλει, ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἰὼβ ἐδήλωσεν. Ἔλεγε γὰρ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὁ πονηρὸς ἐκεῖνος δαίμων: Οὐ σὺ περιέφραξας αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔσω καὶ τὰ ἔξω; Περίελε αὐτοῦ τὰ ὑπάρχοντα: ἦ μὴν εἰς πρόσωπόν σε εὐλογήσει. Πειράζει. Ἂν ἴδῃ τι ἀσθενὲς, ἐπεχείρησεν: ἂν ἰσχυρὸν, ἀπέστη. Καὶ εἰς κενὸν, φησὶ, γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν. Ἀκούσωμεν ἅπαντες, πῶς ἔκαμνεν ὁ Παῦλος. Οὐκ εἶπεν, ἔργον, ἀλλ' Ὁ κόπος: οὐκ εἶπε, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀπολεῖσθε, ἀλλ', Ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν. Ὥστε εἰ καὶ συνέβη τι, εἰκὸς ἐγίνετο: ἐπειδὴ δὲ οὐ συνέβη, πολὺ τὸ θαῦμα. Ταῦτα μὲν προσεδοκήσαμεν, φησὶν, ἐξέβη δὲ τὰ ἐναντία: οὐ γὰρ μόνον προσθήκην θλίψεως οὐδεμίαν παρ' ὑμῶν ἐλάβομεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ παράκλησιν. Ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου, φησὶ, πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν, καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμῖν τὴν πίστιν, καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν. Καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου, φησίν. Ὁρᾷς τὴν περιχάρειαν Παύλου; Οὐκ εἶπεν, ἀπαγγείλαντος, ἀλλ', Εὐαγγελισαμένου: τοσοῦτον ἀγαθὸν ἡγεῖτο τὴν ἐκείνων βεβαίωσιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην. Ἀνάγκη γὰρ ἐκείνης βεβαίας μενούσης καὶ ταύτην ἐστηρίχθαι. Καὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ δὲ αὐτῶν ἔχαιρεν, ὅτι σημεῖον τῆς πίστεως ἦν, Καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε, φησὶ, μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς. Τουτέστι μετὰ ἐπαίνων. Οὐχ ὅτε παρῆμεν, οὐδ' ὅτε ἐθαυματουργοῦμεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ νῦν, ὅτε πόῤῥω ἐσμὲν, καὶ μαστιζόμεθα, καὶ μυρία πάσχομεν δεινὰ, μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν ἔχετε. Ἀκούσατε πῶς θαυμάζονται μαθηταὶ μνείαν ἀγαθὴν περὶ διδασκάλων ἔχοντες, πῶς μακαρίζονται. Μιμώμεθα τούτους: ἡμᾶς γὰρ αὐτοὺς ὠφελοῦμεν, οὐ τοὺς ἀγαπωμένους. Ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς, φησὶν, ἰδεῖν, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ αὐτοὺς εὔφρανε. Τὸ γὰρ μαθεῖν τὸν φιλοῦντα, ὅτι τοῦτο οἶδεν ὁ φιλούμενος, ὅτι φιλεῖται, πολλὴ παραμυθία καὶ παράκλησις. Διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοὶ, ἐφ' ὑμῖν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ θλίψει καὶ ἀνάγκῃ ἡμῶν διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως: ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν, ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκητε ἐν Κυρίῳ. Τί Παύλου ἴσον γένοιτ' ἂν, ὃς τὴν τῶν πλησίον σωτηρίαν ἐνόμιζεν εἶναι τὴν ἑαυτοῦ, καθάπερ σῶμα πρὸς μέλη, οὕτω πρὸς πάντας διακείμενος; τίς δυνήσεται ταύτην ῥῆξαι τὴν φωνὴν νῦν; μᾶλλον δὲ τίς δυνήσεται οὕτω φρονῆσαί ποτε; Οὐκ ἠξίου χάριν αὐτοὺς εἰδέναι αὐτῷ τῶν πειρασμῶν τῶν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν, ἀλλὰ χάριν αὐτοῖς ᾔδει, ὅτι οὐκ ἐσαλεύθησαν διὰ τοὺς πειρασμοὺς τοὺς αὐτοῦ: ὡς ἂν εἰ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ὑμῖν μᾶλλον, ἢ ἡμῖν ἀπὸ τῶν πειρασμῶν ἐγένετο βλάβη: ὑμεῖς ἐπειράσθητε μᾶλλον ἢ ἡμεῖς, ὑμεῖς οἱ μηδὲν παθόντες, ἡμῶν τῶν παθόντων. Ἐπειδὴ ταῦτα, φησὶν, εὐηγγελίσατο ἡμᾶς ὁ Τιμόθεος, οὐδὲν αἰσθανόμεθα τῶν λυπηρῶν, ἀλλὰ, Παρεκλήθημεν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ θλίψει: οὐ ταύτῃ δὲ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ Τῇ ἀνάγκῃ ἡμῶν, φησίν: εἰκότως. Διδασκάλου γὰρ ἀγαθοῦ οὐδὲν ἂν ἅψαιτο λοιπὸν, ἕως ἂν τὰ τῶν μαθητῶν κατὰ γνώμην αὐτῷ προχωρῇ. Δι' ὑμῶν, φησὶ, παρεκλήθημεν: τουτέστιν, ὑμεῖς ἡμᾶς ἐστερεώσατε. Καὶ μὴν τοὐναντίον ἦν: τὸ γὰρ παθόντας μὴ ἐνδοῦναι, ἀλλὰ στῆναι γενναίως, ἱκανὸν τοὺς μαθητὰς στηρίξαι. Ἀλλ' αὐτὸς ἅπαν τοὐναντίον ποιεῖ, καὶ εἰς ἐκείνους περιτρέπει τὸ ἐγκώμιον: ὑμεῖς ἡμᾶς ἠλείψατε, φησίν: ὑμεῖς ἡμῖν ἀναπνεῦσαι δεδώκατε: ὑμεῖς οὐκ ἀφήκατε τῶν πειρασμῶν αἰσθέσθαι. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν, ἀνεπνεύσαμεν, οὐδὲ, παρεμυθήθημεν: ἀλλὰ τί; Νῦν ζῶμεν: δεικνὺς ὅτι καὶ πειρασμὸν καὶ θάνατον οὐδὲν ἄλλο ἡγεῖται, ἢ τὸ σκάνδαλον τὸ ἐκείνων, ὅπου γε καὶ ζωὴν τὴν ἐκείνων προκοπήν. Πῶς ἂν ἄλλος τις ἢ τὴν λύπην τὴν ἐπὶ τῇ τῶν μαθητῶν ἀσθενείᾳ, ἢ τὴν χαρὰν ἐδήλωσεν; Οὐκ εἶπε, χαίρομεν, ἀλλὰ, Ζῶμεν, ζωὴν λέγων τὴν μέλλουσαν. γʹ. Ὥστε ἄνευ τούτου οὐδὲ ζῇν τὸ ζῇν ἡγούμεθα. Οὕτω τοὺς διδασκάλους διακεῖσθαι χρὴ, οὕτω τοὺς μαθητὰς, καὶ οὐδὲν ἄτοπον ἔσται ποτέ. Εἶτα προσλιπαίνων αὐτὸ, ὅρα τί φησι: Τίνα γὰρ εὐχαριστίαν δυνάμεθα τῷ Θεῷ ἀνταποδοῦναι περὶ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ χαρᾷ, ᾗ χαίρομεν δι' ὑμᾶς ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ δεόμενοι εἰς τὸ ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὸ πρόσωπον, καὶ καταρτίσαι τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν; Οὐχὶ ζωῆς, φησὶν, αἴτιοι ἡμῖν γεγένησθε μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ εὐφροσύνης πολλῆς, καὶ τοσαύτης, ὡς μηδὲ εὐχαριστῆσαι δύνασθαι τῷ Θεῷ κατ' ἀξίαν. Τὸ ὑμῶν κατόρθωμα δῶρον εἶναι, φησὶ, τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡγούμεθα: τοιαῦτα ἡμᾶς εὐηργετήσατε, ὡς τοῦ Θεοῦ νομίζειν εἶναι: μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἔργον Θεοῦ: οὐ γὰρ ἀνθρωπίνης ψυχῆς οὐδὲ σπουδῆς τοσοῦτον φρόνημα. Νυκτὸς, φησὶ, καὶ ἡμέρας ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ δεόμενοι. Καὶ τοῦτο τῆς χαρᾶς σημεῖον. Καθάπερ γάρ τις γεωργὸς, ἀκούων περὶ τῆς αὐτοῦ χώρας τῆς πονηθείσης αὐτῷ, ὅτι βρίθεται τοῖς καρποῖς, ποθεῖ κατ' ὄψιν τὴν τοσαύτην ἰδεῖν ἡδονήν: οὕτω καὶ Παῦλος τὴν Μακεδονίαν. Ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ δεόμενοι. Ὅρα τὴν ὑπερβολήν. Εἰς τὸ ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὸ πρόσωπον, καὶ καταρτίσαι τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν. Ἐνταῦθα πολὺ τὸ ζήτημα. Εἰ γὰρ νῦν ζῇς ὅτι ἑστήκασι, καὶ Τιμόθεος εὐηγγελίσατό σε τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην, καὶ τοσαύτης εἶ χαρᾶς μεστὸς, ὡς μηδὲ δύνασθαι τῷ Θεῷ κατ' ἀξίαν εὐχαριστῆσαι, πῶς ἐνταῦθα τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως αὐτῶν εἶναι φῄς; ἆρα μὴ κολακείας τὰ ῥήματα ἐκεῖνα; Μηδαμῶς: μὴ γένοιτο. Προλαβὼν γὰρ ἐμαρτύρησεν, ὅτι πολλοὺς ἄθλους ὑπέμειναν, καὶ οὐδὲν χεῖρον διετέθησαν τῶν ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ Ἐκκλησιῶν. Τί οὖν ἐστιν; Οὐ πάσης ἀπέλαυσαν τῆς διδασκαλίας, οὐδὲ ὅσα ἐχρῆν μαθεῖν ἔμαθον: καὶ τοῦτο δηλοῖ πρὸς τῷ τέλει. Ἴσως δὲ καὶ ἐζητεῖτο παρ' αὐτοῖς περὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως, καὶ πολλοὶ ἦσαν οἱ θορυβοῦντες αὐτοὺς, οὐκέτι τοῖς πειρασμοῖς, οὐδὲ τοῖς κινδύνοις, ἀλλ' ὑποκρινόμενοι τοὺς διδασκάλους. Τοῦτό φησι, Τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως: καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὕτως ἐνέφηνε, καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν, εἰς τὸ στηριχθῆναι, ἀλλὰ, Καταρτίσαι. Ἔνθα μὲν γὰρ περὶ αὐτῆς τῆς πίστεως ἐδεδοίκει, Ἔπεμψα, φησὶ, Τιμόθεον εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμᾶς: ἐνταῦθα δὲ, τὰ ὑστερήματα λέγει καταρτίσαι, ὃ διδασκαλίας μᾶλλόν ἐστιν, ἢ βεβαιώσεως: καθάπερ καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ φησιν: Ἵνα ἦτε κατηρτισμένοι εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν. Τὸ δὲ κατηρτισμένον ἐκεῖνό ἐστιν, ᾧ ὀλίγον τι λείπει: τοῦτο γὰρ καταρτίζεται. Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ ἡμῶν, καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς κατευθύναι τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς. Ὑμᾶς δὲ ὁ Κύριος πλεονάσαι, καὶ περισσεύσαι τῇ ἀγάπῃ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς. Τοῦτο ὑπερβαλλούσης ἀγάπης, τὸ μὴ μόνον καθ' ἑαυτὸν εὔχεσθαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν τῇ ἐπιστολῇ τὴν εὐχὴν ἐντίθεσθαι: τοῦτο ζεούσης ψυχῆς, καὶ ὄντως ἀκαρτερήτου: τοῦτο δεῖγμα καὶ τῶν ἐκεῖ γεγενημένων εὐχῶν: ἅμα δὲ καὶ ἀπολογία, ὅτι οὐχ ἑκόντες, οὐδὲ ῥᾳθυμοῦντες οὐ παραγίνονται. Ὡς ἂν εἰ ἔλεγεν: Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἐκκόψαι τοὺς πειρασμοὺς τοὺς πανταχοῦ περιέλκοντας ἡμᾶς, ὥστε ὀρθὴν ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς. Ὑμᾶς δὲ ὁ Κύριος πλεονάσαι, καὶ περισσεύσαι. Ὁρᾷς τὴν μανίαν τῆς ἀγάπης τὴν ἀκάθεκτον, τὴν διὰ τῶν ῥημάτων δεικνυμένην; Πλεονάσαι, φησὶ, καὶ περισσεύσαι, ἀντὶ τοῦ, αὐξήσαι. Ὡς ἂν εἴποι τις, Ἐκ περιουσίας πως ἐπιθυμεῖ φιλεῖσθαι παρ' αὐτῶν. Καθάπερ, φησὶ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς. Τουτέστι, Τὸ μὲν ἡμέτερον ἤδη ἐστί: τὸ δὲ ὑμέτερον ἀξιοῦμεν γενέσθαι. Ὁρᾷς ποῦ βούλεται τὴν ἀγάπην ἐκτείνεσθαι; οὐκ εἰς ἀλλήλους μόνον, ἀλλὰ πανταχοῦ. Τοῦτο γὰρ ὄντως ἀγάπης τῆς κατὰ Θεὸν, τὸ πάντας περιπλέκεσθαι: ἂν δὲ τὸν δεῖνα μὲν ἀγαπᾷς, τὸν δεῖνα δὲ μηκέτι, κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ἡ φιλία. Ἀλλ' οὐχ ἡ ἡμετέρα τοιαύτη. Καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς: εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν, ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ. Τὴν ἀγάπην δείκνυσιν αὐτοῖς κέρδος φέρουσαν, οὐ τοῖς φιλουμένοις. Βούλομαι, φησὶ, πλεονάσαι τὴν ἀγάπην ταύτην, ἵνα μηδεὶς μῶμος γένηται. Οὐκ εἶπεν, ὑμᾶς στηρίξαι, ἀλλὰ, Τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν: Ἐκ γὰρ τῆς καρδίας ἐξέρχονται διαλογισμοὶ πονηροί. Ἔνεστι γὰρ μηδὲν πράττοντα, πονηρὸν εἶναι, οἷον βασκανίαν ἔχειν, ἀπιστίαν, δόλον, τὸ χαίρειν ἐπὶ τοῖς κακοῖς, τὸ μὴ εἶναι φιλικὸν, τὸ δόγματα ἔχειν διεστραμμένα: ταῦτα πάντα τῆς καρδίας ἐστί: τὸ δὲ τούτων καθαρεύειν, ἐστὶν ἁγιωσύνη. Κυρίως μὲν γὰρ ἁγιωσύνη λέγεται ἡ σωφροσύνη κατ' ἐξοχὴν ἐπειδὴ καὶ ἀκαθαρσία ἡ πορνεία καὶ ἡ μοιχεία: καθολικῶς δὲ πᾶσα ἁμαρτία ἀκαθαρσία, καὶ πᾶσα ἀρετὴ καθαρότης: Μακάριοι γὰρ, φησὶν, οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ. Καθαροὺς τοὺς πάντῃ καθαρούς φησιν. δʹ. Οἶδα γὰρ καὶ τὰ ἄλλα οὐχ ἧττον τὴν ψυχὴν ῥυποῦν. Ὅτι γὰρ πονηρία μολύνει τὴν ψυχὴν, ἄκουε τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος: Ἀπόπλυνε ἀπὸ κακίας τὴν καρδίαν σου, Ἱερουσαλήμ: καὶ πάλιν, Λούσασθε, καθαροὶ γένεσθε, ἀφέλετε τὰς πονηρίας ἀπὸ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν. Οὐκ εἶπε, τὰς πορνείας: ὥστε οὐ πορνεία μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ ἄλλα μολύνει τὴν ψυχήν. Στηρίξαι ὑμῶν, φησὶ, τὰς καρδίας ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν, ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ. Κριτὴς ἄρα τότε ἔσται ὁ Χριστός: οὐκ ἔμπροσθεν δὲ αὐτοῦ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς παρεστήκαμεν κρινόμενοι. Ἢ τοῦτό φησιν, ὅτι ἀμέμπτους ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ δεῖ γενέσθαι: ὅπερ ἀεὶ λέγω, τὸ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ (αὕτη γὰρ ἡ ἀρετὴ εἰλικρινής), οὐκ ἐνώπιον ἀνθρώπων. Ἄρα ἡ ἀγάπη ἀμέμπτους ποιεῖ: καὶ γὰρ ὄντως ἀμέμπτους ποιεῖ. Καὶ ἐμοῦ ποτὲ τοῦτο διηγουμένου πρός τινα, καὶ λέγοντος, ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἀμέμπτους ποιεῖ, καὶ οὐκ ἀφίησιν ἡ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον φιλία παρείσδυσίν τινα γενέσθαι τῆς πλημμελίας, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα πάντα διεξιόντος καὶ ἐπεξερχομένου τῷ λόγῳ, τῶν ἐμοί τις γνωρίμων ὑποβαλὼν ἑαυτὸν, φησί: Τί οὖν ἡ πορνεία; οὐκ ἔνεστιν οὖν καὶ φιλεῖν καὶ πορνεύειν; καὶ ἀπὸ φιλίας μὲν τοῦτο γίνεται. Πλεονεξία μὲν οὖν καὶ μοιχεία καὶ φθόνος καὶ ἐπιβουλαὶ καὶ ὅσα τοιαῦτα ἀπὸ ἀγάπης τῆς τῶν πλησίον ἀνακόψαι δυνήσεται: ἡ δὲ πορνεία πῶς; φησίν. Ἐγὼ τοίνυν εἶπον, ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη καὶ τοῦτο δύναται ἀνακόψαι. Εἰ γὰρ φιλοίη τις τὴν πορνευομένην γυναῖκα, καὶ τῶν ἄλλων αὐτὴν ἀνδρῶν ἀπαγαγεῖν πειράσεται, οὐχὶ δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς προστιθέναι τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ. Ὥστε σφόδρα μισοῦντός ἐστι τὴν πορνευομένην τὸ πορνεύειν εἰς αὐτήν: φιλοῦντος δὲ ὄντως τὸ ἀπαγαγεῖν αὐτὴν τῆς μυσαρᾶς ἐκείνης πράξεως. Καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν, οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδὲν ἁμάρτημα, ὃ μὴ, καθάπερ πῦρ, ἀναλίσκει τῆς ἀγάπης ἡ δύναμις. Εὐκολώτερον γὰρ φρύγανον εὐτελὲς ἀντιστῆναι πυρᾷ πολλῇ, ἢ τῆς ἁμαρτίας τὴν φύσιν τῇ τῆς ἀγάπης δυνάμει. Ταύτην οὖν φυτεύσωμεν ἐν ταῖς ἑαυτῶν ψυχαῖς, ἵνα μετὰ τῶν ἁγίων πάντων στῶμεν: καὶ γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι πάντες εὐηρέστησαν ἀπὸ τῆς εἰς πλησίον ἀγάπης. Πόθεν ἀνῃρέθη, καὶ οὐκ ἀνεῖλεν ὁ Ἄβελ; Πάντως τῷ σφόδρα φιλεῖν τὸν ἀδελφόν: οὐδὲ δέξασθαι τοιοῦτον ἠνείχετο λογισμόν. Πόθεν ἐδέξατο τὸν τῆς βασκανίας ὄλεθρον ὁ Κάϊν; οὐ γὰρ ἂν λοιπὸν εἴποιμι αὐτὸν τοῦ Ἄβελ ἐγὼ ἀδελφὸν, ὅτι οὐκ ἀσφαλῶς ἠρήρειστο παρ' αὐτῷ τὰ τῆς ἀγάπης θεμέλια. Πόθεν εὐδοκίμησαν οἱ τοῦ Νῶε παῖδες; οὐκ ἐπειδὴ σφόδρα ἐφίλουν τὸν πατέρα, οὐδὲ τὴν γύμνωσιν ἠνέσχοντο ἰδεῖν. Ὁ ἕτερος δὲ πόθεν κατηράθη; οὐκ ἀπὸ τοῦ μὴ φιλεῖν; Ὁ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ πόθεν ηὐδοκίμησεν; οὐκ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης, τὰ περὶ τὸν ἀδελφιδοῦν διαπραξάμενος; τὰ περὶ τὴν ἱκετηρίαν τὴν ὑπὲρ τῶν Σοδομιτῶν; Σφόδρα γὰρ, σφόδρα φιλόστοργοι ἦσαν οἱ ἅγιοι, καὶ συμπαθητικοί. Ἐννόησον γάρ μοι πῶς διατίθεται ἐξ ἀγάπης ὁ καὶ πυρὸς κατατολμῶν Παῦλος, ὁ ἀδαμάντινος, ὁ στεῤῥὸς, ὁ ἀκλινὴς, ὁ πάντοτε συγκεκροτημένος, ὁ καθηλωμένος τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἀκαμπής. Τίς γὰρ ἡμᾶς, φησὶ, χωρίσει ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Χριστοῦ; θλῖψις, ἢ στενοχωρία, ἢ διωγμὸς, ἢ λιμὸς, ἢ γυμνότης, ἢ κίνδυνος, ἢ μάχαιρα: Ὁ τούτων τοίνυν ἁπάντων κατατολμῶν, καὶ γῆς καὶ θαλάσσης, ὁ τῶν ἀδαμαντίνων τοῦ ᾅδου πυλῶν καταγελῶν, ὃν οὐδὲν ὑφίστατο ὅλως: οὗτος ἐπειδή τινων ἀγαπητῶν εἶδε δάκρυα, οὕτω κατεκλάσθη καὶ συνετρίβη ὁ ἀδάμας, ὡς μηδὲ κρύψαι τὸ πάθος, ἀλλ' εἰπεῖν εὐθέως: Τί ποιεῖτε κλαίοντες, καὶ συνθρύπτοντές μου τὴν καρδίαν; Τί λέγεις: εἰπέ μοι: ἐκείνην τὴν ἀδαμαντίνην ψυχὴν συντρίψαι δάκρυον ἴσχυσε; Ναὶ, φησί: πρὸς πάντα γὰρ ἀντέχω, πλὴν τῆς ἀγάπης: αὕτη μου περιγίνεται καὶ κρατεῖ. Τοῦτο τῷ Θεῷ δοκεῖ. Ἄβυσσος αὐτὸν οὐ συνέτριψεν ὑδάτων, καὶ μικρὰ δάκρυα συνέτριψε. Τί ποιεῖτε κλαίοντες καὶ συντρίβοντές μου τὴν καρδίαν; Πολλὴ γὰρ αὐτῆς ἡ ἰσχύς. Θέλεις αὐτὸν ἰδεῖν πάλιν κλαίοντα; ἄκουε αὐτοῦ ἀλλαχοῦ λέγοντος: Τριετίαν, νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, φησὶν, οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν ἕνα ἕκαστον. Ἀπὸ πολλῆς ἀγάπης ἐδεδοίκει, μή τις ἐπεισέλθῃ λύμη. Καὶ πάλιν: Ἐκ γὰρ πολλῆς θλίψεως καὶ συνοχῆς καρδίας ἔγραψα ὑμῖν διὰ πολλῶν δακρύων. Τί δὲ ὁ Ἰωσὴφ, εἰπέ μοι, ὁ στεῤῥὸς, ὁ πρὸς τυραννίδα τοσαύτην στὰς, ὁ πρὸς τοσαύτην ἔρωτος πυρὰν οὕτω γενναῖος ὀφθεὶς, ὁ οὕτω καταγωνισάμενος καὶ καταπαλαίσας τῆς δεσποίνης τὴν τοσαύτην μανίαν; τί γὰρ οὐκ ἔθελγε τότε; ὄψις εὐπρεπὴς, ἀξιώματος τῦφος, ἱματίων πολυτέλεια, ἀρωμάτων εὐοσμία (καὶ γὰρ καὶ ταῦτα καταμαλάττειν οἶδε ψυχήν), ῥήματα πάντων μαλακώτερα; εʹ. Ἴστε γὰρ ὅτι ἡ ἐρῶσα, καὶ οὕτω σφοδρῶς, οὐδὲν ταπεινὸν παραιτήσεται εἰπεῖν, σχῆμα ἱκέτιδος ἀναλαβοῦσα. Οὕτω γὰρ κατεκλάσθη ἡ χρυσοφοροῦσα γυνὴ, καὶ ἐν ἀξιώματι οὖσα βασιλικῷ, ὡς τοῦ παιδὸς τοῦ αἰχμαλώτου πρὸς τὰ γόνατα ἴσως ἑαυτὴν ῥῖψαι, ἴσως δὲ καὶ παρακαλέσαι δακρύουσαν καὶ τῶν γονάτων ἁπτομένην, καὶ τοῦτο οὐχ ἅπαξ, οὐ δεύτερον, ἀλλὰ πολλάκις μηχανησαμένην. Ἐνῆν καὶ ὀφθαλμὸν ἰδεῖν τότε μάλιστα λάμποντα: οὐ γὰρ ἁπλῶς εἰκὸς αὐτὴν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ πολλῆς τῆς περιεργίας καλλωπίζεσθαι, ἅτε βουλομένην πολλοῖς τοῖς δικτύοις ἑλεῖν τὸ ἀρνίον τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Πρόσθες μοι ἐνταῦθα καὶ μαγείας πολλάς. Ἀλλ' ὅμως ὁ ἀκαμπὴς οὗτος, ὁ στεῤῥὸς, ὁ πεπετρωμένος, ἐπειδὴ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς εἶδε τοὺς ἀπεμπολήσαντας, τοὺς εἰς λάκκον βαλόντας, τοὺς ἀποδομένους, τοὺς καὶ ἀποκτεῖναι βουλομένους, τοὺς καὶ τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου καὶ τῆς τιμῆς αἰτίους γενομένους: ἐπειδὴ ἤκουσε παρ' αὐτῶν, ἃ τὸν πατέρα διέθηκαν: Εἴπωμεν γὰρ, φησὶν, ὅτι ὁ εἷς θηριόβρωτος γέγονε: κατεκλάσθη, συνεμαλάχθη, συνετρίβη, καὶ ἔκλαυσε: καὶ μὴ φέρων τὸ πάθος, εἰσελθὼν Ἐνεκρατεύσατο, τουτέστιν, ἀπεμάξατο. Τί τοῦτο; δακρύεις, ὦ Ἰωσήφ; Καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄξια τὰ παρόντα δακρύων, ἀλλ' ὀργῆς καὶ θυμοῦ καὶ ἀγανακτήσεως, μεγάλης τιμωρίας καὶ ἀνταποδόσεως: ἔχεις εἰς χεῖρας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς τοὺς ἀδελφοκτόνους, δύνασαι τὸν θυμὸν ἐμπλῆσαι. Καίτοι οὐδὲ τοῦτο ἀδικία: οὐ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἄρχεις χειρῶν ἀδίκων, ἀλλ' ἀμύνῃ τοὺς ἠδικηκότας. Μὴ γάρ μοι πρὸς τὸ ἀξίωμα ἴδῃς: οὐ τῆς ἐκείνων ἐγένετο γνώμης, ἀλλὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ καταχέαντός σοι τὴν χάριν. Τί κλαίεις; Ἀλλ' εἶπεν ἄν: Μή μοι γένοιτο ἐν πᾶσιν εὐδοκιμήσαντι πάντα καταλῦσαι ἐκεῖνα διὰ ταύτης τῆς μνησικακίας: δακρύων ὄντως καιρός: οὐκ εἰμὶ τῶν θηρίων ἀγριώτερος: ἐκεῖνα πρὸς τὴν φύσιν σπένδεται, πᾶν ὁτιοῦν πάθῃ δεινόν. Κλαίω, φησὶν, ὅτι με ὅλως τοιαῦτα διέθηκαν. Τοῦτον καὶ ἡμεῖς μιμώμεθα, καὶ πενθῶμεν τοὺς ἠδικηκότας: μὴ ὀργιζώμεθα πρὸς αὐτούς: ὄντως γὰρ δακρύων ἄξιοι, ἧς ἑαυτοὺς τιμωρίας καὶ καταδίκης ὑπευθύνους καθιστῶσιν. Οἶδα πῶς κλαίετε νῦν, πῶς χαίρετε, καὶ τὸν Παῦλον θαυμάζοντες, καὶ τὸν Ἰωσὴφ ἐκπληττόμενοι, καὶ μακαρίζοντες. Ἀλλ' εἴ τις ἐχθρὸν ἔχει, εἰς μνήμην αὐτὸν νῦν λαμβανέτω, εἰς νοῦν βαλλέσθω: ἵνα, ἕως ἔτι ζεῖ τῇ μνήμῃ τῶν ἁγίων ἡ καρδία, δυνηθῇ τὸ πεπηγὸς τῆς μήνιδος λῦσαι, καὶ τὸ τραχὺ καὶ ἀπεσκληκὸς καταμαλάξαι. Οἶδα ὅτι μετὰ τὴν ἐντεῦθεν ἔξοδον, μετὰ τὸ παύσασθαί με λέγοντα, κἂν ἀπομείνῃ τι τῆς θέρμης καὶ τῆς ζέσεως, οὐ τοσοῦτόν ἐστιν, ὅσον νῦν ἐν τῇ ἀκροάσει. Εἴ τις οὖν, εἴ τις κατέψυκται, λυέτω τὴν πάχνην: πάχνη γὰρ ὄντως καὶ κρυμὸς ἡ μνησικακία. Ἀλλὰ καλέσωμεν τὸν ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, ἀξιώσωμεν αὐτὸν ἐπαφεῖναι τὰς ἀκτῖνας, καὶ οὐκέτι ἔσται πάχνη παχεῖα, ἀλλ' ὕδωρ πότιμον. Ἂν ἅψηται τὸ τοῦ ἡλίου τῆς δικαιοσύνης πῦρ τῆς ἡμετέρας ψυχῆς, οὐδὲν ἐάσει πεπηγὸς, οὐδὲν σκληρὸν, οὐδὲν καυστικὸν, οὐδὲν ἄκαρπον: πάντα ὥριμα, πάντα γλυκέα, πάντα πολλῆς γέμοντα τῆς ἡδονῆς ἐπιδείξει. Ἂν ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ἥξει κἀκείνη ἡ ἀκτίς. Δότε μοι, παρακαλῶ, μετὰ προθυμίας ταῦτα λέγειν: ποιήσατέ με ἀκοῦσαι ὅτι ἀπὸ τῶν ῥημάτων τούτων ἠνύσαμέν τι: ὅτι ἐχθρόν τις ἀπελθὼν, εὐθέως περιέβαλεν ἄμφω τὼ χεῖρε, περιεπλάκη, περιεχύθη, κατεφίλησεν, ἐδάκρυσε. Κἂν θηρίον ἐκεῖνος ᾖ, κἂν λίθος, κἂν ὁτιοῦν, ὑπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς φιλοφροσύνης ἡμερωθήσεται. Διὰ τί γάρ σου ἐχθρός ἐστιν; ὕβρισέ σε; ἀλλ' οὐδὲν ἠδίκησεν. Ἀλλὰ χρημάτων ἕνεκεν περιορᾷς τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἐχθραίνοντα; Μὴ, παρακαλῶ. Πάντα λύσωμεν. Ἡμέτερος ὁ καιρός: χρησώμεθα αὐτῷ εἰς δέον. Τὰ σχοινία τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων διακόψωμεν: πρὶν ἢ ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὸ κριτήριον, αὐτοὶ κρίνωμεν ἀλλήλους. Ὁ ἥλιος, φησὶ, μὴ ἐπιδυέτω ἐπὶ τῷ παροργισμῷ ὑμῶν. Μηδεὶς ἀναβαλλέσθω: αἱ ἀναβολαὶ μελλήσεις τίκτουσιν. Ἂν σήμερον ὑπέρθῃ, μᾶλλον ἐρυθριᾷς: κἂν τὴν αὔριον προσθῇς, μείζων ἡ αἰσχύνη: κἂν τὴν τρίτην, ἔτι πλέον. Μὴ δὴ καταισχύνωμεν ἑαυτοὺς, ἀλλ' ἀφῶμεν, ἵνα ἀφεθῇ ἡμῖν. Εἰ δὲ ἀφεθῇ, πάντων ἐπιτευξόμεθα τῶν ἐν οὐρανῷ ἀγαθῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.