Homily XI.

2 Cor. v. 11

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

Knowing therefore, he says, these things, that terrible seat of judgment, we do every thing so as not to give you a handle nor offence, nor any false suspicion of evil practice against us. Seest thou the strictness of life, and zeal of a watchful soul? ‘For we are not only open to accusation,’ he saith ‘if we commit any evil deed; but even if we do not commit, yet are suspected, and having it in our power to repel the suspicion, brave it, we are punished.‘

Ver. 12. “We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying in our behalf.”

See how he is continually obviating the suspicion of appearing to praise himself. For nothing is so offensive to the hearers as for any one to say great and marvellous things about himself. Since then he was compelled in what he said to fall upon that subject, he uses a corrective, saying, ‘we do this for your sakes, not for ours, that ye may have somewhat to glory of, not that we may.’ And not even this absolutely, but because of the false Apostles. Wherefore also he added, “To answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.” Seest thou how he hath detached them from them, and drawn them to himself; having shown that even the Corinthians themselves are longing to get hold of some occasion, whereby they may have it in their power to speak on their326    The Apostles’. behalf and to defend them unto their accusers. For, says he, ‘we say these things not that we may boast, but that ye may have wherein to speak freely on our behalf;’ which is the language of one testifying to their great love: ‘and not that ye may boast merely: but that ye may not be drawn aside.’ But this he does not say explicitly, but manages his words otherwise and in a gentler form, and without dealing them a blow, saying,

“That ye may have somewhat to glory towards those which glory in appearance.” But neither this does he bid them do absolutely, when no cause exists, but when they327    The false Apostles. extol themselves; for in all things he looks out for the fitting occasion. He does not then do this in order to show himself to be illustrious, but to stop those men who were using the thing328    i.e., self commendation. improperly and to the injury of these. But what is “in appearance?” In what is seen, in what is for display. For of such sort were they, doing every thing out of a love of honor, whilst they were both empty inwardly and wore indeed an appearance of piety and of venerable seeming, but of good works were destitute.

[2.] Ver. 13. “For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.”

And if, saith he, we have uttered any great thing, (for this is what he here calls being beside himself, as therefore in other places also he calls it folly;— 2 Cor. xi. 1, 17, 21.) for God’s sake we do this, lest ye thinking us to be worthless should despise us and perish; or if again any modest and lowly thing, it is for your sakes that ye may learn to be lowly-minded. Or else, again, he means this. If any one thinks us to be mad, we seek for our reward from God, for Whose sake we are of this suspected; but if he thinks us sober, let him reap the advantage of our soberness. And again, in another way. Does any one say we are mad? For God’s sake are we in such sort mad. Wherefore also he subjoins;

Ver. 14. “For the love of God329    Rec. text, Christ, [which is certainly correct.] constraineth us, because we thus judge.”

‘For not the fear of things to come only,’ he saith, ‘but also those which have already happened allow us not to be slothful nor to slumber; but stir us up and impel us to these our labors on your behalf.’ And what are those things which have already happened?

“That if one died for all, then all died.” ‘Surely then it was because all were lost,’ saith he. For except all were dead, He had not died for all330    [Chrysostom seems to understand this clause in the way given in the Auth. Vers., but all modern critics take the aorist strictly and hold the meaning to be, not that all were previously dead, but that all died in his death (Rom. vi. 8.). Christ’s death was the death of all his people. C.]. For here the opportunities331    ἀφορμαὶ. of salvation exist; but there are found no longer. Therefore, he says, “The love of God constraineth us,” and allows us not to be at rest. For it cometh of extreme wretchedness and is worse than hell itself, that when He hath set forth an act so mighty, any should be found after so great an instance of His provident care reaping no benefit. For great was the excess of that love, both to die for a world of such extent332    τοσαύτης., and dying for it when in such a state.

Ver. 15. “That they which live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him who for their sakes died and rose again.”

If therefore we ought not to live unto ourselves, ‘be not troubled,’ says he, ‘nor be confounded when dangers and deaths assail you.’ And he assigns besides an indubitable argument by which he shows that the thing is a debt. For if through Him we live who were dead; to Him we ought to live through Whom we live. And what is said appears indeed to be one thing, but if any one accurately examine it, it is two: one that we live by Him, another that He died for us: either of which even by itself is enough to make us liable; but when even both are united consider how great the debt is. Yea, rather, there are three things here. For the First-fruits also for thy sake He raised up, and led up to heaven: wherefore also he added, “Who for our sakes died and rose again.”

[3.] Ver. 16. “Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh.”

For if all died and all rose again; and in such sort died as the tyranny of sin condemned them; but rose again “through the laver of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus iii. 5.) he saith with reason, “we know none” of the faithful “after the flesh.” For what if even they be in the flesh? Yet is that fleshly life destroyed, and we are born again333    ἄνωθεν. by the Spirit, and have learnt another deportment and rule and life and condition334    κατὰστασιν., that, namely, in the heavens. And again of this itself he shows Christ to be the Author. Wherefore also he added,

“Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know Him so no more.”

What then? tell me. Did He put away the flesh, and is He now not with that body? Away with the thought, for He is even now clothed in flesh; for “this Jesus Who is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come. So? How? In flesh, with His body. How then doth he say, “Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth no more?” (Acts i. 11.) For in us indeed “after the flesh” is being in sins, and “not after the flesh” not being in sins; but in Christ, “after the flesh” is His being subject to the affections of nature, such as to thirst, to hunger, to weariness, to sleep. For “He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” (1 Pet. ii. 22.) Wherefore He also said, “Which of you convicteth Me of sin?” (John viii. 46.) and again, “The prince of this world cometh, and he hath nothing in Me.” (ib. xiv. 30.) And “not after the flesh” is being thenceforward freed even from these things, not the being without flesh. For with this also He cometh to judge the world, His being impassible and pure. Whereunto we also shall advance when “our body” hath been “fashioned like unto His glorious body.” (Philip. iii. 21.)

[4.] Ver. 17. “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature.”

For seeing he had exhorted unto virtue from His love, he now leads them on to this from what has been actually done for them; wherefore also he added, “If any man is in Christ,” he is “a new creature.” “If any,” saith he, “have believed in Him, he has come to another creation, for he hath been born again by the Spirit.” So that for this cause also, he says, we ought to live unto Him, not because we are not our own only, nor because He died for us only, nor because He raised up our First-fruits only, but because we have also come unto another life. See how many just grounds he urges for a life of virtue. For on this account he also calls the reformation by a grosser name335    i.e. creation., in order to show the transition and the change to be great. Then following out farther what he had said, and showing how it is “a new creation,” he adds, “The old things are passed away, behold, all things are336    [“They are” Rev. Ver., in accordance with the best authorities. C.] become new.”

What old things? He means either sins and impieties, or else all the Judaical observances. Yea rather, he means both the one and the other. “Behold, all things are become new.”

Ver. 18. “But all things are of God.”

Nothing of ourselves. For remission of sins and adoption and unspeakable glory are given to us by Him. For he exhorts them no longer from the things to come only, but even from those now present. For consider. He said, that we shall be raised again, and go on unto incorruption, and have an eternal house; but since present things have more force to persuade than things to come, with those who believe not in these as they ought to believe, he shows how great things they have even already received, and being themselves what. What then being, received they them? Dead all; (for he saith, “all died;” and, “He died for all;” so loved He all alike;) inveterate all, and grown old in their vices. But behold, both a new soul, (for it was cleansed,) and a new body, and a new worship, and promises new, and covenant, and life, and table, and dress, and all things new absolutely337    ἁπλῶς.. For instead of the Jerusalem below we have received that mother city which is above (Gal. iv. 26.); and instead of a material temple have seen a spiritual temple; instead of tables of stone, fleshy ones; instead of circumcision, baptism; instead of the manna, the Lord’s body; instead of water from a rock, blood from His side; instead of Moses’ or Aaron’s rod, the Cross; instead of the promised [land]338    Literally “the promise.” Elsewhere St. Chrysostom uses the expression for the promised land. See Hom. xxxix. on St. Matt. Oxf. Trans. p. 563. “We must not only be delivered out of Egypt, but we must also enter into the promise.”, the kingdom of heaven; instead of a thousand priests, One High Priest; instead of a lamb without reason339    ἀλόγου., a Spiritual Lamb. With these and such like things in his thought he said, “all things are new.” But “all” these “things are of God,” by Christ, and His free gift. Wherefore also he added,

“Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation.”

For from Him are all the good things. For He that made us friends is Himself also the cause of the other things which God hath given to His friends. For He rendered not these things unto us, allowing us to continue enemies, but having made us friends unto Himself. But when I say that Christ is the cause of our reconciliation, I say the Father is so also: when I say that the Father gave, I say the Son gave also. “For all things were made by Him;” (John i. 3.) and of this too He is the Author. For we ran not unto Him, but He Himself called us. How called He us? By the sacrifice of Christ.

“And gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Here again he sets forth the dignity of the Apostles; showing how great a thing was committed to their hands, and the surpassing greatness of the love of God. For even when they would not hear the Ambassador that came, He was not exasperated nor left them to themselves, but continueth to exhort them both in His own person and by others. Who can be fittingly amazed at this solicitude? The Son Who came to reconcile, His True and Only-Begotten, was slain, yet not even so did the Father turn away from His murderers; nor say, “I sent My Son as an Ambassador, but they not only would not hear Him, but even slew and crucified Him, it is meet henceforth to leave them to themselves:” but quite the contrary, when the Son departed, He entrusted the business to us; for he says, “gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation.

[5.] Ver. 19. “To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not reckoning unto them their tresspasses.”

Seest thou love surpassing all expression, all conception? Who was the aggrieved one? Himself. Who first sought the reconciliation? Himself. ‘And yet,’ saith one, ‘He sent the Son, He did not come Himself.’ The Son indeed it was He sent; still not He alone besought, but both with Him and by Him the Father; wherefore he said, that, “God was reconciling the world unto Himself in Christ:” that is, by Christ340    [It is clear that Chrysostom did not favor the view given in the A.V., which connects the substantive verb with the phrase “in Christ,” and separates it from the participle. He rather agrees with the Rev. Version which obliterates the comma after Christ, and makes the emphasis to lie on the reconciliation effected in or through Christ, and not on the fact that God was in Christ,—a proposition true enough in itself, but not before the Apostle’s mind at this time. C.]. For seeing he had said, “Who gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;” he here used a corrective, saying, “Think not that we act of our own authority341    αὑθενται. in the business: we are ministers; and He that doeth the whole is God, Who reconciled the world by the Only-Begotten.” And how did He reconcile it unto Himself? For this is the marvel, not that it was made a friend only, but also by this way a friend. This way? What way?  Forgiving them their sins; for in no other way was it possible. Wherefore also he added, “Not reckoning unto them their tresspasses.” For had it been His pleasure to require an account of the things we had transgressed in, we should all have perished; for “all died.” But nevertheless though our sins were so great, He not only did not require satisfaction, but even became reconciled; He not only forgave, but He did not even “reckon.” So ought we also to forgive our enemies, that ourselves too may obtain the like forgiveness.

“And having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

For neither have we come now on any odious office; but to make all men friends with God. For He saith, ‘Since they were not persuaded by Me, do ye continue beseeching until ye have persuaded them.’ Wherefore also he added,

Ver. 20. “We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us; we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.”

Seest thou how he has extolled the thing by introducing Christ thus in the form of a suppliant342    τιθέντα τὴν ἱκετήριαν ταύτην.; yea rather not Christ only, but even the Father? For what he says is this: ‘The Father sent the Son to beseech, and to be His Ambassador unto mankind. When then He was slain and gone, we succeeded to the embassy; and in His stead and the Father’s we beseech you. So greatly doth He prize mankind that He gave up even the Son, and that knowing He would be slain, and made us Apostles for your sakes; so that he said with reason, “All things are for your sakes.” (2 Cor. iv. 15.) “We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ,” that is, instead of Christ; for we have succeeded to His functions.’ But if this appears to thee a great thing, hear also what follows wherein he shows that they do this not in His stead only, but also in stead of the Father. For therefore he also added, “As though God were entreating by us.” ‘For not by the Son Himself only doth He beseech, but also by us who have succeeded to the office of the Son. Think not therefore,’ he says, ‘that by us you are entreated; Christ Himself, the Father Himself of Christ, beseeches you by us. What can come up to this excess [of goodness]? He was outraged who had conferred innumerable benefits; having been outraged, He not only exacted not justice, but even gave His son that we might be reconciled. They that received Him were not reconciled, but even slew Him. Again, He sent other ambassadors to beseech, and though these are sent, it is Himself that entreats. And what doth He entreat? “Be ye reconciled unto God.” And he said not, ‘Reconcile God to yourselves;’ for it is not He that beareth enmity, but ye; for God never beareth enmity. Urging moreover his cause, like an ambassador on his mission,343    δικαιολογούμενος. he says,

Ver. 21. “For Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our account.”

‘I say nothing of what has gone before, that ye have outraged Him, Him that had done you no wrong, Him that had done you good, that He exacted not justice, that He is first to beseech, though first outraged; let none of these things be set down at present. Ought ye not in justice to be reconciled for this one thing only that He hath done to you now?’ And what hath He done? “Him that knew no sin He made to be sin, for you.” For had He achieved nothing but done only this, think how great a thing it were to give His Son for those that had outraged Him. But now He hath both well achieved mighty things, and besides, hath suffered Him that did no wrong to be punished for those who had done wrong. But he did not say this: but mentioned that which is far greater than this. What then is this? “Him that knew no sin,” he says, Him that was righteousness itself344    αὐτοδικαιοσύνην., “He made sin,” that is suffered as a sinner to be condemned, as one cursed to die. “For cursed is he that hangeth on a tree.” (Gal. iii. 13.) For to die thus was far greater than to die; and this he also elsewhere implying, saith, “Becoming obedient unto death, yea the death of the cross.” (Philip. ii. 8.) For this thing carried with it not only punishment, but also disgrace. Reflect therefore how great things He bestowed on thee. For a great thing indeed it were for even a sinner to die for any one whatever; but when He who undergoes this both is righteous and dieth for sinners; and not dieth only, but even as one cursed; and not as cursed [dieth] only, but thereby freely bestoweth upon us those great goods which we never looked for; (for he says, that “we might become the righteousness of God in Him;”) what words, what thought shall be adequate to realize these things? ‘For the righteous,’ saith he, ‘He made a sinner; that He might make the sinners righteous.’  Yea rather, he said not even so, but what was greater far; for the word he employed is not the habit, but the quality itself. For he said not “made” [Him] a sinner, but “sin;” not, ‘Him that had not sinned’ only, but “that had not even known sin; that we” also “might become,” he did not say ‘righteous,’ but, “righteousness,” and, “the righteousness of God.” For this is [the righteousness] “of God” when we are justified not by works, (in which case it were necessary that not a spot even should be found,) but by grace, in which case all sin is done away. And this at the same time that it suffers us not to be lifted up, (seeing the whole is the free gift of God,) teaches us also the greatness of that which is given. For that which was before was a righteousness of the Law and of works, but this is “the righteousness of God.”

[6.] Reflecting then on these things, let us fear these words more than hell; let us reverence the things [they express] more than the kingdom, and let us not deem it grievous to be punished, but to sin. For were He not to punish us, we ought to take vengeance on ourselves, who have been so ungrateful towards our Benefactor. Now he that hath an object of affection, hath often even slain himself, when unsuccessful in his love; and though successful, if he hath been guilty of a fault towards her, counts it not fit that he should even live; and shall not we, when we outrage One so loving and gentle, cast ourselves into the fire of hell? Shall I say something strange, and marvellous, and to many perhaps incredible? To one who hath understanding and loveth the Lord as it behoveth to love Him, there will be greater comfort if punished after provoking One so loving, than if not punished. And this one may see by the common practice. For he that has wronged his dearest friend feels then the greatest relief, when he has wreaked vengeance on himself and suffered evil. And accordingly David said, “I the shepherd have sinned, and I the shepherd have done amiss; and these the flock, what have they done? Let Thy hand be upon me, and upon my father’s house.” (2 Sam. xxiv. 17. LXX.) And when he lost Absalom he wreaked the extremest vengeance upon himself, although he was not the injurer but the injured; but nevertheless, because he loved the departed exceedingly, he racked himself with anguish, in this manner comforting himself. Let us therefore also, when we sin against Him Whom we ought not to sin against, take vengeance on ourselves. See you not those who have lost true-born children, that they therefore both beat themselves and tear their hair, because to punish themselves for the sake of those they loved carries comfort with it. But if, when we have caused no harm to those dearest to us, to suffer because of what hath befallen them brings consolation; when we ourselves are the persons who have given provocation and wrong, will it not much rather be a relief to us to suffer the penalty and will not the being unpunished punish? Every one in a manner will see this. If any love Christ as it behoveth to love Him, he knoweth what I say; how, even when He forgiveth, he will not endure to go unpunished; for thou undergoest the severest punishment in having provoked Him. And I know indeed that I am speaking what will not be believed by the many; but nevertheless it is so as I have said. If then we love Christ as it behoveth to love Him, we shall punish ourselves when we sin. For to those who love any whomsover, not the suffering somewhat because they have provoked the beloved one is unpleasing; but above all, that they have provoked the person loved. And if this last when angered doth not punish, he hath tortured his lover more; but if he exacts satisfaction, he hath comforted him rather. Let us therefore not fear hell, but offending God; for it is more grievous than that when He turns away in wrath: this is worse than all, this heavier than all. And that thou mayest learn what a thing it is, consider this which I say. If one that was himself a king, beholding a robber and malefactor under punishment, gave his well-beloved son, his only-begotten and true, to be slain; and transferred the death and the guilt as well, from him to his son, (who was himself of no such character,) that he might both save the condemned man and clear him from his evil reputation345    [The comparison here made shows clearly how the author understood the closing words of the fifth chapter of the Epistle. Indeed his treatment of the weighty 21st verse is very satisfactory. He does not with Augustin and others take ἀμαρτίαν in the sense of a sin-offering, a sense which it is very doubtful if the word ever has, and one that here would be inconsistent with the use of the same word in the clause immediately preceding as well as with the evidently designed antithesis between “sin” and “righteousness.” But he regards the abstract as used for the concrete, which is certainly the true view. The phrase is, as Beet says, “practically the same as, but stronger than, made to be a sinner. By laying upon Christ the punishment of our sin, God made him to be a visible embodiment of the deadly and far-reaching power of sin.” But Chrysostom shows by his comments his acceptance not only of the vicarious atonement, but also of the gratuitous justification, as set forth concisely yet distinctly in this pregnant utterance. There are passages in these and other Homilies which look as if the author held to justification by works, but here he is outspoken to the contrary. Justification comes by grace, not merit, and the righteousness required is the free gift of God. C.]; and then if, having subsequently promoted him to great dignity, he had yet, after thus saving him and advancing him to that glory unspeakable, been outraged by the person that had received such treatment: would not that man, if he had any sense, have chosen ten thousand deaths rather than appear guilty of so great ingratitude? This then let us also now consider with ourselves, and groan bitterly for the provocations we have offered our Benefactor; nor let us therefore presume, because though outraged He bears it with long-suffering; but rather for this very reason be full of remorse346    δακνώμεθα.. For amongst men too, when one that hath been smitten on the right cheek offers the left also, he more avengeth himself than if he gave ten thousand blows; and when one that hath been reviled, not only revileth not again but even blesseth, he hath stricken [his adversary] more heavily, than if he rained upon him ten thousand reproaches. Now if in the case of men we feel ashamed when offering insults we meet with long-suffering; much rather, in respect to God, ought they to be afraid who go on continually sinning yet suffer no calamity. For, even for evil unto their own heads is the unspeakable punishment treasured up for them. These things then bearing in mind, let us above all things be afraid of sin; for this is punishment, this is hell, this is ten thousand ills. And let us not only be afraid of, but also flee from it, and strive to please God continually; for this is the kingdom, this is life, this is ten thousand goods. So shall we also even here obtain already the kingdom and the good things to come; whereunto may we all attain, through the grace and love towards men of our Lord Jesus Christ; with Whom to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory, might, honor, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΑʹ. Εἰδότες οὖν τὸν φόβον τοῦ Κυρίου, ἀνθρώπους πείθομεν, Θεῷ δὲ πεφανερώμεθα: ἐλπίζω δὲ καὶ ἐν ταῖς συνειδήσεσιν ὑμῶν πεφανερῶσθαι. αʹ. Ταῦτα οὖν εἰδότες, φησὶ, τὸ δικαστήριον ἐκεῖνο τὸ φοβερὸν, πάντα πράττομεν ὥστε μὴ δοῦναι ὑμῖν λαβὴν μηδὲ πρόσκομμα μηδὲ ψευδῆ τινα ὑποψίαν πονηρᾶς πράξεως καθ' ἡμῶν. Εἶδες πολιτείας ἀκρίβειαν, καὶ σπουδὴν ψυχῆς κηδεμονικῆς; Οὐ γὰρ δὴ μόνον, ἂν πονηρόν τι πράξωμεν, φησὶν, ἐγκαλούμεθα: ἀλλὰ κἂν μὴ πράξωμεν, ὑποπτευθῶμεν δὲ, καὶ κύριοι τὴν ὑποψίαν ὄντες ἀποκρούσασθαι, καταφρονήσωμεν, δίκην τίνομεν. Οὐ πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνομεν, ἀλλ' ἀφορμὴν διδόντες ὑμῖν καυχήματος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν. Ὅρα πῶς συνεχῶς διορθοῦται τὴν τοῦ δοκεῖν ἐγκωμιάζειν ἑαυτὸν ὑπόνοιαν. Οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτω προσίσταται τοῖς ἀκούουσιν, ὡς τὸ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ τινα λέγειν μεγάλα καὶ θαυμαστά. Ἐπεὶ οὖν ἠναγκάζετο εἰς ταύτην τῶν λόγων ἐμπίπτειν τὴν ὑπόθεσιν, ἐπιδιορθώσει κέχρηται λέγων, ὅτι Τοῦτο δι' ὑμᾶς ποιοῦμεν, οὐ δι' ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ὑμεῖς ἔχητε καλλωπίζεσθαι, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς: καὶ οὐδὲ τοῦτο ἁπλῶς, ἀλλὰ διὰ τοὺς ψευδαποστόλους. Διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγε, Πρὸς τοὺς ἐν προσώπῳ καυχωμένους, καὶ οὐ καρδίᾳ. Εἶδες πῶς αὐτοὺς ἀπέστησεν ἐκείνων, καὶ πρὸς ἑαυτὸν εἵλκυσεν, ἐνδειξάμενος, ὅτι καὶ αὐτοὶ ποθοῦσιν οἱ Κορίνθιοι λαβεῖν τινα ἀφορμὴν, δι' ἧς δυνήσονται ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ λέγειν, καὶ ἀπολογεῖσθαι τοῖς ἐγκαλοῦσιν; Οὐ γὰρ ἵνα ἡμεῖς καυχησώμεθα, φησὶ, ταῦτά φαμεν, ἀλλ' ἵνα ὑμεῖς ἔχητε ἐλευθεροστομεῖν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν: ὅπερ πολλὴν αὐτοῖς ἐστι μαρτυροῦντος ἀγάπην: καὶ οὐχ ἵνα ἁπλῶς καυχήσησθε, ἀλλ' ἵνα μὴ παρασυρῆτε. Ἀλλ' οὕτω μὲν οὐ λέγει σαφῶς, ἑτέρως δὲ καὶ ἡμερώτερον μεθοδεύει τὸν λόγον, καὶ χωρὶς τοῦ πλῆξαι ἐκείνους, λέγων: Ἵνα ἔχητε καυχᾶσθαι πρὸς τοὺς ἐν προσώπῳ καυχωμένους. Ἀλλ' οὐδὲ τοῦτο ἁπλῶς κελεύει ποιεῖν, αἰτίας οὐκ οὔσης, ἀλλ' ὅταν ἐκεῖνοι ἑαυτοὺς ἐπαίρωσι: πανταχοῦ γὰρ τὸν καιρὸν ἐπιζητεῖ. Οὐ τοίνυν ἵνα ἑαυτὸν δείξῃ λαμπρὸν, ἀλλ' ἵνα ἐκείνους παύσῃ ἀτόπως καὶ ἐπὶ βλάβῃ τούτων τῷ πράγματι χρωμένους, τοῦτο ποιεῖ. Τί δέ ἐστιν, Ἐν προσώπῳ; Ἐν τοῖς ὁρωμένοις, ἐν τοῖς πρὸς ἐπίδειξιν. Τοιοῦτοι γὰρ ἦσαν ἐκεῖνοι, πρὸς φιλοτιμίαν πάντα ποιοῦντες, καὶ ἔνδοθεν ὄντες κενοὶ, καὶ εὐλαβείας μὲν ἔχοντες πρόσωπον καὶ σεμνοὶ φαινόμενοι, ἔργων δὲ ἀγαθῶν ἔρημοι καθεστῶτες. Εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, Θεῷ: εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν. Ἄν τέ τι, φησὶ, μέγα φθεγξώμεθα (ἔκστασιν γὰρ τοῦτο καλεῖ, ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ ἀφροσύνην), διὰ τὸν Θεὸν τοῦτο ποιοῦμεν, ἵνα μὴ ὑμεῖς νομίζοντες ἡμᾶς εὐτελεῖς, καταφρονήσητε, καὶ ἀπόλησθε: ἄν τε μέτριόν τι καὶ ταπεινὸν, δι' ὑμᾶς, ἵνα μάθητε ταπεινοφρονεῖν. Ἢ καὶ ἐκεῖνο πάλιν φησὶν, εἰ μὲν μαίνεσθαί τις ἡμᾶς νομίζει, ἡμεῖς παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μισθὸν ἀπαιτοῦμεν, δι' ὃν ἐπὶ τούτοις ὑποπτευόμεθα: εἰ δὲ σωφρονεῖν ἡγεῖται, αὐτὸς ἀπολαυέτω τῆς σωφροσύνης ἡμῶν. Καὶ πάλιν ἄλλως: Μαίνεσθαι τίς ἡμᾶς φησι; Διὰ τὸν Θεὸν τοιαῦτα μαινόμεθα. Διὸ καὶ ἐπάγει: Ἡ γὰρ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ συνέχει ἡμᾶς, κρίναντας τοῦτο. Οὐ γὰρ ὁ τῶν μελλόντων φόβος, φησὶ, μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ ἤδη γεγενημένα οὐκ ἀφίησιν ἡμᾶς ῥᾳθυμῆσαι οὐδὲ ὑπνῶσαι, ἀλλὰ διανίστησι πρὸς τοὺς ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν πόνους, καὶ ὠθεῖ. Καὶ τίνα ἐστὶ τὰ ἤδη γεγενημένα; Ὅτι εἰ εἷς ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανεν, ἄρα οἱ πάντες ἀπέθανον. Οὐκοῦν ὡς πάντων ἀπολομένων, φησίν. Οὐ γὰρ ἂν, εἰ μὴ πάντες ἀπέθανον, ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανεν. Ἐνταῦθα γάρ εἰσιν αἱ τῆς σωτηρίας ἀφορμαὶ, ἐκεῖ δὲ οὐκέτι. Διὰ τοῦτό φησι, Συνέχει ἡμᾶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἀφίησιν ἡμᾶς ἡσυχάζειν. Ἐσχάτης γάρ ἐστιν ἀθλιότητος, καὶ γεέννης αὐτῆς χαλεπώτερον, αὐτοῦ πρᾶγμα τοσοῦτον ἐπιδειξαμένου, εὑρεθῆναί τινας μετὰ τὴν τοσαύτην αὐτοῦ πρόνοιαν μηδὲν καρπουμένους. Καὶ γὰρ πολλὴ τῆς ἀγάπης ἡ ὑπερβολὴ, καὶ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν ὑπὲρ τοσαύτης οἰκουμένης, καὶ οὕτω διακειμένης ἀποθανεῖν. Ἵνα οἱ ζῶντες μηκέτι ἑαυτοῖς ζῶσιν, ἀλλὰ τῷ ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἀποθανόντι καὶ ἐγερθέντι. Εἰ τοίνυν οὐ δεῖ ἡμᾶς ἑαυτοῖς ζῇν, μὴ ταράττεσθε, φησὶ, μηδὲ θορυβεῖσθε κινδύνων ἐπιόντων καὶ θανάτων. Καὶ λογισμὸν δὲ τίθησιν ἀναμφίβολον, δι' οὗ δείκνυσιν ὀφειλὴν τὸ πρᾶγμα ὄν. Εἰ γὰρ δι' αὐτοῦ ζῶμεν ἀποθανόντος, αὐτῷ ζῇν ὀφείλομεν δι' ὃν ζῶμεν. Καὶ δοκεῖ μὲν ἓν εἶναι τὸ εἰρημένον, εἰ δέ τις ἀκριβῶς ἐξετάσειε, δύο ταῦτά ἐστιν: ἓν μὲν, ὅτι δι' αὐτὸν ζῶμεν, ἕτερον δὲ, ὅτι αὐτὸς δι' ἡμᾶς ἀπέθανεν: ὧν ἕκαστον καὶ καθ' ἑαυτὸ ἱκανὸν ὑπευθύνους ποιῆσαι: ὅταν δὲ καὶ ἀμφότερα συνέλθῃ, ἐννόησον ἡλίκον ἐστὶ τὸ ὀφείλημα. Μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ τρία ταῦτά ἐστι. Καὶ γὰρ τὴν ἀπαρχὴν διὰ σὲ ἀνέστησε, καὶ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνήγαγε: διὸ καὶ προσέθηκε, Τῷ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀποθανόντι καὶ ἐγερθέντι. Ὥστε ἡμεῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν οὐδένα οἴδαμεν κατὰ σάρκα. Εἰ γὰρ πάντες ἀπέθανον, καὶ πάντες ἀνέστησαν, καὶ ἀπέθανον μὲν οὕτως ὡς τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἡ τυραννὶς κατεδίκαζεν, ἀνέστησαν δὲ διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας, καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος ἁγίου: εἰκότως φησὶν, Οὐδένα οἴδαμεν κατὰ σάρκα τῶν πιστῶν. Τί γὰρ, εἰ καὶ ἐν σαρκί εἰσιν; Ἀλλὰ ἡ ζωὴ ἐκείνη ἡ σαρκικὴ ἀπώλετο, καὶ ἄνωθεν ἐγεννήθημεν ἐν Πνεύματι, καὶ ἑτέραν οἴδαμεν πολιτείαν καὶ διαγωγὴν καὶ ζωὴν καὶ κατάστασιν τὴν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Καὶ πάλιν τούτου αὐτοῦ ἀρχηγὸν τὸν Χριστὸν ὄντα δείκνυσι: διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγεν, Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἐγνώκαμεν κατὰ σάρκα Χριστὸν, ἀλλὰ νῦν οὐκέτι γινώσκομεν. βʹ. Τί οὖν, εἰπέ μοι; τὴν σάρκα ἀπέθετο, καὶ νῦν οὐκ ἔστι μετὰ τοῦ σώματος; Ἄπαγε: καὶ γὰρ καὶ νῦν ἐν σαρκί ἐστιν. Οὗτος γὰρ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὁ ἀναληφθεὶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, οὕτως ἐλεύσεται. Οὕτω: πῶς; Ἐν σαρκὶ, μετὰ τοῦ σώματος. Πῶς οὖν φησιν, Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἐγνώκαμεν κατὰ σάρκα Χριστὸν, ἀλλὰ νῦν οὐκέτι; Ἡμῶν μὲν γὰρ τὸ Κατὰ σάρκα, τὸ ἐν ἁμαρτίαις εἶναι, τὸ δὲ Μὴ κατὰ σάρκα, τὸ μὴ ἐν ἁμαρτίαις εἶναι. Χριστοῦ δὲ τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, τὸ ἐν τοῖς παθήμασιν εἶναι τῆς φύσεως, οἷον, ἐν τῷ διψῇν, ἐν τῷ πεινῇν, ἐν τῷ κοπιᾷν, ἐν τῷ καθεύδειν (Ἁμαρτίαν γὰρ οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ. Διὸ καὶ ἔλεγε, Τίς ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐλέγχει με περὶ ἁμαρτίας; καὶ πάλιν, Ἔρχεται ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου, καὶ ἐν ἐμοὶ οὐκ ἔχει οὐδέν): τὸ δὲ μὴ κατὰ σάρκα, τὸ καὶ τούτων ἀπηλλάχθαι λοιπὸν, οὐ τὸ ἐκτὸς σαρκὸς εἶναι. Καὶ γὰρ μετὰ ταύτης ἔρχεται κρίνων τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἀπαθῆ αὐτὴν ἔχων καὶ ἀκήρατον: εἰς ὃ καὶ ἡμεῖς βαδιούμεθα, συμμόρφου τοῦ σώματος ἡμῖν γενομένου τῷ σώματι τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ. Ὥστε εἴ τις ἐν Χριστῷ καινὴ κτίσις. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης προέτρεψεν εἰς τὴν ἀρετὴν, λοιπὸν καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν τῶν πραγμάτων εἰς τοῦτο ἐνάγει: διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγεν, Εἴ τις ἐν Χριστῷ καινὴ κτίσις. Εἴ τις ἐπίστευσεν αὐτῷ, φησὶν, εἰς ἑτέραν ἦλθε δημιουργίαν: καὶ γὰρ ἄνωθεν ἐγεννήθη διὰ Πνεύματος. Ὥστε καὶ διὰ τοῦτο, φησὶν, ὀφείλομεν αὐτῷ ζῇν, οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἑαυτῶν μόνον, οὐδ' ὅτι ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν μόνον, οὐδ' ὅτι ἀνέστησεν ἡμῶν τὴν ἀπαρχὴν μόνον, ἀλλ' ὅτι καὶ εἰς ἄλλην ἤλθομεν ζωήν. Ὅρα πόσα δικαιώματα τοῦ καλῶς ζῇν τίθησι. Διὰ γὰρ τοῦτο καὶ παχυτέρῳ ὀνόματι καλεῖ τὴν διόρθωσιν, ἵνα πολλὴν δείξῃ τὴν μετάστασιν καὶ τὴν μεταβολήν. Εἶτα περαιτέρω ἐπεξιὼν τῷ εἰρημένῳ, καὶ δεικνὺς πῶς καινὴ κτίσις, Τὰ ἀρχαῖα παρῆλθε, φησὶν, ἰδοὺ γέγονε καινὰ τὰ πάντα. Ποῖα ἀρχαῖα; Ἤτοι τὰ ἁμαρτήματά φησι, καὶ τὰς ἀσεβείας, ἢ τὰ Ἰουδαϊκὰ πάντα: μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ταῦτα κἀκεῖνά φησιν. Ἰδοὺ γέγονε τὰ πάντα καινά. Τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Οὐδὲν ἐξ ἡμῶν. Καὶ γὰρ ἄφεσις ἁμαρτημάτων καὶ υἱοθεσία καὶ ἡ δόξα ἄφθαρτος ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἡμῖν δεδώρηται. Οὐκέτι γὰρ ἀπὸ τῶν μελλόντων μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν παρόντων αὐτοὺς προτρέπει. Σκόπει δέ: εἶπεν, ὅτι μέλλομεν ἀνίστασθαι, καὶ εἰς ἀφθαρσίαν χωρεῖν, καὶ οἰκίαν ἔχειν αἰώνιον: ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ μείζονα ἰσχὺν εἰς τὸ προτρέψαι ἔχει τὰ παρόντα τῶν μελλόντων πρὸς τοὺς μὴ πιστεύοντας τούτοις, ὡς δεῖ πιστεύειν, δείκνυσιν ὅσα καὶ ἤδη ἔλαβον, καὶ τίνες ὄντες. Τίνες οὖν ὄντες ἔλαβον; Νεκροὶ πάντες (Πάντες γὰρ, φησὶν, ἀπέθανον, καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανεν: οὕτω πάντας ὁμοίως ἠγάπα), πεπαλαιωμένοι, γεγηρακότες ἅπαντες τοῖς κακοῖς. Ἀλλ' ἰδοὺ καὶ ψυχὴ καινὴ (ἐκαθάρθη γὰρ), καὶ σῶμα καινὸν, καὶ λατρεία καινὴ, καὶ ἐπαγγελίαι καιναὶ, καὶ διαθήκη, καὶ ζωὴ, καὶ τράπεζα, καὶ στολὴ, καὶ πάντα καινὰ ἁπλῶς. Καὶ γὰρ ἀντὶ τῆς κάτω Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐλάβομεν τὴν ἄνω μητρόπολιν, καὶ ἀντὶ ναοῦ αἰσθητοῦ ναὸν εἴδομεν πνευματικὸν, ἀντὶ πλακῶν λιθίνων σαρκίνας, ἀντὶ περιτομῆς βάπτισμα, ἀντὶ τοῦ μάννα σῶμα Δεσποτικὸν, ἀντὶ ὕδατος ἀπὸ πέτρας αἷμα ἀπὸ πλευρᾶς, ἀντὶ ῥάβδου Μωϋσέως ἢ Ἀαρὼν τὸν σταυρὸν, ἀντὶ γῆς τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἀντὶ μυρίων ἱερέων ἕνα ἀρχιερέα, ἀντὶ ἀμνοῦ ἀλόγου ἀμνὸν πνευματικόν. Ταῦτα καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα λογιζόμενος ἔλεγε, Καινὰ τὰ πάντα. Ταῦτα δὲ πάντα ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ καὶ τῆς αὐτοῦ δωρεᾶς. Διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγε: Τοῦ καταλλάξαντος ἡμᾶς ἑαυτῷ διὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ δόντος ἡμῖν τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς. Ἀπὸ γὰρ τούτου πάντα τὰ ἀγαθά. Ὁ γὰρ φίλους ἡμᾶς ποιήσας, αὐτὸς καὶ τῶν ἄλλων αἴτιος, ἃ τοῖς φίλοις ἔδωκεν ὁ Θεός. Οὐ γὰρ ἀφεὶς μένειν ἐχθροὺς, οὕτως ἡμᾶς ἠμείψατο, ἀλλὰ φίλους ποιήσας ἑαυτῷ. Ὅταν δὲ εἴπω, ὅτι Χριστὸς αἴτιος τῆς καταλλαγῆς, καὶ τὸν Πατέρα λέγω: ὅταν εἴπω τὸν Πατέρα δεδωκέναι, καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν λέγω. Πάντα γὰρ δι' αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο: καὶ τούτου δὲ αὐτὸς αἴτιος. Οὐ γὰρ ἡμεῖς αὐτῷ προσεδράμομεν, ἀλλ' αὐτὸς ἡμᾶς ἐκάλεσε. Πῶς ἐκάλεσε; Διὰ τῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ σφαγῆς. Καὶ δόντος ἡμῖν τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς. Πάλιν ἐνταῦθα δείκνυσι τὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων ἀξίωμα, δεικνὺς ἡλίκον πρᾶγμα ἐνεχειρίσθησαν, καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν ὑπερβολήν. Οὐδὲ γὰρ, ἐπειδὴ παρήκουσαν τοῦ ἐλθόντος πρεσβευτοῦ, παρωξύνθη καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτοὺς, ἀλλ' ἐπιμένει παρακαλῶν καὶ δι' ἑαυτοῦ καὶ δι' ἑτέρων. Τίς ἂν ταύτην ἀξίως ἐκπλαγείη τὴν κηδεμονίαν; Ἐσφάγη ὁ Υἱὸς ἐπὶ καταλλαγὰς ἐλθὼν, ὁ γνήσιος καὶ μονογενὴς, καὶ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἀπεστράφη τοὺς ἀνῃρηκότας ὁ Πατὴρ, οὐδὲ εἶπεν, Ἔπεμψα τὸν Υἱόν μου πρεσβευσόμενον, οἱ δὲ οὐ μόνον οὐκ ἠθέλησαν ἀκοῦσαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀνεῖλον καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν: ἄξιον αὐτοὺς ἀφεῖναι λοιπόν: ἀλλὰ τοὐναντίον ἅπαν, ἐπειδὴ ἐκεῖνος ἀπῆλθεν, ἡμῖν τὸ πρᾶγμα ἐπίστευσε. Δόντος γὰρ ἡμῖν, φησὶ, τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς. Ὡς ὅτι Θεὸς ἦν ἐν Χριστῷ κόσμον καταλλάσσων ἑαυτῷ, μὴ λογιζόμενος αὐτοῖς τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν. Εἶδες ἀγάπην πάντα λόγον, πάντα ὑπερβαίνουσαν νοῦν; Τίς ὁ ὑβρισμένος; Αὐτός. Τίς ὁ πρῶτος ἐλθὼν εἰς καταλλαγάς; Αὐτός. Καὶ μὴν τὸν Υἱὸν ἔπεμψε, φησὶν, οὐκ αὐτὸς ἦλθε. Τὸν Υἱὸν μὲν ἔπεμψεν, οὐκ αὐτὸς δὲ παρεκάλει μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ μετ' αὐτοῦ καὶ δι' αὐτοῦ ὁ Πατήρ: διὸ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ὁ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ καταλλάσσων ἑαυτῷ τὸν κόσμον ἐν Χριστῷ. Τουτέστι, διὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ εἶπε, Τοῦ δόντος ἡμῖν τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς, ἐπιδιορθώσει κέχρηται, λέγων: Μὴ νομίσητε, ὅτι ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν οἱ τοῦ πράγματος αὐθένται: διάκονοί ἐσμεν: ὁ δὲ τὸ πᾶν ἐργαζόμενος Θεός ἐστιν, ὁ διὰ τοῦ Μονογενοῦς τὴν οἰκουμένην καταλλάξας. Καὶ πῶς κατήλλαξεν ἑαυτῷ; τοῦτο γάρ ἐστι τὸ θαυμαστὸν, οὐχ ὅτι φίλος ἐγένετο μόνον, ἀλλ' ὅτι καὶ οὕτω φίλος. Οὕτω: πῶς; Ἀφεὶς αὐτοῖς τὰ ἁμαρτήματα: ἄλλως γὰρ οὐκ ἦν: διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγε, Μὴ λογιζόμενος αὐτοῖς τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν. Καὶ γὰρ εἰ ἠθέλησεν ἀπαιτῆσαι λόγον τῶν πεπλημμελημένων, πάντες ἂν ἀπωλόμεθα: οἱ γὰρ πάντες ἀπέθανον. Ἀλλ' ὅμως τοσούτων ὄντων τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων, οὐ μόνον οὐκ ἀπῄτησε δίκην, ἀλλὰ καὶ κατηλλάγη: οὐ μόνον ἀφῆκεν, ἀλλ' οὐδὲ ἐλογίσατο. Οὕτω καὶ ἡμᾶς ἀφιέναι χρὴ τοῖς ἐχθροῖς, ἵνα τῆς αὐτῆς καὶ αὐτοὶ τύχωμεν ἀφέσεως. Καὶ θέμενος ἐν ἡμῖν τὸν λόγον τῆς καταλλαγῆς. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ἐπί τι φορτικὸν ἤλθομεν νῦν, ἀλλ' ἵνα φίλους πάντας ποιήσωμεν τῷ Θεῷ. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐμοὶ, φησὶν, οὐκ ἐπείσθησαν, παραμείνατε παρακαλοῦντες ὑμεῖς, ἕως ἂν πείσητε. Διὸ καὶ ἐπήγαγεν: Ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ οὖν πρεσβεύομεν, ὡς τοῦ Θεοῦ παρακαλοῦντος δι' ἡμῶν. Δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, καταλλάγητε τῷ Θεῷ. γʹ. Εἶδες πῶς ἦρε τὸ πρᾶγμα, τὸν Χριστὸν εἰσαγαγὼν τιθέντα τὴν ἱκετηρίαν ταύτην; μᾶλλον δὲ οὐχὶ τὸν Χριστὸν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν Πατέρα; Ὃ γὰρ λέγει, τοῦτό ἐστιν: Ἔπεμψε τὸν Υἱὸν ὁ Πατὴρ παρακαλέσαι, καὶ πρεσβεύσασθαι πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἀνθρώπων φύσιν ὑπὲρ αὑτοῦ. Ἐπεὶ οὖν σφαγεὶς ἐκεῖνος ἀπῆλθεν, ἡμεῖς διεδεξάμεθα τὴν πρεσβείαν, καὶ ἀντ' αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς παρακαλοῦμεν ὑμᾶς. Τοσούτου τιμᾶται τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένος, ὅτι καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν ἐπέδωκε, καὶ ταῦτα εἰδὼς ὅτι σφαγήσεται, καὶ ἀποστόλους ἡμᾶς δι' ὑμᾶς ἐποίησεν: ὥστε εἰκότως ἔλεγε, Πάντα δι' ὑμᾶς. Ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ οὖν πρεσβεύομεν. Τουτέστιν, ἀντὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ: ἡμεῖς γὰρ ἀνεδεξάμεθα τὰ ἐκείνου. Εἰ δὲ μέγα σοι δοκεῖ τοῦτο εἶναι, ἄκουσον καὶ τῶν ἑξῆς, δι' ὧν δείκνυσιν, ὅτι οὐκ ἀντ' αὐτοῦ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀντὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς τοῦτο ποιοῦσι. Διὰ γὰρ τοῦτο καὶ ἐπήγαγεν, Ὡς τοῦ Θεοῦ παρακαλοῦντος δι' ἡμῶν. Οὐ γὰρ διὰ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ παρακαλεῖ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ δι' ἡμῶν τῶν τὸ ἐκείνου ἀναδεξαμένων ἔργον. Μὴ τοίνυν νομίσητε, φησὶν, ὑφ' ἡμῶν ἀξιοῦσθαι: αὐτὸς ὁ Χριστὸς ὑμᾶς παρακαλεῖ, αὐτὸς ὁ τοῦ Χριστοῦ Πατὴρ δι' ἡμῶν. Τί ταύτης τῆς ὑπερβολῆς γένοιτ' ἂν ἴσον; Αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ μυρία εὐεργετήσας ὑβρισθεὶς, οὐ μόνον οὐκ ἀπῄτησε δίκην, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἔδωκε τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ἵνα καταλλαγῶμεν. Οὐ κατηλλάγησαν οἱ δεξάμενοι, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἔσφαξαν. Πάλιν ἔπεμψεν ἑτέρους πρέσβεις παρακαλοῦντας: καὶ τούτων πεμφθέντων, αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀξιῶν. Τί δὲ ἀξιοῖ; Καταλλάγητε τῷ Θεῷ. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπε, Καταλλάξατε ἑαυτοῖς τὸν Θεόν: οὐ γὰρ ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν ὁ ἐχθραίνων, ἀλλ' ὑμεῖς: Θεὸς γὰρ οὐδέποτε ἐχθραίνει. Καὶ δικαιολογούμενος δὲ καθάπερ πρεσβευτὴς ἀποσταλεὶς, Τὸν γὰρ μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν, ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησε, φησίν. Οὐ λέγω τὰ πρότερα, ὅτι ὑβρίσατε, ὅτι οὐδὲν ἠδικηκότα, ὅτι εὐεργετήσαντα, ὅτι δίκην οὐκ ἀπῄτησεν, ὅτι παρακαλεῖ πρῶτος, ὑβρισθεὶς πρῶτος: μηδὲν ἐκείνων κείσθω τέως. Διὰ τοῦτο μόνον οὐκ ἂν εἴητε δίκαιοι καταλλαγῆναι, δι' ὅπερ ἐποίησεν εἰς ὑμᾶς νῦν; Καὶ τί ἐποίησε; Τὸν γὰρ μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν, δι' ὑμᾶς ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησεν. Εἰ γὰρ μηδὲν ἤνυσε, τοῦτο δὲ μόνον εἰργάσατο, ἐννόησον ἡλίκον ἦν τὸ ὑπὲρ τῶν ὑβρικότων τὸν Υἱὸν δοῦναι. Νυνὶ δὲ καὶ μεγάλα κατώρθωσε, καὶ μετὰ τούτων τὸν οὐδὲν ἠδικηκότα ὑπὲρ τῶν ἠδικηκότων κολασθῆναι εἴασεν. Ἀλλ' οὐκ εἶπε τοῦτο, ἀλλ' ὃ πολλῷ μεῖζόν ἐστι τούτου τέθεικε. Ποῖον δὴ τοῦτο; Τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν, φησὶ, τὸν αὐτοδικαιοσύνην ὄντα, ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησε: τουτέστιν, ὡς ἁμαρτωλὸν κατακριθῆναι ἀφῆκεν, ὡς ἐπικατάρατον ἀποθανεῖν: Ἐπικατάρατος γὰρ ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου. Τοῦ γὰρ ἀποθανεῖν τὸ οὕτως ἀποθανεῖ πολλῷ μεῖζον ἦν: ὅπερ καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ αἰνιττόμενος, φησὶν, Ὑπήκοος γενόμενος μέχρι θανάτου, θανάτου δὲ σταυροῦ. Οὐδὲ γὰρ κόλασιν εἶχε μόνον τὸ πρᾶγμα, ἀλλὰ καὶ αἰσχύνην. Ἐννόησον τοίνυν ὅσα σοι παρέσχε. Μέγα μὲν γὰρ καὶ τὸ ἁμαρτωλὸν ὄντα ὑπὲρ ὁτουοῦν ἀποθανεῖν: ὅταν δὲ καὶ δίκαιος ὁ τοῦτο πάσχων ᾖ, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἀποθάνῃ, καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὡς ἐπικατάρατος, καὶ μὴ ὡς ἐπικατάρατος μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ μεγάλα ἡμῖν ἐντεῦθεν χαρίζηται ἀγαθὰ, ἃ μηδέποτε προσεδοκήσαμεν (Ἵνα γὰρ γενώμεθα Θεοῦ δικαιοσύνη ἐν αὐτῷ, φησὶ), ποῖος ταῦτα λόγος, ποῖος ταῦτα παραστῆσαι δυνήσεται νοῦς; Τὸν γὰρ δίκαιον, φησὶν, ἐποίησεν ἁμαρτωλὸν, ἵνα τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς ποιήσῃ δικαίους. Μᾶλλον δὲ οὐδὲ οὕτως εἶπεν, ἀλλ' ὃ πολλῷ μεῖζον ἦν: οὐ γὰρ ἕξιν ἔθηκεν, ἀλλ' αὐτὴν τὴν ποιότητα. Οὐ γὰρ εἶπεν, Ἐποίησεν ἁμαρτωλὸν, ἀλλ' ἁμαρτίαν: οὐχὶ, Τὸν μὴ ἁμαρτόντα μόνον, ἀλλὰ, τὸν μηδὲ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν: ἵνα καὶ ἡμεῖς γενώμεθα, οὐκ εἶπε, δίκαιοι, ἀλλὰ δικαιοσύνη, καὶ Θεοῦ δικαιοσύνη. Θεοῦ γάρ ἐστιν αὕτη, ὅταν μὴ ἐξ ἔργων, ὅταν καὶ κηλῖδα ἀνάγκη τινὰ μὴ εὑρεθῆναι, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ χάριτος δικαιωθῶμεν, ἔνθα πᾶσα ἁμαρτία ἠφάνισται. Τοῦτο δὲ ὁμοῦ οὔτε ἐπαρθῆναι ἀφίησιν, ἅτε τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸ πᾶν χαρισαμένου, καὶ διδάσκει τοῦ δοθέντος τὸ μέγεθος. Ἐκείνη γὰρ ἡ προτέρα νόμου καὶ ἔργων δικαιοσύνη, αὕτη δὲ Θεοῦ δικαιοσύνη. Ταῦτ' οὖν ἐννοήσαντες φοβηθῶμεν τῆς γεέννης μᾶλλον τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, αἰδεσθῶμεν μᾶλλον τῆς βασιλείας τὰ πράγματα, καὶ μὴ νομίσωμεν χαλεπὸν εἶναι τὸ κολάζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἁμαρτάνειν. Καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς εἰ μὴ ἐκόλαζεν ἡμᾶς, αὐτοὺς ἐχρῆν ἀπαιτῆσαι δίκην ἑαυτοὺς, οὕτως ἀγνώμονας περὶ τὸν εὐεργέτην γενομένους. Νῦν δὲ ἐρωμένην μέν τις ἔχων, πολλάκις καὶ ἑαυτὸν κατέσφαξε, μὴ τυχὼν τοῦ ἔρωτος: καὶ τυχὼν δὲ, πεπλημμεληκὼς εἰς αὐτὴν, οὐδὲ ἄξιον ζῇν ἡγεῖται: εἰς δὲ τὸν οὕτω φιλάνθρωπον καὶ ἥμερον ὑβρίζοντες, οὐχ ἑαυτοὺς ἐμβαλοῦμεν εἰς τὸ πῦρ τῆς γεέννης; Εἴπω τι παράδοξον καὶ θαυμαστὸν, καὶ πολλοῖς ἴσως ἄπιστον: μείζων ἔσται παραμυθία τῷ κολαζομένῳ μετὰ τὸ παροξῦναι τὸν οὕτω φιλάνθρωπον, ἐὰν νοῦν ἔχῃ, καὶ φιλῇ τὸν Δεσπότην, ὡς φιλεῖν δεῖ, ἢ τῷ μὴ κολαζομένῳ. δʹ. Καὶ τοῦτο καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς κοινῆς συνηθείας ἔστιν ἰδεῖν. Ὁ γὰρ εἰς τὸν φίλτατον ἠδικηκὼς, τότε μάλιστα ἀναπαύεται, ὅταν ἑαυτὸν ἀπαιτήσῃ δίκην, καὶ πάθῃ κακῶς: ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ ὁ Δαυῒδ ἔλεγεν, Ἐγὼ ὁ ποιμὴν ἥμαρτον, καὶ ἐγὼ ὁ ποιμὴν ἐκακοποίησα: καὶ οὗτοι, τὸ ποίμνιον, τί ἐποίησαν; Γενέσθω ἡ χείρ σου ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρός μου. Καὶ ὅτε τὸν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἀπώλεσε, δίκην ἑαυτὸν ἀπῄτει τὴν ἐσχάτην: καίτοι γε οὐκ ἦν αὐτὸς ὁ ἠδικηκὼς, ἀλλ' ὁ ἠδικημένος: ἀλλ' ὅμως ἐπειδὴ σφόδρα ἐφίλει τὸν ἀπελθόντα, κατέτεινεν ἑαυτὸν ταῖς ὀδύναις, ταύτῃ παραμυθούμενος ἑαυτόν. Καὶ ἡμεῖς τοίνυν, ὅταν ἁμαρτάνωμεν εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἐχρῆν ἁμαρτάνειν, δίκην ἑαυτοὺς ἀπαιτῶμεν. Οὐχ ὁρᾶτε τοὺς ἀποβαλόντας παῖδας γνησίους, ὅτι διὰ τοῦτο καὶ κόπτονται καὶ τρίχας τίλλουσιν, ἐπειδὴ παραμυθίαν ἔχει τὸ κολάζειν ἑαυτοὺς ὑπὲρ τῶν φιλουμένων; Εἰ δὲ, ὅταν μηδὲν ἐργασώμεθα ἡμεῖς τοὺς φιλτάτους δεινὸν, φέρει παραμυθίαν ἡμῖν τὸ κακῶς πάσχειν, ὑπὲρ ὧν ἐκεῖνοι κακῶς πεπόνθασιν: ὅταν αὐτοὶ ὦμεν οἱ παροξύναντες καὶ ὑβρικότες, οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἡμᾶς ἀναπαύσει τὸ δίκην δοῦναι, ἢ τὸ μὴ κολάζεσθαι κόλασιν; Παντί που δῆλον. Εἴ τις φιλεῖ τὸν Χριστὸν, ὡς φιλεῖν δεῖ, οἶδεν ὃ λέγω, πῶς οὐδὲ αὐτοῦ συγχωροῦντος ἀνέξεται μὴ κολάζεσθαι: τὴν γὰρ μεγίστην κόλασιν ὑπομένεις παροξύνας αὐτόν. Καὶ οἶδα μὲν τοῖς πολλοῖς ἄπιστα λέγων, πλὴν ἀλλ' οὕτως ἐστὶν ὥσπερ εἴρηκα. Ἐὰν τοίνυν φιλῶμεν τὸν Χριστὸν, ὡς φιλεῖν δεῖ, ἑαυτοὺς τιμωρησόμεθα ἁμαρτάνοντες. Τοῖς γὰρ ὁτουοῦν ἐρῶσιν οὐ τὸ κακόν τι παθεῖν ἀηδὲς, ὑπὲρ ὧν παρώξυναν τὸν ἐρώμενον, ἀλλ' αὐτὸ πρὸ πάντων τὸ παροξῦναι τὸν ἀγαπώμενον. Κἂν ὀργισθεὶς οὗτος μὴ κολάσῃ, μειζόνως ἐβασάνισε τὸν ἐραστήν: ἂν δὲ δίκην ἀπαιτήσῃ, μᾶλλον παρεμυθήσατο. Μὴ τοίνυν γέενναν φοβώμεθα, ἀλλὰ τὸ προσκροῦσαι τῷ Θεῷ: τοῦτο γὰρ ἐκείνου χαλεπώτερον, ὅταν ἀποστρέφηται ὀργιζόμενος: τοῦτο πάντων χεῖρον, τοῦτο πάντων φορτικώτερον. Καὶ ἵνα μάθῃς ἡλίκον ἐστὶν, ἐννόησον τοῦτο ὃ λέγω. Εἴ τις κολαζόμενον ἰδὼν ἄνθρωπον λῃστὴν καὶ κακοῦργον, αὐτὸς βασιλεὺς ὢν, τὸν ἀγαπητὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ καὶ γνήσιον ἔδωκεν ὥστε σφαγῆναι, καὶ μετὰ τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τὴν αἰτίαν ἀπ' ἐκείνου μετήνεγκεν ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν οὐκ ὄντα τοιοῦτον, ἵνα καὶ σώσῃ τὸν κατάδικον, καὶ τῆς πονηρᾶς ὑπολήψεως ἀπαλλάξῃ, εἶτα μετὰ ταῦτα εἰς μεγάλην ἀρχὴν αὐτὸν ἀναγαγὼν, μετὰ τὴν σωτηρίαν καὶ τὴν δόξαν τὴν ἀπόῤῥητον, ὑβρίζετο παρὰ τοῦ τοιαῦτα πεπονθότος: οὐκ ἂν εἵλετο μυριάκις ἀποθανεῖν ἐκεῖνος, εἴ γε νοῦν εἶχεν, ἢ τοσαύτῃ ἀγνωμοσύνῃ φανῆναι ὑπεύθυνος ὤν; Τοῦτο δὴ καὶ νῦν λογιζώμεθα, καὶ στένωμεν πικρῶς ἐφ' οἷς παρωξύναμεν τὸν εὐεργέτην: μηδὲ, ἐπειδὴ μακροθύμως ὑβριζόμενος φέρει, διὰ τοῦτο θαῤῥῶμεν, ἀλλὰ δι' αὐτὸ μὲν οὖν τοῦτο δακνώμεθα. Καὶ γὰρ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅταν τις πληγεὶς τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, δῷ καὶ τὴν ἀριστερὰν, μειζόνως ἀμύνεται, ἢ εἰ μυρίας ἔδωκε πληγάς: καὶ ὅταν λοιδορηθεὶς, μὴ μόνον οὐκ ἀντιλοιδορήσῃ, ἀλλὰ καὶ εὐλογήσῃ, χαλεπώτερον ἔπληξεν, ἢ εἰ μυρίοις ὀνείδεσιν ἔπλυνεν. Εἰ δὲ ἐπ' ἀνθρώπων, ὅταν ὑβρίζοντες μακροθυμίας ἀπολαύωμεν, καταισχυνόμεθα: πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐπὶ Θεοῦ δεδοικέναι χρὴ τοὺς ἁμαρτάνοντας διηνεκῶς, καὶ οὐδὲν πάσχοντας δεινόν: καὶ γὰρ καὶ ἐπὶ κακῷ τῆς ἑαυτῶν κεφαλῆς ἡ ἄφατος αὐτοῖς θησαυρίζεται τιμωρία. Ταῦτ' οὖν ἐννοοῦντες, πρὸ πάντων ἁμαρτίαν φοβώμεθα: τοῦτο γὰρ κόλασις, τοῦτο γέεννα, τοῦτο τὰ μυρία κακά. Μὴ φοβώμεθα δὲ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ φεύγωμεν, καὶ τῷ Θεῷ σπουδάζωμεν διηνεκῶς ἀρέσκειν: τοῦτο γὰρ βασιλεία, τοῦτο ζωὴ, τοῦτο τὰ μυρία καλά. Οὕτω καὶ ἐντεῦθεν ἤδη τῆς βασιλείας ἐπιτευξόμεθα, καὶ τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν: ὧν γένοιτο πάντας ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.