Homily XXI.

Rom. XII. 4, 5

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

Again he uses the same ensample as he does to the Corinthians, and that to allay the same passion. For great is the power of the medicine, and the force of this illustration for the correcting of this disease of haughtiness. Why (he means) dost thou think highly of thyself? Or why again does another utterly despise himself? Are we not all one body, both great and small? When then we are in the total number but one, and members one of another, why dost thou by thy haughtiness separate thyself? Why dost thou put thy brother to shame? For as he is a member of thee, so art thou also of him. And it is on this score that your claims to honor are so equal. For he has stated two things that might take down their haughty spirit: one that we are members one of another, not the small of the great only, but also the great of the small; and another, that we are all one body. Or rather there are three points, since he shows that the gift was one of grace. “Therefore be not high-minded.” For it was given thee of God; thou didst not take it, nor find it even. Hence too, when he touches upon the gifts, he does not say that one received more, and another less, but what? different. For his words are, “having then gifts,” not less and greater, but, “differing.” And what if thou art not appointed to the same office, still the body is the same. And beginning with gifts, he ends with a good deed (4 mss. pl.); and so after mentioning prophecy, and ministry, and the like, he concludes with mercy, diligence, and succor. Since then it was likely that some would be virtuous, yet not have prophecy, he shows how that this too is a gift, and a much greater one than the other (as he shows in the Epistle to the Corinthians), and so much the greater, as that one has a reward, the other is devoid of a recompense. For the whole is matter of gift and grace. Wherefore he saith,

Ver. 6. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace of God that is given unto us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.”

Since then he had sufficiently comforted them, he wishes also to make them vie with each other,350    Or feel they need an effort ἐναγωνίους. See on Rom. xi. 21 p. 349. and labor more in earnest, by showing that it is themselves that give the grounds for their receiving more or less. For he says indeed that it is given by God (as when he says, “according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith;” and again, “according to the grace given unto us”) (Rom. xii. 3), that he may subdue the haughty. But he says also that the beginnings lie with themselves, to rouse the listless. And this he does in the Epistle to the Corinthians also, to produce both these emotions. For when he saith, “covet earnestly the gifts,” (1 Cor. xii. 31), he shows that they were themselves the cause of the differences in what was given. But when he says, “Now all these things worketh one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (ib. 11), he is proving that those who have received it ought not to be elated, so using every way open to him to allay their disorder. And this he does here also. And again, to rouse those who have fallen drowsy, he says, “Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” For though it is a grace, yet it is not poured forth at random, but framing its measure according to the recipients, it letteth as much flow as it may find the vessel of faith that is brought to be capable of.351    Prophecy is to be κατὰ τὴν αναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως (6). In the view of some (as Meyer) the man’s own faith is meant. He should not exceed in his speaking the limits of his faith. Others (as Philippi) take “faith” in the objective sense as a body of doctrine and find the idea here which was later associated with the expression analogia fidei: the word πίστις will not bear this meaning and the individual’s own faith seems too narrow a criterion of prophecy. It seems better to understand the expression as meaning that the prophet is to regulate his utterance by the character and contents of the faith of the church; that he should in his prophetic utterances keep to the line of the Church’s trust and hope and not feel at liberty to add new or heterogeneous elements. The terms διακονία (7) and διδάσκων seem to refer to the two offices of the church deacons and presbyters, although others hold the view (of Chrys.) that the words are merely general.—G.B.S.

Ver. 7. “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering.”

Here he names a comprehensive thing. For the Apostleship even is called a ministry, and every spiritual work is a ministry. This is indeed a name of a peculiar office (viz. the diaconate); however, it is used in a general sense. “Or he that teacheth, on teaching.” See with what indifference he places them, the little first and the great afterwards, again giving us the same lesson, not to be puffed up or elated.

Ver. 8. “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation.”

And this is a species of teaching too. For “if ye have any word of exhortation,” it says, “speak unto the people.” (Acts xiii. 15.) Then to show that it is no great good to follow after virtue unless this is done with the proper rule, he proceeds, “He that giveth” (μεταδιδοὺς, imparteth), “let him do it with simplicity.” For it is not enough to give, but we must do it with munificence also, for this constantly answereth to the name of simplicity. Since even the virgins had oil, still, since they had not enough, they were cast out from everything. “He that defendeth” (A.V. ruleth, προἵστάμενος,) “with diligence;” for it is not enough to do undertake the defence.352    Near the end of Hom. 19, we have κἂν ἀδικουμένῳ περιτύχῃ προστήσεται, which proves that he takes the word in the sense here given. “Unless,” added by Ben. and 2 mss. “he do it with diligence and zeal.” “He that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” For it is not enough to show mercy, but it behooves us to do it with a largeness and an ungrudging spirit, or rather not with an ungrudging, but even with a cheerful and rejoicing one, for not grudging does not amount to rejoicing. And this same point, when he is writing to the Corinthians also, he insisted very strongly upon. For to rouse them to such largeness he said, “He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (2 Cor. ix. 6.) But to correct their temper he added, “Not grudgingly or of necessity.” (ib. 7.) For both the shower of mercy ought to have, both ungrudgingness and pleasure. And why dost thou bemoan thyself of giving alms? (Aristot. Eth. N. ii. 3 and iv. 1.) Why dost thou grieve at showing mercy, and lose the advantage of the good deed? For if thou grievest thou dost not do mercy, but art cruel and inhuman. For if thou grievest, how shalt thou be able to raise up him that is in sorrow? For it is much if he suspects no ill, even, when thou art giving with joyfulness. For since nothing seems to men such a disgrace as to be receiving from others, unless by an exceedingly cheerful look thou removest the suspicion, and showest that thou art receiving rather than giving, thou wilt even cast down the receiver rather than raise him up. This is why he says, “He that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” For who that is receiving a kingdom, is of sad countenance? Who that is receiving pardon for his sins continueth of dejected look? Mind not then the expenditure of the money; but the increase that comes of that expenditure. For if he that soweth rejoiceth though sowing with uncertainty of return, much more should he do so that farms the Heaven. For in this way, even though thou give but little, thou wilt be giving much; even as how much soever thou givest with a sad countenance, thou wilt have made thy much a little. Thus the widow outweighed many talents by the two mites, for her spirit was large. And how is it possible, it may be said, for one that dwells with poverty in the extreme, and empties forth his all, to do this with a ready mind? Ask the widow, and thou wilt hear the way, and wilt know that it is not poverty353    πενία here seems distinguished from πτωχεία, as in the Plutus. that makes narrow circumstances, but the temper of a man that effects both this and its opposite. For it is possible even in poverty to be munificent (μεγαλόψυχον), and in riches to be niggardly. Hence in giving he looks for simplicity, and in showing mercy for cheerfulness, and in patronizing for diligence. For it is not with money only that he wishes us to render every assistance to those in want, but both with words, and deeds, and in person, and in every other way. And after mentioning the chief kind of aiding (προστασίαν), that which lies in teaching, namely, and that of exhorting (for this is a more necessary kind, in that it nurtures the soul), he proceeds to that by way of money, and all other means; then to show how these may be practised aright, he bringeth in the mother of them, love.

Ver. 9. For, “Let love be without dissimulation,” he says,

If thou hast this, thou wilt not perceive the loss of thy money, the labor of thy person, the toil of thy words, thy trouble, and thy ministering, but thou wilt bear all courageously, whether it be with person, or money, or word, or any other thing whatsover, that thou art to assist thy neighbor. As then he doth not ask for giving only, but that with simplicity, nor aiding, but that with diligence, nor alms, but that with cheerfulness; so even love too he requires not alone, but that without dissimulation. Since this is what love is. And if a man have this, everything else follows. For he that showeth mercy does so with cheerfulness (for he is giving to himself): and he that aideth, aideth with diligence; for it is for himself he is aiding: and he that imparteth doth this with largeness; for he is bestowing it on himself. Then since there is a love even for ill things, such as is that of the intemperate, that of those who are of one mind for money, and for plunder’s sake, and for revels and drinking clubs, he clears it of all these, by saying, “Abhor (ἀποστυγοὕντες) that which is evil.” And he does not speak of refraining from it, but of hating it, and not merely hating it, but hating it exceedingly. For this word354    Viz. in composition.ἀπὸ is often of intensive force with him, as where he speaks of “earnest expectation,355    ἀποκαραδοκία, Rom. viii. 19. looking out for,”356    ἀπεκδεχόμενοι, Rom. viii. 23. (complete) “redemption.”357    ἀπολύτρωσις, Rom. viii. 23, see ad loc. Hom. xiv. p. 445. For since many who do not evil things still have a desire after them, therefore he says, “Abhor.” For what he wants is to purify the thought, and that we should have a mighty enmity, hatred and war against vice. For do not fancy, he means, because I said, “Love one another,” that I mean you to go so far as to coöperate even in bad actions with one another; for the law that I am laying down is just the reverse. Since it would have you an alien not from the action only, but even from the inclination towards vice; and not merely an alien from this same inclination, but to have an excessive aversion and hatred of it too. And he is not content with only this, but he also brings in the practice of virtue. “Cleave to that which is good.”

He does not speak of doing only, but of being disposed too. For this the command to “cleave to” it indicates. So God, when He knit the man to the woman, said, “For he shall cleave to his wife.” (Gen. ii. 24.) Then he mentions reasons why we ought to love one another.

Ver. 10. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.”

Ye are brethren, he means, and have come of the same pangs. Hence even on this head you ought to love one another. And this Moses said to those who were quarrelling in Egypt, “Ye are brethren, why do ye wrong one to another?” (Exod. ii. 13.) When then he is speaking of those without, he says, “If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, live peaceably with all men.” (Rom. xii. 18.) But when he is speaking of his own, he says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.” For in the other case he requires abstinence from quarrelling, and hatred, and aversion: but here loving too, and not merely loving, but the loving of relatives. For not only must one’s “love be without dissimulation,” but intense also, and warm, and glowing. Because, to what purpose would you love without fraud, and not love with warmth? Whence he says, “kindly affectioned one towards another, that is, be friends, and warm ones too. Do not wait to be loved by another, but leap at it thyself, and be the first to begin it. For so wilt thou reap the wages of his love also. Having mentioned the reason then why we ought to love one another, he tells us also the way in which the affection may grow unchangeable. Whence he proceeds, “In honor preferring one another.” For this is the way that affection is produced, and also when produced abideth. And there is nothing which makes friends so much, as the earnest endeavor to overcome one’s neighbor in honoring him.358    Chrys. evidently takes προηγουμενοι (10) in the sense of excelling; others understand the word temporally and render anticipating. The word (hapaxl.) is better taken as in our vss. preferring, i.e. “going before, as guides, namely, with the conduct which incites others to follow,” (Meyer).—G.B.S. For what he had mentioned before comes of love, and love of honor, as honor does too of love. Then that we may not honor only, he looks for something besides, when he says,

Ver. 11. “Not backward in zeal.”359    A.V. not slothful in business; R.V. In diligence not slothful.

For this also gendereth love when with honor we also show a readiness to protect: as there is nothing that makes men beloved so much as honor and forethought. For to love is not enough, but there must be this also: or rather this also comes of loving, as also loving has its warmth from this, and they are confirmative one of another. For there are many that love in mind, yet reach not forth the hand. And this is why he uses every means to build up love. And how are we to become “not backward in zeal?”

“Fervent in spirit.” See how in every instance he aims after higher degrees; for he does not say “give” only, but “with largeness;” nor “rule,” but do it “with diligence;” nor “show mercy,” but do it “with cheerfulness;” nor “honor,” but “prefer one another;” nor “love,” but do it “without dissimulation;” nor refrain from “evil” things, but “hate” them; nor hold to “what is good,” but “cleave” to it; nor “love,” but to do it “with brotherly affection;” nor be zealous, but be so without backwardness; nor have the “Spirit,” but have it “fervent,” that is, that ye may be warm and awakened. For if thou hast those things aforesaid, thou wilt draw the Spirit to thee. And if This abide with thee, It will likewise make thee good for those purposes, and all things will be easy from the Spirit and the love, while thou art made to glow from both sides. Dost thou not see the bulls (Hannibal. ap. Liv. xxii. 16) that carry a flame upon their back, how nobody is able to withstand them? So thou also wilt be more than the devil can sustain, if thou takest both these flames. “Serving the Lord.”360    Here the mss. and vss. vary between τῷ κυρί& 251· and τῷ καιρῷ (v. 11). The latter text gives the idea of serving the time or adapting one’s self to the opportunity and is adopted by many (as Meyer, Godet) on the ground that the precept: serving the Lord is too general to be in point here among these specific exhortations. The mss. evidence for τῷ κυρί& 251·, however is too strong to be overthrown by a consideration so subjective (א, B, A, E, L, P, It. Syr. vs. D. F. G.).—G.B.S. For it is possible to serve God in all these ways; in that whatever thou doest to thy brother passes on to thy Master, and as having been Himself benefited, He will reckon thy reward accordingly. See to what height he has raised the spirit of the man that worketh these things! Then to show how the flame of the Spirit might be kindled, he says,

Ver. 12. “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.”

For all these things are fuel for that fire. For when he had required the expenditure of money and the labor of the person, and ruling, and zeal, and teaching, and other laborious occupations, he again supplies the wrestler with love, with the Spirit, through hope. For there is nothing which makes the soul so courageous and venturesome for anything as a good hope. Then even before the good things hoped for, he gives another reward again. For since hope is of things to come, he says, “patient in tribulation.” And before the things to come, in this life present thou wilt gain a great good (see on Rom. v. 4, p. 397) from tribulation, that of becoming hardy and tried. And after this he affords them another help, when he says, “continuing instant in prayer.” When therefore love maketh things easy, and the Spirit assisteth, and hope lighteneth, and tribulation maketh thee tried and apt for bearing everything nobly, and thou hast along with these another very great weapon, to wit, “prayer” and the aidances that come of prayer, what further grievousness can there be in what he is enjoining? Surely none. You see how in every way he gives the wrestler firm footing and shows that the injunctions are perfectly easy. Consider again how he vindicates almsgiving, or rather not almsgiving absolutely, but that to the saints. For above when he says, “he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness,” he makes us open-handed to everybody. Here, however, it is in behalf of the faithful that he is speaking. And so he proceeds to say,

Ver. 13. “Sharing with the necessity (χρείαις, al. μνείαις, memories) of the saints.”

He does not say, Bestow upon, but “share with the necessity361    St. Chrysostom (on 2 Tim. i. 16, p. 189 O.T.) adopts and argues on the reading, μνείαις, for which there is some authority. See Brit. Crit. No. LI. pp. 80, 81. of the saints,” to show that they receive more than they give, that it is a matter of merchandise, because it is a community. Do you bring in money? They bring you in boldness toward God. “Given to (Gr. pursuing) hospitality.” He does not say doing it, but “given” to it, so to instruct us not to wait for those that shall ask it, and see when they will come to us, but to run to them, and be given to finding362    καταδιώκειν. lit. hunt them down. them.

Thus did Lot, thus Abraham. For he spent the whole day upon it, waiting for this goodly prey, and when he saw it, leaped upon it, and ran to meet them, and worshipped upon the ground, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Thy sight, pass not away from Thy servant.” (Gen. xviii. 3.) Not as we do, if we happen to see a stranger or a poor man, knitting our brows, and not deigning even to speak to them. And if after thousands of entreaties we are softened, and bid the servant give them a trifle, we think we have quite done our duty. But he did not so, but assumed the fashion of a suppliant and a servant, though he did not know who he was going to take under his roof. But we, who have clear information that it is Christ Whom we take in, do not grow gentle even for this. But he both beseeches, and entreats, and falls on his knees to them, yet we insult those that come to us. And he indeed did all by himself and his wife, whereas we do it not even by our attendants. But if you have a mind to see the table that he set before them, there too you will see great bounteousness, but the bounteousness came not from excess of wealth, but of the riches of a ready will. Yet how many rich persons were there not then? Still none did anything of the kind. How many widows were there in Israel? Yet none showed hospitality to Elijah. How many wealthy persons again were there not in Elisha’s day? But the Shunamite alone gathered in the fruits of hospitality; as did Abraham also,363    So Field: the passage is corrupt in the mss. Vulg. “As did Abraham also then with largeness and ready mind. And on this ground he deserves one’s admiration most, that when,” etc. whom beside his largeness and ready mind it is just especially to admire, on this ground, that when he had no knowledge who they were that had come, yet he so acted. Do not thou then be curious either: since for Christ thou dost receive him. And if thou art always so scrupulous, many a time wilt thou pass by a man of esteem, and lose thy reward from him. And yet he that receiveth one that is not of esteem, hath no fault found with him, but is even rewarded. For “he that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.” (Matt. x. 41.) But he who out of this ill-timed scrupulousness passeth one that should be admired, shall even suffer punishment. Do not then busy thyself with men’s lives and doings. For this is the very extreme of niggardliness, for one loaf to be exact about a man’s entire life. For if this person be a murderer, if a robber, or what not, does he therefore seem to thee not to deserve a loaf and a few pence? And yet thy Master causeth even the sun to rise upon him! And dost thou judge him unworthy of food even for a day? I will put another case to you besides. Now even if you were positively certain that he were laden with countless iniquities, not even then wouldest thou have an excuse for depriving him of this day’s sustenance. For thou art the servant of Him Who said, “Ye know not what spirit ye are of.” (Luke ix. 55.) Thou art servant to Him Who healed those that stoned Him, or rather Who was crucified for them. And do not tell me that he killed another, for even if he were going to kill thee thyself, even then thou shouldest not neglect him when starving. For thou art a disciple of Him Who desired the salvation even of them that crucified Him Who said upon the Cross itself, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke xxiii. 34.) Thou art the servant of Him Who healed him that smote Him, Who upon the Cross itself crowned the man who had scorned Him. And what can equal this? For both the robbers at first scorned Him. Still to one of these He opened Paradise.364    Some mss. add, “first of all men.” And He bewails those who were upon the point of killing Him, and is troubled and confounded at seeing the traitor, not because He was going to be crucified, but because he was lost. He was troubled then as having foreknowledge of the hanging, and the punishment after the hanging. And though He knelt his wickedness, He bore with him365    Or “dealt kindly with him.” to the last hour, and thrust not away the traitor, but even kissed him. Thy Master kisseth, and with His lips receiveth him who was on the very point of shedding His precious Blood. And dost thou count the poor not worthy even of a loaf, and reverencest not the Law which Christ laid down? Now by this He shows that we ought not to turn aside, not only from the poor, but not even from those that would lead us away to death. Do not tell me then, that so and so hath done me grievous mischief, but just consider what Christ did near the Cross itself, wishing to amend by His kiss the traitor by whom He was on the point of being betrayed. And see with how much power to shame him. For He says, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?” (ib. 48.) Who is there He would not have softened? who is there that this address would not have made yielding? What beast? what adamant? yet not that wretched man. Do not then say, that such an one murdered such an one, and that is why I turn aside from him. For even if he were upon the point of thrusting a sword down into thee, and to plunge his hand into thy neck itself, kiss this very right hand! since even Christ kissed that mouth which wrought His death! And therefore do not thou either hate, but bewail and pity him that plotteth against thee. For such an one deserveth pity at our hands, and tears. For we are the servants of Him Who kissed even the traitor (I will not leave off dwelling over that continually), and spoke words unto him more gentle than the kiss. For He did not even say, O thou foul and villanous traitor, is this the sort of recompense thou returnest us for so great a benefit? But in what words? “Judas;” using his own name, which is more like a person bemoaning, and recalling him, than one wroth at him. And he does not say, thy Teacher, thy Master, and Benefactor, but, “the Son of Man.” For though He were neither Teacher nor Master, yet is it with One Who is so gently, so unfeignedly affected towards thee, as even to kiss thee at the time of betrayal, and that when a kiss too was the signal for the betrayal; is it with Him that thou playest the traitor’s part? Blessed art Thou, O Lord! What lowliness of mind, what forbearance hast Thou given us ensamples of! And to him He so behaved. But to those who came with staves and swords to Him, was it not so too? What can be more gentle than the words spoken to them? For when He had power to demolish them all in an instant, He did nothing of the kind, but as expostulating (ἐντρεπτικὥς), addressed them in the words, “Why, are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves?” (Matt. xxvi. 55.) And having cast them down backwards (John xviii. 6), as they continued insensible, He of His own accord gave Himself up next, and forbore while He saw them putting manacles upon His holy hands, while He had the power at once to confound all things, and overthrow them. But dost thou even after this deal fiercely with the poor? And even were he guilty of ten thousand sins, want and famine were enough to soften down a soul ever so blunted. But thou standest brutalized, and imitating the rage of lions. Yet they never taste of dead bodies. But thou, while thou seest him a very corpse (τεταριχευμένον lit. salter, or, a mummy) for distresses, yet leapest upon him now that he is down, and tearest his body by thine insults, and gatherest storm after storm, and makest him as he is fleeing to the haven for refuge to split upon a rock, and bringest a shipwreck about more distressing than those in the sea. And how wilt thou say to God, Have mercy upon me, and ask of Him remission of sins, when thou art insolent to one who hath done no sin, and callest him to account for this hunger and great necessity, and throwest all the brute beasts into the shade by thy cruelty. For they indeed by the compulsion of their belly lay hold of the food needful for them. But thou, when nothing either thrusts thee on or compels thee, devourest thy brother, bitest, and tearest him, if not with thy teeth, yet with words that bite more cuttingly. How then wilt thou receive the sacred Host (προσφορὰν), when thou hast empurpled thy tongue in human gore? how give the kiss of peace, with mouth gorged with war? Nay, how enjoy every common nourishment, when thou art gathering so much venom? Thou dost not relieve the poverty, why make it even more grinding? thou dost not lift up him that is fallen, why throw him down also? thou dost not remove despondency, why even increase it? thou givest no money, why use insulting words besides? Hast thou not heard what punishment they suffer that feed not the poor? to what vengeance they are condemned? For He says, “Depart to the fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. xxv. 41.) If then they that feed not are so condemned, what punishment are they to suffer, who besides not feeding, even insult? What punishment shall they undergo? what hell? That we kindle not so great evils against ourselves, whiles we have it in our power, let us correct this evil complaint also, and put a bridle on the tongue. And let us be so far from insulting, as even to invite them, both by words and actions, that by laying up much mercy for ourselves, we may obtain the blessings promised us. Which God grant that we may all attain unto by the grace and love towards man, etc.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΑʹ. Καθάπερ γὰρ ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι μέλη πολλὰ ἔχομεν, τὰ δὲ μέλη πάντα οὐ τὴν αὐτὴν ἔχει πρᾶξιν: οὕτως οἱ πολλοὶ ἓν σῶμά ἐσμεν ἐν Χριστῷ, ὁ δὲ καθ' εἷς, ἀλλήλων μέλη. αʹ. Πάλιν τῷ αὐτῷ ὑποδείγματι κέχρηται, ᾧ καὶ πρὸς Κορινθίους ἐχρήσατο, τὸ αὐτὸ τοῦτο καταστέλλων πάθος. Καὶ γὰρ μεγάλη τοῦ φαρμάκου ἡ δύναμις, καὶ τοῦ παραδείγματος ἡ ἰσχὺς τούτου, εἰς τὸ διορθῶσαι τὸ τῆς ἀπονοίας νόσημα. Τίνος γὰρ ἕνεκεν σὺ μεγάλα φρονεῖς, φησίν; ἢ διὰ τί πάλιν ἕτερος ἑαυτὸν ἐξευτελίζει; οὐχὶ σῶμά ἐσμεν ἅπαντες ἓν, καὶ μεγάλοι καὶ μικροί; Ὅταν οὖν κατὰ τὸ κεφάλαιον ἓν ὦμεν καὶ ἀλλήλων μέλη, τί τῇ ἀπονοίᾳ σχίζεις σαυτόν; τί ἐπαισχύνῃ τὸν ἀδελφόν; Ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐκεῖνός σου μέλος, οὕτω κἀκείνου σύ: καὶ πολλὴ καὶ κατὰ τοῦτο ἡ ὁμοτιμία. Δύο γὰρ ἱκανὰ καθελεῖν αὐτῶν τὴν ἀπόνοιαν τέθεικε: καὶ ὅτι ἀλλήλων ἐσμὲν μέλη, οὐχ ὁ μικρὸς τοῦ μεγάλου μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὁ μέγας τοῦ ἐλάττονος, καὶ ὅτι ἕν ἐσμεν ἅπαντες σῶμα: μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ τρία: καὶ γὰρ καὶ χάρισμα ἔδειξεν ἓν ὂν τὸ δοθέν. Μὴ τοίνυν μέγα φρόνει: ἐδόθη γάρ σοι παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, οὐ σὺ ἔλαβες, οὐδὲ εὗρες. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ τῶν χαρισμάτων ἁπτόμενος, οὐκ εἶπεν, ὅτι Ὁ μὲν μεῖζον, ὁ δὲ ἔλαττον ἔλαβεν, ἀλλὰ τί; Διάφορον. Ἔχοντες γὰρ, φησὶ, χαρίσματα, οὐ μείζονα καὶ ἐλάττονα, ἀλλὰ διάφορα. Τί γὰρ, εἰ μὴ καὶ τὰ αὐτὰ ἐπετάγης, ἀλλὰ τὸ σῶμα τὸ αὐτό ἐστι; Καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ χαρίσματος, εἰς κατόρθωμα λήγει. Εἰπὼν γὰρ προφητείαν καὶ διακονίαν καὶ ὅσα τοιαῦτα, κατέληξεν εἰς ἐλεημοσύνην καὶ σπουδὴν καὶ ἀντίληψιν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ εἰκὸς ἦν τινας ἐναρέτους μὲν εἶναι, μὴ ἔχειν δὲ προφητείαν, δείκνυσιν ὅτι καὶ τοῦτο τὸ χάρισμα, καὶ πολλῷ μεῖζον ἐκείνου, ὥσπερ ἔδειξεν ἐν τῇ πρὸς Κορινθίους: καὶ τοσούτῳ μεῖζον, ὅσῳ τὸ μὲν ἔχει μισθὸν, τὸ δὲ ἐστέρηται ἀμοιβῆς: ὅλον γὰρ δωρεὰ καὶ χάρις ἐστί. Διὰ τοῦτό φησιν: Ἔχοντες δὲ χαρίσματα κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν διάφορα, εἴτε προφητείαν κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἱκανῶς αὐτοὺς παρεμυθήσατο, βούλεται καὶ ἐναγωνίους ποιῆσαι, καὶ σπουδαιοτέρους ἐργάσασθαι, δεικνὺς ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὰς ἀφορμὰς παρέχουσι τοῦ μείζονα, ἢ ἐλάττονα λαβεῖν. Λέγει μὲν γὰρ αὐτὸ καὶ παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ δεδόσθαι: ὡς ὅταν λέγῃ, Ἑκάστῳ ὡς ὁ Θεὸς ἐμέρισε μέτρον πίστεως: καὶ πάλιν, Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν: ἵνα καταστείλῃ τοὺς ὑπερηφάνους. Λέγει δὲ καὶ παρ' αὐτῶν τὰς ἀρχὰς γεγενῆσθαι, ἵνα διεγείρῃ τοὺς ῥᾳθύμους: ὃ καὶ ἐν τῇ πρὸς Κορινθίους ποιεῖ, ἀμφότερα ταῦτα κινῶν. Ὅταν μὲν γὰρ λέγῃ, Ζηλοῦτε τὰ χαρίσματα, δείκνυσι καὶ αὐτοὺς ὄντας αἰτίους τῆς διαφορᾶς τῶν διδομένων: ὅταν δὲ λέγῃ, Πάντα δὲ ταῦτα ἐνεργεῖ ἓν καὶ τὸ αὐτὸ Πνεῦμα, διαιροῦν ἑκάστῳ καθὼς βούλεται, ἐκεῖνο κατασκευάζει, τὸ μὴ δεῖν ἐπαίρεσθαι τοὺς εἰληφότας, πάντοθεν παραμυθούμενος αὐτῶν τὸ πάθος: ὃ δὴ καὶ ἐνταῦθα ποιεῖ. Καὶ πάλιν τοὺς ἀναπεπτωκότας διεγείρων φησὶν, Εἴτε προφητείαν, κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ χάρις ἐστὶν, ἀλλ' οὐχ ἁπλῶς ἐκχεῖται, ἀλλὰ τὰ μέτρα παρὰ τῶν δεχομένων λαμβάνουσα, τοσοῦτον ἐπιῤῥεῖ, ὅσον ἂν εὕρῃ σκεῦος πίστεως αὐτῇ προσενεχθέν. Εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ. Καθολικὸν πρᾶγμα ἐνταῦθα τίθησι. Καὶ γὰρ ἡ ἀποστολὴ διακονία λέγεται: καὶ πᾶν ἀγαθὸν πνευματικὸν ἔργον, διακονία. Ἔστι μὲν γὰρ καὶ ἰδικῆς οἰκονομίας ὄνομα τοῦτο: ἐνταῦθα μέντοι καθολικῶς εἴρηται. Εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. Ὅρα πῶς ἀδιαφόρως αὐτὰ τίθησι, τὸ μικρὸν πρῶτον, καὶ τὸ μέγα ὕστερον: πάλιν τὸ αὐτὸ τοῦτο παιδεύων, τὸ μὴ φυσᾶσθαι μηδὲ ἐπαίρεσθαι. Εἴτε ὁ παρακαλῶν, ἐν τῇ παρακλήσει. Καὶ τοῦτο διδασκαλίας εἶδος. Εἰ γάρ ἐστιν ἐν ὑμῖν λόγος παρακλήσεως, φησὶ, πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγετε. Εἶτα δεικνὺς, ὡς οὐ μέγα ὄφελος ἀρετὴν μετιέναι, εἰ μὴ μετὰ τοῦ προσήκοντος τοῦτο γίνοιτο νόμου, ἐπάγει: Ὁ μεταδιδοὺς, ἐν ἁπλότητι. Οὐ γὰρ ἀρκεῖ τὸ δοῦναι, ἀλλὰ δεῖ καὶ μετὰ δαψιλείας τοῦτο ποιεῖν. Ἁπλότητα γὰρ τοῦτο οἶδε πανταχοῦ: ἐπεὶ καὶ αἱ παρθένοι ἔλαιον εἶχον, ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ ἀρκοῦν οὐκ εἶχον, τοῦ παντὸς ἐξέπεσον. Ὁ προϊστάμενος, ἐν σπουδῇ. Οὐ γὰρ ἀρκεῖ τὸ προστῆναι, ἂν μὴ μετὰ σπουδῆς καὶ προθυμίας τοῦτο ποιῇ. Ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι. Οὐ γὰρ ἀρκεῖ τὸ ἐλεῆσαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ μετὰ δαψιλείας καὶ γνώμης ἀλύπου τοῦτο δεῖ ποιεῖν: μᾶλλον δὲ οὐ μετὰ ἀλύπου δεῖ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ μετὰ φαιδρᾶς καὶ χαιρούσης: οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἴσον μὴ λυπεῖσθαι, καὶ χαίρειν. Τοῦτο δὲ αὐτὸ καὶ πρὸς Κορινθίους ἐπιστέλλων, μετὰ πολλῆς κατεσκεύαζε σπουδῆς: εἰς μὲν γὰρ δαψίλειαν διεγείρων, ἔλεγεν: Ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως, φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει: καὶ ὁ σπείρων ἐπ' εὐλογίαις, ἐπ' εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει: τὴν δὲ γνώμην διορθούμενος, προσετίθει: Μὴ ἐκ λύπης, ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης. Ἀμφότερα γὰρ δεῖ παρεῖναι τῷ ἐλεοῦντι, καὶ ἀφθονίαν καὶ ἡδονήν. Τίνος γὰρ ἕνεκεν κλαίεις διδοὺς ἐλεημοσύνην; τί δὲ ἀλγεῖς ἐλεῶν, καὶ τὸν καρπὸν προδίδως τοῦ κατορθώματος; Εἰ γὰρ ἀλγεῖς, οὐκ ἐλεεῖς, ἀλλ' ὠμὸς εἶ καὶ ἀπάνθρωπος. Εἰ γὰρ σὺ ἀλγεῖς, πῶς ἐκεῖνον ἐν λύπῃ ὄντα διαναστῆσαι δυνήσῃ; Ἀγαπητὸν γὰρ, μηδὲν ὑποπτεῦσαι ἐκεῖνον πονηρὸν, καὶ ὅταν μετὰ τοῦ χαίρειν παρέχῃς. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ οὐδὲν οὕτως αἰσχρὸν ἀνθρώποις εἶναι δοκεῖ, ὡς τὸ παρ' ἑτέρων λαμβάνειν, ἂν μὴ τῇ ὑπερβαλλούσῃ φαιδρότητι τὴν ὑποψίαν ἀνέλῃς, καὶ δείξῃς, ὅτι λαμβάνεις μᾶλλον ἢ δίδως, [καὶ] κατέβαλες μᾶλλον, ἢ ἀνέστησας τὸν λαμβάνοντα. Διὰ τοῦτό φησιν, Ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι. βʹ. Τίς γὰρ βασιλείαν λαμβάνων, σκυθρωπός ἐστι; τίς ἁμαρτημάτων δεχόμενος συγχώρησιν, ἐν κατηφείᾳ μένει; Μὴ τοίνυν τῇ δαπάνῃ τῶν χρημάτων πρόσεχε, ἀλλὰ τῇ διὰ τῆς δαπάνης προσόδῳ. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ σπείρων χαίρει, καίτοι γε ἐπ' ἀδήλοις σπείρων: πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὁ τὸν οὐρανὸν γεωργῶν. Οὕτω γὰρ κἂν ὀλίγα δῷς, πολλὰ δώσεις: ὥσπερ οὖν μετὰ σκυθρωπότητος κἂν πολλὰ δῷς, ὀλίγα πεποίηκας τὰ πολλά. Οὕτω καὶ ἡ χήρα πολλὰ τάλαντα ὑπερηκόντισε διὰ δύο λεπτῶν: δαψιλὴς γὰρ ἦν ἡ γνώμη. Καὶ πῶς ἔνι, φησὶ, πενίᾳ συζῶντα ἐσχάτῃ, καὶ πάντα κενοῦντα, μετὰ προθυμίας τοῦτο ποιεῖν; Ἐρώτησον τὴν χήραν, καὶ ἀκούσῃ τὸν τρόπον, καὶ εἴσῃ ὅτι οὐχ ἡ πενία ποιεῖ τὴν στενοχωρίαν, ἀλλ' ἡ προαίρεσις καὶ τοῦτο καὶ τοὐναντίον ἅπαν ἐργάζεται: ἔστι γὰρ καὶ ἐν πενίᾳ μεγαλόψυχον εἶναι, καὶ ἐν πλούτω μικρολόγον. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐν τῇ μεταδόσει τὴν ἁπλότητα ζητεῖ, καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐλέῳ τὴν ἱλαρότητα, καὶ ἐν τῇ προστασίᾳ τὴν σπουδήν. Οὐδὲ γὰρ χρήμασι μόνον βούλεται τοῖς δεομένοις ἡμᾶς βοηθεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ῥήμασι καὶ πράγμασι καὶ σώματι, καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις ἅπασι. Καὶ εἰπὼν τὴν προηγουμένην προστασίαν, τὴν διὰ τῆς διδασκαλίας, τὴν διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως (αὕτη γὰρ ἀναγκαιοτέρα, ὅσῳ καὶ ψυχῆς ἐστι τροφή): ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὴν διὰ τῶν χρημάτων καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων. Εἶτα δεικνὺς πῶς ἂν ταῦτα κατορθωθείη, τὴν μητέρα αὐτῶν εἰσάγει, τὴν ἀγάπην. Ἡ ἀγάπη γὰρ, φησὶν ἀνυπόκριτος. Ἂν ταύτην ἔχῃς, οὐ δαπάνης αἰσθήσῃ χρημάτων, οὐ πόνου σωμάτων, οὐ μόχθου λόγων, οὐχ ἱδρῶτος καὶ διακονίας, ἀλλὰ πάντα οἴσεις γενναίως, κἂν σώματι, κἂν χρήμασι, κἂν λόγῳ, κἂν ἑτέρῳ ὁτῳοῦν βοηθῆσαι δέῃ τῷ πλησίον. Ὥσπερ οὖν οὐ μετάδοσιν ἀπαιτεῖ μόνον, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἐν ἁπλότητι, οὐδὲ προστασίαν, ἀλλὰ τὴν μετὰ σπουδῆς, οὐδὲ ἐλεημοσύνην, ἀλλὰ τὴν μετὰ ἱλαρότητος: οὕτω καὶ ἀγάπην οὐχ ἁπλῶς, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀνυπόκριτον: ἐπεὶ καὶ τοῦτο ἀγάπη: κἂν τοῦτο γένηται, πάντα τὰ ἄλλα ἕπεται. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἱλαρῶς ἐλεεῖ: ἑαυτῷ γὰρ δίδωσι: καὶ ὁ προϊστάμενος, σπουδαίως προΐσταται: ἑαυτοῦ γὰρ προΐσταται: καὶ ὁ μεταδιδοὺς, μετὰ δαψιλείας τοῦτο ποιεῖ: ἑαυτῷ γὰρ παρέχει. Εἶτα ἐπειδή ἐστι καὶ ἀγάπη ἐπὶ πονηροῖς πράγμασιν, οἵα ἡ τῶν ἀκολάστων ἐστὶν, ἡ τῶν ἐπὶ χρήμασι καὶ ἁρπαγαῖς ὁμονοούντων, ἡ τῶν ἐπὶ μέθαις καὶ συμποσίοις, ἐκκαθαίρων αὐτὴν ἀπὸ τούτων, φησίν: Ἀποστυγοῦντες τὸ πονηρόν. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν, Ἀπεχόμενοι, ἀλλὰ, Μισοῦντες, καὶ οὐχ ἁπλῶς Μισοῦντες, ἀλλὰ καὶ Σφόδρα μισοῦντες. Τὸ γὰρ ἀπὸ τοῦτο πολλαχοῦ ἐπιτάσεώς ἐστι παρ' αὐτῷ: ὡς ὅταν λέγῃ ἀποκαραδοκίαν, καὶ ἀπεκδεχόμενοι, καὶ ἀπολύτρωσιν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ πολλοὶ καὶ μὴ πράττοντες τὰ κακὰ, ὅμως τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν αὐτῶν ἔχουσι, διὰ τοῦτο εἶπεν, Ἀποστυγοῦντες. Αὐτὸς γὰρ καὶ τὴν διάνοιαν καθαρεύειν βούλεται, καὶ πολλὴν ἡμᾶς ἔχθραν ἔχειν πρὸς τὴν κακίαν, καὶ μῖσος καὶ πόλεμον. Μὴ γὰρ, ἐπειδὴ εἶπον, φησὶν, Ἀγαπήσατε ἀλλήλους, νομίσητε μέχρι τούτου λέγειν, ὡς καὶ ἐν τοῖς πονηροῖς συμπράττειν ἀλλήλοις: τοὐναντίον γὰρ ἅπαν νομοθετῶ: οὐ μόνον τῆς πράξεως, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς διαθέσεως τῆς περὶ τὴν κακίαν ἀλλότριον εἶναι, καὶ οὐ μόνον τῆς διαθέσεως αὐτῆς ἀλλότριον εἶναι, ἀλλὰ καὶ μεθ' ὑπερβολῆς αὐτὴν ἀποστρέφεσθαι καὶ μισεῖν. Καὶ οὐκ ἀρκεῖται μόνῳ τούτῳ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐργασίαν ἐπάγει λέγων: Κολλώμενοι τῷ ἀγαθῷ. Οὐκ εἶπε, Ποιοῦντες μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ διακείμενοι: τοῦτο γὰρ τὸ κελεῦσαι κολλᾶσθαι ἐδήλωσεν. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ Θεὸς συνάπτων τὸν ἄνδρα τῇ γυναικὶ, ἔλεγε: Προσκολληθήσεται γὰρ πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ. Εἶτα καὶ αἰτίας λέγει, δι' ἃς ὀφείλομεν ἀλλήλους ἀγαπᾷν. Τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι. Ἀδελφοὶ, φησὶν, ἐστὲ, καὶ τὰς ὠδῖνας ἐλύσατε τὰς αὐτάς: οὐκοῦν καὶ διὰ τοῦτο δίκαιοι ἂν εἴητε φιλεῖν ἀλλήλους. Τοῦτο καὶ Μωϋσῆς ἔλεγε τοῖς ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ μαχομένοις: Ἀδελφοί ἐστε, ἵνα τί ἀδικεῖτε ἀλλήλους; Ὅταν μὲν οὖν περὶ τῶν ἔξω λέγῃ, Εἰ δυνατὸν, τὸ ἐξ ὑμῶν, μετὰ πάντων ἀνθρώπων εἰρηνεύετε, φησίν: ὅταν δὲ περὶ τῶν οἰκείων διαλέγηται, Τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ, φησὶν, εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι. Ἐκεῖ μὲν γὰρ τὸ μὴ μάχεσθαι ζητεῖ, μηδὲ μισεῖν καὶ ἀποστρέφεσθαι: ἐνταῦθα δὲ καὶ τὸ φιλεῖν, καὶ οὐχ ἁπλῶς φιλεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ στέργειν. Οὐ γὰρ δὴ μόνον, φησὶν, ἀνυπόκριτον εἶναι χρὴ τὴν ἀγάπην, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπιτεταμένην καὶ θερμὴν καὶ διάπυρον. Τί γὰρ ὄφελος, ἂν ἀγαπᾷς μὲν ἀδόλως, μὴ θερμῶς δὲ ἀγαπᾷς; Διὸ καὶ εἶπεν, Εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι: τουτέστι, Καὶ θερμῶς φίλει. Μὴ μένε φιλεῖσθαι παρ' ἑτέρου, ἀλλ' αὐτὸς ἐπιπήδα τούτῳ καὶ κατάρχου: οὕτω γὰρ καὶ τῆς ἐκείνου φιλίας τὸν μισθὸν καρπώσῃ. γʹ. Εἰπὼν τοίνυν τὴν αἰτίαν, δι' ἣν ὀφείλομεν ἀλλήλους φιλεῖν, λέγει καὶ πῶς ἂν γένοιτο τὰ τῆς φιλίας ἀκίνητα: διὸ καὶ ἐπάγει: Τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι. Οὕτω γὰρ φιλία καὶ γίνεται, καὶ γινομένη μένει. Καὶ οὐδὲν οὕτω φίλους ποιεῖ, ὡς τὸ σπουδάζειν τῇ τιμῇ νικᾷν τὸν πλησίον. Οὐ φιλία δὲ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τιμὴ μείζων ἐντεῦθεν γίνεται. Τὰ μὲν γὰρ εἰρημένα πρότερον ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης, ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη ἀπὸ τῆς τιμῆς, ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ τιμὴ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης. Εἶτα ἵνα μὴ τιμῶμεν μόνον, καὶ ἕτερόν τι πλέον ἐπιζητεῖ λέγων: Τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί. Καὶ γὰρ καὶ τοῦτο ἀγάπην τίκτει, ὅταν μετὰ τῆς τιμῆς καὶ προστασίας ἐπιδειξώμεθα: οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως ὡς τιμὴ καὶ πρόνοια τὸ φιλεῖσθαι ποιεῖ. Οὐ γὰρ ἀρκεῖ τὸ φιλεῖν, ἀλλὰ δεῖ καὶ τούτου: μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ τοῦτο ἐκ τοῦ φιλεῖν γίνεται, ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ τὸ φιλεῖν ἀπὸ τούτου θερμαίνεται, καὶ ἀλλήλων ἐστὶ κατασκευαστικά. Καὶ γάρ εἰσι πολλοὶ κατὰ διάνοιαν μὲν φιλοῦντες, καὶ οὐκ ὀρέγοντες δὲ χεῖρα. Διὰ τοῦτο πάντοθεν οἰκοδομεῖ τὴν ἀγάπην. Καὶ πῶς ἂν γενοίμεθα τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί; Τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες. Ὁρᾷς πῶς πανταχοῦ τὰς ἐπιτάσεις ζητεῖ; Οὐ γὰρ εἶπε, Μεταδίδοτε, μόνον, ἀλλὰ μετὰ δαψιλείας: οὐδὲ Προΐστασθε, ἀλλὰ μετὰ σπουδῆς: οὐδὲ Ἐλεεῖτε, ἀλλ' ἱλαρῶς: οὐδὲ τιμᾶτε, ἀλλὰ προηγεῖσθε: οὐδὲ Ἀγαπᾶτε, ἀλλ' ἀνυποκρίτως: οὐδὲ Ἀπέχεσθε τῶν κακῶν, ἀλλὰ μισεῖτε: οὐδὲ Ἔχεσθε τῶν ἀγαθῶν, ἀλλὰ κολλᾶσθε: οὐδὲ Φιλεῖτε, ἀλλὰ φιλοστόργως: οὐδὲ Σπουδάζετε, ἀλλὰ μὴ ὀκνηρῶς: οὐδὲ Τὸ Πνεῦμα ἔχετε, ἀλλὰ ζέον τὸ πνεῦμα, τουτέστιν, ἵνα ἦτε θερμοὶ καὶ διεγηγερμένοι. Ἐὰν γὰρ ἐκεῖνα ἔχῃς τὰ προειρημένα, ἐπισπάσῃ τὸ πνεῦμα: ἐὰν μένῃ τοῦτο παρὰ σοὶ, καὶ πρὸς ἐκεῖνά σε σπουδαῖον ἐργάσεται, καὶ πάντα εὔκολα ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης ἔσται, ἑκατέρωθέν σου πεπυρωμένου. Οὐχ ὁρᾷς τοὺς ταύρους τοὺς φλόγα ἐπὶ τοῦ νώτου φέροντας, πῶς πᾶσίν εἰσιν ἀφόρητοι; Οὕτω καὶ σὺ τῷ διαβόλῳ ἀφόρητος ἔσῃ, ἂν ἑκατέραν λάβῃς τὴν φλόγα. Τῷ Κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες. Διὰ γὰρ τούτων ἁπάντων ἔστι δουλεῦσαι τῷ Θεῷ. Ὅσα γὰρ ἂν ποιήσῃς εἰς τὸν ἀδελφὸν, εἰς τὸν Δεσπότην σου διαβαίνει: καὶ ὡς αὐτὸς εὖ πεπονθὼς, οὕτω σοι τὸν μισθὸν λογιεῖται. Εἶδες ποῦ τὸ φρόνημα ἀνήνεγκε τοῦ ταῦτα ἐργαζομένου; Εἶτα δεικνὺς πῶς ἂν ἀναφθείη τοῦ πνεύματος ἡ φλὸξ, φησί: Τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες, τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες, τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες. Ταῦτα γὰρ ἅπαντα ὑπεκκαύματά ἐστι τοῦ πυρὸς ἐκείνου. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ καὶ χρημάτων δαπάνην ἀπῄτησε, καὶ σωμάτων πόνον, καὶ προστασίαν καὶ σπουδὴν καὶ διδασκαλίαν, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα τὰ ἐπίπονα, ἀλείφει πάλιν τὸν ἀθλητὴν μετὰ τῆς ἀγάπης, μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος, διὰ τῆς ἐλπίδος. Οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως ἀνδρείαν καὶ παράβολον πρὸς ἅπαντα ποιεῖ τὴν ψυχὴν, ὡς ἐλπὶς χρηστή. Εἶτα καὶ πρὸ τῶν ἐλπιζομένων χρηστῶν ἕτερον πάλιν ἔπαθλον δίδωσιν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἡ ἐλπὶς τῶν μελλόντων ἦν, φησὶ, Τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες. Καὶ γὰρ πρὸ τῶν μελλόντων ἐν τῷ παρόντι μέγα καρπώσῃ καλὸν ἀπὸ τῆς θλίψεως, τὸ καρτερικὸς καὶ δόκιμος γίνεσθαι. Μετὰ δὲ τούτου καὶ ἑτέραν παρέχει βοήθειαν, λέγων, Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες. Ὅταν οὖν καὶ ἀγάπη εὔκολον ποιῇ, καὶ πνεῦμα βοηθῇ, καὶ ἐλπὶς κουφίζῃ, καὶ θλῖψις δόκιμον ἐργάζηται καὶ ἐπιτήδειον πρὸς τὸ φέρειν πάντα γενναίως, καὶ ἔχῃς μετὰ τούτων καὶ ἕτερον ὅπλον μέγιστον, τὴν προσευχὴν καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῆς δεήσεως βοήθειαν, τί λοιπὸν ἔσται ἐπίπονον τῶν ἐπιταττομένων; Οὐδέν. Εἶδες πῶς καὶ πανταχόθεν ἔστησε τὸν ἀθλητὴν, καὶ πολὺ κοῦφα ἔδειξε τὰ ἐπιτάγματα; Σκόπει πάλιν πῶς τῆς ἐλεημοσύνης ἐπιλαμβάνεται: μᾶλλον δὲ οὐχ ἁπλῶς ἐλεημοσύνης, ἀλλὰ τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους. Ἄνω μὲν γὰρ εἰπὼν, Ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι, πᾶσι τὴν χεῖρα ἀνέῳξεν: ἐνταῦθα μέντοι ὑπὲρ τῶν πιστῶν φησι: διὸ καὶ ἐπάγει, λέγων, Ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες. Οὐκ εἶπε, Παρέχετε αὐτῶν ταῖς χρείαις, ἀλλὰ, Κοινωνεῖτε αὐτῶν ταῖς χρείαις, δεικνὺς ὅτι μείζονα λαμβάνουσιν ἢ διδοῦσιν, καὶ ὅτι ἐμπορία τὸ πρᾶγμά ἐστι: κοινωνία γάρ ἐστιν. Εἰσφέρεις σὺ χρήματα; Εἰσφέρουσί σοι παῤῥησίαν ἐκεῖνοι τὴν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν. Τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες. Οὐκ εἶπεν, Ἐργαζόμενοι, ἀλλὰ Διώκοντες, παιδεύων ἡμᾶς μὴ ἀναμένειν τοὺς δεομένους, πότε πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἔλθωσιν, ἀλλ' αὐτοὺς ἐπιτρέχειν καὶ καταδιώκειν. Οὕτως ὁ Λὼτ, οὕτως ὁ Ἀβραὰμ ἐποίησε: καὶ γὰρ τὴν ἡμέραν εἰς τοῦτο ἀνάλωσεν ἀναμένων τὴν καλὴν ταύτην θήραν, καὶ ἰδὼν ἀνεπήδησε, καὶ εἰς ἀπάντησιν ἔδραμε, καὶ προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ εἶπε: Κύριε, εἰ εὗρον χάριν ἐνώπιόν σου, μὴ παρέλθῃς τὸν παῖδά σου. Οὐ καθάπερ ἡμεῖς, ἐπειδὰν ἴδωμεν ξένον ἢ πένητα, τὰς ὀφρῦς ἀνασπῶμεν, καὶ οὐδὲ προσρήσεως ἀξίους αὐτοὺς νομίζομεν εἶναι: κἂν μετὰ μυρίας ἱκετηρίας μαλαχθέντες κελεύσωμεν τοῖς οἰκέταις δοῦναι μικρὸν ἀργύριον, τὸ πᾶν κατωρθωκέναι νομίζομεν. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐκεῖνος οὕτως, ἀλλ' ἱκέτου σχῆμα ἀνέλαβε καὶ οἰκέτου, καίτοι γε οὐκ εἰδὼς τίνας ἔμελλεν ὑποδέχεσθαι. δʹ. Ἡμεῖς δὲ σαφῶς εἰδότες, ὅτι τὸν Χριστὸν ὑποδεχόμεθα, οὐδὲ ταύτῃ γινόμεθα ἥμεροι. Ἀλλ' ἐκεῖνος μὲν καὶ παρακαλεῖ καὶ ἱκετεύει καὶ προσκυνεῖ: ἡμεῖς δὲ ὑβρίζομεν τοὺς προσιόντας ἡμῖν: καὶ ὁ μὲν δι' ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῆς γυναικὸς πάντα ἀνύει, ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐδὲ διὰ τῶν οἰκετῶν. Εἰ δὲ καὶ τὴν τράπεζαν βουληθείης ἰδεῖν, ἣν παρέθηκε, πολλὴν καὶ ἐνταῦθα ὄψει τὴν φιλοτιμίαν, οὐχ ἣν ὁ τῆς περιουσίας ἐποίει τρόπος, ἀλλ' ὁ τῆς προαιρέσεως πλοῦτος. Πόσοι γοῦν τότε εὔποροι ἦσαν; Ἀλλ' οὐδεὶς τοιοῦτον οὐδὲν ἐποίησε. Πόσαι χῆραι ἦσαν ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ; Ἀλλ' οὐδεμία ἐξένισε τὸν Ἠλίαν. Πόσοι εὔποροι πάλιν ἦσαν ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἐλισσαίου; Ἀλλ' ἡ Σωναμῖτις τὸν καρπὸν τῆς φιλοξενίας ἐτρύγα μόνη: ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ ὁ Ἀβραὰμ, τότε ὢν μετὰ τῆς δαψιλείας καὶ τῆς προθυμίας. Καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μάλιστα ἄξιον θαυμάζειν, ὅτι μηδὲ εἰδὼς τίνες ἦσαν οἱ παραγεγονότες, ταῦτα ἐποίει. Μὴ τοίνυν μηδὲ σὺ πολυπραγμόνει: διὰ γὰρ τὸν Χριστὸν δέχῃ: κἂν μέλλῃς ἀεὶ περιεργάζεσθαι, πολλάκις καὶ δόκιμον ἄνδρα παραδραμῇ, καὶ τὸν ἐκ τούτου μισθὸν ἀπολεῖς. Καίτοι ὁ μὲν μὴ δόκιμον δεχόμενος οὐκ ἐγκαλεῖται, ἀλλὰ καὶ μισθὸν ἔχει. Ὁ δεχόμενος γὰρ προφήτην εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου, μισθὸν προφήτου λήψεται. Ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἀκαίρου ταύτης πολυπραγμοσύνης τὸν θαυμαστὸν παρατρέχων, καὶ δίκην δίδωσι. Μὴ τοίνυν βίους καὶ πράξεις πολυπραγμόνει: καὶ γὰρ ἐσχάτης τοῦτο ἀπειροκαλίας ἐστὶν, ὑπὲρ ἑνὸς ἄρτου ζωὴν ὁλόκληρον περιεργάζεσθαι. Εἰ γὰρ ἀνδροφόνος οὗτος, εἰ γὰρ λῃστὴς, εἰ γὰρ ὁτιοῦν, ἄρτου καὶ ὀλίγων ἀργυρίων οὐ δοκεῖ σοι ἄξιος εἶναι; Ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν Δεσπότης σου καὶ ἥλιον αὐτῷ ἀνατέλλει: σὺ δὲ καὶ τῆς ἐφημέρου τροφῆς ἀνάξιον αὐτὸν κρίνεις; Ἐγὼ δὲ καὶ ἑτέραν ὑπερβολὴν τίθημι: κἂν γὰρ ἐπιστάμενος ᾖς σαφῶς, ὅτι μυρίων οὗτος γέμει κακῶν, οὐδὲ οὕτως ἀπολογίαν ἕξεις τῆς ἐφημέρας τροφῆς αὐτὸν ἀποστερῶν. Ἐκείνου γὰρ δοῦλος εἶ τοῦ λέγοντος, Οὐκ οἴδατε ποίου πνεύματός ἐστε; ἐκείνου εἶ οἰκέτης τοῦ θεραπεύσαντος τοὺς λιθάσαντας αὐτόν: μᾶλλον δὲ τοῦ σταυρωθέντος ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν. Καὶ μή μοι λέγε, ὅτι Ἕτερον ἀνεῖλε: καὶ γὰρ εἰ καὶ σεαυτὸν ἀναιρεῖν μέλλει, μηδὲ οὕτω λιμώττοντα παρίδῃς. Καὶ γὰρ ἐκείνου μαθητὴς εἶ τοῦ τῶν σταυρωσάντων τὴν σωτηρίαν ποθοῦντος, τοῦ λέγοντος ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ σταυρῷ: Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς: οὐ γὰρ οἴδασι τί ποιοῦσιν. Ἐκείνου δοῦλος εἶ τοῦ τὸν ῥαπίσαντα αὐτὸν θεραπεύσαντος, τοῦ τὸν ὑβρίσαντα ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ σταυρῷ στεφανώσαντος: οὗ τί γένοιτ' ἂν ἴσον; Καὶ γὰρ ἀμφότεροι παρὰ τὴν ἀρχὴν οἱ λῃσταὶ ὕβριζον αὐτόν: ἀλλ' ὅμως θατέρῳ τούτων τὸν παράδεισον ἠνέῳξε. Καὶ δακρύει τοὺς μέλλοντας αὐτὸν ἀναιρεῖν, καὶ ταράττεται καὶ συγχεῖται ὁρῶν τὸν προδότην, οὐχ ὅτι σταυροῦσθαι ἔμελλεν, ἀλλ' ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ἀπώλλυτο. Ἐταράττετο τοίνυν προειδὼς τὴν ἀγχόνην καὶ τὴν μετὰ τὴν ἀγχόνην κόλασιν. Καὶ εἰδὼς αὐτοῦ τὴν πονηρίαν, μέχρις ἐσχάτης ὥρας αὐτὸν ἔφερε, καὶ οὐ διεκρούετο, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐφίλησε τὸν προδότην. Ὁ Δεσπότης σου φιλεῖ, καὶ δέχεται χείλεσι τὸν μέλλοντα αὐτοῦ τὸ αἷμα τὸ τίμιον εὐθέως ἐκχεῖν: σὺ δὲ τὸν πένητα οὐδὲ ἄρτου ἀξιοῖς; καὶ οὐκ αἰδῇ τὸν νόμον, ὃν ἔθηκεν ὁ Χριστός; Διὰ γὰρ τούτων ἔδειξεν, ὅτι οὐ μόνον τοὺς πένητας, ἀλλ' οὐδὲ τοὺς ἐπὶ θάνατον ἡμᾶς ἄγοντας ἀποστρέφεσθαι δεῖ. Μὴ τοίνυν μοι τοῦτο εἴπῃς, ὅτι ὁ δεῖνά μοι εἰργάσατο δεινὰ, ἀλλ' ἐννόησον τί ἐποίησεν ὁ Χριστὸς πρὸς αὐτῷ τῷ σταυρῷ διὰ τοῦ φιλήματος, ᾧ προδίδοσθαι ἔμελλε, τὸν προδότην διορθούμενος. Καὶ ὅρα πῶς ἐντρεπτικῶς. Ἰούδα, γάρ φησι, φιλήματι τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου προδίδως; Τίνα οὐκ ἂν ἐμάλαξε; τίνα οὐκ ἂν ἐπέκαμψεν αὕτη ἡ φωνή; ποῖον θηρίον, ποῖον ἀδάμαντα; Ἀλλ' οὐ τὸν δείλαιον ἐκεῖνον. Μὴ τοίνυν λέγε, ὅτι τὸν δεῖνα ἐφόνευσεν ὁ δεῖνα, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο αὐτὸν ἀποστρέφομαι. Κἂν γὰρ κατὰ σοῦ μέλλῃ τὸ ξίφος ὠθεῖν, καὶ τὴν δεξιὰν βαπτίζειν εἰς αὐτὸν τὸν λαιμὸν, αὐτὴν φίλησον τὴν δεξίαν: ἐπεὶ καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς τὸ στόμα ἐφίλησεν ἐκεῖνο τὸ τὴν σφαγὴν ἐργασάμενον. εʹ. Καὶ σὺ τοίνυν μὴ μίσει, ἀλλὰ δάκρυε καὶ ἐλέει τὸν ἐπιβουλεύοντα: ἐλεεῖσθαι γὰρ παρ' ἡμῶν ἄξιος ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ δακρύεσθαι. Ἐκείνου γάρ ἐσμεν οἰκέται τοῦ καὶ φιλήσαντος τὸν προδότην (οὐ γὰρ παύσομαι συνεχῶς αὐτὸ περιστρέφων), καὶ τοῦ φιλήματος ἁπαλώτερα φθεγξαμένου ῥήματα. Οὐδὲ γὰρ εἶπεν, Ὦ μιαρὲ, καὶ παμπόνηρε, καὶ προδότα, τοιαύτας ἡ μῖν ἀποδίδως τὰς ἀμοιβὰς τῆς τοσαύτης εὐεργεσίας: ἀλλὰ πῶς; Ἰούδα, τὸ κύριον ὄνομα θεὶς, ὃ μᾶλλον ταλανίζοντος ἦν καὶ ἀνακαλοῦντος, ἢ ὀργιζομένου. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπε, Τὸν διδάσκαλόν σου, τὸν Δεσπότην σου καὶ εὐεργέτην, ἀλλὰ, Τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Εἰ γὰρ μὴ διδάσκαλος ἦν μηδὲ Δεσπότης, τὸν οὕτως ἡμέρως, τὸν οὕτως ἀπλάστως πρὸς σὲ διακείμενον, ὡς καὶ ἐν καιρῷ τῆς προδοσίας σε φιλεῖν, καὶ ταῦτα τοῦ φιλήματος συμβόλου τῆς προδοσίας ὄντος, τοῦτον παραδίδως; Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε: πόσης ταπεινοφροσύνης, πόσης ἀνεξικακίας ὑπόδειγμα ἡμῖν ἔδωκας; Ἀλλὰ πρὸς μὲν ἐκεῖνον οὕτω: πρὸς δὲ τοὺς ἐπελθόντας μετὰ ξύλων καὶ μαχαιρῶν οὐχ οὕτω. Καὶ τί γένοιτ' ἂν ἡμερώτερον τῶν ῥημάτων τῶν καὶ πρὸς ἐκείνους εἰρημένων; Δυνάμενος γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἀθρόον ἀφανίσαι πάντας, τούτων μὲν ἐποίησεν οὐδὲν, ἐντρεπτικῶς δὲ αὐτοῖς διαλέγεται λέγων: Τί ἐξήλθετε, ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν, μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων; Καὶ ῥίψας αὐτοὺς ὑπτίους, ἐπειδὴ ἔμενον ἀναισθητοῦντες, ἑκὼν πάλιν ἑαυτὸν ἐξεδίδου, καὶ ἠνείχετο δεσμὰ περιβάλλοντας ὁρῶν ταῖς ἁγίαις χερσὶ, δυνάμενος ὁμοῦ πάντα κλονῆσαι καὶ ῥῖψαι κάτω. Ἀλλὰ σὺ καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἀγριαίνεις πρὸς τὸν πένητα. Καίτοι γε εἰ καὶ μυρίων ἐστὶν ἔνοχος κακῶν, ἡ ἔνδεια καὶ ὁ λιμὸς ἱκανὰ τὴν μὴ σφόδρα πεπωρωμένην καταμαλάξαι ψυχήν. Σὺ δὲ ἕστηκας ἐκτεθηριωμένος, καὶ λεόντων μιμούμενος θυμούς: καίτοι γε ἐκεῖνοι οὐκ ἄν ποτε νεκρῶν ἀπογεύσαιντο σωμάτων: σὺ δὲ τοσούτοις ὁρῶν τεταριχευμένον κακοῖς, ἐπεμβαίνεις κειμένῳ, καὶ σπαράττεις τὸ σῶμα διὰ τῶν ὕβρεων, καὶ χειμῶνα ἐπὶ χειμῶνι συνάγεις, καὶ τὸν εἰς λιμένα καταφυγόντα σκοπέλῳ προσράξαι ποιεῖς, καὶ ναυάγιον ἐργάζῃ τῶν ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ χαλεπώτερον. Καὶ πῶς ἐρεῖς τῷ Θεῷ, Ἐλέησόν με; καὶ ἁμαρτημάτων αἰτεῖς συγχώρησιν, τὸν οὐδὲν ἁμαρτόντα ὑβρίζων, καὶ δίκην ὑπὲρ λιμοῦ καὶ ἀνάγκης τοσαύτης ἀπαιτῶν, καὶ τὰ θηρία ἅπαντα ἀποκρύπτων τῇ ὠμότητι; Ἐκεῖνα μὲν γὰρ, τῆς γαστρὸς καταναγκαζούσης, ἅπτεται τῆς αὐτοῖς νενομισμένης τροφῆς: σὺ δὲ, οὐδενὸς ὠθοῦντος οὐδὲ καταναγκάζοντος, κατεσθίεις τὸν ἀδελφὸν, δάκνων, σπαράττων, εἰ καὶ μὴ τοῖς ὀδοῦσιν, ἀλλὰ ῥήμασι δηγμάτων χαλεπωτέροις. Πῶς οὖν δέξῃ τὴν ἱερὰν προσφορὰν, αἵμασιν ἀνθρωπίνοις φοινίξας τὴν γλῶτταν; πῶς δίδως εἰρήνην, πολέμου γέμοντι στόματι; πῶς δὲ γοῦν αἰσθητῆς ἀπολαύσεις τροφῆς, ἰὸν τοσοῦτον συνάγων; Οὐ διορθοῦσαι τὴν πενίαν: τί καὶ ἐπιτρίβεις; οὐκ ἀνιστᾷς κείμενον: τί καὶ καταβάλλεις; οὐκ ἀναιρεῖς τὴν ἀθυμίαν: τί καὶ ἐπιτείνεις; οὐ δίδως χρήματα: τί καὶ ὑβρίζεις ῥήμασιν; Οὐκ ἤκουσας ὅσην διδόασι δίκην οἱ μὴ τρέφοντες τοὺς πένητας; ποίαις τιμωρίαις καταδικάζονται; Πορεύεσθε γὰρ, φησὶν, εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ. Εἰ οὖν οἱ μὴ τρέφοντες οὕτω καταδικάζονται, τίνα δώσουσι δίκην οἱ μετὰ τοῦ μὴ τρέφειν καὶ ὑβρίζοντες; πόσην ὑποστήσονται κόλασιν, πόσην γέενναν; Ἵν' οὖν μὴ τοσαῦτα ἐξάψωμεν καθ' ἑαυτῶν κακὰ, ἕως ἐσμὲν κύριοι, καὶ τὸ πονηρὸν τοῦτο νόσημα διορθώσωμεν, καὶ τῇ γλώττῃ χαλινὸν ἐπιθῶμεν: καὶ μὴ μόνον μὴ ὑβρίζωμεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ παρακαλῶμεν καὶ διὰ ῥημάτων καὶ διὰ πραγμάτων, ἵνα πολὺν ἑαυτοῖς προαποθέμενοι τὸν ἔλεον, τύχωμεν τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων ἡμῖν ἀγαθῶν: ὧν γένοιτο πάντας ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ, καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς.