Homily XXX.

Rom. XV. 25–27

“But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors they are.”

Since he had said that I have no longer “more place in these parts,” and, “I have a great desire, these many years, to come unto you,” but he still intended to delay; lest it should be thought that he was making a jest of them, he mentions the cause also why he still puts it off, and he says, that “I am going unto Jerusalem,” and is apparently giving the excuse for the delay. But by means of this he also makes good another object, which is the exhorting of them to alms, and making them more in earnest about it. Since if he had not been minded to effect this, it had sufficed to say, “I am going unto Jerusalem.” But now he adds the reason of his journey. “For I go,” says he, “to minister to the saints.” And he dwells over the subject, and enters into reasonings, and says that they “are debtors,” and that, “if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things,” that they might learn to imitate these. Wherefore also there is much reason to admire his wisdom for devising this way of giving the advice. For they were more likely to bear it in this way than if he had said it in the form of exhortation; as then he would have seemed to be insulting them, if, with a view to incite them, he had brought before them Corinthians and Macedonians.468    “That, as Chrys., Calvin, Grotius, and many, including Rückert and Olshausen assume, Paul intended ‘courteously and gently’ (Luther) to suggest to the Romans that they should likewise bestow alms on those at Jerusalem, is very improbable, inasmuch as no reason is perceivable why he should not have ventured on a direct summons, and seeing, moreover, that he looked upon the work of collection as concluded, ver. 25,” Meyer.—G.B.S. Indeed, this is the ground on which he does incite the others as follows, saying, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches in Macedonia.” (2 Cor. viii. 1.) And again he incites the Macedonians by these. “For your zeal,” he says, “hath provoked very many.” (ib. ix. 2.) And by the Galatians in like manner he does this, as when he says, “As I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, even so do ye.” (1 Cor. xvi. 1.) But in the case of the Romans he does not do so, but in a more covert way. And he does this also in regard to the preaching, as when he says, “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” (ib. xiv. 36.) For there is nothing so powerful as emulation. And so he often employs it. For elsewhere too he says,” “And so ordain I in all the Churches;” (ib. vii. 17); and again, “As I teach everywhere in every Church.” (ib. iv. 17.) And to the Colossians he says, “that the Gospel increaseth and bringeth forth fruit in all the world.” (Col. i. 6.) This then he does here also in the case of alms. And consider what dignity there is in his expressions. For he does not say, I go to carry alms, but “to minister” (διακονὥν). But if Paul ministers, just consider how great a thing is doing, when the Teacher of the world undertakes to be the bearer, and when on the point of travelling to Rome, and so greatly desiring them too, he yet prefers this to that. “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia,” that is, it meets their approbation, their desire. “A certain contribution.” And, he does not say alms, but “contribution” (κοινωνίαν). And the “certain” is not used without a meaning, but to prevent his seeming to reproach these. And he does not say the poor, merely, but the “poor saints,” so making his recommendation twofold, both that from their virtue and that from their poverty. And even with this alone he was not satisfied, but he adds, “they are their debtors.” Then he shows how they are debtors. For if, he says, “the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their debt (A.V. duty) is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” But what he means is this. It was for their sakes that Christ came. To them it was that all the promises were made, to them of the Jews. Of them Christ came. (Wherefore also it said, “Salvation is of the Jews.”) (John iv. 22.) From them were the Apostles, from them the Prophets, from them all good things. In all these things then the world was made a partaker. If then, he says, ye have been made partakers in that which is greater, and when it was for them that the banquet was prepared, ye have been brought in to enjoy the feast that was spread (Matt. xxii. 9), according to the Parable of the Gospel, ye are debtors also to share your carnal things with them, and to impart to them. But he does not say to share, but “to minister” (λειτουργἥσαι), so ranking them with ministers (διακόνων), and those that pay the tribute469    λειτουργία, in Classical Greek, is performing a public service at one’s own expense. to kings. And he does not say in your carnal things, as he did in “their spiritual things.” For the spiritual things were theirs. But the carnal belonged not to these alone, but were the common property of all. For he bade money to be held to belong to all,470    2 Cor. ix. 5. Mosheim de Rebus Christianorum ante Const. p. 118, also Diss. ad Hist. Eccl. pert. vol. 2, 1. St. Chrys. speaks at length of wealth on 1 Cor. xiv. 19, Hom. 35, p. 499, O.T. He thinks it lawful, but dangerous, and recommends alms almost without limitation. not to those who were its possessors only.

Ver. 28. “When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed unto them this fruit.”

That is, when I have laid it up as it were in the royal treasuries, as in a place secure from robbers and danger. And he does not say alms, but “fruit” again, to show that those who gave it were gainers by it. “I will come by you into Spain.” He again mentions Spain to show his forwardness (ἀόκνον) and warmth towards them.

Ver. 29. “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.”

What is the force of, “In the fulness of the blessing?” Either he speaks of alms (Gr. money), or generally of good deeds. For blessing is a name he very commonly gives to alms. As when he says, “As a blessing471    A.V. bounty, but margin, blessing. and not as covetousness.” (2 Cor. ix. 5.) And it was customary of old for the thing to be so called. But as he has here added “of the Gospel,” on this ground we assert that he speaks not of money only, but of all other things. As if he had said, I know that when I come I shall find you with the honor and freshness of all good deeds about you, and worthy of countless praises in the Gospel.472    It is certain that Chrys. is incorrect in his interpretation of the statement: “When I come unto you I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.” (29.) The meaning is not that he shall find them abounding in this blessing, but that he (Paul) will come to them furnished with the fulness of this blessing. The joyful hopes of Paul respecting his journey to Rome and labors there, were not, indeed, wholly thwarted, but how different were the experiences of his journey and life there from what he had expected. He went thither a prisoner and such missionary labors as he was permitted to perform were accomplished while he was kept in ward by the civil authorities of Rome. And, yet, notwithstanding these hardships, who can doubt that his prayer was answered? He found joy in the saints at Rome who came out from the city as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns to welcome him (Acts xxviii. 15); he was permitted for two years, at least, to occupy his own hired house and freely to “preach the kingdom of God and teach the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him” (Acts xxviii. 30, 31); this preaching was crowned with signal success extending to the conversion of some of the members of Cæsar’s household (Phil. iv. 22). It is propable that we owe to this same period of imprisonment at Rome the four epistles to the Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians; if so, we have in them a reflection of the manifold activities and profound spiritual experiences of the apostle during his stay in Rome which constitute a genuine providential fulfilment of his desires, although it proved that as in the case of an earlier visit to Jerusalem, he went not knowing the things that should befall him there (Acts xx. 22).—G.B.S. And this is a very striking mode of advice, I mean this way of forestalling their attention by encomiums. For when he entreats them in the way of advice, this is the mode of setting them right that he adopts.

Ver. 30. “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit.”

Here he again puts forward Christ and the Spirit, and makes no mention whatever of the Father. And I say this, that when you find him mentioning the Father and the Son, or the Father only, you may not despise either the Son or the Spirit. And he does not say the Spirit, but “the love of the Spirit.” For as Christ loved the world, and as the Father doth, so doth the Spirit also. And what is it that thou beseechest us, let me hear? “To strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,”

Ver. 31. “That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea.”

A great struggle then lies before him. And this too is why he calls for their prayers. And he does not say that I may be engaged in it, but “I may be delivered,” as Christ commanded, to “pray that we enter not into temptation.”473    2 mss. add, So directing them to do this. (Matt. xxvi. 41.) And in saying this he showed, that certain evil wolves would attack them, and those who were wild beasts rather than men. And out of this he also found grounds for another thing, namely, for showing that he with good reason took the office of ministering to the Saints, if, that is, the unbelievers were in such force that he even prayed to be delivered from them. For they who were amongst so many enemies, were in danger of perishing by famine also. And therefore there was absolute need of aid coming (or “of his going”) from other quarters to them. “And that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints.”

That is, that my sacrifice may be accepted, that with cheerfulness they may receive what is given them. See how he again exalts the dignity of those who were to receive it. Then he asks for the prayer of so great a people in order to what was sent being received. And by this he shows another point also, that to have given alms does not secure its being accepted. For when any one gives it constrainedly, or out of unjust gains, or for vanity, the fruit of it is gone.

Ver. 32. “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God.”

As he had said at the beginning, “If by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you” (Rom. i. 10); so here again he takes refuge in the same Will, and says that this is why I press on and wish to be delivered from them, that I may see you shortly, and that with pleasure, without bringing any load of heaviness from thence. “And may with you be refreshed.”

See how he again shows unassumingness. For he does not say, I may teach you, and give you a lesson, but that, “I may with you be refreshed.” And yet he was the very man engaged in the striving and conflict. In what sense then does he say “that I may be refreshed with you (συναναπαύσωμαι)?” It is to gratify them on this point too, and to make them the more cheerful by making them sharers of his crown, and to show that they too struggle and labor. Then, as was always his custom to do, he adds prayer after the exhortation, and says,

Ver. 33. “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

Chap. xvi. ver. 1. “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a deaconess (A.V. servant) of the church which is at Cenchrea.”

See how many ways he takes to give her dignity. For he has both mentioned her before all the rest, and called her sister. And it is no slight thing to be called the sister of Paul. Moreover he has added her rank, by mentioning her being “deaconess.”474    See Bingham, b. ii. c. 22, for a full account of the office of the widows, deaconesses, etc., also Cave, Prim. Christ. part i. c. 8. Theodoret thinks it a sign of there being a considerable Church at Cenchrea, that they had a deaconess there.

Ver. 2. “That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints.” (Gr. “the saints.”)

That is, for the Lord’s sake, that she may enjoy honor among you. For he that receives a person for the Lord’s sake, though it be no great one that he receives, yet receives him with attention. But when it is a saint, consider what attention he ought to have shown him. And this is why he adds, “as becometh saints,” as such persons ought to be received. For she has two grounds for her having attention shown her by you, both that of her being received for the Lord’s sake, and that of her being a saint herself. And “that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need (or “asks,” χρήζῃ) of you.” You see how little he burdens them. For he does not say, That ye despatch, but that ye contribute your own part, and reach out a hand to her: and that “in whatsoever business she hath need.” Not in whatsoever business she may be, but in such as she may ask of you. But she will ask in such things as lie in your power. Then again there comes a very great praise of her. “For she hath been a succorer of many and of myself also.”

See his judgment. First come the encomiums, then he makes an exhortation intervene, and then again gives encomiums, so placing on each side of the needs of this blessed woman her praises. For how can the woman be else than blessed who has the blessing of so favorable a testimony from Paul, who had also the power to render assistance to him who had righted the whole world? For this was the summit of her good deeds, and so he placed it the last, as he says, “and of myself also.” But what does the phrase “of myself also” convey? Of the herald of the world, of him who hath suffered so much, of him who is equal to assisting tens of thousands (μυρίοις ἀρκοὕντος). Let us then imitate, both men and women, this holy woman and her that followeth, with her husband also. And who are they?

Ver. 2. “Greet,” he says, “Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus.”

To the excellence of these St. Luke also bears witness. Partly when he says that Paul “abode with them, for by their occupation they were tent-makers” (Acts xviii. 3); and partly when he points out the woman as receiving Apollos, and instructing him in the way of the Lord. (ib. 26.) Now these are great things, but what Paul mentions are greater. And what does he mention? In the first place he calls them “helpers,”475    συλλειτουργούς. Afterwards the common term by which Bishops spoke of each other. As the Nicene Fathers of Alexander. Ep. Synod. v. fin. Theod. i. 9. to point out that they had been sharers of his very great labors and dangers. Then he says,

Ver. 4. “Who for my life have laid down their own necks.”

You see they are thoroughly furnished martyrs. For in Nero’s time it is probable that there were thousands of dangers, at the time as he even commanded all Jews to be removed from Rome. (Acts viii. 2).

“Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles.”

Here he hints at their hospitality, and pecuniary assistance, holding them in admiration because they had both poured forth their blood, and had made their whole property open to all. You see these were noble women, hindered no way by their sex in the course of virtue. And this is as might be expected. “For in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female.” (Gal. iii. 28.) And what he had said of the former, that he said also of this. For of her also he had said, “she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.” So too of this woman “not only I give thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles.” Now that in this he might not seem to be a flatterer, he also adduces a good many more witnesses to these women.

Ver. 5. “Likewise greet the Church that is in their house.”

For she had been so estimable as even to make their house a Church, both by making all in it believers, and because they opened it to all strangers. For he was not in the habit of calling any houses Churches, save where there was much piety, and much fear of God deeply rooted in them.476    By “the church in the house” of Priscilla and Aquila, Chrys. understands the pious family which constituted the household. Such was the view of many of the older interpreters. The more probable view is that the “churches in the houses” (cf. 1 Cor. xvi. 19; Col. iv. 15; Philem. 2) were assemblies of a part of the collective church of the city, formed for the sake of convenience of meeting, especially in the largest towns. There is no reason to believe that all the persons named below were members of the household—church of Priscilla and Aquila.—G.B.S. And on this ground he said to the Corinthians also, “Salute Aquila and Priscilla, with the Church that is in their house.” (1 Cor. xvi. 19.) And when writing about Onesimus, “Paul unto Philemon, and to the beloved Apphia, and to the Church that is in their house.” (Philem. 1, 2.) For it is possible for a man even in the married state to be worthy of being looked up to, and noble. See then how these were in that state and became very honorable, and yet their occupation was far from being honorable; for they were “tent-makers.” Still their virtue covered all this, and made them more conspicuous than the sun. And neither their trade nor their marriage (συζυγία cf. Phil. iv. 3) was any hurt to them, but the love which Christ required of them, that they exhibited. “For greater love hath no man than this, He says, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John xv. 13.) And that which is a proof of being a disciple, they achieve, since they took up the Cross and followed Him. For they who did this for Paul, would much rather have displayed their fortitude in Christ’s behalf.

Let rich and poor both hear all this. For if they who lived from their labor, and were managers of a workshop, exhibited such profuseness as to be of service to many Churches; what pardon can they expect, who are rich, and yet neglect the poor? For they were not sparing even of their blood for the sake of God’s will, but thou art sparing even of scanty sums, and many times sparest not thine own soul. But in regard to the teacher were they so, and not so with regard to the disciples? Nay even this cannot be said. For “the churches of the Gentiles,” he says, “thank them.” And yet they were of the Jews. But still they had such a clear (εἰλικρινὥς) faith, as to minister unto them also with all willingness. Such ought women to be, not adorning themselves with “broidered hair, or gold, or costly array” (1 Tim. ii. 9), but in these good deeds. For what empress pray, was so conspicuous or so celebrated as this wife of the tent-maker? she is in everybody’s mouth, not for ten or twenty years, but until the coming of Christ, and all proclaim her fame for things such as adorn far more than any royal diadem. For what is greater or so great, as to have been a succorer of Paul? at her own peril to have saved the teacher of the world? And consider: how many empresses there are that no one speaks of. But the wife of the tent-maker is everywhere reported of with the tent-maker (meaning perhaps St. Paul); and the width that the sun sees over, is no more of the world than what the glory of this woman runneth unto. Persians, and Scythians, and Thracians, and they who dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth, sing of the Christian spirit of this woman, and bless it.477    Omitted by most mss. How much wealth, how many diadems and purples would you not be glad to venture upon obtaining such a testimony? For no one can say either, that in dangers they were of this character, and lavish with their money, and yet neglected the preaching. For he calls them “fellow-workers and helpers” on this ground. And this “chosen vessel” (Acts ix. 15) does not feel ashamed to call a woman his helper but even finds an honor in doing so. For it is not the sex (φίσει) that he minds, but the will is what he honors. What is equal to this ornament? Where now is wealth overflowing on every side? and where the adorning of the person? and where is vainglory? Learn that the dress of woman is not that put about the body, but that which decorates the soul, which is never put off, which does not lie in a chest, but is laid up in the heavens. Look at their labor for the preaching, the crown in martyrdom, the munificence in money, the love of Paul, the charm (φίλτρον) they found in Christ. Compare with this thine own estate, thy anxiety about money, thy vying with harlots (i.e. in dress), thy emulating of the grass,478    τὴν πρὸς τὸν χόρτον φιλονεικίαν. See Matt. vi. 30; Luke xii. 28; Clem. Al. (Pott.) p. 232. and then thou wilt see who they were and who thou art. Or rather do not compare only, but vie with this woman, and after laying aside the burdens of grass (χλόης), (for this is what thy costly dressing is), take thou the dress from heaven, and learn whence Priscilla became such as she was. How then did they become so? For two years they entertained Paul as a guest: (Probably Acts xix. 10) and what is there that these two years may not have done for their souls? What am I to do then, you will say because I have not Paul? If thou be minded thou mayest have him in a truer sense than they. For even with them the sight of Paul was not what made them of such a character, but the words of Paul. And so, if thou be so minded, thou shalt have both Paul, and Peter, and John, and the whole choir of the Prophets, with the Apostles, associating with thee continually. For take the books of these blessed ones, and hold a continual intercourse with their writings, and they will be able to make thee like the tent-maker’s wife. And why speak I of Paul? For if thou wilt, thou mayest have Paul’s Master Himself. For through Paul’s tongue even He will discourse with thee. And in another way again thou wilt be able to receive this Person, when thou receivest the saints, even when thou tendest those that believe on Him. And so even after their departure thou wilt have many memorials of piety. For even the table at which the saint ate, and a seat on which he sat, and the couch on which he lay knoweth how to pierce479    κατανύξαι, see p. 487, and p. 448. him that received him; even after his departure. How then, think you, was that Shunamite pierced at entering the upper chamber where Elisha abode, when she saw the table, the couch on which the holy man slept; and what religiousness must she have felt come from it?480    See the use made of such recollections at the close of the 32d Homily. For had this not been so, she would not have cast the child there when dead, if she had not reaped great benefit from thence. For if so long time after upon entering in where Paul abode, where he was bound, where he sat and discoursed,481    He seems to have some place at Antioch in his mind, but we do not know that St. Paul was ever bound there. we are elevated, and find ourselves starting off from the places to that memory (so Field: Vulg. “the memory of that day”); when the circumstances were still fresher, what must those have been likely to feel, who had religiously entertained him? Knowing all this then, let us receive the Saints, that the house may shine, that it may be freed from choking thorns, that the bedchamber may become a haven. And let us receive them, and wash their feet. Thou art not better than Sarah, nor more noble, nor more wealthy, though thou be an empress. For she had three hundred and eighteen homeborn servants, at a time when to have two servants even was to be wealthy. And why do I mention the three hundred and eighteen servants? She had become possessed of the whole world in her seed and in the promises, she had the “friend of God” (Is. xli. 8; James ii. 23) for her husband, God Himself as a Patron, a thing greater than any kingdom. And yet, though she was in so illustrious and honorable estate, this woman kneaded the flour, and did all the other servant’s offices, and stood by them as they banqueted too in the rank of a servant. Thou art not of nobler birth than Abraham, who yet did the part of domestics after his exploits after his victories, after the honor paid him by the king of Egypt, after driving out the kings of the Persians, and raising the glorious trophies. And look not to this; that in appearance the Saints that lodge with thee are but poor, and as beggars, and in rags many times, but be mindful of that voice which says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. xxv. 40.) And, “Despise not one of these little ones, because their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. xviii. 10.) Receive them then with readiness of mind, bringing as they do ten thousand blessings to thee, through the greeting of peace. (ib. x. 12, 13.) And after Sarah, reflect upon Rebecca also, who both drew water and gave to drink, and called the stranger in, trampling down all haughtiness. However, through this, great were the rewards of hospitality she received! And thou, if thou be so minded, wilt receive even greater than those. For it will not be the fruit of children only that God will give thee, but the heaven, and the blessings there, and a freedom from hell, and a remission of sins. For great, yea, very great, is the fruit of hospitality. (Luke xi. 41.) Thus too Jethro, and that though he was a foreigner, gained for a relation him who with so great power commanded the sea. (Dan. iv. 27; Ex. iii. 1.) For his daughters too drew into his net this honorable prey. (Num. x. 29.) Setting then thy thoughts upon these things, and reflecting upon the manly and heroic482    φιλοσοφίαν, he means their simple habits; as in keeping sheep, and the character perhaps implied in Moses’ choice. temper of those women, trample upon the gorgeousness of this day, the adornments of dress, the costly jewelry, the anointing with perfumes. And have done with those wanton483    κατακλᾶν, Phryn. ap Bek. Anec. p. 45. and delicate airs, and that mincing walk, and turn all this attentiveness unto the soul, and kindle up in thy mind a longing for the heavens. For should but his love take hold of thee, thou wilt discern the mire and the clay, and ridicule the things now so admired. For it is not even possible for a woman adorned with spiritual attainments to be seeking after this ridiculousness. Having then cast this aside, which wives of the lewder sort of men, and actresses, and singers, have so much ambition in, clothe thee with the love of wisdom, with hospitality, with the succoring of the Saints, with compunction, with continual prayer. These be better than cloth of gold, these more stately than jewels and484    The remaining leaves of the Bodl. ms. are lost. than necklaces,485    περιδερραίων thus spelt. Jul. Poll. 5, 56. these both make thee of good repute among men, and bring thee great reward with God. This is the dress of the Church, that of the playhouses. This is worthy of the heaven, that, of horses and mules; that is put even round dead corpses, this shineth in a good soul alone wherein Christ dwelleth. Let this then be the dress for us to acquire, that we also may have our praise sung everywhere, and be well-pleasing to Christ, by Whom and with Whom, etc. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Λʹ. Νυνὶ δὲ πορεύομαι εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ, διακονῶν τοῖς ἁγίοις. Εὐδόκησαν γὰρ Μακεδονία καὶ Ἀχαΐα κοινωνίαν τινὰ ποιήσασθαι εἰς τοὺς πτωχοὺς τῶν ἁγίων τῶν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ. Εὐ δόκησαν γὰρ, καὶ ὀφειλέται αὐτῶν εἰσιν. αʹ. Ἐπειδὴ εἶπεν, ὅτι Τόπον οὐκ ἔτι ἔχω ἐν τοῖς κλίμασι τούτοις, καὶ ἐπιποθίαν ἔχω ἐκ πολλῶν ἐτῶν ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἔμελλε δὲ ἔτι βραδύνειν: ἵνα μὴ νομίζηται διαχλευάζειν αὐτοὺς, λέγει καὶ τὴν αἰτίαν, δι' ἣν ἀναβάλλεται τέως, καί φησιν, ὅτι Πορεύομαι εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Καὶ δοκεῖ μὲν τὴν πρόφασιν λέγειν τῆς μελλήσεως, διὰ δὲ τούτων καὶ ἕτερόν τι κατασκευάζει, τὸ προτρέψαι ἐκείνους εἰς ἐλεημοσύνην, καὶ σπουδαιοτέρους ποιῆσαι: ἐπεὶ εἰ μὴ τοῦτο ἐσπούδαζε κατορθῶσαι, ἤρκει εἰπεῖν, ὅτι Πορεύομαι εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ: νυνὶ δὲ καὶ τὴν αἰτίαν προστίθησι τῆς ἀποδημίας: Πορεύομαι γὰρ, φησὶ, διακονῶν τοῖς ἁγίοις. Καὶ ἐνδιατρίβει τῷ λόγῳ, καὶ λογισμοὺς κινεῖ λέγων, ὅτι Ὀφειλέται εἰσὶ, καὶ ὅτι, Εἰ τοῖς πνευματικοῖς αὐτῶν ἐκοινώνησαν τὰ ἔθνη, ὀφείλουσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς σαρκικοῖς λειτουργῆσαι: ἵνα μάθωσιν ἐκεῖνοι τούτους ζηλοῦν. Διὸ καὶ μάλιστα αὐτοῦ τὴν σοφίαν θαυμάσαι χρὴ, ὅτι τοῦτον τῆς συμβουλῆς τὸν τρόπον ἐπενόησεν: οὕτω γὰρ μᾶλλον ἠνείχοντο ἢ ἐν τάξει παραινέσεως εἰπεῖν. Καὶ γὰρ ἔδοξαν ἂν ὑβρίζεσθαι, εἰ εἰς προτροπὴν αὐτῶν Κορινθίους παρῆγεν εἰς μέσον καὶ Μακεδόνας. Διὰ δὴ τοῦτο ἐκεῖ ἐκείνους μὲν οὕτω προτρέπει, λέγων: Γνωρίζω δὲ ὑμῖν τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν δεδομένην ταῖς Ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Μακεδονίας: καὶ Μακεδόνας δὲ διὰ τούτων πάλιν: Ὁ γὰρ ἐξ ὑμῶν ζῆλος ἠρέθισε τοὺς πλείονας. Καὶ διὰ Γαλατῶν δὲ ὁμοίως τοῦτο ποιεῖ, ὡς ὅταν λέγῃ: Ὥσπερ διέταξα ταῖς Ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Γαλατίας, οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιήσατε: ἐπὶ δὲ Ῥωμαίων οὐχ οὕτως, ἀλλ' ὑπεσταλμένως μᾶλλον. Ποιεῖ δὲ αὐτὸ καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ κηρύγματος, ὡς ὅταν λέγῃ: Ἢ ἀφ' ὑμῶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐξῆλθεν; ἢ εἰς ὑμᾶς μόνους κατήντησεν; οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως, ὡς ζῆλος, ἰσχυρόν. Διὸ πολλαχοῦ αὐτὸ τίθησι: καὶ γὰρ καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ φησι, Καθὼς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Ἐκκλησίαις διατάσσομαι: καὶ πάλιν, Καθὼς πανταχοῦ ἐν πάσῃ Ἐκκλησίᾳ διδάσκω. Καὶ Κολοσσαεῦσι δὲ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ἐστὶ καρποφορούμενον καὶ αὐξανόμενον τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν παντὶ κόσμῳ. Τοῦτο δὴ καὶ ἐνταῦθα ποιεῖ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐλεημοσύνης. Καὶ σκόπει πῶς μεγαλοπρεπῶς ταῖς λέξεσι κέχρηται: οὐ γὰρ εἶπε, Πορεύομαι ἐλεημοσύνην ἀποφέρων, ἀλλὰ, Διακονῶν. Εἰ δὲ Παῦλος διακονεῖ, ἐννόησον ἡλίκον τὸ γενόμενον, ὅταν ὁ τῆς οἰκουμένης διδάσκαλος καταδέχηται ἀποκομίζειν, καὶ μέλλων εἰς Ῥώμην ἀποδημεῖν, καὶ οὕτως αὐτοὺς ἐπιποθῶν, τοῦτο ἐκείνου προτιμᾷ. Ηὐδόκησαν γὰρ Μακεδονία καὶ Ἀχαΐα, τουτέστιν, ἐδοκίμασαν, ἐπεθύμησαν, κοινωνίαν τινά. Πάλιν οὐκ εἶπεν Ἐλεημοσύνην, ἀλλὰ Κοινωνίαν. Τὸ δὲ, Τινὰ, οὐχ ἁπλῶς τέθεικεν, ἀλλ' ἵνα μὴ δόξῃ τούτους ὀνειδίζειν. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν ἁπλῶς, Εἰς τοὺς πτωχοὺς, ἀλλ' Εἰς τοὺς πτωχοὺς τῶν ἁγίων: διπλῆν ποιῶν τὴν σύστασιν, καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρετῆς καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῆς πενίας. Καὶ οὐδὲ τούτῳ μόνον ἠρκέσθη, ἀλλ' ἐπήγαγεν, ὅτι Ὀφειλέται εἰσίν. Εἶτα δείκνυσι πῶς ὀφειλέται. Εἰ γὰρ τοῖς πνευματικοῖς ἐκοινώνησαν αὐτῶν, φησὶ, τὰ ἔθνη, ὀφείλουσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς σαρκικοῖς λειτουργῆσαι αὐτοῖς. Ὃ δὲ λέγει, τοῦτό ἐστι: Δι' αὐτοὺς ἦλθεν ὁ Χριστὸς, αὐτοῖς ἦν ἅπαντα ἐπηγγελμένα τοῖς ἐξ Ἰουδαίων, ἐξ αὐτῶν ὁ Χριστός: διὸ καὶ ἔλεγεν, Ἐκ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐστὶν ἡ σωτηρία: ἐκεῖθεν οἱ ἀπόστολοι, ἐκεῖθεν οἱ προφῆται, ἐκεῖθεν τὰ ἀγαθὰ πάντα. Τούτων οὖν ἁπάντων ἐκοινώνησεν ἡ οἰκουμένη. Εἰ τοίνυν ἐν τοῖς μείζοσιν ἐκοινωνήσατε, φησὶ, καὶ τῶν δείπνων τῶν ἐκείνοις παρεσκευασμένων ὑμεῖς εἰσελθόντες ἀπηλαύσατε τῶν προκειμένων κατὰ τὴν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου παραβολήν: ὀφείλετε καὶ τῶν σαρκικῶν κοινωνῆσαι καὶ μεταδοῦναι αὐτοῖς. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπε, Κοινωνῆσαι, ἀλλὰ Λειτουργῆσαι: ἐν τάξει διακόνων αὐτοὺς καθιστὰς, καὶ τῶν βασιλεῦσι τελούντων φόρους. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν, Ἐν τοῖς σαρκικοῖς ὑμῶν, ὥσπερ, Ἐν τοῖς πνευματικοῖς αὐτῶν: τὰ μὲν γὰρ πνευματικὰ ἐκείνων, τὰ δὲ σαρκικὰ οὐ τούτων μόνον, ἀλλὰ κοινὰ πάντων: τὰ γὰρ χρήματα πάντων ἐκέλευσεν εἶναι, οὐχὶ τῶν κεκτημένων μόνον. Τοῦτο οὖν ἐπιτελέσας, καὶ σφραγισάμενος αὐτοῖς τὸν καρπὸν τοῦτον: τουτέστιν, ὡς εἰς βασιλικὰ ταμιεῖα ἐναποθέμενος, ὡς ἐν ἀσύλῳ καὶ ἀσφαλεῖ χωρίῳ: καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν, Ἐλεημοσύνην, ἀλλὰ πάλιν, Τὸν καρπόν: δεικνὺς κερδαίνοντας τοὺς παρέχοντας. Ἀπελεύσομαι δι' ὑμῶν εἰς Σπανίαν. Πάλιν μέμνηται τῆς Σπανίας, δεικνὺς τὸ ἄοκνον καὶ τὸ περὶ ἐκείνους θερμόν. Οἶδα δὲ, ὅτι ἐρχόμενος πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἐν πληρώματι εὐλογίας τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐλεύσομαι. Τί ἐστιν, Ἐν πληρώματι εὐλογίας; Ἤτοι περὶ χρημάτων φησὶν, ἢ περὶ πάντων ἁπλῶς τῶν κατορθωμάτων. Εὐλογίαν γὰρ, ὡς τὰ πολλὰ, τὴν ἐλεημοσύνην εἴωθε λέγειν: ὡς ὅταν λέγῃ, Ὡς εὐλογίαν, μὴ ὡς πλεονεξίαν: καὶ ἔθος δὲ παλαιὸν οὕτως ἦν καλεῖσθαι τὸ πρᾶγμα. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ ἐνταῦθα προσέθηκε, Τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου, διὰ τοῦτό φαμεν οὐ περὶ χρημάτων μόνον εἰρηκέναι, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων: ὡσανεὶ εἶπεν, Οἶδα δὲ, ὅτι ἐρχόμενος ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς ἐν ἅπασιν εὐδοκιμοῦντας, καὶ κομῶντας τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς, καὶ μυρίων ἐπαίνων ἀξίους τῶν κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον. Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ εἶδος συμβουλῆς θαυμαστὸν, τὸ προκαταλαμβάνειν αὐτοὺς τοῖς ἐγκωμίοις. Ὅταν γὰρ παραιτῆται ἐν τάξει παραινέσεως τοῦτο ποιεῖν, ἐπὶ τοῦτον ἔρχεται τῆς διορθώσεως τὸν τρόπον. Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ διὰ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Πνεύματος. βʹ. Πάλιν ἐνταῦθα τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα προβάλλεται, καὶ οὐδαμῶς μέμνηται τοῦ Πατρός. Ταῦτα δὲ εἶπον, ἵν' ὅταν ἴδῃς αὐτὸν Πατρὸς καὶ Υἱοῦ μεμνημένον, ἢ Πατρὸς μόνου, μήτε Υἱὸν μήτε Πνεῦμα ἀθετῇς. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπε, Πνεύματος, ἀλλ' Ἀγάπης Πνεύματος. Καθάπερ γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς ἠγάπησε τὸν κόσμον καὶ ὁ Πατὴρ, οὕτω καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα. Τί δέ ἐστιν ὃ παρακαλεῖς, εἰπέ μοι; Συναγωνίσασθαί μοι ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ἵνα ῥυσθῶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀπειθούντων ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ. Μέγας ἄρα ἀγὼν αὐτῷ προὔκειτο: διὸ καὶ τὰς εὐχὰς αὐτῶν καλεῖ. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν, Ἵνα συμπλακῶ, ἀλλ' Ἵνα ῥυσθῶ: ὡς ὁ Χριστὸς ἐκέλευσεν, Εὔχεσθε μὴ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς πειρασμόν. Ταῦτα δὲ λέγων, ἐδείκνυ πονηρούς τινας λύκους ἐπιθησομένους αὐτῷ, καὶ θηρία μᾶλλον ἢ ἄνδρας. Ἀπὸ δὲ τούτου καὶ ἕτερον παρεσκεύαζε, τὸ δεῖξαι ὅτι δικαίως ἀνεδέξατο τὸ διακονῆσαι τοῖς ἁγίοις, εἴ γε τοσοῦτοι οἱ ἀπειθοῦντες, ὡς καὶ αὐτῶν εὔχεσθαι ῥυσθῆναι. Οἱ γὰρ μεταξὺ τοσούτων ὄντες πολεμίων, καὶ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυσθαι ἔμελλον: διὸ ἀναγκαίως ἑτέρωθεν αὐτοῖς ἐκομίζετο. Καὶ ἵνα ἡ διακονία μου ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ εὐπρόσδεκτος γένηται τοῖς ἁγίοις: τουτέστιν, ἵνα δεκτή μου γένηται ἡ θυσία, ἵνα μετὰ προθυμίας ὑποδέξωνται τὰ διδόμενα. Ὁρᾷς πῶς πάλιν ἐπῆρε τὸ ἀξίωμα τῶν λαμβανόντων, εἴ γε εὐχῶν δεῖται παρὰ δήμου τοσούτου, εἰς τὸ δεχθῆναι τὰ πεμπόμενα; Ἀπὸ δὲ τούτου δείκνυσι καὶ ἕτερόν τι, ὅτι οὐκ ἀρκεῖ τὸ δοῦναι ἐλεημοσύνην εἰς τὸ δεχθῆναι. Ὅταν γὰρ μετὰ ἀνάγκης τις παρέχῃ, ὅταν ἐξ ἀδικίας, ὅταν πρὸς κενοδοξίαν, οἴχεται ὁ καρπός. Ἵνα ἐν χαρᾷ ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ. Ὥσπερ ἀρχόμενος ἔλεγεν, Εἴ πως ἤδη ποτὲ εὐοδωθήσομαι ἐν τῷ θελήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς: οὕτω καὶ ἐνταῦθα ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ καταφεύγει θέλημα, καί φησιν, ὅτι Διὰ τοῦτο ἐπείγομαι, καὶ ῥυσθῆναι ἐκεῖθεν εὔχομαι, ἵνα ταχέως ὑμᾶς ἴδω, καὶ ἴδω μεθ' ἡδονῆς, μηδεμίαν ἐκεῖθεν ἐπισυρόμενος ἀθυμίαν. Καὶ συναναπαύσωμαι ὑμῖν. Ὅρα πῶς πάλιν τὸ ἄτυφον δείκνυσιν. Οὐ γὰρ εἶπε, Ἵνα διδάξω ὑμᾶς καὶ κατηχήσω, ἀλλ', Ἵνα συναναπαύσωμαι ὑμῖν. Καίτοι αὐτὸς ἦν ὁ ἀγωνιζόμενος, καὶ πυκτεύων: πῶς οὖν φησι, Συναναπαύσωμαι; Χαριζόμενος αὐτοῖς κἀν τούτῳ, καὶ προθυμοτέρους ποιῶν τῷ κοινωνοὺς ποιεῖν τῶν στεφάνων καὶ δεικνύναι καὶ αὐτοὺς ἀγωνιζομένους καὶ πονοῦντας. Εἶτα, ὅπερ ἀεὶ ποιεῖν εἴωθε, τὴν εὐχὴν μετὰ τὴν παραίνεσιν προστίθησι λέγων: Ὁ δὲ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. Ἀμήν. Συνίστημι δὲ ὑμῖν Φοίβην τὴν ἀδελφὴν, διάκονον οὖσαν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας τῆς ἐν Κεγχρεαῖς. Ὅρα διὰ πόσων αὐτὴν σεμνύνει: καὶ γὰρ πρὸ τῶν ἄλλων αὐτῆς ἐμνήσθη πάντων, καὶ ἀδελφὴν ἐκάλεσεν: οὐ μικρὸν δὲ Παύλου κληθῆναι ἀδελφήν. Καὶ τὸ ἀξίωμα προσέθηκε, διάκονον εἰπών: Ἵνα αὐτὴν προσδέξησθε ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀξίως τῶν ἁγίων. Τουτέστι, διὰ τὸν Κύριον, ἵνα τιμῆς ἀπολαύσῃ παρ' ὑμῖν. Ὁ γὰρ διὰ τὸν Κύριον δεχόμενος, κἂν μὴ μέγαν τινὰ δέξηται, μετὰ σπουδῆς δέχεται: ὅταν δὲ καὶ ἁγία ᾖ, ἐννόησον ἡλίκης αὐτὴν ἀπολαῦσαι δίκαιον θεραπείας. Διὰ τοῦτο προσέθηκε, Ἀξίως τῶν ἁγίων, ὡς δεῖ τοὺς τοιούτους ὑποδέχεσθαι. Διπλῆν γὰρ ἔχει ἀφορμὴν τοῦ θεραπευθῆναι παρ' ὑμῶν, καὶ τὸ διὰ τὸν Κύριον δεχθῆναι, καὶ τὸ αὐτὴν ἁγίαν εἶναι. Καὶ παραστῆτε αὐτῇ ἐν ᾧ ἂν ὑμῶν πράγματι χρῄζῃ. Εἶδες τὸ ἀνεπαχθές; Οὐδὲ γὰρ εἶπεν, Ἵνα ἀπαλλάξητε, ἀλλ', Ἵνα τὰ παρ' ὑμῶν εἰσενέγκητε, καὶ χεῖρα ὀρέξητε, καὶ ἐν ᾧ ἂν ὑμῶν χρῄζῃ: οὐκ ἐν οἷς ἂν ᾖ πάντως, ἀλλ' ἐν οἷς ἂν ὑμῶν δέηται: δεήσεται δὲ ἐν ἐκείνοις, ἐν οἷς ἂν ὑμεῖς ἦτε κύριοι. Εἶτα πάλιν ὁ ἔπαινος ἄφατος: Καὶ γὰρ αὐτὴ προστάτις πολλῶν ἐγενήθη, καὶ αὐτοῦ ἐμοῦ. Εἶδες τὴν σύνεσιν; Πρῶτον μὲν τὰ ἐγκώμια, εἶτα μέσην τὴν παράκλησιν, εἶτα πάλιν τὰ ἐγκώμια τέθεικεν, ἑκατέρωθεν περιστέλλων τὴν χρείαν τοῖς ἐπαίνοις τῆς γυναικὸς τῆς μακαρίας ἐκείνης. Πῶς γὰρ οὐ μακαρία ἡ τοσαύτης ἀπολαύσασα παρὰ Παύλου μαρτυρίας, ἡ καὶ αὐτῷ βοηθῆσαι δυνηθεῖσα τῷ τὴν οἰκουμένην διορθώσαντι; Τοῦτο γὰρ ὁ κολοφὼν αὐτῆς τῶν ἀγαθῶν: διὸ καὶ ὕστερον αὐτὸ τέθεικε λέγων, Καὶ αὐτοῦ ἐμοῦ. Τί δέ ἐστι, Καὶ αὐτοῦ ἐμοῦ; Τοῦ κήρυκος τῆς οἰκουμένης, τοῦ τοσαῦτα παθόντος, τοῦ μυρίοις ἀρκοῦντος. Μιμησώμεθα τοίνυν καὶ ἄνδρες καὶ γυναῖκες τὴν ἁγίαν ἐκείνην, καὶ τὴν μετ' αὐτὴν δὲ σὺν τῷ ἀνδρί. Τίνες δὲ οὗτοί εἰσιν; Ἀσπάσασθε, φησὶ, Πρίσκιλλαν καὶ Ἀκύλαν, τοὺς συλλειτουργούς μου ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τούτων τῇ ἀρετῇ καὶ ὁ Λουκᾶς μαρτυρεῖ: τοῦτο μὲν, ὅταν λέγῃ, ὅτι Ἔμεινε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὁ Παῦλος: ἦσαν γὰρ σκηνοποιοὶ τὴν τέχνην: τοῦτο δὲ, ὅταν δεικνύῃ τὴν γυναῖκα τὸν Ἀπολλὼ προσλαμβανομένην καὶ κατηχήσασαν τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Κυρίου. γʹ. Μεγάλα μὲν γὰρ κἀκεῖνα: πολλῷ δὲ μείζονα, ἅ φησι Παῦλος. Τί γάρ φησι; Πρῶτον συλλειτουργοὺς αὐτοὺς καλεῖ, τῶν ἀφάτων πόνων καὶ τῶν κινδύνων δεικνὺς αὐτοὺς κοινωνούς: ἔπειτα φησιν, Ὅτι ὑπὲρ τῆς ψυχῆς μου τὸν ἑαυτῶν τράχηλον ὑπέθηκαν. Εἶδες μάρτυρας ἀπηρτισμένους; Καὶ γὰρ εἰκὸς ἐπὶ Νέρωνος μυρίους εἶναι τοὺς κινδύνους, ὅτε καὶ διετάξατο πάντας χωρίζεσθαι ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥώμης τοὺς Ἰουδαίους. Οἷς οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος εὐχαριστῶ, ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι τῶν ἐθνῶν. Ἐνταῦθα τὴν φιλοξενίαν καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῶν χρημάτων λειτουργίαν αἰνίττεται, θαυμάζων αὐτοὺς, ὅτι καὶ τὸ αἷμα αὐτῶν ἐξέχεαν, καὶ τὴν οὐσίαν κοινὴν προὔθηκαν ἅπασαν. Εἶδες γυναῖκας γενναίας, οὐδὲν ἀπὸ τῆς φύσεως ἐμποδισθείσας εἰς τὸν τῆς ἀρετῆς δρόμον; Καὶ μάλα εἰκότως: Ἐν Χριστῷ γὰρ Ἰησοῦ οὐκ ἄρσεν, οὐ θῆλυ. Καὶ ὅπερ ἐπὶ τῆς προτέρας εἶπε, τοῦτο καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτης φησί: καὶ γὰρ καὶ περὶ ἐκείνης ἔλεγεν, Ἥτις προστάτις πολλῶν ἐγενήθη, καὶ αὐτοῦ ἐμοῦ: καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτης πάλιν, ὅτι Οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος εὐχαριστῶ, ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι τῶν ἐθνῶν. Ἵνα γὰρ μὴ δόξῃ κολακεύων ταῦτα λέγειν, καὶ ἄλλους μάρτυρας ἄγει τῶν γυναικῶν πολλῷ πλείους. Καὶ τὴν κατ' οἶκον αὐτῶν Ἐκκλησίαν. Οὕτω γὰρ ἦσαν εὐδόκιμοι, ὡς καὶ τὴν οἰκίαν ἐκκλησίαν ποιῆσαι, διά τε τοῦ πάντας ποιῆσαι πιστοὺς, καὶ διὰ τοῦ τοῖς ξένοις αὐτὴν ἀνοῖξαι πᾶσιν. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἁπλῶς εἴωθεν οἰκίας ἐκκλησίας καλεῖν, εἰ μὴ πολλὴ ἡ εὐλάβεια καὶ πολὺς ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ φόβος ἐῤῥιζωμένος ἐν αὐτοῖς εἴη. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ Κορινθίοις ἔλεγεν, Ἀσπάσασθε Ἀκύλαν καὶ Πρίσκιλλαν, σὺν τῇ κατ' οἶκον αὐτῶν Ἐκκλησίᾳ: καὶ περὶ Ὀνησίμου δὲ γράφων φησὶ, Παῦλος Φιλήμονι καὶ Ἀπφίᾳ τῇ ἀγαπητῇ καὶ τῇ κατ' οἶκόν σου Ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ἔνι γὰρ καὶ ἐν γάμῳ ὄντα θαυμαστὸν εἶναι καὶ γενναῖον. Ἰδοὺ οὖν καὶ οὗτοι ἐν γάμῳ ἦσαν, καὶ σφόδρα ἔλαμψαν, καίτοι γε οὐδὲ τὸ ἐπιτήδευμα αὐτῶν λαμπρὸν ἦν: σκηνοποιοὶ γὰρ ἦσαν: ἀλλ' ὅμως πάντα ἀπέκρυψεν ἡ ἀρετὴ, καὶ ὑπὲρ τὸν ἥλιον αὐτοὺς ἔδειξε: καὶ οὔτε ἡ τέχνη οὔτε ἡ συζυγία αὐτοὺς παρέβλαψεν, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀγάπην, ἣν ὁ Χριστὸς ἀπῄτησε, ταύτην ἐπεδείξαντο. Μείζονα γὰρ ταύτης ἀγάπην οὐδεὶς ἔχει, φησὶν, ἵνα τις τὴν ψυχὴν αὑτοῦ θῇ ὑπὲρ τῶν φίλων αὑτοῦ. Καὶ ὃ γνώρισμά ἐστι μαθητοῦ, τοῦτο κατώρθωσαν: ἔλαβον γὰρ τὸν σταυρὸν, καὶ ἠκολούθησαν. Οἱ γὰρ ὑπὲρ τοῦ Παύλου τοῦτο ποιοῦντες, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑπὲρ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ταύτην ἐπεδείξαντο τὴν ἀνδρείαν. Ταῦτα καὶ πλούσιοι καὶ πένητες ἀκουέτωσαν. Εἰ γὰρ οἱ ἀπὸ τῶν χειρῶν ζῶντες καὶ ἐργαστηρίου προεστηκότες τοσαύτην ἐπεδείξαντο δαψίλειαν, ὡς Ἐκκλησίαις πολλαῖς γενέσθαι χρήσιμοι: τίνα ἂν ἔχοιεν συγγνώμην οἱ πλουτοῦντες καὶ τοὺς πένητας παρορῶντες; Ἐκεῖνοι μὲν γὰρ οὐδὲ τοῦ αἵματος ἐφείσαντο διὰ τὸ τῷ Θεῷ δοκοῦν, σὺ δὲ καὶ χρημάτων ὀλίγων φείδῃ, πολλάκις ὑπεριδὼν τῆς σεαυτοῦ ψυχῆς; Ἀλλὰ περὶ μὲν τὸν διδάσκαλον τοιοῦτοι ἐκεῖνοι, περὶ δὲ τοὺς μαθητὰς οὐ τοιοῦτοι; Ἀλλ' οὐδὲ τοῦτο ἔστιν εἰπεῖν: καὶ γὰρ αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι τῶν ἐθνῶν, φησὶν, αὐτοῖς εὐχαριστοῦσι. Καίτοι ἐξ Ἰουδαίων ἦσαν, ἀλλ' ὅμως οὕτως ἐπίστευσαν εἰλικρινῶς, ὡς καὶ ἐκείνοις μετὰ προθυμίας διακονεῖσθαι πάσης. Τοιαύτας εἶναι χρὴ τὰς γυναῖκας, Μὴ ἐν πλέγμασιν ἢ χρυσῷ ἢ ἱματισμῷ πολυτελεῖ, ἀλλὰ τούτοις καλλωπιζομένας τοῖς κατορθώμασι. Ποῖα γὰρ, εἰπέ μοι, βασίλισσα οὕτως ἔλαμψε, ποία οὕτως ᾄδεται ὡς αὕτη ἡ τοῦ σκηνοποιοῦ; Καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἁπάντων ἐστὶ στόμασιν, οὐ δέκα, οὐδὲ καὶ εἴκοσιν ἔτη, ἀλλὰ μέχρι τῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ παρουσίας: καὶ πάντες αὐτὴν ἐπὶ τοιούτοις ἀνακηρύττουσιν, ἃ τοῦ διαδήματος αὐτὴν μᾶλλον κοσμεῖ τοῦ βασιλικοῦ. Τί γὰρ μεῖζον, τί δὲ ἴσον τοῦ προστάτιν γενέσθαι Παύλου, τοῦ κινδύνοις ἰδίοις διασῶσαι τὸν τῆς οἰκουμένης διδάσκαλον; Σκόπει γοῦν καὶ ὅσαι μὲν βασιλίδες σεσίγηνται, ἡ δὲ τοῦ σκηνοποιοῦ πανταχοῦ περιφέρεται μετὰ τοῦ σκηνοποιοῦ, καὶ ὅσην ἥλιος ἐφορᾷ γῆν, τοσαύτην ἐπιτρέχει καὶ ἡ δόξα τῆς γυναικὸς οἰκουμένην: καὶ Πέρσαι καὶ Σκύθαι καὶ Θρᾷκες, καὶ οἱ τὰς ἐσχατιὰς οἰκοῦντες, ᾄδουσι τῆς γυναικὸς τὴν φιλοσοφίαν καὶ μακαρίζουσι. Πόσον πλοῦτον, πόσα διαδήματα καὶ ἁλουργίδας οὐκ ἂν ἡδέως ἔῤῥιψας ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιαύτην μαρτυρίαν λαβεῖν; Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἔχοι τις ἂν εἰπεῖν, ὅτι ἐν κινδύνοις μὲν ἦσαν τοιοῦτοι, καὶ ἐν χρήμασι δαψιλεῖς, τοῦ κηρύγματος δὲ ἠμέλουν: καὶ γὰρ συνεργοὺς αὐτοὺς καὶ συλλειτουργοὺς διὰ τοῦτο καλεῖ. Καὶ οὐκ αἰσχύνεται γυναῖκα συλλειτουργὸν καλῶν, τὸ σκεῦος τῆς ἐκλογῆς, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐγκαλλωπίζεται τούτῳ: οὐ γὰρ τῇ φύσει προσέχει, ἀλλὰ τὴν προαίρεσιν στεφανοῖ. Τί τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ἴσον; ποῦ νῦν ὑμῖν ὁ πλοῦτος ὁ πανταχοῦ περιῤῥέων; ποῦ δὲ ὁ τῶν ὄψεων καλλωπισμός; ποῦ δὲ ἡ δόξα ἡ κενή; Κατάμαθε τῆς γυναικὸς τὸν κόσμον, τὸν οὐ σώματι περικείμενον, ἀλλὰ ψυχὴν καλλωπίζοντα, τὸν οὐδέποτε ἀποτιθέμενον, τὸν οὐκ ἐν κιβωτίῳ κείμενον, ἀλλὰ τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἐναποκείμενον. δʹ. Βλέπε αὐτῶν τὸν περὶ τὸ κήρυγμα πόνον, τὸν ἐν τῷ μαρτυρίῳ στέφανον, τὴν ἐν τοῖς χρήμασι φιλοτιμίαν, τὴν περὶ Παῦλον ἀγάπην, τὸ περὶ τὸν Χριστὸν φίλτρον: παράβαλε τούτοις τὰ σὰ, τὴν περὶ τὰ χρήματα σπουδὴν, τὴν πρὸς τὰς πορνευομένας ἅμιλλαν, τὴν πρὸς τὸν χόρτον φιλονεικίαν: καὶ τότε ὄψεις τίνες μὲν ἐκεῖνοι, τίς δὲ σύ. Μᾶλλον δὲ μὴ παράβαλε μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ζήλου τὴν γυναῖκα, καὶ τὰ φορτία τῆς χλόης ἀποθεμένη (τοῦτο γὰρ ἡ τῶν ἱματίων πολυτέλεια), λάμβανε τὸν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κόσμον, καὶ μάνθανε πόθεν ἐγένοντο τοιοῦτοι οἱ περὶ Πρίσκιλλαν. Πόθεν οὖν ἐγένοντο; Δύο ἔτη τὸν Παῦλον ἐξενοδόχησαν: ἔτη δὲ δύο τί οὐκ ἂν αὐτῶν εἰργάσατο τὴν ψυχήν; Τί οὖν ἐγὼ πάθω, φησὶν, ὅτι Παῦλον οὐκ ἔχω; Ἐὰν θέλῃς, ἀκριβέστερον ἔχεις ἢ ἐκεῖνοι: οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐκείνους ἡ ὄψις ἡ Παύλου τοιούτους ἐποίησεν, ἀλλὰ τὰ ῥήματα Παύλου. Ὥστε, εἰ βουληθείης, καὶ Παῦλον καὶ Πέτρον καὶ Ἰωάννην καὶ τῶν προφητῶν ἅπαντα τὸν χορὸν μετὰ τῶν ἀποστόλων ἕξεις ὁμιλοῦντά σοι διηνεκῶς. Λάβε γὰρ τῶν μακαρίων τούτων τὰς βίβλους, καὶ ἐντύγχανε διηνεκῶς ταῖς ἐκείνων γραφαῖς, καὶ δυνήσονταί σε ποιῆσαι κατὰ τὴν τοῦ σκηνοποιοῦ γυναῖκα. Καὶ τί λέγω Παῦλον; Ἂν γὰρ ἐθέλῃς, καὶ αὐτὸν ἕξεις τὸν Παύλου Δεσπότην: διὰ γὰρ τῆς Παύλου γλώττης καὶ ἐκεῖνός σοι διαλέξεται. Καὶ ἑτέρως δὲ πάλιν δυνήσῃ δέξασθαι τοῦτον, ὅταν τοὺς ἁγίους δέξῃ, ὅταν τοὺς εἰς ἐκεῖνον πιστεύοντας θεραπεύσῃς: οὕτω καὶ ἀπελθόντων ἐκείνων, πολλὰ ὑπομνήματα εὐλαβείας ἕξεις. Οἶδε γὰρ καὶ τράπεζα ἐφ' ἧς ὁ ἅγιος ἔφαγε, καὶ καθέδρα ἐφ' ἧς ἐκάθισε, καὶ κλίνη ἐφ' ἧς κατεκλίθη, κατανύξαι τὸν ὑποδεξάμενον, καὶ ἀπελθόντος ἐκείνου. Πῶς γοῦν οἴει τὴν Σωναμῖτιν ἐκείνην κατανύττεσθαι, εἰσελθοῦσαν εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον ἔνθα κατέμενεν ὁ Ἐλισσαῖος, ὁρῶσαν τὴν τράπεζαν, τὴν κλίνην ἐφ' ἧς ὁ ἅγιος ἐκεῖνος ἐκάθευδε; πόσην ἐντεῦθεν δέχεσθαι τὴν εὐλάβειαν; Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἂν, εἰ μὴ τοῦτο ἦν, ἔῤῥιψεν ἐκεῖ τὸ παιδίον νεκρὸν, εἰ μὴ πολλὴν ἐκεῖθεν ἐκαρποῦτο τὴν ὠφέλειαν. Εἰ γὰρ μετὰ τοσοῦτον χρόνον εἰσιόντες, ἔνθα ἔμεινε Παῦλος, ἔνθα ἐδέθη, ἔνθα συνεκάθισε καὶ διελέχθη, πτερούμεθα, καὶ πρὸς τὴν μνήμην τῆς ἡμέρας ἀπὸ τῶν τόπων παραπεμπόμεθα: ἔτι νεωτέρων τῶν πραγμάτων ὄντων, τί πάσχειν εἰκὸς τοὺς μετ' εὐλαβείας ξενοδοχοῦντας; Ταῦτ' οὖν εἰδότες ὑποδεχώμεθα τοὺς ἁγίους, ἵνα λάμπῃ ἡ οἰκία, ἵνα ἀπαλλάττηται τῶν ἀκανθῶν, ἵνα λιμὴν γένηται τὸ δωμάτιον: καὶ ὑποδεχώμεθα, καὶ τοὺς πόδας νίπτωμεν. Οὐκ εἶ σὺ τῆς Σάῤῥας βελτίων οὐδὲ εὐγενεστέρα οὐδὲ εὐπορωτέρα, κἂν βασίλισσα ᾖς. Τριακοσίους γοῦν καὶ δεκακαιοκτὼ οἰκογενεῖς εἶχεν ἐκείνη, ὅτε καὶ τὸ δύο παῖδας ἔχειν πλοῦτος ἦν. Καὶ τί λέγω τριακοσίους καὶ δεκακαιοκτὼ οἰκέτας; Τὴν οἰκουμένην ἅπασαν ἐν τῷ σπέρματι καὶ ταῖς ἐπαγγελίαις ἐκέκτητο, τὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ φίλον εἶχεν ἄνδρα, αὐτὸν τὸν Θεὸν προστάτην, ὃ πάσης βασιλείας μεῖζον ἦν. Ἀλλ' ὅμως ἐν τοσαύτῃ οὖσα περιφανείᾳ καὶ δόξῃ, αὐτὴ ἔφυρε τὰ ἄλευρα, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα πάντα διηκονεῖτο, καὶ ἑστιωμένοις παρειστήκει πάλιν ἐν τάξει θεραπαινίδος. Οὐκ εἶ σὺ τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ εὐγενέστερος, ὃς τὰ οἰκετῶν ἔπραττε, μετὰ τὰ τρόπαια ἐκεῖνα, μετὰ τὰς νίκας, μετὰ τὴν τιμὴν τοῦ βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου, μετὰ τὸ τοὺς Περσῶν ἐλάσαι βασιλεῖς, καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ στῆσαι τρόπαια. Μηδὲ τοῦτο ἴδῃς, ὅτι εὐτελεῖς τὸ φαινόμενον οἱ ἅγιοι οἱ πρὸς σὲ καταγόμενοι, καὶ πτωχοὶ καὶ ῥακοδυτοῦντες πολλάκις, ἀλλ' ἐκείνης μέμνησο τῆς φωνῆς τῆς λεγούσης: Ἐφ' ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε: καὶ, Μὴ καταφρονήσητε ἑνὸς τῶν μικρῶν τούτων, ὅτι οἱ ἄγγελοι αὐτῶν διαπαντὸς βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς: καὶ δέχου μετὰ προθυμίας αὐτοὺς, τὰ μυρία σοι κομίζοντας ἀγαθὰ διὰ τῶν ἀσπασμῶν τῆς εἰρήνης. Καὶ μετὰ τῆς Σάῤῥας λογίζου καὶ τὴν Ῥεβέκκαν, ἣ καὶ ὑδρεύετο καὶ ἐπότιζε καὶ ἐκάλει τὸν ξένον ἔνδον, πάντα καταπατήσασα τῦφον: διά τοι τοῦτο καὶ μεγάλους τῆς φιλοξενίας ἐλάμβανε τοὺς μισθούς. Σὺ δὲ, εἰ βουληθείης, καὶ μείζους ἐκείνων λήψῃ. Οὐ γὰρ παιδίον μόνον δώσει σοι ὁ Θεὸς τὸν καρπὸν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὰ ἐκεῖ ἀγαθὰ καὶ γεέννης ἀπαλλαγὴν καὶ ἁμαρτημάτων συγχώρησιν: καὶ γὰρ μέγας, καὶ σφόδρα μέγας ὁ τῆς φιλοξενίας καρπός. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ Ἰοθὸρ, καὶ ταῦτα βάρβαρος ὢν, κηδεστὴν ἔλαβε τὸν τῇ θαλάττῃ μετὰ τοσαύτης ἐπιτάξαντα τῆς ἐξουσίας: καὶ γὰρ αἱ θυγατέρες αὐτῷ τὸ καλὸν τοῦτο θήραμα ἐσαγήνευσαν. Ταῦτ' οὖν ἐννοοῦσα, καὶ τὴν ἀνδρείαν τῶν γυναικῶν ἐκείνων λογιζομένη καὶ τὴν φιλοσοφίαν, καταπάτησον τὸν παρόντα τῦφον, τὸν τῶν ἱματίων καλλωπισμὸν, τὴν τῶν χρυσίων πολυτέλειαν, τῶν μύρων τὴν ἀλοιφήν: καὶ τὸ κατακλᾶσθαι καὶ θρύπτεσθαι καὶ ῥυθμῷ βαδίζειν ἀφιεῖσα, πᾶσαν ταύτην τὴν ἐπιμέλειαν εἰς τὴν ψυχὴν εἰσάγαγε, καὶ τὸν τῶν οὐρανῶν πόθον ἄναψον ἐπὶ τῆς διανοίας. Ἂν γὰρ οὗτός σε ὁ ἔρως ἕλῃ, ὄψει τὸν βόρβορον καὶ τὸν πηλὸν, καὶ καταγελάσῃ τῶν νῦν θαυμαζομένων: οὐδὲ γὰρ ἔστι γυναῖκα πνευματικοῖς κοσμουμένην κατορθώμασιν, ἐπιζητῆσαι τὸν γέλωτα τοῦτον. Ῥίψασα τοίνυν ταῦτα πάντα, ἃ καὶ ἀγοραίων γυναῖκες, ἃ καὶ ὀρχηστρίδες καὶ αὐλητρίδες μετὰ πολλῆς ἔχουσι τῆς φιλοτιμίας, περίθου φιλοσοφίαν, φιλοξενίαν, προστασίαν τῶν ἁγίων, κατάνυξιν, εὐχὰς συνεχεῖς. Ταῦτα χρυσῶν ἱματίων βελτίω, ταῦτα λίθων σεμνότερα καὶ περιδεῤῥαίων, ταῦτα καὶ παρ' ἀνθρώποις εὐδόκιμον ποιεῖ, καὶ παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ μέγαν φέρει σοι τὸν μισθόν. Οὗτος τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ὁ κόσμος, ἐκεῖνος τῶν θεάτρων: οὗτος τῶν οὐρανῶν ἄξιος, ἐκεῖνος ἵππων καὶ ἡμιόνων: ἐκεῖνος καὶ νεκροῖς σώμασι περιτίθεται, οὗτος ἐν ψυχῇ μόνον ἀγαθῇ λάμπει, ἐν ᾖ Χριστὸς κατοικεῖ. Τοῦτον τοίνυν κτησώμεθα τὸν κόσμον, ἵνα αἰδώμεθα πανταχοῦ καὶ ἡμεῖς, καὶ εὐαρεστήσωμεν τῷ Χριστῷ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.