Homily XLIV.

Acts XX. 17–21

“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

See him, hasting to sail by, and yet not overlooking them, but taking order for all. Having sent for the rulers, through those he discourses to them (the Ephesians): but it is worthy of admiration, how finding himself under a necessity of saying certain great things about himself, he tries to make the least he can of it (πειρἅτα μετριάζειν). “Ye know.” For just as Samuel, when about to deliver up the government to Saul says in their presence, “Have I taken aught of your hands? Ye are witnesses, and God also” (1 Sam. xii. 3, 5); (so Paul here). David also, when disbelieved, says, “I was with the flock keeping my father’s sheep: and when the bear came, I scared her away with my hands” (1 Sam. xvii. 34, 35): and Paul himself too says to the Corinthians, “I am become a fool; ye have compelled me.” (2 Cor. xii. 11.) Nay, God Himself also does the same, not speaking of himself upon any and every occasion, but only when He is disbelieved, then He brings up His benefits. Accordingly, see what Paul does here: first he adduces their own testimony: that you may not imagine his words to be mere boasting, he calls the hearers themselves as witnesses of the things he says, since he was not likely to speak lies in their presence. This is the excellence of a teacher, to have for witnesses of his merits those who are his disciples. And what is wonderful, Not for one day nor for two, says he, have I continued doing this. He wishes to cheer them for the future, that they may bravely bear all things, both the parting from him, and the trials about to take place—just as it was in the case of Moses and Joshua. And see how he begins: “How I have been with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility of mind.” Observe, what most becomes rulers: “hating pride” (Exod. xviii. 21, LXX.), says (Moses): which (qualification) is especially in point for rulers, because to them there is (almost) a necessity of becoming arrogant. This (humility) is the groundwork of all that is good, as in fact Christ saith,1014    i.e. putting this foremost of the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Matt. v. 3.) And (here) not simply, “with humility of mind,” but, “with all humility.” For there are many kinds of humility, in word and in action, towards rulers, and toward the ruled. Will you that I mention to you some kinds of humility? There are some who are lowly towards those who are lowly, and high towards the high: this is not the character of humility.1015    Something more ought to follow, but the report is imperfect. Mod. text “Others again there are who are not such as these, but who in the case of both characters preserve according to the occasion both the lowly and the high bearing: which thing indeed above all is characteristic of humility. Since then he is about to teach them such things, lest he should seem to be arrogant,” etc. Some then are such. Then, that he may not seem to be arrogant, he lays a foundation beforehand, removing that suspicion: For, “if, says he, I have acted ‘with all humility of mind,’ it is not from arrogance that I say the things I say.” Then for his gentleness, ever with much condescension making them his fellows. “With you,” he says, “have I been, serving the Lord;” he makes the good works common to them with himself: none of it his own peculiar. “What?” (you will say) “why, against God could he possibly bear himself arrogantly?” And yet there are many who do bear themselves arrogantly against God: but this man not even against his own disciples. This is the merit of a teacher, by his own achievements of virtue to form the character of his disciples. Then for his fortitude, upon which also he is very concise. “With many tears,” he says, “and temptations which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews.” Do you see that he grieves at their doings? But here too he seems to show how sympathizing he was: for he suffered for those who were going to perdition, for the doers themselves: what was done to himself, he even rejoiced at it; for he belonged to that band which “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for that Name” (Acts v. 41): and again he says, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you” (Col. i. 24): and again, “For our light affliction, which is but for the moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Cor. iv. 17). These things, however, he says, by way of making the least of his merits (μετριάζων). But there he show his fortitude, not so much of daring, as of enduring: “I,” says he, “have been evil entreated, but it was with you: and what is indeed the grievous part of the business, at the hands of Jews.” Observe, he puts here both love and fortitude. Mark, here, I pray you, a character of teaching: “I kept back nothing,” he says, ungrudging fulness, unshrinking promptness—“of what was profitable unto you:” because there were things which they did not need to learn. For as the hiding some things would have been like grudging, so the saying all things would be folly. This is why he adds, “that was profitable unto you. But have showed you, and have taught you:” have not only said, but also taught: not doing this either as a mere matter of form. For that this is what he means, observe what he says: “publicly, and from house to house:” thereby representing the exceeding toil, the great earnestness and endurance. “Both Jews, and Greeks.” Not (addressing myself) to you alone. “Testifying:” here, the boldness of speech: and that, even though we do no good, yet we must speak: for1016    Τὸ γὰρ διαμαρτύρασθαι τοῦτό ἐστιν, ὅταν..…Τὸ γὰρ διαμαρτύρασθαι ὡς ἐπὶ τὸ πολὺ τοῦτό ἐστιν. this is the meaning of “testifying,” when we speak to those who do not pay attention: and so the word διαμαρτύρασθαι is for the most part used. “I call heaven and earth to witness” (Deut. iv. 26), διαμαρτύρομαι, Moses says: and now Paul himself, Διαμαρτυρόμενος “both to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God.” What testifiest thou? That they should be careful about their manner of life: that they should repent, and draw near to God. “Both to Jews and Greeks”—for neither did the Jews know Him—both1017    Old text διά τε τὰ ἔργα, διά τε τὸν Υἱ& 232·ν ἀγνοεῖν· καὶ πίστιν τὴν εἰς τὸν Κ. ᾽Ι. as if all this were said in explanation of the preceding Οὐδὲ γὰρ ᾽Ιουδαῖοι ᾔδεσαν αὐτόν. But δία τε τὰ ἔργα explains the clause τὴν εἰς τὸν Θεὸν μετάνοιαν, which requires to be inserted as in the Translation. Mod. text “both because they were ignorant of the Son, and because of their works, and their not having faith in the Lord Jesus.” by reason of their works, he says, “repentance towards God,” and, by reason that they knew not the Son, he adds, “and faith in the Lord Jesus.” To what end, then, sayest thou these things? to what end dost thou put them in mind of them? What has come of it? hast thou anything to lay to their charge? Having first alarmed their feeling, then he adds, “And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.” (v. 22–24). Wherefore says he this? By way of preparing them to be always ready to meet dangers, whether seen or unseen, and in all things to obey the Spirit.1018    Chrys. understands “bound in the spirit” to mean constrained by the Holy Spirit (so Theophylact, Beza, Calvin, Wordsworth et al.). The fact that the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the next verse (23) in such a way as to be distinguished apparently from “the spirit” here mentioned, has led most critics to believe that “the spirit” was Paul’s own spirit (so Meyer, Lechler, Lange, DeWette, Ewald, Alford, Hackett, Gloag). Δεδεμένος should not be taken as meaning bound with chains in prospect, i.e., as seen in his spirit in advance (as Bengel, Conybeare and Howson), but rather constrained, inwardly constrained.—G.B.S. He shows that it is for great objects that he is led away from them. “Save that the Holy Ghost,” he says, “in every city witnesseth to me saying”—to show that he departs willingly; that (see Hom. xlv. p. 273) you may not imagine it any bond or necessity, when he says, “bound in the Spirit—that in every city bonds and afflictions await me.” Then also he adds this, “I count not my life dear, until I shall have fulfilled my course and the ministry, which I received of the Lord Jesus.” Until I shall have finished my course, says he, with joy. Do you mark how (clearly) these were the words not of one lamenting, but of one who forbore to make the most (of his troubles) (μετριάζοντος), of one who would instruct those (whom he addressed), and sympathize with them in the things which were befalling He says not, “I grieve indeed,1019    mss. Cat. and Edd. ἀλγῶμεν “let us grieve:” but Savile, ἀλγῶ μέν. The next clause ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ ἡγοῦμαι, or, ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ, ῾Ηγοῦμαι, requires something to make sense of it, as in the Translation. but one must needs bear it:” “but,” says he, “of none of those things do I make account, neither do I have,” i.e. account “my life dear to me.” Why this again? not to extol himself, but to teach them, as by the former words, humility, so by these, fortitude and boldness: “I have it not precious,” i.e. “I love it not before this: I account it more precious to finish my course, to testify.” And he says not, “to preach,” “to teach”—but what says he? “to testify (διαμαρτύρασθαι)—the Gospel of the grace of God.” He is about to say something more uncomfortable (φορτικώτερον), namely, “I am pure from the blood of all men (because on my part) there is nothing lacking:” he is about to lay upon them the whole weight and burden: so he first mollifies their feelings by saying, “And now behold I know that ye shall see my face no more.” The consolation1020    Διπλῆ ἡ παραμυθία. The meaning is, “It was his face that they would see no more: he chooses that expression by way of softening matters, implying that in spirit he would be present: and again, all ye, not they only, so that the grief was not peculiar to them:” but this being rather obscure, A. substitutes ἀθυμία, and mod. text Διπλῆ ἡ λύπη, i.e. “the dejection (or, the sorrow) was twofold, both the being to see his face no more, and the, All of them.” is twofold: both that “my face ye shall see no more,” for in heart I am with you: and that it was not they alone (who should see him no more): for, “ye shall see my face no more, ye all, among whom I have gone about preaching the Kingdom.”1021    Neither of the two ideas which Chrys. draws from v. 25—(a) that though absent in body, he would be present with them in spirit; (b) that the “all” addressed refers to the whole company—comes naturally from the text. The apostle states his firm conviction that he shall not again visit Ephesus. Whether he ever did so or not, we do not know. The probabilities in the case would depend upon the question of a release from his Roman imprisonment. He hoped for such a release and intended to visit Colossæ (Philem. 22). On the supposition of such a release and on the consequent supposition of the Pauline authorship of the Pastoral Epistles, a visit after this time to Ephesus becomes very probable, especially since we find the apostle (2 Tim. iv. 13, 20) at Troas and Miletus.—G.B.S. So that he may well (say), "Wherefore I take you to record (read διὸ μαρτ. for διαμαρτ.),—seeing I shall be with you no more—“that I am pure from the blood of all men.” (v. 26.) Do you mark how he terrifies them, and troubled and afflicted as their souls are, how hard he rubs them (ἐπιτρίβει)? But it was necessary. “For I have not shunned,” he says, “to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (v. 27.) Why then, he who does not speak, has blood to answer for: that is, murder! Nothing could be more terrifying than this. He shows that they also, if they do it not, have blood to answer for. So, whereas he seems to be justifying himself, in fact he is terrifying them. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (or, bishops) to feed the Church of God (see note 3), which He hath purchased with His own blood.” (v. 28.) Do you mark? he enjoins them two things. Neither success in bringing others right of itself is any gain—for, I fear, he says, “lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away” (1 Cor. ix. 27); nor the being diligent for one’s self alone. For such an one is selfish, and seeks his own good only, and is like to him who buried his talent. “Take heed to yourselves:” this he says, not because our own salvation is more precious than that of the flock, but because, when we take heed to ourselves, then the flock also is a gainer. “In which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God.” See, it is from the Spirit ye have your ordination. This is one constraint: then he says, “To feed the Church of the Lord.”1022    Hence it appears that St. Chrys. reads Κυρίου not Θεοῦ in this text, though in the citation the Scribes give it according to the other reading, Θεοῦ. Lo! another obligation: the Church is the Lord’s.1023    It is an interesting fact that in this passage where the reading vacillates between Κυρίου and θεοῦ, while the report of the Homily has given us θεοῦ, the citation of the N. T. text favors the reading Κυρίου. The great majority of mss. read τοῦ Κυρίου: א and B. have τοῦ θεοῦ (the usual Pauline formula). Many critics hold that Κυρ. was changed to θ. in accordance with Pauline usage in the Epistles. The idea of the “blood of God” is against the reading θεοῦ. Modern critics are nearly equally divided. Alford, Westcott and Hort, read θεοῦ; Meyer, Tischendorf, Κυρίου; to us the latter seems decidedly preferable.—G.B.S. And a third: “which He hath purchased with His own blood.” It shows1024    δείκνυσι τίμιον τὸ πρᾶγμα, ὅτι. Mod. text. πολὺ δείκν. δἰ ὧν εἶπε τίμιον τὸ πρ. So Edd. Multum ostendit dum dicit pretiosam rem. Ben. how precious the concern is; that the peril is about no small matters, seeing that even His own blood He spared not. He indeed, that he might reconcile those who were enemies, poured out even His blood: but thou, even when they are become thy friends, art not able to retain them. “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (v. 29.) Again he engages (ἐπιστρέφει) them from another quarter, from the things which should come after: as when he says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood. After my departing,” he says, “grievous wolves shall enter in among you” (Eph. vi. 12); twofold the evil, both that he himself would not be present, and that others would assail them. “Then why depart, if thou knowest this beforehand?” The Spirit draws me, he says. Both “wolves,” and “grievous, not sparing the flock;” and what is worse, even “from among your own selves:” the grievous thing (this), when the war is moreover an intestine war. The matter is exceeding serious, for it is “the Church of the Lord:” great the peril for with blood He redeemed it: mighty the war, and twofold. “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (v. 30.) “How then? what comfort shall there be?” “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (v. 31.) See how many strong expressions are here: “with tears,” and “night and day,” and “every one.” For it was not that if he saw many,1025    Οὐ γὰρ εἰ πολλοὺς εἶδε τότε ἐφείσατο (mod. ἐφείδετο). Non enim si multos vidisset, eis pepercisset, Ben. But Cat. has preserved the true reading, ἐφίστατο. then he came in (to the work), but even were it for a single soul, he was capable of doing everything (for that one soul). So it was, in fact, that he compacted them together (συνεκρότησεν) (so firmly as he did). “Enough done on my part: three years have I remained:” they had establishing enough, he says; enough of roofing. “With tears,” he says. Seest thou that the tears were on this account? The bad man grieves not: grieve thou: perhaps he will grieve also. As, when the sick man sees his physician partaking of food, he also is incited to do the same: so likewise here, when he sees thee weeping, he is softened: he will be a good and great man.1026    ῎Εσται χρηστὸς καὶ μέγας ἀνήρ. The second epithet, being evidently unsuitable, mod. text gives, χρηστὸς ἀνὴρ καὶ πρᾶος γενήσεται. But perhaps χ. ἀ. καὶ μ. belongs to the next sentence, as an exclamation on v. 22. “A good and great man!” and for μαλάσσεται· ἔσται we may read μαλαχθήσεται.

(Recapitulation.) “Not knowing,” he says, “the things that shall befall me.” (v. 22, 23.) Then is this why thou departest? By no means; on the contrary (I know that), “bonds and afflictions await me.” That (there are) trials, I know, but of what kind I know not: which was more grievous. “But none of these things move me” (v. 24): for do not suppose that I say these things as lamenting them: for “I hold not my own life dear.” It is to raise up their minds that he says all this, and to persuade them not only not to flee, but also to bear nobly. Therefore it is that he calls it a “course” and a “ministry,” on the one hand, showing it to be glorious from its being a race, on the other, showing what was due from it, as being a ministry. I am a minister: nothing more. Having comforted them, that they might not grieve that he was so evil entreated, and having told them that he endured those things “with joy,” and having shown the fruits of them, then (and not before) he brings in that which would give them pain, that he may not overwhelm their minds. “And1027    Old text: ἵνα μὴ καταχώσῃ αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν, followed by the latter part of v. 27. Τοῦ ἀναγγεῖλαι ὑμῖν κ. τ. λ. But the connection may also be, “I have not shrunk—of course in due order and proportion” (or something of that kind) “that he may not overwhelm their minds, from declaring,” etc. It might seem, however, from the comment which follows, viz τὴν περὶ τοῦ παρόντος πράγματος, that Chrys. is here proposing an interpretation of v. 27 different from what was implied in the first exposition, p. 269, and from that of v. 20: i.e. “painful as it is, I have not shrunk from announcing to you all the counsel of God, to wit, as touching the present matter, my separation from you, so that ye shall see my face no more.” But this being very unsatisfactory, it is better to take the connection thus: Nor does he now shrink from declaring to them the whole counsel of God concerning the coming events, and their duty and responsibility therein. (We have therefore placed the mark of an hiatus before this clause.)—Mod. text substitutes, “But what is this (that he adds), ‘Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things.’ What then,” etc. now behold,” etc. “Wherefore I take you to record, that I am pure from the blood of all men, because I have not shrunk from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God” (v. 25–27): * * * that (counsel) which concerns the present matter. “For I know this,” etc. (v. 29.) “What then,” someone might say, “thinkest thou thyself so great? if thou shouldest depart, are we to die?” I say not this, he replies, that my absence causeth this: but what? That there should rise up against you certain of another sort: he says not, “because of my departing,” but “after my departing:” that is, after his going on his journey.—And yet this thing has happened already: much more (then will it happen) hereafter. Then we have the cause, “to draw away disciples after them.” (v. 30). That there are heresies, this is the cause, and no other than this. Then comes also consolation. But if He “purchased” it “with His own blood,” He will assuredly stand forward in its defence. “Night and day,” he says, “I cease not to warn with tears.” (v. 31.) This might well be said in our case also: and though the speech seems to refer peculiarly to the teachers, it is common also to the disciples. For what, though I speak and exhort and weep night and day, while the disciple obeys not? Therefore1028    The text is evidently confused or defective here. Mod. text “For that none may fancy it plea enough for his justification, that he is a disciple while yet he does not yield, therefore having said, I take you to record, he adds, for I have not shunned,” etc. it is that he says, “I take you to record:” since also himself says, “I am pure from the blood of all men: for I have not shunned to declare unto you.” (v. 26, 27.) Why then, this only is to be a teacher, to declare, to preach, to instruct, shrink from nothing, to exhort night and day: but if, while one is doing all this, nothing comes of it, ye know what remains. Then ye have another justification: “I am pure from the blood of all men.” Think not that these words are spoken to us only: for indeed this speech is addressed to you also, that ye should attend to the things spoken, that ye should not start away from the hearing. What can I do? Lo! each day I rend myself with crying out, “Depart from the theatres:” and many laugh at us: “Desist from swearing, from covetousness:” numberless are our exhortations, and there is none to hear us. But I do not discourse during night? Fain would I do this also in the night time, and at your tables, if it were possible that one could be divided into ten thousand pieces, so as to be present with you and discourse. But if once in the week we call to you, and ye shrink back, and some of you do not even come here, and you that do come, depart having received no profit,—what shall we do? Many I know even sneer at us, that we are forever discoursing about the same things: so wearisome are we become to you by very satiety. But for this not we are to blame, but the hearers may thank themselves. For he indeed who is making good progress, rejoices to hear the same things always; it seems to be his praises that he hears spoken: but he who does not wish to get on, seems even to be annoyed, and though he hear the same thing but twice, it seems to him that he is hearing it often.

“I am pure,” he says, “from the blood of all men.” (v. 26.) This was fit and proper for Paul to say, but we dare not say it, conscious as we are of numberless faults. Wherefore for him the ever vigilant, ever at hand, the man enduring all things for the sake of the salvation of his disciples, it was fit and proper to say this: but we must say that of Moses, “The Lord was wroth with me for your sakes” (Deut. iii. 26), because ye lead us also into many sins. For when we are dispirited at seeing you make no progress, is not the greater part of our strength struck down? For what, I ask you has been done? Lo! by the grace of God we also have now passed the space of three years,1029    St. Chrysostom succeeded Nectarius in the Archbishopric of Constantinople, 26th Feb. Coss. Honorius iv. and Eutychianus a.d. 398. Socrat. vi. 2.—From the following passage it appears that these Homm. though begun after Easter, perhaps of a.d. 400, extended over a considerable period of time, not being preached every day.—Below, mod. text spoils the sense by altering πικρότερα into κουφότερα. not indeed night and day exhorting you, but doing this, often every third day, or every seventh. What more has come of it? We accuse, we rebuke, we weep, we are in anguish, although not openly, yet in heart. But those (inward) tears are far more bitter than these (outward ones): for these indeed bring a kind of relief to the feelings of the sorrowful, whereas those aggravate it, and bind it fast. Since when there is any cause of grief, and one cannot give vent to the sorrow, lest he should seem to be vainglorious, think what he suffers! Were it not that people would tax me with excessive love of display, you would see me each day shedding fountains of tears: but to those my chamber is witness, and my hours of solitude. For believe me I have (at times) despaired of my own salvation, but from my mourning on your account, I have not even leisure to bemoan my own evils: so entirely are ye all in all to me. And whether I perceive you to be advancing, then, for very delight, I am not sensible of my own evils: or whether I see you not advancing, such is my grief, I again dismiss my own cares from my thoughts: brightening up on account of your good things, though I myself have evils without number, and saddened on account of your painful things, though my own successes are without number. For what hope is there for the teacher, when his flock is destroyed? What kind of life, what kind of expectation is there for him? With what sort of confidence will he stand up before God? what will he say? For grant that he has nothing laid to his charge, has no punishment to suffer, but is “pure from the blood of all men:” yet even so will he suffer a grief incurable: since fathers also though they be not liable to be called to account for their children’s sins, nevertheless have grief and vexation. And this profits them nothing,1030    Mod. text inserts a φησίν, and makes the sentence interrogative. “And does this, you will say, profit them nothing nor shield them, that they watch for our souls? But then they watch as they that must give an account: and to some indeed this seems to be terrible.” The meaning in general seems to be: “If they perish, yet surely you can comfort yourself with the thought, that you at least are pure from their blood. No, this thought avails nothing to ward off (that sorrow). “Because they watch,” etc.—this seems a fearful thing. But if you be lost, it is not the thought of my accountability that gives me most concern—it is the thought of your perishing. Oh! that I might in the last day find you saved though not through me, yea, though I myself thereafter were called to account as not having done my part by you!” nor shields them (προίσταται). “For it is they that watch for our souls, as those that must give account.” (Heb. xiii. 17.) This seems to be a fearful thing: to me this gives no concern after your destruction. For whether I give account, or not, it is no profit to me. Might it be, that ye were saved, and I to give account because of you: ye saved, and I charged with not having fulfiled my part! For my anxiety is not that you should be saved through me as the means, but only that you should be saved, no matter by what person as the instrument. Ye know not the pangs of spiritual childbirth, how overpowering they are; how he who is in travail with this birth, would rather be cut into ten thousand pieces, than see one of those to whom he has given birth perishing and undone. Whence shall we persuade you? By no other argument indeed, but by what has been done, in all that regards you we shall clear ourselves.1031    ῾Ετέρωθεν μὲν οὐδαμόθεν, ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν γενομένων) meaning perhaps, “From what has been done by us in our ministry: we will endeavor to persuade you by reminding you of all our care and pains for our salvation:”) τὰ καθ᾽ ὑμᾶς πάντα ἀπολυσόμεθα. ᾽Απολύεσθαι (ἐγκλήματα), is frequent in Chrys., often confused with ἀπολούεσθαι and ἀποδύεσθαι. See Mr. Field’s Index and Annotat. in Hom. Matth. We too shall be able to say, that in nothing have we “shrunk from declaring” to you the whole truth: nevertheless we grieve: and that we do grieve, is manifest from the numberless plans we lay and contrivances we devise. And yet we might say to ourselves, What matters it to me? I have done my part, “I am pure from” (their) “blood:” but this is not enough for comfort. If we could tear open our heart, and show it to you, ye would see with what largeness it holds (you) within it, both women and children and men; for such is the power of love, that it makes the soul more spacious than the heaven. “Receive us,” says (Paul): “we have wronged no man, ye are not straitened in us.” (2 Cor. vii. 2; vi. 12.) He had all Corinth in his heart, and says, “Ye are not straitened: be ye also enlarged” (2 Cor. vi. 13); but I myself could not say this, for I well know, that ye both love me and receive me. But what is the profit either from my love or from yours, when the things pertaining to God thrive not in us? It is a ground for greater sorrow, an occasion of worse mischief (λύμης, al. λύπης). I have nothing to lay to your charge: “for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.” (Gal. iv. 15.) “We yearn not only to give you the Gospel, but also our own souls.” (1 Thess. ii. 8.) We are loved and we love (you): but this is not the question. But let us love Christ, “for the first commandment is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God: and the second is like unto it, And thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matt. xxii. 37–39.) We have the second, we need the first: need the first, exceedingly, both I and you. We have it, but not as we ought. Let us love Him: ye know how great a reward is laid up for them that love Christ: let us love Him with fervor of soul, that, enjoying his goodwill, we may escape the stormy waves of this present life, and be found worthy to obtain the good things promised to them that love Him, through the grace and mercy of His only-begotten Son, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, might, honor, now and ever, world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΜΔʹ. Ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς Μιλήτου πέμψας εἰς Ἔφεσον, μετεκα λέσατο τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Ὡς δὲ παρεγένοντο πρὸς αὐτὸν, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς: Ὑμεῖς ἐπίστασθε ἀπὸ πρώτης ἡμέρας, ἧς ἐπέβην εἰς τὴν Ἀσίαν, ὡς μεθ' ὑμῶν πάντα τὸν χρό νον ἐγενόμην, δουλεύων τῷ Κυρίῳ μεθ' ὑμῶν μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πολλῶν δα κρύων καὶ πειρασμῶν τῶν συμβάντων μοι ἐν ταῖς ἐπιβουλαῖς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ὡς οὐδὲν ὑπ εστειλάμην τῶν συμφερόντων τοῦ μὴ ἀναγγεῖλαι ὑμῖν, καὶ διδάξαι ὑμᾶς δημοσίᾳ, καὶ κατ' οἴκους, διαμαρτυρόμενος Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησι τὴν εἰς Θεὸν μετάνοιαν, καὶ πίστιν τὴν εἰς τὸν Κύ ριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν. αʹ. Ὅρα αὐτὸν καὶ ἐπειγόμενον παραπλεῦσαι, καὶ μὴ παρορῶντα, ἀλλὰ τὸ πᾶν οἰκονομοῦντα. Τοὺς ἄρχοντας μεταπεμψάμενος, ἐπ' αὐτῶν τὰ εἰρημένα διέξεισι. Καὶ ἄξιον θαυμάσαι, πῶς εἰς ἀνάγκην ἐμπεσὼν τοῦ μεγάλα τινὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ εἰπεῖν, πειρᾶται μετριάζειν. Καθάπερ γὰρ ὁ Σαμουὴλ μέλλων παραδιδόναι τῷ Σαοὺλ τὴν ἀρχὴν, ἐπ' αὐτῶν λέγει: Μή τι παρ' ὑμῶν εἴληφα; ὑμεῖς μάρτυρες καὶ ὁ Θεός: καὶ ὁ Δαυῒδ ἀπιστηθεὶς λέγει: Ἐν τῷ ποιμνίῳ ἤμην ποιμαίνων τὰ πρόβατα τοῦ πατρός μου: καὶ ὅτε ἦλθεν ἡ ἄρκτος, ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτὴν ἀπεσόβουν: καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Παῦλος πρὸς Κορινθίους φησίν: Ἄφρων γέγονα: ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε. Καὶ ὁ Θεὸς δὲ αὐτὸ τοῦτο ποιεῖ, οὐχ ἁπλῶς περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λέγων: ἀλλ' ὅταν ἀπιστῆται, καὶ τὰς εὐεργεσίας προφέρει. Ὅρα γοῦν καὶ ἐνταῦθα τί ποιεῖ: πρῶτον αὐτῶν τὴν μαρτυρίαν παράγει, ἵνα μὴ νομίσῃς κόμπον εἶναι τὰ ῥήματα, καὶ τοὺς ἀκροατὰς αὐτοὺς μάρτυρας καλεῖ τῶν λεγομένων, ὡς οὐκ ἂν ψευσάμενος ἐπ' αὐτῶν. Αὕτη διδασκάλου ἀρετὴ, ὅταν τῶν οἰκείων κατορθωμάτων μάρτυρας ἔχῃ τοὺς μαθητευομένους. Καὶ τὸ θαυμαστὸν, ὅτι οὐ μίαν ἡμέραν οὐδὲ δευτέραν τοῦτο ποιῶν διετέλεσεν, ἀλλὰ πλῆθος ἐτῶν. Ὑμεῖς γὰρ, φησὶν, ἐπίστασθε, πῶς μεθ' ὑμῶν πάντα τὸν χρόνον ἐγενόμην. Βούλεται τοίνυν αὐτοὺς παρακαλέσαι, ὥστε γενναίως φέρειν ἅπαντα, καὶ τὸν αὐτοῦ χωρισμὸν καὶ τοὺς πειρασμοὺς τοὺς μέλλοντας συμβαίνειν, καθάπερ οὖν καὶ ἐπὶ Μωϋσέως καὶ Ἰησοῦ γέγονε. Καὶ ὅρα, τί ἐπήγαγεν εἰπών: Πῶς μεθ' ὑμῶν ἐγενόμην πάντα τὸν χρόνον, δουλεύων τῷ Κυρίῳ μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης. Ὅρα, τί μάλιστα ἄρχουσι πρέπει: Μισοῦντας, φησὶν, ὑπερηφανίαν: ὃ μάλιστα ἄρχουσιν ἁρμόζει διὰ τὸ ἀνάγκην εἶναι πρὸς ἀπόνοιαν αὐτοὺς αἴρεσθαι. Τοῦτο ἡ ὑπόθεσις τῶν ἀγαθῶν, ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς ἔλεγε: Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι. Οὐχ ἁπλῶς δὲ ταπεινοφροσύνης εἶπεν, ἀλλὰ, Μετὰ πάσης. Πολλὰ γὰρ εἴδη τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης, καὶ ἔστι ταπεινοφροσύνην ἰδεῖν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἔργῳ, πρὸς ἄρχοντας, πρὸς ἀρχομένους. Βούλεσθε ὑμῖν τρόπους εἴπω ταπεινοφροσύνης; Εἰσί τινες οἳ πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ταπεινοὺς ταπεινοὶ τυγχάνοντες ὦσι, πρὸς δὲ τοὺς ὑψηλοὺς ὑψηλοί: τοῦτο δὲ οὐ ταπεινοφροσύνης. Εἰσὶ δὲ πάλιν ἕτεροι οὐ τοιοῦτοι, ἀλλ' ἐφ' ἑκατέρων τῶν προσώπων εἰς καιρὸν καὶ τὸ ταπεινὸν τηροῦντες, καὶ τὸ ὑψηλόν: ὃ καὶ μάλιστά ἐστι ταπεινοφροσύνης. Μέλλων τοίνυν διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς τὰ τοιαῦτα, ἵνα μὴ δόξῃ ἀπονοεῖσθαι, προκαταβάλλει θεμέλιον τὴν ὑποψίαν ἀναιρῶν. Εἰ γὰρ μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης γέγονα, φησὶν, οὐκ ἐξ ἀπονοίας λέγω ἃ λέγω. Εἶτα τὸ ἥμερον: Μεθ' ὑμῶν, φησὶν, ἐγενόμην, δουλεύων τῷ Κυρίῳ, κοινωνοὺς τοῦ κατορθώματος δεικνύων αὐτούς. Οὕτω πανταχοῦ ἡ κοινωνία καλόν. Κοινὰ ποιεῖται τοίνυν τὰ κατορθώματα, καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτοῦ τίθησιν ἐξαίρετον. Τί γὰρ, φησί; κατὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀπονοηθῆναι εἶχε; Καὶ μὴν πολλοί εἰσιν οἳ ἀπονοοῦνται κατ' αὐτοῦ: οὗτος δὲ οὐδὲ κατὰ τῶν μαθητῶν ἑαυτοῦ ἀπενοήθη. Τοῦτο κατόρθωμα διδασκάλου, ἀπὸ τῶν οἰκείων κατορθωμάτων τοὺς μαθητὰς ῥυθμίζειν. Εἶτα τὴν ἀνδρείαν, φησὶν, ἣν καὶ αὐτὴν ὑποτέμνεται. Μετὰ πολλῶν δακρύων καὶ πειρασμῶν τῶν συμβάντων μοι ἐν ταῖς ἐπιβουλαῖς τῶν Ἰουδαίων. Ὁρᾷς, ὅτι ἀλγεῖ τοῖς γινομένοις; Ἐνταῦθα δὲ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ συμπαθὲς δοκεῖ δηλοῦν: ἔπασχε γὰρ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀπολλυμένων, ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν τῶν ποιούντων: ἐπεὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν εἰς αὐτὸν καὶ ἔχαιρεν: ἐκείνου γὰρ ἦν τοῦ χοροῦ τοῦ χαίροντος, ὅτι κατηξιώθησαν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ ἀτιμασθῆναι. Καὶ πάλιν ἀλλαχοῦ λέγει: Νῦν χαίρω ἐν τοῖς παθήμασί μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν: καὶ πάλιν: Τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως, καθ' ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν. Ἀλλὰ ταῦτα λέγει μετριάζων. Ἐνταῦθα δὲ δείκνυσιν αὐτοῦ τὴν ἀνδρείαν, καὶ οὐ τοσοῦτον τὴν ἀνδρείαν, ὅσον τὴν ὑπομονήν: ὡσεὶ ἔλεγεν: Ἔπασχον ἐγὼ κακῶς, ἀλλὰ μεθ' ὑμῶν: καὶ τὸ δεινὸν, ὅτι ὑπὸ Ἰουδαίων. Θέα μοι ἐνταῦθα χαρακτῆρα διδασκαλίας: καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην τίθησι καὶ τὴν ἀνδρείαν. Ὡς οὐδὲν ὑπεστειλάμην, φησί. Τὸ ἄφθονον δείκνυσι διὰ τούτων ὁμοῦ, καὶ τὸ ἄοκνον. Καὶ τῶν συμφερόντων. Καλῶς οὕτως εἶπεν: ἦν γὰρ ἃ οὐκ ἔδει μαθεῖν. Ὥσπερ δὲ τὸ τινὰ ἀποκρύπτεσθαι, φθόνου: οὕτω τὸ πάντα λέγειν, ἀνοίας. Διὰ τοῦτο προσέθηκε, Τῶν συμφερόντων, δηλῶν, ὅτι Οὐκ εἶπον μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐδίδαξα: οὐχ ὡς αὐτὸ τοῦτο ἀφοσιούμενος, φησίν. Ὅτι δὲ τοῦτο δηλοῖ, ἄκουε τὸ ἑξῆς: ἐπήγαγε γάρ: Δημοσίᾳ καὶ κατ' οἴκους: τὴν μακρὰν ταλαιπωρίαν, καὶ τὴν πολλὴν σπουδὴν καὶ τὴν καρτερίαν ἐπιδεικνύμενος. Διαμαρτυρόμενος Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησιν. Οὐχὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς, φησὶ, μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸς Ἕλληνας. Ἐνταῦθα ἡ παῤῥησία: καὶ ὅτι, Κἂν μηδὲν ὠφελῶμεν, λέγειν δεῖ: τὸ γὰρ διαμαρτύρασθαι τοῦτό ἐστιν, ὅταν πρὸς τοὺς μὴ προσέχοντας λέγωμεν: τὸ γὰρ διαμαρτύρασθαι, ὡς ἐπὶ τὸ πολὺ τοῦτό ἐστι. Διαμαρτύρομαι, φησὶν ὁ Μωϋσῆς, τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν: καὶ νῦν αὐτὸς, Διαμαρτυρόμενος Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησι τὴν εἰς τὸν Θεὸν μετάνοιαν. βʹ. Τί διαμαρτύρῃ; Ὥστε βίου ἐπιμεληθῆναι: ὥστε μετανοῆσαι καὶ προσελθεῖν τῷ Θεῷ. Οὐδὲ γὰρ Ἰουδαῖοι ᾔδεσαν αὐτὸν, διά τε τὸν Υἱὸν ἀγνοεῖν, διά τε τὰ ἔργα καὶ πίστιν μὴ ἔχειν τὴν εἰς τὸν Κύριον Ἰησοῦν. Τίνος οὖν ἕνεκεν ταῦτα λέγεις; τίνος ἕνεκεν ταῦτα ὑπομιμνήσκεις; τί γέγονε; μή τι ἔχεις ἐγκαλεῖν; Πρότερον κατασείσας αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν, τότε ἐπάγει: Καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ δεδεμένος τῷ Πνεύματι πορεύομαι εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ, τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ συναντήσοντά μοι μὴ εἰδώς: πλὴν ὅτι τὸ Πνεῦμά μοι τὸ ἅγιον κατὰ πόλιν διαμαρτύρεται, λέγον, ὅτι δεσμά με καὶ θλίψεις μένουσιν. Ἀλλ' οὐδενὸς λόγον ποιοῦμαι: οὐδὲ ἔχω τὴν ψυχὴν τιμίαν ἐμαυτῷ, ὡς τελειῶσαι τὸν δρόμον μου μετὰ χαρᾶς, καὶ τὴν διακονίαν, ἣν ἔλαβον παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, διαμαρτύρασθαι τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ. Διὰ τί ταῦτα λέγει; Παρασκευάζων αὐτοὺς ἀεὶ ἑτοίμους εἶναι πρὸς κινδύνους καὶ δήλους καὶ ἀδήλους, καὶ πάντα τῷ Πνεύματι πείθεσθαι. Δείκνυσι δὲ, ὅτι ἐπὶ μεγάλοις ἀπάγεται. Πλὴν ὅτι τὸ Πνεῦμά μοι, φησὶ, τὸ ἅγιον κατὰ πόλιν διαμαρτύρεται, λέγον. Ἵνα δείξῃ, ὅτι ἑκὼν ἀπέρχεται, καὶ ἵνα μὴ δεσμὸν ἢ ἀνάγκην νομίσῃς, τὸ Κατὰ πόλιν εἶπεν. Εἶτα ἐπάγει, ὅτι Οὐκ ἔχω τιμίαν τὴν ἐμαυτοῦ ψυχὴν, ὡς τελειῶσαι τὸν δρόμον μου μετὰ χαρᾶς, καὶ τὴν διακονίαν, ἢν ἔλαβον παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐκ ἀποδυρομένου ἦν τὰ ῥήματα, ἀλλὰ μετριάζοντος καὶ παιδεύοντος ἐκείνους καὶ συμπάσχοντος τοῖς γινομένοις; Οὐκ εἶπεν, ὅτι Ἀλγῶμεν, ἀνάγκη δὲ φέρειν: ἀλλ' οὐδὲ, Ἡγοῦμαι. Τοῦτο πάλιν λέγει, οὐκ ἐπαίρων ἑαυτὸν, ἀλλ' ἐκείνους διδάσκων, διὰ μὲν τῶν προτέρων τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην, διὰ δὲ τούτων τὴν ἀνδρείαν, τὴν παῤῥησίαν: ὡσεὶ ἔλεγεν: Οὐ φιλῶ αὐτὴν πρὸ ταύτης: προτιμότερον ἡγοῦμαι τὸ τελέσαι τὸν δρόμον, τὸ διαμαρτύρασθαι. Καὶ οὐκ εἶπε, Κηρῦξαι, Διδάξαι: ἀλλὰ τί; Διαμαρτύρασθαι τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ. Μέλλει τι φορτικώτερον λέγειν, ὅτι Καθαρὸς ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων: διὰ τοῦτο προκατασκευάζει, καὶ δείκνυσιν, ὅτι οὐδὲν ἐλλείπεται. Ἐπεὶ οὖν ἔμελλεν αὐτοῖς ἐπιτιθέναι τὸ βάρος ἅπαν καὶ τὸ φορτίον, πρότερον κατεμάλαξεν αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν, λέγων: Καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ οἶδα, ὅτι οὐκ ἔτι ὄψεσθε τὸ πρόσωπόν μου. Εἶτα τότε ἐπήγαγε τὸ, Καθαρὸς ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων. Διπλῆ ἡ λύπη: τό τε, Τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔτι ὄψεσθαι, καὶ τὸ, Αὐτοὺς πάντας. Οὐκ ἔτι γὰρ, φησὶν, ὄψεσθε τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ὑμεῖς πάντες, ἐν οἷς διῆλθον κηρύσσων τὴν βασιλείαν. Ὥστε εἰκότως διαμαρτύρομαι ὑμῖν, ἅτε μηκέτι παραγινόμενος, Ὅτι καθαρὸς ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων. Οὐ γὰρ ὑπεστειλάμην τοῦ μὴ ἀναγγεῖλαι ὑμῖν πᾶσαν τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὁρᾷς πῶς φοβεῖ, καὶ πεπονημένας αὐτῶν τὰς ψυχὰς καὶ τεθλιμμένας ἐπιτρίβει; Καλῶς, ὅτι ἀναγκαῖον ἦν. Οὐ γὰρ ὑπεστειλάμην τοῦ μὴ ἀναγγεῖλαι ὑμῖν, φησὶ, πᾶσαν τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἄρα ὁ μὴ λέγων, ὑπεύθυνός ἐστι τοῦ αἵματος: τουτέστι, τῆς σφαγῆς. Οὐδὲν τούτου φοβερώτερον. Δείκνυσιν, ὅτι κἀκεῖνοι, ἂν μὴ ποιῶσιν, ὑπεύθυνοί εἰσι τοῦ αἵματος. Καὶ δοκεῖ μὲν ἀπολογεῖσθαι, ἐκείνους δὲ φοβεῖ. Προσέχετε οὖν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ παντὶ τῷ ποιμνίῳ, ἐν ᾧ ὑμᾶς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους ποιμαίνειν τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἣν περιεποιήσατο διὰ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος. Ὁρᾷς; δύο προσέταξεν. Οὔτε οὖν τὸ ἑτέρους κατορθοῦν μόνον ἔχει τι κέρδος (Φοβοῦμαι γὰρ, φησὶ, μή πως ἄλλοις κηρύξας αὐτὸς ἀδόκιμος γένωμαι), οὔτε τὸ ἑαυτοῦ μόνον ἐπιμελεῖσθαι. Ὁ γὰρ τοιοῦτος φίλαυτος καὶ τὸ ἑαυτοῦ ζητεῖ μόνον, καὶ τοῦ τὸ τάλαντον καταχώσαντος ἴσος ἐστί. Ταῦτα λέγει, οὐκ ἐπειδὴ προτιμοτέρα ἡ ἡμετέρα σωτηρία τοῦ ποιμνίου, ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ, ὅταν ἑαυτοῖς προσέχωμεν, τότε καὶ τὸ ποίμνιον κερδαίνει. Ἐν ᾧ ὑμᾶς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους ποιμαίνειν τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὅρα πόσαι ἀνάγκαι. Παρὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος τὴν χειροτονίαν ἔχετε, φησί: τοῦτο γάρ ἐστι τὸ, Ἔθετο. Μία αὕτη ἀνάγκη: εἶτα, Ποιμαίνειν τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἰδοὺ καὶ δευτέρα: καὶ τρίτη, Ἥν φησιν ὅτι περιεποιήσατο διὰ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος. Πολὺ δείκνυσι δι' ὧν εἶπε τίμιον τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ ὑπὲρ μικρῶν ὁ κίνδυνος, εἴ γε ὁ Δεσπότης ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, οὐδὲ τοῦ αἵματος ἐφείσατο τοῦ ἑαυτοῦ, ἡμεῖς δὲ τῆς τῶν ἀδελφῶν σωτηρίας καταφρονοῦμεν. Καὶ ἐκεῖνος μὲν ἵνα ἐχθροὺς καταλλάξῃ, καὶ τὸ αἷμα ἐξέχεε: σὺ δὲ οὐδὲ φίλους γενομένους ἰσχύεις κατασχεῖν. Ἐγὼ γὰρ οἶδα τοῦτο, ὅτι εἰσελεύσονται μετὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου λύκοι βαρεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς, μὴ φειδόμενοι τοῦ ποιμνίου. Πάλιν ἄλλοθεν αὐτοὺς ἐπιστρέφει ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσομένων: ὥσπερ ὅταν ἀλλαχοῦ λέγῃ: Οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα. Ὅτι εἰσελεύσονται, φησὶ, μετὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου λύκοι βαρεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς. Διπλοῦν τὸ κακὸν, ὅτι τε αὐτὸς οὐ πάρεστι, καὶ ὅτι ἕτεροι ἐπιθήσονται. Τί οὖν ἀπέρχῃ, εἰ τοῦτο προοῖδας; Τὸ Πνεῦμά με ἕλκει, φησί. γʹ. Καὶ ὅρα: οὐχ ἁπλῶς εἶπε, Λύκοι, ἀλλὰ προσέθηκε, Βαρεῖς, τὸ σφοδρὸν αὐτῶν καὶ ἰταμὸν αἰνιττόμενος: καὶ τὸ χαλεπώτερον, ὅτι αὐτοὺς τούτους ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀναστήσεσθαι λέγει: ὃ καὶ σφόδρα ἐστὶ βαρὺ, ὅταν καὶ ἐμφύλιος ὁ πόλεμος ᾖ. Καὶ καλῶς εἶπε, Προσέχετε, δεικνὺς περισπούδαστον σφόδρα τὸ πρᾶγμα (Ἐκκλησία γάρ ἐστι), καὶ ὅτι μέγας ὁ κίνδυνος (αἵματι γὰρ αὐτὴν ἐλυτρώσατο), καὶ ὅτι πολὺς ὁ πόλεμος καὶ διπλοῦς. Ταῦτα τοίνυν ἐδήλωσεν, εἰπών: Καὶ ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ἀναστήσονται ἄνδρες λαλοῦντες διεστραμμένα, τοῦ ἀποσπᾷν τοὺς μαθητὰς ὀπίσω αὐτῶν. Εἶτα ἐπειδὴ σφόδρα αὐτοὺς ἐφόβησε τῷ εἰπεῖν Λύκους βαρεῖς, καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀναστῆναι τοὺς τὰ διεστραμμένα λαλοῦντας, ὥσπερ ὑπό τινος διαπορηθεὶς, πῶς οὖν; εἰπόντος, καὶ τίς ἔσται φυλακή; ἐπάγει, λέγων: Γρηγορεῖτε, μνημονεύοντες, ὅτι τριετίαν νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν ἕνα ἕκαστον. Ὅρα πόσαι ὑπερβολαί: μετὰ δακρύων, καὶ νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ἕνα ἕκαστον. Οὐ γὰρ εἰ πολλοὺς εἶδε, τότε ἐφείδετο, ἀλλ' ᾔδει καὶ ὑπὲρ μιᾶς ψυχῆς πάντα ποιεῖν. Οὕτω γοῦν αὐτοὺς καὶ συνεκρότησεν. Ὃ δὲ λέγει, τοῦτό ἐστιν: Ἀρκεῖ τὰ παρ' ἐμοῦ: τριετίαν ἔμεινα, ἱκανῶς ἐστερεώθησαν, ἱκανῶς ἐῤῥιζώθησαν. Μετὰ δακρύων, φησίν. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι τὰ δάκρυα διὰ τοῦτο; Ταῦτα ποιῶμεν καὶ ἡμεῖς. Οὐκ ἀλγεῖ ὁ κακός: ἄλγησον σὺ, ἴσως ἀλγήσει κἀκεῖνος. Καθάπερ ὅταν ἴδῃ ὁ κάμνων τὸν ἰατρὸν λαμβάνοντα σιτίου, καὶ αὐτὸς προτρέπεται: οὕτω δὴ καὶ ἐνταῦθα ἔσται: ἂν ἴδῃ σε ὀδυρόμενον, μαλαχθήσεται, χρηστὸς ἀνὴρ καὶ πρᾶος γενήσεται. Οὐκ εἰδὼς, φησὶ, τὰ συναντήσοντά μοι. Τί οὖν; διὰ τοῦτο ἀπέρχῃ; Οὐδαμῶς: ἀλλὰ καὶ σφόδρα γινώσκω, ὅτι δεσμὰ καὶ θλίψεις με μένουσιν. Ὅτι μὲν οὖν πειρασμοὶ ἐκδέχονταί με, οἶδα, ὁποῖοι δὲ, οὐκ οἶδα: ὅπερ ἦν χαλεπώτερον. Μὴ τοίνυν νομίσητέ με ἀποδυρόμενον ταῦτα λέγειν: οὐκ ἔχω τιμίαν τὴν ἐμαυτοῦ ψυχήν. Ἵνα ἀναστήσῃ αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν, ταῦτά φησι, καὶ πείσῃ μὴ μόνον μὴ φεύγειν, ἀλλὰ καὶ γενναίως φέρειν. Διὰ τοῦτο δρόμον καὶ διακονίαν τὸ πρᾶγμα καλεῖ: τὸ μὲν, δεικνὺς τὸ λαμπρὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ δρόμου, τὸ δὲ, τὸ ὀφειλόμενον ἀπὸ τῆς διακονίας. Διάκονός εἰμι, φησίν: οὐδὲν πλέον ἔχω. Παραμυθησάμενος δὲ αὐτοὺς, ἵνα μὴ ἀλγῶσιν ἐφ' οἷς πάσχει κακῶς, καὶ εἰπὼν, ὅτι μετὰ χαρᾶς ταῦτα ὑπομένει, καὶ τὸν καρπὸν δείξας, τότε τὸ λυπηρὸν ἐπάγει. Τοῦτο δὲ ποιεῖ, ἵνα μὴ καταχώσῃ αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν. Ποῖον δὲ τοῦτό ἐστι; Τὸ, Καὶ ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ἀναστήσονται ἄνδρες λαλοῦντες διεστραμμένα. Τί οὖν, εἴποι τις ἂν, τοσοῦτον σαυτὸν ἡγῇ, καὶ, ἂν ἀπέλθῃς, ἀποθνήσκομεν; Οὐ τοῦτο λέγω, φησὶν, ὅτι ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπουσία τοῦτο ποιεῖ: ἀλλὰ τί; Ὅτι ἐπαναστήσονταί τινες ὑμῖν. Οὐκ εἶπε, Διὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου: ἀλλὰ, Μετὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου: τουτέστι, τὴν ἀποδημίαν: καίτοι καὶ ἤδη γέγονε τοῦτο: εἰ δὲ γέγονε, πολλῷ μᾶλλον μετὰ ταῦτα γενήσεται. Εἶτα καὶ ἡ αἰτία, Τοῦ ἀποσπᾷν τοὺς μαθητὰς ὀπίσω αὐτῶν. Ὥστε δι' οὐδὲν ἕτερον αἱ αἱρέσεις, ἢ διὰ τοῦτο. Εἶτα καὶ παραμυθία: Ἣν περιεποιήσατο, φησὶ, διὰ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος. Εἰ δὲ τῷ ἰδίῳ αἵματι περιεποιήσατο, προστήσεται πάντως. Νύκτα, φησὶ, καὶ ἡμέραν οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν. Ταῦτα πρὸς ἡμᾶς εἰκότως ἂν λέγοιτο: καὶ δοκεῖ μὲν εἶναι ἰδικῶς πρὸς τοὺς διδασκάλους ὁ λόγος, ἔστι δὲ κοινὸς καὶ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητάς. Τί γὰρ, ἂν ἐγὼ μὲν λέγω καὶ παρακαλῶ καὶ δακρύω νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, ὁ δὲ μαθητὴς μὴ πείθηται; Ἵνα γὰρ μὴ νομίσῃ τις τοῦτο ἀρκεῖν εἰς ἀπολογίαν, τὸ εἶναι μαθητὴν, καὶ μὴ ὑπείκειν, διὰ τοῦτο, Διαμαρτύρομαι, εἰπὼν, ἐπήγαγεν: Οὐ γὰρ ὑπεστειλάμην τοῦ μὴ ἀναγγεῖλαι ὑμῖν. Ἄρα τοῦτο διδασκάλου μόνον, ἀναγγεῖλαι, κηρῦξαι, διδάξαι, μὴ ὑποστείλασθαι, νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν παρακαλεῖν: ὅταν δὲ τούτων γινομένων μηδὲν πλέον γένηται, ἴστε τὸ λειπόμενον. Εἶτα καὶ ἑτέρα ἀπολογία: ὅτι Καθαρὸς ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων. Μὴ δὴ νομίσητε πρὸς ἡμᾶς ταῦτα λέγεσθαι μόνον: καὶ γὰρ καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς ὁ λόγος οὗτός ἐστιν, ὥστε προσέχειν τοῖς λεγομένοις, ὥστε μὴ ἀποπηδᾷν τῆς ἀκροάσεως. Τί ποιήσω; Ἰδοὺ καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν διαῤῥήγνυμαι βοῶν: ἀπόστητε τῶν θεάτρων: καὶ πολλοὶ γελῶσιν ἡμᾶς: ἀπόστητε τοῦ ὀμνύειν, τοῦ πλεονεκτεῖν: μυρία παραινοῦμεν, καὶ οὐδεὶς ὁ ἀκούων. Ἀλλ' ἐν νυκτὶ οὐ διαλέγομαι; Ἐβουλόμην καὶ ἐν νυκτὶ τοῦτο ποιεῖν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς τραπέζαις ταῖς ὑμετέραις, εἴ γε ἐνῆν καὶ εἰς μυρία σχισθέντα παραγίνεσθαι ὑμῖν καὶ διαλέγεσθαι: ἀλλ' εἰ τῆς ἑβδομάδος ἅπαξ καλοῦμεν ὑμᾶς, καὶ ὀκνεῖτε, καὶ οἱ μὲν οὐδὲ παραγίνεσθε, οἱ δὲ παραγινόμενοι οὐδὲν πλέον κερδάναντες ἄπιτε: τί οὐκ ἂν ἐποιήσατε, εἰ συνεχῶς τοῦτο ἐπράττομεν; Τί ποιήσομεν; Πολλοὶ οἶδ' ὅτι καὶ διασύρουσιν ἡμᾶς, διὰ τὸ περὶ τῶν αὐτῶν ἀεὶ διαλέγεσθαι: οὕτω γεγόναμεν προσκορεῖς. Αἴτιοι δὲ τούτου οὐχ ὑμεῖς, ἀλλ' αὐτοὶ οἱ ἀκούοντες. Ὁ μὲν γὰρ κατορθῶν, ἀεὶ χαίρει τὰ αὐτὰ ἀκούων, ὥσπερ ἐγκωμίων αὐτοῦ λεγομένων: ὁ δὲ μὴ βουλόμενος κατορθοῦν, καὶ ἐνοχλεῖσθαι δοκεῖ, κἂν δεύτερον ἀκούσῃ μόνον, πολλάκις δοκεῖ ἀκούειν. Καθαρὸς ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων, φησί. δʹ. Τοῦτο Παύλῳ μὲν ἥρμοττεν εἰπεῖν, ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐ τολμῶμεν τοῦτο εἰπεῖν, μυρία συνειδότες ἑαυτοῖς. Διόπερ ἐκείνῳ τῷ διαπαντὸς ἀγρυπνοῦντι καὶ ἐφεστῶτι, τῷ πάντα ὑπὲρ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν μαθητευομένων ὑπομένοντι, ἥρμοττε λέγειν: ἡμεῖς δὲ τὸ Μωσέως ἐροῦμεν, ὅτι Ὠργίσθη μοι Κύριος δι' ὑμᾶς, ὅτι εἰς πολλὰ ἁμαρτήματα προάγετε καὶ ἡμᾶς. Ὅταν γὰρ ἀθυμῶμεν ὁρῶντες ὑμᾶς οὐ προκόπτοντας, οὐ τὸ πλέον ἡμῖν τῆς ἰσχύος καταπίπτει; Τί γὰρ, εἰπέ μοι, γέγονεν; Ἰδοὺ τῇ χάριτι τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἡμεῖς λοιπὸν τριετίαν ἔχομεν, νύκτα μὲν καὶ ἡμέραν οὐ παρακαλοῦντες, διὰ τριῶν δὲ πολλάκις ἡμερῶν ἢ δι' ἑπτὰ τοῦτο ποιοῦντες. Τί γέγονε πλέον; Ἐγκαλοῦμεν, ἐπιτιμῶμεν, δακρύομεν, ὀδυνώμεθα, εἰ καὶ μὴ φανερῶς, ἀλλὰ κατὰ καρδίαν. Ἐκεῖνα δὲ πολὺ τούτων τὰ δάκρυα κουφότερα: ταῦτα μὲν γὰρ φέρει τινὰ τοῖς ἀθυμοῦσι παραμυθίαν, ἐκεῖνα δὲ αὐτὴν ἐπιτείνει καὶ συσφίγγει. Οὕτω καὶ ὅταν ἐν ἀθυμίᾳ τις ᾖ, καὶ μὴ δύνηται ἐξενεγκεῖν τὴν ἀλγηδόνα, ὥστε μὴ δόξαι κενόδοξος εἶναι, μείζονα ἄρα πάσχει, ἢ ἂν ταύτην ἐξήνεγκεν. Εἰ μή μέ τις ἔκρινε φιλοτιμίας περιττῆς, εἶδες ἂν καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν πηγὰς δακρύων ἀφιέντα: ταύτας δέ μοι σύνοιδεν ὁ οἰκίσκος καὶ ἡ ἐρημία. Πιστεύσατε γάρ μοι, τῆς μὲν ἐμαυτοῦ σωτηρίας ἀπέγνων, τὰ δὲ ὑμέτερα θρηνῶν, οὐδὲ σχολὴν ἔχω τὰ ἐμαυτοῦ κακὰ πενθεῖν: οὕτω μοι πάντα ὑμεῖς ἐστε. Κἂν αἴσθωμαι ἐπιδιδόντας ὑμᾶς, οὐκ αἰσθάνομαι τῶν ἐμαυτοῦ κακῶν ὑπὸ τῆς ἡδονῆς: κἂν ἴδω μὴ ἐπιδιδόντας, ὑπὸ τῆς ἀθυμίας πάλιν παραπέμπομαι τὰ ἐμά: φαιδρὸς μὲν ὢν ἐπὶ τοῖς ὑμετέροις ἀγαθοῖς, κἂν μυρία ἔχω δεινὰ, σκυθρωπὸς δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς ὑμετέροις λυπηροῖς, κἂν μυρία μοι κατορθώματα ᾖ. Τίς γὰρ ἐλπὶς διδασκάλῳ, τοῦ ποιμνίου διεφθαρμένου; ποία ζωὴ, ποία προσδοκία; μετὰ ποίας στήσεται παῤῥησίας πρὸς τὸν Θεόν; τί ἐρεῖ; Θῶμεν γὰρ, ὅτι οὐδὲ ἐγκαλεῖται, οὐδὲ δίδωσι δίκην, ἀλλ' ἔστι καθαρὸς ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος πάντων: καὶ οὕτως ἀνίατα πείσεται: ἐπεὶ καὶ πατέρες ὑπὲρ παίδων οὐ μέλλοντες ἐγκαλεῖσθαι, ὅμως ἀλγοῦσι καὶ δάκνονται. Καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτοὺς τοῦτο, φησὶν, ὠφελεῖ οὐδὲ προΐσταται, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν; Ἀλλ' ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες: καὶ δοκεῖ μέν τισι τοῦτο εἶναι φοβερὸν, ἐμοὶ δὲ οὐδεὶς τούτου λόγος μετὰ τὴν ὑμετέραν ἀπώλειαν. Ἄν τε γὰρ δῶ λόγον, ἄν τε μὴ δῶ, οὐδέν μοι τὸ ὄφελος. Γένοιτο σωθῆναι ὑμᾶς, καὶ δοῦναι λόγον ἐμὲ δι' ὑμᾶς: ὑμᾶς σωθῆναι, καὶ ἐμὲ ἐγκαλεῖσθαι ὡς μὴ πληρώσαντα τὰ παρ' ἐμαυτοῦ. Οὐ γὰρ τοῦ δι' ἐμοῦ σωθῆναι ὑμᾶς φροντίζω, ἀλλὰ τοῦ σωθῆναι μόνον δι' ὁτουδήποτε. Οὐκ ἴστε τὴν τυραννίδα τῶν ὠδινῶν τῶν πνευματικῶν, πῶς μυριάκις ἕλοιτο ἂν κατακοπῆναι ὁ τοῦτον τὸν τόκον ὠδίνων, ἢ τῶν τεχθέντων ἕνα ἀπολλύμενον ἰδεῖν καὶ διεφθαρμένον; Πόθεν ὑμᾶς πείσομεν; ἑτέρωθεν μὲν οὐδαμόθεν, ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν γινομένων τὰ καθ' ὑμᾶς πάντα ἀπολυσόμεθα. Δυνάμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς λέγειν, ὅτι οὐδὲν ὑπεστειλάμεθα: ἀλλ' ὅμως ἀλγοῦμεν: καὶ ὅτι ἀλγοῦμεν, δῆλον ἐξ ὧν μυρία κατασκευάζομεν, καὶ μηχανώμεθα. Καίτοι γε ἐνῆν πρὸς ὑμᾶς αὐτοὺς εἰπεῖν: Τί μοι μέλει; ἐγὼ τὸ ἐμαυτοῦ πεποίηκα, ἐγὼ καθαρός εἰμι ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος: ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀρκεῖ τοῦτο εἰς παραμυθίαν. Εἴ γε ἐνῆν τὴν καρδίαν ἡμῶν ἀναῤῥῆξαι καὶ ἐπιδεῖξαι, εἴδετε ἂν μετὰ πολλῆς ἔνδον ὄντας τῆς εὐρυχωρίας πάντας ὑμᾶς, καὶ γυναῖκας καὶ παῖδας καὶ ἄνδρας: τοιαύτη γὰρ ἡ τῆς ἀγάπης δύναμις, τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εὐρυχωτέραν ποιεῖ τὴν ψυχήν. Χωρήσατε ἡμᾶς, ἔλεγεν ὁ Παῦλος: οὐδένα ἠδικήσαμεν, οὐ στενοχωρεῖσθε ἐν ἡμῖν. Τοῦτο λέγομεν νῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς: Χωρήσατε ἡμᾶς: Πᾶσαν τὴν Κόρινθον εἶχεν ἐκεῖνος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ ἔλεγε: Πλατύνθητε καὶ ὑμεῖς: οὐ στενοχωρεῖσθε. Ἀλλ' αὐτὸς οὐκ ἂν ἔχοιμι τοῦτο λέγειν: εὖ γὰρ οἶδα, ὅτι καὶ ὑμεῖς ἡμᾶς ἀγαπᾶτε καὶ χωρεῖτε. Ἀλλὰ τί τὸ κέρδος ἢ τῆς ἐμῆς ἀγάπης ἢ τῆς ὑμῶν, ὅταν τὸ κατὰ Θεὸν ἡμῖν μὴ προχωρῇ; Μείζονος ἀθυμίας ὑπόθεσις, πλείονος λύμης ἀφορμή. Οὐδὲν ἔχω ἐγκαλεῖν ὑμῖν: Μαρτυρῶ γὰρ ὑμῖν, ὅτι, εἰ δυνατὸν, τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν ἐξορύξαντες ἂν ἐδώκατέ μοι. Ἱμειρόμεθα οὐ μόνον τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ψυχὰς δοῦναι ὑμῖν. Φιλούμεθα καὶ φιλοῦμεν: ἀλλ' οὐ τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ ζητούμενον. Φιλήσωμεν οὖν τὸν Χριστὸν πρῶτον: πρώτη γὰρ ἐντολὴ, Ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου: δευτέρα δὲ ὁμοία αὐτῆς, Καὶ τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. Τὴν δευτέραν ἔχομεν, τῆς πρώτης ἡμῖν δεῖ: τῆς πρώτης δεῖ μετὰ πολλῆς τῆς ὑπερβολῆς καὶ ἐμοὶ καὶ ὑμῖν. Ἔχομεν αὐτὴν, ἀλλ' οὐχ ὡς χρή. Φιλήσωμεν αὐτόν: ἴστε πόσος ἀπόκειται μισθὸς τοῖς φιλήσασι τὸν Χριστόν: φιλήσωμεν αὐτὸν θερμότητι ψυχῆς, ἵνα, τῆς παρ' αὐτοῦ εὐνοίας ἀπολαύοντες, διαφύγωμεν τὸν κλύδωνα τοῦ παρόντος βίου, καὶ τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων ἀγαθῶν τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν αὐτὸν ἐπιτυχεῖν καταξιωθῶμεν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ μονογενοῦς αὐτοῦ Παιδὸς, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.