Homily LXXVIII.

John xvi. 4–6

“These things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go My way to Him that sent Me; and none of you asketh Me, Whither goest Thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.”

[1.] Great is the tyranny of despondency, and much courage do we need so as to stand manfully against the feeling, and after gathering from it what is useful, to let the superfluous go. It hath somewhat useful; for when we ourselves or others sin, then only is it good to grieve; but when we fall into human vicissitudes, then despondency is useless. And now when it has overthrown the disciples who were not yet perfect, see how Christ raiseth them again by His rebuke. They who before this had asked Him ten thousand questions, (for Peter said, “Whither goest Thou?” [ c. xiii. 36]; and Thomas, “We know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way?” [ c. xiv. 5 and 8]; and Philip, “Show us Thy Father”;) these men, I say, now hearing, “they will put you out of the synagogues,” and “will hate you,” and “whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service,” were so cast down as to be struck dumb, so that they spake nothing to Him. This then He maketh a reproach to them, and saith, “These things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you; but now I go unto Him that sent Me, and none of you asketh Me, Whither goest Thou? but because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.” For a dreadful thing is immoderate sorrow, dreadful and effective of death. Wherefore Paul said, “Lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up by overmuch sorrow.” ( 2 Cor. ii. 7.)

“And these things,” saith He, “I told you not at the beginning.” Why did He not tell them at the beginning? That none might say that He spake guessing from the ordinary course of events. And why did He enter on a matter of such unpleasantness? “I knew these things,” He saith, “from the beginning, and spake not of them; not because I did not know them, but ‘because I was with you.’” And this again was spoken after a human manner, as though He had said, “Because ye were in safety, and it was in your power to question Me when ye would, and all the storm blew upon Me, and it was superfluous to tell you these things at the beginning.” “But did He not tell them this? Did He not call the twelve, and say unto them, ‘Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake,’ and, ‘they shall scourge you in the synagogues’? ( Matt. x. 18, 17 ). How then saith He, ‘I told you not at the beginning’?” Because He had proclaimed before the scourgings and bringing before princes, still not that their death should appear so desirable that the action should even be deemed a service to God. For this more than anything was suited to terrify them, that they were to be judged as impious and corrupters. This too may be said, that in that place He spake of what they should suffer from the Gentiles, but here He hath added in a stronger way the acts of the Jews also, and told them that it was at their doors.

“But now I go to Him that sent Me, and no man of you saith, Whither goest Thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.” It was no slight comfort to them to learn that He knew the excess of their despondency. For they were beside themselves from the anguish caused by their being left by Him, and from their awaiting the terrible things which were to come, since they knew not whether they should be able to bear them manfully. “Why then after this did He not tell them that they had been vouchsafed the Spirit?” That thou mightest learn that they were exceedingly virtuous. For if, when they had not yet been vouchsafed the Spirit, they started not back, though overwhelmed with sorrow, consider what sort of men they were likely to be after having enjoyed the grace.2222   or, “gift.” If they had heard this at that time, and so had endured, we should have attributed the whole to the Spirit, but now it is entirely the fruit of their own state of mind, it is a clear manifestation of their love for Christ, who applieth a touchstone to their mind as yet defenseless.

Ver. 7. “But I tell you the truth.”2223   “The truth; it is expedient for you that I go away.” N.T.

Observe how He consoleth them again. “I speak not,” He saith, “to please you, and although you be grieved ten thousand fold, yet must ye hear what is for your good; it is indeed to your liking that I should be with you, but what is expedient for you is different. And it is the part of one caring for others, not to be over gentle with his friends in matters which concern their interests, or to lead them away from what is good for them.”

“For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come.”2224   “come unto you,” N.T.

What here say those who hold not the fitting opinion concerning the Spirit? Is it “expedient” that the master depart, and the servant come? Seest thou how great is the honor of the Spirit?

“But if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” And what the gain?

Ver. 8. “He, when He is come, will reprove2225   or, “convince.” the world.”2226   “Will reprove the world of sin, and righteousness, and of judgment.” N.T.

That is, “they shall not do these things unpunished if He come. For indeed, the things that have been already done, are sufficient to stop their mouths; but when these things are also done by Him, when doctrines are more perfect and miracles greater, much more shall they be condemned when they see such things done in My Name, which make the proof of the Resurrection more certain. For now they are able to say, ‘this is the carpenter’s son, whose father and mother we know’; but when they see the bands of death loosed, wickedness cast out, natural lameness straightened, devils expelled, abundant supply of the Spirit, and all this effected by My being called on, what will they say? The Father hath borne witness of Me, and the Spirit will bear witness also.” Yet He bare witness at the beginning. Yea, and shall also do it now. But the, “will convince,”

Ver. 9. “Of sin.”2227   “Of sin, because they believe not in Me.” N.T.

This meaneth, “will cut off all their excuses, and show that they have transgressed unpardonably.”

Ver. 10. “Of righteousness, because I go to the2228   “My,” N.T. Father, and ye see Me no more.”

That is, “I have exhibited a blameless2229   ἄ ληπτον life, and this is the proof, that, ‘I go to the Father.’” For since they continually urged this against Him, that He was not from God, and therefore called Him a sinner and transgressor, He saith, that the Spirit shall take from them this excuse also. “For if My being deemed not to be from God, showeth Me to be a transgressor, when the Spirit shall have shown that I am gone thither, not merely for a season, but to abide there, (for the, ‘Ye see Me no more,’ is the expression of one declaring this,) what will they say then?” Observe how by these two things, their evil suspicion is removed; since neither doth working miracles belong to a sinner, (for a sinner cannot work them,) nor doth the being with God continually belong to a sinner. “So that ye can2230   al. “he can.” no longer say, that ‘this man is a sinner,’ that ‘this man is not from God.’”

Ver. 11. “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

Here again He mooteth the argument concerning righteousness, that He had overthrown His opponent. Now had He been a sinner, He could not have overthrown him; a thing which not even any just man had been strong enough to do. “But that he hath been condemned through Me, they shall know who trample on him hereafter, and who clearly know My Resurrection, which is the mark of Him who condemneth him. For he was not able to hold Me. And whereas they said that I had a devil, and that I was a deceiver, these things also shall hereafter appear to be false;2231   ἕ ωλα, lit. “stale.” for I could not have prevailed against him, had I been subject to sin; but now he is condemned and cast out.”

[2.] Ver. 12. “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

“Therefore it is expedient for you that I depart, if ye then will bear them when I departed.” “And what hath come to pass? Is the Spirit greater than Thou, that now indeed we bear not, but It will fit us to bear? Is It working more powerful and more perfect?” “Not so; for He too shall speak My words.” Wherefore He saith,

Ver. 13–15.2232    Ver. 13. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak,” &c. N.T. “He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine.”2233   “are Mine, therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” N.T.

For since He had told them, that “‘He shall teach you, and bring to your remembrance’ ( c. xiv. 26 ), and shall comfort you in your afflictions,” (which He Himself did not,) and that “it is expedient for you that I should depart” ( ver. 7 ), and that He should come, and, “‘now ye are not able to bear’ ( ver. 12 ), but then ye shall be able,” and, that “He shall lead you into all truth” ( ver. 13 ); lest hearing these things they should suppose the Spirit to be the greater, and so fall into an extreme opinion of impiety, therefore He saith, “He shall receive of Mine,” that is, “whatsoever things I have told you, He shall also tell you.” When He saith, “He shall speak nothing of Himself,” He meaneth, “nothing contrary, nothing of His own opposed to My words.” As then in saying respecting Himself, “I speak not of Myself” ( c. xiv. 10 ), He meaneth that He speaketh nothing beside what the Father saith, nothing of His own against Him, or differing from Him, so also with respect to the Spirit. But the, “of Mine,” meaneth, “of what I know,” “of My own knowledge”; “for the knowledge of Me and of the Spirit is one.”

“And He will tell you things to come.” He excited their minds, for the race of man is for nothing so greedy,2234   λίχνον as for learning the future. This, for instance, they continually asked Him, “Whither goest Thou?” “Which is the way?” To free them therefore from this anxiety, He saith, “He shall foretell you all things, so that ye shall not meet with them without warning.”

“He shall glorify Me.” How? “In My name He shall grant His inward workings.” For since at the coming of the Spirit they were about to do greater miracles, therefore, again introducing the Equality of Honor, He saith, “He shall glorify Me.”

What meaneth He by, “all truth”? for this also He testifieth of Him, that “He shall guide us into all truth.” ( Ver. 13.) Because He was clothed with the flesh, and because He would not seem to speak concerning Himself, and because they did not yet know clearly concerning the Resurrection, and were too imperfect, and also because of the Jews, that they might not think they were punishing Him as a transgressor; therefore He spake no great thing continually, nor plainly drew them away from the Law. But when the disciples were cut off from them,2235   i.e. the Jews. and were for the future without; and when many were about to believe, and to be released from their sins; and when there were others who spake of Him, He with good reason spake not great things concerning Himself. “So that it proceeded not from ignorance of Mine,” He saith, “that I told you not what I should have told you, but from the infirmity of the hearers.” On this account having said, “He shall lead you into all truth,” He added, “He shall not speak of Himself.” For to show that the Spirit needeth not teaching, hear Paul saying, “So also the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” ( 1 Cor. ii. 11.) “As then the spirit of man, not learning from another, knoweth; so also the Holy Spirit ‘shall receive of Mine,’” that is, “shall speak in unison with what is Mine.”

“All things that the Father hath are Mine.” “Since then those things are Mine, and He shall speak from the things of the Father, He shall speak from Mine.”

[3.] “But why did not the Spirit come before He departed?” Because the curse not having yet been taken away, sin not yet loosed, but all being yet subject to vengeance, He could not come. “It is necessary then,” saith He, “that the enmity be put away, that we be reconciled to God, and then receive that Gift.” But why saith He, “I will send Him”? ( Ver. 7.) It meaneth, “I will prepare you beforehand to receive Him.” For, how can that which Is everywhere, be “sent”? Besides, He also showeth the distinction of the Persons. On these two accounts He thus speaketh; and also, since they were hardly to be drawn away from Himself, exhorting them to hold fast to the Spirit, and in order that they might cherish It. For He Himself was able to have wrought these things, but He concedeth to the Spirit2236   ἐ κείνῳ the working of miracles,2237   al. “concedeth that It should work,” &c. on this account, that they might understand His2238   i.e. the Spirit’s. dignity. For as the Father could have brought into being things which are, yet the Son did so, that we might understand His power, so also is it in this case. On this account He Himself was made Flesh, reserving the inward working2239   al. “nobleness.” for the Spirit, shutting up the mouths of those who take the argument of His ineffable love for an occasion of impiety. For when they say that the Son was made flesh because He was inferior to the Father, we will reply to them, “what then will ye say of the Spirit?” He took not the flesh, and yet certainly on this account ye will not call Him greater than the Son, nor the Son inferior to Him. Therefore, in the case of baptism also the Trinity is included. The Father is able to effect the whole, as is the Son, and the Holy Ghost; yet, since concerning the Father no man doubts, but the doubt was concerning the Son, and the Holy Ghost, They are included in the rite, that by Their community in supplying those unspeakable blessings, we may also fully learn Their community in dignity. For that both the Son is able by Himself to do that which in the case of baptism2240   al. “upon the Throne” (βήματος). He is able to do with the Father, and the Holy Ghost the same, hear these things said plainly. For to the Jews He said, “That ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins” ( Mark ii. 10 ); and again, “That ye may become children of light” ( c. xii. 36 ): and, “I give to them eternal life.” ( c. x. 28.) Then after this, “That they might have life, and might have it more abundantly.” ( c. x. 10.) Now let us see the Spirit also performing the same thing. Where can we see it? “But the manifestation of the Spirit,” it saith, “is given to every man to profit withal” ( 1 Cor. xii. 7; c. vi. 63 ); He then that giveth these things, much more remitteth sins. And again, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth”; and, “Shall quicken you2241   “your mortal bodies,” N.T. by His Spirit which dwelleth in you” ( Rom. viii. 11 ); and, “The Spirit is Life because of righteousness” ( Rom. viii. 10 ); and, “If ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the Law.” ( Gal. v. 18.) “For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption.” ( Rom. viii. 15.) All the wonders too which they then wrought, they wrought at the coming of the Spirit. And Paul writing to the Corinthians, said, “But ye have been washed, but ye have been sanctified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,2242   “Lord Jesus,” N.T. and by the Spirit of our God.” ( 1 Cor. vi. 11.) Since then they had heard many things of the Father, and had seen the Son work many things, but as yet knew nothing clearly of the Spirit, that Spirit doeth miracles, and bringeth in the perfect knowledge. But (as I said before) that He may not thence be supposed to be greater, on this account Christ saith, “Whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come.” Since, if this be not so, how could it be otherwise than absurd, if He was about to hear then, and on account of those who were being made disciples? For according to you,2243   i.e. heretical objectors. He would not even then know, except on account of those who were about to hear. What could be more unlawful than this saying? Besides, what would He have to hear? Did He not speak2244   al. “foretell.” all these things by the Prophets? For if He was about to teach concerning the dissolution of the Law, it had been spoken of: if concerning Christ, His Divinity and the Dispensation, these had been spoken of also. What could He say more clearly after this?

“And shall show you things to come.” Here most of all Christ showeth His2245   i.e. the Spirit’s. Dignity, for to foretell things to come is especially the property of God. Now if He2246   Gr. “It.” also learn this from others, He will have nothing more than the Prophets, but here Christ declareth a knowledge brought into exact accordance with God, that it is impossible that He should speak anything else. But the, “shall receive of Mine,” meaneth, “shall receive, either of the grace2247   χαρίσματος which came into My Flesh, or of the knowledge which I also have, not as needing it, nor as learning it from another, but because it is One and the same.” “And wherefore spake He thus, and not otherwise?” Because they understand not yet the word concerning the Spirit, wherefore He provideth for one thing only, that the Spirit should be believed and received by them, and that they should not be offended. For since He had said, “One is your Teacher, even Christ” ( Matt. xxiii. 10 ), that they might not deem that they should disobey Him in obeying the Spirit, He saith, “His teaching and Mine are One; of what I should have taught, of those things shall He also speak. Do not suppose His words are other than Mine, for those words are Mine, and confirm My opinion.2248   or “maintain my glory.” For One is the will of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Thus also He willeth us to be, when He saith, “That they may be one, as Thou and I are One.”2249   “as We,” N.T. ( c. xvii. 11.)

[4.] There is nothing equal to unanimity and concord; for so one is manifold. If two or ten are of one mind, the one is one no longer, but each one is multiplied tenfold, and thou wilt find the one in the ten, and the ten in the one; and if they have an enemy, he who attacks the one, as having attacked the ten, is vanquished; for he is the mark not for one, but for ten opponents.2250   or, “edges,” στομάτων Is one in want? No, he is not in want, for he is wealthy in his greater part, that is, in the nine; and the needy part, the lesser, is concealed by the wealthy part, the greater. Each of these hath twenty hands, twenty eyes, and as many feet. For he sees not with his own eyes alone, but with those of others; he walks2251   al. “bears.” not with his own feet alone, but with those of others; he works not with his own hands alone, but with theirs. He hath ten souls, for not only doth he take thought for himself, but those souls also for him. And if they be made a hundred, it will still be the same, and their power will be extended. Seest thou the excess of love, how it makes the one both irresistible and manifold, how one can even be in many places, the same both in Persia and in Rome, and that what nature cannot do, love can? for one part of him will be here, and one there, or rather he will be wholly here and wholly there. If then he have a thousand or two thousand friends, consider again whither his power will extend. Seest thou what an increase-giving thing is love? for the wonderful thing is this, its making one a thousand. Why then do we not acquire this power and place ourselves in safety? This is better than all power or riches, 2252   al. “than all riches.” this is more than health, than light itself, it is the groundwork of good courage. How long do we set our love on one or two? Consider also the action in the contrary way. Suppose a man without a friend, a mark of the utmost folly, (for a fool will say, “I have no friend,”) what sort of life will such a one lead? For though he be infinitely rich, in plenty and luxury, possessed of ten thousand good things, yet is he desolate and bare of all. But in the case of friends not so; though they be poor men, yet are they better provided than the wealthy; and the things which a man undertakes not to say for himself, a friend will say for him, and whatever gratifications he is not able to procure for himself, he will be enabled to obtain by means of another, and much more; and it will be to us the groundwork of all enjoyment and safety, since one who is guarded by so many spearmen cannot suffer harm. For the king’s body guards are not equal in their strictness to these. The one perform their watch through compulsion and fear, the others through kindness and love; and love is far mightier than fear. The king fears his own guards; the friend is more confident in them than in himself, and by reason of them fears none of those that plot against him. Let us then engage in this traffic; the poor man, that he may have consolation in his poverty; the rich, that he may possess his wealth in safety; the ruler, that he may rule with safety; 2253   Sav. edition has, ἵ να μετὰ ἀσφαλείας ἀσφαλείᾳ ἀρχῇ, which seems to be an error of the press. the ruled, that he may have benevolent rulers. This is the source of kindness, this the groundwork of gentleness; since even among beasts, those are the most fierce and untamable which are not gregarious. For this cause we dwell in cities, and have public places, that we may converse with one another. This also Paul commanded, saying, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” ( Heb. x. 25 ); for no evil is so great as solitariness, and the state which is without compact and intercourse. “What then,” saith some one, “of the solitaries, and of those who have occupied the summits of the mountains?” That neither are they without friends; they have indeed fled from the turmoil of common life, but they have many of one soul with them, and closely bound together one to another; and they have retired that they might rightly accomplish this thing.2254   i.e. might perfect love. For since the rivalry of business causes many disputes, therefore, removing from among men, they cultivate2255   γεωργοῦσι, lit. “till.” love with much exactness. “But how,” saith some one, “if a man be alone can he have ten thousand friends?” I, for my part, desire, if it be possible, that men should know how to dwell one with another; but for the present let the properties of friendship remain unshaken.2256   i.e. the objection does not shake my argument. For it is not place which makes friends. They, for instance, have many who admire them; now these would not have admired had they not loved them. Again, they pray for all the world, which is the greatest proof of friendship. For this cause we salute one another at the Mysteries, that being many we may become one; and in the case of the uninitiated,2257   i.e. non-communicants. we make our prayers common, supplicating for the sick, and for the produce of the world, for land and sea. Seest thou all the power of love? in the prayers, in the Mysteries, in the exhortations? This is that which causeth all good things. If we hold carefully to this, we shall both rightly dispense things present, and also obtain the Kingdom; which may we all obtain through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and with whom, to the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΟΗʹ. Ταῦτα δὲ ἐξ ἀρχῆς οὐκ εἶπον ὑμῖν, ὅτι μεθ' ὑμῶν ἤμην. Νῦν δὲ ὑπάγω πρὸς τὸν πέμψαντά με, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐρωτᾷ με, Ποῦ ὑπάγεις; Ἀλλ' ὅτι ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν, ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκεν ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν. αʹ. Μεγάλη τῆς ἀθυμίας ἡ τυραννὶς, καὶ πολλῆς ἡμῖν τῆς ἀνδρείας δεῖ, ὥστε στῆναι πρὸς τουτὶ τὸ πάθος γενναίως, καὶ τὸ χρήσιμον ἀπ' αὐτοῦ καρπουμένους, τὸ περισσὸν ἐᾷν: ἔχει γάρ τι καὶ χρήσιμον. Ὅταν μὲν γὰρ ἁμαρτάνωμεν ἡμεῖς ἢ ἕτεροι, τότε μόνον λυπεῖσθαι καλόν: ὅταν δὲ ἀνθρωπίναις περιστάσεσιν ἐμπέσωμεν, ἄχρηστος λοιπὸν τῆς ἀθυμίας ἡ χρῆσις. Ἐπεὶ οὖν καὶ τοὺς μαθητὰς οὐδέπω τελείους ὄντας αὕτη κατεπάλαισεν, ὅρα πῶς αὐτοὺς διορθοῦται διὰ τῆς ἐπιπλήξεως. Οἱ γὰρ μυρία πρὸ τούτου αὐτὸν ἐρωτῶντες (καὶ γὰρ ὁ Πέτρος ἔλεγε, Ποῦ ὑπάγεις; καὶ ὁ Θωμᾶς δὲ, Οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ ὑπάγεις, καὶ πῶς δυνάμεθα τὴν ὁδὸν εἰδέναι; καὶ ὁ Φίλιππος, Δεῖξον ἡμῖν τὸν Πατέρα σου), οὗτοι νῦν ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Ἀποσυναγώγους ποιήσουσι, καὶ ὅτι Μισήσουσιν ὑμᾶς, καὶ, ὅτι Ὁ ἀποκτείνας ὑμᾶς, δόξει λατρείαν προσφέρειν τῷ Θεῷ, οὕτω κατέπεσον, ὡς ἀφασίᾳ κατασχεθῆναι λοιπὸν, καὶ μηδὲν αὐτῷ διαλέγεσθαι. Ὅπερ οὖν αὐτοῖς ὀνειδίζων ἔλεγε: Ταῦτα ἐξ ἀρχῆς οὐκ εἶπον ὑμῖν, ὅτι μεθ' ὑμῶν ἤμην. Νῦν δὲ ὑπάγω πρὸς τὸν πέμψαντά με, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐρωτᾷ με, Ποῦ ὑπάγεις; Ἀλλ' ὅτι ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν, ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκεν ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν. Δεινὸν γὰρ ἡ ταύτης ἀμετρία, δεινὸν, καὶ θανάτου κατασκευαστικόν. Διὰ τοῦτο ὁ Παῦλος ἔλεγε: Μή πως τῇ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος. Ταῦτα δὲ ἐξ ἀρχῆς οὐκ εἶπον ὑμῖν, φησί. Τίνος δὲ ἕνεκεν ἐξ ἀρχῆς οὐκ εἶπεν; Ἵνα μή τις λέγῃ, ὅτι ἀπὸ τῶν πολλάκις συμβάντων στοχαζόμενος ἔλεγε. Καὶ τί δήποτε πράγματι ἐπιχειρεῖ τοσαύτην ἔχοντι δυσκολίαν; Ἤ|δειν μὲν, φησὶν, αὐτὰ καὶ ἐξ ἀρχῆς, καὶ οὐ διὰ τὸ μὴ εἰδέναι οὐκ ἔλεγον: ἀλλ' Ὅτι μεθ' ὑμῶν ἤμην. Καὶ τοῦτο ἀνθρωπίνως πάλιν: ὡσανεὶ ἔλεγεν, Ὅτι ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ ἦτε, καὶ ἐξὸν ἦν ἐρωτᾷν ὅτε ἐβούλεσθε, καὶ ἐπ' ἐμὲ ὁ πόλεμος ἅπας ἀνεῤῥιπίζετο, καὶ περιττὸν ἦν εἰπεῖν ταῦτα ἐξ ἀρχῆς. Ἆρ' οὖν τοῦτο οὐκ εἶπεν; οὐχὶ τοὺς δώδεκα καλέσας ἔλεγεν: Ἐπὶ ἡγεμόνας καὶ βασιλεῖς ἀχθήσεσθε, καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν ὑμᾶς ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς; πῶς οὖν φησιν, ὅτι Ἀπ' ἀρχῆς οὐκ εἶπον; Ὅτι μάστιγας καὶ ἀπαγωγὰς προανεφώνησεν, οὐ μὴν ὅτι οὕτω δόξει ὁ θάνατος αὐτῶν εἶναι περισπούδαστος, ὡς καὶ λατρείαν τὸ πρᾶγμα νομίζεσθαι. Τοῦτο γὰρ πάντων μᾶλλον ἱκανὸν ἦν αὐτοὺς καταπλῆξαι, εἴ γε ἔμελλον ὡς ἀσεβεῖς καὶ λυμεῶνες κριθήσεσθαι. Πρὸς τούτοις δὲ κἀκεῖνο ἔστιν εἰπεῖν, ὅτι ἐκεῖ μὲν ἃ παρὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν ἔμελλον πάσχειν εἶπεν, ἐνταῦθα δὲ καὶ τὰ Ἰουδαϊκὰ προσέθηκε μετὰ πλείονος τῆς ὑπερβολῆς, καὶ ὅτι ἐπὶ θύραις ἐστὶν ἐδίδαξε. Νῦν δὲ ὑπάγω πρὸς τὸν πέμψαντά με, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ ὑμῶν λέγει: Ποῦ ὑπάγεις; Ἀλλ' ὅτι ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν, ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκεν ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν. Οὐ μικρὰ καὶ αὕτη παραμυθία τὸ μαθεῖν αὐτοὺς, ὅτι ᾔδει τῆς ἀθυμίας τὴν ὑπερβολήν. Ὑπὸ γὰρ τῆς ἀγωνίας τῆς διὰ τὴν ἐρημίαν τὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τοῦ τὰ μέλλοντα ἐκδέχεσθαι αὐτοὺς δεινὰ (οὐδὲ γὰρ ᾔδεσαν εἰ δυνήσονται ἀνδρείως ἐνεγκεῖν) ἐξέστησαν. Τίνος οὖν ἕνεκεν οὐ μετὰ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, ὅτε τοῦ Πνεύματος κατηξιώθησαν; Ἵνα μάθῃς, ὅτι σφόδρα ἦσαν ἐνάρετοι. Εἰ γὰρ μηδέπω Πνεύματος καταξιωθέντες οὐκ ἀπεπήδησαν, τῇ λύπῃ καταχωσθέντες, ἐννόησον τίνες ἔμελλον ἔσεσθαι τῆς χάριτος ἀπολαύσαντες. Εἰ γὰρ τότε ἀκούσαντες ἤνεγκαν, τῷ Πνεύματι ἂν τὸ πᾶν ἐλογισάμεθα: νῦν δὲ ὁλόκληρος τῆς διανοίας αὐτῶν ἐστιν ὁ καρπὸς, καὶ σαφὴς τοῦ πόθου τοῦ περὶ τὸν Χριστὸν ἀπόδειξις, γυμνὴν ἔτι τὴν διάνοιαν βασανίζοντος. Ἀλλ' ἐγὼ τὴν ἀλήθειαν ὑμῖν λέγω. Ὅρα πῶς παραμυθεῖται αὐτοὺς πάλιν. Οὐ γὰρ τὰ πρὸς χάριν λέγω, φησὶν, ἀλλὰ, κἂν μυριάκις λυπῆσθε, τὸ συμφέρον ἀκοῦσαι δεῖ. Ὑμῖν μὲν γὰρ κατὰ γνώμην ἐστὶν ἐμὲ παρεῖναι: τὸ δὲ συμφέρον ἕτερον. Κηδομένου δέ ἐστι, τὸ μὴ ἐπὶ τοῖς συμφέρουσι τῶν γνωρίμων φείδεσθαι καὶ ἀπάγειν τοῦ λυσιτελοῦντος αὐτούς. Ἐὰν γὰρ ἐγὼ μὴ ἀπέλθω, φησὶν, ὁ Παράκλητος οὐ μὴ ἔλθῃ. Τί λέγουσιν ἐνταῦθα οἱ τὴν προσήκουσαν περὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος οὐκ ἔχοντες δόξαν; συμφέρει Δεσπότην ἀπελθεῖν, καὶ δοῦλον παραγενέσθαι; Ὁρᾷς πῶς πολλὴ τοῦ Πνεύματος ἡ ἀξία; Ἐὰν δὲ ἀπέλθω, πέμψω αὐτὸν πρὸς ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τί τὸ κέρδος; Ἐκεῖνος ἐλθὼν, ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον: τουτέστιν, Οὐκ ἀτιμωρητὶ ταῦτα πράξουσιν, ἂν ἐκεῖνος ἔλθῃ. Ἱκανὰ μὲν γὰρ καὶ τὰ ἤδη γεγενημένα ἐπιστομίσαι αὐτούς: ὅταν δὲ καὶ δι' ἐκείνου ταῦτα γίνηται, καὶ διδάγματα τελειότερα καὶ σημεῖα μείζονα, πολλῷ μᾶλλον κατακριθήσονται, ὁρῶντες τοσαῦτα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου γινόμενα: ὅπερ σαφεστέραν ποιεῖ τῆς ἀναστάσεως τὴν ἀπόδειξιν. Νῦν μὲν γὰρ δύνανται λέγειν, ὅτι ὁ τοῦ τέκτονος υἱὸς, οὗ ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα: ὅταν δὲ ἴδωσι θάνατον λυόμενον κακίαν ἐκβαλλομένην, χωλείαν φύσεως διορθουμένην, δαίμονας ἐλαυνομένους, Πνεύματος χορηγίαν ἄφατον, καὶ ταῦτα πάντα ἐμοῦ καλουμένου γινόμενα, τί ἐροῦσιν; Ἐμαρτύρησε γὰρ περὶ ἐμοῦ καὶ ὁ Πατήρ: μαρτυρήσει δὲ καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα. Καίτοι καὶ παρὰ τὴν ἀρχὴν ἐμαρτύρησεν: ἀλλὰ καὶ νῦν τοῦτο ποιήσει. βʹ. Τὸ δὲ, Ἐλέγξει περὶ ἁμαρτίας, τοῦτ' ἔστι, Πᾶσαν ἀπολογίαν αὐτῶν ἐκκόψει, καὶ δείξει πεπλημμεληκότας ἀσύγγνωστα. Καὶ περὶ δικαιοσύνης, ὅτι ἐγὼ πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα πορεύομαι, καὶ οὐκέτι θεωρεῖτέ με: τουτέστιν, Ὅτι ἄληπτον παρεσχόμην βίον. Καὶ τοῦτο τεκμήριον, τὸ πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα πορεύεσθαι. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ αὐτῷ ἀεὶ τοῦτο ἐνεκάλουν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἁμαρτωλὸν αὐτὸν ἔλεγον καὶ παράνομον, φησὶν, ὅτι καὶ ταύτην ἀναιρήσει τὴν πρόφασιν. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ νομίζεσθαι ἐμὲ μὴ εἶναι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦτο παράνομον δείκνυσιν: ὅταν δείξῃ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐκεῖ με ἀπελθόντα, καὶ οὐ πρὸς ὥραν, ἀλλὰ μένοντα ἐκεῖ (τὸ γὰρ, Οὐκ ἔτι θεωρεῖτέ με, τοῦτό ἐστι δηλοῦντος): τί ἐροῦσι λοιπόν; Ὅρα διὰ δύο τούτων ἀναιρουμένην τὴν πονηρὰν ὑποψίαν. Οὔτε γὰρ τὸ σημεῖα ποιεῖν ἁμαρτωλοῦ (οὐ γὰρ δύναται ἁμαρτωλὸς σημεῖα ποιεῖν), οὔτε τὸ παρὰ Θεῷ εἶναι διαπαντὸς ἁμαρτωλοῦ. Ὥστε οὐκ ἔτι δύνασθε λέγειν, ὅτι Οὗτος ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Περὶ δὲ κρίσεως, ὅτι ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου κέκριται. Πάλιν ἐνταῦθα τὸν περὶ δικαιοσύνης ἀνακινεῖ λόγον, ὅτι κατεπάλαισε τὸν ἀντίδικον. Οὐκ ἂν δὲ ἁμαρτωλὸς ὢν κατεπάλαισεν: ὅπερ οὐδὲ δίκαιός τις ἀνθρώπων ποιῆσαι ἴσχυσεν. Ὅτι γὰρ κατακέκριται δι' ἐμὲ, εἴσονται οἱ καταπατοῦντες αὐτὸν ὕστερον, καὶ τὴν ἀνάστασίν μου σαφῶς εἰδότες, ὅπερ κατακρίνοντός ἐστιν. Οὐ γὰρ ἴσχυσέ με κατασχεῖν. Ἐπεὶ οὖν ἔλεγον, ὅτι δαιμόνιον ἔχω, καὶ ὅτι πλάνος εἰμὶ, καὶ ταῦτα μετὰ ταῦτα δειχθήσεται ἕωλα ὄντα. Οὐ γὰρ ἂν αὐτὸν εἷλον, εἴ γε ἁμαρτίᾳ ὑπεύθυνος ἤμην: νυνὶ δὲ κατακέκριται καὶ ἐκβέβληται. Ἔτι πολλὰ ἔχω λέγειν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ' οὐ δύνασθε βαστάζειν ἄρτι. Οὐκοῦν συμφέρει ἐμὲ ἀπελθεῖν, εἴ γε τότε μέλλετε βαστάζειν, ὅταν ἀπέλθω. Καὶ τί γέγονεν; Μεῖζόν σου τὸ Πνεῦμά ἐστιν, ὅτι νῦν μὲν οὐ βαστάζομεν, ἐκεῖνο δὲ ἡμᾶς βαστάζειν παρασκευάσει; μείζων ἡ ἐκείνου ἐνέργεια καὶ τελειοτέρα; Οὐ τοῦτο: καὶ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος τὰ ἐμὰ ἐρεῖ. Διὰ τοῦτό φησι: Ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ λαλήσει οὐδὲν, ἀλλ' ὅσα ἂν ἀκούσῃ, λαλήσει, καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ. Ἐκεῖνος ἐμὲ δοξάσει, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λήψεται καὶ ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν. Πάντα ὅσα ἔχει ὁ Πατὴρ, ἐμά ἐστιν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ εἶπεν, ὅτι Ἐκεῖνος ὑμᾶς διδάξει καὶ ἀναμνήσει, καὶ ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν ὑμᾶς παραμυθήσεται, ὅπερ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἐποίησε, καὶ ὅτι Συμφέρει ἐμὲ ἀπελθεῖν, κἀκεῖνον ἐλθεῖν, καὶ, Νῦν μὲν οὐ δύνασθε βαστάζειν, τότε δὲ δυνήσεσθε, καὶ ὅτι Ὁδηγήσει εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν: ἵνα μὴ ταῦτα ἀκούοντες, μεῖζον τὸ Πνεῦμα νομίσωσι, καὶ εἰς ἀσεβείας ὑπόθεσιν ἐσχάτην ἐμπέσωσι, διὰ τοῦτό φησιν, Ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λήψεται: τουτέστιν, Ἅπερ ἂν εἶπον ἐγὼ, ταῦτα κἀκεῖνος ἐρεῖ. Ὅταν δὲ εἴπῃ, Οὐδὲν ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ λαλήσει, οὐδὲν ἐναντίον, οὐδὲν ἴδιον παρὰ τὰ ἐμά φησιν. Ὥσπερ οὖν περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λέγων, Ἀπ' ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ λαλῶ, τοῦτό φησιν, ὅτι οὐδὲν ἐκτὸς τῶν τοῦ Πατρὸς, οὐδὲν ἴδιόν τι παρ' ἐκεῖνον καὶ ἀλλότριον: οὕτω καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος. Τὸ δὲ, Ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ, ἐξ ὧν ἐγὼ οἶδα, ἐκ τῆς ἐμῆς γνώσεως. Μία γὰρ ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος γνῶσις. Καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν. Ἐπῆρεν αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν: πρὸς οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτω λίχνον τὸ ἀνθρώπειον γένος, ὡς πρὸς τὸ μανθάνειν τὰ μέλλοντα. Τοῦτο γοῦν συνεχῶς ἠρώτων αὐτὸν, Ποῦ ὑπάγεις; τίς ἐστιν ἡ ὁδός; Καὶ ταύτης οὖν ἀπαλλάττων αὐτοὺς τῆς φροντίδος, λέγει, ὅτι Πάντα ὑμῖν προερεῖ, ὥστε μὴ ἐμπεσεῖν ἀφυλάκτως. Ἐκεῖνος ἐμὲ δοξάσει. Πῶς; Ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τῷ ἐμῷ δώσει τὰς ἐνεργείας. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ μείζονα ἔμελλον ποιεῖν σημεῖα παραγινομένου τοῦ Πνεύματος, διὰ τοῦτο πάλιν τὴν ἰσοτιμίαν εἰσάγων, φησίν: Ἐκεῖνος ἐμὲ δοξάσει. Ποίαν λέγει πᾶσαν ἀλήθειαν; Καὶ γὰρ καὶ τοῦτο αὐτῷ μαρτυρεῖ, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἡμᾶς ἂν ὁδηγήσει εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν. Αὐτὸς μὲν γὰρ καὶ διὰ τὸ σάρκα περικεῖσθαι, καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ δόξαι περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λέγειν, καὶ διὰ τὸ μηδέπω αὐτοὺς τὴν ἀνάστασιν εἰδέναι σαφῶς, καὶ ἀτελεστέρους εἶναι, καὶ διὰ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους, ἵνα μὴ ὡς παρανομοῦντα δόξωσι κολάζειν, οὐδὲν μέγα ἐφθέγγετο συνεχῶς, οὔτε τοῦ νόμου σαφῶς ἀπέστησεν. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ αὐτῶν ἀπεσχίσθησαν οἱ μαθηταὶ, καὶ ἔξω λοιπὸν ἦσαν ἐκεῖνοι, καὶ πολλοὶ πιστεύειν ἔμελλον, καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων ἀφίεσθαι, καὶ ἄλλοι ἦσαν οἱ περὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες, οὐκ ἔτι αὐτὸς περὶ ἑαυτοῦ μεγάλα εἰκότως ἐφθέγγετο. Ὥστε οὐ τῆς ἀγνοίας τῆς ἐμῆς, φησὶ, τὸ μὴ εἰπεῖν ἅπερ εἰπεῖν ἐχρῆν, ἀλλὰ τῆς τῶν ἀκουόντων ἀσθενείας. Διὰ τοῦτο εἰπὼν, Ὁδηγήσει εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ἐπήγαγεν: Ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ οὐκ ἐρεῖ. Ὅτι γὰρ οὐ διδασκαλίας τὸ Πνεῦμα δεῖται, ἄκουσον τοῦ Παύλου λέγοντος: Οὕτω καὶ τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, εἰ μὴ τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὥσπερ οὖν τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐ μανθάνον παρ' ἑτέρου οἶδεν: οὕτω καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον Ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λήψεται: τουτέστι, Συνῳδὰ τοῖς ἐμοῖς ἐρεῖ. Πάντα ὅσα ἔχει ὁ Πατὴρ, ἐμά ἐστιν. Ἐπεὶ οὖν ἐμά ἐστιν ἐκεῖνα, ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἐκ τῶν τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐρεῖ, ἐκ τῶν ἐμῶν ἐρεῖ. Διατί δὲ οὐκ ἤρχετο πρὶν ἢ αὐτὸν ἀπελθεῖν; Ὅτι οὔπω τῆς κατάρας ἀρθείσης, οὔπω τῆς ἁμαρτίας λυθείσης, ἀλλ' ἔτι πάντων ὑπευθύνων ὄντων τῇ τιμωρίᾳ, οὐκ ἂν παρεγένετο. Δεῖ οὖν, φησὶ, τὴν ἔχθραν λυθῆναι, καὶ καταλλαγῆναι ὑμᾶς τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ τότε δέξασθαι τὸ δῶρον ἐκεῖνο. Διατί δέ φησι, Πέμψω αὐτόν; Τουτέστι, Προπαρασκευάσω ὑμᾶς πρὸς τὴν ὑποδοχήν. Πῶς γὰρ τὸ πανταχοῦ ὂν πέμπεται; Ἄλλως δὲ, καὶ τῶν ὑποστάσεων τὸ διάφορον δείκνυσι. Διὰ δύο δὲ ταῦτα οὕτω φθέγγεται: καὶ ἐπειδὴ οὗτοι δυσαποσπάστως εἶχον, πείθων τοῦ Πνεύματος ἔχεσθαι, καὶ ἵνα αὐτὸ θεραπεύσωσιν. Ἠδύνατο μὲν γὰρ καὶ αὐτὸς ταῦτα ἐργάζεσθαι: ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο ἐκεῖνο συγχωρεῖ θαυματουργεῖν, ἵνα μάθωσιν αὐτοῦ τὴν ἀξίαν. Ὥσπερ γὰρ ὁ Πατὴρ ἠδύνατο τὰ ὄντα παραγαγεῖν, ὁ δὲ Υἱὸς αὐτὸ ποιεῖ, ἵνα μάθωμεν αὐτοῦ τὴν δύναμιν, οὕτω καὶ τοῦτο. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ αὐτὸς ἐσαρκώθη, τῷ Πνεύματι τηρῶν τὴν ἐνέργειαν, καὶ ἐμφράττων τὰ στόματα τῶν τὴν ὑπόθεσιν τῆς ἀφάτου φιλανθρωπίας εἰς ἀφορμὴν ἀσεβείας λαμβανόντων Ὅταν γὰρ λέγωσιν, ὅτι διὰ τοῦτο ἐσαρκώθη ὁ Υἱὸς ἐπειδὴ καταδεέστερος ἦν τοῦ Πατρὸς, ἐροῦμεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς, Τί οὖν ἂν εἴποιτε περὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος; Οὐ γὰρ ἔλαβε σάρκα, καὶ οὐ δήπου διὰ τοῦτο μεῖζον τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτὸ ἐρεῖτε, οὐδὲ τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ καταδεέστερον. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ βαπτίσματος ἡ Τριὰς παραλαμβάνεται. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Πατὴρ τὸ πᾶν ἐργάζεσθαι δύναται, καὶ ὁ Υἱὸς, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον: ἀλλ' ἐπειδὴ περὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς οὐδεὶς ἀμφιβάλλει, τὸ δὲ ἀμφίβολον ἦν περὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος τοῦ ἁγίου, παρείληπται ἐν τῇ μυσταγωγίᾳ, ἵνα ἐν τῇ κοινωνίᾳ τῆς χορηγίας τῶν ἀποῤῥήτων ἐκείνων ἀγαθῶν, καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν τῆς ἀξίας καταμανθάνωμεν. Ἐπεὶ ὅτι δύναται ὁ Υἱὸς καθ' ἑαυτοῦ ταῦτα, ἅπερ ἐπὶ τοῦ βαπτίσματος μετὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς δύναται, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, ἄκουσον ταῦτα σαφῶς. Τοῖς γὰρ Ἰουδαίοις ἔλεγεν: Ἵνα γὰρ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας: καὶ πάλιν, Ἵνα υἱοὶ φωτὸς γένησθε, καὶ, Ἐγὼ ζωὴν αἰώνιον δίδωμι αὐτοῖς. Εἶτα μετὰ ταῦτα, Ἵνα ζωὴν, φησὶν, ἔχωσι καὶ περισσὸν ἔχωσιν. Ἴδωμεν δὲ καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ αὐτὸ τοῦτο ποιοῦν. Ποῦ ἔστιν ἰδεῖν; Ἑκάστῳ δὲ ἡ φανέρωσις τοῦ Πνεύματος, φησὶ, δίδοται πρὸς τὸ συμφέρον. Ὁ τοίνυν ταῦτα παρέχων, καὶ ἁμαρτήματα πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἀφίησι. Καὶ πάλιν: Τὸ Πνεῦμά ἐστι τὸ ζωοποιοῦν: καὶ, Ζωοποιήσει διὰ τοῦ ἐνοικοῦντος αὐτοῦ Πνεύματος ἐν ὑμῖν: καὶ, Τὸ Πνεῦμα ζωὴ διὰ δικαιοσύνην: καὶ πάλιν, Εἰ δὲ Πνεύματι ἄγεσθε, οὐκ ἐστὲ ὑπὸ νόμον. Οὐ γὰρ ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα δουλείας πάλιν εἰς φόβον, ἀλλ' ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα υἱοθεσίας. Καὶ τότε δὲ πάντα ἅπερ ἐποίουν, παραγενομένου τοῦ Πνεύματος ἐθαυματούργουν. Καὶ Κορινθίοις δὲ γράφων ἔλεγε Παῦλος: Ἀλλ' ἀπελούσασθε, ἀλλ' ἡγιάσθητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἐν τῷ Πνεύματι τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν. Ἐπεὶ οὖν περὶ μὲν Πατρὸς πολλὰ ἤκουσαν, καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν δὲ εἶδον πολλὰ ἐργασάμενον, περὶ δὲ τοῦ Πνεύματος οὐδὲν οὐδέπω σαφῶς ᾔδεσαν, θαυματουργεῖ, καὶ τὴν τελείαν εἰσάγει γνῶσιν. Ἀλλ' ἵνα μὴ μεῖζον ἐντεῦθεν ὑποπτεύηται (ὅπερ ἔφθην εἰπὼν), διὰ τοῦτό φησιν: Ὅσα ἂν ἀκούσῃ, λαλήσει, καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ. Ἐπεὶ εἰ μὴ τοῦτό ἐστι, πῶς οὐκ ἄτοπον, εἰ τότε ἔμελλεν ἀκούειν, καὶ διὰ τοὺς μαθητευομένους; Οὐδὲ γὰρ τότε ἔμελλε καθ' ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι, εἰ μὴ διὰ τοὺς ἀκουσομένους. Καὶ τί τούτου παρανομώτερον τοῦ ῥήματος γένοιτ' ἄν; Ἄλλως δέ: τί καὶ ἔμελλεν ἀκούσεσθαι; οὐ ταῦτα πάντα εἶπε διὰ τῶν προφητῶν; Εἴτε γὰρ περὶ τῆς τοῦ νόμου λύσεως ἔμελλε διδάσκειν, εἴρητο: εἴτε περὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ τῆς θεότητος αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῆς οἰκονομίας, καὶ ταῦτα εἴρητο. Τί γὰρ καὶ τρανότερον ἔμελλε μετὰ ταῦτα ἐρεῖν; Καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ. Ἐνταῦθα μάλιστα δείκνυσιν αὐτοῦ τὸ ἀξίωμα, ἐπειδὴ Θεοῦ τοῦτο μάλιστα ἴδιον, τὸ λέγειν τὰ μέλλοντα. Εἰ δὲ καὶ αὐτὸ μανθάνοι παρ' ἑτέρων, οὐδὲν πλέον ἕξει τῶν προφητῶν: ἀλλ' ἐνταῦθα τὴν ἀπηκριβωμένην πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν γνῶσιν δηλοῖ, ὅτι ἀδύνατον ἄλλο τι φθέγξασθαι αὐτόν. Τὸ δὲ, Ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λήψεται, ἤτοι ἐκ τοῦ χαρίσματος τοῦ εἰς τὴν σάρκα τὴν ἐμὴν ἐλθόντος, ἢ ὅτι ἀπὸ τῆς γνώσεως, ἧς καὶ ἐγὼ ἔχω, οὐχ ὡς δεόμενος, οὐδὲ ὡς παρ' ἑτέρου μαθὼν, ἀλλ' ὡς μιᾶς οὔσης καὶ τῆς αὐτῆς. Καὶ διατί οὕτως εἶπε, καὶ μὴ ἑτέρως; Ὅτι οὐδέπω τὸν περὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος ᾔδεσαν λόγον. Διόπερ ἓν κατασκευάζει μόνον, ὥστε πιστευθῆναι αὐτὸν καὶ δεχθῆναι παρ' αὐτῶν, καὶ μὴ σκανδαλισθῆναι. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἔλεγεν, Εἷς ἐστιν ὑμῶν ὁ διδάσκαλος ὁ Χριστὸς, ἵνα μὴ νομίσωσι παρακούειν ἐκείνῳ πειθόμενοι, Μία ἡ ἐμὴ καὶ ἐκείνου διδασκαλία ἐστίν: ἐξ ὧν ἔμελλον ἐγὼ διδάσκειν, ἐκ τῶν αὐτῶν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐρεῖ. Μὴ δὴ νομίσητε ἕτερα εἶναι τὰ ἐκείνου: καὶ γὰρ καὶ ἐκεῖνα ἐμά ἐστι, καὶ τὴν ἐμὴν συγκροτεῖ δόξαν. Ἓν γὰρ θέλημα Πατρὸς, καὶ Υἱοῦ, καὶ ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Οὕτω καὶ ἡμᾶς εἶναι βούλεται λέγων: Ἵνα ὦσιν ἓν, καθὼς καὶ ἐγὼ καὶ σὺ ἕν ἐσμεν. δʹ. Οὐδὲν γὰρ ὁμονοίας ἴσον οὐδὲ συμφωνίας: ὁ γὰρ εἷς, πολλοστός ἐστιν οὕτως. Ἂν γὰρ ὁμόψυχοι ὦσι δύο ἢ δέκα, οὐκ ἔτι εἷς ἐστιν ὁ εἷς, ἀλλὰ δεκαπλασίων ἕκαστος αὐτῶν γίνεται, καὶ εὑρήσεις ἐν τοῖς δέκα τὸν ἕνα, καὶ ἐν τῷ ἑνὶ τοὺς δέκα. Κἂν ἐχθρὸν ἔχωσιν, οὐ τῷ ἑνὶ προσβαλὼν, ὡς τοῖς δέκα προσβαλὼν, οὕτως ἁλίσκεται. Οὐ γὰρ ὑφ' ἑνὸς βάλλεται μόνον, ἀλλ' ὑπὸ τῶν δέκα στομάτων. Ἠπόρησεν ὁ εἷς; Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἀπορίᾳ: τῷ γὰρ μείζονι μέρει, τουτέστι, τοῖς ἐννέα, εὐπορεῖ, καὶ τὸ ἀποροῦν συσκιάζεται μέρος, τὸ ἔλαττον, διὰ τοῦ πλείονος τοῦ εὐποροῦντος. Ἕκαστος τούτων εἴκοσι χεῖρας ἔχει, καὶ εἴκοσι ὀφθαλμοὺς, καὶ πόδας τοσούτους. Οὐ γὰρ τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ μόνον ὀφθαλμοῖς ὁρᾷ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς ἑτέρων, οὐ τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ βαστάζει ποσὶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς ἑτέρων: οὐ ταῖς ἑαυτοῦ χερσὶν ἐργάζεται, ἀλλὰ καὶ ταῖς ἐκείνων. Ψυχὰς ἔχει δέκα: οὐ γὰρ αὐτὸς ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐκεῖναι ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ μεριμνῶσιν. Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἑκατὸν γένοιντο, τὸ αὐτὸ ἔσται πάλιν, καὶ ἐκταθήσεται τὰ τῆς δυνάμεως. Εἶδες ἀγάπης ὑπερβολὴν, πῶς ἀκαταγώνιστον ποιεῖ τὸν ἕνα καὶ πολλαπλασίω; πῶς ὁ εἷς καὶ πολλαχοῦ δύναται εἶναι; ὁ αὐτὸς καὶ ἐν Περσίδι καὶ ἐν Ῥώμῃ; καὶ ὅπερ φύσις οὐ δύναται, ἡ ἀγάπη δύναται; Τὸ μὲν γὰρ αὐτοῦ ἐνταῦθα ἔσται, τὸ δὲ ἐκεῖ: μᾶλλον δὲ ὁλόκληρος ἐνταῦθα, καὶ ὁλόκληρος ἐκεῖ. Ἐὰν οὖν χιλίους ἔχῃ φίλους ἢ δισχιλίους, ἐννόησον ποῦ πάλιν ὑπερβήσεται τὰ τῆς δυνάμεως. Ὁρᾷς πῶς αὐξητικὸν ἡ ἀγάπη; Τὸ γὰρ θαυμαστὸν τοῦτό ἐστι, τὸ χιλιοστὸν ποιῆσαι τὸν ἕνα. Τίνος οὖν ἕνεκεν οὐ κτώμεθα τὴν δύναμιν ταύτην, καὶ ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ καθιστῶμεν ἑαυτούς; Τοῦτο δυναστείας καὶ πλούτου κρεῖττον παντός: τοῦτο ὑγείας, τοῦτο αὐτοῦ τοῦ φωτὸς πλεῖον: τοῦτο εὐθυμίας ὑπόθεσις. Μέχρι τίνος εἰς ἕνα καὶ δύο περιιστῶμεν τὴν ἀγάπην; Μάθε καὶ ἐξ ἐναντίας τὸ πρᾶγμα. Ἔστω τις μηδένα φίλον ἔχων, ὅπερ ἀνοίας ἐστὶν ἐσχάτης (μωρὸς γὰρ ἐρεῖ: Οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι φίλος): ὁ τοιοῦτος ποίαν ζήσεται ζωήν; Κἂν γὰρ μυριάκις ᾖ πλούσιος, κἂν ἐν ἀφθονίᾳ καὶ τρυφῇ, κἂν μυρία ἀγαθὰ κεκτημένος, πάντων ἔρημος καὶ γυμνὸς καθίσταται. Ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν φίλων οὐχ οὕτως, ἀλλὰ κἂν πένητες ὦσι, τῶν πλουσίων εὐπορώτεροι τυγχάνουσι: καὶ ἅπερ αὐτὸς ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ οὐκ εἰπεῖν ἐπιχειρεῖ, ταῦτα ὁ φίλος ἐρεῖ: καὶ ὅσα οὐ δύναται ἑαυτῷ χαρίσασθαι, δι' ἑτέρου δυνήσεται, καὶ πολλῷ πλείονα, καὶ πάσης ἡμῖν ἔσται ἀπολαύσεως καὶ ἀσφαλείας ὑπόθεσις. Οὐ γὰρ ἔστι παθεῖν κακῶς ὑπὸ τοσούτοις δορυφόροις φυλαττόμενον. Οὐ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι τοῦ βασιλέως οἱ σωματοφύλακες ἀκριβεῖς, ὡς οὗτοι. Οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀνάγκῃ καὶ φόβῳ τὴν φυλακὴν ἐπιδείκνυνται, οἱ δὲ εὐνοίᾳ καὶ ἀγάπῃ: πολλῷ δὲ φόβου τυραννικωτέρα αὕτη. Κἀκεῖνος μὲν τοὺς φύλακας αὐτοῦ δέδοικεν, οὗτος δὲ τούτοις μᾶλλον ἢ ἑαυτῷ θαῤῥεῖ, καὶ διὰ τούτους οὐδένα τῶν ἐπιβουλευόντων δέδοικεν. Ἐμπορευσώμεθα τοίνυν τὴν ἐμπορίαν ταύτην, ὁ πένης, ἵνα τῆς πενίας ἔχῃ παραμυθίαν: ὁ πλούσιος, ἵνα τὸν πλοῦτον ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ κεκτημένος ᾖ: ὁ ἄρχων, ἵνα μετὰ ἀσφαλείας ἄρχῃ: ὁ ἀρχόμενος, ἵνα εὐμενεῖς ἔχῃ τοὺς ἄρχοντας. Τοῦτο ἡμερότητος ἀφορμὴ, τοῦτο πραότητος ὑπόθεσις. Ἐπεὶ καὶ ἐν τοῖς θηρίοις ἐκεῖνα μάλιστά ἐστι χαλεπὰ καὶ ἀτίθασσα, τὰ μὴ συναγελαζόμενα. Διὰ τοῦτο πόλεις οἰκοῦμεν, καὶ ἀγορὰς ἔχομεν, ἵνα ἀλλήλοις συγγινώμεθα. Τοῦτο καὶ Παῦλος ἐκέλευσε λέγων: Μὴ ἐγκαταλιμπάνοντες τὴν ἐπισυναγωγὴν ἑαυτῶν. Οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως ὡς μόνωσις κακὸν, καὶ τὸ ἄσπονδον καὶ ἀπρόσιτον. Τί οὖν οἱ μοναχοὶ, φησὶ, καὶ οἱ τὰς κορυφὰς τῶν ὀρέων κατειληφότες; Οὐδὲ ἐκεῖνοι φίλων εἰσὶ χωρὶς, ἀλλὰ τοὺς μὲν ἐπὶ τῆς ἀγορᾶς ἔφυγον θορύβους, πολλοὺς δὲ ἔχουσιν ὁμοψύχους, καὶ ἀκριβῶς ἀλλήλοις συνδεδεμένους: καὶ ἵνα τοῦτο κατορθώσωσιν, ἀνεχώρησαν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων φιλονεικία πολλὰς ποιεῖ τὰς ἔριδας, διὰ τοῦτο ἐκ μέσου γενόμενοι τὴν ἀγάπην γεωργοῦσι μετὰ ἀκριβείας πολλῆς. Τί οὖν, εἴ τις μόνος εἴη, φησὶ, κἀκεῖνος μυρίους ἔχει φίλους; Ἐγὼ μὲν γὰρ βούλομαι, εἰ δυνατὸν, καὶ συνδιατρίβειν ἀλλήλοις εἰδέναι: τέως δὲ μενέτω τὰ τῆς φιλίας ἀκίνητα. Οὐ γὰρ ὁ τόπος ποιεῖ τοὺς φίλους. Πολλοὺς γοῦν ἔχουσι τοὺς θαυμάζοντας: οὐκ ἂν δὲ ἐθαύμασαν, εἰ μὴ ἐφίλουν. Καὶ αὐτοὶ πάλιν ὑπὲρ ἁπάσης εὔχονται τῆς οἰκουμένης, ὅπερ μέγιστον φιλίας ἐστὶ τεκμήριον. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐν τοῖς μυστηρίοις ἀσπαζόμεθα ἀλλήλους, ἵνα οἱ πολλοὶ γενώμεθα ἕν: καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀμυήτων κοινὰς ποιούμεθα τὰς εὐχὰς, λιτανεύοντες ὑπὲρ νοσούντων, καὶ τῶν καρπῶν τῆς οἰκουμένης, καὶ γῆς καὶ θαλάττης. Ὁρᾷς πᾶσαν τῆς ἀγάπης τὴν δύναμιν; ἐν ταῖς εὐχαῖς; ἐν τοῖς μυστηρίοις; ἐν ταῖς παραινέσεσι; Τοῦτο πάντων αἴτιον τῶν ἀγαθῶν. Ἂν ταύτης ἐχώμεθα μετὰ ἀκριβείας, καὶ τὰ παρόντα καλῶς οἰκονομήσομεν, καὶ τῆς βασιλείας ἐπιτευξόμεθα: ἧς γένοιτο πάντας ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, δι' οὗ καὶ μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἡ δόξα, ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.