ΤΟΥ ΕΝ ΑΓΙΟΙΣ ΠΑΤΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΥΣΟΣΤΟΜΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ, ΤΑ ΕΥΡΙΣΚΟΜΕΝΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ. ΕΡΜΗΝΕΙΑ Εἰς τὴν πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολὴν, ἐκ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Αʹ. Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ Θεὸς λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἐπ' ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ἡμῖν ἐν Υἱῷ: ὃν ἔθηκε

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Βʹ. Ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ, φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥή ματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, δι' ἑαυτοῦ καθαρι σμὸν ποιησά

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Γʹ. Ὅταν δὲ πάλιν εἰσαγάγῃ τὸν πρωτότοκον εἰς τὴν οἰκουμένην, λέγει: Καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ: Καὶ πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ἀγγέλους λ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Δʹ. Οὐ γὰρ ἀγγέλοις ὑπέταξε τὴν οἰκουμένην τὴν μέλλουσαν, περὶ ἧς λαλοῦμεν. Διεμαρτύ ρατο δέ πού τις, λέγων: Τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος ὅτι μιμνήσκῃ αὐτ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Εʹ. Οὐ γὰρ δήπου ἀγγέλων ἐπιλαμβάνεται, ἀλλὰ σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ ἐπιλαμβάνεται. Ὅθεν ὤφειλε κατὰ πάντα τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ὁμοιωθῆναι. αʹ. Τὴν πολλὴν το

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Ϛʹ. Διὸ, καθὼς λέγει τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, Σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε, μὴ σκληρύ νητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπι κρασμῷ, κατὰ τὴ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Ζʹ. Σπουδάσωμεν οὖν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς ἐκείνην τὴν κα τάπαυσιν, ἵνα μὴ ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ τις ὑποδείγματι πέσῃ τῆς ἀπειθείας. Ζῶν γὰρ ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἐ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Ηʹ. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεὺς ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν, μετρι

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Θʹ. Διὸ ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λό γον, ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα, μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νε κρῶν ἔργων, κα

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Ιʹ. Γῆ γὰρ ἡ πιοῦσα τὸν ἐπ' αὐτῆς ἐρχόμενον πολ λάκις ὑετὸν, καὶ τίκτουσα βοτάνην εὔθε τον ἐκείνοις δι' οὓς καὶ γεωργεῖται, μεταλαμ βάνει εὐλογ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΑʹ. Τῷ γὰρ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ Θεὸς, ἐπεὶ κατ' οὐδενὸς μείζονος εἶχεν ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσε καθ' ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων: ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πλη

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΒʹ. Οὗτος γὰρ ὁ Μελχισεδὲχ, βασιλεὺς Σαλὴμ, ἱερεὺς τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου, ὁ συναντήσας Ἀβραὰμ ὑποστρέφοντι ἀπὸ τῆς κοπῆς τῶν βασιλέων, καὶ εὐλο

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΓʹ. Εἰ μὲν οὖν τελείωσις διὰ τῆς Λευϊτικῆς ἱερω σύνης ἦν (ὁ λαὸς γὰρ ἐπ' αὐτῇ νενομοθέ τητο), τίς ἔτι χρεία, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισε δὲχ ἕτερον

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΔʹ. Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις, τοσοῦτον ἔχο μεν ἀρχιερέα, ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρό νου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, τῶν ἁγίων

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΕʹ. Εἶχε μὲν οὖν καὶ ἡ πρώτη δικαιώματα λατρείας, τό τε ἅγιον κοσμικόν. Σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα, καὶ ἡ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙϚʹ. Καὶ διὰ τοῦτο διαθήκης καινῆς μεσίτης ἐστὶν, ὅπως θανάτου γενομένου εἰς ἀπολύτρωσιν τῶν ἐπὶ τῇ πρώτῃ διαθήκῃ παραβάσεων, τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν λά

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΖʹ. Οὐ γὰρ εἰς χειροποίητα ἅγια εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Χρι στὸς, ἀντίτυπα τῶν ἀληθινῶν, ἀλλ' εἰς αὐ τὸν τὸν οὐρανὸν, νῦν ἐμφανισθῆναι τῷ προσ ώπῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΕʹ. Ἀνώτερον λέγων, ὅτι θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν καὶ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ ἠθέλησας, οὐδὲ εὐδόκησας, αἵτινες κατὰ νόμον προσφέρονται:

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΙΘʹ. Ἔχοντες οὖν, ἀδελφοὶ, παῤῥησίαν εἰς τὴν εἴσοδον τῶν ἁγίων ἐν τῷ αἵματι Ἰησοῦ, ἣν ἐνεκαίνισεν ἡμῖν ὁδὸν πρόσφατον καὶ ζῶσαν διὰ τοῦ καταπετ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Κʹ. Ἑκουσίως γὰρ ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν μετὰ τὸ λα βεῖν τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς ἀληθείας, οὐκέτι περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν ἀπολείπεται θυσία, φοβερὰ δέ τις ἐκδοχὴ κρί

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΑʹ. Ἀναμιμνήσκεσθε δὲ τὰς πρότερον ἡμέρας, ἐν αἷς φωτισθέντες, πολλὴν ἄθλησιν ὑπεμείνατε παθημάτων: τοῦτο μὲν, ὀνειδισμοῖς τε καὶ θλίψεσι θεατ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΒʹ. Πίστει νοοῦμεν κατηρτίσθαι τοὺς αἰῶνας ῥήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ μὴ ἐκ φαινομένων τὰ βλεπό μενα γεγονέναι. Πίστει πλείονα θυσίαν Ἄβελ παρὰ Κ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΓʹ. Πίστει χρηματισθεὶς Νῶε περὶ τῶν μηδέπω βλεπομένων, εὐλαβηθεὶς κατεσκεύασε κιβωτὸν εἰς σωτηρίαν τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ: δι' ἧς κατέκρινε τὸν κόσμ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΔʹ. Κατὰ πίστιν ἀπέθανον οὗτοι πάντες, μὴ λαβόν τες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀλλὰ πόῤῥωθεν αὐτὰς ἰδόντες καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι, καὶ ὁμολογήσαντες ὅτι ξένοι κ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΕʹ. Πίστει προσενήνοχεν Ἀβραὰμ τὸν Ἰσαὰκ πειρα ζόμενος, καὶ τὸν μονογενῆ προσέφερεν ὁ τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ἀναδεξάμενος, πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη, Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚϚʹ. Πίστει καὶ περὶ μελλόντων ηὐλόγησεν Ἰσαὰκ τὸν Ἰακὼβ καὶ τὸν Ἡσαῦ. Πίστει Ἰακὼβ ἀποθνή σκων ἕκαστον τῶν υἱῶν Ἰωσὴφ ηὐλόγησε, καὶ προσεκύνησ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΖʹ. Πίστει πεποίηκε τὸ Πάσχα καὶ τὴν πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος, ἵνα μὴ ὁ ὀλοθρεύων τὰ πρω τότοκα θίγῃ αὐτῶν. Πίστει διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυ θρὰν θάλασσαν

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΗʹ. Περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι: ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος οὗτος: ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμεν

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΘʹ. Οὔπω μέχρις αἵματος ἀντικατέστητε πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι: καὶ ἐκλέλησθε τῆς παρακλήσεως, ἥτις ὑμῖν ὡς υἱοῖς διαλέγεται: Υἱέ μου

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ Λʹ. Πᾶσα δὲ παιδεία πρὸς μὲν τὸ παρὸν οὐ δοκεῖ χαρᾶς εἶναι, ἀλλὰ λύπης: ὕστερον δὲ καρπὸν εἰρηνικὸν τοῖς δι' αὐτῆς γεγυμνασμένοις ἀπο δίδωσι δι

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΛΑʹ. Εἰρήνην διώκετε μετὰ πάντων καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμὸν, οὗ χωρὶς οὐδεὶς ὄψεται τὸν Κύριον. αʹ. Πολλὰ μὲν ἔστι τὰ χαρακτηρίζοντα τὸν Χριστιανισμὸν, μ

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΛΒʹ. Οὐ γὰρ προσεληλύθατε ὄρει ψηλαφωμένῳ, καὶ κεκαυμένῳ πυρὶ, γνόφῳ καὶ σκότῳ καὶ θυέλ λῃ, καὶ σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ, καὶ φωνῇ ῥημά των, ἧς οἱ ἀκούσαν

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΛΓʹ. Διὸ βασιλείαν ἀσάλευτον παραλαμβάνοντες, ἔχω μεν χάριν, δι' ἧς λατρεύωμεν εὐαρέστως τῷ Θεῷ μετὰ αἰδοῦς καὶ εὐλαβείας. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν

 ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΛΔʹ. Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε: αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες: ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσι,

Homily XXV.

Hebrews xi. 17–19

“By faith [Abraham],599   Mr. Field’s text omits ̓ Αβραὰμ, and has δεξάμενος for ἀ ναδεξάμενοςwhen he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only-begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

[1.] Great indeed was the faith of Abraham. For while in the case of Abel, and of Noah, and of Enoch, there was an opposition of reasonings only, and it was necessary to go beyond human reasonings; in this case it was necessary not only to go beyond human reasonings, but to manifest also something more. For what was of God600   τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, the acts and words of God. seemed to be opposed to what was of God; and faith opposed faith, and command promise.

I mean this: He had said, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and I will give thee this land.” ( Gen. xii. 1, 7.) “He gave him none inheritance in it, no not so much as to set his foot on.” ( Acts vii. 5.) Seest thou how what was done was opposed to the promise? Again He said, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called” ( Gen. xxi. 12 ), and he believed: and again He says, Sacrifice to Me this one, who was to fill all the world from his seed. Thou seest the opposition between the commands and the promise? He enjoined things that were in contradiction to the promises, and yet not even so did the righteous man stagger, nor say he had been deceived.

For you indeed, he means, could not say this, that He promised ease and gave tribulation. For in our case, the things which He promised, these also He performs. How so? “In the world” (He says), “ye shall have tribulation.” ( John xvi. 33.) “He that taketh not his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.” ( Matt. x. 38.) “He that hateth not his life shall not find it.” ( John xii. 25 .) And, “He that forsaketh not all that he hath, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.” ( Luke xiv. 27, 33.) And again, “Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake.” ( Matt. x. 18.) And again, “A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” ( Matt. x. 36.) But the things which pertain to rest are yonder.

But with regard to Abraham, it was different. He was enjoined to do what was opposed to the promises; and yet not even so was he troubled, nor did he stagger, nor think he had been deceived. But you endure nothing except what was promised, yet you are troubled.

[2.] He heard the opposite of the promises from Him who had made them; and yet he was not disturbed, but did them as if they had been in harmony [therewith]. For they were in harmony; being opposed indeed according to human calculations, but in harmony [when viewed] by Faith. And how this was, the Apostle himself has taught us, by saying, “accounting601   λογισάμενος. The cognate word λογισμὸς is used throughout for our “reasoning,” “calculation.” that God was able to raise Him up, even from the dead.” By the same faith (he means) by which he believed that God gave what was not,602   οὐκ ὄντα ἐχαρίσατο, i.e. Isaac. See Rom. iv. 17 , “Before God, in whom he believed, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were” (τὰ μὴ ὄντα ὡς ὄντα); and for the next clause, see ib. ver. 19 , “He considered not his own body, now dead, nor yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb” : to which, so to say, life was restored. and raised up the dead, by the same was he persuaded that He would also raise him up after he had been slain in sacrifice. For it was alike impossible (to human calculation, I mean) from a womb which was dead and grown old and already become useless for child-bearing to give a child, and to raise again one who had been slain. But his previous faith prepared the way for things to come.

And see; the good things came first, and the hard things afterwards, in his old age. But for you, on the contrary, (he says) the sad things are first, and the good things last. This for those who dare to say, ‘He has promised us the good things after death; perhaps He has deceived us.’ He shows that “God is able to raise up even from the dead,” and if God be able to raise from the dead, without all doubt He will pay all [that He has promised].

But if Abraham so many years before, believed “that God is able to raise from the dead,” much more ought we to believe it. Thou seest (what I at first said) that death had not yet entered in and yet He drew them at once to the hope of the resurrection, and led them to such full assurance, that when bidden, they even slay their own sons, and readily offer up those from whom they expected to people the world.

And he shows another thing too, by saying, that “God tempted Abraham.” ( Gen. xxii. 1.) What then? Did not God know that the man was noble and approved? Why then did He tempt him? Not that He might Himself learn, but that He might show to others, and make his fortitude manifest to all.603   [See St. Cyr. Alex. Glaph. 87.] And here also he shows the cause of trials, that they may not suppose they suffer these things as being forsaken [of God]. For in their case indeed, it was necessary that they should he tried, because there were many who persecuted or plotted against them: but in Abraham’s case, what need was there to devise trials for him which did not exist? Now this trial, it is evident, was by His command. The others indeed happened by His allowance, but this even by His command. If then temptations make men approved in such wise that, even where there is no occasion, God exercises His own athletes; much more ought we to bear all things nobly.

And here he said emphatically, “By faith, when he was tried, he offered up Isaac,” for there was no other cause for his bringing the offering but that.

[3.] After this he pursues the same thought. No one (he says) could allege, that he had another son, and expected the promise to be fulfilled from him, and therefore confidently offered up this one. “And” (his words are) “he offered up his only-begotten, who had received the promises.” Why sayest thou “only-begotten”? What then? Of whom was Ishmael sprung? I mean “only-begotten” (he would say) so far as relates to the word of the promise. Therefore after saying, “Only-begotten,” showing that he says it for this reason, he added, “of whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called,” that is, “from” him. Seest thou how he admires what was done by the Patriarch? “In Isaac shall thy seed be called,” and that son he brought to be sacrificed.

Afterwards, that no one may suppose he does this in despair, and in consequence of this command had cast away that Faith,604   conviction [?]. but may understand that this also was truly of faith, he says that he retained that faith also, although it seem to be at variance with this. But it was not at variance. For he did not measure the power of God by human reasonings, but committed all to faith. And hence he was not afraid to say, that God was “able to raise him up, even from the dead.”

“From whence also he received him in a figure,”605   ἐ ν παραβολῇ that is in idea,606   ἐ ν ὑποδείγματι, see c. ix. 9, 23 by the ram, he means. How? The ram having been slain, he was saved: so that by means of the ram he received him again, having slain it in his stead. But these things were types: for here it is the Son of God who is slain.

And observe, I beseech you, how great is His lovingkindness. For inasmuch as a great favor was to be given to men, He, wishing to do this, not by favor, but as a debtor, arranges that a man should first give up his own son on account of God’s command, in order that He Himself might seem to be doing nothing great in giving up His own Son, since a man had done this before Him; that He might be supposed to do it not of grace, but of debt. For we wish to do this kindness also to those whom we love, others, to appear first to have received some little thing from them, and so give them all: and we boast more of the receiving than of the giving; and we do not say, We gave him this, but, We received this from him.

“From whence also” (are his words) “he received him in a figure,” i.e. as in a riddle607   ἐ ν αἰνίγματι, where one thing is said, and another covertly meant: as the expression is used 1 Cor. xiii. 12 , of our present knowledge of the Blessedness of Heaven. (for the ram was as it were a figure of Isaac) or, as in a type. For since the sacrifice had been completed, and Isaac slain in purpose,608   τῇ προαιρέσει therefore He gave him to the Patriarch.

[4.] Thou seest, that what I am constantly saying, is shown in this case also? When we have proved that our mind is made perfect, and have shown that we disregard earthly things, then earthly things also are given to us; but not before; lest being bound to them already, receiving them we should be bound still. Loose thyself from thy slavery first (He says), and then receive, that thou mayest receive no longer as a slave, but as a master. Despise riches, and thou shalt be rich. Despise glory, and thou shalt be glorious. Despise the avenging thyself on thine enemies, and then shalt thou attain it. Despise repose, and then thou shalt receive it that in receiving thou mayest receive not as a prisoner, nor as a slave, but as a freeman.

For as in the case of little children, when the child eagerly desires childish playthings, we hide them from him with much care, as a ball, for instance, and such like things, that he may not be hindered from necessary things; but when he thinks little of them, and no longer longs for them, we give them fearlessly, knowing that henceforth no harm can come to him from them, the desire no longer having strength enough to draw him away from things necessary; so God also, when He sees that we no longer eagerly desire the things of this world, thenceforward permits us to use them. For we possess them as freemen and men, not as children.

For [in proof] that if thou despise the avenging thyself on thine enemies, thou wilt then attain it, hear what he says, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink,” and he added, “for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” ( Rom. xii. 20.) And again, that if thou despise riches, thou shalt then obtain them, hear Christ saying, “There is no man which hath left father, or mother, or house, or brethren, who shall not receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” ( Matt. xix. 29.) And that if thou despise glory, thou shalt then attain it, again hear Christ Himself saying, “He that will be first among you, let him be your minister.” ( Matt. xx. 26.) And again, “For whosoever shall humble himself, he shall be exalted.” ( Matt. xxiii. 12.)

What sayest thou? If I give drink to mine enemy, do I then punish him? If I give up my goods, do I then possess them? If I humble myself, shall I then be exalted? Yea, He says, for such is My power, to give contraries by means of contraries. I abound in resources and in contrivances: be not afraid. The ‘Nature of things’ follows My will: not I attend upon Nature. I do all things: I am not controlled by them: wherefore also I am able to change their form and order.

[5.] And why dost thou wonder if [it is so] in these instances? For thou wilt find the same also in all others. If thou injure, thou art injured;609   ἠ δικήθης if thou art injured, then thou art uninjured; if thou punish, then thou hast not punished another, but hast punished thyself. For “he that loveth iniquity,” it is said, “hateth his own soul.” ( Ps. xi. 5 , LXX.) Seest thou that thou dost not injure, but art injured?610   This reading, adopted by Mr. Field, is found only in one ms. followed by Savile and the later editions: the other authorities, including Mutianus’ version, have, “Seest thou that thou hast not been injured, but injurest?” Perhaps this may be the true reading, St Chrys. in these words turning his address to those who are suffering worldly wrong: and saying that if they patiently endure, they are not the sufferers, but inflict suffering on their oppressors, though the expression ἀ δικεις is very strong. Therefore also Paul says, “Why do ye not rather take wrong?” ( 1 Cor. vi. 7.) Dost thou see that this is not to be wronged?

When thou insultest, then art thou insulted. And most persons partly know this: as when they say one to another, “Let us go away, do not disgrace yourself.” Why? Because the difference is great between thee and him: for however much thou insultest him, he accounts it a credit. Let us consider this in all cases, and be above insults. I will tell you how.

Should we have a contest with him who wears the purple, let us consider that in insulting him, we insult ourselves, for we become worthy to be disgraced. Tell me, what dost thou mean? When thou art a citizen of Heaven, and hast the Philosophy that is above, dost thou disgrace thyself with him “that mindeth earthly things”? ( Philip. iii. 19.) For though he be in possession of countless riches, though he be in power, he does not as yet know the good that is therein. Do not in insulting him, insult thyself. Spare thyself, not him. Honor thyself, not him. Is there not some Proverb such as this, He that honoreth;611   or, “respects [another], respects,” &c. honoreth himself? With good reason: for he honors not the other, but himself. Hear what a certain wise man says, “Do honor to thy soul according to the dignity thereof.” ( Ecclus. x. 28.) “According to the dignity thereof,” what is this? if he have defrauded (it means), do not thou defraud; if he has insulted, do not thou insult.

[6.] Tell me, I pray thee, if some poor man has taken away clay thrown out of thy yard, wouldst thou for this have summoned a court of justice? Surely not. Why? Lest thou shouldst disgrace thyself; lest all men should condemn thee. The same also happens in this case. For the rich man is poor, and the more rich he is, the poorer is he in that which is indeed poverty. Gold is clay, cast out in the yard, not lying in thy house, for thy house is Heaven. For this, then, wilt thou summon a Court of Justice, and will not the citizens on high condemn thee? Will they not cast thee out from their country, who art so mean, who art so shabby, as to choose to fight for a little clay? For if the world were thine, and then some one had taken it, oughtest thou to pay any attention to it?

Knowest thou not, that if thou wert to take the world ten times or an hundred times, or ten thousand times, and twice that, it is not to be compared with the least of the good things in Heaven? He then who admires the things here slights those yonder, since he judges these worthy of exertion, though so far inferior to the other. Nay, rather indeed he will not be able to admire those other. For how [can he], whilst he is passionately excited towards these earthly things? Let us cut through the cords and entanglements: for this is what earthly things are.

How long shall we be stooping down? How long shall we plot one against another, like wild beasts; like fishes? Nay rather, the wild beasts do not plot against each other, but [against] animals of a different tribe. A bear for instance does not readily kill a bear, nor a serpent kill a serpent, having respect for the sameness of race. But thou, with one of the same race, and having innumerable claims,612   δικαιώματα as common origin, rational faculties, the knowledge of God, ten thousand other things, the force of nature, him who is thy kinsman, and partaker of the same nature—him thou killest, and involvest in evils innumerable. For what, if thou dost not thrust thy sword, nor plunge thy right hand into his neck, other things more grievous than this thou doest, when thou involvest him in innumerable evils. For if thou hadst done the other, thou wouldst have freed him from anxiety, but now thou encompassest him with hunger, with slavery, with feelings of discouragement, with many sins. These things I say, and shall not cease to say, not [as] preparing you to commit murder: nor as urging you to some crime short of that; but that you may not be confident, as if you were not to give account. “For” (it says) “he that taketh away a livelihood” ( Ecclus. xxxiv. 22 ) and asketh bread, it says.613   καὶ ἄρτον αἰτῶν, φησί. There is great variation in the mss. of this passage: and possibly the true reading is lost. St. Chrys. partly quotes Ecclus. xxxi. 22 of the Septuagint ( xxxiv. 22 of our Version), “He that taketh away his living slayeth his neighbor, and he that defraudeth the hireling of his hire is a blood-shedder.” As the text stands we must suppose that he is alluding to sayings which had become proverbial, and that his hearers would supply the words, “is a murderer” ; or “ is the same.”

[7.] Let us at length keep our hands to ourselves, or rather, let us not keep them, but stretch them out honorably, not for grasping, but for alms-giving. Let us not have our hand unfruitful nor withered; for the hand which doeth not alms is withered; and that which is also grasping, is polluted and unclean.

Let no one eat with such hands; for this is an insult to those invited. For, tell me, if a man when he had made us lie down on tapestry614   ταπήτων and a soft couch and linen interwoven with gold, in a great and splendid house, and had set by us a great multitude of attendants, and had prepared a tray615   πίνακα of silver and gold, and filled it with many dainties of great cost and of all sorts, then urged us to eat, provided we would only endure his besmearing his hands with mire or with human ordure, and so sitting down to meat with us—would any man endure this infliction? Would he not rather have considered it an insult? Indeed I think he would, and would have gone straightway off. But now in fact, thou seest not hands filled with what is indeed filth, but even the very food, and yet thou dost not go off, nor flee, nor find fault. Nay, if he be a person in authority, thou even accountest it a grand affair, and destroyest thine own soul, in eating such things. For covetousness is worse than any mire; for it pollutes, not the body but the soul, and makes it hard to be washed. Thou therefore, though thou seest him that sitteth at meat defiled with this filth both on his hands and his face, and his house filled with it, nay and his table also full of it (for dung, or if there be anything more unclean than that, it is not so unclean and polluted as those viands), dost thou feel as if forsooth thou wert highly honored, and as if thou wert going to enjoy thyself?

And dost thou not fear Paul who allows us to go without restraint to the Tables of the heathen if we wish, but not even if we wish to those of the covetous? For, “if any man who is called a Brother” ( 1 Cor. v. 11 ), he says, meaning here by Brother every one who is a believer simply, not him who leads a solitary life. For what is it which makes brotherhood? The Washing of regeneration; the being enabled to call God our Father. So that he that is a Monk, if he be a Catechumen, is not a Brother,616   It will be observed that the word πιστὸς, “believer,” means “one who believes and is baptized” : as opposed to the unbaptized, even though they believed and were so religious as to devote themselves to an ascetic life. Also, that at this time there were those who had given themselves up to an ascetic life and still deferred their Baptism, see St. Greg. Naz. Hom. xl. 18. In the later form of the text, this clause has been altered to “So that a Catechumen, even though he be a Monk, is not a brother.” but the believer though he be in the world, is a Brother. “If any man,” saith he, “that is called a Brother.” ( 1 Cor. v. 11.) For at that time there was not even a trace of any one leading a Monastic life, but this blessed [Apostle] addressed all his discourse to persons in the world. “If any man,” he says, “that is called a Brother, be a fornicator, or covetous or a drunkard, with such an one, no not to eat.” But not so with respect to the heathen: but “If any of them that believe not,” meaning the heathen, “bid you and ye be disposed to go, whatsoever is set before you eat.” ( 1 Cor. x. 27.)

[8.] “If any man that is called Brother be” (he says) “a drunkard.” Oh! what strictness! Yet we not only do not avoid drunkards, but even go to their houses, partaking of what they set before us.

Therefore all things are upside down, all things are in confusion, and overthrown, and ruined. For tell me, if any such person should invite thee to a banquet, thee who art accounted poor and mean, and then should hear thee say, “Inasmuch as the things set before me are [the fruit] of overreaching, I will not endure to defile my own soul,” would he not be mortified? Would he not be confounded? Would he not be ashamed? This alone were sufficient to correct him, and to make him call himself wretched for his wealth, and admire thee for thy poverty, if he saw himself with so great earnestness despised by thee.

But we “are become” (I know not why) “servants of men” ( 1 Cor. vii. 23 ), though Paul cries aloud throughout, “Be not ye the servants of men.” Whence then have we become “servants of men”? Because we first became servants of the belly, and of money, and of glory, and of all the rest; we gave up the liberty which Christ bestowed on us.

What then awaiteth him who is become a servant (tell me)? Hear Christ saying, “The servant abideth not in the house for ever.” ( John viii. 35.) Thou hast a declaration complete in itself, that he never entereth into the Kingdom; for this is what “the House” means. For, He says, “in My Father’s House are many mansions.” ( John xiv. 2.) “The servant” then “abideth not in the House for ever.” By a servant He means him who is “the servant of sin.” But he that “abideth not in the House for ever,” abideth in Hell for ever, having no consolation from any quarter.

Nay, to this point of wickedness are matters come, that they even give alms out of these [ill-gotten gains], and many receive [them]. Therefore our boldness has broken down, and we are not able to rebuke any one. But however, henceforward at least, let us flee the mischief arising from this; and ye who have rolled yourselves in this mire, cease from such defilement, and restrain your rage for such banquets, if even now we may by any means be able to have God propitious to us, and to attain to the good things which have been promised: which may we all obtain in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΚΕʹ. Πίστει προσενήνοχεν Ἀβραὰμ τὸν Ἰσαὰκ πειρα ζόμενος, καὶ τὸν μονογενῆ προσέφερεν ὁ τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ἀναδεξάμενος, πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη, Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα: λογισάμε νος ὅτι καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεός: ὅθεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν παραβολῇ ἐκομίσατο. αʹ. Μεγάλη ὄντως ἡ πίστις τοῦ Ἀβραάμ. Ἐπὶ μὲν γὰρ τοῦ Ἄβελ καὶ τοῦ Νῶε καὶ τοῦ Ἐνὼχ λογισμῶν ἦν μάχη μόνων, καὶ τοὺς ἀνθρωπίνους ὑπερβῆναι ἐχρῆν λογισμούς: ἐνταῦθα δὲ οὐ τοὺς ἀνθρωπίνους μόνον ὑπερβῆναι ἐχρῆν λογισμοὺς, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἕτερόν τι πλέον ἐπιδείξασθαι: τὰ γὰρ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐδόκει τοῖς τοῦ Θεοῦ μάχεσθαι, καὶ πίστις ἐμάχετο πίστει, καὶ πρόσταγμα ἐπαγγελίᾳ. Οἷόν τι λέγω: Εἶπεν: Ἔξελθε ἐκ τῆς γῆς σου, καὶ ἐκ τῆς συγγενείας σου, καὶ δώσω σοι τὴν γῆν ταύτην: καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ἐν αὐτῇ κληρονομίαν, οὐδὲ βῆμα ποδός. Ὁρᾷς πῶς τὰ γινόμενα τῇ ἐπαγγελίᾳ ἐμάχετο; Πάλιν φησίν: Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα, καὶ ἐπίστευσε: καὶ πάλιν λέγει: Θῦσον ἐμοὶ τοῦτον, τὸν μέλλοντα τὴν οἰκουμένην πᾶσαν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ πληροῦν. Εἶδες μάχην προσταγμάτων καὶ ἐπαγγελίας; Ἐναντία ταῖς ἐπαγγελίαις προσέταξε, καὶ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἰλιγγίασεν ὁ δίκαιος, οὐδὲ ἠπατῆσθαι ἔφη. Ὑμεῖς μὲν γὰρ, φησὶν, οὐκ ἂν ἔχοιτε τοῦτο εἰπεῖν, ὅτι ἄνεσιν ἐπηγγείλατο, καὶ θλῖψιν ἔδωκεν: ἐνταῦθα γὰρ ἅπερ ἐπηγγείλατο, ταῦτα καὶ ποιεῖ. Πῶς; Ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, φησὶ, θλῖψιν ἕξετε. Ὁ μὴ λαβὼν τὸν σταυρὸν αὑτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθῶν ἐμοὶ, οὐκ ἔστι μου ἄξιος. Ὁ μὴ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὑτοῦ, οὐ μὴ εὕρῃ αὐτήν: καί: Ὃς οὐκ ἀποτάσσεται, φησὶ, πᾶσι τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου, οὐκ ἔστι μου ἄξιος: καὶ πάλιν: Ἐπὶ ἡγεμόνας καὶ βασιλεῖς ἀχθήσεσθε ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ: καὶ πάλιν: Ἐχθροὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οἱ οἰκιακοὶ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ τὰ μὲν τῆς θλίψεως ὧδε: τὰ δὲ τῆς ἀνέσεως ἐκεῖ. Ἐπὶ δὲ τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ τοὐναντίον: ἐναντία ταῖς ὑποσχέσεσι προσετέτακτο ποιεῖν, καὶ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἐθορυβήθη, οὐδὲ ἰλιγγίασεν, οὐδὲ ἠπατῆσθαι ἐνόμισεν: ὑμεῖς δὲ οὐδὲν ἔξωθεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὑπομένετε, καὶ θορυβεῖσθε. Ἐκεῖνος ἐναντία ὧν ἐπηγγείλατο ἤκουσε παρὰ τοῦ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐκεῖνα ἐπαγγειλαμένου, καὶ οὐκ ἐθορυβεῖτο, ἀλλ' ὡς σύμφωνα ἔπραττε: καὶ γὰρ ἦν σύμφωνα, ἐναντία μὲν τοῖς λογισμοῖς τοῖς ἀνθρωπίνοις, σύμφωνα δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως: καὶ πῶς, αὐτὸς ἡμᾶς ἐδίδαξεν ὁ Ἀπόστολος, εἰπών: Λογισάμενος ὅτι καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεός. Ὃ δὲ λέγει, τοῦτό ἐστιν: Ἀπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς πίστεως, φησὶν, ἧς ἐπίστευσεν ὅτι οὐκ ὄντα χαρίσεται παῖδα, ἀπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς καὶ νεκρὸν ἐγείρειν, καὶ ὅτι σφαγιασθέντα ἀναστήσει, ἐπέπειστο. Ὁμοίως γὰρ ἄπορον ἦν, ἀνθρωπίνῳ λέγω λογισμῷ, καὶ ἐκ μήτρας νεκρᾶς καὶ γεγηρακυίας καὶ ἀχρήστου ἤδη γεγενημένης πρὸς παιδοποιίαν δοῦναι παιδίον, καὶ σφαγιασθέντα ἀναστῆσαι: ἀλλ' ὅμως ἐπείθετο: προωδοποίει γὰρ ἡ πίστις ἡ παρελθοῦσα τοῖς μέλλουσιν. Ἄλλως δὲ καὶ ὁ μὲν ἑώρα τὰ χρηστὰ πρῶτα, τὰ δὲ δυσχερῆ ὕστερα πρὸς τῷ γήρᾳ. Ὑμεῖς δὲ τοὐναντίον, φησὶ, τὰ μὲν σκυθρωπὰ πρῶτα, τὰ δὲ χρηστὰ τελευταῖα. Τοῦτο πρὸς τοὺς λέγειν τολμῶντας, ὅτι Μετὰ θάνατον ἡμῖν ἐπηγγείλατο τὰ ἀγαθὰ, ἠπάτησεν ἴσως ἡμᾶς. Δείκνυσιν, ὅτι καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεός: εἰ δὲ καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεὸς, πάντως πάντα ἀποδώσει. Εἰ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπίστευσε πρὸ τοσούτων ἐτῶν, ὅτι δυνατὸς ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν ὁ Θεὸς, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς πιστεύειν ὀφείλομεν. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι, ὅπερ ἔφθην εἰπὼν, οὔπω εἰσῆλθεν ὁ θάνατος, καὶ εὐθέως αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν τῆς ἀναστάσεως εἵλκυσεν ἐλπίδα, καὶ εἰς τοσαύτην πληροφορίαν ἤγαγεν, ὡς καὶ σφαγιάζειν τοὺς ἑαυτῶν υἱοὺς κελευομένους, καὶ ἀφ' ὧν προσεδόκων ἐμπλήσειν τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἑτοίμως τούτους προσάγειν; Καὶ ἕτερον δὲ δείκνυσιν ἐνταῦθα διὰ τοῦ εἰπεῖν, Ἐπείραζεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν Ἀβραάμ. Τί οὖν; οὐκ ᾔδει ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι γενναῖος ἦν καὶ δόκιμος ὁ ἀνήρ; Σφόδρα γε. Τίνος οὖν ἕνεκεν ἐπείραζεν αὐτὸν, εἰ ᾔδει; Οὐχ ἵνα αὐτὸς μάθῃ, ἀλλ' ἵνα τοῖς ἄλλοις δείξῃ, καὶ κατάδηλον αὐτοῦ τὴν ἀνδρείαν πᾶσι καταστήσῃ. Καὶ δείκνυσιν ἐνταῦθα καὶ τῶν πειρασμῶν τὴν αἰτίαν, ἵνα μὴ νομίζωσιν, ὡς ἐγκαταλελειμμένοι ταῦτα πάσχειν. Ἐνταῦθα μὲν γὰρ καὶ ἀνάγκη πειράζεσθαι, διὰ τὸ πολλοὺς ἔχειν τοὺς ἐλαύνοντας καὶ τοὺς ἐπιβουλεύοντας: ἐκεῖ δὲ ποία ἀνάγκη ἦν τοὺς οὐκ ὄντας αὐτῷ πειρασμοὺς ἐπινοεῖν; Οὗτος τοίνυν ὁ πειρασμὸς δῆλος ἦν ὅτι αὐτοῦ προστάττοντος ἐγίνετο. Οἱ μὲν οὖν ἄλλοι συγχωροῦντος αὐτοῦ συνέβαινον, οὗτος δὲ καὶ προστάττοντος. Εἰ τοίνυν οὕτω δοκίμους τὰ τῶν πειρασμῶν ποιεῖ, ὡς καὶ μὴ οὔσης αἰτίας τὸν Θεὸν γυμνάζειν τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ ἀθλητάς: πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἡμᾶς φέρειν πάντα χρὴ γενναίως. Ἐμφαντικῶς δὲ εἶπεν ἐνταῦθα, ὅτι Πίστει προσενήνοχε τὸν Ἰσαὰκ, πειραζόμενος: οὐδεμία γὰρ ἄλλη αἰτία ἦν προσαγωγῆς ἢ αὕτη. Εἶτα ἐπεξέρχεται τῷ νοήματι. Οὐκ ἔχει, φησὶν, εἰπεῖν, ὅτι καὶ ἄλλον εἶχεν υἱὸν, καὶ ἐξ ἐκείνου προσεδόκα τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν πληρωθήσεσθαι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο θαῤῥῶν τοῦτον προσήνεγκε. Καὶ τὸν μονογενῆ, φησὶ, προσέφερεν ὁ τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ἀναδεξάμενος. Τί λέγεις μονογενῆ; τί οὖν ὁ Ἰσμαήλ; πόθεν ἦν; Μονογενῆ λέγω, φησὶν, ὅσον εἰς τὸν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας λόγον: διὰ γὰρ τοῦτο προσέθηκεν, εἰπὼν Μονογενῆ, δεικνὺς ὅτι διὰ τοῦτον καὶ λέγει: Πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη, ὅτι Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα, τουτέστιν, ἐξ αὐτοῦ. Ὁρᾷς πῶς θαυμάζει τὸ παρὰ τοῦ πατριάρχου γινόμενον; Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ, ἤκουσε, κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα, καὶ προσέφερε σφάγιον τὸν υἱόν. Εἶτα, ἵνα μή τις νομίσῃ, ὅτι ἀπογνοὺς τοῦτο ἐποίει, καὶ διὰ τοῦ προστάγματος τούτου τὴν πίστιν ἐξέβαλεν ἐκείνην, ἀλλὰ μάθῃ, ὅτι ὄντως καὶ τοῦτο πίστεως ἦν, φησὶν ὅτι κἀκείνην εἶχε τὴν πίστιν, καίτοι γε δοκοῦσαν ταύτῃ μάχεσθαι: ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐμάχετο: οὐ γὰρ λογισμοῖς ἀνθρωπίνοις ἐμέτρει τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν δύναμιν, ἀλλὰ τῇ πίστει πάντα ἐπέτρεπε. Διὸ οὐδὲ δέδοικεν εἰπεῖν, ὅτι Καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεός. Ὅθεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν παραβολῇ ἐκομίσατο, τουτέστιν, ἐν ὑποδείγματι, ἐν τῷ κριῷ, φησί. Πῶς; Τοῦ γὰρ κριοῦ σφαγιασθέντος οὗτος ἐσώθη: ὥστε διὰ τοῦ κριοῦ αὐτὸν ἔλαβεν, ἀντὶ τούτου σφάξας ἐκεῖνον. Ταῦτα δὲ τύποι τινὲς ἦσαν: ἐνταῦθα γὰρ ὁ Υἱός ἐστι τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ σφαγιαζόμενος. Καὶ θέα μοι τὴν φιλανθρωπίαν, ὅση ἦν: ἐπειδὴ γὰρ μεγάλη τις ἔμελλε δίδοσθαι χάρις τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, βουλόμενος μὴ χάριτι αὐτὸ ποιῆσαι, ἀλλ' ὡς ὀφειλέτης, παρασκευάζει πρῶτον ἄνθρωπον τὸν υἱὸν τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἐπιδοῦναι ὑπὲρ τοῦ προστάγματος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἵνα μηδὲν δόξῃ μέγα ποιεῖν, τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἐπιδιδοὺς Υἱὸν, εἴ γε ἄνθρωπος πρὸ αὐτοῦ τοῦτο ἐποίησεν, ἵνα μὴ χάριτι μόνον νομισθῇ τοῦτο ποιεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὀφειλῇ. Οὓς γὰρ ἂν φιλῶμεν, καὶ τοῦτο αὐτοῖς χαρίζεσθαι βουλόμεθα, τὸ δοκεῖν παρ' αὐτῶν τι πρότερον λαβόντας μικρὸν, οὕτως αὐτοῖς τὸ πᾶν διδόναι: καὶ καυχώμεθα ἐπὶ τῇ λήψει μᾶλλον ἢ ἐπὶ τῇ δόσει, καὶ οὐ λέγομεν, Τόδε ἐδώκαμεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ Τόδε ἐλάβομεν παρ' αὐτοῦ. Ὅθεν αὐτὸν, φησὶ, καὶ ἐν παραβολῇ ἐκομίσατο, τουτέστιν, ὡς ἐν αἰνίγματι: ὥσπερ γὰρ παραβολὴ ἦν ὁ κριὸς τοῦ Ἰσαάκ: ἢ ὡς ἐν τῷ τύπῳ. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἀπήρτιστο ἡ θυσία καὶ ἔσφακτο ὁ Ἰσαὰκ τῇ προαιρέσει, διὰ τοῦτο αὐτὸν χαρίζεται τῷ πατριάρχῃ. βʹ. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι ὃ ἀεὶ λέγω, τοῦτο καὶ νῦν δείκνυται; Ὅταν γὰρ παραστήσωμεν ἡμῶν τὴν διάνοιαν ἀπηρτισμένην, καὶ δείξωμεν ὅτι ὑπερορῶμεν τῶν γηΐνων πραγμάτων, τότε ἡμῖν καὶ τὰ γήϊνα χαρίζεται, πρότερον δὲ οὒ, ἵνα μὴ τὸ λαβεῖν προσδεδεμένους ἡμᾶς αὐτοῖς ἔτι προσδήσῃ. Λῦσον, φησὶ, σαυτὸν πρῶτον τῆς δουλείας, καὶ τότε λάβε, ἵνα μηκέτι ὡς δοῦλος λάβῃς, ἀλλ' ὡς δεσπότης: καταφρόνησον πλούτου, καὶ ἔσῃ πλούσιος: καταφρόνησον δόξης, καὶ ἔσῃ ἔνδοξος: καταφρόνησον τῆς τιμωρίας τῶν ἐχθρῶν, καὶ τότε αὐτῆς ἐπιτεύξῃ: καταφρόνησον ἀνέσεως, καὶ τότε αὐτὴν λήψῃ: ἵνα λαβὼν, μὴ ὡς δέσμιος λάβῃς, μηδὲ ὡς δοῦλος, ἀλλ' ὡς ἐλεύθερος. Καθάπερ γὰρ ἐπὶ τῶν παιδίων τῶν μικρῶν, ὅταν μὲν ἐπιθυμῇ τὸ παιδίον παιδικῶν ἀθυρμάτων, μετὰ πολλῆς σπουδῆς ἐκεῖνα κρύπτομεν, οἷον σφαῖραν καὶ ὅσα τοιαῦτα, ἵνα μὴ ἐμποδίζηται τῶν ἀναγκαίων: ὅταν δὲ αὐτῶν καταφρονήσῃ καὶ μηκέτι ἐπιθυμῇ, ἀδεῶς αὐτῶν μεταδιδόαμεν, εἰδότες ὡς οὐδεμία βλάβη λοιπὸν αὐτῷ ἐντεῦθεν γίνεται, τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ἐκείνης οὐκέτι ἰσχυούσης ἀπαγαγεῖν αὐτὸν τῶν ἀναγκαίων: οὕτω καὶ ὁ Θεὸς, ὅταν ἴδῃ μηκέτι ἐπιθυμοῦντας τῶν ἐνταῦθα, λοιπὸν ἀφίησιν αὐτοῖς κεχρῆσθαι: ὡς γὰρ ἐλεύθεροι καὶ ἄνδρες αὐτὰ ἔχομεν, οὐχ ὡς παῖδες. Ὅτι γὰρ, ἐὰν καταφρονήσῃς τῆς τιμωρίας τῶν ἐχθρῶν, τότε ἐπιτεύξῃ, ἄκουε τί φησιν: Ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν: ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν: καὶ ἐπήγαγε: Τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν, ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ πάλιν, ὅτι ἐὰν καταφρονήσῃς τοῦ πλούτου, τότε αὐτοῦ ἐπιτεύξῃ, ἄκουε τοῦ Χριστοῦ λέγοντος: Οὐκ ἔστιν ὃς ἀφῆκε πατέρα, ἢ μητέρα, ἢ οἰκίαν, ἢ ἀδελφοὺς, ὃς οὐχὶ ἑκατονταπλασίονα λήψεται, καὶ ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσει. Καὶ ὅτι ἐὰν καταφρονήσῃς δόξης, τότε αὐτῆς ἐπιτεύξῃ, ἄκουε αὐτοῦ πάλιν τοῦ Χριστοῦ λέγοντος: Ὁ θέλων ἐν ὑμῖν πρῶτος εἶναι, ἔστω ὑμῶν διάκονος: καὶ πάλιν, Ὃς γὰρ ἂν ταπεινώσῃ ἑαυτὸν, οὗτος ὑψωθήσεται. Τί λέγεις; ἐὰν ποτίσω τὸν ἐχθρὸν τότε αὐτὸν κολάζω; ἐὰν ἀφῶ τὰ ὑπάρχοντα, τότε αὐτὰ ἔχω; ἐὰν ταπεινώσω ἐμαυτὸν, τότε ὑψηλὸς ἔσομαι; Ναὶ, φησί: τοιαύτη γὰρ ἡ ἐμὴ δύναμις, διὰ τῶν ἐναντίων τὰ ἐναντία παρέχει εὔπορός εἰμι καὶ εὐμήχανος, μὴ δείσῃς: τῷ ἐμῷ θελήματι ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀκολουθεῖ φύσις, οὐκ ἐγὼ τῇ φύσει ἕπομαι: ἐγὼ πάντα ἐργάζομαι, οὐκ ἐγὼ ὑπ' ἐκείνων ἄγομαι: διὸ καὶ μεταπλάττειν καὶ μεταῤῥυθμίζειν αὐτὰ δύναμαι. Καὶ τί θαυμάζεις εἰ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις γίνεται τὸ τοιοῦτο; τὸ αὐτὸ γὰρ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλοις ἅπασιν εὑρήσεις. Ἐὰν γὰρ ἀδικήσῃς, ἠδικήθης: ἐὰν ἀδικηθῇς, τότε οὐκ ἠδικήθης: ἐὰν ἀμύνῃ, τότε οὐκ ἠμύνω, ἀλλὰ σαυτὸν ἠμύνω. Ὁ γὰρ ἀγαπῶν τὴν ἀδικίαν, φησὶ, μισεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐκ ἀδικεῖς, ἀλλ' ἠδικήθης; Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὁ Παῦλός φησι: Διὰ τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀδικεῖσθε; Εἶδες ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι τοῦτο ἀδικεῖσθαι; Ὅταν ὑβρίσῃς, τότε ὑβρίσθης. Καὶ τοῦτο ἐκ μέρους ἴσασιν οἱ πολλοί: ὡς ὅταν λέγωσι πρὸς ἀλλήλους, Ἄγωμεν ἐντεῦθεν, μὴ ὑβρίσῃς σαυτόν. Διὰ τί; Ὅτι πολὺ τὸ μέσον σοῦ κἀκείνου: ὅσα γὰρ ἂν ὑβρίσῃς, ἐκεῖνος δόξαν ἡγεῖται. Τοῦτο ἐπὶ πάντων ἐννοῶμεν, καὶ γινόμεθα ὑψηλότεροι τῶν ὕβρεων. Πῶς, ἐγὼ λέγω: ἐὰν πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν τὴν ἁλουργίδα ἔχοντα μάχην ἔχωμεν, τῷ ὑβρίζειν αὐτὸν ἡμᾶς αὐτοὺς ὑβρίζειν ἡγούμεθα: καὶ γὰρ πλύνοντες ἐκεῖνον, καὶ ἡμεῖς τοῦ πλύνεσθαι ἄξιοι γινόμεθα. Τί λέγεις, εἰπέ μοι; τῶν οὐρανῶν πολίτης ὢν, καὶ τὴν ἄνω φιλοσοφίαν ἔχων, μετὰ τοῦ τὰ γήϊνα φρονοῦντος πλύνεις σαυτόν; Κἂν γὰρ μυρία χρήματα κέκτηται, κἂν ἐν δυναστείᾳ ᾖ, οὔπω οἶδε τὸ καλὸν τὸ σόν. Μὴ ὑβρίσῃς σαυτὸν, ἐκεῖνον ὑβρίζων: σαυτοῦ φεῖσαι, μὴ ἐκείνου: σαυτὸν τίμησον, μὴ ἐκεῖνον. Οὐχὶ παροιμία τοιαύτη ἐστὶν, Ὁ τιμῶν, ἑαυτὸν τιμᾷ; Εἰκότως: οὐ γὰρ ἐκεῖνον τιμᾷ, ἀλλ' ἑαυτόν. Ἄκουε σοφοῦ τινος λέγοντος: Ποίησον τῇ ψυχῇ σου τιμὴν κατὰ τὴν ἀξίαν αὐτῆς. Τί ἐστι, Κατὰ τὴν ἀξίαν αὐτῆς; Εἰ ἐπλεονέκτησε, φησὶ, μὴ πλεονεκτήσῃς: εἰ ὕβρισε, μὴ ὑβρίσῃς. Εἰπέ μοι, παρακαλῶ, εἴ τις πένης πηλὸν ἐῤῥιμμένον ἀπὸ τῆς αὐλῆς ἔλαβε τῆς σῆς, ἆρα ἂν ὑπὲρ τούτου δικαστήριον αὐτῷ συνεκρότησας; Οὐδαμῶς. Διὰ τί; Ἵνα μὴ ὑβρίσῃς σαυτὸν, ἵνα μὴ πάντες σου καταγνῶσι. Τοῦτο καὶ νῦν γίνεται: πένης γάρ ἐστιν ὁ πλούσιος, καὶ ὅσῳ πλουτεῖ, τοσούτῳ πένης γίνεται τὴν ὄντως πενίαν. Πηλός ἐστιν ὁ χρυσὸς, ἐν αὐλῇ ἐῤῥιμμένος, οὐκ ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ σου κείμενος: ἡ γὰρ οἰκίᾳ σου ὁ οὐρανός ἐστιν. Ὑπὲρ τούτου οὖν συγκροτήσεις δικαστήριον, καὶ οὐ καταγνώσονταί σου οἱ ἄνω πολῖται; οὐκ ἐκβαλοῦσί σε τῆς ἑαυτῶν πατρίδος, τὸν οὕτω ταπεινὸν, τὸν οὕτως εὐτελῆ, ὡς ὑπὲρ ὀλίγου πηλοῦ μάχεσθαι αἱρεῖσθαι; Εἰ γὰρ ὁ κόσμος ἦν σὸς, εἶτα αὐτόν τις ἔλαβεν, ἐπιστραφῆναι ἐχρῆν. γʹ. Οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι δεκάκις τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐὰν θῇς, καὶ ἑκατοντάκις, καὶ μυριάκις, καὶ δὶς τοσοῦτον, οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ πολλοστὸν μέρος τῶν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἐστιν ἀγαθῶν; Ὁ τοίνυν τὰ ἐνταῦθα θαυμάζων, ἐκεῖνα ὕβρισεν, εἴ γε ταῦτα ἄξια σπουδῆς ἡγεῖται, τοσοῦτον ἐκείνων ἀπολιμπανόμενα: μᾶλλον δὲ οὐδὲ θαυμάσαι ἐκεῖνα δυνήσεται: πῶς γὰρ, πρὸς ταῦτα ἐπτοημένος; Διατέμωμεν ὀψὲ γοῦν ποτε, παρακαλῶ, τὰ σχοινία καὶ τὰς πλεκτάνας: τοῦτο γὰρ τὰ γήϊνα πράγματα. Μέχρι πότε κάτω κύπτομεν; μέχρι τίνος ἀλλήλοις ἐπιβουλεύομεν, καθάπερ τὰ θηρία, καθάπερ οἱ ἰχθύες; Μᾶλλον δὲ, τὰ θηρία οὐκ ἐπιβουλεύει ἀλλήλοις, ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις: οἷον, ἄρκτος ἄρκτον οὐκ ἀναιρεῖ ταχέως, οὐδὲ ὄφις ὄφιν ἀναιρεῖ, τὸ ὁμόφυλον αἰδούμενος: σὺ δὲ μετὰ τοῦ ὁμοφύλου καὶ μυρία ἔχων δικαιώματα, τὸ συγγενὲς, τὸ λογικὸν, τὸ τὸν Θεὸν εἰδέναι, τῆς φύσεως τὴν ἰσχὺν, μυρία ἄλλα ἕτερα, τὸν συγγενῆ καὶ τῆς αὐτῆς φύσεως κεκοινωνηκότα, τοῦτον ἀναιρεῖς, καὶ μυρίοις περιβάλλεις κακοῖς. Τί γὰρ, εἰ μὴ τὸ ξίφος ὠθεῖς, μηδὲ βαπτίζεις εἰς τὴν δέρην τὴν δεξιάν; ἕτερα χαλεπώτερα τούτου ποιεῖς, λύπαις διηνεκέσι περιβάλλων. Ἐκεῖνο γὰρ εἰ εἰργάσω, ἀπήλλαξας ἂν αὐτὸν φροντίδος: νῦν δὲ λιμῷ καὶ δουλείᾳ περιβάλλεις, ἀποδυσπετήσεσι καὶ ἁμαρτίαις ἑτέραις πολλαῖς. Ταῦτα λέγω, καὶ λέγων οὐ παύσομαι, οὐχὶ φονᾷν ὑμᾶς παρασκευάζων, οὐδὲ ὡς ἐπὶ ἔλαττον ἐκείνου κακὸν ἔρχεσθαι πρὸς τοῦτο προτρεπόμενος, ἀλλὰ μὴ θαῤῥεῖν, ὡς μὴ μέλλοντας δώσειν δίκην. Ὁ ἀφαιρούμενος γὰρ, φησὶν, ἐμβίωσιν τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρτον, φονεύει αὐτόν. Κατάσχωμεν παρ' ἑαυτοῖς τὰς χεῖράς ποτε, παρακαλῶ, κατάσχωμεν: μᾶλλον δὲ μὴ κατάσχωμεν, ἀλλ' ἐκτείνωμεν αὐτὰς καλῶς, μὴ πρὸς πλεονεξίαν, ἀλλὰ πρὸς ἐλεημοσύνην: μὴ ἄκαρπον ἔχωμεν τὴν χεῖρα, μηδὲ ξηράν: ἡ μὲν γὰρ μὴ ποιοῦσα ἐλεημοσύνην, ξηρά: ἡ δὲ καὶ πλεονεκτοῦσα, μιαρὰ καὶ ἀκάθαρτος. Μηδεὶς μετὰ τοιούτων ἐσθιέτω χειρῶν: ὕβρις γὰρ τῶν κεκλημένων τοῦτο. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, εἴ τις ἐπὶ ταπήτων καὶ στρωμνῆς ἁπαλῆς καὶ χρυσοπάστων σινδόνων κατακλίνας ἡμᾶς ἐν οἴκῳ λαμπρῷ καὶ μεγάλῳ, καὶ πολὺ πλῆθος διακόνων παραστησάμενος, εἶτα πίνακα ἐξ ἀργύρου παρασκευασάμενος καὶ χρυσοῦ, καὶ πολλῶν ἐμπλήσας ἐδεσμάτων καὶ πολυτελῶν καὶ παντοδαπῶν, ἠνάγκαζεν ἐσθίειν: εἰ μόνον ἀνεξόμεθα αὐτοῦ τὰς χεῖρας εἰς βόρβορον χρίοντος ἢ καὶ κόπρον ἀνθρωπίνην, καὶ οὕτω συγκατακλινομένου, ἆρα ἄν τις ταύτην ἠνέσχετο τὴν κόλασιν, ἀλλ' οὐχ ὕβριν τὸ πρᾶγμα ἐνόμιζεν ἄν; Ἔγωγε οἶμαι, καὶ εὐθέως ἂν ἀπεπήδησε. Νῦν δὲ βορβόρου τοῦ ὄντως οὐχὶ τὰς χεῖρας ὁρᾷς ἐμπεπλησμένας, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὰ τὰ ἐδέσματα, καὶ οὐκ ἀποπηδᾷς, οὐκ ἀποφεύγεις, οὐκ ἐπιτιμᾷς: ἀλλ' ἐὰν ἐν δυναστείᾳ ᾖ, καὶ μέγα τὸ πρᾶγμα τίθεσαι, καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν ἀπολλύεις τὴν σαυτοῦ, τοιαῦτα σιτούμενος. Παντὸς γὰρ βορβόρου πλεονεξία χείρων: ψυχὴν γὰρ, οὐ σῶμα μολύνει, καὶ ποιεῖ δυσέκπλυτον. Σὺ τοίνυν ὁρῶν τοῦ βορβόρου τούτου ἀνακεχρωσμένον μὲν τὸν κατακλινόμενον, καὶ τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν ὄψιν, ἐμπεπλησμένην δὲ τὴν οἰκίαν, ἐμπεπλησμένην δὲ καὶ τὴν τράπεζαν (βολβίτων γὰρ, καὶ εἴ τι τούτων χεῖρον, ἀκαθαρτότερα ἐκεῖνα καὶ μιαρώτερα τὰ ἐδέσματα), ὡς δὴ τιμηθεὶς διάκεισαι, καὶ ὡς μέλλων τρυφᾷν; καὶ οὐδὲ τὸν Παῦλον δέδοικας, εἰς μὲν Ἑλλήνων τράπεζαν, εἰ βουλοίμεθα, ἀκωλύτως συγχωροῦντα ἀπελθεῖν, εἰς δὲ τὰς τῶν πλεονεκτῶν οὐδὲ βουλομένους ἐῶντα; Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἀδελφὸς ὀνομαζόμενος, ᾖ, φησὶ, πόρνος: ἀδελφὸν ἐνταῦθα λέγων πάντα τὸν πιστὸν ἁπλῶς, οὐ τὸν μονάζοντα. Τί γάρ ἐστι τὸ ποιοῦν τὴν ἀδελφότητα; τὸ λουτρὸν τῆς παλιγγενεσίας, τὸ δυνηθῆναι καλέσαι Πατέρα τὸν Θεόν. Ὥστε ὁ μὲν κατηχούμενος, κἂν μοναχὸς ᾖ, οὐκ ἀδελφός: ὁ δὲ πιστὸς, κἂν κοσμικὸς ᾖ, ἀδελφός ἐστιν. Εἴ τις, φησὶν, ἀδελφὸς ὀνομαζόμενος. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἴχνος τότε μονάζοντος ἦν, ἀλλὰ πάντα πρὸς κοσμικοὺς διελέγετο ὁ μακάριος οὗτος. Ἐάν τις, φησὶν, ἀδελφὸς ὀνομαζόμενος, ᾖ πόρνος, ἢ πλεονέκτης, ἢ μέθυσος, τῷ τοιούτῳ μηδὲ συνεσθίειν. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐπὶ τῶν Ἑλλήνων οὕτως, ἀλλὰ τί; Ἐάν τις ὑμᾶς καλέσῃ τῶν ἀπίστων, τοὺς Ἕλληνας λέγων, καὶ θέλητε πορεύεσθαι, πᾶν τὸ παρατιθέμενον ὑμῖν ἐσθίετε. Ἐὰν δέ τις ἀδελφὸς ὀνομαζόμενος, ᾖ, φησὶ, μέθυσος. δʹ. Βαβαὶ, πόση ἡ ἀκρίβεια! ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐ μόνον οὐ φεύγομεν τοὺς μεθύσους, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀπερχόμεθα πρὸς αὐτοὺς, μεθέξοντες τῶν παρ' αὐτῶν. Διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ἄνω καὶ κάτω γεγένηται, πάντα συγκέχυται καὶ ἀνατέτραπται καὶ ἀπόλωλεν. Εἰπὲ γάρ μοι, εἰ καλέσειέ σέ τις τῶν τοιούτων ἐπὶ ἑστίασιν ἡτοιμασμένην, σὲ τὸν πένητα καὶ εὐτελῆ νομιζόμενον, εἶτα ἀκούσειε παρὰ σοῦ ὅτι ἐπειδὴ ἀπὸ πλεονεξίας ἐστὶ τὰ παρατιθέμενα, οὐκ ἀνέξομαι μολύνειν τὴν ἐμαυτοῦ ψυχὴν, οὐκ ἂν ᾐδέσθη; οὐκ ἂν ἐνετράπη; οὐκ ἂν κατῃσχύνθη; Τοῦτο μόνον ἱκανὸν ἦν διορθῶσαι, καὶ ποιῆσαι ταλανίσαι μὲν ἐπὶ τῷ πλούτῳ ἑαυτὸν, θαυμάσαι δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ πενίᾳ σε, εἴ γε ἑώρα ἑαυτὸν μετὰ τοσαύτης σπουδῆς καταφρονούμενον παρὰ σοῦ. Ἀλλὰ γεγόναμεν δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων, οὐκ οἶδα πόθεν, τοῦ Παύλου ἄνω καὶ κάτω βοῶντος: Μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων. Πόθεν οὖν γεγόναμεν δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων; Ἐπειδὴ πρότερον γαστρὸς ἐγενόμεθα δοῦλοι καὶ χρημάτων καὶ δόξης καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων: προεδώκαμεν τὴν ἐλευθερίαν, ἣν ἐχαρίσατο ἡμῖν ὁ Χριστός. Τί οὖν μένει τὸν γενόμενον δοῦλον, εἰπέ μοι; Ἄκουε τοῦ Χριστοῦ λέγοντος: Ὁ δοῦλος οὐ μένει ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Ἔχεις ἀπόφασιν αὐτοτελῆ, ὅτι οὐδέποτε εἰς βασιλείαν εἰσέρχεται: ἡ γὰρ οἰκία τοῦτό ἐστιν. Ἐν γὰρ τῇ οἰκίᾳ, φησὶ, τοῦ Πατρός μου μοναὶ πολλαί εἰσιν. Ὁ τοίνυν δοῦλος οὐ μένει ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα: δοῦλον ἐκεῖνον λέγει τὸν τῆς ἁμαρτίας δοῦλον: ὁ δὲ μὴ μένων ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἐν τῇ γεέννῃ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, οὐδαμόθεν ἔχων παραμυθίαν. Ἀλλὰ γὰρ εἰς τοσοῦτον κακίας τὰ πράγματα ἦλθεν, ὡς καὶ ἐλεημοσύνας αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τούτων ποιεῖν, καὶ πολλοὺς δέχεσθαι. Διὰ τοῦτο ἡ παῤῥησία ἡμῶν ἐκκέκοπται, καὶ οὐδὲ ἐπιτιμῆσαί τινι δυνάμεθα. Ἀλλ' ὅμως κἂν ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν φεύγωμεν τὴν ἐντεῦθεν βλάβην: ὑμεῖς τε οἱ τὸν βόρβορον τοῦτον ἀνελίττοντες, παύσασθε τῆς τοιαύτης λύμης, καὶ ἐπίσχετε τὴν ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις συμποσίοις ὁρμὴν, εἴ πως κἂν νῦν δυνηθῶμεν ἐξιλεώσασθαι τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ τυχεῖν τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων ἀγαθῶν: ὧν γένοιτο πάντας ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.