John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew

“And Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked Him, saying, Art thou the king of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.”3056 [The article is omitted before “elders,” as in the best New Testament mss. In all other details the agreement with the received text is exact.—R.]

Seest thou what He is first asked? which thing most of all they were continually bringing forward in every way? For since they saw Pilate making no account of the matters of the law, they direct their accusation to the state charges. So likewise did they in the case of the apostles, ever bringing forward these things, and saying that they were going about proclaiming king one Jesus,3057 Acts xvii. 7.speaking as of a mere man, and investing them with a suspicion of usurpation.

Whence it is manifest, that both the rending the garment and the amazement were a pretense. But all things they got up, and plied, in order to bring Him to death.

This at any rate Pilate then asked. What then said Christ? “Thou sayest.” He confessed that He was a king, but a heavenly king, which elsewhere also He spake more clearly, replying to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world;”3058 John xviii. 36.that neither they nor this man should have an excuse for accusing Him of such things. And He gives a reason that cannot be gainsaid, saying, “If I were of this world, my servants would fight, that I should not be delivered.” For this purpose I say, in order to refute this suspicion, He both paid tribute,3059 Matt. xxii. 17.and commanded others to pay it, and when they would make Him a king, He fled.3060 John vi. 15.

Wherefore then did he not bring forward these things, it may be said, at that time, when accused of usurpation? Because having the proofs from His acts, of His power, His meekness, His gentleness, beyond number, they were willfully blind, and dealt unfairly, and the tribunal was corrupt. For these reasons then He replies to nothing, but holds His peace, yet answering briefly (so as not to get the reputation of arrogance from continual silence) when the high priest adjured Him, when the governor asked, but in reply to their accusations He no longer saith anything; for He was not now likely to persuade them. Even as the prophet declaring this self-same thing from of old, said, “In His humiliation His judgment was taken away.”3061 Isa. liii. 8, LXX., see margin of our version.

At these things the governor marvelled, and indeed it was worthy of admiration to see Him showing such great forbearance, and holding His peace, Him that had countless things to say. For neither did they accuse Him from knowing of any evil thing in Him, but from jealousy and envy only. At least when they had set false witness, wherefore, having nothing to say, did they still urge their point? and when they saw Judas was dead, and that Pilate had washed his hands of it, why were they not pricked with remorse. For indeed He did many things even at the very time, that they might recover themselves, but by none were they amended.

What then saith Pilate? “Hearest thou not how many things these witness against thee?”3062 Matt. xxvii. 10. [The word “these” is peculiar to this citation.—R.] He wished that He should defend Himself and be acquitted, wherefore also he said these things; but since He answered nothing, he devises another thing again.

Of what nature was this? It was a custom for them to release one of the condemned, and by this means he attempted to deliver Him. For if you are not willing to release Him as innocent, yet as guilty pardon Him for the feast’s sake.

Seest thou order reversed? For the petition in behalf of the condemned it was customary to be with the people, and the granting it with the rulers; but now the contrary hath come to pass, and the ruler petitions the people; and not even so do they become gentle, but grow more savage and bloodthirsty, driven to frenzy by the passion of envy. For neither had they whereof they should accuse Him, and this though He was silent, but they were refuted even then by reason of the abundance of His righteous deeds, and being silent He overcame them that say ten thousand things, and are maddened.

“And when he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, have thou nothing to do with this just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.”3063 Matt. xxvii. 19. [The readings ἔπεμψε for ἀπστειλεν, and τοτ for ἐκεινω, are peculiar. R.V., “And while he was sitting on the,” etc.—R.] See what a thing takes place again, sufficient to recall them all. For together with the proof from the things done, the dream too was no small thing. And wherefore doth he not see it himself? Either because she was more worthy, or because he, if he had seen it, would not have been equally believed; or would not so much as have told it. Therefore it was ordered that the wife should see it, so that it might be manifest to all. And she doth not merely see it, but also suffers many things, that from his feeling towards his wife, the man may be made more reluctant to the murder. And the time too contributed not a little, for on the very night she saw it.

But it was not safe, it may be said, for him to let Him go, because they said He made Himself a king. He ought then to have sought for proofs, and a conviction, and for all the things that are infallible signs of an usurpation, as, for instance, whether He levied forces, whether He collected money, whether He forged arms, whether He attempted any other such thing. But he is led away at random, therefore neither doth Christ acquit him of the blame, in saying, “He that betrayeth me unto thee hath greater sin.”3064 John xix. 11. [“delivereth” is preferable, since the reference is not necessarily to Judas. Similarly in R.V.—R.] So that it was from weakness that he yielded and scourged Him, and delivered Him up.

He then was unmanly and weak; but the chief priests wicked and criminal. For since he had found out a device, namely, the law of the feast requiring him to release a condemned person, what do they contrive in opposition to that? “They persuaded the multitude,” it is said, “that they should ask Barabbas.”3065 Matt. xxvii. 20. [R.V., “ask for;” but the form of the verb in the Homily is peculiar.—R.]

2. See how much care he taketh for them to relieve them from blame, and how much diligence they employed, so as not to leave to themselves so much as a shadow of an excuse. For which was right? to let go the acknowledged criminal, or Him about whose guilt there was a question? For, if in the case of acknowledged offenders it was fit there should be a liberation, much more in those of whom there was a doubt. For surely this man did not seem to them worse than acknowledged murderers. For on this account, it is not merely said they had a robber; but one noted, that is, who was infamous in wickedness, who had perpetrated countless murders. But nevertheless even him did they prefer to the Saviour of the world, and neither did they reverence the season because it was holy, nor the laws of humanity, nor any other thing of the kind, but envy had once for all blinded them. And besides their own wickedness, they corrupt the people also, that for deceiving them too they might suffer the most extreme punishment.

Since therefore they ask for the other, he saith, “What shall I do then with the Christ,”3066 Matt. xxvii. 22. [Abridged, but given in full in some editions of the Homily.—R.]in this way desiring to put them to the blush, by giving them the power to choose, that at least out of shame they might ask for Him, and the whole should be of their bountifulness. For though to say, He had not done wrong, made them more contentious, yet to require that He should be saved out of humanity, carries with it persuasion and entreaty that cannot be gainsaid.

But even then they said, “Crucify Him. But he said, why, what evil hath He done? but they cried out exceedingly,3067 Matt. xxvii. 22–24. [Abridged. R.V., “prevailed nothing.”—R.]let Him be crucified. But he, when he saw that he profited nothing, washed his hands, saying, I am innocent.” Why then didst thou deliver Him up? Why didst thou not rescue Him, as the centurion did Paul.3068 Acts xxi. For that man too was aware that he would please the Jews; and a sedition had taken place on his account, and a tumult, nevertheless he stood firm against all. But not so this man, but he was extremely unmanly and weak, and all were corrupt together. For neither did this man stand firm against the multitude, nor the multitude against the Jews,3069 i.e., the Jewish rulers; Mr. Field has observed in his note on this passage, that ο Ιουδαοι is thus used, especially in St. John’s Gospel.and in every way their excuse was taken away. For they “cried out exceedingly,” that is, cried out the more, “Let Him be crucified.” For they desired not only to put Him to death, but also that it should be on a charge of wickedness, and though the judge was contradicting them, they continued to cry out the same thing.

Seest thou how many things Christ did in order to recover them? For like as He often times checked Judas, so likewise did He restrain these men too, both throughout all His Gospel, and at the very time of His condemnation. For surely when they saw the ruler and the judge washing his hands of it, and saying, “I am innocent of this blood,” they should have been moved to compunction both by what was said, and by what was done, as well when they saw Judas had hanged himself, as when they saw Pilate himself entreating them to take another in the place of Him. For when the accuser and traitor condemns himself, and he who gives sentence puts off from himself the guilt, and such a vision appears the very night, and even as condemned he begs Him off, what kind of plea will they have? For if they were not willing that He should be innocent, yet they should not have preferred to him even a robber, one that was acknowledged to be such, and very notorious.

What then did they? When they saw the judge washing his hands, and saying, “I am innocent,” they cried out “His blood be on us, and on our children.”3070 Matt. xxvii. 25. Then at length when they had given sentence against themselves, he yielded that all should be done.

See here too their great madness. For passion and wicked desire are like this. They suffer not men to see anything of what is right. For be it that ye curse yourselves; why do you draw down the curse upon your children also?

Nevertheless, the lover of man, though they acted with so much madness, both against themselves, and against their children, so far from confirming their sentence upon their children, confirmed it not even on them, but from the one and from the other received those that repented, and counts them worthy of good things beyond number. For indeed even Paul was of them, and the thousands that believed in Jerusalem; for, “thou seest it is said, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe.”3071 Acts xxi. 20. [The R.V. accepts a different reading; but “which have believed” is the more accurate rendering of the received text.—R.] And if some continued in their sin, to themselves let them impute their punishment.

“Then released he Barabbas unto them, but Jesus, when he had scourged Him, he delivered to be crucified.”3072 Matt. xxvii. 26. [R.V., “he scourged and delivered to be crucified.”—R.]

And wherefore did he scourge Him. Either as one condemned, or willing to invest the judgment with due form, or to please them. And yet he ought to have resisted them. For indeed even before this he had said, “Take ye Him, and judge Him according to your law.”3073 John xviii. 31. And there were many things that might have held back him and those men, the signs and the miracles, and the great patience of Him, who was suffering these things, and above all His untold silence. For since both by His defense of Himself, and by His prayers, He had shown His humanity, again He showeth His exaltedness and the greatness of His nature, both by His silence, and by His contemning what is said; by all leading them on to marvel at Himself.3074 πρ τ οκεον θαμα. But to none of these things did they give way.

3. For when once the reasoning powers are overwhelmed as it were by intoxication or some wild insanity, it would be hard for the sinking soul to rise again, if it be not very noble.

For it is fearful, it is fearful to give place to these wicked passions, wherefore it were fit in every way to ward off and repel their entering in. For when they have laid hold of the soul, and got the dominion over it, like as fire lighting upon a wood, so do they kindle the flame to a blaze.

Wherefore I entreat you to do all things so as to fence off their entrance; and not by comforting yourselves with this heartless reasoning to bring in upon yourselves all wickedness, saying, what of this? What of that? For countless ills have their birth from hence. For the devil, being depraved, makes use of much craft, and exertion, and self-abasement for the ruin of men, and begins his attack on them with things of a more trifling nature.

And mark it, he desired to bring Saul into superstition of witchcraft. But if he had counselled this at the beginning, the other would not have given heed; for how should he, who was even driving them out? Therefore gently and by little and little he leads him on to it. For when he had disobeyed Samuel, and had caused the burnt-offering to be offered, when he was not present, being blamed for it, he says, “The compulsion from the enemy was too great,”3075 Cf. 1 Sam. xiii. 12; and xxviii. 15.and when he ought to have bewailed, he felt as though he had done nothing.

Again God gave him the commands about the Amalekites, but he transgressed these too. Thence he proceeded to his crimes about David, and thus slipping easily and by little and little he stayed not, until he came unto the very pit of destruction, and cast himself in. So likewise in the case of Cain, he did not at once urge him to slay his brother, since he would not have persuaded him, but first wrought upon him to offer things more or less vile, saying, “This is no sin:” in the second place he kindled envy and jealousy, saying, neither is there anything in this; thirdly, he persuaded him to slay and to deny his murder; and did not leave him before he had put on him the crowning act of evil.

Wherefore it is necessary for us to resist the beginning. For at any rate, even if the first sins stopped at themselves, not even so were it right to despise the first sins; but now they go on also to what is greater, when the mind is careless. Wherefore we ought to do all things to remove the beginnings of them.

For look not now at the nature of the sin, that it is little, but that it becomes a root of great sin when neglected. For if one may say something marvellous, great sins need not so much earnestness, as such as are little, and of small account. For the former the very nature of the sin causes us to abhor, but the little sins by this very thing cast us into remissness; and allow us not to rouse ourselves heartily for their removal. Wherefore also they quickly become great, while we sleep. This one may see happening in bodies also.

So likewise in the instance of Judas, that great wickedness had its birth. For if it had not seemed to him a little thing to steal the money of the poor, he would not have been led on to this treachery. Unless it had seemed to the Jews a little thing to be taken captive by vainglory, they would not have run on the rock of becoming Christ’s murderers. And indeed all evils we may see arise from this.

For no one quickly and at once rusheth out into vices. For the soul hath, yea it hath a shame implanted in us, and a reverence for right things; and it would not at once become so shameless as in one act to cast away everything, but slowly, and by little and little doth it perish, when it is careless. Thus also did idolatry enter in, men being honored beyond measure, both the living and the departed; thus also were idols worshipped; thus too did whoredom prevail, and the other evils.

And see. One man laughed unseasonably; another blamed him; a third took away the fear, by saying, nothing comes of this. “For what is laughing? What can come of it?” Of this is bred foolish jesting; from that filthy talking; then filthy doings.

Again, another being blamed for slandering his neighbors, and reviling, and calumniating, despised it, saying, evil-speaking is nothing. By this he begets hatred unspeakable, revilings without end; by the revilings blows, and by the blows oftentimes murder.

4. From these little things then that wicked spirit thus brings in the great sins; and from the great despair; having invented this other while not less mischievous than the former. For to sin destroys not so much as to despair. For he that hath offended, if he be vigilant, speedily by repentance amends what hath been done; but he that hath learnt to despond, and doth not repent, by reason thereof fails of this amendment by not applying the remedies from repentance.

And he hath a third grievous snare; as when he invests the sin with a show of devotion. And where hath the devil so far prevailed as to deceive to this degree? Hear, and beware of his devices. Christ by Paul commanded “that a woman depart not from her husband,3076 1 Cor. vii. 10.and not to defraud one another, except by consent;”3077 1 Cor. vii. 5.but some from a love of continence forsooth, having withdrawn from their own husbands, as though they were doing something devout, have driven them to adultery. Consider now what an evil it is that they, undergoing so much toil, should be blamed as having committed the greatest injustice, and should suffer extreme punishment, and drive their husbands into the pit of destruction.

Others again, abstaining from meats by a rule of fasting, have by degrees gone so far as to abhor them; which even of itself brings a very great punishment.

But this comes to pass, when any hold fast their own prejudices contrary to what is approved by the Scriptures. Those also among the Corinthians thought it was a part of perfection to eat of all things without distinction, even of things forbidden, but nevertheless this was not of perfection, but of the utmost lawlessness. Wherefore also Paul earnestly reproves them, and pronounces them to be worthy of extreme punishment. Others again think it a sign of piety to wear long hair. And yet this is amongst the things forbidden, and carries with it much disgrace.

Again, others follow after excessive sorrow for their sins as a profitable thing; yet it also comes of the devil’s wiles, and Judas showed it; at least in consequence thereof he even hanged himself. Therefore Paul again was in fear about him that had committed fornication, lest any such thing should befall him, and persuaded the Corinthians speedily to deliver him, “lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”3078 2 Cor. ii. 7. Then, indicating that such a result cometh of the snares of that wicked one, he saith, “Lest Satan should get an advantage over us, for we are not ignorant of his devices,”3079 2 Cor. ii. 10, 11.meaning that he assails us with much craft. Since if he fought against us plainly and openly, the victory would be ready and easy; or rather even now, if we be vigilant, victory will be ready. For indeed against each one of those ways God hath armed us.

For to persuade us not to despise even these little things, hear what warning He gives us, saying, “He that saith to his brother, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell;”3080 Matt. v. 22.and he that hath looked with unchaste eyes is a complete adulterer.3081 Matt. v. 28. And on them that laugh he pronounces a woe, and everywhere He removes the beginning and the seeds of evil, and saith we have to give an account of an idle word.3082 Matt. xii. 36. Therefore also Job applied a remedy even for the thoughts of his children.3083 Job i. 5.

But about not despairing, it is said, “Doth he fall, and not arise? Doth he turn away, and not return?”3084 Jer. viii. 4.and, “I do not will the death of the sinner, so much as that he should turn and live:”3085 Ezek. xviii. 23. [Abridged from the LXX.]and, “To-day if ye will hear His voice:”3086 Ps. xcv. 7.and many other such things, both sayings and examples are set in the Scripture. And in order not to be ruined under the guise of godly fear, hear Paul saying, “Lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up by overmuch sorrow.”

Knowing therefore these things, let us set for a barrier in all the ways that pervert the unwary the wisdom which is drawn from the Scriptures. Neither say, why, what is it, if I gaze curiously at a beautiful woman? For if thou shouldest commit the adultery in the heart, soon thou wilt venture on that in flesh. Say not, why, what is it if I should pass by this poor man? For if thou pass this man by, thou wilt also the next; if him, then the third.

Neither again say, why, what is it, if I should desire my neighbor’s goods. For this, this caused Ahab’s ruin; although he would have paid a price, yet he took it from one unwilling. For a man ought not to buy by force, but on persuasion. But if he, who would have paid the fair price, was so punished, because he took from one unwilling, he who doeth not so much as this, and taketh by violence from the unwilling, and that when living under grace, of what punishment will he not be worthy?

In order therefore that we be not punished, keeping ourselves quite pure from all violence and rapine, and guarding against the sources of sins together with the sins themselves, let us with much diligence give heed to virtue; for thus shall we also enjoy the good things eternal by the grace and love towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory world without end. Amen.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΠϚʹ. Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔστη ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ ἡγεμόνος: καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἡγεμὼν, λέγων: Σὺ εἶ ὁ βα σιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔφη: Σὺ λέγεις. Καὶ ἐν τῷ κατηγορεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ πρεσβυτέρων, οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίνατο. αʹ. Ὁρᾷς τί πρῶτον ἐξετάζεται; ὃ μάλιστα ἄνω καὶ κάτω συνεχῶς ἔστρεφον. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ εἶδον τὸν Πιλάτον οὐδένα ποιούμενον λόγον τῶν νομικῶν, ἐπὶ τὰ δημόσια ἐγκλήματα τὴν κατηγορίαν ἄγουσιν. Οὕτω καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐποίουν, ταῦτα ἀεὶ προβαλλόμενοι, καὶ λέγοντες ὅτι περιέρχονται κηρύττοντες βασιλέα τινὰ Ἰησοῦν, ὡς περὶ ἀνθρώπου τινὸς ψιλοῦ διαλεγόμενοι, καὶ τυραννίδος ὑποψίαν αὐτοῖς περιτιθέντες. Ὅθεν δῆλον, ὅτι καὶ τὸ διαῤῥῆξαι τὸν χιτωνίσκον, καὶ ἐκπλαγῆναι, σκῆψις ἦν. Πάντα δὲ ἐκύκων καὶ ἔστρεφον, ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς θάνατον ἐμβαλεῖν. Τοῦτο γοῦν καὶ ὁ Πιλάτος ἠρώτησε τότε. Τί οὖν ὁ Χριστός; Σὺ εἶπας. Ὡμολόγησεν εἶναι βασιλεὺς, ἀλλὰ βασιλεὺς οὐράνιος: ὃ καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ σαφέστερον ἔλεγε, πρὸς τὸν Πιλάτον ἀποκρινόμενος, ὅτι Ἡ ἐμὴ βασιλεία οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου: ἵνα μηδὲ ἐκεῖνοι, μηδὲ οὗτος ἀπολογίαν ἔχωσι τοιαῦτα κατηγοροῦντες. Καὶ λογισμὸν ἀντίῤῥητον τίθησι λέγων: Εἰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ἤμην, οἱ ἐμοὶ ἠγωνίσαντο ἂν, ἵνα μὴ παραδοθῶ. Διά τοι τοῦτο, ὥστε ταύτην ἀποκρούσασθαι τὴν ὑποψίαν, καὶ φόρον κατέβαλε, καὶ ἑτέρους καταβαλεῖν ἐκέλευσε: καὶ ἡνίκα ἠθέλησαν αὐτὸν ποιῆσαι βασιλέα, ἔφυγε. Τί οὖν οὐ ταῦτα προήνεγκεν εἰς μέσον, φησὶ, τότε, ἐγκαλούμενος ἐπὶ τυραννίδι; Διότι μυρίας ἔχοντες τὰς ἀπὸ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀποδείξεις τῆς δυνάμεως, τῆς πραότητος, τῆς ἐπιεικείας, ἑκόντες ἐτύφλωττον καὶ ἐκακούργουν, καὶ διεφθαρμένον τὸ δικαστήριον ἦν. Διὰ δὴ ταῦτα πρὸς οὐδὲν ἀποκρίνεται, ἀλλὰ σιγᾷ, καὶ βραχέα ἀποκρινόμενος, ὥστε μὴ ἀπὸ τῆς διηνεκοῦς σιγῆς αὐθαδείας δόξαν λαβεῖν, ὅτε ὥρκισεν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς, ὅτε ὁ ἡγεμὼν ἤρετο: πρὸς δὲ τὰς κατηγορίας αὐτῶν οὐδὲν οὐκέτι φησίν: οὐ γὰρ δὴ πείσειν ἔμελλεν. Ὥσπερ καὶ ὁ προφήτης ἄνωθεν τοῦτο αὐτὸ δηλῶν ἔλεγεν: Ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη. Ἐπὶ τούτοις ὁ ἡγεμὼν ἐθαύμαζε. Καὶ γὰρ θαύματος ἄξιον ἦν ἰδεῖν τοσαύτην ἐπιείκειαν ἐπιδεικνύμενον, καὶ σιγῶντα, τὸν μυρία ἔχοντα εἰπεῖν. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι ἐκ τοῦ συνειδέναι τι πονηρὸν αὐτῷ κατηγόρουν, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ βασκανίας καὶ φθόνου μόνον. Ὅτε γοῦν ἔστησαν ψευδομάρτυρας, διατί μηδὲν ἐχόντων εἰπεῖν ἐπέκειντο ἔτι, καὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν ἀποπνεύσαντα ἰδόντες, οὐ κατενύγησαν, καὶ τὸν Πιλάτον τὰς χεῖρας ἀπονιψάμενον; Καὶ γὰρ πολλὰ καὶ παρ' αὐτὸν τὸν καιρὸν ἐποίησεν, ὥστε αὐτοὺς ἀνανῆψαι: ἀλλ' οὐδενὶ τούτων ἐγένοντο βελτίους. Τί οὖν ὁ Πιλάτος; Οὐκ ἀκούεις πόσα σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν οὗτοι; Ἠβούλετο μὲν γὰρ αὐτὸν ἀπολογούμενον ἀπαλλαγῆναι, διὸ καὶ ταῦτα ἔλεγεν: ἐπειδὴ δὲ οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίνατο, καὶ ἕτερόν τι μηχανᾶται. Ποῖον δὴ τοῦτο; Ἔθος ἦν αὐτοῖς ἀφιέναι ἕνα τῶν καταδίκων, καὶ ἐντεῦθεν αὐτὸν ἐξελέσθαι ἐπεχείρησεν. Εἰ γὰρ μὴ βούλεσθε, φησὶν, ὡς ἀθῶον ἀφεῖναι, κἂν ὡς κατάδικον χαρίσασθε τῇ ἑορτῇ. Εἶδες τάξιν ἀντεστραμμένην; Τὴν μὲν γὰρ αἴτησιν τὴν ὑπὲρ τῶν καταδίκων, τοῦ δήμου ἔθος ἦν εἶναι, τὴν δὲ δόσιν τοῦ ἄρχοντος: νῦν δὲ τοὐναντίον γέγονε, καὶ ὁ ἄρχων αἰτεῖ τὸν δῆμον, καὶ οὐδὲ οὕτω γίνονται ἥμεροι, ἀλλ' ἐκθηριοῦνται μειζόνως καὶ φονῶσιν, ὑπὸ τοῦ πάθους τῆς βασκανίας ἐκβακχευόμενοι. Οὐδὲ γὰρ εἶχον ὅ τι κατηγορήσουσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα σιγῶντος, ἀλλ' ἠλέγχοντο καὶ οὕτω διὰ τὴν τῶν δικαιωμάτων περιουσίαν, καὶ σιγῶν ἐνίκα τοὺς μυρία λέγοντας καὶ μαινομένους. Καθημένου δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος, ἔπεμψε πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ λέγουσα: Μηδέν σοι καὶ τῷ δικαίῳ τούτῳ: πολλὰ γὰρ ἔπαθον σήμερον κατ' ὄναρ δι' αὐτόν. Ὅρα οἷον γίνεται πάλιν, ἱκανὸν πάντας αὐτοὺς ἀνακαλέσασθαι. Μετὰ γὰρ τῆς ἀπὸ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀποδείξεως, καὶ τὸ ὄναρ οὐ μικρὸν ἦν. Καὶ τίνος ἕνεκεν οὐκ αὐτὸς ὁρᾷ; Ἢ ὅτι ἐκείνη ἀξία ἦν μᾶλλον: ἢ ὅτι αὐτὸς εἰ εἶδεν, οὐκ ἂν ἐπιστεύθη ὁμοίως, ἢ οὐδ' ἂν ἐξεῖπε. Διὰ τοῦτο οἰκονομεῖται τὴν γυναῖκα ἰδεῖν, ὥστε κατάδηλον γενέσθαι πᾶσι. Καὶ οὐχ ἁπλῶς ὁρᾷ, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσχει πολλὰ, ἵνα καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς συμπαθείας τῆς πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα ὀκνηρότερος γένηται ὁ ἀνὴρ περὶ τὸν φόνον. Καὶ ὁ καιρὸς δὲ οὐ μικρὸν συνετέλει: κατὰ γὰρ αὐτὴν τὴν νύκτα εἶδεν. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἦν αὐτῷ ἀσφαλὲς, φησὶν, ἀφεῖναι, ἐπειδὴ εἶπον, ὅτι βασιλέα ἑαυτὸν ἐποίει. Ἐχρῆν οὖν ἀποδείξεις καὶ ἐλέγχους ζητῆσαι, καὶ ὅσα τυραννίδος ἐστὶ τεκμήρια: οἷον, εἰ στρατόπεδα κατέλεγεν, εἰ χρήματα συνέλεγεν, εἰ ὅπλα ἐχάλκευεν, εἰ ἄλλο τι τοιοῦτον ἐπεχείρει. Ὁ δὲ ἁπλῶς παρασύρεται: διὰ τοῦτο οὐδὲ αὐτὸν ἀφίησιν ὁ Χριστὸς τῶν ἐγκλημάτων, λέγων: Μείζονα ἁμαρτίαν ἔχει ὁ παραδιδούς μέ σοι. Ὥστε μαλακίας ἦν ἡ συγχώρησις, καὶ τὸ μαστίξαντα ἐκδοῦναι. Οὗτος μὲν οὖν ἄνανδρος καὶ μαλακός: οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς πονηροὶ καὶ κακοῦργοι. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ εὗρέ τινα ἐπίνοιαν, τὸν τῆς ἑορτῆς νόμον τὸν κελεύοντα ἀφεῖναι κατάδικον, τί πρὸς τοῦτο μηχανῶνται; Ἔπεισαν τὸν ὄχλον, φησὶν, ἵνα τὸν Βαραββᾶν αἰτήσωσιν. βʹ. Εἶδες πόσην αὐτὸς πρόνοιαν ποιεῖται, ὥστε αὐτοὺς ἀπαλλάξαι ἐγκλημάτων, καὶ πόσην αὐτοὶ σπουδὴν, ὥστε μηδὲ σκιὰν ἑαυτοῖς ἀπολογίας καταλιπεῖν; Τί γὰρ ἔδει; τὸν ὡμολογημένον, ἢ τὸν ἀμφισβητούμενον ἀφεῖναι: Εἰ γὰρ ἐπὶ τοῖς ὡμολογημένοις ἀφίεσθαι ἔδει, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐπὶ τοῖς ἀμφιβόλοις. Οὐ γὰρ δήπου ὡμολογημένων ἀνδροφόνων χείρων αὐτοῖς οὗτος ἐδόκει εἶναι. Διὰ γὰρ τοῦτο οὐδὲ ἁπλῶς εἶπεν, Εἶχον λῃστὴν, ἀλλ', Ἐπίσημον: τουτέστι, Περιβόητον ἐν κακίᾳ, μυρίους ἐργασάμενον φόνους. Ἀλλ' ὅμως κἀκεῖνον τοῦ τῆς οἰκουμένης Σωτῆρος προὔθηκαν: καὶ οὔτε τὸν καιρὸν ᾐδέσθησαν ὅτι ἅγιος ἦν, οὐ τοὺς τῆς φιλανθρωπίας νόμους, οὐκ ἄλλο τῶν τοιούτων οὐδέν: ἀλλὰ καθάπαξ αὐτοὺς ὁ φθόνος ἀπετύφλωσε. Καὶ μετὰ τῆς οἰκείας κακία καὶ τὸν δῆμον διαφθείρουσιν, ἵνα καὶ τῆς ἐκείνων ἀπάτης τὴν ἐσχάτην δῶσι δίκην. Ἐπεὶ οὖν ἐκεῖνον ᾐτήσαντο, λέγει: Τί οὖν ποιήσω τὸν Χριστόν, καὶ ταύτῃ πάλιν ἐντρέψαι βουλόμενος, τῷ ποιῆσαι κυρίους τῆς αἱρέσεως, ἵνα κἂν αἰσχυνθέντες αἰτήσωσι, καὶ τῆς αὐτῶν φιλοτιμίας γένηται τὸ πᾶν. Τὸ μὲν γὰρ λέγειν, Οὐχ ἥμαρτε, φιλονεικοτέρους ἐποίει: τὸ δὲ ἐκ φιλανθρωπίας ἀξιοῦν σωθῆναι, ἀναντίῤῥητον ἔχει τὴν πειθὼ καὶ τὴν αἴτησιν. Οἱ δὲ καὶ οὕτως ἔλεγον: Σταύρωσον. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη: Τί γὰρ κακὸν ἐποίησεν; Οἱ δὲ περισσῶς ἔκραζον, Σταυρωθήτω. Ὁ δὲ ἰδὼν, ὅτι οὐδὲν ὠφελεῖ, ἐνίψατο τὰς χεῖρας, λέγων, ὅτι Ἀθῶός εἰμι. Τί οὖν παραδίδως; τί δὲ οὐκ ἐξήρπασας, καθάπερ τὸν Παῦλον ὁ ἑκατοντάρχης; Καὶ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος ᾔδει χαριζόμενος τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις: καὶ στάσις ἐγένετο δι' αὐτὸν καὶ θόρυβος: ἀλλ' ὅμως ἔστη πρὸς πάντα. Ἀλλ' οὐχ οὗτος, ἀλλὰ ἄνανδρος σφόδρα καὶ μαλακός: καὶ πάντες ὁμοῦ διεφθείροντο. Οὔτε γὰρ οὗτος πρὸς τὸ πλῆθος ἔστη, οὔτε τὸ πλῆθος πρὸς τοὺς Ἰουδαίους: καὶ πανταχόθεν αὐτῶν ἡ ἀπολογία ἀνῄρητο. Καὶ γὰρ Περισσῶς ἔκραζον, τουτέστι, μᾶλλον ἔκραζον, Σταυρωθήτω. Οὐ γὰρ ἀνελεῖν μόνον ἤθελον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπὶ πονηρᾷ αἰτίᾳ, καὶ τοῦ δικάζοντος ἀντιλέγοντος ἐπέμενον τὰ αὐτὰ βοῶντες. Εἶδες πόσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Χριστὸς, ὥστε αὐτοὺς ἀνακτήσασθαι; Καθάπερ γὰρ τὸν Ἰούδαν ἀνεκρούετο πολλάκις, οὕτω καὶ τούτους ἀνέστελλε, διά τε παντὸς τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, καὶ παρ' αὐτὸν τὸν καιρὸν τῆς κρίσεως. Καὶ γὰρ ὅτε εἶδον τὸν ἄρχοντα καὶ δικάζοντα ἀπονιψάμενον καὶ λέγοντα, Ἀθῶός εἰμι ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος τούτου, ἔδει κατανυγῆναι καὶ διὰ τῶν ῥημάτων καὶ διὰ τῶν πραγμάτων: καὶ ὅτε τὸν Ἰούδαν ἀπαγξάμενον, καὶ ὅτε αὐτὸν παρακαλοῦντα, ἕτερον ἀντ' αὐτοῦ λαβεῖν. Ὅταν γὰρ ὁ κατήγορος καὶ προδότης ἑαυτὸν καταδικάζῃ, καὶ ὁ ψηφιζόμενος ἀποδύηται τὰ ἐγκλήματα, καὶ ὄψις τοιαύτη κατ' αὐτὴν τὴν νύκτα φαίνηται, καὶ ὡς κατάδικον αὐτὸν ἐξαιτῆται, ποίαν ἕξουσιν ἀπολογίαν; Εἰ γὰρ μὴ ἐβούλοντο ἀθῶον εἶναι. ἀλλ' οὐχὶ καὶ λῃστὴν αὐτοῦ προτιμῆσαι ἔδει, τὸν ὡμολογημένον καὶ σφόδρα ἐπίσημον ὄντα. Τί οὖν ἐκεῖνοι; Ἐπειδὴ τὸν δικαστὴν εἶδον νιπτόμενον τὰς χεῖρας, καὶ λέγοντα, Ἀθῶός εἰμι, ἔκραζον: Τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἐπὶ τί τέκνα ἡμῶν. Τότε δὴ λοιπὸν, ὅτε καθ' ἑαυτῶν τὴν ψῆφον ἐξήνεγκαν, συνεχώρησε πάντα γενέσθαι. Θέα δὲ καὶ ἐνταῦθα τὴν πολλὴν παραπληξίαν. Τοιαύτη γὰρ ἡ ὁρμὴ, καὶ ἡ πονηρὰ ἐπιθυμία: οὐκ ἀφίησί τι τῶν δεόντων ἰδεῖν. Ἔστω γὰρ, ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς ἐπαρᾶσθε: τί καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα τὴν ἀρὰν ἕλκετε; Ἀλλ' ὅμως ὁ φιλάνθρωπος, τοσαύτῃ μανίᾳ χρησαμένων, καὶ καθ' ἑαυτῶν καὶ κατὰ τῶν παίδων, οὐ μόνον ἐπὶ τῶν παίδων, ἀλλ' οὐδὲ ἐπ' αὐτῶν τὴν ψῆφον ἐκύρωσεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐξ ἐκείνων ἐδέξατο τοὺς μετανοήσαντας, καὶ μυρίων ἠξίωσεν ἀγαθῶν. Καὶ γὰρ καὶ Παῦλος ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦν, καὶ αἱ μυριάδες τῶν πεπιστευκότων ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, (Θεωρεῖς γὰρ, φησὶν, ἀδελφὲ, πόσαι μυριάδες εἰσὶν Ἰουδαίων τῶν πεπιστευκότων:) ἐκ τούτων ἦσαν. Εἰ δέ τινες ἐναπέμειναν, ἑαυτοῖς λογιζέσθωσαν τὴν τιμωρίαν. Τότε ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας παρέδωκεν, ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. Καὶ διὰ τί ἐφραγέλλωσεν; Ἢ ὡς κατάδικον, ἢ σχῆμα περιθεῖναι τῇ κρίσει βουλόμενος, ἢ ἐκείνοις χαρίσασθαι. Καίτοιγε ἐνστῆναι ἐχρῆν. Καὶ γὰρ καὶ πρὸ τούτου εἶπε: Λάβετε αὐτὸν ὑμεῖς, καὶ κατὰ τὸν νόμον ὑμῶν κρίνατε αὐτόν. Καὶ πολλὰ ἦν τὰ δυνάμενα αὐτὸν κἀκείνους ἀναχαιτίσαι, καὶ τὰ σημεῖα, καὶ τὰ θαύματα, καὶ ἡ πολλὴ τοῦ ταῦτα πάσχοντος ἀνεξικακία, καὶ ἡ σιγὴ μάλιστα ἡ ἄφατος. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ καὶ δι' ὧν ἀπελογήσατο καὶ δι' ὧν ηὔξατο τὸ ἀνθρώπινον ἔδειξε, πάλιν τὸ ὑψηλὸν καὶ μεγαλοφυὲς καὶ διὰ τῆς σιγῆς καὶ διὰ τοῦ καταφρονεῖν τῶν λεγομένων ἐπιδείκνυται, διὰ πάντων αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὸ οἰκεῖον ἐνάγων θαῦμα. Ἀλλ' οὐδενὶ τούτων εἶξαν. γʹ. Ὅταν γὰρ ἅπαξ, καθάπερ ὑπὸ μέθης ἢ μανίας τινὸς ἀτόπου κατασχεθῶσιν οἱ λογισμοὶ, δύσκολον ἀνενεγκεῖν μὴ σφόδρα γενναίαν οὖσαν τὴν καταπίπτουσαν ψυχήν. Δεινὸν γὰρ, δεινὸν τοῖς πονηροῖς πάθεσι τούτοις δοῦναι χώραν: διὸ χρὴ παντὶ τρόπῳ διακρούεσθαι καὶ ἐξωθεῖν αὐτῶν τὴν εἴσοδον. Ὅταν γὰρ ἐπιλάβωνται τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ κρατήσωσι, καθάπερ πῦρ εἰς ὕλην ἐμπεσὸν, οὕτω λαμπρὰν τὴν φλόγα ἀνάπτουσι. Διὸ παρακαλῶ πάντα ποιεῖν, ὥστε ἀποτειχίζειν αὐτοῖς τὴν εἴσοδον: μηδὲ τούτῳ τῷ λογισμῷ τῷ ψυχρῷ παραμυθουμένους ἑαυτοὺς, πᾶσαν ἐπεισάγειν πονηρίαν, λέγοντας: Τί παρὰ τοῦτο, καὶ τί παρ' ἐκεῖνο; τὰ γὰρ μυρία κακὰ ἐντεῦθεν τίκτεται. Ὁ γὰρ διάβολος μιαρὸς ὢν, πολλῇ κέχρηται τῇ [κακουργίᾳ καὶ εὐτονίᾳ καὶ] συγκαταβάσει πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπώλειαν, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν μικροτέρων προσβάλλει. Σκόπει δέ. Ἠβούλετο τὸν Σαοὺλ εἰς ἐγγαστριμύθου ληρωδίαν ἐμβαλεῖν. Ἀλλὰ τοῦτο εἰ παρὰ τὴν ἀρχὴν συνεβούλευσεν, οὐκ ἂν προσέσχεν ἐκεῖνος: πῶς γὰρ, ὁ καὶ ἐλαύνων αὐτάς; Διὰ τοῦτο ἠρέμα καὶ κατὰ μικρὸν αὐτὸν εἰσάγει. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ παρήκουσε τοῦ Σαμουὴλ, καὶ παρεσκεύασε μὴ παραγενομένου ἀνενεχθῆναι τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν, ἐγκαλούμενός φησιν, Ἡ ἀνάγκη τῶν πολεμίων ἐγένετο μείζων: καὶ δέον θρηνῆσαι, ὡς οὐδὲν ἐργασάμενος διετέθη. Πάλιν ἐκέλευσε τὰ κατὰ τοὺς Ἀμαληκίτας ὁ Θεός: ὁ δὲ καὶ ταῦτα παρέβη. Ἐντεῦθεν εἰς τὰ κατὰ τὸν Δαυῒδ ἐξέβη τολμήματα, καὶ οὕτως ἠρέμα καὶ κατὰ μικρὸν ὀλισθαίνων οὐκ ἔστη, ἕως εἰς αὐτὸ τῆς ἀπωλείας τὸ βάραθρον ἐλθὼν ἐνέβαλεν ἑαυτόν. Οὕτω καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Κάϊν: οὐκ εὐθέως παρώρμησεν ἀνελεῖν τὸν ἀδελφὸν, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἂν ἔπεισεν: ἀλλὰ πρῶτον αὐτὸν παρασκευάζει τὰ φαυλότερα προσενεγκεῖν, λέγων: Οὐδὲν τοῦτό ἐστιν ἁμάρτημα: δεύτερον, φθόνον καὶ βασκανίαν ἀνῆψεν, Οὐδὲν οὐδὲ παρὰ τοῦτο, λέγων: τρίτον, ἀνελεῖν ἔπεισε καὶ ἀρνήσασθαι τὴν μιαιφονίαν: καὶ οὐ πρότερον ἀπέστη, ἕως τὸν κολοφῶνα ἐπέθηκε τῶν κακῶν. Διὸ χρὴ τὰς ἀρχὰς ἀνακρούεσθαι. Μάλιστα μὲν γὰρ εἰ καὶ ἐφ' ἑαυτῶν τὰ πρῶτα ἁμαρτήματα εἱστήκει, οὐδὲ οὕτω καταφρονεῖν ἐχρῆν τῶν πρώτων πλημμελημάτων: νυνὶ δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ μεῖζον ἄνεισιν, ὅταν ἀμελῇ ἡ διάνοια. Διὸ χρὴ πάντα ποιεῖν, ὥστε τὰς ἀρχὰς αὐτῶν ἀναιρεῖν. Μὴ γὰρ δὴ πρὸς τὴν φύσιν ἴδῃς τοῦ ἁμαρτήματος, ὅτι μικρὰ, ἀλλ' ὅτι μεγάλου γίνεται ῥίζα ἀμελουμένη. Εἰ γὰρ χρή τι καὶ θαυμαστὸν εἰπεῖν, οὐ τοσαύτης δεῖται σπουδῆς τὰ μεγάλα ἁμαρτήματα, ὡς τὰ μικρὰ καὶ εὐτελῆ. Ἐκεῖνα μὲν γὰρ αὐτὴ ἡ φύσις τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἀποστρέφεσθαι παρασκευάζει: τὰ δὲ μικρὰ αὐτῷ τούτῳ εἰς ῥᾳθυμίαν ἐμβάλλει, καὶ οὐκ ἀφίησι γενναίως διαναστῆναι πρὸς τὴν αὐτῶν ἀναίρεσιν. Διὸ καὶ ταχέως γίνεται μεγάλα, καθευδόντων ἡμῶν. Τοῦτο καὶ ἐν τοῖς σώμασι συμβαῖνον ἴδοι τις ἄν. Οὕτω καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἰούδα τὸ μέγα τοῦτο ἐτέχθη κακόν. Εἰ γὰρ μὴ ἔδοξεν αὐτῷ μικρὸν εἶναι τὸ κλέπτειν τῶν πενήτων τὰ χρήματα, οὐκ ἂν εἰς ταύτην ἐξηνέχθη τὴν προδοσίαν. Εἰ μὴ μικρὸν ἔδοξεν εἶναι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις τὸ ὑπὸ κενοδοξίας ἁλίσκεσθαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐξώλισθον εἰς τὸ Χριστοκτόνοι γενέσθαι. Καὶ πάντα δὲ τὰ κακὰ ἐκ τούτου ἴδοι τις ἂν γινόμενα. Οὐδεὶς γὰρ ταχέως καὶ ἀθρόον ἐπὶ τὴν κακίαν ἐκπηδᾷ. Ἔχει γὰρ, ἔχει τινὰ αἰσχύνην ἐγκειμένην ἡμῖν ἡ ψυχὴ, καὶ τὴν πρὸς τὰ καλὰ αἰδῶ, καὶ ἀθρόον οὐκ ἂν τοσοῦτον ἀναισχυντήσειεν, ὡς ὑφ' ἓν ἅπαντα ῥῖψαι, ἀλλ' ἠρέμα καὶ κατὰ μικρὸν ἀπόλλυται, ὅταν ἀμελῇ. Οὕτω καὶ εἰδωλολατρεία εἰσῆλθεν, τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὑπὲρ μέτρον τιμωμένων, καὶ τῶν ζώντων καὶ τῶν παρελθόντων οὕτω καὶ ξόανα προσεκυνήθη: οὕτω καὶ πορνεία ἐκράτησε, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα κακά. Σκόπει δέ. Ἐγέλασέ τις ἀκαίρως: ἐνεκάλεσεν ἕτερος: ἄλλος ἐξέλυσε τὸν φόβον εἰπὼν, Οὐδὲν παρὰ τοῦτο. Τί γάρ ἐστι τὸ γελᾷν; τί γὰρ παρὰ τοῦτο γένοιτ' ἄν; Ἀπὸ τούτου εὐτραπελία ἐτέχθη, ἐντεῦθεν αἰσχρολογία, εἶτα πρᾶξις αἰσχρά. Πάλιν ἕτερος ἐγκαλούμενος ἐπὶ τῷ διαβάλλειν τὸν πλησίον καὶ λοιδορεῖσθαι καὶ κακηγορεῖν, κατεφρόνησεν εἰπών: Οὐδέν ἐστι τὸ κακῶς λέγειν. Ἀπὸ τούτου μῖσος ἔτεκεν ἄφατον, ἔχθραν ἄσπονδον, λοιδορίας ἀπείρους: ἀπὸ τῶν λοιδοριῶν πληγάς: ἀπὸ τῶν πληγῶν φόνον πολλάκις. δʹ. Ἀπὸ μὲν οὖν τῶν μικρῶν οὕτω τὰ μεγάλα εἰσάγει ὁ πονηρὸς δαίμων ἐκεῖνος: ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν μεγάλων τὸ ἀπογινώσκειν, ἄλλην ταύτην μέθοδον οὐκ ἐλάττονα τῆς προτέρας εὑρών. Οὐ γὰρ οὕτω τὸ ἁμαρτάνειν, ὡς τὸ ἀπογινώσκειν ἀπόλλυσιν. Ὁ μὲν γὰρ πλημμελήσας, ἂν νήφῃ, ταχέως μετανοήσας διορθοῦται τὸ γεγενημένον: ὁ δὲ ἀπαγορεύσας καὶ μὴ μετανοῶν, διὰ τοῦτο ἐκπίπτει τῆς διορθώσεως ταύτης, οὐκ ἐπιτιθεὶς τὰ ἀπὸ τῆς μετανοίας φάρμακα. Ἔχει καὶ τρίτην ἐνέδραν χαλεπήν: οἶον ὅταν εὐλαβείας σχῆμα περιθῇ τῷ ἁμαρτήματι. Καὶ ποῦ τοσοῦτον ἴσχυσεν ὁ διάβολος, φησὶν, ὥστε μέχρι τούτων ἀπατῆσαι; Ἄκουε, καὶ φυλάττου αὐτοῦ τὰ νοήματα. Προσέταξεν ὁ Χριστὸς διὰ Παύλου γυναῖκα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι, καὶ μὴ ἀποστερεῖν ἀλλήλους, εἰ μὴ ἐκ συμφώνου: ἀλλά τινες ἔρωτι δῆθεν ἐγκρατείας ἀποστᾶσαι τῶν ἰδίων ἀνδρῶν, ὡς εὐλαβές τι ποιοῦσαι, ὤθησαν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ μοιχείαν. Ἐννόησον οὖν ἡλίκον κακὸν, πόνον τοσοῦτον ὑπομενούσας, ὡς τὰ μέγιστα ἠδικηκυίας ἐγκαλεῖσθαι, καὶ τὴν ἐσχάτην τίνειν δίκην, καὶ εἰς βάραθρον ἀπωλείας τοὺς συνοικοῦντας ὠθεῖν. Ἕτεροι πάλιν νόμῳ νηστείας ἀπεχόμενοι σιτίων, κατὰ μικρὸν προῆλθον ἐπὶ τὸ βδελύττεσθαι ταῦτα: ὃ καὶ αὐτὸ μεγίστην φέρει τὴν κόλασιν. Τοῦτο δὲ γίνεται, ὅταν τινὲς τὰς οἰκείας προλήψεις παρὰ τὰ ταῖς Γραφαῖς δοκοῦντα κρατύνωσιν. Ἐνόμισαν καὶ οἱ παρὰ Κορινθίοις τελειότητος εἶναι τὸ πάντων ἀδιαφόρως ἀπογεύεσθαι, καὶ τῶν κεκωλυμένων: ἀλλ' ὅμως οὐκ ἦν τελειότητος τοῦτο, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐσχάτης παρανομίας. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ σφοδρῶς αὐτοῖς ὁ Παῦλος ἐπιτιμᾷ, καὶ τῆς ἐσχάτης ἔλεγεν ὑπευθύνους εἶναι δίκης. Ἕτεροι πάλιν εὐλαβείας εἶναι νομίζουσι τὸ κομᾷν τὰς κεφαλάς. Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ τῶν κεκωλυμένων ἐστὶ, καὶ πολλὴν ἔχον τὴν αἰσχύνην. Πάλιν ἕτεροι τὸ λυπεῖσθαι ἐπὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτήμασιν ἀμέτρως ὡς κερδαλέον διώκουσιν: ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸ μεθοδείας διαβολικῆς, καὶ ἐδήλωσεν ὁ Ἰούδας: ἐντεῦθεν γοῦν καὶ ἀπήγξατο. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ Παῦλος ὑπὲρ τοῦ πεπορνευκότος ἐδεδοίκει, μή τι τοιοῦτον πάθῃ, καὶ παρῄνει Κορινθίοις ταχέως αὐτὸν ἐξαρπάσαι, Μήπως τῇ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος. Εἶτα δεικνὺς ὅτι τὸ τοιοῦτον τῆς ἐνέδρας ἐστὶ τῆς ἐκείνου, φησί: Μήπως πλεονεκτηθῶμεν ὑπὸ τοῦ Σατανᾶ: οὐ γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὰ νοήματα ἀγνοοῦμεν, ὅτι μετὰ δόλου πολλοῦ προσβάλλει, φησίν. Ἐπεὶ εἰ μετὰ παῤῥησίας καὶ φανερῶς ἐπολέμει, εὔκολος ἦν καὶ ῥᾳδία ἡ νίκη: μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ νῦν, ἐὰν νήφωμεν, εὔκολος ἔσται. Καὶ γὰρ πρὸς ἑκάστην τῶν ὁδῶν τούτων καθώπλισεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεός. Πείθων γὰρ μηδὲ τῶν μικρῶν τούτων καταφρονεῖν, ἄκουσον τί παραινεῖ λέγων: Ὁ εἰπὼν τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ, Μωρὲ, ἔνοχος ἔσται εἰς τὴν γέενναν: καὶ, Ὁ ὀφθαλμοῖς ἀκολάστοις ἰδὼν, μοιχός ἐστιν ἀπηρτισμένος. Καὶ τοὺς γελῶντας ταλανίζει, καὶ πανταχοῦ τὰς ἀρχὰς καὶ τὰ σπέρματα ἀναιρεῖ τῶν κακῶν, καὶ περὶ ἀργοῦ ῥήματός φησι διδόναι λόγον. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὁ Ἰὼβ καὶ τὰς ἐννοίας τῶν παίδων ἐθεράπευεν. Ὑπὲρ δὲ τοῦ μὴ ἀπογινώσκειν φησὶ, Μὴ ὁ πίπτων οὐκ ἀνίσταται; ἢ ὁ ἀποστρέφων οὐκ ἐπιστρέφει; καὶ πάλιν: Οὐ θελήσει θέλω τὸν θάνατον τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ, ὡς τὸ ἐπιστρέψαι καὶ ζῇν αὐτόν: καὶ, Σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε. Καὶ πολλὰ ἕτερα τοιαῦτα καὶ ῥήματα καὶ παραδείγματα κεῖται ἐν τῇ Γραφῇ. Πρὸς δὲ τὸ σχήματι εὐλαβείας μὴ ἀπόλλυσθαι, ἄκουσον Παύλου λέγοντος: Μήπως τῇ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος. Ταῦτ' οὖν εἰδότες, πάσαις ἐπιτειχίζωμεν ταῖς ὁδοῖς ταῖς παρατρεπούσαις τοὺς ῥᾳθύμους τὴν ἀπὸ τῶν Γραφῶν σύνεσιν. Μηδὲ λέγε: Τί γάρ ἐστιν, ἐὰν ἴδω γυναῖκα καλὴν περιέργως; Ἂν γὰρ τὴν ἐν καρδίᾳ μοιχείαν ἐργάσῃ, ταχέως καὶ τὴν ἐν σαρκὶ τολμήσεις. Μὴ εἴπῃς: Τί γάρ ἐστι, ἐὰν τὸν πένητα τοῦτον παραδράμω; Ἂν γὰρ τοῦτον παρέλθῃς, καὶ τὸν ἕτερον: ἂν ἐκεῖνον, καὶ τὸν ἄλλον. Μηδ' αὖ πάλιν: Τί γὰρ, ἐὰν ἐπιθυμήσω τῶν τοῦ πλησίον; Τοῦτο γὰρ, τοῦτο ἐποίησε τὸν Ἀχαὰβ ἀπολέσθαι, καίτοι τιμὴν κατέβαλεν, ἀλλὰ παρὰ ἄκοντος ἔλαβεν. Οὐ γὰρ βιαζόμενον δεῖ ὠνεῖσθαι, ἀλλὰ πείθοντα. Εἰ δὲ ὁ τὴν προσήκουσαν τιμὴν καταβαλὼν, οὕτως ἐκολάζετο, ἐπειδὴ παρὰ ἄκοντος ἔλαβεν: ὁ μηδὲ τοῦτο ποιῶν, καὶ παρὰ ἄκοντος ἁρπάζων, καὶ ταῦτα ἐν τῇ χάριτι πολιτευόμενος, τίνος οὐκ ἔσται κολάσεως ἄξιος; Ἵν' οὖν μὴ κολαζώμεθα, βίας ἁπάσης καὶ ἁρπαγῆς ἑαυτοὺς καθαροὺς διατηροῦντες, καὶ μετὰ τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων καὶ τὰς ἀρχὰς αὐτῶν φυλαττόμενοι, μετὰ πολλῆς τῆς σπουδῆς ἐπιμελώμεθα ἀρετῆς: οὕτω γὰρ καὶ τῶν αἰωνίων ἀπολαύσομεν ἀγαθῶν, χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.