Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews — Source paragraphs and footnotes

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

Mr. Field reads πότε, making a double question. The other editions have ποτε, “at all.”

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-4 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

εἰκόσιν. The comparison is not between the living object and the picture, but between representations in drawing and in painting; the word εἴκων, as our “likeness,” being applicable to both. The passage is considerably altered in the common editions so as to avoid an apparent difficulty.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-10 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

In Psalm cxxi. 3 (cxx. 3, LXX.) where we have “He shall not suffer,” &c., the LXX. have, μὴ δῴης εἰς σάλον τὸν πόδα σον, μηδὲ νυστάξῃ (Vat.) ὁ φυλάσσων σε, “Lest thou suffer,” &c., and “lest he that keepeth thee slumber.” St. Chrys. substitutes δῷς for δῴης, making the sense, “Do not suffer,” &c., “and let not him that keepeth thee slumber.” This he applies to the Christian keeping guard over himself (his words are χρὴ πάντοτε φυλάττειν ἑαυτοὺς, μήποτε ἀπονυστάξωμεν): and so he seems to have understood ver. 4 , of the Christian: that a watchman of Israel ought not to slumber or sleep. The Alex. ms. has νυστάξει in the third verse.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-15 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

προκειμένου … προβληθέντος. The former word is used by St. Chrys. to express the portion of Scripture on which he is treating: the latter is a received term in the dialectical method of the Greeks to express a proposition put forward to be argued from, to see what consequences follow from it, with a view of showing it to be untrue, or determining the sense in which it is true. St. Chrys. means to say that this proposition was only thus argumentatively inferred by St. Paul.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-18 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

In the genuine text here as in some other places, there is no mention of the second point. The longer text has “one that we should not be lifted up by what we do well: the other that when we do well, we should attribute to God the cause of our well-doing. Therefore,” &c. Mr. Field thinks that either the thread of the discourse is broken, and the second point not mentioned, or (which seems more probable) that it is contained in the words “Nevertheless,” &c.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-21 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

Sav. and Ben. add αὐτοῦ, “His hand is high” ; but the reference is to our sinning “with a high hand,” as appears from what follows in the next paragraph.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-24 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπινα φρονεῖ. This is the reading also of Savile and Morell. It is supported by one ms. and the pr. m. of another: which had been corrected to οὐδ. οὐράνια φ., the reading of the Verona edition. Mutianus has nemo divina sapit ; and the later translator cælestia. The other mss. have ἀ νθρώπινα περιφρονεῖ. ταπεινὰ φρονεῖ, ταπεινοφρονεῖ. Montfaucon conjectured τὰ ἄνω φρονεῖ

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-25 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

[1.] Paul wishing to show the difference between the New and Old [Covenant], scatters it everywhere; and shoots from afar, and noises it abroad, and prepares beforehand. For at once even from the introduction, he laid down this saying, that “to them indeed He spake by prophets, but to us by the Son” ( c. i. 1, 2 ), and to them “at sundry times and in divers manners,” but to us through the Son. Afterwards, having discoursed concerning the Son, who He was and what He had wrought, and given an exhortation to obey Him, lest we should suffer the same things as the Jews; and having said that He is “High Priest after the order of Melchisedec” ( c. vi. 20 ), and having oftentimes wished to enter into [the subject of] this difference, and having used much preparatory management; and having rebuked them as weak, and again soothed and restored them to confidence; then at last he introduces the discussion on the difference [of the two dispensations] to ears in their full vigor. For he who is depressed in spirits would not be a ready hearer. And that you may understand this, hear the Scripture saying, “They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit.” ( Ex. vi. 9.) Therefore having first cleared away their despondency by many considerations, some fearful, some more gentle, he then from this point enters upon the discussion of the difference [of the dispensations].

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 4 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

[2.] And what does he say? “For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God.” And, what is especially noteworthy, he shows the difference to be great by the Type itself. For as I said, he continually confirms the truth from the Type, from things past, on account of the weakness of the hearers. “For” (he says) “this Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings, and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all.” Having concisely set down the whole narrative, he looked at it mystically.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 5 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

[3.] He then adds another distinction, “Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a Priest continually.” Since then there lay in his way [as an objection] the [words] “Thou art a Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec,” whereas he [Melchisedec] was dead, and was not “Priest for ever,” see how he explained it mystically.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 7 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

See the “without beginning”; see the “without end.” As in case of this man, we know not either “beginning of days,” or “end of life,” because they have not been written; so we know [them] not in the case of Jesus, not because they have not been written, but because they do not exist. For that indeed is a type, and therefore [we say] ‘because it is not written,’ but this is the reality, and therefore [we say] ‘because it does not exist.’ For as in regard to the names also (for there “King of Righteousness” and “of Peace” are appellations, but here the reality) so these too are appellations in that case, in this the reality. How then hath He a beginning? Thou seest that the Son is “without beginning,” not in respect of His not having a cause; (for this is impossible: for He has a Father, otherwise how is He Son?) but in respect of His “not having beginning or end of life.”

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 9 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

[4.] Ver. 4. “Now consider” (saith he) “how great this man is to whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” Up to this point he has been applying the type: henceforward he boldly shows him [Melchisedec] to be more glorious than the Jewish realities. But if he who bears a type of Christ is so much better not merely than the priests, but even than the forefather himself of the priests, what should one say of the reality? Thou seest how super-abundantly he shows the superiority.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 11 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

“Now consider” (he says) “how great this man is to whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the choice portions.” Spoils taken in battle are called “choice portions.” And it cannot be said that he gave them to him as having a part in the war, because (he said) he met him “returning from the slaughter of the kings,” for he had staid at home (he means), yet [Abraham] gave him the first-fruits of his labors.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 12 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Ver. 5. “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi who receive the office of Priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham.” So great (he would say) is the superiority of the priesthood, that they who from their ancestors are of the same dignity, and have the same forefather, are yet far better than the rest. At all events they “receive tithes” from them. When then one is found, who receives tithes from these very persons, are not they indeed in the rank of laymen, and he among the Priests?

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 13 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And not only this; but neither was he of the same dignity with them, but of another race: so that he would not have given tithes to a stranger unless his dignity had been great. Astonishing! What has he accomplished? He has made quite clear a greater point than those relating to faith which he treated in the Epistle to the Romans. For there indeed he declares Abraham to be the forefather both of our polity and also of the Jewish. But here he is exceeding bold against him, and shows that the uncircumcised person is far superior. How then did he show that Levi paid tithes? Abraham (he says) paid them. ‘And how does this concern us?’ It especially concerns you: for you will not contend that the Levites are superior to Abraham. ( Ver. 6 ) “But he whose descent is not counted from them, received tithes of Abraham.”

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 14 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And after that he did not simply pass on, but added, “and blessed him that had the promises.” Inasmuch as throughout, this was regarded with reverence, he shows that [Melchisedec] was to be reverenced more than Abraham, from the common judgment of all men. ( Ver. 7 ) “And without all contradiction,” he says, “the less is blessed of the better,” i.e. in the opinion of all men it is the inferior that is blessed by the superior. So then the type of Christ is superior even to “him that had the promises.”

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 15 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

( Ver. 8 ) “And here men that die receive tithes: but there he of whom it is testified that he liveth.” But lest we should say, Tell us, why goest thou so far back? He says, ( ver. 9 ) “And as I may so say” (and he did well in softening it) “Levi also who receiveth tithes payed tithes in Abraham.” How? ( Ver. 10 ) “For he was yet in his loins when Melchisedec met him,” i.e. Levi was in him, although he was not yet born. And he said not the Levites but Levi.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 16 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Hast thou seen the superiority? Hast thou seen how great is the interval between Abraham and Melchisedec, who bears the type of our High Priest? And he shows that the superiority had been caused by authority, not necessity. For the one paid the tithe, which indicates the priest: the other gave the blessing, which indicates the superior. This superiority passes on also to the descendants.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 17 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

In a marvelous and triumphant way he cast out the Jewish [system]. On this account he said, “Ye are become dull,” ( c. v. 12 ), because he wished to lay these foundations, that they might not start away. Such is the wisdom of Paul, first preparing them well, he so leads them into what he wishes. For the human race is hard to persuade, and needs much attention, even more than plants. Since in that case there is [only] the nature of material bodies, and earth, which yields to the hands of the husbandmen: but in this there is will, which is liable to many alterations, and now prefers this, now that. For it quickly turns to evil.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 18 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

What then? Does nothing depend on God? All indeed depends on God, but not so that our free-will is hindered. ‘If then it depend on God,’ (one says), ‘why does He blame us?’ On this account I said, ‘so that our free-will is not hindered.’ It depends then on us, and on Him. For we must first choose the good; and then He leads us to His own. He does not anticipate our choice, lest our free-will should be outraged. But when we have chosen, then great is the assistance he brings to us.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 20 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And secondly the other explanation may be given, that he speaks of all as His, whose the greater part is. For it is ours to choose and to wish; but God’s to complete and to bring to an end. Since therefore the greater part is of Him, he says all is of Him, speaking according to the custom of men. For so we ourselves also do. I mean for instance: we see a house well built, and we say the whole is the Architect’s [doing], and yet certainly it is not all his, but the workmen’s also, and the owner’s, who supplies the materials, and many others’, but nevertheless since he contributed the greatest share, we call the whole his. So then [it is] in this case also. Again, with respect to a number of people, where the many are, we say All are: where few, nobody. So also Paul says, “not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.”

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 23 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

He did not then assert this, that we run in vain, but that, if we think the whole to be our own, if we do not assign the greater part to God, we run in vain. For neither hath God willed that the whole should be His, lest He should appear to be crowning us without cause: nor again our’s, lest we should fall away to pride. For if when we have the smaller [share], we think much of ourselves, what should we do if the whole depended on us?

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 25 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Let no one then, [even] of those who are come to the extremest wickedness, despair of himself. For (He says) even if thou hast passed into the habit, yea and almost into the nature of wickedness itself, be not afraid. Therefore taking [the instance of] colors that are not superficial but almost of the substance of the materials, He said that He would bring them into the opposite state. For He did not simply say that He would “wash” us, but that He would “make” us “white, as snow and as wool,” in order to hold out good hopes before us. Great then is the power of repentance, at least if it makes us as snow, and whitens us as wool, even if sin have first got possession and dyed our souls.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, source paragraph 30 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

ἐ θεώρησε, “drew out the mystical senses.”

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-3 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

βουλήσεις. Those acts of the soul whereby we desire and aim at what is good.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-17 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

or, “purpose and will,” προελέσθαι καὶ βουληθῆναι

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-20 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

ῥ οπὴ : “The inclining of the balance” ; or, “the weight which makes it turn.”

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-23 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

ὀ λιγοψυχίαν, “faint-heartedness.”

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-2 · Original source

1889 (historical edition copyright; physical printing year uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)

εἰσάγει τὰ παῤ ἑαυτοῦ, His part.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 12, editorial note cite_note-16 · Original source