ἐ ξέπιπτε : i.e. τῆς ὑποσχέσεως, “of the promise,” is Mr. Field’s interpretation; Mutianus has pœne exciderat
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-9 · Original source
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Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews — Source paragraphs and footnotes
Homily 23
18 complete historical source paragraphs and 7 editorial footnotes. Author and edition credits are shown for each record; original wording is retained.
English translation and editorial credits: Thomas Keble, John Keble, Dr. Barrow, Frederic Gardiner.
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And what marvel, if he himself [were so], when his seed also dwelt in this same way? For seeing the promise disproved (since He had said, “To thee will I give this land, and to thy seed”— Gen. xii. 7; xiii. 15 ), he saw his son dwelling there; and again his grandson saw himself dwelling in a land not his own; yet was he nowise troubled. For the affairs of Abraham happened as we might have expected, since the promise was to be accomplished afterwards in his family (although it is said even to himself, “To thee, and to thy seed,” not, “to thee through thy seed,” but “to thee and to thy seed”): still neither he, nor Isaac, nor Jacob, enjoyed the promise. For one of them served for hire, and the other was driven out: and he himself even was failing through fear: and while he took some things indeed in war, others, unless he had had the aid of God, would have been destroyed. On this account [the Apostle] says, “with the heirs of the same promise”; not himself alone, he means; but the heirs also.
κομισάμενοι. This word is used by St. Chrys. throughout this passage without any variation of reading. The text of the Epistle here has λαβόντες, but in ver. 39 , οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο. [St. Chrys. in another work has the reading λαβόντες, but κομισάμενοι is generally adopted by the critical editors as the true text in the Epistle.—F.G.]
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-10 · Original source
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[3.] ( Ver. 13 ) “These all died in faith,” he says, “not having obtained the promises.” At this place it is worth while to make two enquiries; how, after saying that [God] “translated Enoch, and he was not found, so that he did not see death,” does he say, “These all died in Faith.” And again, after saying, “they not having obtained the promises,” he declares that Noah had received a reward, “to the saving of his house,” and that Enoch had been “translated,” and that Abel “yet speaks,” and that Abraham had gained a hold on the land, and yet he says, “These all died in Faith, not having obtained the promises.” What then is [meant]?
We must probably understand also, “nor that the Patriarchs should live in Canaan” : the argument seems to require this; besides, in the statement of the difficulty, Abraham’s having “got a hold on the land” is mentioned together with the blessings bestowed on Abel, Enoch, and Noah, as something already given them.
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-11 · Original source
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And the [statement] “not having obtained the promises,” is true: for surely the promise to Noah was not to be this [which is here spoken of]. But further, of what kind of “promises” is he speaking? For Isaac and Jacob received the promises of the land; but as to Noah and Abel and Enoch, what kind of promises did they receive? Either then he is speaking concerning these three; or if concerning those others also, the promise was not this, that Abel should be admired, nor that Enoch should be translated, nor that Noah should be preserved; but these things came to them for their virtue’s sake, and were a sort of foretaste of things to come. For God from the beginning, knowing that the human race needs much condescension, bestows on us not only the things in the world to come, but also those here; as for instance, Christ said even to the disciples, “Whosoever hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life.” ( Matt. xix. 29.) And again, “Seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” ( Matt. vi. 33.) Seest thou that these things are given by Him in the way of addition, that we might not faint? For as the athletes have the benefit of careful attention, even when engaged in the combat, but do not then enjoy entire ease, living under rules, yet afterwards they enjoy it entire: so God also does not grant us here to partake of “entire” ease. For even here He does give [some].
St. Chrys. does not cite nor yet refer to the words καὶ πεισθέντες, “and were persuaded of them.” They are found in the common editions of the Epistle, but are not supposed to be a genuine part of the Sacred Text. [They are rejected by all critical editors, and have very little support from the authorities for this text.—F.G.]
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-13 · Original source
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[4.] “But having seen them afar off,” he says, “and embraced them.” Here he hints at something mystical: that they received beforehand all the things which have been spoken concerning things to come; concerning the resurrection, concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, concerning the other things, which Christ proclaimed when He came, for these are “the promises” of which he speaks. Either then he means this, or, that they did not indeed receive them, but died in confidence respecting them, and they were [thus] confident through Faith only.
καὶ παρὰ καιρὸν ἡλικίας. The common texts of St. Chrys. add here ἔ τεκεν, in accordance with the common editions of the New Testament; but in neither case is it supposed to be genuine. [Field’s text omits it, and it is not in critical editions of the text of Heb.—F.G.]
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-16 · Original source
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“By faith also Sarah received strength to conceive seed even when she was past age.” What is, “to conceive seed”? She who was become dead, who was barren, received power for the retaining of seed, for conception. For her imperfection was two-fold; first from her time of life for she was really old; secondly from nature, for she was barren.
“Moved with fear, prepared an ark.” Reason indeed suggested nothing of this sort; For “they were marrying and being given in marriage”; the air was clear, there were no signs [of change]: but nevertheless he feared: “By faith” (he says) “Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.”
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 7 · Original source
How is it, “By the which he condemned the world”? He showed them to be worthy of punishment, since they were not brought to their senses even by the preparation.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 8 · Original source
“And he became” (he says) “heir of the righteousness which is by Faith”: that is, by his believing God he was shown to be righteous. For this is the [part] of a soul sincerely disposed towards Him and judging nothing more reliable than His words, just as Unbelief is the very contrary. Faith, it is manifest, works righteousness. For as we have been warned of God respecting Hell, so was he also: and yet at that time he was laughed at; he was reviled and ridiculed; but he regarded none of these things.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 9 · Original source
[2.] ( Ver. 8, 9 ) “By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.” [“By faith”]: for (tell me) whom did he see to emulate? He had for father a Gentile, and an idolater; he had heard no prophets; he knew not whither he was going. For as they of the Hebrews who believed, looked to these [patriarchs] as having enjoyed blessings innumerable, he shows that none of them obtained anything as yet; all are unrewarded; no one as yet received his reward. “He” escaped from his country and his home, and “went out not knowing whither he went.”
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 10 · Original source
It is necessary to solve the first [difficulty], and then the second. “These all” (he says) “died in faith.” The word “all” is used here not because all had died, but because with that one exception “all these had died,” whom we know to be dead.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 13 · Original source
“And embraced them,” saith he, and were glad. They were so persuaded of them as even to “embrace [or “salute”] them,” from the metaphor of persons on ship-board seeing from afar the longed-for cities: which, before they enter them, they take and occupy by words of greeting.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 17 · Original source
( Ver. 10 ) “For they looked” (he says) “for the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Seest thou that they received them in this sense, in their already accepting them and being confident respecting them. If then to be confident is to receive, it is in your power also to receive. For these, although they enjoyed not those [blessings], yet still saw them by their longing desire. Why now do these things happen? That we might be put to shame, in that they indeed, when things on earth were promised them, regarded them not, but sought the future “city”: whereas God again and again speaks to us of the city which is above, and yet we seek that which is here. He said to them, I will give you the things of the present [world]. But when He saw, or rather, when they showed themselves worthy of greater things, then He no longer suffers them to receive these, but those greater ones; wishing to show us that they are worthy of greater things, being unwilling to be bound to these. As if one should promise playthings to an intelligent child, not that he might receive them, but by way of exhibiting his philosophy, when he asks for things more important. For this is to show, that they held off from the land with so great earnestness, that they did not even accept what was given. Wherefore their posterity receive it on this account, for themselves were worthy of the land.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 18 · Original source
What is, “the city which hath foundations”? For are not these [which are visible] “foundations”? In comparison of the other, they are not.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 19 · Original source
Henceforward, what consolation shall there be for us? He called us to Heaven, and we have thrust ourselves down to hell. “Swearing and lying and stealing and adultery, are poured out upon the earth.” ( Hos. iv. 2.) Some “mingle blood upon blood”; and others do deeds worse than blood-shedding. Many of those that are wronged, many of those that are defrauded prefer ten thousand deaths to the suffering such things: and except they had feared God, would even have killed themselves, being so murderously disposed against themselves. Are not these things then worse than blood-shedding?
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 26 · Original source
[8.] “Woe is me, my soul! For the godly man is perished from the earth, and there is none upright among men” ( Mic. vii. 1, 2 , LXX.); let us also now cry out, first about our own selves: but aid me in my lamentation.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 27 · Original source
Give a hand, stretch it forth, O ye who have not yet been overwhelmed, to them who are undone through their drunkenness: ye that are whole to them that are sick, ye that are sober-minded to them that are mad, that are giddily whirling round.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 29 · Original source
Let no man, I beseech you, prefer the favor of his friend to his salvation; and let violence and rebuke look to one thing only,—his benefit. When one has been seized by a fever, even slaves lay hold of their Masters. For when that is pressing on him, throwing his mind into confusion, and a swarm of slaves are standing by, they recognize not the law of Master and Servant, in the calamity of the Master.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 30 · Original source
Let us collect ourselves, I exhort you: there are daily wars, submersions [of towns], destructions innumerable all around us, and on every side the wrath of God is enclosing us as in a net. And we, as though we were well-pleasing to Him, are in security. We all make our hands ready for unjust gains, none for helping others: all for plundering, none for protecting: each one is in earnest as to how he shall increase his possessions; no one as to how he shall aid the needy: each one has much anxiety how he may add to his wealth; no one how he may save his own soul. One fear possesses all, lest (you say) we should become poor; no man is in anguish and trembling lest we should fall into hell. These things call for lamentations, these call for accusation, these call for reprobation.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 31 · Original source
[9.] But I do not wish to speak of these things, but I am constrained by my grief. Forgive me: I am forced by sorrow to utter many things, even those which I do not wish. I see that our wound is grievous, that our calamity is beyond comfort, that woes have overtaken us greater than the consolation. We are undone. “O that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears” ( Jer. ix. 1 ), that I might lament. Let us weep, beloved, let us weep, let us groan.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 32 · Original source
Possibly there may be some here who say, He talks to us of nothing but lamentation, nothing but tears. It was not my wish, believe me, it was not my wish, but rather to go through a course of commendations and praises: but now it is not the season for these. Beloved, it is not lamenting which is grievous, but the doing things which call for lamentations. Sorrow is not the thing to shrink from, but the committing things that call for sorrow. Do not thou be punished, and I will not mourn. Do not die, and I will not weep. If the body indeed lies dead, thou callest on all to grieve with thee, and thinkest those without sympathy who do not mourn: And when the soul is perishing, dost thou tell us not to mourn?
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 33 · Original source
“Having seen them afar off”: four generations before; for after so many [generations], they went up out of Egypt.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 16 · Original source
“To endeavor to imitate, or even surpass.”
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-7 · Original source
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[2.] ( Ver. 8, 9 ) “By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.” [“By faith”]: for (tell me) whom did he see to emulate? He had for father a Gentile, and an idolater; he had heard no prophets; he knew not whither he was going. For as they of the Hebrews who believed, looked to these [patriarchs] as having enjoyed blessings innumerable, he shows that none of them obtained anything as yet; all are unrewarded; no one as yet received his reward. “He” escaped from his country and his home, and “went out not knowing whither he went.”
εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος
Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, editorial note cite_note-17 · Original source
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“By faith also Sarah received strength to conceive seed even when she was past age.” What is, “to conceive seed”? She who was become dead, who was barren, received power for the retaining of seed, for conception. For her imperfection was two-fold; first from her time of life for she was really old; secondly from nature, for she was barren.
“Of things not seen as yet,” he says, that is of the rain.
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 6 · Original source
“Whose Builder and Maker is God.” O! What an encomium on that city!
Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 23, source paragraph 20 · Original source