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)

That is for the moment St. Paul does not argue the dignity of Christ from the title “Son” —from His being the true Son of God, and therefore God, but condescending to the weakness of his hearers, at first uses the word in a general sense, and establishes His Divinity by other considerations.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-9 · Original source

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

κατὰ πνεῦμα is the reading adopted by Mr. Field, following herein an ancient Catena [compiled by Niketas Archbishop of Heraclea in Thrace who flourished in the 11th century] which has preserved it: κατὰ τὸν πατέρα is found in all other mss. and Editions, and was probably the reading in Mutianus’ text, who translates “essentiæ paternæ ” Of the use of πνεῦμα for the Divine Nature of the Son, see many instances brought together in the note to the Oxford Translation of St. Athanasius against the Arians, p. 196 d. [See also in Tertullian, O.T. note H. pp. 322 sqq.]

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-11 · Original source

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

That is the Name Son. The passage is thus rightly pointed by Mr. Field in accordance with the addition of the explanatory word “Son” in [Niketas’] Catena (Supp.). According to the pointing of the other editions, the translation would be, “For this Name, God the Word, He ever had.”

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-13 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Why did he [Paul] not oppose “himself” to “the prophets”? Certainly, he was much greater than they, inasmuch as a greater trust was committed to him. Yet he doth not so. Why? First, to avoid speaking great things concerning himself. Secondly, because his hearers were not yet perfect. And thirdly, because he rather wished to exalt them, and to show that their superiority was great. As if he had said, What so great matter is it that He sent prophets to our fathers? For to us [He has sent] His own only-begotten Son Himself.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 5 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And well did he begin thus, “At sundry times and in divers manners,” for he points out that not even the prophets themselves saw God; nevertheless, the Son saw Him. For the expressions, “at sundry times and in divers manners” are the same as “in different ways.” “For I” (saith He) “have multiplied visions, and used similitudes by the ministry of the Prophets.” ( Hos. xii. 10.) Wherefore the excellency consists not in this alone, that to them indeed prophets were sent, but to us the Son; but that none of them saw God, but the Only-begotten Son saw Him. He doth not indeed at once assert this, but by what he says afterwards he establishes it, when he speaks concerning His human nature; “For to which of the Angels said He, Thou art My Son,” ( ver. 5 ), and, “Sit thou on My right hand”? ( Ver. 13.)

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 6 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And look on his great wisdom. First he shows the superiority from the prophets. Then having established this as acknowledged, he declares that to them indeed He spake by the prophets, but to us by the Only-begotten. Then [He spake] to them by Angels, and this again he establishes, with good reason (for angels also held converse with the Jews): yet even herein we have the superiority, inasmuch as the Master [spake] to us, but to them servants, and prophets, fellow-servants.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 7 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And the expression, “In times past,” and this, “In the end of the days,” shadows forth some other meaning:—that when a long time had intervened, when we were on the edge of punishment, when the Gifts had failed, when there was no expectation of deliverance, when we were expecting to have less than all—then we have had more.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 10 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And see how considerately he hath spoken it. For he said not, “Christ spake” (albeit it was He who did speak), but inasmuch as their souls were weak, and they were not yet able to hear the things concerning Christ, he says, “God hath spoken by Him.” What meanest thou? did God speak through the Son? Yes. What then? Is it thus thou showest the superiority? for here thou hast but pointed out that both the New and the Old [Covenants] are of One and the same: and that this superiority is not great. Wherefore he henceforth follows on upon this argument, saying, “He spake unto us by [His] Son.”

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 11 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

(Note, how Paul makes common cause, and puts himself on a level with the disciples, saying, He spake “to us”: and yet He did not speak to him, but to the Apostles, and through them to the many. But he lifts them [the Hebrews] up, and declares that He spake also to them. And as yet he doth not at all reflect on the Jews. For almost all to whom the prophets spake, were a kind of evil and polluted persons. But as yet the discourse is not of these: but, hitherto of the gifts derived from God.)

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 12 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

[3.] Then again he brings back his discourse to its former point. “By whom also He made the worlds [the ages].” Where are those who say, There was [a time] when He was not?

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 14 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Then, using degrees of ascent, he uttered that which is far greater than all this, saying,

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 15 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Ver. 3, 4. “Who, (being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,) when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the Angels as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 16 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

O! the wisdom of the Apostle! or rather, not the wisdom of Paul, but the grace of the Spirit is the thing to wonder at. For surely he uttered not these things of his own mind, nor in that way did he find his wisdom. (For whence could it be? From the knife, and the skins, or the workshop?) But it was from the working of God. For his own understanding did not give birth to these thoughts, which was then so mean and slender as in nowise to surpass the baser sort; (for how could it, seeing it spent itself wholly on bargains and skins?) but the grace of the Spirit shows forth its strength by whomsoever it will.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 17 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

For just as one, wishing to lead up a little child to some lofty place, reaching up even to the top of Heaven, does this gently and by degrees, leading him upwards by the steps from below,—then when he has set him on high, and bidden him to gaze downwards, and sees him turning giddy and confused, and dizzy, taking hold of him, he leads him down to the lower stand, allowing him to take breath; then when he hath recovered it, leads him up again, and again brings him down;—just so did the blessed Paul likewise, both with the Hebrews and everywhere, having learnt it from his Master. For even He also did so; sometimes He led His hearers up on high, and sometimes He brought them down, not allowing them to remain very long.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 18 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

And see how he says it: “Whom He appointed,” saith he, “heir of all things.” The phrase, “He appointed Heir,” is humble. Then he placed them on the higher step, adding, “by whom also He made the worlds.” Then on a higher still, and after which there is no other, “who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person.” Truly he has led them to unapproachable light, to the very brightness itself. And before they are blinded see how he gently leads them down again, saying, “and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty.” He does not simply say, “He sat down,” but “after the purifying, He sat down,” for he hath touched on the Incarnation, and his utterance is again lowly.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 20 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

So truly it is our way also, when we talk of man, to speak things both high and low. Thus, when we say, “Man is nothing,” “Man is earth,” “Man is ashes,” we call the whole by the worse part. But when we say, “Man is an immortal animal,” and “Man is rational, and of kin to those on high,” we call again the whole by the better part. So also, in the case of Christ, sometimes Paul discourseth from the less and sometimes from the better; wishing both to establish the economy, and also to teach about the incorruptible nature.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 22 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Hast thou spoken evil of a man? What is thy gain, entangling thyself in mischief together with him? For thou hast obtained the reputation of a slanderer. For there is not any, no not any evil, which stops at him that suffers it, but it includes the doer also. As for instance, the envious person seems indeed to plot against another, but himself first reaps the fruit of his sin, wasting and wearing himself away, and being hated of all men. The cheat deprives another of his money; yea and himself too of men’s good will: and causes himself to be evil spoken of by all men. Now reputation is much better than money, for the one it is not easy to wash out, whereas it is easy to gain possession of the other. Or rather, the absence of the one doth no hurt to him that wanteth it; but the absence of the other makes you reproached and ridiculed, and an object of enmity and warfare to all.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 26 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

The passionate man again first punishes and tears himself in pieces, and then him with whom he is angry.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 27 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Just so the evil speaker disgraces first himself and then him who is evil-spoken of: or, it may be, even this hath proved beyond his power, and while he departs with the credit of a foul and detestable kind of person, he causes the other to be loved the more. For when a man hearing a bad name given him, doth not requite the giver in the same kind, but praises and admires, he doth not praise the other, but himself. For I before observed that, as calumnies against our neighbors first touch those who de vise the mischief, so also good works done towards our neighbors, gladden first those who do them. The parent either of good, or evil, justly reaps the fruit of it first himself. And just as water, whether it be brackish or sweet, fills the vessels of those who resort to it, but lessens not the fountain which sends it forth; so surely also, both wickedness and virtue, from whatever person they proceed, prove either his joy or his ruin.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 28 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

So far as to the things of this world; but what speech may recount the things of that world, either the goods or the evils? There is none. For as to the blessings, they surpass all thought, not speech only; for their opposites are expressed indeed in terms familiar to us. For fire, it is said, is there, and darkness, and bonds, and a worm that never dieth. But this represents not only the things which are spoken of, but others more intolerable. And to convince thee, consider at once this first: if it be fire, how is it also darkness? Seest thou how that fire is more intolerable than this? For it hath no light. If it be fire, how is it forever burning? Seest thou how something more intolerable than this happens? For it is not quenched. Yea, therefore it is called unquenchable. Let us then consider how great a misery it must be, to be forever burning, and to be in darkness, and to utter unnumbered groanings, and to gnash the teeth, and not even to be heard. For if here any one of those ingeniously brought up, should he be cast into prison, speaks of the mere ill savor, and the being laid in darkness, and the being bound with murderers, as more intolerable than any death: think what it is when we are burning with the murderers of the whole world, neither seeing nor being seen, but in so vast a multitude thinking that we are alone. For the darkness and gloom doth not allow our distinguishing those who are near to us, but each will burn as if he were thus suffering alone. Moreover, if darkness of itself afflicteth and terrifieth our souls, how then will it be when together with the darkness there are likewise so great pains and burnings?

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 29 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Wherefore I entreat you to be ever revolving these things with yourselves, and to submit to the pain of the words, that we may not undergo the punishment of the things. For assuredly, all these things shall be, and those whose doings have deserved those chambers of torture no man shall rescue, not father, nor mother, nor brother. “For a brother redeemeth not,” He saith; “shall a man redeem?” ( Ps. xlix. 7 , LXX.), though he have much confidence, though he have great power with God. For it is He Himself who rewards every one according to his works, and upon these depends our salvation or punishment.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 30 · Original source

Date uncertain | John Chrysostom

Which may God grant us all to obtain, by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.

Complete source paragraph · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, source paragraph 33 · Original source

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

τοὺς αἰῶνας, “the ages;” “duration beyond time.”

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-7 · Original source

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

οὐσιώσεως, “communication of Being.” Cf. in 1 Cor. Hom. v. § 4, p. 56, Oxf. Tr.

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-12 · Original source

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

[τὸ, ἐν, διά ἐστι.—F.G.]

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-5 · Original source

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

τὸ γνήσιον τῆς υἱότητος

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-6 · Original source

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

[R.V. “having become.” — F.G.]

Editorial footnote · Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Homily 1, editorial note cite_note-8 · Original source