Exposition of the Catholic Epistle of St. James

^A And they were chosen beforehand, so that they might not be perverted together with the more rotten ones. By "iniquity," he means error in dogma, or simply any kind of injustice. He who acts unjustly is not of the foundation, he is not of God. For how could he be, since that Foundation is just? He does not have the seal. Observe also that if he who names the name of the Lord ought to depart from iniquity, he who does not depart is not even worthy to name it. For praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner.

"In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earthenware." Because many are troubled, asking the reason why the wicked exist in the world, Paul, having set aside other causes, now states this one: because even in a great house there are diverse vessels. By "great house" he means the world, not the Church itself; for in the latter he does not wish there to be anything wooden, but all things golden and silver, ^B where the body of Christ is, where the Virgin is, not having a spot. "And some are to honor, and some to dishonor." The golden ones, that is, those endowed with virtues, are to honor; the wooden and earthenware ones, that is, the wicked, are to dishonor. He did not say "for use and for uselessness," because the wicked, even if they are not useful for virtue, are nevertheless useful for the simple constitution of the world, and for certain dispensations, as Pharaoh was.

"If any one therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified." Do you see that it is not of nature, nor of material necessity, as the Manichaeans say, to be golden or earthenware, but of our own free will? For it is possible for everyone to cleanse himself, that is, to completely purge himself of the earthenware and wooden will, and to ^C install a golden and silver one. Paul was earthenware, but he became golden; Judas was golden, but he became earthenware. But if earthenware vessels are disparaged, how does he say in another place: "Having this treasure in earthen vessels"? There he speaks of the nature of the body. For just as a potsherd is nothing else but baked clay, so also our body is nothing else but clay solidified by the heat of the soul. But here he speaks of the will.

"And useful to the Master." Are the wooden ones, therefore, useless for the primary goal of the Master, God, who wishes all men to be saved, even if, as has been said, they seem to be useful in another way? "Prepared for every good work." That is, even if the time or occasion for acting has not arrived, yet it will be ready and prepared, whether for martyrdom or for virginity.

"Flee also youthful desires." Youthful desires are not only those of fornication, but also any absurd covetousness, ^D whether one desires power, or whether one desires

money; for such desires are foolish and mere fancies of unstable minds. Observe how even the man of ^A advanced age and worn by time mimics the ways of the young.

"Pursue righteousness." By righteousness he refers to virtue in general.

"Faith." Meaning true and firm faith, and a steady disposition toward those who are loved; it is as if he were saying: Do not be faithless and unstable. He therefore immediately adds:

"Charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." That is to say, only toward those who call upon the Lord without guile and without hypocrisy, being themselves peaceful and free from strife, with those you should mingle.

"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." Do you see how throughout he draws him away from questions? Not that he was not fully able to refute them—for he was able—but because it was utterly useless to cast oneself into such contentions; for no good end comes from them, but only fightings and enmities. Therefore, avoid these—the foolish ones, that is. Consequently, there are other questions, those concerning the Scriptures, which ought not to be avoided, inasmuch as they do not generate strife. Observe, then, how they go astray who contend in questions that are supposedly about the Scriptures. ^B

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men." Gentle, that is, mild. How then does he say: "Rebuke them with all authority," and, "Let no man despise thy youth"? Because a sharp rebuke bites most deeply when it is administered with gentleness. For it is possible to reprove more effectively with mildness than to put to shame with harshness.

"Apt to teach." That is, toward those who wish to learn. "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject."

"Patient." This is what he most needs to possess, both in order to await their conversion, and in order to always preach, and not immediately to cut them off. ^C Consider what follows:

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." For with audacity and strife the soul could not discern anything useful; because he who is to learn anything useful must before all else be kindly disposed towards his teacher. But how could one be well-disposed to one who is audacious and insulting? Why then does he say that one should reject a heretic after the first and second admonition? There, he refers to the uncorrectable man, whom he knows to be suffering from an incurable disease; but here, he speaks of those who have not yet rejected every medicine, which is evident from what follows.

If God peradventure will give them repentance to ^A the acknowledging of the truth. "Peradventure," he says, implies there will be some correction. Now, "peradventure" applies to things uncertain and doubtful. Therefore, one must abstain from those who are manifestly incurable, but one should attempt to correct those about whom there is doubt. See how, in teaching humility, he did not say, "peradventure you may be able," but, "peradventure God will give them to recover themselves." And if anything comes of it, he says, it is the Lord’s; do not you, therefore, exalt yourself. Wherefore, even if we have persuaded someone, let us not think that we ourselves have persuaded him.

VER. 26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. Understand this not only of doctrine, but also of life. For men are in the snare of the devil, not only for the sake of doctrines, but also of life. Wherefore, those who err in their life should also be corrected with patience. For as the sparrow, if it be held by even one part—by the foot, I mean—is in the power of him who set the snare, so we, even if we are not caught by both—by faith, I say, and by life—but by life alone, we are in the power of the devil.

Taken captive by him at his will. They swim, he says, in error; but if they are taken captive by God to do His will—that is, God’s will—peradventure they will recover from the waters of error. And the will of God is not only to believe, but also to live rightly. Therefore, understand these things concerning life as well, not only concerning doctrines. Some, however, have understood "by whom they are taken captive" as referring to the devil, and the rest in the same way.

CAPUT III

VER. 1. This know also, that in the last days perilous ^C times shall come. Because there were many wicked men in those times, lest Timothy should be troubled by these things, he had previously forewarned him, saying, "In a great house," and the rest; ^D but now he says that such will be the case also hereafter. Nay, even in the time of Moses, Jannes and Jambres were present. Wherefore, this is not a new thing today, nor will it stop with you. Do not, therefore, be distressed. Now "perilous times" means "exceedingly wicked." And this is not to be understood of the days—for what malice has a day?—but of the wicked things and men within those days. And we, in common speech, call times "wicked" or "good" because of the events that happen in them, or because of the men.

VER. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves. He immediately sets down the cause of all evils: to look not to the things of one's neighbor, but only to one's own. For the "lover of self" is he who loves only himself; from which it results that he does not even truly love himself in the end. For just as in the members, the injury of one passes on to the rest, and likewise in buildings, so too in the Church: he who neglects his brother and cares only for himself, destroys even himself.

EXPOSITIO IN EPIST. II AD TIMOTH.—CAP. III.

^A Avari. Having stated the root, he induces specifically the branches grown from it, of which the first and greatest is avarice. For just as every good thing flows from charity, so does every evil from self-love (*philautia*), since it is opposed to charity. For charity is broad, and is poured out everywhere; but self-love narrows its breadth, and draws it into one only thing.

Elati. Those who carry themselves proudly and boast against others.

Superbi, blasphemi. As malice advances, the injury reaches even as far as God. For when a person becomes arrogant towards men, and then attributes every achievement to himself, and not to divine grace, then he is already a blasphemer.

Parentibus non obedientes, ingrati, scelesti, sine affectione, sine pace. Rightly so; for if they blaspheme God, how shall they honor their parents? And he who does not honor his parents will be ungrateful towards all. But such a person is also wicked (*scelestus*), for he rejects holiness and duty. Furthermore, he is alien to the affection of charity: for whom else will he embrace with the affection of love, he who rejects his own benefactor? And *sine pace* (without peace), he is reconciled to no one, if indeed not even to his benefactor.

VERS. 3. Criminatores (Accusers). That is, speaking evil of all. For he who is conscious of no good in himself, accuses all others, appearing to himself to procure a certain consolation by this means, and thus he devises it.

Incontinentes. Of the tongue, plainly, and of the belly, and of all other things.

Immites (Without mildness). Do you see whom self-love and avarice make? Beasts instead of men.

Sine benignitate. Enemies of every good thing.

VERS. 4. Proditores (Traitors). Of friendship.

Præcipites. That is, unstable, having nothing firm.

Tumidi. Full of arrogance.

Voluptatum amatores magis quam Dei. This follows necessarily. For where there is love for the pleasures of this world, there the divine desire is not.

VERS. 5. Habentes speciem pietatis, virtutem autem ejus abnegantes. That is, they only put on the appearance of piety and act as hypocrites, but by their deeds they deny it. Observe here ^D that the power of piety, and its, as it were, sinews, are shown in deeds. Rightly, therefore, is it said to be dead without deeds. The Apostle used the word *species* (form/appearance) in a good sense in another place; for a teacher has the *species* of knowledge, that is, he forms and shapes knowledge in his disciples.

Et hos devita. If they are to be in the last times, how does he say, "Avoid these"? It is likely that there were some such people even then, and if not in such great abundance, yet they existed nonetheless, as if he said: Avoid such men.

^A 6 For of this sort are they who creep into houses. By the word "creep," he indicates their shamelessness, as well as their lack of nobility, their fawning, and the fact that they are filled with deceit.

"And lead captive silly women." He did not say "deceiving," but "leading captive," as if using them like slaves; for such is the person who is deceived. Note, however, that it is the lot of women to be deceived, or rather, of "silly women." Thus, if a man is deceived, he might be called a "silly woman."

"Laden with sins." He indicates the abundance of sins and an unordered and confused life. For they do not impose upon women indiscriminately (since nature itself is not to be blamed), but they deceive those who possess a heap of sins. For he who is conscious of no good in himself yields quickly to wicked teachers, comforting himself as if he were not going to render an account for his deeds.

"Led away by divers lusts." That is to say, by money, glory, luxury, and finery; he also hints at shameful desires. Observe, moreover, the word "led away," as if it were said of brute animals.

^B 7 "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Are they, therefore, worthy of pardon? By no means; rather, they are even more unworthy of pardon. For since they have heaped up sins and desires upon themselves, their mind has been blinded. Thus, their inability to learn is to be ascribed not to nature, but to their own will.

^C 8 "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth." These men were the magicians in the time of Moses. How, then, did Paul know their names, since Scripture does not mention them? Either they are handed down without writing, or it is likely that Paul knew them through the Holy Spirit.

"Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." When anyone has corrupted his mind with passions, he then becomes reprobate concerning the faith. For the fool has said: "There is no God" (Ps. XIII, 1). ^D Whence? Because they were corrupted and became abominable in their iniquities. An uncorrupted mind, therefore, admits the faith. We must be diligent, then, that we are not corrupted by passions, lest the adulteration of the faith find a place within us.

But they shall proceed no further.

For their folly shall be manifest to all, as also theirs was.

But you have fully known my doctrine.

Doctrine.

Manner of life.

Purpose.

Faith.

Longsuffering.

Patience.

Persecutions, afflictions.

What came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra.

What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me.

^A be steadfast, and God did not abandon me. So you too be ready, and you shall not be abandoned.

Vers. 12. *And all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.* And this is truly the greatest consolation. For why, he says, do I speak only of myself? As many as determine to live godly and according to the Gospel will be persecuted. And he speaks here of persecutions, not only those which threaten from unbelievers, but also afflictions in simple terms, and the sorrows and pains which those endowed with virtue endure. For the life of man is a place of trial, as Job says, and he who treads the narrow path is necessarily pressed.

VERS. 13. *But evil men and impostors will proceed for the worse, erring and leading into error.* Let nothing disturb you if they act in tranquility, but you are in temptations: for such is the nature of things. You have gone out to the contest: it is necessary for you to abound in sweat. It is foolish, therefore, to seek rest in the contest. For even if they seem to advance, yet this is not advancement, namely, to proceed prosperously in error. For, interpreting what "for the worse" is, he said, to lead into error and to be led astray.

VERS. 14. *But you, remain in the things that you have learned, and [which] have been entrusted to you.* ^B You, however, he says, be unmoved, *and do not emulate those who do evil, nor [envy] a man who prospers in his way.* [Ps. XXXVI, 1]. But you did not simply learn, but they were also entrusted to you; that is, you learned with certainty. Therefore, even if you see something different from that which you believed, do not be disturbed: since even Abraham, after having heard, *In Isaac shall your seed be called*, when later he was ordered to slaughter him, was not disturbed.

*Knowing from whom you have learned, and that from infancy you have known the sacred letters.* He adduces two causes for which he ought to remain immovable: because you did not learn from some common person, he says, but from Paul; or, which amounts to the same thing, from Christ; and because you did not learn yesterday or recently, but from infancy, and the knowledge of piety has struck roots in you. Wherefore, it will not allow you to do anything foolishly, as most are accustomed to do. For he who knows the Scriptures as he ought will never be subverted. He calls the divine Scripture "sacred letters." This, moreover, is against Simon, and Manes, and all who call the Old Testament evil. ^D

VERS. 15. *Which are able to instruct you for salvation, through faith which is in Jesus Christ.* Not as external knowledge instructs a man for fraud and impostures, and wars of words, from which comes the destruction of the soul, so does divine knowledge, but it instructs for salvation. What kind? Not that which is through works, not that which is through words, but that which is through the faith of Jesus Christ. For the holy Scriptures lead man to believe in Christ, who procures salvation for him.

Variæ lectiones.

EXPOSITIO IN EPIST. II AD TIMOTH. — CAP. IV.

^A VERS. 16. *Omnis scriptura divinitus inspirata et utilis.* Having mentioned not a few modes of consolation, he now brings forward the greatest, which is from the reading of the Scriptures. For he is about to announce to him something sorrowful, namely, that the end of his life is at hand. Lest, therefore, he lose heart, as if deprived of his instructor, "You have," he says, "the Scriptures, which can help you in my stead." But some inquire how he said: *Omnis scriptura divinitus inspirata.* Are then the writings of the Greeks also divinely inspired? And some who force the text place a punctuation mark at "divinitus inspirata," saying that *every* scripture that is divinely inspired, that also is useful. Yet they ought to have understood that, since he said above, "You have known the sacred letters," he now says, "Every scripture." Of what kind? That concerning which he was discoursing, concerning which he said that it is sacred. Every such scripture, therefore, is divinely inspired and useful for everything that he subsequently recounts.

*Ad docendum.* It is profitable, he says, by teaching us if anything needs to be learned. For there is nothing which cannot be resolved by the divine Scripture.

*Ad arguendum.* If false things must be refuted, this can also be done from thence.

*Ad corrigendum, ad erudiendum in justitia.* If anything, he says, must be corrected, and anyone instructed—that is, trained toward justice, which is to say, toward doing just deeds—this also is at your disposal from the Scriptures.

^B VERS. 17. *Ut sit perfectus homo Dei.* The correction, he says, comes from the Scriptures, so that nothing of any good thing may be lacking to the man of God. Wherefore, if you too wish to be perfect, that is, consummated and sound, and always the same—neither contracted by sorrowful things nor inflated by prosperous ones, for that is a sign of an unstable mind—take these as your counselors in my place. But if he wrote to Timothy, who was full of the Holy Spirit, concerning reading, how much more does he command this to us? Observe, moreover, that without the Scriptures no one can be perfect.

*Ad omne opus bonum consummatus.* Not simply a participant in good works, but consummated, that is, perfected: not toward this, while not toward that, but toward everything.

^C

CAPUT IV.

VERS. 1. *Testificor igitur ego coram Deo et Domino Jesu Christo, qui judicaturus est vivos et mortuos.* He terrified Timothy when he said elsewhere: "I charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things"; but now he makes the discourse more fearful by the mention of that judgment. For, he says, I call as witness Him who is about to demand an account, that I have not concealed even this from you. By the living and the dead, he speaks either of sinners and the just, or of those who have already departed from this world ^D and those who are then to be left living.

Some, however, have understood it as referring to souls and bodies. ^A

*At his appearing and his kingdom.* When is he to judge? At his appearing, which shall happen with glory and kingdom. For he will not come so lowly and despised as before.

*Preach the word.* What is this that I adjure? Preach the word; do not restrain the gift that is in you. Let us be struck with terror, we who do not preach!

*Be urgent in season, out of season.* That is, speak with persistence and constancy; not once, but always. Let there not be a set time for you, but be urgent in season—that is, when you are in peace, and free from fear, and in the church—but also out of season, that is, when you are in dangers and outside the church, speak and preach. ^B For he said "in season and out of season" according to the opinion of many; for they think that tranquility is the "in season," and a time of danger is the "out of season." And again, they think being in the church is the time for teaching, and being outside of it is "out of season." Or, alternatively: do not wait for the time of a fall, but teach even before one stumbles.

*Reprove.* When you see that this ought to be done—that is, when you find someone sinning, or about to sin—do not shrink back.

*Rebuke.* After you have reproved and demonstrated that he has done wrong, then rebuke; that is, impose the penalty and the punishment.

*Exhort.* A rebuke is like a cutting; an exhortation is like a soothing medicine. ^C Apply, therefore, the medicine of exhortation, lest the cutting alone, by making the pains more intense, cast the person into despair.

*With all patience and doctrine.* Connect this with all that was said before. For it is necessary to reprove with all patience, so as not to believe those who report things simply, but to act as teachers, so that it may be taught how he sinned and what the sin is. So it is fitting also to rebuke with patience, not as if imposing a punishment on an enemy, but as giving instruction to a son. And "in doctrine," that is, teaching him what the gain of the penalty is. Exhortation, moreover, has maximum need of both patience and doctrine. And not with an ordinary patience, but "with all," that is, that which is shown in every way, ^D indeed, by deeds, by words, and by demeanor.

*Vers. 3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.* Therefore, before they are corrupted, anticipate them. For this reason he also said above, "in season, out of season," act in every way so long as they obey.

*But according to their own desires they will heap up teachers for themselves.* By the word "heap up," he signified the reckless crowd of teachers, and because they are loved by the common people, which is done for no rational reason, but they...

choose those who consent to their own desires, and both say and do things that tend to their pleasure, those they appoint ^A.

*Prurientes auribus* (Having itching ears). That is, becoming tickled in their ears, constantly desiring to hear things that please them.

VERS. 4. *And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.* Do you see that they do not err out of ignorance, but of their own free will? For "they shall turn away," he says, "and shall be turned." So, the evil is voluntary. He says these things not to cast the disciple into despondency, but to persuade him to make proper use of the present time of freedom from trouble; and when it passes, to bear it bravely, just as Christ also said: *They shall deliver you up and shall scourge you* (Matt. 10:17). And this same Apostle: *After my departure, grievous wolves shall enter in* (Acts 20:29).

VERS. 5. *But be thou vigilant in all things, endure afflictions.* Do you see that it is for the sake of being vigilant that he predicts these things? As if he were saying: Before that ravaging comes, as long as the wolves are not yet present, endure afflictions, both voluntary and involuntary, so that you may establish the sheep in safety ^B.

*Do the work of an evangelist.* So then, the work of an evangelist is to endure evil, both from oneself and from those who are without. *Fulfill thy ministry.* That is, complete it. Thus, the ministry is only then completed, when someone endures evil.

VERS. 6. *For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my dissolution is at hand.* He did not say "I am sacrificed," but [used] a stronger word. For not the whole victim is offered to God, but the libation is offered in its entirety.

VERS. 7. *I have fought a good fight.* Why does Paul now speak in such lofty terms? He is not boasting, but is consoling his disciple, that he should not sorrow over him, since he has already attained a good end and is departing unto crowns ^C. Just as if a father, at the point of death, should console his child sitting by his side and weeping, and say: "My son, do not weep; we have lived well, we have raised up trophies, our King shows us great favors, and you shall also be able to be admired and praised for the things done by us." For it is plain that the father says these things, rousing his son with praises to bear the separation lightly. To a similar purpose, Paul here consoles Timothy, drafting this Epistle as a sort of testament. "I have fought," says he, "the good fight; therefore, do you also take hold of it." Is then where there is a chain, where there are bonds, is this a good fight, O Paul? "Yes," he says, "for this very reason; for these things happen for the sake of Christ." In external contests, men labor for many days ^D and in a single hour receive the crown; but here, the brightness

^A will endure forever. Therefore, it is a good contest—that is, acceptable and decorous.

*I have finished the course.* For from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Illyricum, he had filled the Gospel; he ran so mightily, cutting through countless obstacles—deaths, ambushes, calamities—as if he had wings made of fire.

*I have kept the faith.* For there were not a few things that attempted to plunder it: threats, deaths, promises of pleasant things; but he stood against them all, sober and ever vigilant, watching the thief.

Ver. 8. *As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice.* What he had said was indeed sufficient for consolation, but he adds the rewards here, that he might rouse him the more. For it is not proper to grieve, he says, because I depart to receive a crown. By "justice" here, he again refers to every virtue.

*Which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day.* He did not say "give," but "render," as if it were a certain debt and obligation; for, being just, he will certainly define the reward for the labors. Thus, the crown is an obligation, on account of the justice of the Judge.

*And not only to me, but to all them also that love his appearing.* Here he also rouses Timothy himself. For if to all, then much more to you. But who is it that loves his appearing? He who does things worthy of it; so that he who does not is not seen to love his ^B appearing and arrival, but rather to pray that it may not come, lest he receive what his deeds deserve. It is called an "appearing" (epiphaneia) because it appears from above and rises from the heights. But before his universal appearing, there is another one, according to which he reveals himself to the worthy, though not to the world. And again: *I and the Father will come,* he says, *and we will make our abode with him.*

Ver. 9. *Make haste to come to me quickly.* Why does he summon Timothy to himself, and that too when he had been entrusted with the Church of Ephesus and an entire nation? Because he was in bonds and held prisoner by Nero, and could not go to him himself; for this reason he calls him to Rome, perhaps wishing to entrust many things to him before he meets his death.

Ver. 10. *For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to Thessalonica.* He did not say, "that I may see you before I die," so as not to afflict him with sorrow; but because "I am alone, and have no one to help me in the Gospel, make haste to come." But what is it that he says: *loving this world?* That is, being a lover of ease, and of a life free from danger and secure; he preferred to live in luxury at home rather than suffer affliction with me. He accuses him alone, not with the intention of slandering him, ^C but that he might strengthen us, so that we may not grow weak in dangers; and at the same time, because he wishes to draw Timothy to himself more quickly.

^A Crescens in Galatiam, Titus in Dalmatiam. He no longer accuses them, for Titus was so admirable that the island of Crete was entrusted to him. These two, therefore, did not depart because they loved this present world, but perhaps for the sake of preaching or some other necessity.

Lucas est solus mecum. He was inseparably attached to him, having written the Gospel and the Catholic Acts. Writing of him, Paul says: "Whose praise is in the Gospel through all the churches" (II Cor. VIII, 18).

Marcum assume et adduc tecum: est enim mihi utilis ad ministerium. He does not say this for his own relief, but for the ministry of the Gospel. For even while in chains, he did not cease from preaching. Therefore, he was not calling Timothy for his own sake, but for the sake of the Gospel, so that no disturbance might arise among the faithful at the time of his death, since many of his disciples were present, and they would prevent any commotion and console those who took his death ill. For it is likely that those who had believed in Rome were men of standing.

Tychicum autem misi Ephesum. So I have been left alone, and thy presence is necessary.

Penulam quam reliqui Troade apud Carpum, veniens tecum affer et libros. He speaks of a heavy cloak here; he seeks this so that he might not have need to receive one from others. For everywhere he takes great care that he might not be in need of others. Some, however, understand this to be the case where the books were kept. But why did he need the books, being about to depart to God? That he might entrust them to the faithful, to have them in his place.

Maxime membranas. Perhaps these contained more useful things.

^B Alexander ærarius multa mala mihi ostendit. He mentions this temptation, not that he might accuse him, but that he might persuade the disciple to bear with a noble spirit even the temptations brought on by certain base and dishonorable men. For many, when tempted by certain men of standing, endure it, having as consolation the excellence of those who are afflicting them; but to suffer at the hands of base and outcast men is a great affliction. Therefore Paul also says, "He showed me many evils," which is to say, "he afflicted me excessively," or even "in many ways." For indeed, those who are obscure and dishonorable, caring very little for the opinion of the multitude, when they begin to do evil to someone, show no mercy at all.

Reddat ei Dominus secundum opera ejus. Be confident, he says; these things will not proceed for him without punishment, but "may the Lord repay him"—that is, "He will repay him." For it is a prophecy rather than an imprecation; and it is not, as the saints [might pray]...

do, running toward [the infliction of] punishments, that this has been said by Paul, but because the preaching [of the Gospel] required the restraint of those who were hindering it, and also because the weaker ones would be greatly comforted by this.

"Whom you also must avoid." He did not say, "Punish" or "chastise" (although it was possible to accomplish these things through the grace of the Spirit), but he commands [him] to avoid—that is, to turn aside and withdraw from him—leaving the vengeance to God.

"For he has greatly withstood our words." That is, he fights and opposes the words of the Gospel.

VERS. 16. "At my first defense no one took my side, but all forsook me." He describes other temptations again, so that he may the more embolden his disciple for the struggle. But what "first defense" does he mean? He was presented before Nero earlier, and escaped death, so as to continue preaching from then on; but when he had instructed his cupbearer in the faith, Nero, boiling over with madness, beheaded him. By saying, "All forsook me," he expresses sadness; as if he were to say: "My own household and friends have betrayed me, and I have been left destitute of all consolation." Therefore, even if you are forsaken in dangers, take me as an example for your consolation.

"May it not be laid to their charge." Do you see how he spares his own people? And yet his familiar associates and household, his collaborators, had done a serious thing when they abandoned him. For it is not the same thing to be treated with contempt by strangers as it is by one's own people. Yet he prays that this might not be laid to their charge—by God, that is—since otherwise it would be a great sin, and one worthy of being charged.

VERS. 17. "But the Lord stood by me." This is again a consolation for the disciple; for he shows that God does not allow anyone who is forsaken by men to suffer any grievous harm.

"And strengthened me." That is, He granted [me] boldness, and did not allow me to fall.

"So that through me the preaching might be fulfilled." ^B Observe his great humility. For, he says, He did not strengthen me because I was worthy of the gift, but that the preaching might be fulfilled through me—that is, might be confirmed, or might come to its end and be filled; just as if someone were wearing the royal purple and diadem and were preserved because of them.

"And that all the Gentiles might hear." That is, so that the glory of the Word and the care of Divine Providence concerning me might become manifest to all.

"And I was rescued from the mouth of the lion." This is Nero. He calls him a lion because of the strength of his rule and his unassailable power. See, however, how close he came to dying, having fallen into the very throat of the lion.

VERS. 18. "And the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed" ^{C D}

At that time, indeed, he snatched me from bodily death; but since I have preached sufficiently, I hope that he will deliver me, no longer indeed from bodily death—for I am already being poured out as a drink offering—but from every sin; that is, he will not allow me to be weakened toward death, but will grant me to resist against sin unto blood, which is to be rescued from the spiritual lion. This salvation, therefore, is greater, when he appears to be delivered to death, than the former, when he escaped. ^A And he will keep me for his heavenly kingdom. That is, he will snatch me away from all sin, and will keep me there. For this is to be saved into his kingdom, namely, to die here on his behalf. For "he who hates his life will keep it for eternal life." Thus, true salvation is this, when we shine forth there. To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he attributes glory to the Son just as to the Father; for this one is the Lord. ^B VERS. 19. "Greet Prisca and Aquila." These are they who took up Apollos and instructed him, at whose house Paul himself also stayed, of whom he makes mention constantly. He places the woman first, as one more faithful and more zealous; for she also instructed Apollos. Or, he does this without distinction. He offers the greeting, at once consoling them and showing honor and love through it; and what is greater, bestowing much grace through it. For the greeting alone of that blessed and holy man is sufficient to fill the one being greeted with much grace. "And the household of Onesiphorus." That is, those who are in his house. For he himself was in Rome, attending to Paul in chains, as has been said before. Through this greeting, however, he makes them more eager to pursue such things. ^C VERS. 20. "Erastus remained at Corinth; but Trophimus I left at Miletus, ill." Because he had not mentioned these, he now makes mention of them, and shows himself to be destitute on every side, so as to draw Timothy to come more quickly. But for what reason did he not heal Trophimus, who was sick? Because the saints could not do all things, God bringing this about ^D so that men might not make gods of them. Thus also Moses, having been sluggish of speech from his youth, did not heal himself, nor did he enter into the land of promise, lest he be thought a god. Thus also this very Paul had a thorn. Miletus is near Ephesus. Therefore, whether Paul left him at Miletus when he was sailing for Judea, or whether after having been in Rome he returned again into these regions, we cannot say. VERS. 21. "Do your best to come before winter." Since on every side I am deserted, as one may see, come. He does not say, before you die...

^A (for that were a sorrowful thing), but that you might not be prevented by the winter, and consequently not see me, even if it is not so expressed.

"Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus." Some record that this Linus was the second bishop of the Roman Church after Peter.

"And Claudia." Do you observe how even women were fervent and warm, and crucified to the world? For this sex is in no way inferior to the male, if it be willing. Indeed, in matters necessary for the preservation of life, they contribute very much, inasmuch as they have taken upon themselves the care of the household, and release men from such cares so that they may the more freely manage public affairs. Furthermore, in spiritual matters, they are even more capable than men of practicing temperance, and of displaying sanctification, purity, and fasting. In short, nothing at all stands in the way of women in the exercise of virtue, if they but wish it.

"And all the brothers." He no longer mentions these by name; but since there were so many believers, he mentions those few by name, inasmuch as they were more renowned, for they had already gone beyond the things of this world and were more fervent in spirit.

VERS. 22. "The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Do not grieve, he says, that I am departing; for the Lord is with you ^B. And he did not say, "with you," but, "with your spirit." The help is twofold: that of the grace of the Spirit, and that of God, who assists that very grace. Moreover, it signifies another thing, namely that the Lord is with us when we have His Spirit with us, not driving Him away through malice.

"Grace be with you. Amen." ^C He finally prays for himself, that he may always be pleasing to God and obtain grace from Him. For just as he who sees the emperor and holds grace in his sight feels nothing sorrowful, in the same way, even if we are destitute of friends and fall into dangers, we will feel nothing, if that grace is present with us and protects us. This, however, cannot come about in any other way than by our working at what is pleasing to the Lord. For just as in a house those servants find favor with their masters who do things agreeable to them; in the same way, each one of us will have grace ^D with the common Lord, if he cares for those things which are His. For in this way he will attain His providence in all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.

EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE OF SAINT PAUL TO TITUS

THEOPHYLACT, ARCHBISHOP OF BULGARIA, EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE OF DIVINE PAUL TO TITUS

^A Argument of the Epistle to Titus.

Titus was the most approved among those who associated with Paul, and for this reason he was chosen as bishop of Crete, that great island, and was entrusted with both the judgment and the ordination of so many bishops. He is further commanded by this Epistle to supply what was lacking, as the most approved man, which Paul wrote to him before he was bound, while he was still in security. For nowhere does he mention temptations here. Whence it seems to me that this is prior to the one he gave to Timothy; for he wrote that one when he was near his end. But he frequently mentions here the grace by which we were saved, knowing this to be sufficient consolation. For he who reflects within himself upon who he once was, and with what gifts ^B and grace he has since been endowed, will surely take pains not to provoke his benefactor to wrath. He also inveighs against the Jews. And if he speaks insultingly of the whole race, do not wonder. For he does not do this as a contumelious man, but as a lover of God and a zealot, just as Christ also reproached the Scribes in countless ways—not on his own account, but because they were destroying others. He writes a short Epistle, that we may learn from this fact the virtue of Titus. For such a man does not need many words, but as it were a certain reminder.

THEOPHYLACT’S COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO TITUS

CAPUT I

^AVER. 1. *Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ.* He places these titles without distinction, at one time calling himself the servant of Christ and apostle of God, and at another time the reverse. For he knows of no difference between the Father and the Son.

*According to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledgment of the truth which is according to godliness.* You may understand this in many ways: either that I am an apostle so that the elect may believe through me; or that I was ordained an apostle, not according to any achievement of my own, but as it pleased God to entrust His elect to me. Thus, the whole matter belongs to the grace of Him who entrusted this office to me; and I did not receive this dignity because I was worthy, but on account of the elect. Then, to show that we too must contribute something, he added, *and the acknowledgment of the truth*—that is to say, because I acknowledged the truth of this doctrine, I was therefore entrusted with it. Or rather, not even our acknowledgment is our own, but He Himself is the author of this, too. For we are first acknowledged by Him, and thus we acknowledge Him. Or it means that I believed just as the other elect have, and I acknowledged the truth. He said *of the truth* by way of contrast to the Jewish ceremonies. For those were not the truth, nor yet a lie, but types and shadows. And by calling us "the elect," he effectively casts those others aside. For even if they were once the elect, they are so no longer. Observe, moreover, that faith comes first in place, and then knowledge emerges from this, and not from calculations. But having said *of the truth*, he added, *which is according to godliness*, because there is also true knowledge regarding worldly matters. For example, one may know agriculture or architecture truly. Yet the discourse here is not about that truth, but about that which is according to godliness.

^CVER. 2. *In hope of eternal life.* Having enumerated the benefits with which God has adorned us in the present age, he recounts at the same time those which He is to grant in the future. For the very knowledge of the truth serves as a great benefit to us, who have been freed from error. And for this very thing, He bestows upon us eternal life as a recompense. For since we have acknowledged Him, he says, we hope for eternal life as well. Do you see how, from the very beginning, he recounts the benefits of God so as to make the bishop himself, and even more his disciples, ^D more ready to please their Benefactor? Furthermore, when he says, *in the hope of eternal life*, he shakes the foundation of Jewish rites. For they held the present life as their recompense.

^A *Which He promised, who does not lie, before eternal times.* If He is truthful, He will certainly give what He promised, even after death. From eternity, however, He decreed these things, and not out of a change of counsel. Nor is it because the Jews did not approach Christ that He gave these things to us, but it was so destined from eternity, and He loved us before the ages. And it is a proof of our nobility that we were loved from the beginning. ^B

VERS. 3. *But in His own times He manifested His word in preaching.* Lest anyone should say, “Why did He delay the donation of those things which were ordained before eternal times?” he says it was for the sake of dispensation, and to do it at the proper time. For Scripture knows the “proper time,” as in the text, *It is time for the Lord to act* (Ps. CXVIII, 126). “In His own times,” he says, that is, in times suitable and due. But what did He manifest? “His word,” he says, that is, the Gospel. How? “In preaching,” that is, manifestly, with liberty and confidence. He who preaches neither adds anything, nor subtracts; so we also preach those things which were enjoined upon us, only in the hearing of all, as Christ also said: *Preach upon the housetops* (Matth. x, 27), commending the liberty of the dogma through the manner and the place. Observe, moreover, that the sequence of facts required saying thus: “But in His own times He manifested it,” that is, eternal life; but he did not frame it so, but “He manifested His word.” And rightly so. For the Gospel contains all things, both those given to us for the present, such as piety, faith, truth, and those which will befall us in the future, namely, eternal life. Some, however, understood “the word” Himself to be the Son. ^C

*Which is committed to me, according to the commandment of God our Savior.* Meaning, which preaching I was entrusted with. If, therefore, it was entrusted to me, I ought not to think things unworthy of the One who entrusted it to me, nor to dissemble, nor to be resentful toward that which was entrusted to me. But it is also according to a command of His that this is my task, which is to say, I am even forced to do this against my will. For of things to be done, some are fulfilled by commandment, others by exhortation; for example: *Be reconciled to thy brother* (Matth. v, 25), is a commandment, and he who does not do it is punished. But that, *Sell all thy possessions* (Matth. xix, 21), and, *He who is able to take it, let him take it* (Matth. xix, 12), are exhortations, and he who does not do them is not punished. ^D I therefore, he says, was entrusted with the preaching by commandment, that is, so that it is necessary for me to perform it. *For woe is unto me*, he says, *if I preach not the gospel* (1 Cor. ix, 16). And this is not a matter of ambition, but of necessity. And whose commandment is it? God’s our Savior. Therefore, since God, willing to save us, has commanded these things, how shall I not serve Him for this saving work?

^A *Ver. 4. To Titus, my genuine child.* For it is possible both to be a child and not a genuine one, just as a fornicator who is a Christian, or a greedy man, is a child in that he was reborn in baptism, but not a genuine one, since he is unworthy of the Father. *According to the common faith.* Having called Titus a child, and having himself assumed the rank of a father, he again diminishes this honor, saying that I have nothing more than you according to the faith; for it is common, and by it both I and you were born. How then does he call him a child? Either to manifest his affection, or because he himself baptized him. Insofar as the faith is the same for both, they are brothers to one another. Insofar as Paul baptized Titus, he is a father. Therefore, the phrase "according to the common faith" indicates the brotherhood. ^B *Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Savior.* By this also he declares the brotherhood when he says "from God the Father," and rouses Titus so that he may remember whose son he is—namely, God’s. Note also how he prays for the same things for the bishop and teacher as he does for the private individuals. For he himself is in greater need of the grace of God, as one who bears many burdens; and of mercy, as one who is accountable for many things; and of peace, as one who is attacked by tumults and countless weapons. For a single good deed raises a bishop to heaven, and a single sin brings him down to Hades. ^C *For this cause I left you in Crete, that you might set in order the things that are lacking.* Just as in a household, those who are set over different ministries do different things, in this same way they also had one part of the world or another distributed to them, and all were laboring. This, then, he hints at here as well by saying, "I left you in Crete," as one who had himself departed elsewhere in order that he might labor there. Note also how he is not ashamed to write to his disciple, "that you might set in order those things left out by me." For he was looking to the common profit, not to his own honor. Observe, moreover, how the things that involved labors and struggles he corrected himself; but the things that brought either honor or praise, these he commits to the disciple—namely, the ordinations of bishops and other things that were in need of greater perfecting. ^D *And appoint elders in every city, as I directed you.* By these he means the bishops, just as in the Epistle to Timothy. He says, "in every city," for he did not wish for the whole island to be entrusted to one man, but for each city to have its own shepherd. For in this way the labor would be lighter, and the care more precise. *If any is blameless.* If he leads a life free from accusation, if no one has taken hold of his manner of life. [alt-version omitted]

^A His earth. For if the light, he says, is darkness, how great is the darkness? *The husband of one wife.* In order to bridle the heretics, who used to censure marriage, he receives into the episcopacy some one joined in matrimony. For marriage is so precious that one can even ascend the holy throne with it. But in order to chastise the lascivious, he says, "the husband of one wife." For he who has kept no benevolence for her who has passed away, how will he preside well over the Church? *The bishop must be blameless.* But a bigamist is not blameless, even if this is permitted by the laws of those outside.

*Having faithful children, not in an accusation of profligacy, or insubordinate.* For he who has not instructed his own children, how will he regulate others? It is obvious that if from the beginning he had brought up the boys well and diligently, they would not have become insubordinate. For sins are not by nature such that they exceed such great diligence. And he did not say simply "not profligate," but that they should not have even the slightest accusation of profligacy, nor be subject to an evil suspicion.

For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward. How, then, would he be blameless if he should have children who are unbelieving and untaught? God has set him over His own house; he holds the place of God; therefore, he must be examined in every respect.

^B *Not haughty.* For the rulers of this world exercise power over those who are unwilling, and therefore they use haughtiness, that is, self-pleasing. But a bishop, ruling over those who are willing, ought not to be haughty, so as to act self-willedly and after his own mind, and without the judgment of those he rules; for this is tyrannical.

*Not irascible.* To self-pleasing there follows necessarily also irascibility, from which the bishop must also consequently abstain. For how will he teach others to control this passion, if he has not taught himself? ^C

*Not brawling.* That is, injurious. For what is the need of injury? It is necessary to terrify the disobedient with the threat of hell, not to treat them with injury.

*Not a striker.* Neither striking with his hands, nor with bitter and harsh words at unseasonable times. For he is a physician. And the physician heals wounds, rather, he does not strike himself.

*Not a lover of base gain.* That is, displaying great contempt for money. For every gain, even if it is just, is base for a bishop.

*Hospitable.* Not only not seeking gain from others, but also distributing his own things to strangers.

*A lover of good.* He calls him mild in this way, the moderate man, the man who does not envy.

*Sober.* That is, pure.

*Just.* In matters toward men, that is, impartial. ^D

^A *Holy.* That is, pious in divine matters, omitting nothing of those things which are owed to God. *Continent.* Not only regarding food, but also exercising mastery over the tongue, and the hands, and unchaste eyes: for this is true continence.

VERSE 9. Amplectentem eum, qui est secundum doctrinam, fidelem sermonem.

VERSE 10. Sunt enim plerique inobedientes, vaniloqui, et seductores.

VERSE 11. Quos oportet redarguere.

VERSE 12. Dixit quidam ex illis, proprius ipsorum propheta: Cretenses semper mendaces, malæ bestiæ, ventres pigri. Testimonium hoc verum est.

why does Paul at one point bring forward a testimony from the Greeks, and why does he praise it, even though it does not sit well? Furthermore, who is the one who said these things? The one who spoke, then, is Epimenides, who is held in the highest regard among the Greeks for his divinations and apotropaic rites, and who is considered to excel in prophecy. This man, therefore, seeing that the Cretans had built a tomb for Zeus and were honoring him as one of the humans, as if zealous on behalf of his own god, composed these lines to Zeus: "The Cretans, those who are such and such, built a tomb for you; but you did not die, for you exist forever." ^A Paul now testifies that this usage is true. How, then, does he do this? For if it is truly spoken, then Jupiter is immortal. But he did not speak the testimony as true with an eye toward this, but because he called the Cretans liars and the rest. And what need is there for a Greek testimony? Thus he put them to the greatest shame, bringing forward to them a testimony of their own abuse from their own domestic bard. Paul is accustomed to doing this, just as he discoursed to the Athenians from Aratus; what that man attributes to the falsely-named god Zeus, he himself testifies to the true God; ^B since they are rebuked even more sharply from their own sources, just as he always debates with the Jews from the prophets, and not from the Gospels. God also does this, drawing everyone in from the things they are accustomed to and believe—for instance, the Magi through a star, Saul through the ventriloquist, because that man put his faith in her; and the soothsayers through the oxen that were drawing the ark. Not that the soothsayers speak the truth, but He refutes them from their own mouths. And He allows Balaam to bless and to prophesy. For He is accustomed to always condescend for the sake of our benefit. How, then, did Christ, and this very Paul himself, prevent the demons from speaking and bearing witness to them? ^C Because the signs were sufficient to persuade, and Christ was preaching Himself, and that was enough. Moreover, the demons were not being worshipped; for it was not an idol that was speaking. For this reason they are forbidden to speak. Verse 13. For which cause reprove them sharply. Since, he says, they are also liars—which is a mark of dishonesty—and shameless, and gluttons, there is need for a severe and striking word for them, since gentleness does not benefit them. For just as he who strikes the gentle destroys him, so he who flatters the shameless corrupts him, not allowing him to know himself. But here, he says that it is not the outsiders, but their own people who must be reproved. ^D That they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables. Soundness, therefore, is this: to introduce nothing spurious or foreign to the faith; for to subject oneself to the law is not for one who trusts in faith.

sufficient; but such a thing is no small evil. As for the Jewish myths, they are so for a double reason: because the matter is untimely and therefore useless, and because it is harmful to apply one's mind to them. As, therefore, one ought not to believe myths, so neither should one believe these. Yet the holy books of the Old Testament, when understood rightly, are in no way myths; for how could they be myths, when from them we are taught the truth of the Gospel? But the misinterpretations and the traditions of the Jews, these are the myths. Hear therefore also what follows. ^A

VERS. 14. *And from the commandments of men that turn away from the truth.* Do you see what he calls myths? The commandments of men, as it is written in Isaiah and in the Gospel, and other things, namely the observances of foods, as from what follows it is clear.

VERS. 15. *To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and conscience are defiled.* Therefore, they are not by their own nature pure or impure, but by the will of those who partake of them. For since they are pure and religious in mind, they know that all things are pure, as they are the creatures of God, and that only sin is impure. For even if the law had some impure things, it did not have them simply, but in order to restrain indulgence, knowing that the Jews, being given to gluttony, would not otherwise have obeyed. But if those who eat are base and impious, to them all things are surely impure. How? Because even fish, as they often feed on human flesh, and birds which seem clean, since they eat dung, might appear ^B impure to one who examines them in this way. So too, the sordid mind, thinking wrongly about these things, defiles them for itself, though they are not of such a nature; just as one who suffers from a stomach ailment thinks foods unpleasant, even if they are sweet; and to one who suffers from vertigo, the earth—which nonetheless remains fixed—seems to spin around; for such is the perception caused by his disease. These things also apply against the Manichaeans, and against the Marcionites, and the heretics recently sprung from them, who are commonly called Galatae. ^C

VERS. 16. *They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.* Do you see what makes one impure and abominable? To have wicked and sordid works. For truly, faith without works is dead. And the dead man is abominable and reprobate for every sort of work. ^D

CHAPTER II

VERS. 1. *But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine.* Even if they are disobedient and reprobate, you, however, do what is your duty: do not be silent, even if they do not receive it.

VERS. 2. *That the aged men be sober.* Since the vice of old age is

^A is sluggishness, forgetfulness, and torpor, he says for this reason, *Let them be sober*, that is, wakeful and alert.

*Chaste, prudent.* He calls the wise "chaste" (sōphronas), from the fact that they have sound minds (sōas phrenas). For there are among old men some who are insane, rabid, and senseless, some through wine, others through faint-heartedness.

*Sound in faith, in love, in patience.* Patience is the most fitting precept for elders, because of their hot-tempered nature and their irritability.

VERS. 3. *The aged women likewise in holy attire.* He speaks of the elderly women, who ought to appear honorable in both their dress and their apparel. ^B Some, however, understand this as referring to the deaconesses in the Church, whom he wishes to be seen as adorned also by their very clothing, that is, distinguished by their sacred ministries.

*Not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine.* For since old age is cold, it craves wine; then, being weak and unable to endure it, it is overcome—not by moderate wine, but by much—and from this comes a propensity for slander.

*Teachers of good things.* How then does he say elsewhere, "I do not permit a woman to teach"? There he speaks of common teaching in the Church, which is forbidden to women; here, however, it is about domestic teaching, which takes place privately among women. That this is what he means, hear from what follows. ^C

*That they may train the young women to be lovers of their husbands.* Not only their own daughters, but all young women in general. For let every older woman teach the younger; and first, the cardinal point of domestic goods: the love of their husbands. For if this exists, the rest will follow: the prosperity of the house and the abundance of wealth; just as, if it is absent, even if everything else is present, it will all flow away.

*Lovers of their children.* For she who loves the root, that is, the father, will much more also love the fruits, that is, the children.

*Chaste, pure, keepers of the house, good.* For she who loves her husband will be both chaste and pure, that is, ^D pure in both body and mind from the contact and desire of strangers; but also a good keeper of the house, that is, a good manager. For she who loves her husband also takes care of the house, not occupying herself with untimely luxuries and adornments. For whom else would she seek to please, having once pleased her beloved? And consider how Paul, he who detaches himself from the things of this world, now takes thought

^A for the affairs of the household, because when these are in good order, spiritual matters will also be well.

*That the word of God be not blasphemed.* Do you see that he is concerned primarily with the preaching, not with worldly affairs? For if a believing woman dwelling with an unbelieving husband is not conspicuous in virtue, the blasphemy passes over to the faith.

6. *Younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.* He appointed older women as instructors for younger women, taking care that women should instruct women; but for the younger men, he appointed Titus himself, a man for men; for he maintains propriety everywhere. And what is it that he must urge or admonish them? To be sober-minded; for the fire of improper desires especially troubles those of young age, which one must extinguish, and hasten toward sober-mindedness.

7. *In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.* Let the older women, to be sure, teach the younger, but do you yourself teach the younger men. But let the brightness of your life be a common school and an archetype of virtue, like some primary image set before all who wish to copy any of the good things in it.

*In doctrine showing uncorruptness.* Repeat "showing." Let not, he says, the things you teach be corrupted or vain, but sound and of right reason.

^B *Gravity.* Let the doctrine contain nothing juvenile or that which would distract the foolish on account of levity, but let all things be venerable and worthy of God.

VERS. 8. *Sound speech, that cannot be condemned.* That is, of correct faith, which holds nothing reprehensible.

*That he who is on the contrary side may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.* By "he who is on the contrary side," he means either the devil or anyone serving him.

VERS. 9. *Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things.* Therefore, he who separates wives from husbands under the pretext of temperance, and causes servants to desert their masters under the pretext of piety, is not "irreprensible." For he gives many occasions to all, and opens the mouths of all against the faith.

VERS. 10. *Not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity.* Observe that he requires of servants those things which please masters most of all, namely, not to answer back, not to steal, but to be faithful. For to those who are occupied with worldly businesses, these things are of greatest concern.

*That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.* For if servants conduct themselves in such a way, this redounds to the glory of Christianity. For when a Greek sees his own servant thus instructed by Christianity, how shall he not admire the dogma, to which such

^A strength resides, that it can reform such a soul? For the race of servants is always somewhat impetuous and difficult to manage, because they are not well brought up, being neglected by their masters, and not regulated by the words or the company of good men. Therefore, it was not for nothing that Paul said in another place: "As serving God, and not men" (Eph. vi, 7). For even if you serve your master, the honor still returns to God, because your goodwill toward your master takes its starting point from the fear of Him.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Tit. ii, 11). Since he had demanded much and great things from servants, namely that they should adorn the doctrine of the Lord by their own virtuous life, he now shows that he does not demand such great things from them without cause. For grace has appeared also to them, even though they be servants. For "to all men," he says. And He has granted them, too, the remission of many sins, wherefore it is fitting that they also should, for the future, base their life upon the glory of their benefactor.

"Instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires" (Tit. ii, 12). And from this point he brings them to shame. For, he says, since you have obtained God as your instructor, how ought you not to live worthily of Him? And this grace, he says, does not extend only to the forgiveness of past sins, but also makes us secure for the future. For it instructs us that we should live soberly henceforth, having completely denied ungodliness and worldly desires beforehand. Through "denying," therefore, he signifies an aversion that comes from the wholehearted disposition; and by "ungodliness" he names idolatry and wicked dogmas. By "worldly desires," he means greed, gluttony, and the others, as many as do not pass over into heaven, but are useful in this world, and are dissolved with it. For this reason, therefore, Christ came, that we might deny both impious dogmas and a wicked life, hating both with the same disposition. ^B

"We should live soberly, and justly, and godly." "Soberly" does not signify only abstinence from fornication, but also from the rest of the passions. For if you love money, you are not sober; nay, rather you are even more dissolute, insofar as this passion is not even natural. And, in short, whoever is overcome by any other passions whatsoever is not sober.

"In this present world." For this holds the struggle; but the future holds the rewards. ^C

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Tit. ii, 13). Behold also the prize, the second appearing, which is truly blessed. And he rightly said, "of the glory." For he speaks of two appearings. And the first, just as also above ^D

prepared for evil things, these show disobedience to authorities. Or, that they may be ready to be persuaded toward good things, not toward impiety or anything else that harms the soul. ^A

Verse 2. *Neminem blasphemare, non litigiosos esse, sed modestos.* Even if someone does evil, do not blaspheme him, that is, do not speak abusively. For our mouth must be pure from abuse. For whether it be true, it is not for us to judge, or whether it be false. See how great the danger is.

*Omnem ostendentes mansuetudinem ad omnes homines.* Both Jews and Greeks, and the wicked and the unjust.

Verse 3. *Eramus enim aliquando et nos insipientes, inobedientes, errantes, servientes desideriis et voluptatibus variis.* In the Epistle to the Corinthians ^B he strikes fear with things to come, so that they may not judge, saying, "Let him who thinks he stands, look to it lest he fall"; but here, he makes them more temperate by means of things past, saying, "Let us not abuse others, since we ourselves formerly sinned worse." This is what the thief also said to the other thief: "That we are in the same condemnation." But when were we foolish? Before Christ. For how is it not foolishness to serve such gods? To offer human sacrifice, how is that not the greatest error? But we also served various desires and pleasures. Here, understand pederasty, and incest with one’s mother and sister, and other impurities; for in various ways the devil mocked us. ^C

*In malitia et invidia agentes, odibiles, odientes invicem.* "In malice and envy acting," that is, always dwelling in grudge-holding and envy, and having these as it were as a life; hence we were worthy of hatred, since we hated one another. And not undeservedly; for from envy hatred is born.

Verse 4. *Cum autem benignitas et humanitas apparuit Servatoris nostri Dei.* When the Only-Begotten was incarnate, that is, and became like us.

Verse 5. *Non ex operibus justitiae, quae fecimus nos, sed secundum suam misericordiam salvos nos fecit.* "He saved us, not from works which we did": that is, we neither did works of righteousness, nor were we saved through these, but His goodness accomplished the whole.

*Per lavacrum regenerationis et renovationis Spiritus sancti, quem effudit in nos abunde per Jesum Christum Servatorem nostrum.* ^D O miracle! We were so immersed in wickedness that we could not even be purged, but needed regeneration. For this is regeneration and renewal, the second birth and a new creation. For just as a house...

^A we do not shore up, but tear down to the foundations and build anew; so also God did not repair us, but fashioned us anew from above. How? Through the Holy Spirit. For, he says, so that you might not seek the manner, the Spirit accomplished the whole. Whence is this evident? "Which he poured out," he says, "richly upon us." For not only did he remodel us through him, but he also gave him to us ^B in abundance, so that this might be demonstrated through him. And with reason: for since he purified us, then also he filled us with the Spirit abundantly. For this is what "poured out" means; for the pure does not enter into the impure. These things, however, came to pass through Jesus, since he himself is the mediator and dispenser of all good things to us.

VERS. 7. *That being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.* Again [he says] "by grace," and not by [our] due. This also teaches humility; for we achieved nothing of ourselves. Furthermore, it makes us have good hope ^B regarding future blessings. For if he saved us, so desperate and lost, by grace, much more will he grant future blessings to those who have been justified. That we might become, he says, heirs of eternal life, even as we hope. Or because we are already heirs, as far as hope is concerned.

VERS. 8. *Faithful is the saying.* Since he had spoken of future things, he adds authority to his word. For it is plain from what preceded; for he who gave such things will also give the future ones. *And concerning these I want you to be steadfast, so that they who believe in God may be careful to maintain good works.* ^C Since he had made mention of the ineffable goodness of God, he says, "I want you to teach [them] thus regarding these things, so that the faithful may learn to be not only humble-minded and not reviling others, but also merciful." For he who considers the mercy he himself has received from God will also himself be merciful. *That they may be careful*, he says—that is, that they may give diligent effort, and eagerly strive to succor those unjustly oppressed—to provide for widows, orphans, and, to speak in one word, anyone in need. For this is what [the phrase] "to maintain good works" indicates: and let them not wait until the needy come to them, ^D but let them themselves take care of them. These things are good and profitable to men. The care and the administration of good works, or the very good works themselves.

VERS. 9. *But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law.* For they are useless and vain. He calls the foolish "useless," such as those which the Jews bring against the faithful. And the "genealogies," which the same people construct, tracing their own genealogy back to the patriarchs and boasting in those ancestors. *Avoid*, therefore, that is, reject. For one must not neglect necessary works, and consume time in vain talk and useless wrangling. For what is the utility of a conflict of this kind, where no one is led captive to Christ? How, then, did he command above to stop the mouths of those who contradict? If they are harmful to others, then they must be restrained. Their own

profit, nor even to attempt to speak with them at all; for they will not be benefited, as they are incorrigible.

^A Ver. 10, 11. *A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.* How then does he say elsewhere: *If God peradventure will give them repentance*? There he speaks of those who show hope of their amendment; but here he calls the incorrigible man a heretic, who is wholly perverted, and who is self-condemned, that is, inexcusable. For he cannot say, "No one admonished me, no one taught me." When, therefore, after the admonition he persists in the same things, he has condemned himself by his own judgment.

^B Ver. 12. *When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.* For what reason, having entrusted so great a Church and so great an island to Titus, does he again draw him to himself away from the work? That he may profit him more, and may confirm him still more for the work, having examined him in those things for which he was entrusted. Now Nicopolis is a city of Thrace, lying upon the Ister.

Ver. 13. *Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.* He thus calls one who is experienced in the Jewish laws; for such was Zenas. But Apollos was more eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures. Not yet, however, had the Churches been entrusted to these. And the phrase, *that nothing be wanting unto them*, is to be understood thus: Take care that those things of which they have need be abundantly supplied to them, so that they may lack nothing, namely of food and clothing.

^C Ver. 14. *And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.* It is as if he said: It was in my power to have made those mentioned above lack nothing through others, but I do not wish it; so that ours, that is, those who are with you, may learn from the fact of providing for these, to maintain good works, that is, to care for those in need, both with money, and with words, and in all ways; not so that the needy may gain so much, but that they themselves may have fruits from the philanthropy toward their fellow-men. For indeed, the Lord also, having fed the five thousand, was fully able to feed Himself and the disciples always, but nevertheless He willed to be fed by women, so that they might gain from it. So also in our case, it does not benefit the poor ^D as much through our sharing, as it benefits us through them. For the poor are to us the authors of the forgiveness of sins, and of a boldness toward God.

Ver. 15. *All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith.* Either those who love him faithfully and without guile, or those who love the faithful, that is, the Christians.

Grata cum omnibus vobis. Amen. He prays that the gift of God may be preserved for them, or that the benevolence of God may be with them always, preserving them by his grace. And may it also be with us, who are most in need of it, and may it guard our souls and bodies in the Holy Spirit. To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. ^B

THEOPHYLACT, ARCHBISHOP OF BULGARIA EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE OF SAINT PAUL TO PHILEMON

Argument of the Epistle to Philemon

^A appear to us as vile. "For do not despise," says the Lord, "one of these little ones." Second, if a servant as bold and wicked as this one has returned, we ought not to despair of ourselves, especially those who have been nurtured in freedom. Third, that we ought not, under the pretext of piety, to snatch servants away from masters against their will. Fourth, that we ought not to hold in contempt servants who are virtuous, nor should we be ashamed of them, since Paul calls Onesimus his son. Who, therefore, would disdain to number this letter among the others, being so full of such utility?

THEOPHYLACT'S COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON

^B VERSE 1. "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ." Immediately from the exordium, he instructs the master not to be ashamed of the servant, who has now become his fellow-servant. For everything is beautiful for the sake of Christ, even the chains, in which he himself rejoices, to the point that he is named by them. At the same time, he also persuades him, showing that it is right that the favor be granted to him who is bound for the sake of Christ.

"And Timothy, the brother." As if he himself were not sufficient for the pleading, he takes along Timothy, his fellow-captive, so that he might respect the intercession of the greater number.

"To Philemon, the beloved and our fellow-worker." If he is beloved, he will grant the favor; if he is a fellow-worker, he will not detain the servant, but will send him back for the ministry of the word, of which he too is a minister. For he will fulfill the work of the Master if he is given back again.

VERSE 2. "And to Apphia, the beloved, and Archippo, our fellow-soldier." ^C Perhaps Apphia was the wife of Philemon, and Archippus a friend. But if he is a fellow-soldier, he will also strive in this regard. This was precisely the one of whom he writes to the Colossians: "Say to Archippus, See that thou fulfill the ministry which thou hast received."

"And to the Church which is in thy house." By Church, he calls all the faithful who were in his house, including the servants. Observe, however, his humility, in how he even entreats these to assist him in his intercession.

^A Ver. 3. *Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.* How, then, shall the grace of God be in us? If we also forgive our debtors. How, then, shall there be peace? If you also are reconciled with the servant.

Ver. 4. *I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers.* As often, he says, as I am reminded—and I am reminded always when I pray—so often do I thank God for your virtue. And what this is, he introduces.

Ver. 5. *Hearing of your charity and faith, which you have toward the Lord and toward all the saints.* ^B Here he praises him as merciful. For the fame of his charity and faith would not have traveled from Phrygia to Rome, had they not been of the greatest degree. Since, therefore, you embrace all the saints, that is, the faithful, with love, you ought also to embrace Onesimus with equal charity, for he is a believer, so that you may appear to love the Lord as well. Do you see what power these words of entreaty have?

Ver. 6. *That the communication of your faith may be effectual in the recognition of every good thing that is in you.* I give thanks, he says, to God for your charity, praying also for this: that your faith, which you share with us, may be effectual and operative, and as it were living, in your recognizing every good work—that is, in loving and performing it. For then our faith is alive, when we undertake and perform every good work, just as it is dead when it is destitute of works. He added, however, *that is in you*, so as to show that Philemon himself even now has every good work within himself, as if saying: "Of every good work that is even now in you—that is, in yourself." ^C And in saying *communication of the faith*, Paul joins Philemon to himself, and makes them one. For common faith is also unifying; so that you must also think the same things as I. Or, he calls almsgiving a communication of faith, as being something that comes from great faith. He says, therefore: "I make mention of you in my prayers, praying that your communicative and liberal mind may never cease, but rather that you may pour out upon the needy every good thing that is in you—that is, which is present in you."

*In Christ Jesus.* To Christ Jesus, he says, is referred whatever good you might do to those in need, and especially to the saints; so that even now, if you receive Onesimus, you confer this grace and benefit upon me, and you confer it upon Christ. ^D

Ver. 7. *We have much grace, and consolation in your charity.* That is to say, we have joy, and not only joy, but also the greatest consolation in our bonds because of your charity, which is your benevolent and generous disposition of mind.

*Because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.* Most wisely he approaches the matter, calling to his memory the benefits he has conferred upon others, so that he might the more soften him, as he reflects that if he gives to others, even those unknown to him, how much more should he do so to his teacher Paul. Nor did he say simply, "You give to the saints," but,

^A *for you refresh the hearts of the saints*, that is, with your whole soul; they receive your kindness, as having been bestowed upon them abundantly and ministerially.

Therefore, even though I have much boldness in Christ to command you in what pertains to duty, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you. For since, he says, you are such to all the saints that their hearts are refreshed by you, how much more do I, in Christ—that is, as having begotten you according to Christ—have the boldness to command you, not as if lording it over you, but because of the love which I have toward you and you toward me. ^B And "what pertains to duty," or "that I might command you what is fitting," means that which comes to my need, so that you might fulfill it yourself; or it means, "You minister to all the saints, and I, therefore, according to duty—that is, the portion falling to me—had the boldness to command you, but nevertheless I beseech you." For the matter is so necessary to me that I must beg.

*Being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.* Being such as this, he says, an ambassador, and so worthy to be heard as it is fitting for Paul the aged—that is, having authority both from his teaching office and from his age—and now having obtained another, greater thing, namely, to be bound for Christ’s sake. Do you see how many ^C occasions he uses for persuasion?

*I beseech you, therefore, for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds.* As yet he does not mention the name of the one for whom he is interceding. He first softens Philemon, praising his servant by calling him a child. And why does he call him so? Because I have begotten him, that is, I catechized him and caused him to be baptized, and that in urgent circumstances; for it was in bonds. Through these things, therefore, having lulled his anger to sleep, he thus mentions his name.

*Onesimus, who was once useless to you.* He knows that the confession of a sin extinguishes anger; therefore he speaks thus.

*But now useful to you and to me.* Because he has become pious and holy, he is ^D useful to both, he says. For if to Paul, who requires such exactness, surely he will be useful also to Philemon. At the same time, he also hints at this, that "since he is useful to me, let him be sent back to me."

*Whom I have sent back.* That is, I entrust him to you; use him as you wish. But by the very fact of sending him back, he soothes his wrath all the more.

*But you, receive him, that is, my own heart.* That is, receive him with love; or rather, not him, but my own heart: so much do I love him and carry him about in my soul.

*Whom I wished to keep with me,*

^A that he might minister to me in the bonds of the Gospel. Observe the wisdom, how little by little he places him in the position of the master. For he says, "that he might minister to me in your stead." He demonstrates also that he desires what is to the master's advantage. For if you are obligated to serve me, and he does this in your place, you are the gainer.

*But without your counsel I wished to do nothing.* And by this especially he softens Philemon. For the matter was quite necessary: since in bonds, and those for the sake of God, he was going to minister to him, yet he did not wish to act against his will. So how is it not fitting to grant this grace to one who could have enjoyed it even without him, yet did not wish to? ^B *That your good might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.* He did not say, "Of necessity," but "As it were of necessity," as if meaning this: that even if I had kept him against your will, I would not truly have grieved you; yet it would have seemed to many that it was happening of necessity and against your will. Now, therefore, I preferred that it should not seem at all to anyone to be involuntary, but undoubtedly voluntary.

*For perhaps he therefore departed for a time.* O the wisdom of Paul! For since Onesimus had fled with a fraudulent mind, Paul redirects the flight, as having happened for a greater benefit. For perhaps, he says, he fled by divine providence. And he gently calls the flight a "withdrawal," so as not to irritate the master with the name of flight. ^C Furthermore, he contracts the time and also calms the anger; for "for a time," he says, "he departed." He shows at the same time that for as long as he was with Paul, he was serving Philemon. So he was absent only for as long as he spent before meeting with Paul; and this was little, and like a single hour. So also from now on, if he is with me having been sent by you, consider him to be with you.

*That you might receive him forever.* That is, that you might enjoy him. *No longer as a servant, but above a servant, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord?* ^D You have profited much, he says, from the flight; for instead of one hour, you have him forever. For the whole life of man, with respect to eternity, is nothing; and much more so the time of the flight. And instead of a servant, a brother; instead of useless, beloved; and "in the flesh," that is, worthy to be loved even in worldly services, as one who can look after them; and "in the Lord," that is, also in spiritual matters.

*If therefore you have me as a partner, receive him as myself.* That is, if you have confessed that you think the same things as I do, receive him even as myself. Whom would he not have persuaded? For who would not have wished to receive Paul?

^A If he has harmed you in any way, or owes you [anything], charge this to me. He did not say, "He stole," but rather used a softer expression, "he has harmed," or "he owes." For it is likely that he had spent what he had stolen; therefore he says, "Charge this to my account; hold me as the debtor."

I, Paul, have written it with my own hand, I will repay it. He says these things gracefully, writing with spiritual grace, and as it were saying this: "For greater security that I will repay the debt, you have my own handwritten note."

Not to mention that you owe me your very self. That it might not seem as though he were insulting Philemon—because he did not dare to ask him so simply regarding the theft of another, a slave, without adding a promissory note—for that would show Philemon to be someone cruel and not imbued with any feeling of charity towards his own teacher, he shows that he trusts him greatly. For he says, "Not only do you owe me your things, but in addition to these, you owe me your very self."

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. He returns again from the pleasant to the more serious, and he pleads. "Let me have joy from you," he says, that is, "may I enjoy your gifts, not in worldly matters, but in those that pertain to the Lord."

Refresh my heart in Christ. "Refresh," he says, "my love for you, or my heart, on account of Christ." For you are not bestowing the favor upon me, but upon Christ.

Confiding in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than what I say. "I have not written to you," he says, "commanding or behaving arrogantly, but having confidence in your obedience." What iron would these words not soften?

^B And at the same time, prepare a lodging for me. Philemon might perhaps have suspected, "If it were not for the sake of Onesimus, you would not even have deigned to write to me;" he remedies this now, saying that he did not write for his sake only, but he also wrote for this reason: that he might prepare a lodging for him. At the same time, he also causes fear, that the Apostle will come and will rebuke him if he does not receive Onesimus.

For I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. We learn these two things: first, that the power of prayers is great, if such a man as Paul is in need of the help from them; and second, that we must be humble-minded, since Paul has need of the prayers of his disciples.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you. This Epaphras had been sent from the Colossians to Paul; hence it is clear that Philemon was a Colossian. He calls him a fellow prisoner, showing that Epaphras also is in much affliction, and for this reason he puts Philemon to shame, since he suffers together with Paul, yet Philemon is unwilling to grant him a favor even in the name of Onesimus. ^C

^A prisoner, he says, not for any human cause, but for Christ Jesus, suffering together for the Gospel.

VERS. 24. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers. ^B Demas was initially reputable, inasmuch as this testimony is inscribed to him here: that he is a fellow-worker of Paul. Later, however, having grown sluggish, he defected from Paul, just as Paul writes in the Epistle to Timothy, which is clearly later than this one: "For Demas has abandoned me, and Luke is alone with me." ^C Luke, therefore, who is placed last here, became the first of all when Demas defected. Thus, one ought not to trust in oneself, but "let him who stands take heed lest he fall." By calling them fellow-workers, he shows that they also pray with me, and you would be worthy to grant the favor to those who are so great. Do you see how much we are helped by this short and seemingly clear Epistle? Therefore, no place of Scripture should be left unexamined; rather, from all of them, as having been spoken by the Spirit, a spiritual and useful meaning should be sought. The Paraclete, moreover, who spoke these things, will surely grant those who seek correctly the finding of what is sought. ^D By whom we too, being illuminated, may always be led to the truth of the word and life according to God, neither being led astray by false opinions nor being ensnared by the deceit of worldly pleasure; and we who are servants may render ourselves noble through faith and virtue; but we masters, when we see our servants as holy and apostolic, let us strive not to be found much worse than them in the kingdom of the Master, who for our sake also appeared as a servant, Christ our true God. To whom be glory, and power, and honor, now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PAUL TO THE HEBREWS

EXPOSITION OF THEOPHILACT, ARCHBISHOP OF BULGARIA, ON THE EPISTLE OF DIVINE PAUL TO THE HEBREWS

^AArgument of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Blessed Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles, just as he himself affirms in the Epistle to the Romans. For the Hebrews could not endure him preaching to them, as they pursued him with greater hatred than they did others, inasmuch as by his sudden conversion he demonstrated the invincible power of Christ, which had drawn such a fierce persecutor to itself. For it is a great sign of the truth of our preaching that Paul, the most fervent zealot of the Law, should suddenly and unexpectedly come to Christ. Because of this, they fought against him with great intensity, to such a degree that they could not even endure his voice. Furthermore, even those who had believed from among the Hebrews did not pay much attention to him, as one who was leading them away entirely from the Law and abolishing circumcision. ^B Yet, although he was commissioned as a herald to the Gentiles, he nevertheless writes to the Hebrews. For just as it was not commanded him to baptize, yet he did baptize—for it was not forbidden to him—so too, out of an abundance of care, he writes this Epistle to the Hebrews. For he was greatly concerned for them, for whose sake he even prayed to be anathema. Furthermore, he writes to those who were in Palestine and Jerusalem. For these had been stripped of their possessions by the unbelieving Hebrews and were subjected to countless afflictions. Whence he is also greatly concerned with collecting alms to aid them, and stirs up the Corinthians and the Macedonians to this. And he divides the preaching to them into portions…

and stirring them to this. And when he had divided the preaching with Peter, he made the needy faithful Hebrews in Jerusalem common. He writes, therefore, of necessity to them, consoling ^A them as they were fainting; for they were thoroughly exhausted by the afflictions brought upon them by their own tribesmen, since they [the latter] were autonomous in Jerusalem, having the power both to judge and to imprison whomsoever they wished. And he himself indicates this, saying: "Lift up the drooping hands and the paralyzed knees" (Heb. xii, 12). For as they were Jews, and had learned that their forefathers had received their good things straightway, they were fainting greatly, as not having yet attained relief. For this reason he discourses much about faith in this Epistle, and about the saints from the beginning of the world, that they had not yet received the good things, establishing two things: one, that one must bear all things that happen bravely; the other, that one must entirely expect the recompense. For the Lord will not overlook His saints whom He has had from the ages; so that then you too shall receive. He also speaks at length about the Old and the New Testament, and shows that the Law is no longer valid; for even if the temple was still standing, he indicates nevertheless that it would endure only until a certain time, and that our religion is true. He writes this Epistle from Italy. Moreover, this is prior to the Epistle to Timothy. For in that one he indicates that the end of his life is at hand. "For I," he says, "am already being poured out, and the time of my departure has come" (II Tim. iv, 6). ^B But in this one he promises the Hebrews that he will see them. "Know," he says, "that the brother Timothy has been set free, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you" (Heb. xiii, 23). And it is likely that this took place. For he was held bound in Rome for two years, then he was set free, as he himself also indicates, saying: "At my first defense no one came to my aid" (II Tim. iv, 16); and, "I was delivered from the mouth of the lion," namely, Nero. Then, having gone into the Spains, perhaps from there he visited the Hebrews, and then returned to Rome again, when he was also put to death by Nero.

THEOPHYLACT'S COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

CHAPTER I

§ 1. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets" (Heb. i, 1). Because they were ^D afflicted by evils, they thought themselves to be abandoned by God, and not to be of such care to Him as their forefathers had been; Paul…

^A shows the contrary, saying that you have enjoyed a greater grace than they did. For to them He sent prophets; but to you, He sent His own Son. And what is meant by "multifariously and in many ways"? It means diversely and in many forms. "For I," He says, "have multiplied visions, and in the hands of the prophets I have been likened" (Osee xii, 1). Therefore, why are you distressed and faint-hearted, being counted worthy of such great things?

"In these last days He has spoken to us in the Son." And by this He also rouses them, saying that the end is near. For he who is exhausted in a contest, as soon as he hears that the end of the contest is at hand, breathes again a little. And He hints at something else by saying, "In these last days." For, he says, when there was no longer time remaining for correction, but we were liable to punishment, when we were in despair, when the gifts had ceased; then, he says, we received more than the rest. And the phrase, "in the Son," is for "through the Son." And observe this passage against those who say that the preposition "in" is attributed to the Spirit. But why did He not say, "Christ has spoken to us"? Partly because they were weak and could not yet hear about Christ; and partly to show that the Old ^B and the New Testament are of one and the same. And observe also the "to us": for he joins and equates both those [the disciples themselves] and himself with them. Although He did not speak to them, but to the apostles, and through them to the many; yet he heightens the matter, indicating that He spoke even to them, and this is for their consolation.

"Whom He appointed heir of all things." That is, He made Him Lord of the whole world. For Jacob is no longer the portion of the Lord, but all [peoples]. But he said "heir," showing both the genuineness of His Sonship and the inseparability of His Lordship. But how did He make Him Lord? As man, just as he says in the second Psalm: "Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance" (Ps. ii, 8). But what kind of lordship does he say this is? That of those who willingly submit, that which is of free choice. For this was given to the Son as man, since all recognize Him; since He had the natural [lordship] even over those who obey unwillingly, as it is said, "All things serve thee" (Ps. cxviii, 91), before all ages.

"Through whom also He made the ages." Having spoken about the flesh of the Son, which ^C appeared just yesterday and the day before, he now leads you up to the height of His pre-eternal divinity. Where, then, are those who say, "There was [a time] when He was not"? He Himself founded the ages, and how was there an age when He Himself was not? But since the Father is the cause of the Son, He is deservedly also the cause of those things which were made by the Son Himself. Therefore he says, "Through whom." For the Father is seen to act, ^D and in this He stirs them up saying that the end is near.

EXPOSITION ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY - CHAPTER II

^A "Thou therefore, my son, be strong." Yes, for this very reason all the more, because I am in distress, be strong. For if I, your teacher, were not suffering such things, perhaps it would be necessary for you to fall away, as one who has encountered dangers as a young and inexperienced man. Now, however, it is no small consolation for you to bear what happens to you bravely, because I myself also suffer such things, as if the nature of the matter admits of dangers, not your inexperience. Since, in general, every lesser person in any business whatsoever who has fallen into dangers is greatly consoled when he sees his own superior immersed in the same. Mark with how much affection he exhorts, "My son," saying—for he infused his soul, as it were, with the word—if you are a son, imitate the father.

"In the grace that is in Christ Jesus." ^B Do not be strengthened only by the example given through me, but especially through the grace of Christ. Have her as a fellow-warrior, through whom we have received authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and upon all the power of the enemy, and to be harmed by no one.

"And what you have heard from me through many witnesses." What you have heard, not what you have debated; for faith is by hearing. And you heard not in secret, but with boldness, with many present. Some, however, have understood "many witnesses" to be the Law and the Prophets. For my word was fortified by scriptural ^C testimonies.

"Commit these to faithful men." He did not say: Tell, but: Commit, just as with a treasure. For what is committed is deposited in safety. He makes the disciple more attentive through this. To the faithful, not to the syllogistic and argumentative; to the faithful, those who do not betray the deposit.

"Who shall be able to teach others also." For what profit is there when one is indeed faithful himself and receives everything without questioning, but is not able to bring forth the teaching to others? And again, if I do not betray the word myself, but cannot also make others such? A teacher, therefore, must have two ^D things: to be faithful, and to be able to teach. For it is clear that these things are commanded to him regarding presbyters and bishops, not regarding the laity; for it would be absurd, where even Paul himself wrote to Greeks and Jews. And I am of the opinion that he also speaks of certain more mystical things, which ought to be committed to the faithful and to those able to teach.

"You therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Do you see that to suffer affliction belongs to a soldier? Therefore, not to suffer affliction is not the duty of a soldier. It is not, therefore, to be borne with a heavy heart if anyone suffers affliction, having been enrolled among the soldiers.

^A Its majesty is observed, nowhere falling short of itself; for the thing outside the form would be unformed and ugly, which is absurd to conceive regarding the Father. If, however, the majesty of the Father is as great as the form, and the character is equal to the form, then the character will also have as much magnitude as is observed in the form of God.

*Upholding all things by the word of his power.* You who not long ago, apprehending the phrase "through whom," were setting him up as a minister, hear now, if you are able to understand, how Paul here grants authority to the Son. He did not say, "upholding by power," but "by the word of power," that is, by the word that is full of power, which proves him to be powerful. For just as you say that the Father also spoke, "Let there be light, and there was light," so too does the Son uphold all things by a word, that is, he governs and sustains them. Or rather, it is a greater thing to sustain things that are falling into discord and moving toward non-existence than it is to produce all things. ^B And he did not say "governing," but "upholding," taking a metaphor from those who make a thing move and shift with a finger. For he bears such a great and immense weight of creation as if it were nothing, and he is able to do all things by a word alone. For a word in God is not something slight, as it is in our case.

Then, with so many heresies overturned at the very beginning of the Epistle, how do some dare to reject it as not belonging to Paul, making the character of the style an evidentiary proof, as being different from the rest of his Epistles? For they ought to have understood that the majesty of the concepts, and their undeniable ^C power, belong to none other than Paul, who had Christ speaking within himself. But if they take offense at the character/style, let them learn that Paul dictated the Epistle in the Hebrew tongue, inasmuch as he was addressing his discourse to the Hebrews; but it was turned into the Greek language, as some say, by Luke, or as others affirm, by Clement, whose style it preserves even more. They are, therefore, making a similar error—so to speak—those who take this Epistle away from Paul, just as if they were taking Paul away from Christ.

*Having by himself made purification of our sins.* Having spoken of the majesty of the divinity ^D of the Word, he speaks thereafter concerning the care he exercises toward men through the flesh, which is something much greater than upholding all things. He places two things here: first, that he purified us from sins, and second, that he did this by himself; and in many places he glories in this, that this was done through the Son himself. For by the cross and death which he himself endured, he purified us, not only in that he, being sinless, died for our sin, and paid the penalty to which he himself was not liable, and set the nature of man free from the condemnation that came upon it simply because of Adam's sin.

^A And also in that He gave us baptism, the image of His death, through which we who are baptized receive each time the remission of sins committed by us before, and also the power not to be so easily overcome by sin hereafter.

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Having made mention of the Cross, He brings in the discourse concerning the Resurrection and the Ascension. He did not say, "He was ordered to sit," but "He sat," and "at the right hand," and "on high." ^B Not that God is confined by place, but that His equality of honor with the Father might be shown. For He has attained the very throne of the Father, and just as the Father is on high, so is He also. But if anyone should say, "But it is written, 'The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,'" we will answer first that He did not say "He commanded," but "He said." Then, so that you might not think Him to be without beginning and without cause, the word is fashioned in this way.

Ver. 4. Having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. In the beginning, indeed, He compared Him to the prophets on account of the weakness of the hearers; but now, proceeding, He puts Him even before the angels, gradually leading the hearers to the truth. Now He said "having become" for "having been demonstrated," ^C just as John also says: "He who comes after me has been made before me," that is, has been demonstrated as more honorable than I. For he is not speaking here of the essence of the nature. But it is on account of the flesh that the word "inherited" was said; for as God the Word, He always had this name. In this way we also speak of man both in lowly and in lofty terms; as, for instance, when we say "Man is great," we name the whole from the superior part, but when we say "Earth and ashes," we name it from the inferior. Thus indeed with the Lord, sometimes we name the whole from the attributes peculiar to the Godhead, and sometimes from those names that look to the flesh.

For to which of the angels has He ever said: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You"? From where, he says, is it clear that He is better than the angels? From the name. ^D For the name "Son" indicates genuineness, that is, that He is begotten of Him. But if He is Son by grace, He is inferior to the angels. Therefore, what He says, "Today I have begotten You," signifies nothing else but that He is from the beginning, from which the Father is. For just as "He Who Is" is said from the present time—for that most especially befits Him—so also is "today." But some have interpreted "Today I have begotten You" not as said concerning the eternal birth, but concerning that which is according to the flesh. For this too was from above: for it was of the Holy Spirit, by the good pleasure of the Father.

And again: "I shall be to Him for a Father, and He shall be to Me for a Son." This is said openly on account of the flesh. For when Paul has touched upon this, he speaks the rest without fear. Having therefore assumed the nature,

^A the genuine name of the Son, which the Word united to it possessed by nature, it inherited, inasmuch as it subsists in Him; just as the angel also said: "And the holy thing which shall be born shall be called the Son of God"; and again: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest." This, however, belongs to none of the angels. Although some of the righteous are sons of God, they are so by grace; but with Christ the matter is otherwise, for in the hypostatic identity, the name of Son is bestowed upon the flesh that was assumed.

VERS. 6. "And again, when He bringeth in the Firstbegotten into the world, He saith." Christ indeed calls His advent in the flesh an "exit," as when He says: "He went out to sow," and again: "I went out from the Father." And rightly so. For we were outside of God, and He, having gone out to us as an ambassador, and having conversed with us, and having cleansed us, reconciled us to the King. But Paul now names this same entrance, by a metaphor taken from those who enter into an inheritance, or receive some dowry or possession. For this is what "bringeth in" signifies, when the Father hands over the inhabited world to the Son. For then He possessed it when it was voluntarily subjected, when also He was recognized. He is brought in, however, in no other way than in the flesh. For as God the Word, He was in the world, and the world was made through Him. But he makes the Father the one who brings in the Son, in order to make the discourse acceptable. Gregory of Nyssa and divine Cyril understood the "bringing in" in this way: that before the incarnation He had nothing in common with the creation, as He was God devoid of flesh; but when He was incarnate, then, because He participated in the creation, in that He united to Himself that which was created, He is said to be brought into the creation.

"And let all the angels of God worship Him." That is, Him who assumed flesh. He indicates here also how much more excellent He is than them, even as much as the Master is better than the servants: just as if someone, bringing a person into a house, were to command those in charge of it to worship him immediately.

VERS. 7. "And of the angels He saith: Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire." Behold the greatest difference, that they are created, but He is uncreated. For the word "maketh" signifies the production from non-being into being. He does not have this distinction with regard to the angels only, but also with regard to every ministering power. Neither did He say, "Who made," but, "Who maketh," that is, maintaining them by the word through which they were made. Of such a kind is that which is in the Gospel: "My Father worketh hitherto," which is to say, He contains those things which have been made and already finished, and guards them as they were finished.

VERS. 8. "But unto the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." The angels, he says, are creatures and works; for it was said concerning them: "Who maketh." But the Son is not a creature; for neither is

He a creature, but King, and Master, and God. For a throne is attested for Him, which is a symbol of kingship, and an eternal throne. This is against Paul of Samosata, who introduces as a mere man Him who truly is God and eternal King; and against Arius.

"A sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." Behold again another symbol of kingship.

VERS. 9. "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity." These things are applied to the Word of God made flesh, inasmuch as the flesh receiveth humble things.

"Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." This fights against the Jews, and Sabellius, and Marcellus, ^B in that it indicates two persons, God and God; and also against the Marcionites, who do not think the Son assumed flesh, since divinity is not anointed, but humanity. He says, therefore: "O God," that is, O God, "hath anointed thee God"—that is, the Father, indeed, thy Father according to divinity, but thy God according to the flesh. "The oil of gladness," that is, the Holy Spirit, beyond other men. For Christ did not receive the Spirit by measure, nor as one who works miracles through the Spirit, but He was anointed by the presence and of the whole ointment and of the whole anointing One. All spiritual [men] are His fellows, as having been sanctified by the same participation. For those also who were perfect and spiritual in the Law attained the Spirit through faith in Christ; ^C for which reason they were also called Christs, as: "Touch not my Christs." And those who are in the grace of the Gospel are more clearly fellows of Christ, as having become partakers of His death in baptism, and having been anointed with the Spirit, which is called the oil of gladness, as having freed us from the gloom of sins, and having prepared us to rejoice in the hope of future blessings. But that "O God" is instead of "O God," a trustworthy witness is the enemy Symmachus, who interprets thus: "Therefore hath anointed thee, O God, thy God, with the oil of joy above thy fellows." Observe, moreover, that "the God" [is used] with the article in reference to the Son, because of those who urge that "And the Word was God," being without the article, does not introduce Him as God in the proper sense.

VERS. 10. "And, Thou, in the beginning, O Lord, hast founded the earth; and the works of thy hands are the heavens." That, when you hear above, ^D "When he bringeth the Firstborn into the world," you might not think it to be a gift later bestowed upon Him by the Father, He shows now that He is its Creator, not in the end, but...

NOTE.

^A This is also against Paul of Samosata, demonstrating that Christ existed even before Mary, inasmuch as he is also the Creator of creation; and against Arius, who made him a minister, or rather an instrument, because it was said above: "Through whom also he made the ages." For look, here he is introduced as Creator. See also how the discourse concerning the uncreated nature and that concerning the dispensation are intertwined, and how at times things are spoken of as sublime because of the divinity, and at times as humble because of the humanity.

*They shall perish, but thou remainest, and all shall grow old like a garment; and as a mantle thou shalt fold them up, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.* ^B The Apostle here hints at something greater than creation: namely, the transformation of the world. For all things shall be changed from corruption into incorruptibility, and this as easily as if one were to fold up a mantle. But if he effects this transformation into something better, and the creation of the world, so easily, did he have need of another for the lesser creation? It is no small consolation for the faithful being oppressed here to know that things will not remain thus, but will undergo a change; and that he whom they worship remains living forever and ever. *For thy years shall not fail.*

^C *But to which of the angels has he ever said: Sit at my right hand, until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet?* Look, he is again emboldened by them; for if their enemies were about to be defeated, and their enemies were the very same as those who oppose Christ. But the Father is not said to subject the enemies because the Son is powerless; for the Son, who will judge there, would much more have repaid them here; rather, it is to show the honor the Father has toward the Son. For the Father to be angry at the enemies of the Son, how does this not redound to the glory of the Son? How is this not a sign of great love toward the Son? But this has been spoken of more extensively in the First Epistle to the Corinthians; seek out what is written there.

*Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?* He raises the spirits of the hearers, bringing forward the immense care God has for us; ^D since he has even ordained angels, who are superior to us, to serve us in matters pertaining to our salvation. He also seems to rebuke some who were intent upon the angels, and especially all the Hebrews in general, who clung to the law given through the angels and to their ministries in that law, to such a degree that they even preferred them to Christ. Do not, therefore, he says, be intent upon them; for they are fellow-servants with us. See

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and are our servants. Observe further how he does not attribute great excellence to the creatures: although there is a great difference between angels and men, he nonetheless establishes them as being close to us; for creatures differ but little from other creatures. Moreover, the angels served in the Old Testament in many ways, and even in the New; ^A they gave a response to Joseph through a dream, they announced the Gospel to the shepherds, sitting in the tomb they proclaimed the Resurrection, and at the Ascension they taught that he would thus return as he had ascended. An angel came to Cornelius, an angel came to Philip, an angel came to Peter in prison, and simply countless things of this sort. Mark well that it is the angelic office to serve for the salvation of men, and even more, of Christ himself. Hence, such a ministry is not to be neglected.

CAPUT II.

^B VERS. 1. *Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.* For, he says, so great is the excellence of the Son who has spoken to us, above the prophets and the angels, the ministers of the Old Testament, that we must observe with greater care what He says than what the law speaks. Yet he does not say this openly, lest he strike them at the very outset; rather, he intended for this to be inferred as a consequence. Nor indeed does he say these things by comparing the New Testament with the Old—far from it—but he speaks against the opinion of those who boasted greatly of the Old, while despising the New.

*Lest at any time we should let them slip.* That is, lest we fall away, ^C lest we perish. And he has taken this word from the Proverbs: *For, my son,* he says, *let them not slip away:* that he might show both the ease of slipping and the gravity of the ruin. For that which has flowed past is not easily recovered.

VERS. 2. *For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast.* Behold, he reveals here his own meaning. By "the word spoken by angels," either the decalogue is to be understood—for it is likely that the angels were present at that time, to whom the nation of the Hebrews had been entrusted, and they themselves sounded the trumpets, and [produced] other such things, the fire, the darkness, just as in the Epistle to the Galatians: *Ordained by angels;* and again, *You have received the law by the disposition of angels*—or by "the word" is to be understood all the commands dispensed ^D through angels in the Old Testament, such as in the [time of] the weeping, in the judges, and in Samson. For this reason, he did not say "law," but "word," that he might signify these things. All these things, therefore, were firm—that is, they became true—and the threats were carried through to their effect, and none of them fell away.

*And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward.* Not this one, indeed, while that one not; but every one, and nothing remained unavenged. Moreover, he calls the punishment a reward, although it is [a term] applied to favorable things…

but the Apostle does not concern himself with mere words.

^A Ver. 3. *How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?* There, the [law] was a word; here, it is salvation. But if there was salvation there, it was not great; for they were rescued from enemies and received the goods of the earth. Here, however, it is exceedingly great; for this reason he said, "so great." For the destruction of death, and the ruin of demons, and the kingdom of the heavens—all these things come to pass for us through the things spoken by the Son. *Which having received a beginning to be spoken by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.* ^B Making his discourse credible, he says that this salvation was not proclaimed through prophets or angels, but by the Lord of all himself, and from that very fountain it took its beginning; then it was firmly and faithfully transmitted to us through those who were eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word. This is what Luke also says: "For they certainly informed us." How then, in another place, does he say that he did not hear [this] from men? Because there, the urgency that compelled him to establish [the fact] that he was not a disciple of men was great and necessary. For he was being slandered as one who had not heard the Lord; and for this reason, there was a danger that his preaching would not be believed by his own disciples. Now, however, there is no such great need for this. For he was not preaching to the Hebrews, nor was he being slandered among them as being a disciple of men and not of Christ. Or [it is because] he adds here, *God also bearing witness with signs and wonders*, indicating that he received these things not from men, but from God.

^C Ver. 4. *God also bearing witness with signs and wonders.* Having said "was confirmed," he shows how. For so that no one might say, "Those who heard it invented it," he says, "God bears witness with them." He would not have borne witness if they had been inventions. *They testify,* he says, "but God also bears witness together with them," not by emitting a voice, but by confirming what they say through signs and wonders. We believe God, therefore, and not men. *And with various powers.* Wishing to signify the abundance of the gifts, he said "various." For never were there so many and so different signs performed. Since, however, pretenders and sorcerers also perform many things, he added *powers*. For those are not powers, but weakness, and imagination, and empty things. *And with distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.* ^D And he added this for the same reason. For the works of sorcerers are not of the Holy Spirit, but are deceptions of unclean demons. But he also hints at something else: For it is likely that there were not many among them who possessed gifts, and that these had ceased because of their sluggishness. So that he might comfort them in this regard as well, he says that the distributions…

^A of the Spirit occur according to His own will. He himself knows what is profitable for each, and thus he distributes grace. Often, because of an impure life, someone does not receive a gift; and often one who has a pure life still does not receive it, so that he might not be lifted up with pride. Hence, it was given rather to the humble and the simple-minded.

Vers. 5. *For He has not put the world to come in subjection to angels.* Still demonstrating the excellence of the Son, by which He exceeds the angels, he says: He did not subject the world ^B of the earth, or this world, to these, but to the Son. And he calls it "to come," because the Son of God always existed, whereas this world was about to be created, not having existed before, clearly. Therefore, with respect to the eternal existence of the Son, the world was "to come."

*Of which we speak.* That is, of which we said above, "When He brings the first-born into the world." Let not your mind, therefore, being led astray, search for another world. Some, however, have understood "the world to come" as the future world; about which he says we are speaking at all. For then the ^C angels will stand by as servants, but the Son will sit as judge.

Vers. 6, 7. *But one has testified in a certain place, saying, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou didst make him a little lower than the angels; Thou didst crown him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet."* He does not reveal the name of the author, because he is speaking with those who are learned in the Scriptures. All these things have been said generally concerning the whole of human nature, ^D yet specifically they apply to Christ according to His humanity. For the Son of God visited human nature, which was nothing, and having assumed it and united it to Himself, He was shown to be superior to all.

Vers. 8. *For in that He put all in subjection to Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him; but now we do not yet see all things put under Him.* Since they were subject to persecutions and were suffering adversities, so that they might not object: "How do you say that He has subjected all things, whereas we are being persecuted and driven about wretchedly by His enemies? Therefore they are not yet subject to Him, and you are deceiving us,"—for this reason he says: Do not be disturbed, nor be faint-hearted; for it is to come that all things will be subjected to Him. For this reason the Scripture said that He has subjected, putting that which is absolutely about to happen as having already happened, even if it has not yet occurred. Do not, therefore, grieve as if you were suffering bitter things; the preaching has not yet overcome all things, the time is not yet come for them to be perfectly subjected, yet they will certainly be subjected.

Vers. 9. *But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death...*

^A crowned with glory and honor. He endeavors to show that the things said are applicable to Christ, and says that even if it seems that the passage “You have subjected all things” does not yet apply to Him, we have nevertheless shown that this will fulfill itself entirely. But this which is said, “a little lower than the angels,” is more appropriate to Him than to us. For He, on the one hand, having remained three days in Hades as a man, was made a little lower than the angels, since they are not at all subject to death; but we, being subject to corruption for the most part, are not a little, but greatly inferior to them. And the being “crowned with glory and honor” for the sake of the passion is more appropriate to Him than to us. By saying the “suffering of death,” He manifested the true death. For it was not an illusory appearance of death, but an active passion. ^B He reminds them of the cross and death, so that He might persuade them to bear afflictions courageously, looking toward their Teacher. But, He says, the cross was even glory and honor for Him; therefore, so too are afflictions and sufferings for you. Why then do you shrink back from the things that crown you? He suffered for you, the slave; will you, the slave, not endure to be afflicted for your Master?

*That by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.* For God was not prompted by any debt, but by grace gave His Son unto death, and not for the faithful alone, but for the whole world. For even if all are not saved, He nevertheless fulfilled what was His duty. And well did he say, “taste.” For just as one having truly tasted, so, having made a small interval in death, He immediately rose. Hence, in this regard also, He is superior to the angels, because He was shown to be above death. For just as a physician, seeing a sick man afraid to taste the foods prepared for him, tastes them first himself so that he may persuade the sick man to be bold in taking them, so also the Lord, seeing us fearing death, tasted it, although He was under no necessity. For He was not subject to it, but ^C the whole was a matter of grace, so that by showing it to be nothing, He might persuade us also to be confident against it. But the Nestorians, perverting the Scripture, say: “That apart from God He might taste death for everyone,” in order to establish that the Divinity was not with the crucified Christ, as not having been united to Him according to hypostasis, but according to relation. Toward whom some orthodox man, mocking their foolishness, said: “Let the Scripture be as you say; even so, what is said is still for our sake. For even if we take ‘apart from God,’ the Lord died for every other thing, and for the angels themselves, so that He might dissolve their enmity toward us and procure joy for them.”

*For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things.* That is, for the Father; “and by whom are all things,” that is, He Himself is the cause of all things. *And by whom are all things.* Observe that “by whom” is applied to the Father. For if it were a matter of diminishment, and only to the

Son, it would be attributed to the Father. But learn what “by whom” signifies. Since he had said, “for whom are all things,” lest anyone should think anything absurd—as if He Himself were in need of all things, for the preposition “for” (propter) signifies something of this kind, just as when we say, “For the sake of man the creation was produced”—he added, “by whom,” interpreting that “for whom” is to be understood in this way: that all things were made by Him. Thus, also when “by whom” is said of the Son, accept it as meaning “by whom” in the sense of “from whom.” B] *Who brought many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.* He adheres still to [the words], “You have crowned Him with glory and honor.” What he says is of this kind: The Father has done what was worthy of His own philanthropy, in that He demonstrated the first-born of all the sons who were to enjoy His glory to be more radiant than all others by means of sufferings, in order to show also to the others how they must struggle. He calls him the “captain” of salvation, that is, the author. Observe, however, how great the difference is: he is the Son, and we are sons; but He indeed saves, while we are saved; we are conjoined to Him, and yet we are separated. In the phrase, “Who brought many sons unto glory,” we share with Him; in the phrase, “the captain of their salvation,” we are separated from Him. And note that sufferings are a consummation and a cause of salvation, and that he who suffers for someone not only helps that person, but he himself also becomes more radiant and perfect. By “consummation” here, understand the glory with which He was glorified; and interpret this according to His humanity—or [understand] that He possessed the glory naturally, but was inglorious in relation to us, inasmuch as He was not recognized. But when after the cross He was known and glorified, He is said to have received glory which, although He had it by nature, He did not possess as offered by us. The divine Cyril says that the perfection is immortality, which was indeed lacking to Christ insofar as He was man; but the Father fulfilled this in Him through His resurrection. For after He rose, death no longer has dominion over Him. And He deemed the entire nature worthy of this perfection in Him. C] *For both He who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one.* Behold, again, he shows that we are brothers of Christ, and in this we have been honored. “For He who sanctifies,” he says—that is, Christ—and “they who are sanctified”—that is, we—“are all of one,” that is, of the Father. But He is so as the genuine Son, and of the very substance of the Father; we, however, are creatures. Observe, however, the excellence [of Christ] even in the very words. He sanctifies, but we are sanctified; thus there is both identity and excellence. *For which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.* Observe here, too, the excellence. Through

that which he says, "He is not ashamed," he indicates that this does not arise from the nature of the thing, but from the affection of the Father who is not ashamed. For even if we are from one, there is still a great gap, namely as much as there is between the Creator and the creatures.

^B

Vers. 12. *Dicens: I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto thee.* For having put on flesh, he also put on brotherhood, and at the same time brotherhood came into existence. But again, there is excellence here. For I will declare, he says, to those who are in darkness, to those who are ignorant; similar to this is: "I have manifested thy name to men."

Vers. 13. *And again: I will put my trust in him.* By this also he indicates that he has become man and our brother. For just as each of mankind does, so he too puts his trust in him, that is, in the Father, at the same time showing us that we ought to put our trust in God alone, since even He, being Son and needing nothing, nevertheless says that he puts his trust in the Father.

But some have understood it thus: Because, they say, he spoke above of Christ as brother, but below as father, in the midst he declares that those were names of the dispensation revealed in the last times; but his eternal name, which preceded all ages, is God. For who is it that one truly trusts in, if not in God? As if he were saying: Lest, when you hear him called brother and father, you think him to be one of the many; it is God, he says, in whom Scripture testifies that one must place confidence; so that the passage is not from the person of Christ, but of the prophet saying: I, the prophet, will be trusting in him—in Christ—as in God. But this interpretation does not fit.

And again: *Behold I and the children which God hath given me.* Here he makes Christ our Father. But as for "hath given," it is on account of the good pleasure of the Father which He showed in the incarnation of the Son. For if it had not pleased Him that the Son should be incarnate, there would not have been children for Him.

Vers. 14. *Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.* Let those be ashamed here who say that he came by imagination and appearance. For he did not merely say that he partook of flesh and blood, as the children—that is, the rest of mankind—(although if he had even said this, it would have been enough to demonstrate that he was truly incarnate), but he even added "likewise," so that he might show us a true incarnation that is in no way different from our own.

*That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.* He gives the reason for the economy. In order, he says, that through his own death, which he undertook—as having become a partaker of, clearly, flesh and blood—he might destroy the devil, who held the power of death. How? Through sin. For since through

^A that first disobedience he caused men to sin, he was the one who created death, using it as a kind of soldier and a powerful weapon against human nature. Therefore, Christ Himself used this very same weapon against him. And this was, in truth, a demonstration of great power and wisdom: to slay the enemy with the very weapon by which he himself slew many. Some, however, have understood it thus: "Him who has sin," they say, "that is, the devil," which is the power and strength of death.

VERS. 15. *And might deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.* That is, that He might deliver men, who were slaves of death and feared it, and were subject to it—that is, held fast in the slavery that was under it, inasmuch as it had not yet been destroyed; or because the men of old lived in constant fear, always expecting to die soon, and because of this fear they were unable to perceive any sense of pleasure. For he hinted at this by saying, "all their lifetime." They were therefore subject to bondage, that is, they were always trembling before death as slaves tremble before a harsh master, enjoying nothing pleasant. From this, infer that he who fears death is destitute of liberty and the slave of all. Moreover, this is a consolation to the afflicted faithful: ^B if those who are now hounded and imprisoned live more freely and pleasantly than those who of old seemed to live in the highest luxury, when death was strong and held its power. For those ancient ones, shaken by the fear of death, were slaves; but you have been delivered from that fear.

VERS. 16. *For verily he took not on him the nature of angels.* That is, He did not take hold of the nature of angels, nor did He bear it. This shows the great love of God toward the human race. For what He did not grant to angels, He gave to men: that He should assume flesh from their nature.

*But he took on him the seed of Abraham.* He did not say, "He took up," but "He took hold of," ^C to show that He pursued our nature, which was fleeing and had wandered far away; and, arriving, He took hold of it, and embraced it, uniting it to Himself, and arresting it from the flight by which it was fleeing from Him. He did not say, however, "the nature of men," but "the seed of Abraham," partly wishing to lift them up and demonstrate the splendor of their race, and that they have something more than the Gentiles in this, insofar as the Lord is from them—for He always grants them favor where it is allowed without offense—and partly to recall to their memory the promise: *Unto thee and to thy seed will I give this land.*

VERS. 17. *Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren.* Because, he says, He once deigned to take hold of our

nature, it was altogether consequent that He should be made like unto us in all things, that is, to be born, to be nourished, to grow, to suffer all things which it behoved Him to suffer, and finally to die; for this is what it means to be made like in all things.

*That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God.* He took our flesh, he says, for no other reason than that through it He might have mercy on us and raise up those who were lying low. By what reasoning? By becoming our High Priest, and offering this flesh, which He had taken from us, instead of some other sacrifice, so that He might cleanse us from sins, and mediate between us and God; for we were in a state of hostility toward Him. And "faithful," meant for "true," and capable of fulfilling the work of a high priest; for this is the duty of a true high priest: to free from sins those for whom he is high priest; or it means one who is acceptable to God in his intercessions made to Him. ^B

*To make reconciliation for the sins of the people.* He has shown what it is to be "faithful in things pertaining to God"; that is, so as to appease and expiate the sins of the people. For this is the great proof of His love, that He did everything to take away sins. But why did He not say, "the sins of the world," but, "of the people"? Because the Lord’s discourse was for the time being about the Jews, who were His people, for whose sake He had come primarily, so that when they were saved, others also might be saved through them, even if the opposite turned out to be the case. Whence also the angel said to Joseph, *He shall save his people from their sins.* He indicates here, therefore, the nobility of the Jews, and in how much esteem they were held by the Lord. ^C

*For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.* This seems humble and vile, and unworthy of God. For when Paul discourses regarding the flesh, he speaks of all things as humble, yet it is not unworthy of the flesh. Nor should this seem marvelous to anyone, since the Scripture speaks many things pertaining to man and humble even regarding the Father, who was not incarnate, such as: *The Lord looked down from heaven, and saw the children of men;* and, *I will go down and see;* and numberless other things of this kind. Much more, therefore, is it said concerning Christ, who was incarnate and suffered in the flesh, especially for the assurance of his hearers and because of their infirmity; for men deem experience more certain than all other things. ^D What he says is of this sort: Not only as God does He know, but also as man He knows through experience. For the very flesh of Christ suffered much; it knows what affliction is, it knows what temptation is; so He is able to succour, that is, He is ready to extend the hand of compassion.

CAPUT III

VERS. 1. *Unde, fratres sancti, vocationis cælestis participes.* "Unde," that is, since I have said that He is such a High Priest—namely, faithful, and one who makes propitiation for our sins, and is able to aid us—consider this, and you will find that it is ^A entirely so. "Participants of the heavenly calling," he says; that is, we have been called thither, so let us seek nothing here; there is the reward, there is the retribution.

*Consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus Christ.* Because of the flesh, all things are humble, as has often been said. Therefore, he is called "Apostle" because He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And he is "High Priest of our confession," that is, of our faith; for He is not a high priest of the legal cult, but of our faith.

VERS. 2. *Who is faithful to Him who appointed Him, as also was Moses in all His house.* Being about to prefer Christ to Moses, he brings forth the high priesthood into the midst, and says that a people was entrusted to both this one and that one, but that greater things were entrusted to Christ than to Moses. Yet at the beginning he does not immediately indicate that excellence, lest they recoil; for even if they were believers, they still clung very much to Moses. Therefore, for the time being, he equals the Lord to him and says that He is faithful to the Father who ^B made Him high priest and apostle. For the discourse here is not about the manner of His essence, but about His commission. He is "faithful," therefore, that is, benevolent, caring for the things that are the Father’s, and not allowing them to perish, but rather seeking their salvation. "As also was Moses in all His house," that is, in the people. For he calls the people a "house," just as we are accustomed to say, "So-and-so is of this house." And "His," that is, either God’s or Moses’. For the people were also called Moses’, as in: "Your people have sinned." As a steward, he says, and an administrator of a house, so was Moses to the people.

VERS. 3, 4. *For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by as much as the one who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone; but He who built all things is God.* Behold, here is the excellence by which the Lord surpasses Moses. ^C He was faithful, he says, and he also was in all the house, that is, in the people, but he himself was one from the house. For he was also a man, just like the others; even if he was holy, he was a fellow-servant to them, just as stewards in houses, even if they excel the others, are still fellow-servants to the rest. Since, therefore, he himself was also part of the house, he too was created by someone, and whoever created him surely surpasses him. But the Son of God created him—He who took on flesh and became High Priest because of him—and He therefore surpasses him. Observe, therefore, how ^D before this through the comparison He started from the flesh, but rose to the divinity, and the uncompounded...

^A superiority of the Creator over the created He demonstrated.

Verse 5. *And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken; but Christ as a Son.* Behold, here He brings forward another excellence: Moses, He says, was faithful as a servant, having been appointed for this purpose, that he might explain the affairs of the Master to the other fellow-servants, and might be a witness to God in the judgment of those things that were spoken. For if He calls heaven and earth as witnesses, as in that writing: *Hear, O heaven, and give ear, O earth*, and the valleys, as in that passage: *Hear, O valleys, the foundations of the earth*; much more so a man. But Christ is faithful, as a genuine Son and heir, managing the Father’s affairs according to the will of the Father. And the difference between such a Master and a servant is immense and altogether incomparable. ^B

Verse 6. *In His house, whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.* The house of Moses was the people, of which he himself was also a part. Christ also has a house, namely us; but this is if we stand fast unto the end, and do not fall away. For here He exhorted them to endure in afflictions, and not to be faint-hearted; for in this way we shall be the house of God, just as Moses was. He praises them, showing that although they had made a beginning, it is necessary to add an end as well. And he said well, *the confidence and rejoicing of the hope*. For one who hopes firmly that there will be a reward already rejoices from that time forward, as though the things hoped for were already present, and he is not cast down, but rather has confidence when he is afflicted for the sake of the Christ who is beloved to him. ^C

Verses 7-11. *Wherefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said: They always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. As I swore in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest.* He has discoursed concerning hope, and that it is necessary to expect confidently a certain reward there, and rest in exchange for the labors here; and he demonstrates this from the prophet, who says that those who believe shall enter into rest, just as those who do not believe shall not enter, just as those of old did not. For after the Hebrews had crossed the Red Sea, and had received in the wilderness countless ^D proofs of God’s care and power for them, they decided to send scouts to explore the nature of the land into which they were about to enter. But those who had gone forth returned, the nature indeed

^A of the land admiring, but saying that men invincible dwelt in it. The people, therefore, who ought to have weighed the invincible power of God, being terrified by these words, murmured [60-61] and thought they ought to return to Egypt. God, therefore, being indignant that so quickly they had cast away the memory of so many wonderful works, swore that that generation which murmured should not enter into the land of promise; and indeed they all perished in the desert, except Caleb and Joshua. Since, therefore, David, speaking after that generation, said, "Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts," so that you may not suffer the same things which your ancestors suffered, and be deprived of the rest; it is manifest that he says these things as if there were another rest which we ought to obtain. For if they had truly received the rest, for what reason would he say, "Today do not harden your hearts, like your fathers, so that you do not enter into the rest"? What other rest, therefore, is there than the kingdom of heaven, of which the Sabbath was an image, as was the entry of the children of the unbelieving 62 generation that took place typically into Palestine? For there are three rests: the first is that of the Sabbath, in which God rested from His works, concerning which it is not credible that David is now speaking, as it was something that happened long ago; and the second is the entry into the land of promise, into which the Jews were to enter, and were to have rest from wars and from error. Nor does he speak of this now, for Palestine was already fully occupied by the Hebrews in the times of David. How then ^B did he speak concerning this, as if it still remained? It seems, therefore, that there is another rest, into which Joshua the son of Nun could not lead the people. And what could this be, if not that which is in the heavens? Give diligence, therefore, that you do not fall away from this through unbelief, just as your ancestors did. This, then, is the meaning of the whole passage, which extends far; but the individual parts must also be treated separately. Consider, however, that one must not demand an accounting from God, but whether He protects or does not protect, one must believe Him. For he accuses them for this very reason, that they tempted Him, that is, they did not hope in Him without hesitation, as in one who could do all things.

^C

VERSE 12. "See, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief."

"In departing from the living God." For unbelief finds no access in any other way, unless someone departs from God. For as long as one is attached to God, and has placed his hope in Him, as in One who is able to do all things, he deems nothing impossible. ^A Verse 13. "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today." That is, edify one another, and support and sustain, so that you may not fall. But if someone should fall, correct him as long as he lives; for this is what is meant by "as long as it is called today"—for there is hope. Indeed, let there not be a wicked heart in anyone; but if it should happen, let him not fall into despair, but exhort him and lift him up. "Lest any of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." That is, so that one may not, out of ^B despair, come into a state of callousness and remain incurable. For just as bodies that have become calloused and hard do not yield to the hands of physicians, in the same way, hardened souls do not yield to the word of God. And he calls it the "deceitfulness of sin," either the deception of the devil—namely, not to hope for a future retribution—or else apathy. For to say, "Having once fallen into sin, I have no hope of pardon," is truly an imposture of sin. For sin, while it deceives and draws one to itself, makes one think such things, according to that which is said: "A wicked man, having fallen into the depth of evils, despises"*. And he who is contemptuous does not even endure to believe. From sin, therefore, comes unbelief. For they said, it says, "The Lord will not see, nor will the God of Jacob understand" [Ps. XCIII, 7]. And again: "For he said in his heart, He will not seek," and, "God has forgotten," and all things of this sort. ^C Verse 14. "For we have become partakers of Christ." That is, we and He have become one; and in this way we partake of Him, as the body partakes of the head. Here he inspires hope in them, as if saying: He who has so loved us, as to make us even His own body, will not permit us to be torn away from Him, if only we ourselves are willing. At the same time, he also tacitly indicates that which is said in another place: "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him." Since therefore we are even now partakers of those things of which Christ is—the sufferings, to wit—let us be ^D eager to be partakers also then of the glory. "If we hold the beginning of our substance steadfast to the end." That is, our faith. For through it we have subsisted and have been brought into being by a divine and spiritual essence, and regeneration. And here too he demands of us that we stand firmly in the faith to the very end. Verse 15. "While it is said, Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."

in exacerbatione. Confirmat quomodo dixerit, ad ^A finem usque, et hoc significatur, inquit, per, Hodie. Nam hodie, semper est; sicut supra dixit: Adhortamini vos mutuo, donec hodie vocatur. Vel quod magis probandum est, utpote a divo Chrysostomo dictum, hyperbaton est: Dum dicitur, Hodie si vocem ejus audieritis, etc. timeamus ne quando relicta promissione, et quæ deinceps sequuntur.

VERS. 16. Quidam enim audientes exacerbaverunt. Audita, inquit, promissione Dei, nimirum, Dabo vobis terram Chananæorum, non adhibuerunt ei fidem, cæterum exasperarunt Deum per incredulitatem. Videte igitur ne et vos promissis non credatis. Non enim proderit vobis audire solum, nisi et credideritis: perinde ac neque illis profuit auditus: quin potius ob id justius interierunt, quoniam Dei sermonibus non crediderunt. ^B Sed non universi qui profecti sunt ab Ægypto per Moysen. Caleb enim et Jesus non fuerunt increduli: eam ob causam assecuti sunt promissionem, ingressique sunt in Palæstinam.

VERS. 17. Quibus autem infensus est quadraginta annis? nonne iis qui peccaverant, quorum cadavera prostrata sunt in deserto? Per interrogationem sermonem texit, quo clarior sit, minusque contradictionis habeat. Interrogationes namque in confessis atque certis ponuntur. Proponit autem et pœnam. Prostrata sunt enim, inquit, in deserto ipsorum κῶλα, hoc est, magna femoris ossa. A parte autem tota corpora significavit. ^C

VERS. 18, 19. Quibus autem juravit non intraturos in requiem suam, nisi illis qui increduli fuerunt? Et videmus quod non potuerunt introire propter incredulitatem. Paulo ante dixit, iis qui peccaverant: nunc autem, iis qui non crediderunt. Videtur igitur indicare fidelibus istis Hebræis, quod in alia etiam peccata non pauci eorum sint lapsi, præter pusillanimitatem et futurorum incredulitatem. Videmus igitur, quod infideles non sint ingressi in requiem, hoc est, ob oculos nobis posita est et in confesso peccati pœna. ^D

CAPUT IV

VERS. 1. Timeamus ergo nequando relicta pollicitatione introeundi in requiem ejus. Hic est redditio illius, Dum dicitur, Hodie si vocem ejus audieritis, et quæ sequuntur: metuamus ne et nobis eadem contingant. Cæterum, Ergo, ideo positum est, quod longius sit dilata oratio, priusquam redditio sequeretur. Videatur aliquis deesse. Hoc est, ne quo modo deficiat, ac frustretur ingressu in requiem hanc promissam. Hilariorem autem et minus molestam ora-

^A orationem faciens, non dixit, Ne deficiat; sed: Ne videatur deficere.

VERS. 2. Etenim et nobis nuntiatum est, quemadmodum et illi, sed non profuit eis sermo auditus. Annuntiatum est, inquit, perinde nobis de futuris bonis, atque illis typice de terra: verum id simpliciter nobis non proderit, nisi etiam credamus, omnemque pusillanimitatem deponamus, ut neque illis profuit audiisse. Animadverte autem quomodo de nobis loquens, rem ipsam ^B evangelium appellavit, tanquam verorum bonorum promissionem, ac quae veluti post trophæa et victoriam dantur: cum de illis autem loquitur, sermonem auditus dixit.

Non admixtis fide iis qui audierant. Hoc est, non unitis neque consentientibus per fidem cum iis qui audiverant, sed ab ipsis avulsis. Mire autem non dixit, consentientibus; sed, non admixtis, ut summam unionem significet. Qui audierant autem, eos hic dicit, qui crediderant: isti enim revera audisse dici queant. Divus autem Joannes Chrysostomus non admistos intellexit Caleb et Jesum. Illi enim extra seditionem permanserunt, neque cæteris commisti sunt, neque simul insurrexerunt et consumpti sunt cum aliis seditiosis, omnibus unam sententiam habentibus. Quibus autem his? nimirum his qui audierunt, nullamque utilitatem receperunt. Hoc vero juxta magnam et profundam suam sapientiam sanctus iste dixit; mihi autem indigno non dedit intellectum ^C quomodo illud dixerit.

VERS. 3. Ingrediemur enim in requiem qui credimus, quemadmodum dixit: Sicut juravi in ira mea, si introibunt in requiem meam. Unde perspicuum est quod ingrediemur in requiem nos qui credidimus? ex eo quia dicit Deus, non ingressuros eos qui non crediderunt. E contrario enim hoc intelligitur, et quemadmodum iis qui non crediderunt merces incredulitatis erat, quod requiem non ingrederentur; ita e contra nos qui credidimus, ceu fidei mercedem introitum accipiemus.

VERS. 3-5. Et quidem operibus ab institutione mundi perfectis. Dixit enim in quodam loco de die septima sic: Et requievit Deus die septima ab omnibus operibus suis. Et in isto rursus: Si introibunt ^D in requiem meam. Videtur oratio hæc esse non admodum consequens, sed secus est: sed hoc dicit, quod non possit aliquis affirmare Davidem de Sabbati requie loqui. Qui enim de hac loqueretur, cum ea jam olim fuerit, nimirum cum mundus primo conderetur? Sed manifestum est quod de alia quapiam quiete David verba faciat, nempe ingressu in regnum cælorum; quod ingrediendi vocabulum in futuro declinatur, tanquam deberent nonnulli post hæc ingredi. Ac quemadmodum Sabbatum requies dicitur in Scriptura, et nihil impedie

^A bat quo minus posthac introitus in terram promissionis etiam diceretur requies: sic jam nihil prohibet post hanc rursus requiem vocari futuram, regnum videlicet cœlorum, in quod ii qui non crediderunt, non ingredientur.

VERS. 6. 8. Quoniam ergo superest introire quosdam in illam, et ii, quibus prioribus annuntiatum est, non introierunt, propter incredulitatem, iterum terminal diem quemdam: Hodie, in David dicendo, post tantum temporis, quemadmodum dictum est: Hodie si vocem ejus audieritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra. Nam si eis Jesus requiem præstitisset, nunquam de alia loqueretur posthac die. Universum hoc conatur ostendere, quod Jesus Filius Nave non potuerit introducere in hanc requiem, de qua David locutus est, atque nos etiamnum loquimur. Quoniam vero ille non introduxit, David autem rursus post tot annos dicit: Ne induretis corda vestra, ^B quemadmodum patres qui propter incredulitatem non sunt ingressi, datque nobis e contrario intelligere, quod si crediderimus, ingrediemur; perspicuum est quod ista requies futura est, atque nos exspectat. De Palaestina enim utique non promittebat David: eam enim tunc temporis occupabant. Sed neque de septimo die locutus est: nam ea a constitutione mundi fuerat. Tertia igitur quies est, nempe regnum cœlorum, in quod verus Jesus nos introducit, adeoque fides in ipsum.

VERS. 9. Itaque relinquitur Sabbatismus populo Dei. Non dixit, requies; sed, Sabbatismus, proprium nomen ponens, et in quo gaudebant, et ad quod accurrebant. Sic autem appellat regnum cœlorum. Quemadmodum enim in Sabbato ab omnibus operibus carnalibus crassis abstinere lex jubebat, ac sacerdotes ^C ea sola perficere mandabat quæ ad cultum Dei pertinebant, et quæcumque animæ commodabant: ita tum omnia spiritualia erunt ac divina, nihil carnale, nihil laboriosum, ubi aufugit dolor, mœror, atque gemitus. Audi jam quid ipse dicat.

VERS. 10. Qui enim ingressus est in requiem ejus, etiam ipse requievit ab operibus suis, sicut et a suis Deus. Interpretatur quomodo talem requiem Sabbatismum appellavit: Propterea quod, inquit, cessamus et nos ab operibus nostris, quemadmodum et Deus, postquam quievisset ab operibus suis in condenda mundi machina, Sabbatum diem illam appellavit. Nam hic etiam justis multum laboris et certaminis imminet, tum propter alia cum propter virtutis sudores: illic vero, ne virtutis quidem moralis operatio est, sed Dei ^D inexplebilis fruitio. Quod igitur audire expetebant, videlicet quod ab hujus mundi laboribus liberandi essent, idipsum dixit, ut refocillet eos.

VERS. 11. Festinemus ergo ingredi in illam requiem. Postquam ostenderit tertiam quamdam esse

rest, he hereafter exhorts them to enter into it. And he well said, "Let us hasten." For faith itself alone does not suffice to bring one into that [rest], unless a good way of life be present with it. "Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." That is, the same as the Israelites. For just as those, having traveled the greater part of the journey and having suffered many hardships, nevertheless fell away on account of their unbelief, so also do you take heed, lest after so many struggles which you have endured, you fall, should you not behave as brave men unto the end; for this is what it truly means to fall.

VERS. 12. "For the word of God is living and effectual, and sharper than any two-edged sword." Even as then, he says, it was not war, nor sword, that destroyed them, but the word of God—for they fell of their own accord—so also will it be with us. For the same Word which punished them will also punish us; for He lives always, and is never extinguished. And he said "living" for another reason, that you might not, upon hearing "word," think it a word lacking in subsistence. It is "living," he says, that is, it subsists and is active, and into whatever soul it falls, it inflicts grievous wounds. Observe also the condescension: how he made mention of a sword and of cutting, things familiar and known to us, that he might show from these the excellence of His power.

"And reaching even unto the division of soul and spirit." He says something fearful: that it either divides the spirit from the soul, and leaves it destitute of the holiness derived from the latter—which the Lord in the Gospel called "the cutting in pieces"—just as a king, when a ruler has sinned, takes away his girdle and his dignity, and then punishes him, so in this case also is man deprived of his spiritual dignity, and then punished; or, [it means] that it reaches even to the incorporeal [faculties] themselves. Some, however, have interpreted this word in this way—a view, in my judgment, not inconsistent with the apostolic purpose—that the word of God, having entered into the soul, divides and partitions its parts, making it receptive and capable of the mystery. For just as an arrow, dividing the flesh, thus enters into it, so also the Word: unless it severs the obstructed parts of the soul, It would not enter into it.

"Of joints and marrow." That they might not become slothful upon hearing of the soul, thinking the punishment to be uncertain, he proposes also those things of the body. For things more manifest strike more deeply.

"And is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Herein he signifies the divinity of the Word. For it is God’s [prerogative] to judge, that is, to scrutinize and to know the thoughts. For "God," he says, "scrutinizes the hearts and reins."

^A *Verse 13. And there is no creature invisible in his sight.* Not only, he says, does he examine and search the hearts of men, but even if you speak of angels, or archangels, or Cherubim and Seraphim, all things are manifest to him. There is nothing that can escape his eye.

*But all things are naked and opened to his eyes.* In order to show more clearly how all things are naked and manifest before God the Word, he uses an expression taken from the metaphor of sheep whose skin has been flayed. For just as with them, once they are bent back by the neck, or receive the knife through the throat, and are slaughtered, and the skin is pulled down, all their inward parts are revealed; so too are all things manifest to God. Some, however, understood "opened" [τετραχηλισμένα] as the ornaments on the neck, or rather [those] hanging from the neck. Others have taken it to mean those bowing down to the ground, and having bent the neck, for the reason that they cannot fix their eyes upon the glory of the Judge and of our God, Jesus Christ. But you should accept the first [interpretation].

*To whom is our account.* To him, he says, we are about to give an account and the reckoning of what we have done. Do you see how he has exaggerated the matter? For lest, when you hear "in the same example of unbelief," you think that the punishment is the same both for us and for the Israelites, he shows through these things that ours are far more terrible. ^B

*Verse 14. Having therefore a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.* As if someone were asking, "Give us counsel, then, so that we may not fall nor lose heart," he says that the things already spoken are indeed sufficient to instruct us in fear and to make us more secure; but furthermore, we have a High Priest who is able to help us, if only we hold fast to our confession. For he is not someone small and ordinary, but great and glorious; for he is the Son of God. And [he is] not such a one as Moses. For that man neither entered into the rest himself, nor brought the people in; but this one, having passed through the heavens, sits with the Father, and is able to give us entry into the heavens, and to make us heirs of the rest [promised] in his promises.

*Let us hold fast our confession.* He does not attribute the whole thing to the High Priest, but he also seeks what comes from us. For he is indeed able, but [this is so] if we also are worthy. But what confession does he speak of here? That there is a resurrection, that there is a recompense, that there are myriad good things there, that Christ is God. Let us hold fast to this confession; let us not allow it to slip away from us; but let us firmly hold fast those things which we confessed in the beginning of the faith, and all terrible things will pass away. ^D

*Verse 15. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our infirmities.* Admonishing them to be confident, he makes his plea trustworthy, and says that the high priest is not one who is ignorant of our [infirmities], such as are many

of those many high priests who do not even know what affliction is; wherefore they are not ready to help those who are afflicted. But our High Priest has endured everything, and after having endured it, He ascended, so that He might be able to sympathize. ¶"Tested in all things according to the likeness, without sin." That is, He was persecuted, He was spat upon, He was falsely accused, He was driven away, and lastly, He was crucified. He underwent all these things for our sake according to our likeness—that is, in a manner similar to us—yet without sin. For He neither committed any sin at all, nor, when He was suffering these things, did He say or do anything sinful. Thus, you also can remain in your afflictions without sin. Why, therefore, are you listless and discouraged? Some, however, have understood "without sin" as meaning that He did not suffer these things as punishments for His own sins.

16 "Let us therefore come with boldness to the throne of grace." Because, he says, we have a High Priest who is without sin and who has overcome the world—for He says, "Have confidence, I have overcome the world"—we ought to approach with boldness, that is, not having a defiled conscience, nor hesitating, but relying upon the High Priest. For if we have sin, He is nevertheless without sin. Moreover, it is a throne of grace, not of judgment; therefore, one must approach with boldness, trusting that He will grant us what we desire. For there are two thrones: the present one, which is of grace, to which those who draw near receive through divine grace the remission of their sins; and the other, the throne of the Second Coming—not of grace, for no one receives remission then, but of judgment. He mentioned a "throne" so that, upon hearing "High Priest," you would not think that He is standing. For even if He is called High Priest as a man because of the grace and the humbling of Himself for us, He nonetheless sits upon the divine throne. "To receive mercy and find grace for timely help." For if we approach now, we shall find mercy and grace; for we are approaching at the right time. But if we approach then, we shall no longer do so, for it is not then a throne of grace. Now He sits as a King dispensing grace; then He shall arise for judgment. For it says: "Arise, O God, judge the earth."

CHAPTER V

1 "For every high priest, taken from among men, is established for men in things pertaining to God." He wishes hereafter to show that the New Testament is far better than the Old; and he begins first by comparing the priesthoods, both that of the ancient priests and that of Christ, and he shows the great superiority of Christ’s priesthood. In the meantime, however, because it was objected against Him that many of the qualities that ought to be present in priests were not present in Christ—for He was neither of a priestly tribe, nor was He a priest upon the earth, nor was He ordained by men—

^A but (to put it briefly) His priesthood did not have any bodily form, such as bells and plates, but all things were spiritual), he ^B first recounts what Christ has in common with the rest of the high priests, and then sets forth the things in which He excels. For then, indeed, is someone shown to be truly excellent by comparison, when he participates in some things, but in others is more excellent. Being taken from among men, therefore, is common to Christ and the rest; for He, too, being man, became a High Priest. And the being appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, that is, to act as mediator, this also is common to Him and the others.

"To offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." He interpreted what "being appointed on behalf of men toward God" is—that is, praying for our sins to appease God. And this too is common to Christ and the others, though not entirely; for He indeed offered Himself, whereas those others offered certain other things. But how a "gift" and a "sacrifice" differ in the strict sense, yet are used interchangeably in the Scriptures, you shall learn below.

"Who can have compassion on the ignorant and wayward." That is, who can be measured in his feelings, sympathize, condescend, and forgive those who sin out of ignorance. Observe that every sin is born of ignorance and error; for even if someone seems to know what evil is, yet at the time of the commission of the sin, surrounded by darkness, he suffers from ignorance and error, precipitated by the allurements of pleasure.

"Since he himself is also compassed with infirmity." I am of the opinion that this is a simpler and truer view, namely, that the High Priest ^C can have compassion on the ignorant because he himself is clothed with infirmity, and knowing the measure of human weakness from his own self, he also grants pardon. Some, however, understood it thus: that in this point alone does the high priest differ from the people—in his ability to forgive—since in other respects he is, like the rest, compassed with infirmity.

"And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins." These things Christ no longer has in common with the rest, but ^D excels in them. For the Lord neither had the infirmity of sins, nor did He offer for Himself, but for the rest of mankind.

"And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God." He sets forth another mark of a high priest, which applies equally to Christ, namely, that one should not leap to the priesthood himself, but being called by God, should thus receive it. He here criticizes the high priests of the Jews of that time, who leaped to the honor themselves, obtaining it by purchase and corrupting the Law.

"As also Aaron." For indeed Aaron, being first called by God through Moses, thus exercised the priesthood,

^A et frangitur, et distribuitur. Quoties enim hæc fiunt, mors Domini annuntiatur.

VERS. 7. *Qui in diebus carnis suæ.* By "days of his flesh," he signifies the time during which He lived here, or the days He passed in this carnal life; not that He has now put off the flesh: by no means, for He retains it, but it is incorruptible and superior to carnal and blameless passions, namely, hunger, thirst, labor, and others of that kind. The Apostle took this text from David, who says in the hundred and fourteenth Psalm: "And in my days will I call." For the Apostle refers the entire psalm to Christ.

*Preces et supplicationes ad eum qui posset illum salvum facere a morte cum clamore valido et lacrymis offerens.* These things were spoken regarding the flesh; for He did not pray as God. Even if one were to suppose that He did pray, it surely would not be with "clamor and tears," for these are not of God, but must be attributed, irrefutably, to the human nature of the one Christ; partly so that the truth of the assumed nature might be demonstrated, and partly so that His care for us and the excellence of His love might be made manifest. For He prayed these things on our behalf, taking upon Himself what is ours, so that He might consume within Himself the fear of nature regarding death. For consider that nowhere in the Gospels is it written that He prayed for His own resurrection; rather, on the contrary, He speaks with authority, saying: "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up," and, "I have power to take up my life." ^{B C}

VERS. 7, 8. *Et exauditus pro reverentia, tametsi Filius esset.* He said this also on account of the flesh and the weakness of the hearers; for they did not yet have a great opinion of Him. What he says, therefore, is of this kind: So great was His reverence, that His being heard was His own achievement rather than the grace of God; and because of this reverence, God reverenced Him, and as it were, moved by a sense of shame, heard Him, although He was the Son and had a natural boldness towards Him: so great and worthy of veneration was it. Do not despair, therefore, since you have a Master who is heard by the Father. If, then, you ask anything of Him, He will do it for you, which Christ Himself says to the disciples in the Gospel: "If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I go unto my Father; for my Father is greater than I"; and, "Whatever you ask in my name, He will give to you." ^D

*Didicit ex iis quæ passus est, obedientiam.* He learned, he says, to obey God the Father, having been instructed in this by the afflictions. But it seems entirely absurd what is said. For how did He learn obedience from the things which He suffered, seeing that even before He suffered, He was so obedient to the Father that He accepted even the passions themselves out of obedience? For the text says, He became obedient unto

^A death. Learn, therefore, that because these men seemed faint-hearted and prone to turn back, he speaks these humble things about the Son of God, so that he might abundantly persuade them to submit and obey the will of God, and not to be disheartened by tribulations, but to await aid from above. For, he says, even the Son, after enduring the passion, was heard for His obedience by the Father, and His soul was delivered from death. And from that time He learned continually to obey God, because obedience could achieve much. If, then, He gained from sufferings, you yourselves even more so. Do you see how, for the sake of the profit of the hearers, Paul condescended so far that he appeared to be saying even absurd things? But hear what follows.

And having been perfected. ^B Therefore, perfection comes through sufferings. How, then, are you distressed at the tribulations that perfect you?

He became to all who obey Him an author of eternal salvation. That is to say, not only was He Himself saved, but He also procured salvation for others; and not temporal salvation, as from wars, but eternal. To whom? To these: to those who obey. How then are you disobedient and in danger of falling from salvation? Do you see that the whole discourse has been shaped in this way because of the faint-heartedness of the hearers? Yet, behold here also the sublime. For He became the author of salvation, which is something belonging to the Godhead. For no one else, unless He be God, is the author of such salvation.

Called by God High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Because, he says, He suffered, for this reason He was called High Priest, as having offered Himself. But even if He offered blood, yet He did not do so according to the order of the Jewish high priests, but according to that of Melchisedec. For just as that man was not anointed by man, so neither was Christ, but by God, through the Spirit ^C of the same essence with Himself. For just as that man did not offer legal sacrifices, so neither does this One; that man was a king, so also is this One; and countless other things.

About whom we have much to say, and hard to interpret, since you have become slothful in your hearing. Being about to launch the discourse into the distinction of the priesthood, he first rebukes them, showing that it was because of their infancy that he brought forward such humble things, and lingered in the discourse concerning the humanity of Christ. For if they had not been weak, he would have long since made mention of more sublime things. Because of your sloth, therefore, he says, is the discourse concerning how Christ is a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec difficult to interpret. And because you do not understand, for that reason I am not able to interpret it well. To the Corinthians, ^D indeed, he says that he cannot speak about spiritual things, inasmuch as they foster rivalries and contentions among themselves; and for that reason he calls them carnal. But these people, since the difficulty of learning had arisen from tribulations, he does not call carnal, but slothful. By saying "you have become," he shows that they were previously in good health, but later became such as they are.

^A VERSE 12. "For when for the time you ought to be teachers." He mixes accusation with praise, saying, "You ought to be teachers of others." For he shows that they had long since believed and had heard the mysteries; both of these are worthy of praise, if they had not become slothful. Time, he says, makes [men] stronger; but you have uselessly abused it by becoming weak. "You need to be taught again which be the first principles of the oracles of God." By principles, he refers to the things concerning the humanity of Christ. For just as with external letters one must first learn the elements, so here too it was necessary first to be taught about the humanity and to be accustomed to the humble matters, and then to approach those of the Divinity, which require a more perfect intellect. Behold now, you have clearly learned from Paul himself why he dwells upon humble words and only rarely speaks of something sublime, and that he does this on account of the infirmity of his hearers. ^B Behold, therefore, this Epistle also is full of humble things. And if it contains anything sublime, it does so only briefly. "And are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." He did not say, "You have need," but "are become," meaning that you have brought this upon yourselves, having become such by your own choice. He calls humble discourse "milk" both here and in the Epistle to the Corinthians; and "solid food" he calls the more perfect and higher things. It was not necessary, therefore, he says, now to introduce legal matters, and from these to make a comparison of the incomparable Christ—that is, that He is a High Priest, and that He offered sacrifice, and that He prayed and made supplications with a loud cry—but because you are nourished by these things, I set them before you. Observe, however, that the things which are now present for us were what nourished them then, and that the oracles of God are true food. For "I will send a famine," he says, "upon them to hear the word of the Lord."

^C VERSE 13. "For everyone that partaketh of milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." By righteousness here he refers either to the exact manner of living, as if saying this: "The imperfect man is unskilful in the higher philosophy and cannot receive a peak of perfect living"—which Christ also demanded, saying: "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees" (Matth. v, 20)—or he calls Christ Himself "righteousness," saying this: "He who is a partaker of the humble words concerning the incarnation does not admit the sublime words worthy of Christ, as one who is an infant and incapable of grasping them."

^D VERSE 14. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age." That is, the sublime doctrines concerning the Divinity of Christ. You see another kind of infancy, which is found even in the elderly—namely, that of the mind—and another perfection, which nothing hinders even the young from having. "Who by reason of use have their senses exercised..."

exercised for the discernment of good and evil. ^A He calls "habit" here the maturity and firmness of character. Whoever, therefore, is firm in character and life, he also has the sensory faculties of his soul exercised in the divine Scriptures, for the discernment of high and lowly dogmas, as well as sound and corrupt ones. For he does not speak here of life: everyone discerns this, and knows that malice is a base thing, and virtue a good thing. Observe, however, that there is a need for exercise, and practice, and experience of the Scriptures, if we are to discern which things are heretical and which are not, and not simply lend our ears to everyone. For the throat tastes food, but the soul tests words.

CAPUT VI

^B VERs. 1. *Therefore, leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us be borne unto perfection.* He had said above that you have become sluggish, and that you are infants, and that you have arrived at the need of being taught again the basic elements of the faith. And so now he says that you ought henceforth to think as perfect men, and to transcend the word of the beginning of Christ—that is, the first rudiments of the faith—and to be borne unto perfection, that is, to be capable of higher things. Or you may understand this passage in this way: because they seemed to limp in their conduct of life, he now speaks to them about a blameless life, as if saying this: It is not fitting for you always to be occupied about the beginning—that is, to be taught concerning the faith, as if you were mere novices—but also to be borne unto perfection, ^C that is, unto the best life. For that man is perfect who possesses a righteous life along with faith. For faith is the beginning and foundation, and without it nothing shall be established, just as no one can become learned in letters without the elements. Yet it is not fitting to be always occupied with the elements, nor always to be taught concerning the faith as if one were an infant and imperfect. But if anyone prefers to accept the former interpretation and rejects this one as being inconsistent with those things previously mentioned by Paul, let him know that it is his custom, while speaking of one topic, to leap to others: as in the Epistle to the Corinthians, while speaking of banquets and social meals, he launched into a discourse on the mysteries. Thus, therefore, even now, reproaching them at the beginning for their sluggishness and ^D weakness in receiving more perfect things, he proceeds into a discourse concerning conduct, calling them imperfect because they did not add a life to their faith.

*Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.* This is: let us not again from the beginning do those things which you were doing when you were about to be baptized—such as repentance from dead works, that is, the renunciation of the works of Satan. For he who approaches Christ, it is manifest that, repenting of his former dogma and manner of life, he thus

^A approaches; for unless he condemns the former, how shall he lay hold of the second? Hence he adds, "and of faith toward God." For after repentance from dead works, then comes faith. He says, therefore, that you do not need to be taught about faith as if you were beginners; for you have already believed. But he hints by these things that they were being shaken, and for this reason they were in need of a foundation.

"The doctrine of baptisms." Paul did not say this in the plural number as though there were many baptisms—for there is one baptism—but because this happens as a consequence. For if he were to instruct them again in the primary elements of religion, and baptize them again; and after they had lapsed, baptize them again; then there would necessarily be many baptisms; but this is absurd. It is not, therefore, necessary for you to be rebaptized, but to remain in the former baptism. Perhaps, moreover, these people, as those still attached to the Law, advocated many baptisms in the Jewish manner, even under grace. Observe, however, that baptism followed repentance. For since repentance itself by itself had no power to render one pure, for this reason we are baptized, that the whole may be of the grace of Christ. ^B

"The laying on of hands." Through which they received the Spirit, so as to prophesy and perform miracles. For when Paul, he says, had laid his hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit.

"The resurrection of the dead." For this is accomplished in baptism through the figure of the immersion into the water, and it is confirmed in the confession; for we confess that we believe in the resurrection of the dead.

"And of eternal judgment." That is, of the judgment which assigns either blessings or torments for eternity. He seems to say these things because it was likely that they would be shaken, even though they had believed long ago, or lived in a non-Christian manner, and sluggishly; "Watch," he says. For it is not permitted to affirm that if we live sluggishly, or fall from the faith, it will be granted to us to be rebaptized, or that we shall be able to wash away our sins anew, and obtain the same things that we did before. For you err, he says, by thinking these things. ^C

VERS. 3. "And this will we do, if God permit." "This will we do": do what? To be carried on to perfection, if God also willeth. He said this, however, not as if God would not permit these things, but just as we are accustomed to say: "If God wills, I intend to do this." At the same time, he also teaches us from this to depend entirely upon His will, and not even in matters that are admittedly good to trust in one’s own judgment and power. And this the Apostle Jude also openly admonishes.

VERS. 4. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened." He did not say that it is useless and unseemly, but "impossible," ^D

^A so as to cast them into despair, lest they hope that they can attain baptism a second time.

"And have tasted of the heavenly gift." That is, of the remission of sins; for no one can give such things except God alone. ^B "And were made partakers of the Holy Ghost." After the remission of sins, then there is the participation of the Holy Ghost; for He does not dwell in a body subject to sins. And He was given through the imposition of hands, as has been said above.

VERS. 5. "And have tasted the good word of God." He did not say openly what this is; however, he makes us understand that he is speaking of every spiritual doctrine.

"And the powers of the world to come." He calls either the performing of miracles by this name, or living like the angels, so that one needs none of the present things but looks to those to come, and already has as a pledge of the future life that which is here immaterial and spiritual.

VERS. 6. "And if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance." That is, through repentance. What then? Is repentance cast out? God forbid! But the renewal through a second baptism is rejected. For it belongs to the laverhood alone to renew, as also the Prophet says: "Thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle's" (Ps. CII, 5). But it belongs to repentance to free one from old age, and to make one strong. However, to lead one back to that [former] brightness is not possible; for there, the whole [process] was grace. He says, therefore, "to repentance," namely, that of baptism. For ^C first a person is led to repentance regarding his past life, then is baptized, just as he himself had previously said, "Repentance from dead works." And it is manifest from what follows that he says these things forbidding the reiteration of baptism.

"Crucifying to themselves the Son of God afresh." Baptism is a cross. For our old man was crucified together with Him, and we have been grafted into the likeness of His death. And again: "We are buried with Him by baptism." For just as He died in the flesh upon the cross, so we in baptism have died to sin. Whoever therefore is baptized a second time, as far as it depends on him, crucifies Christ a second time. But this is absurd. For He died once and rose again, and death no longer has dominion over Him. Therefore, there is no second baptism, since there is not a second cross. For what would prevent a third and a fourth, and so on to infinity? He did not say, "crucifying afresh," and stop there; but he added, "to themselves," in order to show that because we live our life sluggishly, as if there were another baptism, we perform all things as if supporting an evil opinion within ourselves.

"And put him to an open shame." That is, triumphing over Him, subjecting Him to ignominy. But you may understand this in two ways: either because they who ^D then crucified the Lord devised such a manner of death for His dishonor,

^A or because Christ, having been once crucified, is believed henceforth to be immortal. He, therefore, who crucifies Him again puts forward this lie, which brings disgrace upon Christ, as one who, after the death He underwent but once, has henceforth tasted immortality. In two ways, therefore, he ^B says the thing is impossible: first, because he who has been deemed worthy of such great benefits and has had all things poured out upon him is unworthy to enjoy them again; and second, by that which is more fearful, that it is impossible for the Son of God to be crucified.

VERS. 7. *For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it.* By earth he signifies the soul, and by rain the teaching, as also in another place: *I will command the clouds,* saith God, *that they rain no rain upon the vineyard.* And again: *The river of God is filled with water,* that is, he who has been granted by God the grace to teach others is filled with the waters from above, that is to say, with gifts. He hints here at those who have both received and drunk in the word, and although they have often attained it, have not even so made progress, which he also said above: *When for the time ye ought to be teachers.* ^C *And bringing forth herbs meet for them.* That is, a virtuous life. For nothing is so "meet"—that is to say, suitable and well-fitted—as purity of life. *By whom it is dressed.* The earth, he says, produces the "herb"—that is, a good manner of life—for those by whom it is cultivated, and it is "meet" for them; for they who themselves cultivate virtue shall also enjoy it. Some, however, have referred the "for them" to the teachers; for by them the best manner of life is cultivated, as they themselves are also partakers of the virtue of their disciples. *Receiveth blessing from God.* Here he quietly strikes at the Greeks, who attribute the yield of ^D fruits to the power of the earth. For it is not the hands of the farmers that make the fruits, but the whole, he says, must be referred to God: He Himself blesses the earth and bestows fertility.

VERS. 8. *But that which beareth thorns and briers.* He did not say "germinating," as he spoke above concerning the herb, but "bearing," as one might say "spewing forth," and throwing away as some sort of excrement. Thorns and briers are the cares of life, and the deceitfulness of riches, and simply all sin; as David also says: *I am turned in my misery, whilst a thorn is fastened in me.* For it does not merely come upon one, but it is "fastened" in; and unless we pluck it out entirely, if even a small part remains, it causes pain and requires treatment and care. Moreover, it is a "brier"; whence, if you lay hold of it, it wounds you, and it is unpleasant on every side, bringing forth ignominy here, and in the world to come most especially.

^A Reprobate and near to a curse. He said that the good land is blessed by God; but concerning the unfruitful land, He did not say simply that it is under a curse, but "near to a curse," so that we might not despair. For he who is near to a curse will also be able to be removed far from it. ^B "Whose end is for burning." He added this also so that we might not despair. For He did not say, "which shall be burned," but, "whose end is for burning": that is, if it should persevere in its unfruitfulness until the end. Thus, it is possible for it to turn away from unfruitfulness, and to restrain its thorns, and to become approved, and to partake of the blessing.

VERS. 9. "But, beloved, we are confident of you, the things that are better and that belong to salvation, although we speak in this manner." Having rebuked them sufficiently and struck fear into them, he heals them again, so that he might not render them entirely listless. For he who strikes one who is already sluggish, makes him even more sluggish. He says, therefore, that I do not say these things as if I had condemned you, nor as if I thought you full of thorns, but fearing that this might happen. And he did not say, "We expect concerning you," but, "We are confident," that is, we are assured and firm concerning you, that you are not in this state, but better, and that you care for your own salvation, even if we have spoken so sharply. Either, therefore, he says this regarding their conversation and morals—that you are not such briers—or he speaks of the retribution—that you are not near to a curse, nor for burning, but some other reward is laid up for you. Observe, moreover, that which follows.

^C VERS. 10. "For God is not unjust to forget your work." Observe how he has lifted them up and strengthened them to hope for better things, reminding them of the former things and of the justice of God; for if God is just, He will not forget your work—that is, your compassion and brotherly love—but He will reward you. Wherefore, do not be fainthearted, but by all means hope for better things, since God is also by all means just. Therefore, I did not say what I said concerning you precisely as a rebuke; for I know that you are not worthy of a curse.

"And [of] the labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered to the saints, and [still] ministering." ^D He bears great witness to them; not of works only, but of works with alacrity. For to minister is an indication of promptness. By "love," he means the almsgiving which they showed, not to their brothers, but to the name of God. Observe the greatest consolation, that we do not perform acts of almsgiving to men, but to God; just as Christ says in the Gospel: "You did it to Me." For he who bestows bounty upon the unjust for the sake of the name of God, does this to God. "To the saints," that is, to the faithful. For every faithful person is a saint, even if he be in the world. For, he says, the unbelieving man has been sanctified in his wife, and the unbelieving wife…

in her husband. Faith, therefore, produces sanctification here. So let us not be diligent only toward those in the desert, as if they were the only saints, but also toward those in the world; for those are saints in both faith and life, but the laity also are saints in faith, and many in life as well. Observe, too, how he eases and mitigates his tone toward them. For he did not say, "you who have ministered," and then stop; but added, "and do minister," that is, and are still doing the same thing today.

VERS. 11. But we desire each one of you to show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end.

VERS. 12. That you may not become sluggish.

But be imitators of those who through faith and longsuffering inherit the promises.

^A grow numb in faith. Therefore, I say these rebuking things to you, that I might rouse you, and that you might become imitators of those who have inherited the promises through faith and long-suffering. Who these are, he will say hereafter. Observe, however, how he first mentions faith, then long-suffering, because long-suffering comes from faith. For if one does not believe that He who promised will certainly provide, he will not have long-suffering.

For when God promised Abraham, because He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself, saying: *Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.* While there were many others who inherited the promises through faith, he passed over the others for the time being, reserving them for those who follow; he mentions only Abraham, both because of the dignity of his person, and because he was judged worthy of the promise and indeed attained it. And by this, he shows that one should not be fainthearted, but should wait for God, who is accustomed not to bring about what is promised quickly, but after a long time. ^B When did God swear by Himself? Either in those words where he says, "By Myself I have sworn"; or, perhaps, one might say that the particle "surely" (ἡ μήν) is an oath of God by Himself; for the "surely" (ἦ μήν) signifies "in truth, truly." Which is nothing other than a confirmation of the truth. And who else would truth be but God? Thus also in the Gospels the Lord, saying "Amen, amen," swears the same oath, not being able to swear by one greater, He swears by Himself, just as the Father. Although some have understood the Son Himself to have communed with Abraham at that time; for the Scripture says: *And the angel said to Abraham.* For surely, they say, the Father would not be an angel, but the Son, the angel of the great counsel.

And so, having been long-suffering, he attained the ^C promise. How, then, does he say at the end of the Epistle that *all these did not receive the promises, but saw them from afar and greeted them*, whereas here he says that Abraham attained the promise? He does not speak of the same things here and there; but here he speaks of those things promised to him in this life, which Abraham indeed attained after a long time; there, however, he speaks of heavenly things, which he has not yet attained. Both, however—both the fact that he attained it, and the fact that he has not yet attained it—serve for the consolation of the faint-hearted: the former, because we also, if we are long-suffering, will obtain; the latter, because if he, who was perfected so many years ago, has not yet attained, we are foolish to be distressed that we do not attain it yet. Observe also how he said that having been long-suffering he attained the promise, that he might show the great power of long-suffering, and that the promise alone did not accomplish everything, but also the long-suffering. Here, also, he strikes them with fear, ^D giving them to understand from the opposite, that it is hindered

^A by pusillanimity. And this befell the people long ago in the desert, who, having fallen into pusillanimity, by no means attained the promise. One might say, then: How is it that the saints, even though they were long-suffering, did not attain it, as he says toward the end of the Epistle? But they will attain it certainly; whereas those murmurers of the people neither attained it, nor will they attain it.

VERS. 16. For men swear by the greater, and an oath is the end of all contradiction among them for confirmation. That is to say, by an oath the dispute of every contention is dissolved. For many things are indeed said, and debated on both sides, but the oath, coming in last and confirming, solves all doubtful matters. ^B

VERS. 17. Wherein God, wishing to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath. That is to say, because even among men an oath brings all credibility, for this reason God also swears. Or, "wherein," that is, in His swearing by Himself, God, He says, showed us from abundance that He will certainly and immutably perform what He promised. For God ought indeed to be believed even without an oath, but yet for our sake He lets Himself down, and does not contemplate His own dignity, but in order that He might persuade us, He suffers things unworthy of Himself to be said. For we are the faithful heirs of the promise, who in His seed, which is Christ, have been blessed. Observe ^C how he says that even then the Son was the mediator of God and men: for by Him, as the Word, God and Father swore.

VERS. 18. That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie. Of what kind and of what sort? That He should speak and promise simply, and then that He should add an oath to the promise. For because among men this of the oath seems to be more firm, for that reason He Himself also added it. "In which," for "from which" these two things, the promise is shown to be most certain, and it is impossible for God to lie. Just as, therefore, He swore for our sake, even though it was unworthy of Him to swear, so also, "He learned from what He suffered," understand this. For men think that to be more credible and certain which has been proved by experience. ^D

We have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. That is to say, great admonition and exhortation. For this is said not more for the sake of Abraham than for our sake, who have fled for refuge to Him, that is, who have hoped. To what point have we the exhortation? To lay hold of the hope set before us; that is, that from those things which were given to Abraham, we might also be more assured concerning those which pertain to us, and might not doubt concerning the

hope of future and heavenly things which we expect, but firmly and securely hold to this hope, and not let it go. For the promise made to Abraham pertains also to us, and especially to us who believe in Christ, as has been said above. ^A

VERS. 19. *Which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.* This hope we have as an anchor. For just as that keeps ships steady in a time of storm, so also hope makes those who are shaken by temptations ^B to be steady and patient. But he did not simply say "an anchor," but "sure and steadfast." For an anchor that does not keep the boat unshaken is no anchor, whether it be rotted, or when it is too light. He rightly mentioned not a foundation, but an anchor, because a foundation is placed upon things that are very solid and wise; but an anchor is for those who are in a storm, such as were these people, who were being tossed by waves of temptations.

*And which enters into that within the veil.* He said above, "Wait; for what is hoped for will come to pass." Now, making them more perfectly assured, he says that we already have these things in hope. For this [hope], having entered within the heaven, has caused us to be already in the promised goods, even if we are still down here, ^C and even if we have not yet received them. Hope has such power that it makes those who are of the earth heavenly. Just as in the Old Testament the veil separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tabernacle, so also heaven is for us a veil, separating the lower things from the more divine and supercelestial things.

VERS. 20. *Where the forerunner for us has entered, even Jesus.* Having said that our hope enters into heaven, he confirms what was said, proving it by the things themselves. For that Christ did indeed enter; and he did not simply enter, but entered as a *forerunner*, that is, as one showing that we too must enter. For a forerunner is a forerunner of certain ones who are to follow, ^D and there is not a very great interval between the forerunner and those who follow, just as there was not between John and Christ. Do not therefore be impatient; in a little while we shall enter where our forerunner is. And he was not content to say "forerunner," but added "for us," for greater confirmation, as if saying this: He himself had no need to go thither; for how should he, being God? But just as he took flesh for our sake, so also for our sake he entered within the heaven, that he might open the way for us. So we too shall necessarily enter. Or, "for us" means "that he might intercede for us with the Father," just as the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies once a year, to make atonement for the people.

*According to the order of Melchizedek, a high priest forever.* And this is the greatest con- [text continues]

consolation, since our High Priest is in the heavens, and is much superior to those who were among the Jews. First, according to the manner: for it is not after their order, but according to the order of Melchizedek. Then, according to the place and the tabernacle: for it is above and in heaven. And according to the Testament: for it is concerning better and more perfect goods; and according to duration: for it is everlasting and not temporary. Finally, according to the person: for he is the Son of God. Therefore, do not grow faint in spirit. But all these things are said on account of the flesh: for according to this he was made High Priest.

CAPUT VII

VERS. 1-3. *For this Melchizedek, 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 divided a tithe of all.* The goal of the Apostle is to demonstrate the difference between the Old and New Testaments; and he indicated this immediately at the beginning, when he said, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." But because the listeners were infirm, inasmuch as they were faint-hearted in temptations, he refreshed their faint-heartedness in the meantime, and subsequently, when he had abundantly refreshed them, he again introduces the discourse concerning the excellence of the New Testament, by which it surpasses the Old. And observe his wisdom. He shows that Melchizedek, who was a type of Christ, was superior to Abraham. For if he had not been superior, he would not have blessed him, nor would he have received tithes from him. But since the priests of the law were descended from Abraham, Melchizedek also excels these, ^B inasmuch as he blessed them and received tithes from them, since he had blessed and taken tithes from their progenitor. But if Melchizedek, the figura of Christ, so far excels the priests of the law, how much more does the true Melchizedek, Christ? This is the meaning of the whole passage. But shortening the narrative concerning Melchizedek, he introduces contemplation, transferring the history mystically and spiritually to allegory.

"First," he says, "being interpreted, king of righteousness." He declares in this place in what manner Melchizedek is a figure of Christ; and first of all, from the name itself, learn the exact reason. For *Melchi* means king; and *Sedec* means righteousness. But who else is king of righteousness, except our Lord Jesus Christ? ^C Then also "king of Salem, which is king of peace." From the name of the city, he says, this is also plain. For Salem means peace, if you interpret it. But who else is king of peace besides Christ, who has made peace with the things which are in heaven and the things which are upon the earth? It is fitting for no mortal to be king of righteousness and peace, except for Christ alone.

VERS. 3. *Without father, without mother, without genealogy.* You have also

^A another likeness here. Just as Melchisedec is without father and without mother, not that he did not have a father or a mother—for he did have one, as one of mortals—but because his genealogy does not exist in Scripture, nor does the name of his parents appear; in this way Christ is without father according to the lower generation—for He was born only of the Virgin Mary, insofar as it pertains to the flesh—and without mother according to the upper generation—for He was begotten of the Father alone before all ages, ineffably and incomprehensibly. But he is also *without genealogy*. For who shall declare His generation? Since the Father who begat Him from above is also indescribable, and the very manner of His generation [is indescribable]. And the mother who gave birth below does not fall under logical analysis regarding the manner of the birth, such as how a virgin gave birth, how it was without pains, and such like. Christ, therefore, is truly both without mother and without father. But Melchisedec is without father and without mother not truly—for that is impossible—but because his parents are not recorded in Scripture, so that the phrase *without genealogy* is, as it were, interpretative of *without father and without mother*, as if the Apostle were saying: I called Melchisedec without father and without mother in the sense that he is without genealogy, and because his lineage is not mentioned in Scripture.

*Neither having beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God, he abideth a priest continually.* And this you shall understand just as the aforementioned points. For as a man, ^C Melchisedec certainly had both a beginning of days and an end of life; yet, inasmuch as we do not know when he was born nor when he died, according to our knowledge, he has neither beginning nor end. Christ, however, truly, as God, has neither beginning of days—for He is without beginning according to the beginning in time, even if He has the Father as a beginning as the Cause—nor end, for He is endless; to say it all in sum, He is eternal. Where then are the Arians? Let them hear that the Son has no beginning. Thus, therefore, Paul teaches us to resolve that which one might question: how is Christ a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec, since Melchisedec had died and did not become a priest forever? We shall resolve this from here, saying that Christ, being eternal and endless, is truly always a priest. And now, indeed, He is believed to offer Himself for us at all times through His ministers, especially as He intercedes with the Father for us; but then He will perform for us more perfect and more mystical sacred rites, offering Himself to us as food and drink in a new way and beyond all understanding. But Melchisedec is said to have an eternal priesthood, not because he lives always—for he was dead—but inasmuch as his end is not recorded in Scripture, so that from this we might not be able to know when his priesthood ceased. As therefore also in the ^D

^A case of the names, they were mere appellations for him—Melchisedec and king of Salem—but in Christ they are the truth of the things, so too the fact that he had neither beginning nor end was in his case, because it was not written in the Holy Scriptures, a type; but in Christ, it is in accordance with truth. For if the likeness were to be everywhere, it would no longer be a type and a truth, but either both would be a type or both would be the truth. Or do we not also see this in his images? For even here, a shadowy painting has a certain likeness to an image that has already been finished, in that it marks out its character obscurely through lines; it also has a lack of likeness, in that the image, through [its] colors, has received the character more clearly and more manifestly.

VERS. 4. "Consider, however, how great this man is, to whom even the patriarch ^B Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils." After he had adapted the figure to the truth, or the things of Melchisedec to Christ, he now confidently demonstrates thereafter that the type itself, that is, Melchisedec, is more splendid than the very true priests among the Jews; and not [only] than them, but also than their patriarch himself. But if the type [is so], much more will the true High Priest, Christ, be superior to them. "See therefore," he says, "how great this man is, and how much he excels, to whom gifts offered not just any common man, but Abraham, such a great patriarch." For not without reason did he add "patriarch," but in order to extol the person; and ["from the spoils"], that is, from the trophies ^C of the most excellent and honored things. Nor can it be said that he shared with him a compensation for labor, as if with one who had fought a war alongside him and joined in his toil, but [rather] with one who was sitting at home. For this reason he previously stated above that he met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings. But if he is greater than the patriarch himself—which the very giving of the tithes obviously indicates—he is much more [greater] than the priests of the Law.

VERS. 5, 6. "And indeed those who receive the priesthood from the sons of Levi have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that 694 is, from their brethren, though they also have come forth from the loins of Abraham. But he whose genealogy is not numbered among them has taken tithes from Abraham." He now proves how Melchisedec is greater than Abraham, saying: Those who functioned in the priesthood from the Levitical tribe took tithes ^D from the people, as being superior and more honorable on account of the dignity of the priesthood. For for what other reason does the people themselves, who are afflicted with labors and hardships, offer tithes of every kind to priests who do not labor and do not till the field, unless it is because they are more divine and are engaged in a greater work? So great is the dignity of the priesthood, and thus those who exercise it are more sublime than their own brethren, even those who have come forth from the same loins. Since, therefore, Melchisedec tithed Abraham, even though his genealogy was not numbered from him—that is, since he was not of his race, for he was a foreigner—he is more powerful and more sublime than he. How

indeed would Abraham have given tithes to a foreigner, had he not flourished with great honor and dignity? But if Melchisedec, who was a type, is greater, and that too than Abraham, ^A much more does the true High Priest excel the priests of the law.

And he blessed him who had the promises. Because this was for Abraham in every place and universally a source of greatness—namely, that he had received promises from God—he adds this now: that the type of Christ blessed such a great man, one who had been accounted worthy of divine conversation, and who held God as his debtor.

VERS. 7. And without all contradiction, the less is blessed by the better. He said that such and so great an Abraham was blessed by Melchisedec himself. But we all know, openly and without contradiction, that he who blesses is superior to the one who is blessed; therefore, Melchisedec, who prefigured Christ, was greater than the patriarch. ^B

VERS. 8. And here indeed dying men receive tithes, but there he who has testimony that he lives. There is another argument by which he demonstrates that Melchisedec is greater than the priests of the law. For here, that is, in the law, those who receive tithes die; but there, that is, in the matter according to Melchisedec, he received tithes to whom the Scripture bears testimony that he lives. For it says: "Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec." But understand Melchisedec’s living forever just as it was mentioned above, that is, that the Scripture makes no mention of his death. Some, however, understand the dying of the Levites and the living of Melchisedec in this way: that the manner of the Levitical priesthood was mortal—for it has been abolished—but the manner of Melchisedec’s, that is, of the ^C life according to Christ, lives and remains and shall remain forever.

VERS. 9. And, as it were, through Abraham, even Levi who receives tithes was tithed. So that the legal priests may not be able to say, "What is it to us if Abraham was tithed?" he says that through Abraham as a medium, Levi even, who was the chief of our priesthood and who received tithes, gave tithes. Is not Melchisedec therefore better than Levi, inasmuch as he was seen to receive tithes even from him, with Abraham as the intermediary? But as to what he says, "as it were," it means either, "to speak briefly," or, "so that I may speak thus." Because it seemed a bold statement to affirm that Levi, before he was brought forth into birth, gave tithes to Melchisedec, he corrected the expression. ^D

VERS. 10. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. He constructs the argument of how Levi was tithed, and says that when his progenitor was tithed, he himself was likewise tithed in potentiality, since he was at that time in the loins of Abraham.

^A And he did not say "the Levites," but "Levi," to show his excellence. Behold, what has he dared! He has cast aside things Judaic. For this reason he foretold above, "You have become dull," because he was about to say such things, so that they might not recoil. Having therefore prepared them, and having equipped them as he wished, he now says what he wills. For not as the earth, having received seed, increases it and makes it grow, does the soul [always] contain and nourish the word. For in the former case there is nature, which has stability; but here there is the will, a thing most varied and easily changed. Wherefore a teacher must provide much by way of preparation.

^B VERSE 11. *If therefore perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for the people received the law under it), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?* He showed that Melchizedek was far better than both Abraham and Levi, having himself been in the order of priests. Now again he introduces another argument, showing that the priesthood according to Christ is far superior to that of the Levites, and that the priesthood of Christ is perfect, but theirs is imperfect. For if the priesthood of the law were perfect, it would have been necessary for the priest to arise according to the order of Aaron, for Aaron was of the Levitical tribe. But it is not said that a priest arises according to the order of Aaron, but according to the order of Melchizedek. It remains, therefore, that as if that one were imperfect, another is introduced. Moreover, this particle "further" (*eti*) has great emphasis; for it is as if he says this: If Christ were according to the order of Melchizedek beforehand, and then the law were given, one might not unjustly say that because the priesthood according to Melchizedek was as if imperfect, the priesthood according to the law—that of Aaron, that is—was given. But now Christ is later, and he received another form of priesthood. It is clear, therefore, that as the priesthood of Aaron is the more imperfect, another is introduced. And what is "the people received the law under it"? This is, one cannot say that the priesthood according to Aaron is perfect, but that it was given to others, and not to the Hebrews themselves: but indeed it was given to the people in its entirety, and the people received the law under this priesthood; that is, it was ordained that they use it, and thus proceed, and through it do all things. Why, therefore, was it cast out, if not because it was weak?

^{C D} VERSE 12. *For the priesthood being translated, there is of necessity a translation of the law also.* He now shows that the law is consequently abolished, and another covenant substituted. For if the priesthood is translated, it is necessary that the law also be different; for a priest is not without a covenant and laws and precepts. But the priesthood was translated not only in ritual—that is, so that it is no longer according to the order of Aaron, but according to the order of Melchizedek—but also in tribe. For it was translated from the priestly tribe of Aaron to the royal tribe of Judah. And behold the mystery. First it was

regia, then it became sacerdotal: just as Christ is always King, but last of all became High Priest, when He took on flesh, when He offered the sacrifice. ^A

VERS. 13. *In whom these things are said, [is] of another tribe.* He shows how the priesthood was translated regarding the tribe, and he says that "Christ," in whom—that is, him concerning whom these things are said, and unto whom they have come to pass—is of another tribe, namely Judah.

*From which no one attended to the altar.* From which tribe of Judah no one attended, that is, stood by the altar and cared for priestly works. ^B

VERS. 14. *For it is manifest that our Lord sprang out of Judah.* The diction "sprang out" (ἀνατέταλκεν) is noble, and taken from the prophecy of Balaam, who says, "A star shall rise out of Jacob" (Num. xxiv, 17), and also from Malachi, who calls Him the "Sun of justice." By which it is shown that the advent of the Lord came to pass for the illumination of the world. Concerning which tribe Moses spoke nothing regarding priesthood. For he assigned all things of the priesthood to the Levitical tribe; but to the tribe of Judah, the things regarding rule in wars.

VERS. 15. *And it is yet more manifest, if according to the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest.* What is "manifest"? The distinction between either priesthood: or that the priesthood and the testament are being changed is judged not only from this, that he who rises as priest is from another tribe and no longer from the Levitical, but it is also demonstrated more fully from this which we shall say: if according to the similitude of Melchizedek, and the following—that is, since a priest arises according to the order of Melchizedek. ^C

VERS. 16. *Who is made, not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life.* Who, [meaning] Melchizedek, did not become like the legal priests; for they received the priesthood from a law having carnal commandments. For it says: Circumcise the flesh, and wash the flesh, and rest the flesh, and you shall obtain carnal goods. But Melchizedek is not so, but by divine power he became a priest, so that he lives always, and his priesthood is indissoluble. Understand "the living" thus, as also above, namely through the fact that his death is not known. Or, take "who" concerning the priest, as if he were saying: Which other priest, that is, Christ, did not receive the priesthood according to a legal carnal commandment, but through the power of the Father, or His own, and He retains an indissoluble priesthood. ^D However, it was consequent, in opposition to "carnal," to have brought in "spiritual": How therefore did he bring it in, according to

^A the power of an indissoluble life? Because he indicated what is temporary through the word "carnal." And reasonably, in opposition to the temporary, he brought in "indissoluble life," which is to say, Christ lives by His own virtue and power.

VERS. 17. *For it is testified: You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.* He confirms what he said, "of an indissoluble life," namely, because Scripture says He is a priest for ever. But some thought that he was not proving this, but rather how He was not made according to the law of a carnal commandment. For if He had been made according to the law, he says, it would have been necessary for Him to be called a priest according to the order of Aaron; but now, since it is written "according to the order of Melchizedek," it is clear that He was not made according to the law, but in a certain other, more divine way.

VERS. 18, 19. *For there is indeed a setting aside of the commandment going before, because of its weakness and unprofitableness: for the law brought nothing to perfection.* He said that there is a transference of the law, and he demonstrated this; now he seeks the cause. For we humans are finally at rest when we have learned the cause. And he says that for this reason a setting aside occurred—that is, a change and a casting out—of the preceding commandment, that is to say, of the previous Covenant, because it was found to be weak and unprofitable. What then? Did the law profit no one? It did indeed profit; but it did not profit toward making them perfect. For he brings in: "For it brought nothing to perfection." And how was it weak? Because it was only letters declaring, "Do this, and do not do that," but it supplied no power whereby the commandments could be fulfilled, which now comes to us through the Spirit. But heretics who slander the law leap in here, saying, "Behold, even Paul finds fault with the law." But he did not say, O foolish ones, that it was evil, but unprofitable and weak, that is to say, ^B toward the goal of perfecting. For just as milk is useful to infants according to the requirements of the times, but useless to adults and those who are perfect; so also the law was useful to the imperfect Jews, leading them away from idols and bringing them to God, and delivering to them fitting commandments. But to those having need of more perfect things, it was no longer so. For it prescribed carnal things, both sacrifices and purifications, which the spiritual do not need. For this reason it has now been set aside. And a setting aside is the setting aside of things that are ruling. Therefore, the law ruled formerly, because its time then remained.

*And the bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw near to God.* The legal commandment, he says, has been set aside, and a hope has been brought in—not such as the Jewish one. For they too had a hope that, if they pleased God, they would possess the land, and become superior to their enemies, and in general they hoped for bodily goods. But our hope is not of such a kind, but much better; for we hope for heaven, and to be near to God, and to stand, and to minister to Him together with the angels. Earlier, indeed, he said: *Entering into that which is within the veil*; but now: *By which we draw near*, he says, *to God*.

^A

*Vers. 20. And as much as it is not without an oath.* Here is another distinction between the new priest and the old ones, and between the one Testament and the other. For the priesthood of Christ was not promised simply, but with an oath, so that the word of God might be confirmed with an abundance of certainty; which he also said above, *God swore to Abraham*, for the sake of greater assurance.

*Vers. 21. For they indeed were made priests without an oath, but this one with an oath, by Him who said to him: The Lord swore, and will not repent: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec.* Priests of the law, he says, are appointed without an oath; for it was not said to anyone that God swore, *You shall be a priest according to the law*; but Christ [was appointed] with an oath, which was made by God saying to him: *You are a priest* in a new way. For it was not according to Aaron, but according to Melchisedec. ^B

*Vers. 22. By so much has Jesus become the surety of a better Testament.* That is, inasmuch as He swore that He would always be a priest; for He would not have sworn unless he were greater. So the New Testament is also greater than the Old. But what is "surety"? A pledge, a mediator.

*Vers. 23, 24. And they indeed were made many priests, because they were prevented by death from remaining; but this one, because he remains forever, has an eternal priesthood.* Here, too, he shows the excellence which Christ has over the priests of the law; and he says that there, indeed, they are many because they are mortal; but here, there is one, because He is immortal. He has, therefore, an "untransferable" priesthood—that is, uninterrupted, without a successor. Do you see how much greater He is? By as much as the immortal excels the mortal. ^C

*Vers. 25. Whence He is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him.* Since, he says, He is immortal, He is able to stand over and save all to the uttermost; that is, to give not a temporary salvation, but a complete one, namely, both here and in the life to come. For in the Old Testament, the high priest, even if he were admirable, offered to God only during the time in which he lived, such as Samuel and those like him; but after these things, he could no longer do so, for they had died. But here, the High Priest is eternal and ever-living. Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost—that is, eternally—those who draw near through Him, that is, through faith in Him. For he who believes in the Son draws near to the Father entirely; for He Himself is the way to the Father, and he who has grasped this finds his lodging there.

*Ever living to intercede for them.* By reason of the flesh, this is spoken so humbly. For according to the flesh, He is indeed a high priest; however, in so far as He is a high priest, in that respect He is said to intercede. For He who raises the dead and gives life, like the Father, ^D

purified through Him the whole world. Hence in this also Christ excels them. ^A This He did once, by offering Himself. What does this mean? That He might offer for the sins of the people, not for Himself. Once, he says, He performed the sacrifice, but after this He sits as Lord. For lest, when you hear "priest," you should think that He always stands and is a minister, He shows that it was by dispensation that He became a priest. And when the dispensation was completed, He resumed His own proper dignity and loftiness.

VERS. 28. *For the law makes men high priests, having infirmity.* Lest you should understand that, while He indeed offered once, it was also for Himself, he establishes now that He did not offer a sacrifice for His own sins. For the law makes mere men high priests, subject to infirmity—that is, who cannot resist sin, but who, as weak men, stumble and fall into errors and sins. But one who is so powerful as the Son, how could He have sin? And not having it, for what reason would He offer for Himself? Moreover, not even for others many times, but once. For being powerful, it was sufficient to accomplish the whole by the offering which was made once. By "infirmity," however, you may understand sin itself, as this very Paul says in many places, or even death itself. For being mortal and weak, the legal high priests ^B were neither themselves sinless, nor were they able to cleanse others; but He is immortal and strong. Now listen to what follows:

*But the word of the oath, which is after the law, [makes] the Son who is perfected forever.* Observe the contrasts: there is the Law; here is the word of the oath—that is, the most sure, the most true. There, men are entirely servants; here, the Son, who is Lord, clearly. There, they are weak—that is, stumbling, having sin, subject to death; here, He is perfected forever—that is, eternal, powerful, not only now sinless, but always. If, therefore, He is perfect, if He never sins, if He always lives, why would He have offered for Himself, or at all for others frequently?

CHAPTER VIII

VERS. 1. *Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have such a High Priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.* A "main point" (capitulum) is always said to be that which is greatest; when someone is about to take up the most important matters in few words, he says he is going to speak in summary (in capitulo)—just as the head, though it is small, is the most important part of the body. The Apostle says, therefore, even now: "Now the main point of what is being said," that is, so that I may say the greatest and most comprehensive thing, "we have God as High Priest." For to sit ^D is of no other but of God. Observe, however, how after having spoken many humble things, the term "high priest," the word "makes intercession," and...

whatever things pertained to His humanity, He ascends to that which belongs to the Godhead, namely, to sit. ^A He does this always, as does also His Teacher in the Gospel, so that through humble things He may lead the listener by the hand to receive the word; for otherwise the hearer does not follow, unless he ascends little by little; but through sublime things He may teach that those former ones were an act of condescension. He calls the throne of the Father the "throne of majesty," either because the Father Himself might be called majesty, or simply because the throne of majesty is the greatest throne.

Verse 2. Minister of the holy things.

And of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Verse 3. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices: whence it is necessary for this one also to have something to offer.

or, which is more exact, all things which are offered by fire. For a *victim*, properly, is from the word [Greek: θύεσθαι], which is [Greek: θυμιᾶσθαι], that is, to emit smoke. Gifts, however, are fruits and whatever else is lacking in blood and fire. *Verumtamen*, these are found used indiscriminately in Scripture, as, *God had regard for Abel and his gifts*, [*Gen. iv, 4*], although they were from the firstlings of the sheep. But toward Cain and his sacrifices He did not pay attention, although they were from the fruits of the earth. But if anyone tries to explain this with cold dilutions, which we ourselves are not ignorant of, he will not know how to absolve himself of the charge of negligent reading of the Scriptures. For they are placed indiscriminately in many places elsewhere, and I could have compared ^B innumerable places with innumerable others, had this business not seemed inept. Nevertheless, may this same Apostle suffice for us, who is accustomed to call whatever is offered simply "gifts" in what follows. For hear:

*For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, [seeing that there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law].* He further confirms this, that although He does not have a tabernacle below, but above, he is not prohibited from being a priest on this account. And observe his wisdom. For from that which anyone might rather argue that He is not a priest—namely, that He does not have a place on earth in which to perform the function of the priesthood—from this he himself rather confirms that He is a priest. For this very reason, he says, He is a priest, because He did not obtain a place on earth. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest. For there were others ^C on earth as priests, and this matter would seem to pertain to a faction. But now, since He has heaven as His place, and has brought His own body there, He intercedes there for us to the Father. So since He is above, for this reason He is more truly a Priest.

*Who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.* Here he shows the excellence of the priesthood according to Christ, calling the ancient one a copy and shadow of good things, but ours heavenly. For when nothing is earthly, but all things are spiritual that are performed in the mysteries, where there are angelic hymns, where there are the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of sins, and again binding; when our citizenship is in heaven, ^D how are ours not heavenly? Therefore, the ones in the Old Testament shown to Moses were types and copies of these, that is, dim imprints and as it were shadowy delineations.

*As was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: "See," He says, "that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain."* Since those things which are seen by our eyes are more

^A understood than those we learn by hearing, for this reason God showed Moses everything—not only the construction of the tabernacle, but also the matters concerning sacrifices and the rest of the worship.

Now, however, he has obtained a more excellent ministry. These words depend on that previous sentiment: "For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest." But now, he says, since He is not on earth, but has heaven as the place for His priesthood, He has obtained a more excellent ministry. This means His ministry is not such as that of the priests on earth, but is celestial, in that it has heaven as the place of its proper rite.

*But also, how much better a Mediator of a covenant He is.* Having exalted the priesthood according to Christ by its place, the priest, and the victim, he next sets forth the excellence of the Covenant. And yet, he had said earlier that the Old Covenant was weak and unprofitable because of the infancy and weakness of the hearers, but he had quickly reconciled himself to it. Now, however, he lingers on this subject, and demonstrates that the New Covenant is more excellent than the Old—that is, the Gospel, of which Christ is the Mediator and Giver. For He Himself became the minister of the Gospel for us, having taken the form of a servant, just as Moses was the mediator of the Law.

*Which is established upon better promises.* This is what he sets forth to refresh those among the Jews who had believed: that the promises of our Covenant are better. ^B For it is not the goods of the earth, nor the fertility of offspring and an abundance of children that are promised to those who keep the Gospel, but the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, do not be fainthearted; the promises of the Gospel are more excellent, and it is foolish for those who possess the better things to grow weary.

*For if that first had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for the second.* Consider the order. He said that the Covenant according to Christ is better than the Old. And whence is this clear? "Because," he says, "it is established on better promises." For if the promises and the rewards are better, it is evident that the Covenant is also better, and its commands more divine. But whence is it clear that the promises are more excellent? From the fact, he says, that the former was rejected and this latter was introduced in its place. For the New Covenant holds the primacy for this reason: because it is better and more perfect. For if that had been faultless—that is, if it had made men faultless—another would by no means have been introduced. ^C But just as we are accustomed to speak in a more common way, saying, "The house is not faultless," meaning that it has a defect or decay, so too he says the Old Testament is not faultless—not because it is evil, but as being unable to make men better, since it was given to those who were as infants.

*For finding fault with them, He says.* He did not say, ^D

blaming it, but blaming them, that is, the Jews, who were unable to be perfected through the precepts of the Law. ^A *Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, and I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.* He shows more clearly here that the Old has been cast out. For He introduces God speaking through Jeremiah, that He will "make a new covenant"—that is, entirely new; not as the Hebrews understand it, that Ezra renewed the Scripture. For the Scripture did not become new, but remained old, even if it was collected by him.

*Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt.* Lest anyone suspect that the covenant made by the Lord with Abraham had been cast out, He added: *In the day when I took them by the hand.* For the covenant, He says, which is in Exodus, I am about to cast out, which was given on Mount Sinai to your fathers who made the calf, so that the covenant made with Abraham reached its end in Christ. For He says: *In your seed shall all nations be blessed,* that is, in Christ.

*Because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.* Do you see that from us the evils have their beginning? They, He says, did not continue, and for this reason I disregarded them. But the goods and the benefits originate from Him and take their source from Him. Moreover, as if defending Himself, He sets forth the cause for which He abandons them: because of their own inconstancy. ^B

*For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord.* After those days: which ones? Some say the days of the exodus, in which the Mosaic law was given. But it seems to me that He is speaking about those days of which He said a little earlier: *Behold, the days are coming.* When, therefore, those days have passed, I will make such a covenant, as you will hear next.

*I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.* Let the Jew show this: when did he receive a law without writing? For even after the return from Babylon, it was committed to letters by Ezra. But the Apostles received nothing written; rather, they received the law of the Spirit in their hearts. ^C Hence Christ also said: *But the Paraclete, when He comes, will remind you of all things and will teach you all things.*

*And I will be to them a God, and they will be to Me a people.* This was brought to fulfillment through the Gospel. For those who previously worshipped idols, now recognizing the true God, have become His people.

^A visible in that house where the Jews, Nazarenes, proselytes, and Greeks were. Because, therefore, even the Greeks were able to ascend into it, he calls it "secular."

VERS. 2. *For there was a tabernacle made, the first, in which were the lampstand, and the table, and the setting forth of the loaves, which is called Holy.* He calls this the "first" with respect to the place that is called the Holy of Holies, for this was the middle one. Before it, there was the bronze altar of burnt offerings, set up in the open air; then, with a curtain extended—or rather, a sliding veil—this middle part was the tabernacle, in which were the lampstand, and the table, and the setting forth of the loaves.

VERS. 3. *And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies.* You notice here that the first was a veil, which Scripture calls a "sliding veil," as it was something drawn and pulled, which partitioned the atrium into which all entered in common, and in which they sacrificed upon the bronze altar, from the tabernacle that daily received the priests performing the sacred ministries. Once you had passed through this, there was again another veil, and within this, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, into which no one else entered except the high priest alone, and he only once a year. He calls it a "tabernacle" everywhere, because God dwells there.

VERS. 4. *Having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold.* He calls it the "ark of the covenant" as it held the tablets which contained the law. *In which was a golden jar having the Manna, and the rod of Aaron that had budded, and the tablets of the Testament.* All these were monuments of Jewish ingratitude. The jar, indeed, which contained the Manna, because they had murmured while being nourished with that food in a wondrous manner, and so that the memory of God's kindness and of their own bitterness might be transmitted to posterity. The rod of Aaron, because of the contradiction stirred up against him. The tablets of the Testament, because they had broken the first ones through idolatry. But you will ask, Why then is it written in the books of Kings that there was nothing else in the ark except the tablets, whereas now the Apostle asserts that the jar and the rod of Aaron were also deposited there? Perhaps, inasmuch as he was excellently instructed in Jewish matters by Gamaliele, he had this by tradition; since even now the Hebrews who follow the Pharisees agree that this is so. Yet not from the beginning, but they say that when the Ark was to be hidden in the times of Jeremiah, perhaps these things also were then deposited therein.

^C VERS. 5. *And above it.* That is to say, of the ark. *Cherubim of glory.* Either because they were glorious, or because they served God and pertained to His glory. He intentionally extols these, so as to show that things pertaining to us are greater. *Overshadowing the propitiatory.* He calls the propitiatory...

^A the lid of the ark, as you may learn more accurately from the Scripture itself, and not be deceived by the words of some and suppose it to be something else. It signified, however, Christ, who became the propitiation for our sins. He sealed and secured all things that were in the Old Testament. Concerning which it is not necessary to speak now in detail. He indicates here that these were not the only things to be seen, but that they were certain enigmas, the consideration and explanation of which require a longer space of time.

VERS. 6. *Now when these things were thus prepared, into the first tabernacle the priests always entered, accomplishing the services.* These things indeed were so, he says; but the Jews did not enjoy them, inasmuch as the veil separated them. For these things were kept for us, to whom they were prophesied.

VERS. 7. *But into the second the high priest went alone once every year.* Do you observe that the types have already been laid down? For so that they might not say, "The sacrifice according to Christ was offered only once, and how did He sanctify everyone?" he demonstrates that this happened before, since that which was offered once in the Old Testament by the high priest was more holy and more awesome.

*Not without blood.* Because he called the cross a sacrifice, having neither fire, nor wood, nor being offered ^B frequently, he shows that the ancient sacrifice was of this kind: for it was offered once in blood. But some have inquired how it is written in Exodus: *Thou shalt burn incense upon the golden altar*, which is evidently in the Holy of Holies, *Aaron, with incense of fine confection in the morning, when he shall prepare the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it; and when Aaron puts on the lamps at evening, he shall burn perpetual incense.* Hence, they say, the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies every day twice, in order to make incense where the golden altar was. How then does the Apostle say here that he entered once a year? And they explain it by saying that he entered once a year with blood, but twice a day with incense. Know, however, that they have doubted wrongly and ignorantly; for Aaron did not offer incense ^C twice a day upon the golden censer, but upon the golden altar; and this was not in the Holy of Holies, but in the middle tabernacle, in which were the candlestick and the table; whereas with the golden censer he entered once a year into the Holy of Holies: for one was a censer, and another an altar was. I have set forth the doubt, so that he who reads these things, hearing this from others, may not be led into error, thinking it to be sound.

*Which he offers for himself, and for the people's errors.* Again, *for himself*, he says, for the legal high priest offered for himself; but Christ not for Himself. For how, since He was separated from ^D sin—

and was distinct from the sinners? *Wherefore there is a great difference between this one and that.* He said *of errors*, not *of sins*, striking more fear into the ancient Jews, and all, and suppressing their pride. For even if you have not sinned willingly, yet you have sinned involuntarily and in ignorance, and from this no one is pure. Some, however, have said that he spoke thus because he was showing from this the difference between the sacrifice of Christ and the offerings of the Law. For the offerings of the Law remitted faults committed in ignorance: but the offering of Christ remits even sins committed knowingly.

^B The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the holy places was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. He begins henceforth to contemplate more mystically the things concerning the tabernacles, and says, that since the Holy of Holies was inaccessible to the other priests—which are a figure of heaven—but the first tabernacle, that is, the one straight after the outer brazen altar, was always accessible to them, being a symbol of the worship under the Law, it was signified symbolically that as long as this tabernacle stands—that is, as long as the law holds sway, and the worship according to it is performed—the way of the holy places is not accessible, that is, the entrance into heaven, to those performing such worship; but to them it is invisible and closed off, and this way was set apart for the one High Priest, Christ, alone.

^C *Which was a parable for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.* What I said before, that the Apostle now says, namely, that that tabernacle into which the priests were always entering was a parable, that is, a figure and sketch of the time according to the law that was present before the coming of Christ; at which time such sacrifices are offered, and are so weak that they are unable to perfect, according to the conscience—that is, according to the inner man—those who offer them. For they cleansed the filth of the bodies, not the sins of the souls. For they were not able to remit adultery, or murder, or sacrilege.

^D *Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.* *Only*, he says, imposed on the men who lived at that time and commanded concerning food and drink. For this one, he says, eat, and this one do not eat. But how did he say *in drinks*, since the law did not hand down anything regarding a difference in drinks? Therefore, either he says this concerning the priest not drinking wine when he was about to enter into the Holy Place, or concerning those who made vows, that is, promises to abstain from wine, just as the Nazarites also did; or simply, he said this to make such regulations and rites appear worthless and to ridicule them. And there were *divers washings*. For if anyone had touched a dead body, or a leper, or if anyone had a flux of seed, he was washed, and thus he seemed to be cleansed. And these were carnal ordinances, that is,

^A carnal commandments, cleansing the flesh, and carnally justifying those who were considered unclean according to the flesh. They were not, however, to be imposed until the end, but until a time of reformation—that is to say, until the coming of Christ, who was to rectify these things and introduce the true and spiritual worship of God. And because the law was a heavy yoke, he rightly said "imposed," just as it is written in the Acts: "Why do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers were able to bear?"

^B Verse 11. *But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come.* The worship of the Old Testament, he says, did not bring one into heaven; but Christ, having come, entered once into the Holy of Holies, for there the meaning is directed. He did not say, "having become a high priest," but "having come a high priest," which is to say, coming for this very purpose. He did not first come and then, by a chance occurrence, become a high priest, but the goal for which he came to earth was the priesthood. He did not say, "high priest of the things being sacrificed," but "of good things to come," as if the word were unable to express the whole accurately, calling those things that have come to us simply and indefinitely "good things." He called these "things to come" with regard to the time of the law; for just as he called that former time the "present" time, so he calls the things of Christ "things to come" in comparison to that time, or because of the mysteries to be revealed to us in the world to come.

^C *By a greater and more perfect tabernacle.* He refers here to the flesh, which was truly greater, in that God the Word and all the operation of the Spirit dwells within it. For God did not give the Spirit by measure. It is "more perfect," as accomplishing more perfect things.

*Not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.* Here the heretics leap in, saying that the body is heavenly and ethereal. Yet if the Apostle had considered it to be heavenly and ethereal, how could he have said that it was "not of this building"? For heaven is not outside of created things. What, then, is it that he says? That the hands of the craftsmen around Bezalel made the old tabernacle, but the Spirit fashioned the tabernacle of God the Word. ^D Therefore he said that it was not of this building—that is, not of these created things, but spiritual and divine. For no creature has God the Word within itself according to substance, but that tabernacle was hypostatically united to Him. According to matter, therefore, the body of the Lord was similar to ours and of the same essence as us, namely, fashioned from the immaculate blood of the holy Virgin; but according to the manner of its constitution it was above us, both because it was hypostatically united to God the Word, or because— [alt-version omitted]

^A Since the material of the old tabernacle consisted of wood and skins, and gold, and silver, and bronze, and certain textiles, looking toward these things the Apostle said that it is not of this creation, of which the old tabernacle stood in need. For he brings forth the discourse entirely by way of comparison, and shows the superiority according to Christ. He calls the body of the Lord a tabernacle, as here, because the only-begotten Son of God dwells in it, and a veil, as it hides the divinity. He also calls heaven by these same names; a tabernacle, because the high priest is there; and a veil, because the saints are through it separated from the holy places.

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood. ^B Behold, everything is changed and of such great superiority as the divine blood is to that of animals, with which the legal high priest entered.

He entered once into the Holy of Holies. That is, into heaven.

Having found eternal redemption. Not a temporary purification, as theirs was, but an eternal freedom of souls from sins. Or because, having entered once, by a single entry he bestowed an eternal benefit upon us. Observe also the word "found," for as if the thing had happened beyond expectation, he used this expression. For the matter of our freedom was uncertain; but he himself found this.

VERS. 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the defiled, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh. ^C Because it perhaps seemed improbable to many that by one oblation and the blood of one, he could provide eternal redemption, he confirms this, indicating that this is plausible according to the opinion of the Jews themselves. For if you, he says, believed that you were cleansed by being sprinkled with the blood of the heifer, and again with the ashes mixed with water (for the ashes were kept for the purification of the defiled, that is, of the polluted), how will the blood of Christ not cleanse souls? Observe now his discernment. He did not say that the blood of goats cleansed, but that it sanctified; not to glorify the legal things, but so that he might accomplish what he wills. For if the blood of a goat provided sanctification, as you believe, you ought much rather to be persuaded that the blood of Christ provides sanctification. For that he did not say these things to exalt the Judaic rites, see how he added: To the purifying of the flesh. For it was holy, he says, not to cleanse souls, but the flesh. ^D

VERS. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God. No high priest offered Christ, but he himself offered himself; and not through fire, as the heifers, but through the eternal Spirit, so that both the grace and the redemption should be eternal. And without spot, that is, without sin. For even in the Old Testament the heifer was required to be without spot.

^A He shall cleanse our conscience from dead works. There he said, He sanctifieth; but he added, to the purifying of the flesh: here, however, when he said, He shall cleanse, he immediately showed the superiority. For he adds that he shall cleanse the conscience, that is, the inner man, which was not the case there. And there, he who had touched a dead body was purified; here, however, the purification is from dead works, which are truly able to defile and to lead one away from God. ^B To serve the living and true God? Hence, he who touches dead works does not serve the living and true God, but has those works which he chooses instead of God. Thus, he who is given to his belly makes his belly his god; thus, the covetous man is a worshiper of idols. Such works, therefore, are dead, not only because they are alien to eternal life, but also because, while they are being performed, they are abominable, and indeed so vain and deceitful that they ensnare us and seem sweet, while they are nothing.

VERS. 15. And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament. This, namely, the death of Christ, troubled not a few of the weaker ones. For if he died, they say, how will he give what he promised? To this, Paul now applying a remedy, shows that for this very reason his testament is valid and firm, because he died; for a testament is not spoken of in the case of the living. ^C For this reason, he says, he died, in order to cleanse us, and in his testament he left us forgiveness and the enjoyment of paternal goods, having become the mediator between the Father and us. For the Father did not wish to grant us the inheritance, but was angry as with rebellious and alienated sons. Christ, therefore, became the mediator and reconciled Him to us. And how? That which we ourselves ought to have suffered—for we ought to have died—this he himself endured for us, and made us worthy of the testament; and henceforth, the testament was rendered stable through the death of the Son, in that he did not transmit the inheritance to the unworthy. For a testament has certain heirs—hear, therefore, the testament ^D of Christ: *I will that where I am, they also may be*—and others as disinherited: *I pray not for all, he says, but for them who believe in me through their word.* Furthermore, the testament has witnesses: *He who sent me beareth witness of me*; and, *The Paraclete shall bear witness of me*; and, *Ye are my witnesses.*

That by means of death, for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament. Do you perceive that the death of Christ took place for our redemption? How, then, do you consider it to be of weakness, when it was so powerful that it cured the transgressions which were in the Law? How, therefore, do you flee for refuge to the Law, which is so weak that it could not even correct the transgressions which occur in it? Not because it was evil, but because it was weak. That they who are called might receive the promise of the eternal

^A inheritance. For if the death of Christ had not delivered us from the sins by which we made the Father an enemy to ourselves, how could we have received the heavenly inheritance? But "called," this signifies that at first, God was disposed toward us as a father toward children, and we had been called to the inheritance; but afterwards, we ourselves made ourselves unworthy of it through these sins.

"For where there is a testament, there must of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead." Do not, therefore, let the death of Christ trouble you; for if He had not died, neither would He have established a testament, so that we might become heirs. For it is beyond all controversy that a testament is valid after death; nor would we have been worthy of the inheritance at all, as the enmity had not been resolved.

"Otherwise, does it avail while he who has made the testament lives?" Read this as a question, and understand it.

"Whereupon neither the first was dedicated without blood." He persuaded the Hebrews not only ^B from common custom, but also from those things which happened in the Old Testament, which was more convincing to them. "Whereupon," he says, that is, because it is necessary that death should precede the testament, for this reason the first testament also was not dedicated without blood. And blood is a symbol of death. But there [it was] the blood of a lamb; for it was a type. Here, however, with the truth shining forth, the Son of God died in the flesh for our sake. But what is "dedicated"? That is, it received the beginning of its establishment and confirmation. For it would not have taken a beginning of operating in any other way, if the shedding of blood had not preceded.

"For when every commandment had been spoken according ^C to the law by Moses to all the people." "According to the law," that is, just as God had legislated, so that they might be spoken into the ears of all the people; "[of] every commandment according to the law," that is, of that which had been legislated.

"Taking the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book itself and all the people." For what reason was the book sprinkled, and the people? Perhaps so that the precious blood might be prefigured beforehand, by which we and our hearts were sprinkled; for these are the books, as he said above, "Giving my laws upon their heart." ^D And water is a symbol of baptism. And here are taken up the blood and the water, perhaps both because blood and water flowed from the side of the Lord; and perhaps also because baptism, of which water is a symbol, proclaims the death of the Lord, of which blood is the indication. And the hyssop was taken as a binding agent because of its density; and the wool likewise.

^A For since Christ was the lamb, for this reason it was also scarlet, that it might bear in its hue a type of the blood.

Vers. 20. Saying: This is the blood of the covenant which God hath enjoined unto you. But Christ saith: This is the blood of the New Covenant. Which is for the remission of sins. There, however, there was neither "new," nor "remission of sins." Do you observe, then, how He named the blood a covenant? So that it is necessary for death to be understood wherever a covenant is spoken of.

Vers. 21. And likewise he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. ^B And these things were a figure; for we are the tabernacle, according to the word: "I will dwell in them, and walk among them." And we are the vessels of the great house of God, some indeed of gold, and others of silver. We have been sprinkled, therefore, by the true blood of Christ, and were sanctified having been baptized into His death.

Vers. 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Why did he add "almost"? Because those things were not a perfect cleansing, nor a perfect remission. For how could they be, since sins were not being remitted?

Vers. 23. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these. He calls our things "heavenly," that is, those things which pertain to the Church. It has been said, moreover, in the preceding, how the Church is heaven. The Jewish things, therefore, ^C were patterns and types of these; for this reason they were also purified with the blood of calves, and with the ashes of a heifer, and with other things of such low value.

But the heavenly things themselves. That is, the things of the Church, which are ours.

With better sacrifices than these. Since, indeed, ours are as much better than the Jewish ones as heaven is better than earth—since they were expecting earthly goods, but our inheritance is heaven—they were rightly deemed worthy of a more excellent and more magnificent sacrifice, namely, the blood of the Son of God, who cleansed us more perfectly. Therefore, the death of Christ happened not only to establish the covenant, but also to bring about the true purification, namely, that of the soul. For this reason he makes mention ^D of the benefits of that death, because it seemed most ignominious to many, especially the death endured upon the cross.

Vers. 24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. The Jews were exceedingly proud of the name of the Temple; for there was no such sanctuary in other lands, which could be compared with it either in the name of beauty or in the magnitude of its expense. For because the Jews were drawn to corporal things, God commanded it to be constructed most sumptuously. Wherefore, also

^A from the ends of the earth they came to it. What, then, does Paul do? Just as he did in the matter of the sacrifices, and abolished them, having opposed to them the death of Christ; so also here, having opposed to the temple the heaven, he shows the difference. For the other high priests used to enter into hand-made holy places, which were ^B antitypes of the true ones, that is to say, they were a figure of heaven. For this is the true holy place. But Christ has entered into heaven itself, although He fills all things and is present everywhere; but He says these things on account of human nature. And not only does he show the difference by this, but also by showing our High Priest to have become nearer to God. For the ancient high priests saw God through symbols, but Christ sees God Himself, having appeared to His very face. And this, too, is stated by way of condescension on account of human nature. What is, "for us"? With a sacrifice, he says, He entered which is able to propitiate the Father, but also to reconcile us to the angels. For even they were hostile to us as enemies of their own Master. Now, therefore, He appears for us; for this is what "now" indicates, that He has entered as High Priest: for He entered for the sake of our reconciliation.

"And not that He should offer Himself often." Nor did He enter now into heaven so that He might at another time enter again, offering Himself. ^C As the high priest enters into the Holy Place year by year. See the preeminence. That one year by year, Christ, however, once.

"In another’s blood." And this too pertains to the preeminence. For that one [entered] in another’s blood, of bulls and goats; but Christ in His own.

"Since He must have suffered often from the foundation of the world." Since, if He were about to offer Himself often, He says, He would need also to have died often, because He had to offer His own blood.

Now, however, once at the consummation of the ages, for the setting aside of sin, through His own sacrifice He has been manifested. Here he reveals also a certain mystery, why at the consummation of the ages, after many sins. For if His death had occurred at the beginning, when sin was not so widely spread, then no one would have believed, and since it was not fitting for Him to die a second time, all things would have been unprofitable. But now, since in later times there was a vast abundance of sins, justly did God appear at the consummation of the ages, so that He might set aside, that is, cast down, and render sin without confidence (boldness) through His sacrifice, that is, through the death of His flesh. He said such a thing also in another place: "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. V, 20). But how did sin become deprived of its confidence (boldness)? By the fact that those who

had committed it were let go unpunished. For the confidence and freedom of sin is to bring on punishment. ^A Gregory of Nyssa also inquired in his Catechetical Oration and in his discourse on the Nativity of Christ concerning this very thing: Why was the Son incarnate at the consummation of the ages? And he resolves it thus: Just as the best physicians, while the fever is still inflaming the body from within and the causes effecting the disease are still aglow, provide no aid to the sick man by way of food, waiting for a time until the malady has reached its height: so too has it been handled with us. The Physician of souls waited until the entire sickness of wickedness was revealed, so that nothing of those things hidden should remain untreated, the physician only healing what is manifest to his sight. You shall learn more fully what the divine man says, if it is your desire to encounter his very discourses. ^B

VERS. 27. *And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.* He now sets forth the reason why Christ died once: it is because He became the price for a single death. For it was appointed unto men once to die. Once, therefore, He died for all. What then? Do we not die now? Indeed; but we are not held by death as we were before, but rather through the hope of the resurrection, of which the Christ who suffered death for us became the leader, so that this death is not even death, but a sleep. Since, therefore, death was going to hold all men, for this reason He died, that He might deliver us. Or does the Apostle not wish to indicate by this now that He Himself paid the death that was owed by us as a punishment, but rather that because Christ was truly man in addition to also being God, just as men die once and then comes judgment, so too He died once? But hear also what follows. ^C

VERS. 28. *So Christ was once offered.* By whom? By Himself. For even if He is high priest, He is nevertheless also the offering, and the victim. *To bear the sins of many.* Just as in the holy Liturgy we offer up our sins, and we say, "Whether we have sinned unwillingly or willingly, forgive us"—that is, we remember them first, and then we seek forgiveness: so He too said to the Father, "For their sake I sanctify myself." Or He "offered" sins, that is, He took them away from men and offered them to the Father, that He might forgive them. Why, however, did He say "many" and not "all"? Because not all believed. For His death was an equivalent for the perdition of all, and so far as it pertains to Him, He died for all; but He did not offer the sins of all, because they themselves did not will it. Hence they made the death of the Son of God useless for themselves, which is indeed a horrific thing. ^D This is the opinion of the divine John Chrysostom. I found, moreover, in him, on this passage of the Gospel, "To give his soul a ransom for many," an annotation...

understanding "many" as equivalent to "all," for the many are indeed all. "He shall appear a second time without sin to those who await him for salvation." He died, he says, bearing our sins and offering them to the Father, so that he might wipe away those for whom he also died. For he who knew no sin, he says, the Father made sin, as he was taking upon himself what was ours. He shall appear a second time, no longer subject to sins, nor needing a second death on their account, but as a Judge for the salvation of those who await him, that is, those who believe in him and hope for his presence—and it is evident that they also live worthily of him. And yet, he will come not only for salvation, but will also be present for the punishment of the unbelievers and the sinners; yet nevertheless, he spoke of what was favorable.

Chapter X

were offered. Therefore, as though the sins were the same, ^A the same sacrifice was offered. But it was by no means the case that subsequent sins were the same as those that had occurred before. Thus, it is clear that those former sins remained unforgiven, and for this reason the same sacrifice was always offered: just as a medicine that is always applied in the same way signifies that the same sickness constantly afflicts the sufferer.

VERS. 4. *It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.* He makes his argument stronger from the worthlessness of the things that were offered ^B and from the magnitude of the disease. Just as if someone skilled in the medical art, seeing the herb called Mercury being applied to one suffering from elephantiasis, were to say, "It is impossible for the herb Mercury to deliver one from elephantiasis."

VERS. 5. *Therefore, as He comes into the world, He says.* Christ, being about to enter into the world in a body, speaks through David. The Apostle’s purpose here is this: since he had shown the sacrifices to be weak and useless, in case someone should say to him, "How then do the Jews still perform these?" — for at that time the Temple was still standing for them, and all the legal rites were being fulfilled; but why had they not ceased? — he now points this out, saying that they had ceased ^C according to the will of God, but the Jews, being contentious and always resisting the Holy Spirit, are still occupied with them. Furthermore, he shows that even before the incarnation of the Lord, they had been rejected by God. And observe that this is what the Apostle intends. For he did not say, "Having entered," but "as He comes into the world," in order to show that even before He entered, they were hated.

*Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired.* That is to say, those prescribed by the Law. And an offering here signifies something different from sacrifice; ^D I suppose that by this term, bloodless sacrifices are signified.

*But a body Thou hast prepared for Me.* That is, Thou hast determined that My body should become a completed and perfect sacrifice.

VERS. 6. *Holocausts and sin offerings Thou hast not taken pleasure in.* Neither did Thou take pleasure in holocausts—that is, Thou didst not desire them, didst not deem them acceptable—nor in those things which are offered for sins. There were various names for sacrifices, according to various reasons: some for sin, some for error, some for salvation, some for propitiation, some for vows, and some for purification. All, therefore, were abolished, since "sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired."

VERS. 7. *Then I said: Behold, I come; in the head of the book it is written of Me, to do, O God, Thy will.* Do you see that the sacrifices of the Law were rejected even before the incarnation? For when You had rejected the sacrifices, then I, Christ, said: "Behold, I come to do Thy will." And the will of God the Father is that the Son should be sacrificed for the world, and that men

^A be justified, not in the sacrifices of the Law, but in the death of His Son. "I have declared," He says, "Thy righteousness in the great congregation." Then it is interposed: "In the head of the book it is written of me"; for so the syntax must be ordered. By "head of the book" he means the volume of the Law, or the book of the Old Testament. In that Scripture, therefore, a record is made of my advent, and how I am to be sacrificed for the world. Or he calls the "head of the book" the beginning of the books of the Old Testament. For indeed, in the first book of Moses, the Book of Genesis, when he says, "Let us make man according to our image," he at once predicts and reveals the knowledge of the divinity of Christ.

^B VERS. 8, 9. Saying above: "Sacrifice and offering and whole burnt offerings and for sin Thou didst not desire, nor were they pleasing to Thee which are offered according to the Law," he then said: "Behold I come to do, O God, Thy will." Paul himself interprets this Davidic saying. But you might ask here: "What then? Were the sacrifices according to the Law not the will of God?" They were indeed His will; but the meaning of "will" is twofold. For one wills something primarily, as Paul does: "I will all men to be even as myself," that is, unmarried. One also wills something by permission; as when Paul says, "I will that younger widows marry," this is a permissive and indulgent will; for in order that they might not break their vow to Christ, he yielded to them. In this way, God, in the first and primary sense, did not desire savors and blood; but because He saw that the Hebrews were offering sacrifices to demons and were excessively preoccupied with those sacrifices, He yielded to them, ^C so that they might offer those sacrifices in His honor. But for what reason did the divine Paul bring forward this testimony, when he had countless others? Because of the impudence of the Jews. For since they said that the old system of worship was abolished, not because of its imperfection, but because of the sins of those who offered the sacrifices, and they brought forward the fact that even Isaiah blames their sins, saying: "Your hands are full of blood," and David himself, after saying: "I will not accept calves from your house," and the rest that follows there, infers: "But to the sinner God said"; since, I say, the more contentious of the Hebrews argued in this way, Paul brings forth a testimony in which the old system of worship itself is deemed ^D as rejected by God because of its own imperfection, not because of the sins of the people. For nowhere in the thirty-ninth Psalm, from which this testimony has been taken, does the Prophet make mention of the sins of the people. For this was the very reason he used the aforementioned testimony—hear it yourself: "He takes away the first, that He may establish the second." What is this "first"? The sacrifices. What is the "second"? The will.

of the Father, that is, the sacrifice made through the cross of the body of Christ. Those former things are cast aside ^A so that the offering made through the slaughter of Christ, which the Father willed, might be established and confirmed. Thus, it is not on account of the sins of those who offer that the sacrifices are cast aside, but on account of their own imperfection.

"In which will we have been sanctified, through the offering of the body of Christ once for all." In which will of the Father, he says, we have been sanctified, we who have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ that was made once for all; for this must be understood as implied. For we who believe that we have been sanctified through the offering of the Only-Begotten, have been sanctified in the will of the Father. And so the legal ordinances are not the will of God, but the offering of Christ, and the sanctification that comes through this.

"And every priest indeed stands daily ministering, and offering the same sacrifices frequently, which can never take away sins." Thus, to stand is a sign of ministering, but to sit—as Christ also does—is a sign of lordship, to whom the ministry is rendered.

"But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins forever." He Himself, Christ, He says, offered one sacrifice—His own body—for our sins, sufficient for us for all time, so that we have no need of a second.

"He sat at the right hand of the Father ^B. Expecting from henceforth until His enemies are made the footstool of His feet." So He is not only High Priest, but God as well. For having completed the work for which He also willed to be named High Priest by divine providence, He thereafter sits as God, and expects that His enemies should be placed under His feet. And His enemies are all the infidels ^C and the demons, who also shall be subjected; that is, their malice will remain inoperative, as they will be surrendered to the unquenchable fire.

In the meantime, however, Paul calls the infidel Hebrews his enemies, particularly to offer consolation to those who, of the Jews, had given their name to Christ and were suffering countless evils at their hands. Do not be faint-hearted, he says; they will be brought into subjection, or what is greater, they will be trampled under foot—they who now rise up against you. And this is evident from Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father. For since this has come to pass, that too will come to pass, according to what was said in the Psalms. How then were they not immediately placed under His feet—that is, removed from the midst? Because of the faithful who were to be born from them.

"For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified." He has perfectly ^D delivered from sins, he says, those who are sanctified and anointed with His blood, through being baptized into His death. For all who are baptized, having become united with the likeness of His death, it is clear that they are sanctified by His blood.

^A Ver. 15. *And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us.* What does He bear witness to? That He has perfectly delivered us from sins through the one offering, so that we have no need of a second one. For after having said: *This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them; and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.* Do you see that God bears witness that He has granted the remission of sins? And He granted it when He was giving the New Covenant. He both gave and confirmed the New Covenant through the death of His Son, as has been shown previously.

Ver. 18. *Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.* For if the remission of sins has been given through the one sacrifice, what further need is there for a second sacrifice? Thus it has been demonstrated that through the one offering of Christ we have been perfected, having received remission of sins, and we no longer have need of another sacrifice. Therefore, the Jewish offerings are superfluous and are performed out of contentiousness, as they were judged to be useless long ago by those by whom they are performed.

^B Ver. 19. *Having therefore, brethren, confidence.* Having demonstrated the excellence of our High Priest over the ancient ones, and of the Testament over the Testament, and of the offering over the offering, and even of the offering of Christ over the legal sacrifices, and that through it we have been delivered from sins, he now desists from this sort of dogmatic discourse, allowing the listener to catch his breath. He passes to the moral exhortation very opportunely. For having just made mention of the remission of sins, he next exhorts us not to slip back into the same things, saying: *Having therefore, he says, confidence* from the fact that our sins have been forgiven us. For just as the crime committed brings shame and causes [a lack of] confidence; so, remission gives [us] the ability to be bold.

*To enter the sanctuary.* For indeed, since our sins have been forgiven us, we have confidence to enter into the Holy Places, that is to say, into heaven.

*In the blood of Jesus.* That is, by his blood. For through the cross and the blood of Christ, having been deemed worthy of the remission of [our] faults ^C, we have received confidence.

Ver. 20. *Which He has inaugurated for us a new and living way.* This entrance into the Holy Places He Himself inaugurated for us, that is to say, He made a new way, having Himself been the first to begin it, and having Himself walked it first. He said "new" for "recent," that which has appeared in our own times. This is our boast, that those things of which Abraham was not deemed worthy, we have been deemed worthy, and now heaven has been opened to us.

*And living*, because the first way was death-dealing, since it led to the Holy Places of the Law, that is to say. For that one has no longer any place, but... ^D

to those who accept it, it became a cause of death. But this one leads so much to life, that it both lives itself and is eternal. Alternatively, understand "living" as "recent," instead of "living and flourishing," in contrast to the entrance into the ancient Holy Places; for that one is dead.

*Through the veil, that is, His flesh.* He inaugurated for us this way that leads to heaven, through His flesh. For when this was lifted up on the cross and taken up, then He revealed to us the heavenly things. Therefore, He also appropriately called it a "veil." For this is the property of a veil, that when it is removed, it reveals what is inside. ^A

*And a great priest over the house of God.* Having, that is to say, Christ as priest, and the house as us the faithful, according to the word: "I will dwell in them and walk among them." Or, as I think more likely, the heaven; for he calls that "the Holy Places," and says that the High Priest ministers in it, interceding for us. ^B

*Let us draw near.* To what? To faith and spiritual worship; or to heaven, where our High Priest is.

*With a true heart.* That is, without guile, unhypocritical toward the brethren; or "without doubting," not wavering at all, not doubting about future things, and therefore falling into faintheartedness. He adds: ^C

*In full assurance of faith.* He teaches us how we shall not be fainthearted, if we have the full assurance of faith, that is, faith that is complete and most perfect. For it is possible to believe, yet not in full assurance. As some say that for some there will be a resurrection, but for others there will not be; this is not a full faith, but imperfect. Therefore, let us draw near in full assurance of faith. For since nothing is visible—neither the temple that is heaven, nor the High Priest who is Christ—but it is hidden, just as of old the high priest was hidden when he entered into the Holy Places, for this reason a full and indubitable faith is required. ^D

*Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.* Having spoken about faith, he shows now that it is not faith alone that is required, but also a virtuous life. The Jews, therefore, used to be sprinkled in body, but we in our hearts, so that we may be conscious of no evil in ourselves. We shall be sprinkled by this very virtue, or also by the grace of the Spirit, who in the laver has forgiven our sins and strengthened us, so that if we strive, we may no longer fall into the same.

*And having washed the body with pure water.* By that of baptism; "pure," however, either because it makes us pure, or because it does not have blood mixed into it, like that of the ashes of old. For even if the grace of the Spirit in the laver purifies the souls, yet Paul joined here the visible to the visible. Since in the very use of baptism...

water is taken for the sake of the body, because since we are twofold, twofold is also the purification. ^A

*Teneamus spei confessionem immotam*. That is, let us hold fast that hope which we have professed, and let us hold it firm. For we hoped in the beginning of the faith that we ourselves also were to enter into heaven, and we professed, when we established the covenant of the faith, that we believe in the resurrection of the dead and in life eternal. Let us therefore hold fast this confession. *Fidelis enim est qui promisit*. He imparts to us strength, that we may hold our hope firm; namely, if we ponder in our mind the trustworthiness of Him who promised. For He is faithful, that is to say, true—even Christ Himself, who said, “Where I am, there also shall my servant be.” ^B

VERS. 24. *Et consideremus nos mutuo ad provocationem charitatis et bonorum operum.* He adds the perfection of charity. For he says, let us consider one another: that is, let us observe if anyone be distinguished in virtue, so that we may imitate him; not that we should envy him, but rather that we may be provoked to perform the same good works with him. Now this provocation is of charity, not of envy. For as iron is sharpened by iron, so a soul having communion with another soul incites it to the same things, but in charity. Or, converse mutually so that you may be kindled to love each other and be loved.

VERS. 25. *Non deserentes collectionem nostram.* He holds it as certain that meeting together generates love; therefore he warns them not to omit gathering among themselves, nor to plot separations and perverse conventicles. ^C For where there are two or three gathered, there am I in the midst of them. Moreover, the prayer of the Church also released Peter from his chains and freed him from prison.

*Sicut consuetudinis est quibusdam.* Here he accuses those who separate themselves from the Church.

*Sed consolantes vos ipsos.* That is, be a comfort to one another, admonishing one another in turn, and teaching, and consoling, and imparting relief for evils. For a brother helped by a brother is like a strong city. ^D

*Et tanto magis, quanto videtis appropinquantem diem.* That is, the day of the consummation. For, he says, we shall shortly be separated from this world; why then do we dissociate ourselves from one another? This was, in fact, a comfort to them, as they were weary from temptations, just as he says in another place, "The Lord is near; be not anxious for anything."

VERS. 26. *Voluntarie enim peccantibus nobis.* He exhorted them from the things that were more useful, namely, that we have confidence and that we have been gifted with the forgiveness of sins; now he strikes terror with things more somber. Observe, however, how inclined he is to pardon. For he says, "Voluntarily sinning"—as if

he meant that for those who sin involuntarily, there is some moderate pardon. But observe how he did not say, "those who have sinned," but, "those who go on sinning"—that is, those who remain in sin without repentance. For if we do not remain in it, but show a token of repentance, there will surely be room for forgiveness. Where, then, are those who claim that repentance is here being abolished?

"After receiving the knowledge of the truth." Either of Christ, or of all the dogmas.

"There is no longer left a sacrifice for sins." He does not say this to abolish repentance, as some have wrongly understood it; but he is showing that there is no second baptism, and therefore no second death of Christ. For he calls this a "sacrifice," as he does further on: "For by one sacrifice he has perfected unto eternity." For our baptism represents the death of Christ. ^B Just as that one was a single event, so also is this. Why, therefore, do you sin so fearlessly, when there is no longer any hope that you might effortlessly wipe away your sins through baptism? Claim, therefore, good works for yourself.

VERS. 27. "But a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a jealousy of fire, which is about to devour the adversaries." Observe how he enlivens the fire, as it were. For just as a wild beast, once enraged, does not cease until it catches someone and, having devoured them, satiates its fury; so also that fire, being zealous for the commandments of God which have been transgressed, and becoming fierce on their account, devours forever whomever it catches. For he did not say, "destined to eat," but "to devour"—that is, eternally. By "adversaries," he means not only the infidels, but even the believers themselves, ^C who nevertheless perform acts contrary to the commandments of God.

VERS. 28. "Any one who has set aside the law of Moses." From the lesser, he shows that the punishment will justly come about, so that he may also win more credence for his argument. He calls it the Law of Moses because he himself ordained many things for them.

"Without mercy, on two or three witnesses, he dies." The construction is as follows: "Any one who has set aside the law of Moses, on the testimony of two or three witnesses, dies without mercy"; that is, if it is confirmed by the testimony of two or three that he has transgressed the law.

VERS. 29. "Of how much worse punishment, do you think, will he be counted worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has considered the blood of the Testament common?" ^D He leaves the judgment to them; a thing we are accustomed to do in very clear cases, when we make the listeners the arbiters. But what is it "to have trodden under foot"? It means to have treated with contempt. For just as we have no regard for things being trodden upon, so if we take no account of Christ, we come to the point of sinning. And "has considered the blood of the Testament common," this is to say, has considered it to differ in no way from any other blood. Test

-^Aament, because through it the testament toward us was confirmed, which gives us the inheritance of good things, as we said above. These things are said concerning the mysteries. For when, upon receiving the immaculate body and blood, we roll the flesh that has received them in the mire of bodily impurity, do we not trample upon the Son of God? For the mud of the earth is not so unworthy of the divine body as is impurity. You may use this passage also against the Nestorians; for they, thinking Christ to be a mere man, consider his blood to be common, and differing in no way from the rest. "In which he was sanctified." He shows here the senselessness and ingratitude; for it was necessary, he says, to revere the sanctification by which he was gifted in the blood. "And has insulted the Spirit of grace?" For he who does not rightly steward the benefit bestowed, offers insult to Him who bestowed it. He made you a Son of God, yet you become a slave to passions? He came to dwell in you, yet you bring in the devil upon yourself? Are these things not an insult to the Spirit? VERS. 30. "For we know him who said: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And again: The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." These things he said from the context, to show that the Lord is going to exact vengeance upon those who sin. For He said this through the Prophet. But he also consoles those who were already losing heart because of the temptations from the Jews by whom they were being harassed; ^B for he says, as it were, such things as: Do not be cast down; you have the One who avenges and repays, who always lives, and those who harass you will by no means escape Him. You indeed fell into the hands of those who are men, and subject to death; but they will fall into the hands of the eternally living God, and therefore the inescapable One. VERS. 32. "But call to mind the former days." Therefore we did not say in vain that the verse, "Vengeance is mine," introduces the matter for their consolation secretly. For behold, he now speaks to them more clearly, exhorting them not to fail in patience. Therefore, he says, do not imitate others, but yourselves. For in the beginning of your faith you struggled; keep this contest always in mind; do not, through sloth, lose ^C what was won through right struggle. But observe here his spiritual wisdom: since he had earlier shaken their minds through the mention of Gehenna, now he softens them through commendations—not flattering them, but exhorting them through these very things. For he who counsels someone to imitate himself in those works which he previously performed persuades more easily. "In which, having been enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions." Either he speaks concerning baptism, ^D

and ^A munition. He says "confidence," because those who have endured such things for God’s sake have great confidence. "Which has a great recompense." For you are witnesses, who have recognized that you possess better goods in the heavens.

VERS. 36. *For you have need of patience.* You have no need of anything else, but of patience alone: you have all other things, and there is no need to add anything.

^B That by doing the will of God, you may carry off the promise. The will of God is to endure unto the end. "For he who has persevered," he says, "unto the end, the same shall be saved." The Apostle exhorts them in this, just as if one were to see an athlete who has defeated all his adversaries and has won in the contest, but, being impatient of delay, when he sees those who bestow the crowns of victory dragging out the time, meditates flight, because he no longer wishes to endure thirst and heat, and another were to address him with these words: You have finished all things vigorously; wait a little while, and you will carry off the crowns. Overcome even this delay of the crowns with patience.

VERS. 37. *For yet a little while, and he who is to come will come, and will not delay.* He brings forward the prophet Habakkuk saying that the Judge, who is about to render the recompense, is near. But if Habakkuk then said, "a little while, and he who is to come will come," it is manifest that now he is closer. And that which he says, "a little while," signifies something very small.

VERS. 38. *But the just shall live by faith. And if he draw back, my soul has no pleasure in him.* It is necessary, therefore, for us to believe if we are to be just. But if the just man draws back—that is, if he suffers any ambiguity or hesitation, or if he withdraws, that is, succumbs to temptations—my soul does not take pleasure in him. Whose soul? God’s, according to the customary manner of speech of the Scripture; as in that, "My soul hates your feasts." Or Christ’s.

*But we are not of drawing back unto perdition, but of faith unto the acquisition of the soul.* Because he had terrified them when he said, "My soul has no pleasure in him," he ^C asserts that we are not of the number of those who perish because of drawing back or because of sloth or hesitation; but of those who persist, stable in faith, so that they may acquire their own souls, that is, possess, guard, and keep them. For acquisition is possession, a peculium.

CAPUT XI

*Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for.* He describes faith to us henceforth, saying: Faith is the essence of those things ^D which are not yet, and the substance of those things which do not subsist; for example, the resurrection does not yet subsist, but faith establishes it, and places it before our eyes.

^A Argumentum, that is, demonstration and manifestation, of things not evident. For it causes these things to be seen by our mind as if they were present. If, therefore, faith is capable of such things, why do you wish to see them actually, so that you might fall away from faith? This, indeed, is nothing other than to fall away from being just. For the just shall live by faith.

In it, indeed, the elders obtained testimony. That is, in this same faith, all the ancients obtained testimony from God, and confessed that they served him.

^B VERSE 3. By faith we understand that the ages were framed by the word of God, so that from invisible things things visible came to be. Because faith is impugned by those who do not understand its power, who assert it to be an undemonstrable thing and a manifest imposture, he shows that the greatest things are accomplished through faith, and not through ratiocinations. For as to the fact that God by his word created the things that are from things that are not, what demonstration did he present to us? None, indeed, but faith alone. By faith, therefore, we understand that the ages were framed, that is, happened by the word of God. Why by faith? Because from things not visible, things visible came to be; it requires faith. Or thus: By the word of God, it happened that things which are were brought forth from things that are not. But when you hear "ages," understand also the eternal things contained within them, or rather times, and thus all temporary things, with a more unusual mode of speaking, with "ages" also signifying times. For properly, an age is nothing other than time, and is one, not many.

^C VERSE 4. By faith Abel offered a more abundant sacrifice to God than Cain. Because faith is a great thing and requires a noble soul, and the Hebrews were infirm in the faith, and at first indeed demonstrated faith, but later, on account of the frequency of afflictions, became fainthearted, he exhorted them by the things done by them preeminently, and by Scripture, saying that the just shall live by faith: and by ratiocinations, saying: "Faith is the subsistence of things hoped for": now, however, he also brings forth arguments from great and ancient men. For when a man finds participants in his adversities, he is refreshed and breathes again. He brings forward, therefore, Abel, saying: By faith he offered a sacrifice more abundant, that is, more precious, than his brother. For whom did he see before him? His father or his mother? But they had stumbled against God. Or his brother? But even he had not served God. By faith alone, therefore, he was led to offer to God of the better things he had, believing that he would receive a reward. By which he obtained testimony that he was just, God bearing witness to his gifts. For when God had said to Cain, "If you do not offer rightly, and do not divide rightly," he bore witness to Abel, ^D

^A that he also offered rightly, according to what he had received from Him, and divided rightly, according to what was better, as to a Master. It is said, moreover, that fire descending from heaven consumed the sacrifice, and from this Cain also recognized that Abel was preferred. For how otherwise would he have known? Hence, one of those who translated the Hebrew into the Greek tongue set it down thus: "The Lord looked down upon the offerings of Abel, and set them on fire."

*And by it he being dead yet speaketh.* That is, by faith itself he yet speaketh; which is to say, faith caused him to live on even to this day, and to be established as a teacher to all, speaking as if he were saying: "Imitate me, O mortals, and become well-pleasing to the Creator, having become righteous." He speaketh, therefore—that is to say, being glorified, being heralded, being remembered, he speaketh; just as the heaven speaks by being merely seen. For the word does not ^B achieve as much as his suffering. He said this, however, to show the faint-hearted that the righteous man enjoys honor in some measure even here; so act in such a way that you, too, may enjoy it. But some copies have "it is spoken of," not rightly, I think.

VERS. 5. *By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.* This man showed a greater faith than Abel. For the things which befell Abel were able to be a scandal to him, in that, being righteous, he was permitted to be slain by his brother. For what does it profit that the slayer was punished? What advantage did Abel derive from it, since he had already been removed from the midst? Enoch, therefore, showed great faith, believing that God would be a rewarder in the life to come, ^C even if not in the present; and through that faith he pleased God, and being well-pleasing, he was translated. By faith, therefore, he was translated; that is, faith translated him, through which he was well-pleasing. See also how, through Abel, God showed that the judgment concerning death was true; but through Enoch, on the other hand, He showed that judgment to be temporary, and that it shall be abolished. That he was, therefore, translated while alive, and that he still lives, we know; but where, or how? It is uncertain, the Scripture not having said.

VERS. 6. *But without faith it is impossible to please him.* For if anyone does not believe that there is a recompensing of good and evil, he will not be well-pleasing to God. For how could he enter upon the laborious path of virtue, not being persuaded that ^D there are manifold and more lasting rewards in the world to come? Hear also what follows. *For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.* That God is, and that He becomes a rewarder, we hold by faith—for some say that all things exist by chance—but what God is according to essence was held to be utterly incomprehensible by those who are more moderate. But what is meant by "to them that diligently seek him"? That is, to those who through their life seek...

to please him, not to those who are curious through secular wisdom. Observe Paul's wisdom, and how he everywhere sows the thought of God as a "rewarder" for the sake of the fainthearted faithful Hebrews. ^A

VERS. 7. *By faith Noah, having received an oracle concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his house.* Noah, he says, received an oracle from God, that is, he was instructed about things unseen, and he was not incredulous. But although the weather was clear and all were indulging in pleasures and delights, anticipating nothing terrible—for nothing of the sort was even to be seen—nevertheless, he, believing God, feared the flood and prepared an ark, by which he saved all who were of his house. Note, moreover, that God gives an oracle, and the Spirit gives an oracle; just as it is written concerning Simeon: *He had received an answer from the Holy Spirit* (Luke II, 26). Therefore, God is the Spirit himself. ^B

*By which he condemned the world.* That is, he showed them to be deserving of punishment, since even seeing the ark being prepared over such a long time, they did not come to their senses, nor did they believe that a flood would come. *And became heir of the justice which is by faith.* That is, he gained the status of appearing righteous before God; this name of "justice," he says, faith bestowed upon him.

VERS. 8. *By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance.* Since the faithful among the Hebrews kept looking to him and to the other patriarchs, as though they had already received ten thousand good things, he intends to show that no one had yet received any reward. He says, therefore: By faith Abraham obeyed, being ordered to leave his fatherland. For whom had he seen, that he might imitate him? His father was an idolater; he had not heard the prophets. Thus, it was an act of faith to obey God as one speaking truly about the things he promised, and to leave behind what was in his hands. *And went out, not knowing whither he went.* And yet, even if he had known, who was compelling him, having abandoned things in reach, to pursue things not in reach? But he did not even know what that land was at all to which he was called. ^C

VERS. 9. *By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange country.* The land, he says, which God promised to give to him and to his seed, he inhabited as a foreign one. How foreign? For he even bought the tomb of Sarah, and yet he did not waver, nor did he say: "God has lied"; but he believed that the one who promised would undoubtedly give it. *Dwelling in cottages.* He dwelt there so much as in a foreign land that he did not even have a house, but lived in tents, which is the way of strangers, passing from one place to another, because they possess nothing of their own. ^D

^A With Isaac and Jacob, the fellow-heirs of the same promise. Isaac, he says, and Jacob thus dwelt in it as in a foreign land. Isaac, indeed, being envied by the Philistines and having his wells taken away by those around Abimelech, and his wife as well, kept moving from one place to another. But Jacob, not only suffering persecution by fear of his brother Esau, but also having come from Mesopotamia, he bought the place where he pitched his tent; and he kept moving, sometimes to Bethel, sometimes to Ephrata, unsettled as a sojourner. Yet they themselves were heirs of the promise, as was their father: "For to you I will give it, and to your seed." Yet they did not disbelieve.

^B "For he looked for the city having foundations." For this reason, he says, they lived as sojourners in tents which have no foundation, because they were looking for the heavenly city, which has true foundations, which stand forever and are never dilapidated. Therefore, God, seeing them despise the earthly promises, delayed them, preparing greater ones for them, as they were worthy of them, which, of course, were not of earthly things. Then they, receiving a promise of earthly things, despised it and aspired to heaven. But you, O believers, having received a heavenly promise, desire the earth; and are you not ashamed of this?

^C "Whose architect and builder is God." Oh, how great is the encomium of that city, to have God as its architect!

^D "By faith even Sarah herself, being sterile." It is meant to put to shame, when he says, "Even Sarah herself," just as if he were to say: "The woman believed, and are you not ashamed, if you are found lower in greatness of soul than a woman?" But how did she who laughed believe? Indeed she did believe, even if she laughed, for she was later rebuked and became afraid, which was an indication of faith. For it is plain that she realized that the one who was conversing with her was someone great and above human nature.

"She received power for the conception of seed." That is, she was strengthened to receive and contain the seed of Abraham cast into her. Or, because the diligent investigators of these matters maintain that a woman also contributes a certain seed of her own, perhaps it is to be understood this way: "for the conception of seed," instead of saying, "so that she also might provide seed."

"And she gave birth beyond the time of life." He said above that she was sterile; now he says that she also gave birth beyond the time of life. Thus she had a double deficiency: one from nature, because she was sterile; and the other from old age. "Because she deemed Him faithful who had promised." By faith

^A they were born of one, and that one as good as dead, as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore, which is innumerable. This faith did not only bring about the act of bearing, but also the producing of so many, a number that not even fertile women attain. Thus there are two miracles. But how were they innumerable, since they were often numbered? This is spoken hyperbolically according to the custom of Scripture, as in the phrase: "We saw cities raised up to heaven"; or else, because others are always being born, he called it innumerable.

^B Verse 13. "By faith all these died, not having received the promises." Two things are sought here: first, how can he say "all these died," when he had said of Enoch that "he was translated so as not to see death"? Second, how can he say now that they did not receive the promises, even though he had said that Abel still speaks, as he is celebrated by all? Furthermore, Enoch was translated, and Noah received a reward in being saved with his house and being called righteous, and Abraham sired children by Sarah. Therefore, take the phrase "all these died" as meaning: "All these have died, with the exception of the one who did not see death." But the fact that they did not receive the promises is truly said of all. For ^C God, the most bountiful, did not discharge the rewards for the great labors of faith by these things alone—for Abel through glory among men, for Enoch through his translation, for Noah through his preservation from the flood, and for Abraham through the procreation of his son—but it is clear that these were as it were tastes and pledges of the true promises, given first to the saints because of our faint-heartedness, so that, taught by these, we might be strengthened in faith regarding those others. Other things, truly great, and which have not entered into the heart of man, are prepared for them, which they have not yet received, just as the Lord says in the Gospel, that he who has renounced all things will receive a hundredfold in this age, and in the world to come eternal life.

"But saw them afar off, and embraced them." ^D Here he hints that they both saw and embraced—that is, cherished, taking the metaphor from those sailing who, seeing desired cities from afar, greet them familiarly while still in advance of entering them—the mysteries concerning the kingdom of heaven, the resurrection, and the ineffable goods. Or he understands Abraham and his descendants, since they themselves did not receive the promises concerning the land but saw them from afar—that is, four generations earlier—that their offspring, ascending out of Egypt, would inherit them. This indeed

^A interpretation does not follow those things spoken of in That these were all, as if it were fitting only for those around Abraham. And having confessed that they are foreigners and pilgrims on the earth, not only of the promised land, but of the whole world. For this reason, they did not even deign to receive this. For those fathers were not worthy of it, but of heaven. But their descendants received it; for they were worthy of the earth. Moreover, Abraham confessed himself to be a foreigner and a sojourner to the Hittites in these very words. Nevertheless, all were such, and David testifies, saying, "I am a sojourner, as were all my fathers."

VERS. 14, 15, 16. For those who say such things demonstrate that they are seeking a homeland. And if indeed they were mindful of that from which they had gone out, they would have had an opportunity to return. But now they reach for a better one, that is, a heavenly one. By saying, he says, that they themselves are guests, they signify—that is, they show—that they are seeking a homeland. Let us see, then, what kind of homeland they are seeking: the earthly one which they left behind, as Abraham left Mesopotamia? Yet it was permitted to him to return to that one. Since, however, he did not return, it is manifest that he was neither mindful of this nor was this his homeland, but he was longing for another, a better one, that is, a heavenly one, to which it was not yet the time for him to be raised.

^B Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God. On account of such virtue of theirs, he says, God holds them in such great esteem, that while He is the God of the whole world, both of the invisible and of that which falls under our sight, He is not ashamed to be called their God specifically, just as if they were to be ^C compared to all creatures. Or rather, God is said to be the God of the visible world, as its Creator and Lord; by this reckoning He is also the God of the Gentiles: but of these [the faithful], He is as a friend, which is greater.

For he has prepared a city for them. So much is He not ashamed of them, but holds them as His own, that even the city which they longed for, that which is in the heavens, He has prepared for them.

VERS. 17. By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was tested. Abraham is greater than all in faith. For here not only was nature struggling, but also the word of God with divine command. For He who had said, "To you and to your seed I will give the land," ^D He commands, "Slay your son." Therefore, Abraham is said to be tested, not because God had a need to learn of his virtue, but in order that we, through that very experience and through his works, might learn of his virtue. Note, however, that temptations are so useful, that not only does God permit them to be brought upon the faithful by others, but He even tests them Himself, in order that He might show them to be more approved.

VERS. 17, 18, 19. And he was offering up his only-begotten, who had received the promises—to whom it was spoken: "In Isaac your seed shall be called." Reasoning...

^A that God is able to raise even from the dead. This is indeed to be wondered at, that, having no other child through whom he expected the promise to be fulfilled, but only this one, he nevertheless offered him. Whence, then? From great faith. For he believed that God is able, even after the slaying, having raised him from the dead, to fulfill the promise and, through him having come to life again, to multiply the seed. But how was Isaac an only-begotten, when he even had Ishmael? But in so far as it pertains to the word of the promise, he was an only-begotten; for this was in the strict sense the seed. "For in Isaac shall seed be called for you."

Whence also he received him in a figure ^B. What is the meaning of "in a figure"? It is: in a type, for the demonstration of the mystery that is in Christ. For just as then Isaac was released, but the ram was slain; so the one Christ, being both God and man, was, according to his human nature, slain for us, while his divinity remained impassible. But in another sense, Abraham was a type of God the Father, and Isaac of the Son of God; since God was about to dispense this great mystery, which is beyond the human mind, and to give His own Son for us, being exceedingly philanthropic. Nor did He wish to give even this as His own gift out of grace, but rather as rendering a debt. As if to say: I impart nothing ^C new to human nature by sacrificing my Son for it. For Abraham endured sacrificing his own son for me and for my sake. Therefore I am rendering a debt; I am not giving a grace. Or else, "in a figure" means that he received him back in the ram, that is, in the exchange of the ram; which ram was a type of Isaac, that is to say, the antitype of Isaac was slain.

VERS. 20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. For whence would he have promised such great goods to his sons, himself sitting in a strange land, had he not believed that God would give the things that were promised? ^D And what is the meaning of "concerning things to come"? Either that they were concerning things in the world to come—for they knew of the resurrection, and the blessings were spiritual—or concerning the goods upon the earth which they themselves were about to receive, or those who were to be born from them. He prefers Jacob to Esau, as being virtuous, and as having received the birthright, and as being worthy in all things to be preferred.

VERS. 21. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. The sons of Joseph were Manasseh and Ephraim; and Manasseh was indeed the first, but Ephraim was the latter. Yet Jacob blessed Ephraim with greater blessings, and by the crossing of the right hand's imposition; and he so believed that the blessings would come to pass, and that the tribe of Ephraim would reign, that he even demonstrated it by the actions themselves. For he worshiped Joseph, signaling the adoration of the whole people. How then did he worship? Upon the top of his staff, that is...

leaning on his staff because of his old age. Some, however, say that he worshiped toward the top of Joseph’s staff, sensing that the scepter of the kingdom would be worshiped through the staff in the future.

VER. 22. *By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.* To such a degree, he says, did he believe that the Israelites would be liberated from Egypt that he even adjured them to carry his bones with them. He did this, not because he was concerned about a tomb—for how would a man so wise have been ignorant that the earth is the Lord’s?—but in order to give the people perfect assurance that God’s promise would absolutely come to pass and that they would go forth. And because it is so pleasing to God that they not remain in Egypt ^B on account of the impiety there, it was not even pleasing to him that his own bones should be buried in Egypt.

VER. 23. *By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a proper child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.* Having enumerated great men who conducted their lives by faith, and what they accomplished, he speaks also of the parents of Moses, who were common people, inducing a blush in those who are weak and prone to faint-heartedness, inasmuch as they are inferior to such people. In the progress of his discourse, he even mentions a harlot so as to induce greater shame. He asks, therefore: why did they hide him for a three-month period, and this when the king’s commandment existed to destroy the male children? Why did they not fear? It is clear that they believed he would be saved. ^C But why did they believe he would be saved? Because they saw the child was "proper," that is, beautiful and graceful to the sight; and they believed that God had graced him immediately from his swaddling clothes. For they say that they were indeed about to cast him away, but when he smiled with grace, they let him be; so divine was everything about him.

VER. 25. *By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.* He comes to an example most familiar to them, namely, Moses; for this reason he lingers, treating it more fully. The construction is of this sort: By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. When? When he became "great," that is, when he had already reached manhood. For it is ^D clear that he expected to receive greater things. The word "refused" indicates intense hatred and a decided alienation from the royalty of Pharaoh. Notice, however, how he calls the failure to suffer affliction together with the brothers "sin." God brings this reproach through the prophets: *They were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph*; and again: *He did not go forth to make a lamentation* (Amos vi, 6).

^A It is given as a sign to those sighing in Ezekiel; while the angels are commanded to cut down those suffering nothing of the sort. But if those who do not voluntarily suffer along with the afflicted are sinning, what must be thought of those who maltreat others and do evil themselves? Therefore, it signifies the participation in royal delights by the temporary pleasure of sin.

VERSE 26. *Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.*

*For he looked toward the reward.* That is, with the eyes of faith.

VERSE 27. *By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.*

catch him. And the sign of this fact is that he chose to stay in the neighborhood and hid himself there. Wherefore this too is of faith. ^A For he endured as seeing the Invisible. For as if he saw God abiding with him, he consistently tolerated all things. For it contributes much to patience to always have God in mind, just as David says: "I foresaw the Lord always before my face," and the rest.

VER. 28. By faith he celebrated the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who was destroying the firstborn might not touch them. Everywhere Paul incidentally interjects a mystery, just as here too, in the midst of consoling/exhorting, he mentions the mystery of the Passover. For that sprinkling of blood, that is, the anointing of the doorposts, signified the shedding of the Lord’s blood, by which, being anointed, we flee in the night of this life from the destroyer of the firstborn of those not anointed. Moses, therefore, having then believed that the application of the blood would preserve the firstborn, commanded the people to do this. And yet that was the blood of a lamb; but nevertheless, inasmuch as it was a figure of the blood of Christ, it showed such great power and virtue. But you, truly anointed with His blood, do you not trust to be fortified by it? Yes, indeed. And he celebrated the Passover, that is, the eating of the lamb, and the unleavened bread, and the bitter herbs, and he believed that the people having gone out of Egypt would be preserved. For the manner of that meal was accommodated to their exodus.

^B VER. 29. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land. Lest they say, "Why do you bring forward inimitable men?" he brought forward the people as an example. For imitate, he says, at least these from the multitude, who believed that the water would not engulf them, and so they dared, trusting in God that they would walk across as if on dry land: so much does faith make that which is impossible into something possible. Why then do you hesitate?

That which the Egyptians experienced—they were devoured. And no one, he says, can say that it was imaginary; it was not water. For that it was the sea, the Egyptians are proof, inasmuch as they indeed attempted to enter, but were swallowed up by it when it was stirred up all at once against them, which during the transit of the Hebrews had stood as a wall; ^C just as later the flame prepared against the three holy children showed that it was flame, when it devoured the Babylonians; and in the same way, the lions that tore apart the accusers of Daniel.

VER. 30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been compassed about for seven days. By faith: for when God commanded it, neither Joshua nor the people hesitated, nor did they say, "What is this? Does the sound of trumpets have the nature of casting down stones and fortifications?" But they believed that it would be so, and so it happened. ^D

^A

EXPOSITION ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS — CHAPTER XI

VERS. 31. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace. Behold, as I said above, he brings forth a most contemptible person, in order to shame them, since they appear to be inferior to such a little woman, and at the same time to show that the power of faith is great, since it accomplishes such things even in the reprobate. Therefore, she too demonstrated faith, hiding the men who were sought as spies. She would not have hidden them, had she not believed that the city would be captured. For she said thus: "I know that you will take this land; for we have heard of your works." And she, indeed, believed what she heard; but those who did not believe in the wondrous deeds of God perished.

VERS. 32. And what more shall I say? After he has finished his discourse on the harlot, and has sufficiently shamed them by the quality of the person, henceforth, for the sake of brevity, he does not go through all the others one by one, lest he seem tedious; yet he does not altogether keep silent, but while appearing to pass over them, he does not pass them over; and thus he neither exhausts the hearer, and nonetheless accomplishes what he wishes through many. ^B

For time will fail me as I tell it. What time? Either the whole of time—this statement is uttered, as we are accustomed to say, hyperbolically—or the time that is appropriate for the Epistle.

Concerning Gedeon, Barak, and Samson, and Jephthae, David and Samuel, and the prophets. Some inquire for what reason he places Jephthae and Samson and Barak here. What do you say? Since he placed the harlot, would he not place these? And do not recount for me the rest of their life, but consider this: whether they shone in faith. For he does not make an examination of lives, but an indication of faith. ^C

VERS. 33. Who through faith conquered kingdoms. Namely, those who fought with Gedeon.

They worked righteousness. Who? They themselves, and Samson. For they took vengeance on the enemies of their kinsmen and fellow-tribesmen, having appeared merciful to their own household and friends, but having risen up against the enemies who offered them violence. Now this is the duty of righteousness, to render to each according to their merit.

They obtained promises. As David. For He says, "The Lord swore to David: Of the fruit of your loins I will set upon your throne." Which, sensibly, came to pass in Solomon, but spiritually in the Lord Jesus, who is truly Solomon, the peaceful, and is peace itself in reality. For "Solomon" means this, if you interpret it, namely, "peaceful." ^D

They stopped the mouths of lions. Daniel and Samson.

VERS. 34. They quenched the power of fire. The three youths. But he did not say, "They quenched fire," but, "the power of fire," which is greater; for even if it were enkindled, it nevertheless had no power to burn against them.

They "escaped the edge of the sword." These were also ^A the three youths, or, if we may speak more properly, Elijah from the sword of Jezebel, and David himself from that of Saul.

"Out of weakness were made strong." This refers to those who returned from the captivity of Babylon, for they in no way differed from the bones of the dead, as it is written in Ezekiel. Moreover, Hezekiah also, when he was sick, received an extension of his life.

"Waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." This also fits those who had returned from Babylon. For the neighboring nations, always envying them and rising up against them even more than before, were nevertheless defeated by them through faith, as they trusted in the power of God. It applies also, and most especially, to Samson.

Ver. 35. "Women received their dead raised to life again." The Sareptan woman through Elijah, and the Shunammite through Elisha.

"And others were tortured." That is, beheaded, as was John, or James the son of Zebedee. Others, however, define "tortured" as being beaten with clubs.

"Not accepting deliverance." That is, they could have refrained from rebuking those whom they rebuked, and been delivered from the punishment inflicted upon them, but they would not do so.

"That they might obtain a better resurrection." A better one, not like that of the children of these women, but better in comparison with that of the rest of mankind. For the saints shall be caught up in the clouds ^B to meet the Lord, shining forth—which in another place he calls an "exaltation." And, in another sense, because it is to eternal life. But the rest shall remain below, and for them the resurrection will be to eternal punishment.

Vers. 36. "And others had trial of cruel mockings." As Elisha was mocked by the children, or Samson by the Philistines after his eyes had been put out.

"Yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment." As Jeremiah, Micaiah, and the apostles later on.

Ver. 37. "They were stoned." As Naboth, and Stephen later on.

"They were sawn asunder." As Isaiah was by Manasseh, whom they say was sawn with a wooden saw, so that the punishment might be ^C more painful and severe, as he was thus tortured beyond measure.

"Were slain with the sword." As Micaiah, and Zechariah, and John, and James. Observe, however, how some indeed escaped the edge of the sword through faith, while others died by the slaughter of the sword. For such a thing is faith: it both performs great deeds and suffers great things, and yet considers that it suffers nothing. Why, then, are you, who have not yet suffered anything of this kind, despondent and sad?

"They wandered about in sheepskins [melotes], in goatskins." As ^D

of a sheep or some other animal. ^A

"Being destitute." As was this very Elias and Elisha; for women used to feed them.

"Afflicted, tormented." For Jezebel did not afflict Elias a little by persecuting him.

^B "Of whom the world was not worthy." You cannot say, he says, that because they were sinners they suffered such things, but rather that they were such that they were more precious than the world itself. By "world," the Scripture means both the multitude of men and the structure of the world. Both are understood here. If, therefore, you compare the entire structure of the world, with the men who are in it, against these, you will find nothing equal to them in dignity. Here he rouses their hearts so that they seek nothing worldly, since the world is unworthy of the saints. For it is an injury to yourself if you accept your reward here; you have shown yourself to be of no value. If the whole world is not worthy of one saint, why do you seek a portion of it?

"Wandering in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth." As was Elias, and the prophets who were being fed secretly by Obadiah in the cave. They were not even permitted, he says, to inhabit the wilderness without fear, but were driven away even from there by fear, and wandered now here, now there. ^C Yet, nevertheless, they believed they would receive eternal consolation from God, and therefore they endured these things.

"And all these, having received testimony through faith, did not receive the promise." Why, he says, are you faint-hearted, because, being in the contest, you have not yet received the rewards? All the aforementioned saints, although they already had testimony through faith that they had pleased God, had not yet attained the promises of heavenly goods. For some attained earthly promises, such as David. But that was not the object of their seeking; those things which are in the heavens, these truly are the promises.

"God having provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us." "Some better thing," that is, to our honor. For that they should not seem to have the advantage of us by being crowned first, He appointed one time of crowns for all. ^D And He did not say, "that they might not be crowned," but, "that they might not be made perfect." Thus, they appear perfect at that time. Besides, even now they possess the earnest and pledge of honor. For whence comes to them the power to help those who invoke them? Whence the confidence to intercede?

and consummation, they shall then receive. Is God therefore ^A unjust to them, if they have indeed anticipated us in their labors, but in their crowns wait for us? By no means; for it is pleasing even to them that they should be brought to consummation together with their brethren. We are all one body; it affords the body greater pleasure when it is crowned jointly in all its members. God is a most loving Father of children, who has various sons; some indeed return more quickly from the fields, having completed their works, while others still remain there working. He has given to those who labored first a certain foretaste, saying and commanding them to wait for their brethren until the perfect banquet; and they, being men of brotherly love, wait joyfully, so that they may also be gladdened together.

CHAPTER XII

^B VERSE 1. *Therefore we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses compassing us about.* He did not say, "lifted up over us," but, "compassing us about," that is, surrounding us on every side. And He calls "witnesses" not only those in the New Testament, but those in the Old as well. For they, too, bore witness to the magnificence of God, such as the three children, Daniel, and all the prophets. He did not say "a multitude," but "a cloud," a term most appropriate to the present subject. For since they were oppressed by the heat of afflictions, the memory of the witnesses, he says, like a cloud ambient on every side, will refresh you.

*Laying aside every weight.* That is, the burden of earthly affairs and the cares mingled with them. For they are nothing else, he says, than a vain burden. Why, then, do you grieve to be freed from them?

*And the sin which doth so easily beset us.* Either that which easily encompasses us, or that which can easily suffer defeat—for it is easy, if we but wish it, to overcome sin. Or because through it one easily falls into dangers, for nothing is so perilous as sin.

*Let us run by patience the race that is set before us.* He did not say, "Let us box or wrestle," but he brings forward that which was lightest of all, which pertains to a race. Nor did he say, "Let us add to the race," but, "Let us persevere in this very thing." For some must run by continence, others by almsgiving, others by another virtue; but you, by patience—for this is what you need, as was also said above.

VERSE 2. *Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.* That is, if we wish to learn how one must run by patience, let us look to Christ, just as those who are learning arts look to their teachers; which ^D also He Himself said: *Learn of me*; and again: *If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household*

^A you have reached, but only as far as persecutions, as far as robberies; ^B but Christ came even unto death. By saying "you have resisted," he indicates that sin also breathes forth something vehement and is an adversary; and that they themselves are standing and struggling, though not yet in the more deadly contests, but in the lighter ones.

*Struggling against sin.* Against the devil, who is sin itself, as its first inventor and teacher; or against sin itself and its shameful passions, which are hostile and destructive to us.

*Ver. 5. And you have forgotten the exhortation.* You are so relaxed, he says, and dissolved into sloth, that you have forgotten the words that exhort you to courage, even though you have not yet suffered anything great. For great and noteworthy afflictions often cause forgetfulness of necessary things.

*Which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not neglect the discipline of the Lord.* For Solomon was not speaking to his own sons, but to all who could hear, and to you entirely: therefore the word "as" is added.

*Neither be weary when you are rebuked by Him.* Temptations are therefore brought about by God; and if they are from God, they will certainly result in our benefit. For God either directly wills that we be tempted, so that we may be freed from sins, or He permits us to be tempted for probation and that we may obtain more crowns.

*Ver. 6. For whom the Lord loves, He chastens; and He scourges every son whom He receives.* For it is impossible to find anyone beloved by the Lord without afflictions. Are robbers and thieves not also scourged? Are they, therefore, sons? By no means. For he did not say, "Whoever is scourged is a son," but, "Every son is scourged." Robbers, then, are not scourged as sons, but are punished as criminals. But here, having first said "He chastens," he then added "He scourges," so that you might understand the scourging of a son not as retribution for crime, but as education. *Whom He receives*, that is, whom He accepts, whom He takes to Himself more than others, whom He draws into intimacy.

*Ver. 7. If you endure chastening, God offers Himself to you as to sons.* For what son is there whom his father does not chasten? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not sons. Through these very things from which they thought themselves abandoned by God, he shows them that they were objects of God's care. For, he says, if you were without afflictions, you would have been base-born and illegitimate sons, and not genuine. For which of the parents cares for the upbringing and seemliness of base-born children? But since you are afflicted, and from this it results for you that you live in an orderly and composed manner, just like all those previously mentioned, namely the just, who are also called sons of God

^A are: it is plain and irrefutable that God offers Himself to you as to sons, and takes care of you, so that you might not become undisciplined, and from this result lose your inheritance.

VERS. 9. Deinde patres quidem carnis nostræ habuimus eruditores, et reverebamur eos: non multo magis obtemperabimus patri spirituum, et vivemus? By their own actions He demonstrates again that it is necessary to be patient. For if, when our carnal fathers were disciplining us, we did not dare to shrink away, but were filled with shame and patiently endured whatever they inflicted upon us, how much more now, when God is disciplining us? ^B Observe, however: He did not say, "How much more shall we endure," but, "we shall obey," showing that it is the behavior of one who is resistant and opposed to God not to endure affliction. He called Him the Father of spirits, either of the gifts, or of the incorporeal powers, or, what is more appropriate, of souls. For in contrast to carnal parents, He posited the spiritual. Furthermore, He added, "and we shall live," to show that the disobedient does not live: for he is alien to God, who is Life.

VERS. 10. Et illi quidem tempore paucorum dierum. For they are not able to discipline us completely so as to make us perfect. For either the death of the father, or more advanced age, or the hardness of the son puts an end to the discipline; but God, being one who always disciplines, is able to make [men] perfect. ^C Secundum voluntatem suam erudiebant nos. Not always is what seems good to the father useful also to the son; for many teach even shameful arts.

Hic vero ad id quod utile est in recipiendo sanctificationem ejus. But God brings about discipline for our benefit; not that He might receive anything from us, but that He might rather impart His holiness, that is, His purity; so that, he says, we might become capable of His own good things. Discipline, therefore, is a participation in holiness; and rightly so: for it turns the soul toward the holy God, not allowing it to wander toward anything human.

VERS. 11. Omnis autem disciplina in præsenti quidem non videtur esse gaudii, sed mæroris. ^D Again, from common understanding He took the occasions for his exhortation, and says: All discipline, both divine and human, does not seem to be of joy, but of sorrow. He says well, "Seems": for it is not truly of sorrow. For how could it be properly of sorrow, when it is the mother of joy? But it is with respect to us, who bear discipline with difficulty, that "seems" was said.

Postea vero fructum pacatum exercitatis per eam reddit justitiæ. What is "pacatum" [peaceful]? That is, untroubled, smooth, sweet. For he who is sorrowful is troubled; but he who rejoices has a certain smoothness and tranquility. And this fruit is of righteousness, namely that God, since He is just, in

^A this life gives rest to those who have been sorrowful. Observe also that he calls discipline "exercise," as it strengthens the faithful and makes them like certain athletes, and more robust. Why, then, do you shun that which strengthens your souls?

VERS. 12. *Therefore, lift up the slackened hands and the paralyzed knees.* He speaks as if to certain pugilists and combatants. He took this passage from the prophet Isaiah, indicating by the metaphor of the principal members that they are altogether slackened in soul. For hands are a symbol of action, and feet a symbol of movement. Therefore, of one who is disheartened, the instruments of his soul, and consequently of his body, are slackened.

VERS. 13. *And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not stray, but rather be healed.* Here he speaks as if to runners, just as he said above: "Let us run with patience." He says, therefore, "Make straight paths." A *trochia* (track) is either the footprint of a chariot wheel that is marked upon the ground, or the ground subject to the feet of those running. Let your tracks, therefore, he says, that is, your ways, be smooth and level—that is, let there be nothing rough, sorrowful, or uneven in your souls, but run evenly and without sorrow and smoothly, so that, not being lame—that is, by nature of a more fainthearted disposition, after the manner of the Jews, for such [by nature] is that race—or also being lame concerning the faith in ^B future things, you might not yet stumble, and your feet might go astray, that is, become altogether twisted. For he who is driven by an innate faintheartedness, or one that has befallen him from the beginning, and who does not restrain himself but rather gives way, falls unawares into the precipice of despair and is from there with difficulty recalled. But rather strive so that what is lame in you may be cured—that is, even if hitherto you have had some incredulity, correct it rather; for where would there be incredulity in one who is patient? Observe also how he manifestly introduces repentance, and note this for the sake of the Novatians.

VERS. 14. *Pursue peace with all men.* What he said above, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together," he does also now, gathering them into love; and he admonishes them to have and to pursue peace not only toward friends and kin, but even toward enemies. For with all, he says, both Greeks and Jews and enemies. For "as much as is in you," he says, "live peaceably with all men" (Rom. XII, 18). If you have this sort of purpose, you will not be fainthearted in ^C affliction. Consider also what he said: "Pursue," that is, even the peace that is far off, strive to lay hold of, drawing it to yourselves.

*And holiness.* That is, purity; if indeed someone is unmarried, virginity; if, however, ^D

he is joined in marriage, keeping sobriety: not that marriage is the sanctification, but because they keep the sanctification obtained from baptism inviolate through lawful intercourse. For marriage is honorable, but it is not holy; rather, it is a guardian of holiness.

*Without which no one shall see the Lord.* For neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind shall inherit the kingdom of God. And the Lord says in the Gospel: *Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.*

^B *Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.* As if they were traveling a long journey with a large company, he says: "See that no one has been left behind." For I do not ask this only, that you should arrive, but that you should also look after others—that is, visit them, understand them, and learn their state—which is what one does for the infirm. And even if one be the one lagging behind, do not neglect even him. By "the grace of God" he means the faith, the excellent manner of life, and the blessings to come. For all these things are of the grace of God.

*Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you.* This is found in Deuteronomy. He took the expression from a metaphor of plants. And what he writes elsewhere, *a little leaven leavens the whole lump,* he is saying here as well: let no wicked person be permitted to the harm of the many; cut out the root of bitterness—that is, of sin—so that it may not bear shoots—that is, so that it may not make others like itself. And that sin is bitter, or rather, that nothing is more bitter than it, those who are tormented in their conscience after committing an offense well know. Observe, however, that he did not say it is a bitter root, but a "root of bitterness"; for a bitter root can produce sweet fruits. But a root of bitterness—that is, the source and cause—cannot possibly produce sweet fruit.

*And thereby many be defiled.* For the slothful, seeing the ungodly, come to imitate them, and their souls are defiled. Therefore, let such roots be cut out.

*Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.* He does not say this—that Esau was a fornicator—but stop there: *Lest there be any fornicator among you.* For he hints that certain such people were among them, though he does not wish to rebuke them openly, but feigns ignorance so that they might be corrected. Then from another beginning he says: *Nor any profane person as Esau*—that is, a glutton, a worldly man, one profaning and trampling upon spiritual things. For he sold the honor of the birthright given to him by God, and that for one morsel of food. This is profanity, namely, the contempt of divine things. Here he shows them how great an evil is sloth,

^A nor of Him? And, "The disciple is not above his master." What is it that he says, "author and finisher"? That is to say, He Himself both placed the faith in us from the beginning; for He says, "You did not choose me, but I chose you;" and He Himself will provide the end and consummation, that you may possess it most perfectly. "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame." It was possible for Him not to suffer, not to die; for being without sin, He was not subject to death; and He Himself says, "The prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me." If, therefore, He had not willed it, He would not have been crucified; which He also said, "I have power to lay down my soul." Yet He endured the cross, that is to say, not simply death, but the ignominious one, and He despised the shame arising from such a death. He did not say, "despising the sadness"; for He did not endure these things with sadness. "And is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Do you see the end of patience to which He leads? This is what he said elsewhere, "Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him": speaking of the flesh. So He is able also to repay you for the afflictions endured for His sake. ^B For the chair and the seat at the right hand signifies equality with the Father.

VERS. 3. "For consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself." If anyone, by considering the sufferings of his fellow-slaves, is abundantly comforted, how much more if he weighs the sufferings of his Lord, who endured such contradiction? That is to say, mockery, derision, insults, buffeting in the face, whatever they spoke against His teaching, the cries before Pilate, and finally the cross itself. For the expression is emphatic, "such," that is, leading even to death, and that with thieves, and that by sinners, the gentiles, that is to say, or even the Jews themselves. "Lest you be wearied in your souls, fainting." For to ponder Christ will give strength and vigor to your souls, and will not allow you to fail or despair in afflictions.

VERS. 4. "You have not yet resisted unto blood." There are two sorts of hortatory address and consolation, contrary to one another: the one is when someone says to another, "You have suffered great things, remember those"; the other is when he says, "You have not yet suffered anything great." For the former refreshes the fainting soul, since it has many witnesses of its sufferings; the latter brings down the one who is swelling with pride, and stirs up the one who is sluggish. Paul uses both of these now with the Hebrews. For having said above, "You endured a great combat of sufferings," and having exhorted them to imitate themselves, now on the contrary he shows they have not yet sustained anything worthy of estimation, ^C lest they be puffed up. And see his wisdom. After he had mentioned the ancient saints who had sustained great things, and the Lord Himself, then he shows that their sufferings are nothing. For, he says, you have not yet resisted unto blood.

^A And see how he makes the comparison. After he had shown the superiority of the New Testament over the Old in many ways, as is well known, he now sets forth the great and wonderful things of old—those which happened on Mount Sinai—and declares them to be small and of no consequence when compared with the things of the New Testament. For there, he says, there was much display designed to strike fear into that childish people. For the fire was added so that the punitive nature of the Lawgiver might be manifested, and that He might immediately appear as one to be feared. The thick cloud and the darkness signified the shadowed nature of the Old Covenant. For if that was a type, it is clear that until the truth came, the types were obscure, not being understood in what they signified. The invisibility of God was also signified through these things. For "a cloud," he says, is "under His feet." ^B And the storm roused the Hebrews, who were slothful, so that they would pay attention. As for the trumpets, they were as if a king were present. For this is how it will be at the second coming.

And with the "voice of words," which those who heard entreated that no word be added to them. For God was heard speaking, so that the legislation might be made authoritative, and so that they would not think the words were Moses'. In any case, the voice of God was indeed terrible, while that of Moses was slight. Therefore, they entreated God, saying to Moses: "Speak thou to us, and let not God speak to us." ^C For "they could not endure that which was commanded," that is, they could not bear with their ears what was spoken by God, because it was terrible. Therefore, they themselves were the cause of God appearing through the flesh, so that He might be capable of being grasped by them.

And "if a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned." And so terrible was that which was being portrayed. He indicates in this also the superiority of the New Testament. For the Old, although it had nothing so great as the New, was something terrible, and not even a beast was allowed to touch the mountain—that is, some animal from among those which the people possessed. But the New, having all things perfect, shows nothing terrible, but all things are gentle.

Moses said: "I am terrified and trembling." And if Moses, who had entered into the dense cloud, was so great and wonderful, was thus struck with fear, how much more the people? ^D "But you have come." They did not come near, but stood far off; but you have come near. Do you see the superiority?

"To Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem." Instead of Sinai, we have Sion, the spiritual mountain, and the spiritual city, Jerusalem; that is, heaven itself, not a desert, as was theirs. "And to an innumerable company of angels." Instead of...

fear, we have joy: for this is what is signified by "panegyris" (a solemn assembly). ^A For where there is a panegyris, there is joy. This panegyris consists, therefore, in myriads of angels.

"And to the Church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven." He calls the faithful "firstborn," those who are consecrated to God and sanctified, whose names are in the book of life, just as the Lord was saying to the disciples: "But your names are written in heaven." Since God is the common Father of all, all men are indeed His children in a general sense; but the firstborn among them are the faithful, and those worthy of the adoption of sons which is by choice. Or, quite simply, all the faithful are sons; but the "firstborn" are those who are well-pleasing to God and, by their word and the conduct of their life, have been deemed worthy of embassies before God.

"And to God, the judge of all." Here he also terrifies them. For He is the judge of all, not of the Jews only, but also of the faithful. Therefore, fear Him. But he shows at the same time their superiority over those of old; for if those men could not endure even bare words, nor did they dare to draw near to the mountain, you, however, have approached the Judge Himself, that is to say, Christ. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.

"And to the spirits of the just made perfect." That is, to the souls of those who have been distinguished and shown to be perfect ^B before God, through faith of course, as he demonstrated: to whom you are destined to be joined, if you have imitated them.

"And to Jesus, the mediator of the New Testament." Not to Moses the servant, but to Jesus our Lord.

"And to the blood of sprinkling." That is, of purification. For the blood of Christ, having been sprinkled upon us, has purified and sanctified us.

"Speaking better than Abel." Did the blood of Abel speak? Certainly. "The voice," he says, "of your brother's blood cries to me." This is what was also said above, that it speaks even now, being proclaimed and celebrated among all mortals. But the blood of Christ emits a more splendid, more significant, and clearer voice, crying out through the facts themselves, that it has sanctified all. And in another way it speaks: where it finds a sincere mind, it stirs it up ^C and makes it speak. For the Spirit speaks with groanings that cannot be uttered. And the holy Cyril also understood it in such a way, that the blood of Abel cried out against the slayer, but the blood of Christ speaks for us to His own Father.

"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks." Because you do not believe His promises, but despondement...

^A know it. And who is it that speaks, if not Christ? For if His blood speaks, much more does He Himself live.

If those men did not escape when they refused Him who spoke upon the earth, what did they not escape? Punishment and destruction. By "Him who gave the oracle upon the earth," he means Moses, or even God, who though He descended from heaven, nevertheless gave the oracle upon the earth through Moses. For on Mount Sinai He gave the oracle—that is, He conversed, He spoke, He commanded.

How much more [shall we not escape] if we turn away from Him who speaks from the heavens? That is, from Christ who speaks from the heavens; that is, who, after His assumption, gave the law to us through the Spirit. He did not say this as if there were one person then and a different one now, but the manner of the legislation differs. For then, acting upon the earth, He gave the law; but now, having been assumed into heaven, as has been said, He would therefore be more terrifying. For that there was not one person then and another now, hear this very thing in what follows.

"Whose voice then shook the earth." You see that even then it was He who spoke, He who now gives oracles to us from the heavens. For His voice at that time, in the season of the legislation, shook the earth.

"But now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.'" We maintain that there are two shakings mentioned in Scripture: the first, upon the legislation at Sinai; for "the earth," says David, "was shaken." The second, during the time of the sojourn in the flesh. For, he says, "all Jerusalem was shaken," and "the idols of Egypt shall be shaken." They were shaken—that is, they were moved away from the station of deceiving those who worshipped them, and their strength was cast down. The phrase, "yet once more," therefore, signifies a third shaking, which is to happen after the second—that is, the innovation at the consummation of the world, when all things shall be changed, being altered from corruptibility to incorruptibility. And the utterance is that of the prophet Haggai.

"Now this, 'yet once more,' signifies the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made." That is, the removal of the corruptible creation, which has the nature to be shaken, inasmuch as it is created—that is, it received a beginning of existence, and necessarily, therefore, has an end. For everything that has been made had a beginning, and therefore, at least as far as its own nature is concerned, it also has an end. For even the angels, by nature, do not lack an end, since they do not lack a beginning; but by divine grace they have received the quality of being without an end and being immortal.

"That those things which cannot be shaken may remain." That is, the

good things. For when these corruptible things have been changed, all things that then come to pass for the righteous will be incorruptible and unshaken, subject to no transference or change. ^B And so, receiving an unshaken kingdom, let us have grace. Since, he says, we are to be accounted worthy of such goods, immutable and unshaken, and are receiving such a kingdom, receiving already from this point the earnest of it in spiritual charismata, let us have grace: that is, let us not grieve, nor become despondent, but let us give thanks to Him who has both given such things and is to give more.

Through which we serve, pleasing God. Through which, that is, through giving of thanks. For if we are thankful, then we also serve pleasingly, and as those who know what sort of Master we have. For if we are not thankful both for tranquility and for afflictions, we do not serve Him in a way that is pleasing to Him. For what servant, who murmurs against his master (for he who does not serve him as is fitting murmurs), offers a pleasing ministry to his master? Therefore, he himself says elsewhere, "Do not murmur"; and again: "Do all things without murmurings." And the Israelites, indeed, fell in the wilderness as murmurers. ^C With reverence and religion. That is, let us speak nothing bold, nothing shameless, but let even our outward bearing show reverence toward men and religion toward God. Nay, for "our God is a consuming fire." Since he showed the things of the Old Testament to be terrible, and that those of the New possess nothing of the sort; lest they should despise its gentleness, he says: With reverence and religion let us give thanks to God. For the soul that despairs in afflictions casts off shame. Or it is because our service is accustomed to be done with reverence and religion. For our God is a fire, and we must be religious, lest we be consumed as contemners and indifferent. "Be religious," he says, "you sons of Israel." This also offers them consolation, in that we have such a God, who can consume our adversaries.

CAPUT XIII

VERS. 1, 2. Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget hospitality. He did not say, "Acquire brotherly love and hospitality": for they had these, as it seems; but because, on account of frequent ^D afflictions, there was a danger that they might grow slack in these virtues, he says, "Let brotherly love continue," let it stand firm, do not let it escape you. And, he says, "do not forget hospitality." For as though they had been despoiled of their possessions, perhaps they were conducting themselves more sparingly. Or he secures them for the future.

^A Since it was likely that some would say: "What then shall we do, if we do not even have the necessities?" he says: This is not so; it is not so. For God says through Isaiah, that "I will not leave you," and He does not lie in any way. But it was also likely that these very people out of the Jews would say: "With what things present shall we be satisfied? We were despoiled, we have nothing left." He says, therefore, that you are able to be satisfied with what remains, even if it be little. For God has said: "I will not leave you," which is to say: "I will not forsake you." And perhaps even if the Apostle understood this concerning necessary things, thou, however, shouldst accept this as spoken by God concerning every matter. ^B So that we might confidently say: "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Since God said these things, they are absolutely trustworthy. Hence, therefore, let us say with confidence that those who despoil our possessions shall not straiten us.

VERS. 7. "Remember your leaders, who spake unto you the word of God." He also exhorted the Thessalonians to this, that they should hold them in honor to overflowing. And just as they impart the word, so should they, if it be possible, succor them in external bodily necessities. For this is what he hints at by "Remember." Or he encourages them toward the imitation of them. "Whose conduct considering, imitate their faith." This is to say, considering it more exactly. And just as the disciples of a painter [look] toward the first exemplar, so do you, always fixing your eyes upon the outcome—that is, the end of their conduct, which is their mode of life—because it had a good end, imitate their faith. ^C For from faith is a pure life born. For if they did not put faith in the things to come, but doubted, they would not have displayed an irreproachable mode of life. But again he heals their pusillanimity; or he speaks of the faith of the dogmas. He brings in, therefore:

VERS. 8. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and unto the ages." For as it seems, there were some adulterating the faith, and saying that "Another shall come," whom the Jews keep expecting even until today. He says, therefore, that He is the same Christ yesterday—that is, in all time past—and today—that is, in the present time—and unto the ages, which is to say, the future and infinite [ages], and no other shall come. Do not therefore be led astray. Or [he means] that just as He did not abandon your leaders, but helped them in all things, in this manner He will also help you. For He is the same.

VERS. 9. "Be not carried away by various and strange doctrines." "Various," that is, now these, now those, and sometimes by these, and sometimes by those. Furthermore, ^D [the text continues]

truth; then it is necessary to be on guard. For the truth is simple and looks toward one thing. Observe the expression, "Be not carried away," as if regarding certain light things, which are easily dragged hither and thither. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, in which they who occupied themselves were not profited. These are the strange doctrines; for he implicitly censures those who were introducing the Jewish observance of foods. He says, therefore, that we ought to be established by grace, that is, by faith, and to be fully assured that nothing is unclean, but all things are clean to the believer. Therefore, there is need of faith, not of the observance of foods. For those who "occupied themselves" ^B in foods—that is, those who walked continuously in the observance of foods—profited nothing for their soul, as being outside of faith and serving the unprofitable law. And otherwise, what profit, he asks, did they have from the observance, since they were so polluted that they were not able to participate in the sacrifices?

VERS. 10. We have an altar, from which they have no authority to eat who serve the tabernacle.

Since he had said that foods ought not be observed, lest our things appear contemptible because they lack such observance, he says that we too have an observance, but not in such foods, but rather on the altar, that is, in the unbloody sacrifice of the life-giving body. For it is not permitted even to the legal high priests to partake of this, so long as they serve the tabernacle, that is, the legal types—those which are passing away, those which are being dissolved; for such was the tabernacle, or this world—just as the masses ^C did not participate in the legal sacrifices, as being unworthy.

VERS. 11-12. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

He demonstrates that the things which were honored among the Jews were types of our things, and he says that those sacrifices were of no account, those in which the people were forbidden to participate. But not even the high priests of the law partake of our sacrifice; for those [legal sacrifices] were types of this [our sacrifice]. For just as the high priest brought the blood of the animals offered for the sins of the people into the Holy places, but the bodies were burned outside the camp, thus also Christ, having suffered for the sins of the world, brought His blood into the Holy places ^D to the Father as High Priest, but His body was crucified outside the camp. Therefore, a remembrance of that sacrifice...

^A for through this some, by showing hospitality, have entertained angels. So great is hospitality, and the receiving of all persons simply, and without making distinctions, that for both Abraham and Lot it became the occasion for entertaining angels. Now the word “entertained” means, they did not know that those whom they received into hospitality were angels; and yet they entertained them hospitably. This is what makes them great, for if they had known, they would have done nothing great.

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them. For he who is bound to someone, even if he wishes to forget, cannot.

Them that are in adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Them that are in adversity, whether in prisons, or in famine, or some other affliction. For he who considers that he himself is also clothed with a body subject to the same afflictions, will defend them, both because he feels with them, and because he fears lest he himself might be permitted to fall into similar evils through his own lack of compassion. ^B

Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled. See how great the discourse is regarding temperance. For having mentioned holiness above, he was speaking about this, and again after this, he will speak about fornicators and adulterers. In all things, therefore; not in those who are more advanced in age, while in the young it is not so; but in all. Or in all ways, and at all times. Not in affliction, but not in comfort; not in this respect honorable, but in another not; but let it be entirely honorable through and through. Here are put to shame those heretics who disparage marriage. For behold, it is called honorable, because it preserves a man in temperance. ^C

But fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Here also, with much severity, is the prohibition of fornication. For God will judge, that is, He will condemn. And with reason. For if marriage is allowed, fornicator and adulterer are justly punished.

Let your character be without avarice. He did not say, “Possess nothing,” but, “If you do have, do not be enslaved to them, but possess these things with freedom, so that if ever you happen to lose them, you do not suffer distress”; which he also said above, that “you took joyfully the plundering of your goods.” And otherwise, since many after emptying themselves of their possessions strive to acquire them again under the pretext of needing to give alms, he says: Let your character be without avarice. Therefore he also adds: ^D

Being content with such things as are present. He shows how we might be free from avarice. If we are content with what is present, if we seek nothing beyond our needs and necessities. For he who seeks more than he has, is clearly an avaricious person.

For He Himself has said: I will never leave you, nor [forsake you].

was taken down by some tachygrapher while Theophylact was explaining the Acts of the Apostles to his people, or that it was extracted from another, fuller commentary of his. Yet, that neither of these occurred—even though either one might suffice to attribute it to Theophylact—is argued by a similar inscription prefixed to the Proem of his commentary on the four Gospels, which exists in the Imperial Library at Vienna, in codex 271, and which reads as follows: *Ερμηνεία τῶν τεσσάρων Εὐαγγελιῶν ἀπὸ φωνῆς Θεοφυλάκτου ἀρχιεπισκόπου Βουλγαρίας*, "Interpretation of the four Gospels from the voice of Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria." And yet, the Proem on the four Gospels that follows in the same manuscript is the very same one that those codices bear which are marked with the customary epigraph, namely: *Θεοφυλάκτου Ἑρμηνεία εἰς τέσσαρα Εὐαγγέλια*, "Theophylact’s Interpretation on the Four Gospels"—although the commentary itself, for I know not what reason, is not present in the cited codex; for the Proem is distinct from the body of the commentary itself. Perhaps for those who inscribed it in this way, *φωνή*, "voice," is equivalent to "Exposition," in which sense *γλῶσσα*, "tongue," is sometimes used.

I have pursued these matters at some length, not to claim this commentary definitively for Theophylact—as I know that to be impossible, since another codex, equally if not more ancient, explicitly attributes a different and separate commentary on these same Acts of the Apostles to Theophylact, namely the one edited by Sifanus—but to show that the view of those who wished it to have a place in the third volume of this edition is by no means to be condemned, even though it had long since been published for the most part under the name of Oecumenius. And I thought I should discourse on these things all the more, because the following commentary is likewise being snatched away from Oecumenius. By what right, I shall demonstrate a little later, as soon as I have finished what I still have to say concerning this commentary.

VII. Whenever I noticed that this commentary agreed with the Oecumenian one—for so I call the one that appeared published under his name—in the manner mentioned above, whenever I suspected my own copy to be faulty or mutilated, which frequently happened, I consulted it in order to find a remedy for the detected wounds; which usually succeeded quite happily, given that it seems to have been taken from a cleaner and more integral codex. Sometimes, however, both texts appeared corrupt to me, as neither provided a coherent sense. Then, indeed, I took refuge either in the Sifanian commentary, or in the Florentine transcript, or in the primary source of them all, Chrysostom, and sometimes in all of them. The reader will be able to observe some examples of this noted in the lower margin of the pages. But when the sense was correct, even if I saw that Chrysostom or any of the aforementioned commentaries disagreed in words or order, I decided that nothing should be changed in my copy. For it was established for me to edit not any and all other commentaries—however they might sometimes be preferred for their abundance or elegance—but only this Vatican one; wherefore I considered it my duty to labor only regarding its correction and preservation from the injuries of copyists. Hence I also took care to have it printed in such a way that, as closely as possible, it might represent the Vatican codex itself.

For which reason, since in the Vatican codex the text of the Holy Scriptures is first presented divided into various readings, which are read by the Greeks in the holy liturgy during the Paschal season, with a note indicating on what day each is to be recited; and furthermore, the entire book of the Acts of the Apostles is divided into forty, rather than twenty-eight chapters, as is common among us and the Greeks; I thought this whole arrangement should be retained. Yet, in order to consult the convenience and utility of the students, I have added the number of the same chapters—both in the lateral margin and at the head of the pages—according to the partition customary among us and the Greeks. But because the aforementioned readings do not immediately succeed one another, but often have interspersed between them more or fewer passages which are by no means customarily read in the holy liturgy, the scribe who wrote out the Vatican codex placed these words in the margin, or even within the body of the page, to indicate their beginning and end: *ἀρχή*, "beginning," *τέλος*, "end." And because all these readings, just as in our liturgy, so also in the liturgy of the Greeks, begin with these words: *Ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις*, "In those days"—often also some words are added or repeated for a clearer commencement of the sense—the copyist also wrote these in the margin alongside the text. But since these would be less necessary, and indeed could produce some confusion for the readers, and on the other hand I had found them not sufficiently accurately noted, I thought it better to omit them entirely; especially since, from the ecclesiastical...

417 IN THE SUBSEQUENT WRITINGS OF THEOPHYLACT. 418 by Kollar, the most deserving keeper of the praised library. The same man, however, encountered a doubt while he was describing it, as I did while interpreting it. But he, what I was not permitted to do, although I greatly desired it, brought to execution. He consulted, namely, codex 222, in which Lambecius and Nesselius affirm that Theophylact’s Commentary on the Catholic Epistles is likewise contained, so that by this comparison of both codices he might detect whether the Commentary in each was the same or different. He found, however, not without astonishment, that it was different; and moreover, that it was such a one that, in his judgment, it bore the genius, nature, order, and style of Theophylact all the more, the more the other seemed to him alien from all these. Nor did this man, most loving of the public good, stop here: but he undertook the work of copying out the three final leaves of this latter Commentary of its own accord, to serve as a specimen; and with these leaves, along with two others from the former Commentary, sent to the editors, he made them certain of his doubt, and most kindly offered his services to the public. They, having carefully weighed the matter, immediately decreed that the former Commentary should be rejected from this edition: especially since it had meanwhile been discovered by me that it was nothing other than a mere Catena of certain Greek Fathers on those Epistles, clearly similar to that which exists at Oxford in the library of New College, codex 58, from which Christian Wolfius selected and brought forth some things in volume III of *Anecdota Graeca* from page 92, and in volume IV from page 1. For after having made a collation, I had discovered that all those things existed word for word in the aforementioned copy, with this sole difference, that in the Oxford codex the names of the Fathers whose words are cited were accurately noted, whereas in the Viennese one, with the exception of one or two, they are entirely omitted: a circumstance which greatly tormented me as I interpreted; for with those names removed, and with no connection appearing between the things being said, it would be mocked as not some sort of Commentary, but as disconnected sweepings, and sand without lime, as the saying goes. But, you will say, if this is so, how did the illustrious Lambecius unhesitatingly ascribe to Theophylact a Commentary of this kind? I respond that it was for the same reason that he attributed two Commentaries on the same Epistles, although diverse, to one and the same author. Namely, he did not read those Commentaries himself, nor did he labor to determine their authors; but, having found notes on the front of the codices, he gave credit without any examination. When, therefore, he had read in that Commentary annotated by the hand of Tegnagnelius, his predecessor in the stewardship of the Imperial library: *Commentary of Theophylact*, just as I myself saw while I was staying in that city, he thought this was enough for him to count it among the Works of Theophylact. And yet it is clearly evident that Tegnagnelius adjudged a Commentary of this kind to Theophylact for no other reason—and that a most infirm one—than that it was joined to certain Commentaries of Theophylact in the same codex, and seemed to have been written by the same hand.

X. Therefore, with the aforementioned Commentary being entirely rejected from the genuine Works of Theophylact, the curators of this edition deemed it appropriate to substitute another in its place, which, in the judgment of the illustrious Kollar, bears the genius and style of Theophylact; and to that end they handed it to me to be rendered into Latin. But before I myself applied my hand to a version of this kind, I decided to compare those few leaves which I said were sent here from Vienna for the sake of a specimen with the Commentary of Oecumenius, especially since, while reading the first page, I seemed to have read something similar before in another author who did not come to mind at that time. Having therefore collated those leaves, I found that the one Commentary agreed with the other in such a way that I perceived the Viennese and the Oecumenian to be one and the same: not, indeed, that they agreed completely and everywhere; but because whatever diversity was in it could easily be attributed to the variety of the codices. When the curators of the edition found this out, they determined that everything ought to be done to detect some genuine Commentary on the Catholic Epistles, different from the Oecumenian; but if that should result less to their wish, it was to be inquired whether there were sufficiently valid arguments at hand by which the Oecumenian Commentary itself could be admitted into this edition with equal right, and be published to the light inscribed with the name of Theophylact. Defeated in this first hope a little later by the most unexpected death of Ignatius Inicci Accioli, papal legate to the King of Spain, by whose aid alone they hoped that they could obtain a copy of that Commentary inscribed *to Theophylact* on the Catholic Epistles, which is said to be kept in the most celebrated Escorial library, and which alone remained to be consulted, they turned their spirit and effort toward the other: in which they had become partakers

[removing] the other from these, by either placing some words of the Scripture—with the Greek text left entirely intact—repeatedly into the version; or, if that were less sufficient for removing the confusion, I translated the very text of the Scripture elsewhere and slightly inverted the position of the Commentary. I have noticed this confused and less appropriate collocation of the sacred text not only in this work, but also repeatedly in the Commentaries of others, and indeed even in those of Theophylact. This preposterous arrangement seems to have arisen from the fact that the exposition was not originally placed under its own proper text; but was put in the lateral margin by the authors or collectors, sometimes alongside, sometimes even below—of which thing many examples remain—and then was placed by copyists according to their own caprice or lack of skill, having dissected it from the sacred text. It at least seems certain that the variation which exists in different codices, or the confusion in one and the same codex, could have arisen from this cause; so that no one should be astonished if the Scripture text is seen to be arranged and divided here differently than in the Oecumenian Commentary: although Hentenius also introduced some change there, as he himself confesses, having brought forward the reason for the change.

Another thing, of which I would wish the reader to be forewarned, is that in the Viennese codex, the argument for each individual Epistle is indeed prefixed to them; but the Epistles themselves and their Commentaries are organized as an uninterrupted thread, without the distinction of verses or chapters. I have judged that these should be added for the sake of greater convenience, according to the customary manner of counting used by Latins and Greeks. I have left the arguments of the Epistles in the same way as they are in the codex, lest anyone accuse me of unfaithfulness, and so that the reader might recognize how many chapters the author of the Commentary, whoever he may have been, wished each Epistle to be divided into: for he enumerates more chapters in each than is commonly the custom to enumerate. That enumeration of chapters which is presented in the Oecumenian edition is also shown in the Commentaries. Furthermore, at the end of each commentary, the number of verses which the Epistle exposed in that commentary embraces is noted: which number, especially in the later ones, is much larger than the usual number. I did not wish to correct the errors that perhaps crept into such numbers, thinking it possible that the author, just as he enumerated more chapters, so also enumerated more verses, although I am entirely ignorant of the cause of this matter. But of this work, enough.

SECTION IV. Regarding the oration on the Adoration of the Holy Cross.

The Commentary on the Catholic Epistles closes the number of the exegetical works of Theophylact on the Scripture of the New Testament, as far as I am aware. In the following fourth volume, you will find his other Commentaries on the Old Testament. In this one, however, various short works of Theophylact are subjoined, from which this volume is, for the most part, composed. The first is an Oration on the Adoration of the Holy Cross: which oration was indeed edited in Greek and Latin some time ago by the most learned theologian of the Society of Jesus, James Gretser, in the second volume of *De S. Cruce*. We, however, exhibit the Greek text not from that same Gretser, but described from the Imperial Viennese codex. He took his from the Bavarian-Munich codex. But as far as it was possible to collect from an accurate collation of either text, I discovered that either one was described from the other, or both were described from one and the same codex. For they agree so much among themselves that this collation did not even provide variant readings, if you except one or two. And what is more, both have in the same place and in the same way two little gaps, one of which I filled in myself by conjecture. I subjoin the Latin version, which Gretser, who was very skilled in the Greek tongue, adorned. He added a few notes at the end of the oration; from these, we have selected two, which seemed of some moment, and placed them in their own spot, namely page 458. We have added one or two, to which some variety of the codices gave us an opening. For the rest, this oration is excellent, and most worthy of Theophylact, and in my judgment it bears the mark of his genius and style: for which reason there should be no suspicion regarding its author. It was delivered in the middle of the season of fasting, as is evident from its title, namely on some day of the fourth week of Lent, which is called by the Greeks *mesonēstia*, the middle of the fast, because indeed out of the seven weeks which the Lenten fast encompasses among the Greeks in their entirety, the fourth claims for itself the place of the midpoint. Throughout this entire week, the Cross is solemnly displayed by the priest for the people to adore. Wherefore, on the third Sunday, by which the following

^A week begins, is called by the Greeks *Kyriake stauroskyneseos*, the Sunday of the Adoration of the Cross. Besides this homily of Theophylact, there exist many others delivered by more ancient Greek Fathers on this very solemnity, which the aforementioned Gretser most accurately collected and edited in his aforementioned work, *De cruce*. From these it is at least established that the Greek Church and the Latin Church are in most complete agreement on this dogma of the adoration or veneration of the cross; and this is, above all, the benefit to be sought therefrom.

SECTION V. Concerning the Oration on the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple.

XIV. Francis Combefis, of the Order of Preachers, translated this oration into Latin and edited it, inserting it into the eighth volume of his *Bibliotheca concionatoria*. When the Greek text of the same, transcribed from the codex of the Royal Library of Paris, fell into my hands, I compared it with the Latin version of Combefis: which, although quite accurate, seemed to me a little more obscure; and so I attempted to produce another, clearer and more polished version. Whether I have succeeded in this, let those be the judges who wish to compare both. Meanwhile, since the illustrious author of the *Prolegomena Dissertation* has announced that this oration will be published with a new version of his own, I am bringing it forth to the light in whatever state it may be. If anyone prefers the other, let him approach the aforementioned Library. This version having been completed by me for some time, another copy of the same oration, transcribed from the ^B codex 15 (Seldenian) of the most celebrated Bodleian Library, was brought to me from Oxford. Comparing both, I detected faults in each, and found that one excels the other depending on the diversity of the passages. Although the Parisian copy seemed to yield something to the Oxonian, I nevertheless preferred to base this edition on the Parisian specimen, partly because that was the first to be translated into Latin and edited by Combefis, and partly because I had derived my own version likewise from it itself. Nevertheless, I have most diligently noted the variant readings of the Barocci codex (some of which should rather be called corrections) at the lower margin; these may deservedly be held in the place of the codex itself. As regards the oration itself, it seemed so excellent to Combefis that he did not hesitate to assert that Theophylact shows himself to be most wise even in this oration: and not undeservedly so, since a manifold light of eloquence, erudition, and vivid genius shines forth in it. However, more severe critics perhaps will not approve of his describing the taking of the Virgin Mary into the temple, and other similar matters, so minutely, as if he had observed everything with his own eyes. But pardon is easily granted to a Greek writer, as, having followed the tradition already accepted in his own regions, he thought that all these things should not only be recounted by him, but even adorned in the oratorical style. This, certainly, must be acknowledged in Theophylact: that, because he knew well what might especially oppose his own narrative (and this is the same thing, which has impelled some of the recent critics to the contrary opinion), he labored vigorously to remove it from the middle and to reconcile the probability of the whole matter: not to speak of the moral teachings which he wisely elicits from it.

SECTION VI. On the Martyrdom of the Fifteen Martyrs at Tiberiopolis, under the Emperor Julian the Apostate.

XV. This Oration of Theophylact (for so he himself calls this composition) has not only never been printed until now, but has also so escaped the notice of the learned that, of all those who have deliberately written about Theophylact and his works, no one at all has made mention of it. It lay hidden at Oxford in the most celebrated Bodleian Library among the Barocci manuscripts, in a codex that contains various other small works of authors. Nor, indeed, would knowledge of it ever have reached us, had not the ardent desire of those in charge of this edition to omit nothing at all that had Theophylact as its author added spurs to us, so that among other things we also examined the *Catalogus librorum mss. Angliæ et Hiberniæ*, edited at Oxford in the year 1697, for this purpose. ^C Applying ourselves to this, we fell upon page 28, volume I, number 197, containing a title of this kind: *Martyrium XV martyrum sub Juliano imperatore, auctore Theophylacto*. Having been informed of this matter, the chief patron of this edition (about whom you have some things in the *Prolegomena Dissertation*, number 104), on account of his exceptional ^D dedication to sacred letters

and his belief that no delay should be permitted, took care to have it transcribed and sent through the Venetian envoy to the King of England ^A. The transcript sent from Oxford was handed to me to be translated into Latin; and this was, for several reasons, a pleasing task: for I understood that I would be doing a kindness to a most distinguished senator; I would be fulfilling this duty to the well-deserving curators of this edition; and finally, I would be devoting my labor and effort, such as they are, to students of sacred letters. But as soon as I cast my eyes upon the transcript, there was indeed much to fill me with pleasure—namely, the utility and excellence of this little work; but there was also that which displeased me greatly: namely, the sheer and almost incredible corruption of the transcript. But more of this latter matter another time; now for the former. No one, I think, who has perceived and explored its subject matter and the things contained therein will deny the excellence and utility of this oration. It contains, indeed, a fairly unknown history of the martyrdom of fifteen martyrs, who, under the apostate Emperor Julian, shed their blood for Christ at Tiberiopolis; then the translation of their bodies carried out by the order of Michael, the first Christian King of the Bulgarians; and then various and truly notable miracles performed by God through the intercession of those same martyrs, both before and after that translation. Preceding this narrative are some things about the triumph of the Christian faith under Constantine the Great and his three sons; but much more is narrated regarding those things which the faithful of Christ suffered while Julian the Apostate reigned. All of these things, drawn from the storehouse of ecclesiastical history, are presented here not unsuitably ^B in place of a prologue, and as Theophylact himself says, so that this Oration might have a head and be perfect in all its members. Furthermore, a long narrative is woven concerning the invincible constancy in faith of a certain Cinamon of Adrianople, who was carried away into captivity by the Bulgarians, and concerning Enrabota, brother of the Bulgarian king, who, through the work of that same Cinamon, was converted to the faith and suffered martyrdom for that same faith. In this oration, therefore, are contained few things, but many of great importance, monuments of ecclesiastical history, to which it most highly pertains to commend to the memory of posterity the acts of the Holy martyrs and other things connected with them. But what if it also brings some benefit to profane history? Why, you will find in it some things regarding the kings of Bulgaria that you might seek in vain elsewhere. Other things, too (as will be clear from the appended notes), may be used to confirm or correct what has been said by others; hence, let it be said by right and merit, from the beginning, that a work of this kind is sufficiently useful and excellent, and worthy that it finally be brought to light at last.

XVI. But yet, its value would be diminished in no small way if one could justly have doubts regarding either its genuine author or the truth of the history it contains. But, as it seems to me, no one could call either into question. Not the first; because the codex, which we praised above, explicitly ascribes it to Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria; nor is this inscription refuted by other codices; indeed, there is none at all (as far as we know) that displays the same oration. Nor indeed should the fact that it is found to exist in only a single codex cast doubt in any prudent person concerning its author; since it is clearly established that the works of many authors have been preserved in a single codex; though scholars do not for this reason revoke into doubt whether it belongs to the author whom the codex itself declares. And not to depart from the works of Theophylact himself: there exists one copy that I know of, in the Bavarian-Munich library, of his *Encomium on the Emperor Alexius Comnenus*: and one copy perhaps in the Imperial-Viennese library ^C (for that another copy is held in the Escorial library of the King of Spain, as some report, is uncertain to us) of his *Commentary on the Catholic Epistles*. On the other hand, there is nothing read in this discourse that does not comport with the author Theophylact. Whatever is narrated in it certainly preceded his own age. Likewise, no one, I think, who has been occupied for some time in reading the works of this author could deny that the style by no means departs from the genius of Theophylact. For a double style occurs in him (as far as I have been able to discover): the one which he used in writing his *Commentaries on the Scriptures*; the other in which he arranged his letters and certain particular little works, or sermons and orations. In the completion of the former, he used a transparent and most plain style; whether because he thought this style should be preferred to others in that genre of writing; or because he mostly used the words of others whose *Commentaries* he was reducing to a compendium, and especially those of Chrysostom. Wherefore, from such *Commentaries* ^D

^A indeed, I believe that the proper style of Theophylact cannot always be detected. But in other works, where he draws both ideas and words from his own reservoir, as it were, he uses a loftier and more difficult style, less accessible; which style is very similar to that which most Greek writers of that age, departing from the simplicity and purity of diction of their forefathers, were wont to use. In these works, therefore, Theophylact very frequently uses metaphors, allegories, and other more vivid tropes or figures, and a more prolix, and finally a looser or more involved phraseology. He also intersperses the words of Scripture everywhere, not only for the reason that he might confirm his own ideas by its authority, but also that he might express them in the very words of the Scriptures. This discourse is clearly of this kind of style; but because it is occupied for the most part with historical matters, it seems a little clearer and plainer here than elsewhere. Moreover, some turns of phrase familiar to Theophylact (as we have observed elsewhere) recur here as well. Besides the character of the style, some judgments or sayings also favor Theophylact—those which indicate an author writing in Bulgaria, as when he calls the fifteen martyrs of Bulgaria wonderworkers, ἁγίους τοὺς καθ᾽ ἡμᾶς, *our saints*, or *who are with us*. He also indicates, if I am not mistaken, that he is a native of the Bulgars, or an inhabitant of Bulgaria, when he exults with a singular and incredible joy over the conversion of the Bulgars to the Catholic faith, and extols the same—now joined to the faithful—with the highest praises; and also when he reveals that the peculiar customs of the Bulgars were well known to him; as when, for example, he relates that the Bulgars were accustomed to make loaves of such size that any one of them would be enough to satisfy ten men. For although these things could not but fit anyone else writing in Bulgaria, yet because no one else is brought forward as the author of this little work, they confirm—not lightly, in my judgment—that Theophylact is its progenitor. ^B XVII. But now, if Theophylact is to be considered the author of this discourse, as I believe he should be, there can surely be no prudent doubt that his historical narrative is perfectly consistent with the truth; for it is not credible that a man as grave and learned as he would have adopted a trite fable and wished to palm it off on others. But whatever he narrates in this discourse of his, he could easily have known either from some monument existing in the archives of Bulgaria, or from the certain and perennial tradition of the inhabitants. And indeed, although the passion of these martyrs happened long before—that is, in the waning fourth century of the Church, while Julian the Apostate was emperor—yet the translation of their bodies was not so distant from Theophylact’s age that firm monuments could not be available to him; for his episcopate in Bulgaria preceded that event by only about two centuries (as will be established from the things said below). From which no one can fail to see how easily the memory of something of great importance can be, and is wont to be, preserved over this interval of time, even if no visible monument survives. But as regards the aforementioned martyrs, there still stood in Theophylact’s time (as it seems possible to gather from the discourse itself) a temple built in honor of these same martyrs; there existed also the coffers in which their ashes were enclosed, and finally the marble tablets which had originally covered their urns. From these tablets, indeed, as those on which the names of the individual martyrs were inscribed, as well as their way of life, and dignity, and office—as Theophylact himself testifies—he could easily draw the information concerning events which had happened long before, under Julian, and commend them to the eternal memory of men through this discourse. Wherefore, I do not see why full credence should not be given to this history (even if it were written by some other person of less authority than Theophylact); unless perchance it seems to be an obstacle that there is a deep silence regarding this matter on the part of other writers, and that the aforementioned martyrs are not commemorated either in the Greek *Menaia* or in the *Menologies* of the Ruthenians or Muscovites. But regarding the first point, who can assert for certain that this author of whom we are speaking was the only one to commit to writing the history of the passion of these XV martyrs and their translation, when it is known and established that very many works of the ancients have completely perished? Furthermore, how many things are regarded as certain in both ecclesiastical and profane history that rest upon the authority and testimony of a single writer? In particular, the lives and deeds of saints often become known through the narrative of a single, even anonymous, author. But in our particular case, there could be a reason why their martyrdom was not handed down to memory by others. For if the account is taken of both the place and the time in which it happened, everyone will immediately understand that this fact most easily escaped the writers of that age.

^A For they attained the palm of martyrdom at a time when Julian the Apostate was endeavoring to raise up the falling cult of idolatry and restore it to its former honor; and thus the affairs of the Christians were in a most distressing state; and most of them were either passing a miserable life in exile, or were wandering of their own accord through deserts and mountains. Indeed, the place where the martyrs fell could hardly have been more impassable and hidden, being as it was a very small city, or rather a tiny hamlet situated on the highest peak of Mount Haemus; for such was Tiberiopolis at that time, as we shall show below. What wonder, then, if the report of this most excellent triumph remained unknown within its borders for so long? And if this was the state of affairs, it will not seem surprising that mention of them is missing from the Greek Menaea, and consequently from the Menologia of the Ruthenians and Muscovites, inasmuch as these were taken and translated from the Greek. But if in these later works some saints are commemorated of whom there is no mention among the Greeks, they belong to that class whose memory is celebrated in the entire Ruthenian Church, not to the number of those whose feast is proper to a certain place or region; of which kind seem to be these fifteen martyrs, who are the subject of the present discourse. For the memory of saints of this category is not usually recorded in the common Menaea, but in the specific registers of the place where their cult flourishes: we shall show later ^B that such a memory is not missing even for these martyrs. But even if no mention of them occurred at all elsewhere, no authority or value would have been taken away from this oration; nay, it should be judged as even more excellent on this account alone, and we should be all the more grateful that at long last it is coming to light, and the memory of many martyrs and wonder-workers is being rescued from total oblivion and darkness.

XVIII. Such and so great was the utility and excellence of this oration that it would have rendered my labor of interpretation light and even pleasant, had not the extreme corruption of the transcript, as I said at the beginning, caused me no small—nay, a very great—hardship. It was indeed of such a kind and extent that I can hardly imagine anything could have been written more erroneously. For everywhere there occurred repeatedly both the variation of letters, and the combination of several words, and on the contrary, the division of one and the same word. In the vowels, especially, the greatest fault was committed: for vowels and diphthongs, which are now pronounced with the same sound by the Greeks—namely, ŋ, i, υ, ει, οι, ε, αι, ο, ω—were placed indiscriminately. From which you can easily gather that the copyist who transcribed the codex from which our transcript was taken (that this fault does not fall upon the scribe of our copy, I know from elsewhere) was completely ignorant of the laws of Greek grammar; and furthermore, that he copied it not with the very exemplar placed before his eyes (for had he been looking at the letters that were to be transcribed, he would have erred more rarely), but that it was dictated to him by someone who pronounced the letters according to the modern Greek custom, and that he wrote down whatever he perceived with his old man's ears, using Greek letters as best he could. From this it resulted that in a disyllabic or trisyllabic word, four or five errors (especially if account is taken of spirits and accents) would not infrequently occur. Now, how much confusion these vices produce, and how much trouble for the interpreter, everyone can understand, and especially those who are not ignorant of the Greek idiom. Before I set about the Latin version, therefore, it was necessary to clear away the errors and restore the text to its true reading. The method I adopted in performing this task is this: the errors which I detected with certainty and without any doubt, I corrected in the text itself, without placing any note in the margin; otherwise, I would have had to fill almost the entire margin with them. But where I was uncertain whether some word lay in a mistake, or even if I discovered this with certainty, but could not ascertain the word that ought to be substituted by any certain conjecture, I left it as it was in the transcript in the text, and I appended in the lower margin the word which seemed to me to be the reading, with the prefix *io.* or *lows* [ἴσως], *perhaps*, so as to provide space and opportunity for the happier conjectures of others. Nevertheless, I have added some things to these, about the true and genuine correction of which I had the slightest or absolutely no doubt, so that from these, as a sample, the skilled reader may gather the huge errors with which the copy itself was infested in almost every part. Since, however, that codex was copied so carelessly, as we have said, one may also suspect that entire words were sometimes omitted through carelessness; a suspicion which has occurred to me more than once while interpreting. I will indicate in the notes some of the places where the transcript seemed to me not only faulty but also mutilated; others, the reader will be able to…

perhaps detect. But enough now about the quality of the copy. Now I should like to add a few words about the place and time where the martyrs suffered and where their bodies were translated; these facts will in some way illustrate and confirm what is narrated in this oration.

XIX. Regarding the place and time where the holy martyrs underwent their martyrdom, there can hardly be any difficulty, since the author expresses both quite clearly, saying that the place was Tiberiopolis, and that the time was that when the impious Julian held the height of power. He reveals not only the name of the city in which they suffered; he even designates its location, saying that it is situated at the northern region of Thessalonica,^A κατ' ἀρχὰς τῆς χώρας Ἰλλυρίδος, "at the beginning of Illyricum." In the epigraph of the oration, it is added that it is called Strumitza in Bulgarian: but I am certain that these latter words were added by some later copyist; first, because in the whole oration that city is always called Tiberiopolis and never Strumitza; and because those words are seen to be situated in the wrong place: they do not adhere to the ancient name of Tiberiopolis as they should, but are placed less aptly after the words "they suffered." Furthermore, there was a faulty construction in the codex (which I have amended in the edition); for when *Tiberiopolis* was in the dative case, as they say, it was followed—with the word *martyrisantōn* (martyred) interjected—by the genitive *eponomazomenēs Stroumitzēs* (of the place called Strumitza). Whoever added those words, however, I believe did so with the intention that the reader, at the very beginning, might understand that the Tiberiopolis in which they underwent martyrdom was to be distinguished from other cities of the same name. For there was another Tiberiopolis in that part of Greater Phrygia which is called Pacatiana; another on the island of Cyprus; and finally, another in Europe by the Euxine Sea; if indeed the place which is now called Barna or Varna (which is not an insignificant city, being augmented by archiepiscopal dignity) was once, as many believe, called Tiberiopolis. Others, however, are of the opinion that Varna is the same as the ancient Dionysiopolis; others, that it is Odyssus or Odessus. It is perhaps distinct from all of these, and taken now for one, now for another of the ancient cities, only because of the proximity of their locations. This much seems certain: those who confuse the Tiberiopolis (of which we speak here)—that is now Strumitza—with Varna or Barna are entirely mistaken; for how far the Strumitzian Tiberiopolis (if I may speak so for the sake of clarity) is from the Euxine Sea is evident from what has been said. For who, unless he were totally ignorant of geography, would say that Varna is at the northern region of Thessalonica at the beginning of Illyricum, as Theophylact asserted of Tiberiopolis? ^B

Furthermore, from this description it seems manifest that the location of this Tiberiopolis was within the borders of Macedonia, in that part which looks most closely toward Upper Moesia (now called Serbia), which part of Macedonia was for some time subject to the Bulgarian Empire: for it extended as far as Thessalonica, during the reign of Crubus, as Theophylact testifies in this very oration. This location of Tiberiopolis agrees excellently with the site of Strumitza, as is gathered from Nicephorus Gregoras, who entered it when he was passing through that way from Byzantium with ambassadors to the Kral, or King of Serbia, to go to Skopie. It is helpful to present here some of the words by which he describes his journey, as they seem very opportune for confirming what we said above regarding the location and smallness of Tiberiopolis or Strumitza. He says (Histor. Byzant. lib. VIII, cap. 14, num. 6): "We consumed the whole of the day on the journey from the crossing of the Strymon river, and we arrived at a small town (*polichnion*, a small city), which rises almost above the clouds (it is called Strumitza by the inhabitants), set upon a craggy and high mountain in such a way that men sitting on the battlements would look like small birds to those looking up from the valley... Three days from there we turned aside to the small town, *polichnion*, of Skopie, having now entered the borders of the Triballi, and we saw the Axios river flowing past," etc. From these words it is made clear: 1. That Strumitza was situated between the rivers Strymon and Axios, and was about a one-day journey from the former, but a three-day interval from the latter where it flows past Skopie (and therefore from Skopie itself). 2. That if referred to Thessalonica, it was toward the north, just as Tiberiopolis was, by Theophylact's testimony. 3. That the city was very small, or even a small town, resting on one of the lofty peaks of the Haemus mountain; for this mountain divides Macedonia from both Moesias(a). All these things are ^C

^A clear, unless my opinion deceives me. But that point is more obscure: by what reasoning could Theophylact affirm that this city of Tiberiopolis, or Strumitza, is xat' apyàs tīs xwpa upidos, that is, situated close to the beginning of the region of Illyris or Illyricum, when, if taken as Illyris properly so-called—which the Drinus river separates from Macedonia—it would be distant by several days' journey, and would hold the middle ground of Illyricum taken in a broader sense, whose eastern part, or what they called Eastern Illyricum, embraced Macedonia together with the Dacias and the Moesias within its circuit? But the whole difficulty vanishes if Theophylact's words are understood in the way that I am thoroughly convinced they must be understood, ^B namely that by the name of Illyris we are to signify here that entire tract of territory which the Bulgarians, using the Illyrian or Slavic language (as they still do), occupied and had brought under their own power; and which they inhabited at that time when they were subject to the Emperor of Constantinople (as was the case in the time of Theophylact). Now, of Illyris thus accepted, the first city one encounters coming from Greece, and especially from Thessalonica, is this one of which we are speaking, Strumitza; and this is evident from the fact, which we also observe elsewhere, that the Bulgarians had extended their empire as far as the borders of Thessalonica; and also from the fact that Nicephorus Gregoras suggests that the sacred paschal rites, at which he was present, were celebrated at Strumitza in the Bulgarian or Slavonic language. From which it clearly follows that the Bulgarians, or the Illyrian race, inhabited it at that time. But it is better to cite Gregoras himself, who quite wittily describes the song with which the Strumitzan ^C Bulgarians celebrated the paschal solemnity. “There,” he says (in the place cited above), “the Pascha was celebrated with difficulty, and contrary to our ancient custom, yet we did celebrate it. For there, all learning, rhythms, and the music of sacred hymnody are held as trifles: for the townspeople use an almost barbarous language, and are possessed of habits that would better befit the plow and the spade. Nor did they produce that sound which, though semi-barbarous, might yet be modulated and perhaps considered a species in itself, like the semi-Lydian, or if I may say so, the semi-Phrygian; but they sounded altogether beastly and mountainous: with which rite nomads themselves might sing, preceding their flocks to the ridges and forests in the new spring, when their pails overflow with milk.” This hyperbolic manner of writing may be pardoned in a Greek man, accustomed to the refined culture of the principal city. Meanwhile, it seems to be concluded from this that the Strumitzan inhabitants were neither Greeks by nation, nor did they use the Greek ^D language in their sacred rites; and thus they were either Bulgarians, or Servians, or certainly someone among the peoples of Illyricum. For the language which the Strumitzans used to perform their sacred rites appears to have been no other than Slavonic(a). Furthermore, does not Gregoras himself, in the preceding number, warn that the inhabitants of that place (at which time Strumitza was still almost a full day's journey away) were for the most part colonists of the Mysians (or Maesians)? I am indeed persuaded that by the name of Mysians, or Maesians, the Bulgarians are signified here; or the Servians (both are Slavonic peoples) who had long inhabited both Moesias. From which, if I am not mistaken, it is sufficiently verified that Theophylact could not unjustly assert that Strumitza, or Tiberiopolis, was situated very close to the beginning of the Illyrian region.

XX. But perhaps this may cause a scruple for some, that no ancient writer has mentioned any city of Tiberiopolis existing in the place where Strumitza was later. Indeed, Cellarius, a most skillful investigator of ancient geography, recognizes no Tiberiopolis there. Nor is there any mention of a Tiberiopolitan or Strumitzian bishopric in the six Greek Notitiae of the Patriarchates and episcopal sees, which are reported at the end of Codinus’ *De Officiis* in the *Corpus Historiae Byzantinae*. In the *Exposition* of Andronicus Palaeologus the Elder, indeed, the city of Tiberiopolis itself is numbered among the metropolises, and it is said to have been made the LXXV from the LXIII. But that such a city of Tiberiopolis is not Strumitza in the beginning of Illyricum, but rather is Varna on the Euxine Sea, is clearly affirmed in that place...

[Footnote a: I propose this as a mere conjecture. Elsewhere I have heard that sacred rites are now celebrated there in the Greek language. Perhaps Gregoras also wished to note only a corruption of the Greek language when he says that they used an almost barbarous language.]

^A

It is situated at Ricia, or rather Varna on the Euxine Sea, as is explicitly affirmed in that place. But these things, however true, should move no one. For not all places are entirely known to ancient geographers or handed down to the memory of posterity; rather, some things are unknown or passed over because of their own insignificance. The remaining writers, in fact, were accustomed to make mention of cities and other places only when the opportunity arose. Wherefore Cellarius, although very diligent, omitted some places; ^B but especially (which is relevant to our matter) he makes no mention of a Tiberiopolis on the Euxine Sea, which nevertheless can hardly be doubted to have existed. In the Greek *Notitiae* that still survive, some bishoprics have also been omitted, as scholars have noted long since. Moreover, the silence regarding the bishopric of Tiberiopolis may have arisen from the fact that this city, as long as it retained that name, may have had perhaps one or two bishops; since not long after the martyrdom of Theodore, the first bishop of the same city, it was devastated first by the Avars, and then by the Bulgarians, as the author of this very short work sufficiently indicates. ^C But the fact that it is not found enumerated among the episcopal sees under another name, namely Strumitsa, seems to have been because it was subject to an *autocephalous* archbishop, one of his own right, or constituted under the authority of no patriarch (for the aforementioned *Notitiae* only enumerate the episcopal sees that were subject to the five patriarchs): unless you would rather say that this city is designated in the same *Notitiae* not by the name Strumitsa (since that is Bulgarian) but by some other Greek word: or finally that Strumitsa is not listed because it either attained the honor of an episcopal see too late, or lost it too soon, or was adorned with that dignity only at certain intervals of time (as happened also to other small cities), ^D and thus it could have lacked this prerogative when those catalogues of episcopal sees which have come down to us were being written.

However, at least this seems to be beyond doubt, that there was a bishop of Strumitsa while Theophylact was alive: for he testifies in epistle 32, according to the edition of Meursius, that he had written to Pelagonios (or Pelagonia) and to the bishops of Strombitsa [*i.e., κὲ πρὸς τὸν Στρουμπίτζης*] and Malesoba. For the similarity and affinity of the name does not allow one to doubt that Strombitsa is the same as Strumitsa: especially since we have demonstrated above that Strumitsa (of which this is the discourse) stood at no great distance from Pelagonia; and even, as I myself judge, from Malesoba: and Theophylact appears to have sent his letters to those three bishops, as being neighbors. Nor did Theophylact merely alter the name of Strumitsa itself slightly; but Cedrenus also calls it Στρούμπιτζαν and Στρουπίτζαν, *Strumpitzan* and *Strupitzan* (unless a typographical error has crept into one or the other place). And indeed, that Cedrenus is speaking in that place of the Strumitsa of which we speak is manifest from the fact that in describing the journey of the Emperor Basil to Serres and Scopia or Scupos, he reports that he approached the same *Strumpitza* where he designates the location of that *Strumpitza* which we establish as Strumitsa, relying on the words of Nicephorus Gregoras. Others call the same place *Strumnitza* with even less difference, as did Ananias, its bishop, who in the year 1565 at the synod celebrated in Constantinople (at which synod Joasaph, the archbishop of that city, was deposed from the patriarchal throne for the crime of simony) subscribed with these words: "I, the humble bishop of Strumnitza, Ananias, have willingly subscribed based on my counsel," as the ecclesiastical or patriarchal history of Emmanuel Malaxos, the Peloponnesian, reports; which Martin Crusius, professor at the Academy of Tübingen, translated into Latin and edited in volume II of his *Turco-Graecia*. From which it follows that Strumitsa was adorned with an episcopal see not only in the eleventh century, in which Theophylact lived, but even in the sixteenth. That this see still exists even in our own time; and was even elevated to metropolitan dignity, was testified to me by Jacobus Nicolai, a *hieromonachos* from Olympia, or from the monastery of Mount Olympus, whom I addressed once or twice a few days before these things were sent to the press, as he had arrived at this city, in order to proceed then to Transylvania to perform the office of priest for the people of his own race there. He first informed me that he had stayed at Strumitsa for almost an entire month. Then, when I asked him about these fifteen martyrs, he replied that not only does their memory flourish in that city, but that a commemoration is made daily by the priests celebrating there: and that every year the solemn festival of these same martyrs is celebrated: and furthermore that a special office and readings concerning their martyrdom are held, and that all these things are contained in a certain special printed booklet in Bo-

-^Ascopoli, or, as the Greeks commonly pronounce it, Voscopoli, in Macedonia, a city in which a printing press was established a few years ago. This information, which I was able to gather after long and diligent inquiry from this one sacred monk, wonderfully confirms the truth of the history described in this oration of Theophylact: especially since he affirmed that he had read in the aforementioned booklet all the things that I myself was reporting from the aforesaid oration. Only this he did not hold correctly in his memory, namely, whether it is stated in that booklet that those martyrs suffered their martyrdom under Julian the Apostate. And these things are said concerning the place where the martyrs suffered, and the occasion for it.

XXI. The time, however, when this occurred can be easily determined. For it is known from the inscription and from the oration itself that they shed their blood for Christ during the reign of Julian the Apostate. Since he moderated the empire for a very short time (namely, from the month of November in the year 361 until the 26th day of June in the year 363), it is clear that in defining the time of the martyrdom we can hardly be wrong by a whole year. For it is evident from ecclesiastical history that he began his persecution against the Christians some time after he assumed the empire; and in this very pamphlet we read that the martyrs of whom this account speaks, after their flight first from the city of Nicaea, then from Thessalonica, had sojourned for some time at Tiberiopolis, and by their preaching and miracles had led the citizens there and the inhabitants of the neighboring places to the faith of Christ: a period of time that must have been of some duration, and not altogether insignificant. From this it is deduced with great probability that they underwent martyrdom a few months before the death of Julian, and thus around the beginning of the year 363, or certainly towards the end of the year 362. And there is no more to be said on this matter: it is only to be noted that the day of the martyrdom is placed in this very pamphlet on the 28th of November.

XXII. It seems that we must inquire more diligently regarding the time and place to which the bodies of these martyrs were translated with solemn pomp. Yet let no one here demand that we designate the exact year of this translation: for that is by no means possible to be done, since it is noted down nowhere. Wherefore it will suffice to indicate more recent times, as far as possible. This indeed depends on the time when the Bulgarian nation embraced the faith of Christ the Lord: for it is clearly asserted in this sermon that that translation was performed under the first Christian king of the Bulgarians. Concerning which matter we have said a few things in the Notes which we have appended on the lower margin of this oration, and especially on page 501. Nor do I judge it necessary to pursue or investigate that matter more fully here; since all writers who have touched upon this part of ecclesiastical history agree that the conversion of the Bulgarians happened in the ninth century; they only speculate that it happened twenty years sooner or later. For Greek writers seem to refer it almost to the year eight hundred and forty-six. However, Anastasius the Librarian in his *Life of Nicholas I* provides ^B accounts from which it is easy to gather that the Bulgarian nation did not give its name to the Christian religion before the sixty-sixth year of the same century. In this also almost everyone agrees, that the first king of the Bulgarians addicted to the Christian religion was [baptized] before Bogoris (Theophylact writes *Borisim* in this oration, the word being slightly changed), who was afterwards called Michael. But again they differ greatly in assigning the cause that induced him to embrace the Christian faith. For some relate that he was moved by the exhortations of his sister, who, while she was staying at Constantinople, had been imbued with the mysteries of Christ; others relate that he was impelled by the calamities of wars and famine; others that he was struck by a vivid image of future torments, which he had drawn from a remarkable painting, and that his eyes were opened to the light divinely infused. But it is not our concern to unravel these things. It is enough for me that Bogoris, or Borisim, for whatever cause—and whether it was one or multiple—was initiated into the mysteries of the Christian religion only around the middle of the ninth century: for from this it is established and made certain that the translation of the holy martyrs, of whom we now speak, occurred as that same century was drawing to a close; and thus that it preceded the age of Theophylact by about two centuries, as we hinted above.

XXIII. But as clearly as the time, at least the approximate time, of such a translation is known, so much the more obscure to us is the location to which the sacred treasures were carried. The author of the oration indeed calls it many times Bpayahnvitav, Bragalinitzan (or, if the 3 is pronounced after the manner of the modern Greeks, Vragalinitzan), and calls it both ^C πάλιν, a city, and επαρχίαν, a province, or me-

metropolis. But what or where this city may be, or might once have been, I have not yet been able to discover in my inquiries, since I have found it neither noted on geographical maps nor mentioned by any other author. However, since from the nature of the Slavonic language—not entirely unknown to me—and from similar instances that occur here and there, even in Theophylact, I had found by experience that this word ends with a Bulgarian termination (which language is a dialect of the Slavic or Slavonic), I immediately began to inquire whether, if the termination *itza* or *nitza* were removed, a city of this or a similar name existed in Bulgaria, or in some other region whose inhabitants used the Bulgarian language, such as was Bragalinitza, as is clear from the speech itself. But I found no other city that seemed to correspond with it in any way, except Bargala, which pertains to the second Macedonia, a part of the eastern Illyricum: for the name Bargala, when the Bulgarian termination is removed, remains, and agreed with it almost exactly; nor does it seem to be far from Tiberiopolis. Wherefore it is credible that it existed within the borders of the Bulgarian empire at that time, and that consequently the use of the Bulgarian language flourished there at that time.

XXIV. I had written thus far when the aforementioned monk Olympiota informed me that the city of Bragalinitza still exists in the second Macedonia, or, as he himself pronounced it, Bragarinitza; but that from a great city it has been reduced to the condition of a village, and is inhabited by Turks, with a few Christians intermixed; and that it is distant from Strumitza about a five hours' journey. He added that not only does the memory of the translation of the holy martyrs that took place there still flourish, but also that he himself, when passing through there, had seen with his own eyes the foundations of the temple which was said to have been built in their honor long ago. I do not have enough further information about these saints. For the rest, the most distinguished continuators of Bollandus, who have deserved so well of the Christian republic, will in their own time discuss, illustrate, and set forth this entire history most accurately and with the greatest force of erudition, as is their habit. Meanwhile, it will not be the least praise of this edition that it has provided an opportunity for such eminent men to complete this task, as it seems it will in fact do; since one of them, a man famous for his all-encompassing erudition, Joannes Stiltingius, whom I myself consulted about this matter by letter, responded with his usual kindness that he had not seen the acts of these martyrs.

SECTION VII. Concerning the Allocution to a Familiar relative to the things of which the Latins are accused.

XXV. This Allocution, which others call the *Epistle to Nicolaus the Deacon and Canstrisius*(a), was famous even at that time, when it still lay unpublished in certain more notable libraries. For not only had all those who wrote about the works of Theophylact made mention of it, but also some of its fragments remained obvious to everyone, being inserted in the *Jure Græco-Romano* which Leunclavius published, and also in the *Græcia Orthodoxa* edited by Allatius. But these had so sharpened the minds of the learned that they desired most of all to discover, from the very source, what kind of mind had resided in that sufficiently ancient author, that most learned and famous archbishop, regarding those things which have long kept the Greek Church severed from the Latin Church by an unspeakable schism. The first (of those I know) who seriously set his mind to fulfilling these most just desires of men of letters was the very generous patron of this edition, whom we have already mentioned above, and who, ever since the year 1753, had taken pains to have it transcribed from the codex *Cæsareo-Vindobonensi*, so that it might be inserted into this third volume of the Works of Theophylact as a no small ornament of the same. In the following year, I myself donated it to the Latin tongue; from which the learned author of the preceding Dissertation excerpted some portions for his own use. That it was to be made public property in this edition—the learned were warned both in the aforementioned Dissertation and also in the *Declaratione Græco-Latina*, which was issued to the light together with the first volume in the year 1754. But since the printing of this volume was delayed longer, for the reason we have mentioned, the most learned man Joannes Aloysius Mingarellius, a canon regular of the congregation of Saint Augustine of the Rhine, perhaps so that he might more speedily satisfy the

vows, thought fit to have it inserted into his *Fascicle of Anecdota*, which he published in the year 1756. And although this happened somewhat unpleasantly for the supporters of this edition, because they suspected that some of the praise for it might thereby be snatched away, it nevertheless turned out very conveniently for me: for thus I was able to perform the collation, which I was intending to do with the Bologna text, much more easily, now that it had been published. Moreover, Mingarellius joined to the Greek text a Latin version that is certainly accurate and polished; and for this reason, I was for a long time very much inclined in my mind to adopt it for this edition. But at length, thinking that there was no reason why I should deprive myself of the version which I had acquired by right of time, and after it had been wrestled, through no small effort, from a manuscript that was difficult for many reasons, I decided that I should not condemn it to perpetual darkness, and that I would place it here instead. However, since the Bologna manuscript, when compared with the Imperial-Viennese codex—which does not betray a very great antiquity—sometimes seemed to me clearer and more emended, I was able, with the help of the latter, to correct some errors in my manuscript (though I had previously removed several by conjecture alone), and from that, it was also permitted to me to perfect my version a little; thus the most excellent Mingarellius, who indicates that he was induced to publish this *Allocution* for this reason above others, so that the edition of Theophylact’s works might be perfected more and more, has not entirely missed his goal. And indeed, the reader will easily perceive from the variant readings which I have noted at the bottom of the pages that the Bologna codex, although for the most part clearer than the Viennese, can in turn be—and indeed ought to be—corrected in certain places by the Viennese codex. And surely no one, I think, who is willing to weigh the few notes I have added, will deny that the Viennese reading is to be preferred in certain passages to the Bologna one. We have also added variant readings that appear in the excerpts of Chomatianus, not indeed all of them, but only those which seemed to be of some importance. But now let us say a few things about the *Allocution* itself. ^A XXVI. Perhaps there will be those who, thinking that this little work of Theophylact could be of use only for hardening the followers of Photius in their schism, might bear it ill that it is being brought into the light of day by us, or at least might be surprised. But we are so far removed from the opinion of those who think in this way that we not only do not suspect that there is any danger lurking in its publication, but we also trust that a manifold fruit will accrue to us therefrom: namely, first, that our good faith in publishing the works of Theophylact may become clear to all; next, that the enemies of the Latin name may perceive that we have such confidence in the equity of our cause that we do not fear to bring forward into the public view the arguments that are brought against us; finally, that the Photians (for so it pleases me to call those of the Greeks who adhere to the schism, that I may distinguish them from their noble nation, which I greatly love and, as is fitting, cherish) may eventually learn to think more justly of the Latin Church and adopt a more moderate frame of mind. I trust that this will indeed happen if, with the storm of passion settled and prejudices set aside for a little while, they are willing to direct their mind and spirit toward the principles of Theophylact (whom they otherwise highly value, and not without reason). If they do this, they will surely admit that ^B there are neither many errors of the Latins, nor are they such as are fit to cause a rending of the Churches, and that none of them pertains to the head of the faith. They will admit that such errors, as they conceive them, are amplified beyond all reason and measure by certain more fervent (b) zealots of orthodoxy; and that some need no correction, while others need but a moderate one, so that it is of no great concern to the Church if it is carried out. They will admit that almost the entire cause of the dissension between the Greeks and the Latins should be reduced to the single particle added to the Creed, the *Filioque* (c), and that therefore peace with the Latin Church should not be disturbed on account of unleavened bread, nor on account of fasts (d), and still less on account of other considerations. They will admit that many things which are to them errors are mere customs (e), some indeed introduced out of piety, others out of a provident disposition. Finally, they will admit that out of a mere defect of charity, ambition, and pride (f), out of zeal not according to knowledge, and out of a blind self-love (g), so many ^C piles of...

Latin errors have been leveled with such bitterness. Therefore, let them read and read again, and weigh more accurately what that great doctor of theirs, by no means addicted to the Latins, wrote in this Address of his against the excessive, immoderate, and altogether irrational zeal of the Photians of his own time; and let them not wish to overstep so enormously the limits set by him. Let them think again and again what he would have written if he had fallen upon these times, in which their zeal, or rather hatred, for the Latin Church has flared up even to madness. And indeed, with what spirit would he now exist, or what, I ask, would he write, if in the History of the Patriarchs written by Dositheus, augmented by Chrysanthus, and edited at Bucharest in Wallachia in the thirteenth year of the present century, he were to discover all those kinds of slanders heaped upon the Roman Church, which even his most hostile enemies had ever invented? What if there fell into the hands of Theophylact a pamphlet published two years ago in Constantinople, which contains the encyclical letter of Eugenius the scholarch on the Holy Mountain, in which the preconceived errors of the Latins are said to be most numerous and innumerable, and are amplified in an amazing way? "Furthermore, it contains the 'Our Father,' adapted skillfully by some wise priest to the Pope as if he were the God of the Latins," and it even exhibits the entire Lord's Prayer adapted neatly by some learned priest to the Pope, as the God of the Latins. O truly remarkable invention of the most learned priest (a)! What if Theophylact were to cursorily glance through that Pseudo-evangelical "Trumpet" of some Macarius, printed in this city in the year 1754 with surreptitious types (copies of which were therefore consigned to the flames by public authority), inflated and blown up for the very purpose of inciting and inflaming the hatred of the populace, in place of Christian charity? To this is prefixed a preface by a Greek man, Ephraim, fully responding to the work itself, where he writes with the utmost and incredible impudence that the Latins are "truly pneumatomachs, antichrists, and antitheos, since they worship the creature, namely their own pope, in place of the Creator"; and he says that the Roman pontiff himself not only "destroys the authority of the Lord upon earth, and confines Christ to heaven alone, so that he himself may appear as an earthly God," but also that he is no longer "ordained by prayer and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, but by the observation and handling of members," words which natural modesty forbids from interpreting. What finally, if he heard that satanic saying (I use Theophylact's word, for no more apt one occurs here), that saying, I say, which is said to be bandied about by the Photian herd and instilled more deeply into the simple common people, namely: "Muhamedism is better than Latinism"? Would he not, upon hearing these things, seized with the greatest grief of soul and indignation, exclaim: What fury, O citizens, what such license of the tongue (b)! Verily, I fear lest what happened in his own age might now happen to Theophylact.

^A he feared would happen to him, namely that some of the more fervent Photians, reading how sharply he lashes out in this little work of his against their immoderate zeal, their defect of charity, their ambition, and their dropsical pride—where judgment is turned into contempt and esteem—might condemn him for crass ignorance and judgment in sacred matters, or even for carelessness, and indeed for the betrayal of the Eastern dogmas. Others, however—one would hope—might be moved by the authority of this most serious man and easily persuade themselves that the errors of the Latins are neither many, nor of such a kind as would be capable of rending the Churches, nor such as pertain to a head of the faith. But these same individuals, perhaps relying on his authority, might contend that they are justly estranged from the communion of the Latins, who added to the Creed the clause by which it is declared that the Holy Spirit proceeds also from the Son. ^B Therefore, it pleases me now to address them briefly, in a friendly and brotherly manner, and, to use the words of Theophylact, simply and candidly, as it entirely behooves a disciple of the fishermen.

XXVII. And first of all, as far as the present matter is concerned, I would wish them to be premonished that it is the disposition of the mind, rather than the words, that should be observed in Theophylact; and furthermore, whatever his sentiments may have been, his authority in this matter is not to be highly esteemed. As far as the first is concerned, I am certain he was so disposed in mind that if, during the time he lived, the procession of the Holy Spirit also from the Son had been called to examination and defined by some council gathered from both Greeks and Latins, he would have undoubtedly stood by the judgment and declaration of that council: just as very many Fathers, most excellent in holiness and doctrine, stood by the Council of Florence, and adhered to it perpetually and most constantly. ^C That Theophylact was affected by this disposition of mind, I conclude from his extraordinary love of peace and union, which shines forth clearly both in his other works and, most especially, in this very Allocution. But since he flourished before this controversy had been defined in any ecumenical synod (for it was first defined in the Second General Council of Lyons, in the year 1274), and since the heat of disagreement and schism—first stirred up by Photius, then not long before renewed by Michael Cerularius—was raging most vehemently during that time, it is not very much a matter for wonder if Theophylact also suffered himself to be swept along, at least to some degree. Yet because, for the reason we mentioned above, it is unknown to us whether his fervor grew into heretical obstinacy, we therefore condemn neither him of heresy, nor of formal, as they say, ^D schism (a); nor do we in any way begrudge him the title of a holy man, by which he is commonly distinguished by the Orientals.

XXVIII. But this very fact, which serves to purge or excuse Theophylact from these offenses, contributes as much as possible to diminishing his authority in this part. For since this controversy had not yet been subjected to examination by careful study and common consent in a council gathered from Greeks and Latins—which was first done in the aforementioned general synod—he could easily have been ignorant of the foundations upon which the Latin position rested, or in what sense they asserted that the Holy Spirit also proceeds from the Son, and what legitimate reason or cause they had for thinking that the particle *Filioque* ought to be added to the Creed of the Church for its own use. That this thing was indeed unknown to Theophylact can scarcely be doubted if the arguments with which he himself defends his case are weighed a little more attentively. For would he ever have used those evangelical words, *Show us the Father* (which indeed teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son), *and it is enough for us* (b), if he had known that there were so many Fathers, and indeed most approved ones, and not only Latins, who flourished before the beginning of the dissension (to whom, therefore, no one truly thinking rightly could deny the name and rank of approved Fathers), but also Greeks, who handed down our position? Here, indeed, before I proceed further, I cannot restrain myself from vehemently complaining and expostulating regarding the manifest injury that the Greeks of our age do not fear to inflict not only upon the Latin, but also upon the universal Church, while they contend that this controversy of faith must be judged only by the Greeks, and defined according to their opinions. What then? Is the Catholic

Church confined within the borders of Greece or the East alone, even in the first centuries? Or must divine tradition, whose peculiar endowment it is to flourish always and everywhere, be drawn and weighed only from the Eastern Church? Who granted the Orientals this prerogative? Was it Christ, who commanded the Gospel to be preached in all the world? Was it the apostles, who announced it everywhere on earth; and whose leader, Peter, established Rome as the seat of both his doctrine and his authority? Where also Paul, having discharged the office of teacher for two years—not to mention the other apostles, some of whom disseminated evangelical doctrine in various provinces and kingdoms of the West through their own efforts, others through disciples established by themselves. Therefore, even if no testimony could be brought from the Greek Fathers for the Latin dogma, would not the unanimous opinion of the Latin Fathers be sufficient, not only that it should be absolved from every suspicion of error, but also that it should be attributed to the apostles themselves? And surely, if this consensus of the Latin Fathers did not escape Theophylactus, upon what grounds did he dare to affirm that this is taught by none of the approved Fathers, challenging us with evangelical words: Show us the Father? Are not Cyprian and Ambrose approved Fathers, whose testimonies the third ecumenical, or Ephesian, council uses? Is not the most approved Father Leo the Great, whose writings the fourth council called a *column of orthodoxy*? Is not the approved Father Augustine, whom the sixth council pursued with the highest praise just as much as Ambrose and Leo themselves? If, however, he was ignorant of this, it follows that his store of ecclesiastical erudition was much poorer than as befitted an archbishop of such a name: and thus his authority, in this regard, is not greatly to be esteemed. But what is more displeasing is what he adds: For if he is approved, he did not say it; and if he did say it, he is not approved. Which words seem to reek of a heretical spirit: for heretics are accustomed to measure the authority of the Fathers by their own opinion, and to pass judgment upon it; and while they dissent from them, they count them as nothing. But it is better to think mildly of Theophylactus, and to interpret those words kindly, as though they were not uttered in that spirit and sense; but because he was too much pleased with himself, and trusted that no Father could be found among the more illustrious Greeks—for he seems to have been unconcerned about the Latins—who would have taught that the Holy Spirit also proceeds from the Son. Therefore, it is worth the effort to investigate more accurately upon what and how valid foundations he relied in his such great self-assurance. But a little later he seems not sufficiently secure even to himself, when he adds: Furthermore, even if we were to grant this, it is not something rare that should be drawn into an argument. But what if there are not few and rare, not only Latin, but even Greek Fathers, who have handed down our dogma in either explicit or equivalent words?

XXIX. But before I demonstrate this, I demand by every right from Theophylactus and the champions of the Photian schism that they show us even one from their approved Fathers who, before the Photian times, denied that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son. But although they labor long and hard, they cannot point to even one (for we will show later that the Damascene, whom alone they have the power to oppose with some appearance of truth, does not disagree with us at all). For others are by no means to be considered opponents of our dogma, who either are completely silent on this matter or say only that the Spirit proceeds from the Father. For who is ignorant that it is a completely different thing not to assert that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son, and to deny it? It is one thing likewise to affirm that He proceeds from the Father, another that He proceeds from the Father alone? Wherefore I am in no way able to understand how Theophylactus and all the Photians traduced us as opposing Christ and the Fathers, for the reason that they straightforwardly assert that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, and contend that we are making a *neoterism*, or innovation in the faith, when we assert that He also proceeds from the Son; purely on the ground that Christ said only, from the Father. But if it is an innovation to add anything, why do they themselves add something by saying, from the Father alone? Where did Christ, where did the Fathers assert this (at least before the times of Photius)? For what is this? Is it forbidden for us to express what Christ the Lord did not express, yet permissible for them to limit what was not limited by Christ? If He did not say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son, that is, from Himself, neither did He deny it. Why, therefore, do the Photians deny it? And if they were only not asserting it, their silence would be bearable; but they actually deny it, and condemn those who do assert it, and consign them to every curse; that trite saying (on which even Theophylactus—

is driven by the iniquity of their cause), and employing a childish argument: If the Holy Spirit also proceeds from the Son ^A (a), what prevented Christ from speaking as follows: "Who proceeds from the Father and from me"? But let it be permitted to me to add: If He proceeds from the Father alone, what prevented Christ from expressing this; especially when He had already foreseen how many and how great would be the dissensions that would one day arise from that little word being omitted? The Photians have nothing to respond to these points; but for us it is easy to say what we should reply against them: namely, that Christ, if not in that passage, then at least in other places, if not in explicit words, then at least in equivalent ones, taught that the Spirit also proceeds from Himself. This is what our people have demonstrated thousands of times, both from the fact that the Lord Christ says (John x, 30), "I and the Father are one"; from which they infer that the Son is also one with the Father with regard to the principle of the Holy Spirit. And from that (John xvi, 15), "All things that the Father has are mine; therefore," they say, "the power of producing the Holy Spirit is also the Son's, or belongs to the Son." And from that (ibid. 14): "He will glorify me, because He will receive ^B of what is mine." For what, they say, can the Holy Spirit receive from the Son, unless it be His very self? And finally, from the fact that in John xv, 26, He says that He will send the Holy Spirit: since a mission in divine matters can be nothing other or be understood as anything other than an eternal procession ordered toward the production of something externally. What is more, He even teaches implicitly by the very words in which the adversaries put so much trust—namely, "who proceeds from the Father"—that He also proceeds from Himself. For whatever is said in the Scriptures about one person must also be understood of another, unless it is repugnant to His personal property, as the most true axiom of theologians, with St. Thomas (part 1, q. 25, cap. 25), asserts, resting on the reasoning that the three divine persons are all one and the same, with the exception only of those things which pertain to personal property. This is so certain that even if Christ had said in that passage, "Who proceeds from the Father alone," the production of the Holy Spirit could not therefore be denied to Him. Perhaps the Photians wonder at this or deny it. Let them then likewise deny that the Father is known by the Holy Spirit, or even that He knows Himself, because Christ said (Matt. xi, 22), "No one knows the Father except the Son"; or let them deny, with the Socinians, that the Son Himself is the true God, because He Himself, addressing the Father, says (John xvii, 3), "That they may know you, the only true God."

XXX. See to what, at last, the argument so much celebrated by the Photians comes: by the Photians, I say, who seem to be ignorant of that trite and self-evident maxim: He who asserts one thing does not deny another, unless it is repugnant to what he asserts. For have they ever proved, or will they ever be able to prove, that there is any contradiction in this, that the Son, together with the Father, is the principle of the Holy Spirit? For what? Must we think that any of the power which is in the Father is lacking to the Son? Or is it repugnant to the reason of the Son to produce a person other than Himself? Or, finally, that what has a principle cannot be the principle of another? None of these things, certainly. Why, therefore, do they so boastfully thrust forward this argument: "The Gospel of Christ teaches believers ^C clearly that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father; but those angels of darkness (the Latins) preach that He proceeds also from the Son: therefore they teach things contrary to the Gospel." So indeed, after countless others, Eugenius says in the cited pamphlet, whose Greek words are these: *The Gospel through the mouth of Christ announces to the faithful clearly that the Spirit proceeds from the Father, and they, the angels of darkness, announce that He proceeds also from the Son.* O excellent reasoning by the Scholarch of Mount Athos! Thus, is it so? He proceeds from the Father; therefore not from the Son: when one should rather say: He proceeds from the Father, therefore also from the Son, for the reasons indicated. But even Theophylactus himself ill-advises his own reputation when he calls the aforementioned argument a simple and absolute reason ^D (b), and added that we should seek another teacher besides our one master, Christ, if we wish to adhere to this dogma. But truly, if Christ, by saying, "who proceeds from the Father," does not in any way oppose us, then those who, among the Greek Fathers, merely teach and affirm that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father are to be considered much less opposed to us. Since, therefore, no one of the Greeks will deny that He proceeds also from the Son, and yet some of them affirm along with all the Latins that He does, to wish to deny it stubbornly, or even to condemn us for heresy because we assert it, is the business of those (c)—[I repeat the words which Theophylactus has]—who are full of the spirit of error.

XXXI. But come now, let us bring forward into the light the Greeks, and those approved, nay, most approved Fathers who think with us on this dogma; so that those who are wise may perceive from this how inconsiderately Theophylactus has provoked us with those words: "Show us the Father," etc. Approved indeed and most approved Fathers are Athanasius, Epiphanius, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Alexandria, and Basil, to whom must be added Didymus, at least on account of his supreme antiquity. Furthermore, all these quite openly teach that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son. For although—to confess candidly what is the case—no Greek before Symeon Metaphrastes uses the very word ἐκπορεύεσθαι to express this, yet they use words and phrases of the same value entirely, such as προΐέναι, to progress; προχέεσθαι, to pour forth, to emanate; εἶναι, to be; ὑπάρχειν, to exist; ὕπαρξιν ἔχειν, to have existence, and the like, by which no one who is not thoroughly hardened in defending error could deny that the eternal production of the Holy Spirit from the Son is signified. And indeed the phrases εἶναι, to be; ὑπάρχειν, to exist; ὕπαρξιν ἔχειν, to have existence, are in themselves clear for signifying that which we intend. But Theophylactus himself also uses the word προΐέναι, to progress or to flow forth, to indicate the substantial procession of the Holy Spirit, while in Allocution num. IV, explaining why the Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ, he says, "not," he says, "as ὡς ἐξ ἐκείνου προϊόν, as if He flowed forth from Him; but, etc." Why then do the Greeks of our day, reading in their own Fathers that the Holy Spirit is προΐέναι, flows forth, or progresses from the Son, contend that this is to be referred to the temporal mission or diffusion of the same Spirit? Surely by the same reasoning one could explain that statement of the Lord Christ, ὃς παρὰ Πατρὸς ἐκπορεύεται, "who proceeds from the Father," as referring to a temporal mission; and thus deny His eternal production or procession from the Father as well. But now the testimonies of the Greek Fathers themselves must be set before our eyes.

XXXII. Therefore 1. St. Epiphanius, that I may begin with those who express themselves more clearly, says in the Ancoratus, n. 67: Χριστός, he says, ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς πιστεύεται Θεὸς ἐκ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐκ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἢ παρ' ἀμφοτέρων, "Christ is believed to be God from God from the Father, and the Spirit is from Christ or from both" (a). And n. 71: Θεὸς Υἱὸν καλεῖ τὸν ἐξ αὐτοῦ, τὸ δὲ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα τὸ παρ' ἀμφοτέρων. And in the preceding n. 8, he says the Holy Spirit is ἐν μέσῳ Πατρὸς καὶ Υἱοῦ, ἐκ Πατρὸς καὶ Υἱοῦ, τρίτον τῇ ὀνομασίᾳ, "in the midst of the Father and the Son, from the Father and the Son, third in appellation." And in the preceding n., that it is ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς οὐσίας παρὰ Πατρὸς καὶ Υἱοῦ Πνεῦμα ἅγιον, "Holy Spirit from the very substance of the Father and the Son." And in heresy 74, n. 8, εἶναι φῶς τρίτον παρὰ Πατρὸς καὶ Υἱοῦ, "to be a light third from the Father and the Son." That it is also παρὰ Πατρὸς καὶ Υἱοῦ, "from the Father and the Son," he repeats twice in n. 9. And previously in that same place n. 7 he had said that it is τὸ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα παρ' ἀμφοτέρων, "the Holy Spirit from both." He has similar things in n. 10, and in heresy 62, n. 4. So that perhaps no one among the Latin Fathers has spoken either more clearly or more frequently on this matter.

2. St. Gregory of Nyssa in book I Contra Eunomium says two things in particular, from which it follows ineluctably that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son. The first is that the Son has the character of a cause or principle in relation to the Holy Spirit, and for this reason alone He is pre-understood to Him, just as the Father is in relation to the Son. His words are: Ὡς συνάπτεται Πατρὶ ὁ Υἱὸς, καὶ τὸ ἐξ αὐτοῦ εἶναι ἔχων οὐκ ὑστερίζει κατὰ τὴν ὕπαρξιν· οὕτω πάλιν καὶ τοῦ Μονογενοῦς ἔχεται τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, ἐπινοίᾳ μόνῃ κατὰ τὸν τῆς αἰτίας λόγον προθεωρουμένου τῆς τοῦ Πνεύματος ὑποστάσεως, "Just as the Son is joined to the Father, and having being from Him does not come after in existence; so again the Holy Spirit is attached to the Only-Begotten, being pre-understood to the hypostasis of the Spirit solely by the consideration of the reason of cause." The Son is therefore αἰτία, cause, or principle of the Holy Spirit; therefore the latter proceeds from the former. The other saying of Nyssen is, Τοῦ λόγου τῆς αἰτίας ὑπεξηρημένου, ἐν μηδενὶ τὴν ἁγίαν Τριάδα πρὸς ἑαυτὴν ἀσυμφώνως ἔχειν. "With the reason of principle subtracted, the Holy Trinity in nothing disagrees with itself"; that is, there is no distinction between the persons of the most holy Trinity except from the reason of principle. Since therefore the Son and the Holy Spirit are really distinct from one another,

(a) Epiphanius does not only assert that the Spirit is from Christ or the Son, and indeed in the same way that Christ is from God the Father, that is, substantially; but he also proves that He is from both by the same evangelical words by which we prove the same; for he immediately adds: Ὡς φησὶν ὁ Χριστός· “Ὁ παρὰ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορεύεται, καὶ, Οὗτος ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λήψεται. As Christ asserts (John xv, 26): "Who proceeds from the Father"; and (xvi, 14): "He shall take of mine."

^A It is necessary that the ratio of principle should intercede between them, and thus, that the latter should proceed from the former. Nyssen presents this same principle more clearly and emphatically in his epistle to Ablabius with these chief words: "We do not deny the difference (in God) according to cause and caused, by which alone we understand one to be distinguished from the other, in that we believe one to be the cause, and the other to be from the cause." We do not deny the diversity according to the ratio of cause and caused (or according to the ratio of principle), and of that which is from the principle (in God): by which alone we comprehend that one is discerned from the other, insofar as we believe one to be the principle, and the other to be from the principle. When Nyssen says this, who would deny that he believed the Holy Spirit to be from the Son as if from the cause, since he did not doubt that He is distinguished from Him?

3. Didymus, in book II *On the Holy Spirit*, introduces Christ as providing the reason why He spoke of the Holy Spirit in John xvi, 13: "For He shall not speak of himself." With these words: "Because it is not from Himself, but is from the Father and Me; for this very thing which subsists is to Him from the Father and Me." Truly, most clear are the words which he has in the same place, with a few things interposed: "Neither is the Son anything else except those things which are given to Him by the Father; so also the Holy Spirit is not another substance beside that which is given to Him by the Son." Therefore, the Holy Spirit receives substance from the Son: therefore He proceeds substantially from Him.

4. Cyril of Alexandria, in book I *De Adorat.*, says: ^B "He is the Spirit from God, and the Father, and even from the Son essentially, or from the Father through the Son," that is, He is the Spirit from God, and the Father, and from the Son, who flows forth substantially from both, or from the Father through the Son. But will the Photians interpret this substantial efflux of the Holy Spirit from both as merely the outpouring of His gifts and charisms? But they are to be laughed at, not refuted, if they rage to that extent, especially since the same writer, in his *Commentary on Joel*, ch. II, sufficiently indicates that the Holy Spirit is from the Son in the same way as He is in Him, that is, substantially: for he says absolutely: "The Spirit is proper to Him (the Son), and is in Him, and is from Him." But how, O most blessed Cyril, is the Holy Spirit in the Son? "Just as," he answers, "He is understood to be in God and the Father." And in his response to the objections of the Orientals, to Anathema 9, he says: "The Son, having as His own that which is from Him, and the Holy Spirit *essentially innate to Him* (οὐσιωδῶς ἐμπεφυκὸς αὐτῷ), possesses Him who is from Him, and who exists substantially in Him." In the same way, in book XXXIV of his *Thesauros*, he says concerning the same Holy Spirit: "He proceeds from the Father and the Son." Moreover, he proceeds from the Father and the Son; and lest anyone should understand this of a temporal progression, he adds that He is of the Divine substance, proceeding essentially in It and from It: so that for Cyril it is the same to be from the Father and the Son, as it is to be from the substance of the Father and the Son. Who of sound mind would draw this to the temporal effusion of the Holy Spirit? Pair to this is what he says in the same book: "In Him (Christ) and from Him the Holy Spirit naturally exists"; and: "It is necessary to confess the Spirit to be of the substance of the Son, for as existing from Him by nature, it is necessary to admit the Holy Spirit to be of the same substance with the Son: for as existing naturally from Him, etc." ^C (a) He has similar things in Dialogue I, *De Trinitate*. And in his *Commentary on John*, he says He flows from the Son "according to nature, or naturally." Finally, that I may pass over the other testimonies, of which there are many, that which he has in *Commentary on John*, book X, seems peremptory, where, after he spoke of the Holy Spirit, "He is the Spirit of Christ and His mind" (which words alone should be enough to establish His procession from the Son: for how is He His mind, if He is not from Him?), a little later he adds: "As His spirit, as we said just now, knowing without being taught all things that are His, from whom and in whom He is, He reveals the divine mysteries to the saints," tanquam Spiritus ipsius, as we were just saying, and as knowing, without anyone teaching Him, all things that are His, from whom and in whom He is, He reveals divine mysteries to the saints. Can you hear, O Photian, "from whom and in whom He is" (ἐξ οὗ καὶ ἐν ᾧπέρ ἐστι); and will you still maintain that He is not from Him, or does not proceed?

(a) How rightly Theophylact opposes Cyril, when at number IV he says: "He is called the Spirit of Christ, but not as proceeding from Him, but as being proper to Him, for He is a relative." – He is called the Spirit of Christ, not because He flows from Him; but because He is proper to Him, for He is kindred.

Caesarea; and thereafter, he was sent as a prisoner to Rome. Thus, from Caesarea he came to Sidon; and thence to Myra of Lycia; then to ^A Cnidus; and having suffered much from that place, he came to the island. There, the viper fastened upon his hand, and he remained unhurt and unharmed. Afterward, he came to Syracuse, then to Rhegium in Calabria, then to Puteoli; and from there he went up on foot to Rome, meeting with the brethren who had come out to the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns. And having finally entered Rome, and having taught for a considerable time, he later suffered martyrdom in that very Rome, having fought the good fight there. The Romans, moreover, have enclosed his relics within a very beautiful shrine and basilica, and they celebrate the annual day of his memorial on the third day before the Kalends of July ^B. But that blessed one had already composed many exhortations for the sake of life and virtue before this, and had provided many instructions to men regarding their duties. Furthermore, through the very structure of his fourteen Epistles, he mapped out for men the whole manner of living.

The Chapters of the Acts of the holy Apostles

1. Concerning the teaching of Christ after the resurrection, and his appearance to the disciples, and concerning the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit; and the sight and the manner of the Lord's assumption; and concerning his glorious second coming. 2. Peter's dialogue ^C with the disciples regarding the death and rejection of Judas the traitor. 3. Concerning the divine visitation of the Holy Spirit, which occurred on the day of Pentecost to those who believed. 4. Concerning the healing in the name of Christ of the man lame from birth, and Peter’s instruction, which was merciful, advisory, and sympathetic toward salvation. 5. Concerning the like-minded and universal communion of those who believed. 6. That an angel of God brought the apostles out of the prison by night, ^D and commanded them to preach Jesus openly and freely. 7. Concerning the ordination of the seven deacons. 8. The uprising of the Jews and the false accusation against Stephen, and his own speech concerning the covenant of God with Abraham, and concerning the twelve patriarchs. 9. Concerning the persecution of the Church, and the burial of Stephen.

Variæ lectiones et notæ.

notæ.

EXPOSITION OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

^A of his wisdom and philosophical preaching and the piety of Paul. 27. Concerning Aquila and Priscilla, and the disobedience of the Corinthians: and concerning the good pleasure concerning them which God, proceeding from divine foreknowledge and providence, revealed to Paul. 28. Concerning baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit given through the prayers of Paul to those who believed in Ephesus, and concerning the healings performed by Paul. 29. The journey of Paul from the raising of Eutychus from the dead through prayer in Troas, and the pastoral exhortation which he delivered to the presbyters of Ephesus. ^B 30. The prophecy of Agabus concerning the things that were to happen to Paul in Jerusalem. 31. The exhortation of James to Paul, that he should take care not to appear to forbid the Jews to be circumcised. 32. Concerning the disturbance stirred up in Jerusalem against Paul, and how the tribune snatched him from the crowd. 33. Whatever Paul, when he had descended into the council, suffered and said and did with pointed accuracy. 34. Concerning the plot devised by the Jews against Paul, and the revealing of it to Lysias. ^C 35. Concerning the accusation of Tertullus against Paul, and his defense before the governor. 36. Concerning Felix his successor, and the promotion of Festus, and finally the hearing of Paul and his appeal during his time. 37. The arrival of Agrippa and Bernice; and the inquiry into the matters concerning Paul. 38. The voyage of Paul towards Rome, filled with many and great dangers. 39. How Paul arrived at Rome from Melita. 40. Concerning the discourse of Paul to the Jews who were at Rome.

Variæ lectiones et notæ.

b And here, more than half of the eighteenth chapter, concerning the calumny of the Jews before Gallio: and concerning the prior arrival at Ephesus and the journey of Paul, and concerning Apollo, is passed over. c And here, the remainder of the nineteenth chapter concerning the sons of Sceva the exorcists, and the sedition at Ephesus through Demetrius, are passed over.

FROM THE EXEGETICAL WORKS OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM AND CERTAIN OTHER FATHERS: EXPOSITIONS ON THE ACTS, COLLECTED CONCISELY BY THE MOST BLESSED THEOPHYLACT, ARCHBISHOP OF BULGARIA

^A Commentary of our holy Father John Chrysostom on the Acts of the holy Apostles.

1 This book is known to few, nor is it itself known, nor he who wrote and compiled it. For this reason, I judged it necessary to descend into this study, so that I might instruct the ignorant and not allow such a treasure to lie hidden and concealed. For it will be able to profit us no less than the Gospels themselves, if we are filled with such philosophy and such rectitude of dogma, and especially with the things wrought by the Spirit. Let us not, therefore, pass it by, but let us examine it with all care and diligence. For here we are able to see the predictions which Christ foretold ^B in the Gospels, having come to pass in reality and been fulfilled, and the truth shining forth in the events themselves. Furthermore, one can see the great change in the disciples for the better, which was produced in them by the Spirit; and, moreover, one can find here dogmas which, if this book did not exist, would be clearly known to no one; but the head and sum of our salvation would lie hidden, and some things which pertain both to life and to certain stable sentiments concerning the faith would be unknown and uncertain.

^A Moreover, the greater part of the things contained here are the acts of Paul, who labored more than all. The reason for this is that the person who composed this book was his disciple, namely the blessed Luke; whose virtue can be seen from many other things, but most especially from the fact that he could not be torn away from his teacher, but followed him continually. For Demas and Hermogenes abandoned him, the one having gone off to Galatia, the other to Dalmatia. Listen to what he says about this: "Luke alone is with me." And writing to the Corinthians, he says of him: "Whose praise is in the Gospel through all the churches." And when he says, "He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve," and "according to the Gospel which you have received," he is speaking of his Gospel. Therefore, no one would be wrong to attribute this treatise to him; and when I say "to him," I mean to Christ.

^B But if someone says: "And why on earth did he not commit everything to writing, when he was with him until the end?" I would answer this, that even these things were abundantly sufficient for those wishing to pay heed, and that they always focused on the matters that were urgent, and that their zeal was not in writing books; for they handed down many things also by oral tradition. Now, all the things that are contained in this book are worthy of wonder; but most especially that condescension of the apostles, which the Spirit also suggested to them, preparing them to busy themselves with the word of the dispensation. For this reason, having spoken so much concerning Him, they have said but few things concerning His divinity. ^C But they spoke for the most part concerning the assumption of human nature, concerning the Passion, the resurrection, and the ascension. For that which was required at that time was this, that it be believed that He rose and ascended into heaven. Just as, therefore, Christ Himself was most eager of all to show that He comes from the Father, so too this one endeavors to demonstrate that He rose and was assumed, and went away to Him, and came from Him. For if that had not been believed previously, much more, with the addition of the things that happened concerning the resurrection and the assumption, would the whole doctrine of the faith have seemed incredible to the Jews. ^D Wherefore, little by little, he leads them up to higher things; and at Athens, Paul even calls Him simply a man, with nothing further added, and with good reason. For if they frequently attempted to stone Christ Himself when He spoke of His equality and like condition with the Father, and for this reason called Him a blasphemer—that is, guilty of divine laesa majestas—they surely would have hardly accepted such a discourse when delivered by fishermen, especially since the cross had preceded it. And what need is there to speak of the Jews, seeing that even the disciples themselves, on hearing Christ speak of higher doctrines, were often troubled and scandalized? For this reason,

were offended; therefore he also said: "I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." But if those who had lived with him for so long a time, and had been partakers of so many mysteries, and had seen so many miracles, could not ^A bear them, how could those who had just then been torn away from altars, and idols, and sacrifices, and cats and crocodiles—for such were the things which were worshipped by the Greeks and pagans as gods—and from other evils, have accepted the lofty words of these doctrines all at once? Or how, again, could the Jews, who daily learn and are instructed by the Law, saying: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one, and besides him there is no other," and who had seen him nailed to the cross, and especially those who had even crucified him and buried him and had not seen him risen, have heard that this same man is God and equal to the Father, without recoiling and breaking away from it more than all others? Therefore, they lead them on gently and little by little, and they make use of a great deal of the economy of condescension, and they partake of the grace of the Spirit more abundantly; and they perform greater works than Christ himself had done in his name, that they might raise them up, lying prostrate on the ground on both counts, and assure them of the discourse concerning the resurrection. For this book is, above all, a demonstration and proof of the resurrection; for that fact once believed, the rest would also proceed prosperously. The argument, therefore, and the entire purpose of the book, as one might say in more summary terms, is this above all: let us now hear the beginnings themselves.

CAPUT I

VERS. 1. *The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all.*

He reminds Theophilus of the Gospel, so that he may show his own exquisite and accurate diligence. For at the beginning of that work he says: "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order," not simply, but "as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the Word." He makes mention, therefore, of that commentary, and of the diligence which he used there, bringing it to mind. He reminds him of his diligence so that, holding in his mind and memory the very same diligence he used in that book, he might attend most especially to what is being written ^D here. For which reason he did not even need any other recommendation here. For to a writer who is held to be capable and serious, and who has established faith in those things which he heard, far greater faith ought to be given when he writes of those things which he did not receive from others, but saw himself. For this reason he does not say: "The first Gospel, which I wrote," but: "The former treatise or commentary"—for he was not vain or empty.

Therefore, he decorates himself from this—he whose praise is, as it says, in the Gospel. ^A But regarding what he says, "of all things," it seems to be opposed to the evangelist John; for the latter says: "It was not possible to write everything," while the former says he made the account "of all things" from the beginning until the assumption.

What, then, do we say? This: that by saying "of all things," he means that he omitted nothing of those things which gave consistency and urgency to the matter, from which the divinity and truth of the preaching is grasped. For those things through which the divinity and truth of the preaching can be learned, Luke and every one of the evangelists set down in their own account summarily and as if in a precise outline; and likewise John the Theologian himself ^B discussed all these things. For they left nothing out through which the dispensation of the Word according to the flesh is believed and recognized, and His majesty according to His divinity shines forth and is made manifest.

Yet John says that the world would not contain the books that would be written if everything the Lord said and did were written in detail and minutely, and especially if one were to seek to include in writing the reasons for the things said and done. For the reasons and causes of those things, according to which He acted and spoke, are neither grasped by human reasoning nor fully known, except that as God He did what He did, and at the same time presented His human nature; nor can they be expressed by word, nor are they capable of being committed to writing. Moreover, I believe that the word "suppose" added here moderates the ^C hyperbolic expression and shows that he is not strongly contending and asserting that the world could absolutely and entirely not contain them.

It is also possible to say this: that this evangelist, because he dwells on contemplation more than the others, rightly understands all His works and deeds, not only those which He performed in the flesh, but also those that He created from the age, both incorporeal and corporeal. If anyone were to attempt to write down one by one the end of their nature, and their production, and their difference and substance, and the rest, even if one were to grant this by concession, it would not be possible for the world to contain the books that would be written. But if anyone were to interpret "the world" here not as the world simply, but as the person who is placed in wickedness ^D and is obsessed with worldly and carnal things—for in many places Scripture is taken in this way also—then John rightly says that if anyone wishes to write down all the wonders performed by Christ, those who are such would not be able to contain them, as they are accustomed to be led to disbelief by the multitude and magnificence of the works. For by…

this reason, in many places the evangelists frequently omit the whole crowd of those who were healed, and pass by many of their miracles, only noting that many were delivered from diverse diseases and that many miracles happened, and things of this sort; but they do not provide a detailed narrative. For a particular narrative of the majority of these things is wont to instill in those who are coarser and caught in error, disbelief and a recoil from hearing, rather than faith and eagerness to listen. *What Jesus began both to do and to teach.* He speaks of the miracles and the teachings; but not only this, [he implies] that in doing he also taught. For he did not command others by word to do things while he himself did not do them, but through the things which he himself did, he exhorted men to transform themselves for the imitation of him and for the pursuit of virtue. It should be known that Theophilus was one of the pious men who had been instructed by Luke in piety. And do not marvel if, for the sake of one man, he went to such great lengths, so as to write two whole treatises for him; for he was observing the Master's voice, which says: *It is not the will of my Father that one of these little ones should perish.* But for what reason, when writing to one man, Theophilus, did he not produce one book, but divided the subject matter into two? For the sake of clarity, and to refresh the listener; furthermore, the treatises were divided by subject matter, and thus he himself also reasonably divided these treatises into two. *Until the day in which, having given commands to the apostles through the Holy Spirit, whom he had chosen, he was taken up.* Having given commands through the Spirit, that is, having spoken spiritual words to them. This is not purely human, that he gave them commands in the Spirit, just as the Master himself, speaking more humbly and in an accommodative manner, used to say: *But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons.* With the Spirit, he says, having given commands, not because the Son was in need of the Spirit, but because wherever the Son brings something to pass, there the Spirit, as being of the same nature, also works and is present with him. But what did he command? *Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all things that I have commanded you.* Having given commands, he says, he was taken up. He did not say, "He ascended," but he still speaks as if concerning a man. From this we learn that even after the resurrection he taught the disciples, but no one stated this time with precision. John indeed dwells on it more than all the others, but no one declared all things clearly; for they were hastening toward other things.

^A To whom he also presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs for forty days. Having spoken previously concerning the assumption, he speaks also concerning the resurrection. Since you have heard that he was assumed, so that you might not think he was assumed by others, he added: "To whom he also presented himself alive." For if he presented himself in the greater matter, much more so in the lesser, through forty days, yet not in forty days. For just as before the resurrection he was continually with them, so it was not then, but he would appear and depart again, raising their minds, and no longer allowing them to be disposed toward him in the same way as before. But he fashioned both with much wisdom and ^B precision, both that the resurrection might be believed, and that he might henceforth be thought greater than mere man, even though these things were contradictory. For in order for the resurrection to be believed, many human things needed to have happened, whereas for the other, the opposite was required. But nevertheless, both were accomplished at the appropriate time; for it was through the forty days from the resurrection until the ascension into heaven, during which he also ate and drank with them, showing that he himself is the one who was crucified and buried and rose from the dead. And for what reason did he not appear to all, but only to the apostles? Because he would have seemed like a phantom to the multitude, who did not know the mystery which is beyond speech. For if even the disciples themselves were unbelieving at first and were troubled, and needed the proof ^C of the hand and the table, what was it likely that the multitude would have suffered? For this reason, by the signs which the apostles received grace to perform, he makes the demonstration of the resurrection certain and common, so that the resurrection might be manifest not only to those then—which was to happen by sight—but also to all those after them.

"Being seen by them, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me."

The Lord himself called the kingdom of the Father that in which he had promised the disciples to ^D drink the new cup, calling it a new drink, which he drank together with them after his resurrection. And he ate a new food together with them, not according to the former order in which he ate and drank with them before he had risen. For then, except for sin, having been made like us in all things, he ate and drank just as we do, voluntarily yielding to the flesh to require the use of food; wherefore he also, wishing it, admitted the passion of hunger. But after the resurrection he no longer ate and drank because of necessity, but only as proof to all of the true

^A nature of his body, that it had suffered willingly and had risen divinely. He called this, therefore, a new food and drink, which he used with the disciples after the resurrection, not in the way he had been accustomed to before. For, he says, he "was eating with them" during the forty days, that is, sharing salt and sharing a table. But how, it is not for us to say. For these things happened in a more paradoxical manner, not because his nature had any further need of food, but because a condescension and accommodation occurred for the demonstration of the resurrection. And he was "revealing the mysteries ^B of the kingdom." Why, then, did he command them to do this? First, he led them, fearful and trembling, away into Galilee, so that they might hear his words with peace of mind; for they were ready to desert their post. Then, after they had heard and had spent forty days, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem. Why so? Because, just as no one allows soldiers who are about to engage a multitude to go out before they are armed, nor allows horses to leap from the starting gate until they have received the charioteer, so too he did not allow them to appear on the battlefield before the descent of the Spirit, so that they might not become easily subdued and captured by the many. And not only for this reason, but also because many were going to believe there. And a third reason is so that no one might say that, having deserted their own acquaintances, they had come among foreigners to boast; for this reason, he provides the proofs among those very people who had committed the murder, among those who had crucified him, those who had buried him, in that very city where the wicked deed had been dared. When, then, did they hear the ^C promise? When he said: "It is profitable for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Paraclete will not come to you." And again: "I will ask the Father, and he will send another Paraclete to you." But why, when he was not present, nor had he departed immediately, did he arrive only after eight or nine days, that is, when the day of Pentecost was being fulfilled? Furthermore, how, if the Spirit had not yet arrived, did he say: "Receive the Holy Spirit"? One may therefore say that he said this while preparing them to be receptive and most fit and sufficient for the reception of the Spirit; but they received it when it descended upon them. Or, he spoke of that which was to come as if it were already present and imminent, as when he says: "Tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy." There is also another way to say it, that the gift of the Spirit is manifold and ^D various; for one is purifying, another perfecting; and one is sanctifying, another creating those who sanctify; one provides tongues, another prophecy; one of wonders, another of interpretations; and ten thousand other things. Therefore, nothing prevents...

us from saying that, according to the varied and manifold distribution of the Spirit, they received the grace of the Holy Spirit in different ways. However, the perfect and perfecting visitation of the Spirit, such that it could perfect others, came to the apostles at the time of Pentecost, when it appeared to them in the form of fiery tongues and filled them with its entire operation. For this reason, He departed, and That One came then; and not even then immediately, so that, having been brought to longing, they might thus receive the grace. For if the Spirit had descended while He was still present, and He had departed while the Spirit remained, there would not have been such consolation. For they were very loath to be separated from Him; therefore, He ascends, and the Spirit does not come immediately, so that, having been briefly saddened and having become longing and needy for the promise, they might enjoy the pure and perfect joy due to the presence of the Spirit. Furthermore, it was necessary for our nature to appear in heaven and for reconciliations ^B to be completed, and then for the Spirit to come. Observe what a great necessity He laid upon them to remain in Jerusalem because of His promise; for in order that they might not flee again after the Assumption, He retains them all there with this expectation, as if by a shackle, making them yearn through more auspicious hopes for the uncertain prospect of the things that were promised. Nor would one be wrong in saying that even then they had received a certain power and spiritual grace: not so as to raise the dead, but so as to remit sins. For this reason He also added: "Whose sins you remit, they are remitted to them," and so forth, showing what kind of operation He was giving. For now, indeed, He clothes them with this power; but after forty days, He grants the operation of signs. Therefore He says: "You shall receive power," and the rest.

"For John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days after this."

Having told them to wait for the promise of the Father, ^D "of which you heard from me," He added, "For John indeed baptized with water," and so forth; and He now clearly shows the distinction between Himself and John, and no longer as before, enigmatically and as if under a shadow, as when He said: "But he who is less in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Now, however, He says openly: "John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit," and He shows that they had already become greater than John, if indeed they too were going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. He did not say, "I will baptize you with the Holy Spirit," but, "You shall be baptized," everywhere leaving behind for us measures and patterns of humility; for by this time it was clear from the testimony of John that He Himself was the one who would baptize

^A for He will baptize us in the Holy Spirit and in fire. ^B But why did He say, "You will be baptized," when there was no water in the upper room? Because the Spirit is more authoritative; through Him even the water operates, just as He Himself is said to have been anointed, not having been anointed anywhere with oil, but having received the Spirit. Moreover, one can find that they were baptized with water at various times; for in our case, both may occur at the same moment, but then they occurred at different times and separately; for at the beginning the apostles were baptized with water by John, but after this, also with the Holy Spirit. But why did the Lord not declare when the Spirit would also come, but only says, "Not many days from now"? He says "not many," so that they might not fall into despondency; but He did not say precisely when, so that they might always watch in expectation. Why then are you amazed if He does not tell them of the peace of the consummation of the age, ^C when He did not wish to make manifest even this deadline, which was so close, for the reason we have stated? The expression "to be baptized" signifies the abundance and, as it were, the wealth of the communion and participation of the Holy Spirit; just as in that which is perceived by the senses, the one who is baptized—that is, drenched with water—is in a certain way, while his whole body is sodden, compared to one who merely receives water and is not thoroughly moistened in every part. Therefore, what has now been said is not contrary to the divine Gospels. For it is shown that even if it had been said to the apostles after Christ’s resurrection from the dead, "Receive the Holy Spirit," and they did receive Him—but there it is said that they had received the Holy Spirit, whereas here, "You will be baptized"—this signifies the pouring forth and the wealth of the gift which He gave them after He ascended to the Father. For just as when they had faith, they approached and said, "Increase our faith," so too here, in addition to the communion of the Spirit which they already had, they were receiving an addition of increased participation in the Holy Spirit who came upon them.

VERS. 6. And when they had gathered together, they were asking Him, saying: Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? VERS. 7. But He said to them: It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has placed in His own authority. VERS. 8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

When they were about to ask, they approached together, so that by their multitude they might move Him and persuade Him. For they knew that what was said before was the response of one brushing them off—and not out of ignorance, but deferring the answer; as, for example, "No one knows the day"; for this reason they ask again. For since they had heard that they were to receive the Spirit, as

^A worthy, they henceforth wished to learn, and they longed to be released from their difficulties; for they did not wish to cast themselves again into extreme dangers. They did not ask first, "When?" but, "Is it at this time that you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" Meaning, "Is it now?" — so much did they desire the day. It seems to me that it was not even then clear to them what the kingdom was; for the Spirit had not yet come to teach them. They did not say, "When is it?" but, "Do you restore it?" — so much greater things did they now imagine regarding him. For this reason, he too discourses with them in a relaxed manner; for he no longer says that not even the Son knows the day, but what? "It is not for you to know times or seasons." Not because he himself was ignorant of the culmination of the times did he refer the knowledge to the Father, but because there was a certain superfluous quality to the question, he profitably passed over it in silence. For his goal was to curb the curious questioning of the disciples regarding this. For he sent them to preach the kingdom of heaven, not to signal the quantity of the times. He does not tell them the time, having taught them things much greater, so that—as we have often said—they might be vigilant, and so that they would suffer no harm by not knowing; since he had taught them things far greater than this: that he is the Son of God, and that he is equal in honor to the Father; that he rose; that there will be a resurrection; that there will be a judgment; that he sat at the right hand of the Father. For what, tell me, is greater? To learn that he will reign, or when? Paul had learned things which it is not permitted for a human to speak; and Moses had learned the beginning of the world, and when, and how many ages beforehand; and he counts the years—and yet the beginning is, in general, more difficult to know than the end. Furthermore, they were not even asking him about the universal consummation, but, "Do you restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?" And he did not reveal this to them either, but just as he answered there to lead them away from thinking that the release from their difficulties was near—but that they would also fall into many dangers—so also here, except more gently, he said, "You will receive power." Then, so that they might not ask him again, he was immediately carried up. Then, ^B so that they might not say, "Why do you raise up the matter?" the Son says: "Which the Father has placed in his own authority." The authority of the Father is evidently also that of the Son; for just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he wills. And if, where it is necessary to perform the fearful and secret things, the Father performs them with authority, how much more so where it is necessary to know! For it is far greater to raise the dead with the same and equal authority as the Father, than to know the day. ^C Why then...

concerning the things which the disciples were asking, did Christ not respond, but said: “You will receive power”? He answered by saying: “It is not for you to know,” and then he added: “but you will receive power.” ^A For indeed, this expression signifies a certain coming and, if I may so speak, an outpouring of the Spirit. It must be said, therefore, against the sect of the Phrygians, who think that the Paraclete was sent about two hundred years after the assumption of Christ into the women whom they consider to be prophetesses, Priscilla and Maximilla, and into Montanus, who was seized by the same madness as they were—for they claim that the promise, “I will send the Paraclete to you,” was fulfilled then. But why does he teach that which they were not asking, namely: “You will receive power”? Because he is a Master, who teaches not what the disciple wants, but what it is profitable to know. And when the disciples did not ask, he answered elsewhere: “And you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Since he had previously said: ^B “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans,” because he wished for the word to be preached first to the Jews, but now the preaching had to be spread into the whole world; therefore, he rightly adds and says: “And in Judea and Samaria,” then, “And to the end of the earth.” Moreover, that which he says: “You will be my witnesses,” is at once an exhortation and a firm, unchangeable prophecy; for they attested the preaching to the end of the earth.

Vers. 9. “And having said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up; and a cloud took him from their eyes.”

Vers. 10. “And as they were looking intently at heaven while he was going.”

^C While they were watching, he did not rise, but “while they were watching, he was lifted up,” since vision could not account for everything here either; for indeed, they saw the end of the resurrection, but they did not see the beginning; and they saw the beginning of the assumption, but they did not see the end. Why? Because there, with the one who had risen being personally present and speaking these things, and the tomb itself declaring that he is not there, it was superfluous to see the beginning; but here, it was necessary to know also the end. For the eyes were not sufficient to show the height, nor to teach whether he had ascended into heaven itself, or had stopped at some point. For this reason, the angels standing by teach those things which could not be comprehended by sight. ^D A cloud, moreover, received him, because this is a sign of the Lord and of divine power; for nowhere does any other power appear upon a cloud. Wherefore also David says concerning the Father: “Who makes the clouds his path”; and in another place: “God sits upon a light cloud,” and countless other things. Besides, he did not do even this in vain or simply. For the Lord, knowing that if he were invisible...

^A when he ascended, just as he also descended—or rather, condescended—it would be believed, when the Spirit appeared, that it was that same Spirit whom he had promised a few days earlier he would send; and that he would not cause himself to be suspected of having come down from the heavens; and that if, after this, he were to call Paul from above, or if he were to send thence to Peter the napkin not made by hands, it would not be believed that he was doing these things after his bodily departure—for this reason he ascended while they were looking on. He came from the cloud of the Virgin into a cloud, and ascended through a cloud to where he was before. And do not understand the words “where he was” in a local sense; nor take it to mean that he had put aside his flesh and, being without flesh as before, possessed his incarnate divinity; but understand for me “where he was” as referring to the height of incorporeality within his corporality, to the majesty of the unincarnate state within his incarnation, to the dignity of his own self-existent unchangeableness now made flesh, and to his voluntary humiliation and condescension; to that condition and state in which he would no longer converse with all men in a way that could be visible to the eyes, or dwell and live in the same abode with them.

Et ecce viri duo iis astiterunt in vestibus albis.

VERS. 11. Qui etiam dixerunt: Viri Galilaei, quid statis coelum contuentes? Hic Jesus, qui receptus est a vobis in coelum, ita veniet, quemadmodum spectastis eum abeuntem in coelum. ^C They used the word demonstratively, saying: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in the way that you watched him going into heaven.” They did not say “being taken up,” nor “being carried and borne,” but “going.” For if, before the cross, he was borne upon the waters while still clothed in a passive and heavy body, let no one doubt whether, after he had received that incorruptible body, he cleaved the air. He will come, he said; he will not be sent. He will so come—that is, with the body that they desired to hear of—and he will come again in this way in the judgment on a cloud. He calls them “men,” signifying a clear and evident appearance; for indeed, the angels had assumed and put on the precise forms of men so as not to terrify them. And two men ^D stood by, because at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. And by saying, “Why stand you looking into heaven?” they no longer allowed them to remain in that place and to expect that they would see him again; but they turned them away from that sight toward Jerusalem, toward the goal and message of preaching from that point on. Everywhere the angels minister as to the Lord: at his birth, and at his resurrection, and at his ascension; and before these things, when he was about to dwell among us.

^A in the world through the flesh. In this way the angels appeared, in such a manner as it was possible for them to be seen by men. Furthermore, the expression "In white robes" signifies either the purity of the angels or the illumination that was about to be given to the holy apostles. And another way concerning the expression "while they were looking on." Since the Lord knew that there would be men of corrupted mind who would oppose him, saying that he neither was from heaven nor had come [from there], nor having been taken up, was assumed into heaven, but was removed to some place situated outside the inhabited world—of whose number are those who adhere to the sect of Vitalis—[it was] in their sight, while they were gazing at him, [that] he ascended into heaven. ^B

VERS. 12. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

Then, when? When they had heard. For they would not have endured [this] if he had not redirected them to a future coming. It seems to me that these things also happened on a Sabbath; for he would not have mentioned the distance in this way: "From the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away." For the length of the journey that the Jews were permitted to travel on the Sabbath day was fixed. Josephus ^C also relates in the twentieth book of his *Antiquities* that it is distant from Jerusalem by seven stadia. And Origen also says in his fifth volume that "a Sabbath day's journey was of three cubits." Nay rather, the holy Tabernacle and the Ark occupied and preceded the camp by such an interval, and they were stationed at such a distance; this was the distance that those who were worshipping the holy Tabernacle were permitted to walk on the Sabbath—it is one mile.

VERS. 13. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room, where were staying Peter and James, and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas of James.

VERS. 14. These all were persevering with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

He did well to make mention of the disciples; since one indeed had betrayed him, another had denied him, and another had disbelieved. He shows that, ^D except for the traitor, all were safe. How then does he say, "With the Mother of Jesus," even though John said, "And from that time the disciple received her into his own home"? It is by no means contradictory; for if the disciple himself was indeed one [of those present], there was nothing to prevent her from also being present. Why then does he make no mention of Joseph here? Because he was dead. For if his brothers, who had often not believed before, had believed and were present, much more would he [have been], had he still been in the land of the living, and he would have believed, and would not have been absent from such a prayer.

^A Ver. 15. And in those days Petrus having arisen in the midst of the disciples, said: and there was together the number of names upon the same, as a hundred and twenty.

Ver. 16. Men brethren, it behooved this Scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who seized Jesus.

Ver. 17. That he was numbered with us, and he obtained the lot of this ministry.

In those days, that is to say, those which were before the Pentecost, Peter having risen, as one fervent, and as one entrusted by Christ with the flock, and as one who is the chief. See him doing everything according to common counsel, nothing authoritatively, nor by [sole] power; he encourages them also from the prediction, and he does not say, "Which David said," but, "The Holy Spirit by the mouth of David," and then concerning Judas, who became the guide to those who seized Jesus. See here also the philosophy of the man, how, in recounting the matter, he does not insult, nor does he say, "that vile and utterly polluted [wretch]"; but he simply declares what had happened. And he does not say that the Jews bought it, but, "he himself acquired it"; and reasonably. For he who paid the price, even if others were the buyers, he himself would be correctly considered the owner; for the price was his. Hear then:

^B Ver. 18. This man then acquired a field from the reward of unrighteousness; and having become prone, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Ver. 19. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem.

He discourses concerning the punishment which Judas endured in the present age, but not concerning that which is to come; for the souls of the weaker [brethren] do not look as much to future things as to present things. Observe, however, that he took the occasion for his discourse not from the sin, but from the punishment, to raise and amplify his speech. For Judas did not die by the halter, but survived being taken down before he was suffocated. And Papias, the disciple of John, relates this more clearly in the fourth book of the Exposition of the Dominical Oracles, saying thus: "Judas walked about as a great example of impiety in this world, having so swollen in the flesh that where a wagon can pass with ease, he could not pass; no, ^D not even...

^A his head alone. For they say that his eyelids were so swollen that he himself could not see the light at all, and his eyes could not be seen, not even by a physician’s probe; they had retreated to such a depth from the outer surface. And his private parts appeared more deformed and repulsive and larger than anything else, through which, as the only necessary parts of the body, the matter and worms flowing together from the whole body would escape. But they say that after many pains and torments he died on his estate, and that because of those who live and dwell near that road, the estate has remained deserted and empty of inhabitants up to this present time; nor can anyone even to this day pass through that place unless he covers his nostrils with his hands, so great was the flow through his flesh and onto the ground. This brought comfort to the Apostles. And as the guts of Judas were poured out, so too were those of the heretic Arius.

So that that plot of land came to be called in their vernacular tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, "field of blood."

VERS. 20. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein, and his bishopric let another take.

And the Jews indeed called that plot by this name and title, not because of this, but because of Judas; but he brought it to this, producing his enemies as witnesses through the name they had given it. Furthermore, that part of the speech, "Let his habitation be desolate," was said concerning this plot and his house. But that, "Let another take his bishopric, or prefecture," this means the primacy of the priesthood. "Let his habitation be desolate." What could be more desolate than a tomb, and a common tomb at that? Which is what that plot became.

VERS. 21. It is necessary therefore that one of those men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

VERS. 22. Beginning from the baptism of John unto that day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.

He shares the matter with them so that it might not be brought into controversy and they might fall into strife. For this reason also, at the beginning of his speech, he said: "Men and brethren, you must choose from among yourselves," committing the judgment to the multitude by these words, and at the same time making those who were to be chosen venerable, and himself avoiding the offense of others. And that it was necessary for this to happen, he says it himself, and brings forward the prophet as a witness. But from whom is it necessary? From those ^D who have accompanied us in

^A all time. And he did not say, "from the good and upright men who are with us"; for thus he would seem to insult the others; but now he left the matter to the time. "A witness of his resurrection [to be] with us," so that the choir of the disciples might not be mutilated. He says he should be a witness of the resurrection, not of the other deeds. For indeed the one who appears trustworthy to testify that he who ate and drank with us, and was crucified, himself rose, would be quite acceptable ^B also to testify about the other things. For the matter being sought was the resurrection; for this had occurred secretly; the rest were plain and clear.

VERS. 23. *And they set up two, Joseph, who was called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.*

VERS. 24. *And having prayed, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, show which of these two thou hast chosen.*

VERS. 25. *To take the lot of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas fell, that he might go to his own place.*

VERS. 26. *And they gave their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.*

*And they set up two.* Why not many? So that a greater consternation of minds might not arise, and the matter might not be reduced to many. But they now opportunely, while praying, call Him the Cardiognostes. Then they do not say, "Choose," but, "Show the chosen one," knowing that everything is determined by God even before the thought of men. He calls it "lot" everywhere, showing that the whole business depends on the kindness of God, and that He is the author ^C of the election: at the same time reminding them of the things of old; that just as He had cast lots for the Levites for Himself, so also [He did] for these. And who were those men? Perhaps from those who were with the twelve, the seventy, and from the others who had believed, the more fervent and upright, such as were Joseph and Matthias among them. And he calls Joseph also Barsabas and Justus, perhaps indeed also on account of the names that were common among them; and otherwise also [on account of] the change of life; perhaps also that nomenclature was of the character. But why does James, having received the episcopacy of Jerusalem, not begin the discourse, but concede the public address to Peter? Because he was an upright and modest man; because they thought and cared for nothing human, but had the common utility proposed. For indeed also those for the same reason conceded ^D the throne to him, and did not contend, nor struggle against him.

*To go to his own place.* He calls it "own place," which Matthias was about to occupy worthily. For just as it had become alien to Judas even before he fell from it, from the time when the matters of avarice and treachery had occupied him...

to turn to his own place. He calls it his "own" or proper place, which Matthias was to obtain in a way that was worthy and just. For just as Judas was alien even before he fell from that place, owing to the malady—namely, avarice and treachery—with which he began to suffer, so Matthias was "proper" to it even before he had obtained it, since he had shown himself worthy of so great an office. Why do they perform the election by lot rather than otherwise? Because they did not yet deem themselves worthy to learn ^B through some sign. Moreover, the Spirit had not yet come upon them; nor was there need, because the lot carried just as much weight. For if, where neither prayer had preceded nor were the men of any [great] worth, the lot carried such weight—because it had happened with a right intent in the case of Jonah—how much more is this the case here? And in another way: "his own place." Each person prepares for himself a place, whether good or evil, by his own deeds. This, then, is what it says: that Judas went into that evil place which he had built for himself by his betrayal of Jesus. For places are not by nature good or evil for us, but we construct our own place by our deeds. Thus, also, the midwives of the Hebrews, fearing God, built houses for themselves; thus also the wicked hear: "Walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame which you have kindled." [DIDYMUS.] The word "place" signifies many things. Among other things, it indicates a certain rank—for so we call the "place" of a bishop, and also of a presbyter or elder; and it is possible to observe the same in the opposite sense, with each person making a place proper and akin to himself through his deeds. Thus, indeed, one person will obtain the place of a false teacher and a false apostle, and another that of a tyrant and other wicked things. Since now Judas, having been snatched away by his own voluntary desire for money and possessed by avarice, took upon himself the rank and role of a traitor, it is rightly said that he went away to his own place. For having lost, through his deeds, the state of being with the apostles, he constructed for himself his own place.

CHAPTER II

wind, [and] it filled all the house where they were sitting.

EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. — CHAPTER XIII.

^A What then? Must one obey every magistrate, even if he be wicked? How do you mean, "wicked"? If he is wicked regarding the faith, flee from him, even if he were an angel from heaven. But if he is wicked in his conduct, obey him. For "all that they tell you to do, do; but do not do according to their works" (Matt. XXIII, 3). Regarding those who are corrupted in the faith, he says: "Do not be carried away by diverse and strange doctrines" (Heb. XIII, 9). Why so? Because he who acts wickedly would not advise others to live wickedly; for he himself, in doing such things, feels shame—which is clear from his striving by every means to hide what he does. But he who is wicked regarding the faith desires to preach his own opinion to the people. ^B "And be subject to them." He indicates the intensity of this obedience through the word "be subject," so that one might even serve them through works, if necessity demands. "For they keep watch for your souls, as those who must give an account." Let those in leadership hear that just as the people ought to be compliant, so the priest ought to be watchful on behalf of the people, as one who must give an account for what they themselves sin. "That they may do this with joy, and not with groaning; for this is unprofitable for you." If you yield, he says, and show regard for your leader, you make the burden of the care he carries for you light for him, as he who rejoices in your submission. But if you are shameless and disobedient, he himself will still keep watch for your soul; unless you correct your disobedience, he will groan against you to God—which ^C is unprofitable for you. Observe, moreover, that he does not permit the leader to exact vengeance in any other way than through groaning. This produces mildness in the leader himself; yet for that person who does not find correction, it kindles a greater pyre of punishment, inasmuch as he provokes God to be a stricter punisher. Therefore, you who are disobedient to your leader, do not despise him because he only emits a groan; but rather fear, because he is handing you over to God.

VER. 18. "Pray for us: for we are confident that we have a good conscience in all things." Since some were slandering the Apostle, as though he were teaching a falling away from the Law, for this reason many of the Hebrews were hostile toward him. For this cause he did not even place his name at the beginning of the Epistle, since they could not bear to hear even that. ^D Now, therefore, making his defense to them, first he asks that they themselves pray for him—which we are accustomed to request from those who love us; then, he also shows himself to be innocent. For "in all things," not only among the Gentiles but also among you, we have done nothing with hypocrisy, but our conscience is pure, and we know nothing against ourselves.

^A of every nation [under the heavens] out of various nations into one sheaf of piety to be gathered; and through the apostolic word to be presented to God, it prefigured the sheaf of grain—in order to interpret the sheaves of souls, which are taken from diverse regions, but are offered to God as one first-fruit of grain. Why did the coming of the Spirit not happen without sensible symbols? Because, even though it happened in this way, they said: "They are filled with new wine." If this had not occurred, what would they not have said? And it was not simply a sound, but one from heaven, and also sudden, so that they might be more roused, as of a rushing and oncoming violent breath. He speaks of the great and vehement impulse of the Spirit; and he caused all to run together there and assemble. "And it filled all the house." ^B It filled the whole house so that the gift given might be shown to be not particular or special to some, but given to the whole body of the Church. For the house was a symbol of the world, just as the pool was of water; and this is a proof of the abundance and the vehemence. But fire did not fill the house (for it would have caused dread), but, what is more marvelous, that it was parted and settled upon each one of them. And he rightly says "parted," so that you may know that the same energy was sent from the Paraclete. Rightly, therefore, does he say "as of fire" and "like as a breath," so that you may not think anything sensible regarding the Spirit. It was not, therefore, simply wind or fire, but the Holy Spirit appearing there. But observe that when it was necessary for the Spirit to be made known to John, it was fitting that it appear as fire. ^C "And it sat upon each one of them." That is to say, it remained, it rested. For sitting has the indication of stability and remaining. Upon whom, however, did the Spirit sit? Upon the twelve apostles only, or upon the hundred and twenty? Evidently upon all. For Peter would not have simply and rashly brought forward the prophet, saying, "And it shall be in the last days, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh." And they did not simply receive, but were filled; and "all," he says, not the apostles only. But observe: when they persevere in prayer and supplication, when they be possessed of love, then the Spirit arrives. But why did he appear in the guise of fire? To show that he is of the same nature as He who was seen upon the bush in the guise of fire. And it sat indeed upon the head, but from the head the whole man was filled; for it was possible to see fire above their heads, not burning but sanctifying and shining forth. Why did they receive the tongues not upon the mouth but upon the head? The Spirit was not given into the tongue—that is, into the organ of nature—so that they would not be thought to be bringing forth from their own lungs and from their own mouth what they did not have; but as if into ^D the head, from the head the whole man was filled. [alt-version omitted]

^A Why, then, upon the head? Because the apostles were being ordained as teachers of the world. And an ordination is not performed simply, except upon the head. The fact, therefore, that tongues were upon their heads demonstrates the form of ordination. For ordination is placed upon the head, just as the custom has held even until today. Since, indeed, the visitation of the Holy Spirit is invisible, the Gospel is placed upon the head of the one who is to be ordained as a high priest; and when it has been placed there, one sees nothing else than a tongue of fire resting upon the head: a "tongue," on account of the preaching; "fiery," on account of Him who said, "I have come to cast fire upon the earth." He did not say, however, it was "founded," or "it arrived," but "it sat"; nor "it hovered," but "it sat upon," so that He might show that any man who is receiving a ministry is a throne of God.

"And they began to speak with other tongues." The grace of God arranged from the beginning that the word should be effective for the apostles. For what need was there of heralds, if there were no listeners? Since, therefore, it was necessary for the first fruits of the nations to receive order and place from the very beginning, the writer adds, "And they began to speak with other tongues." But for what reason did the Apostles receive the gift of tongues before other gifts? Because they were about to travel everywhere, and just as at the time of the building of the tower, the one language was divided into many, so then did many tongues come into one man, and the same one conversed in the language of the Persians, and of the Romans, and of the Indians, and in many other tongues, ^B while the Spirit was sounding and whispering within him. And the gift was called the gift of tongues, since they were able to speak in many voices all at once, just as the Spirit gave them to utter. For they did not speak from themselves, but they spoke from the Holy Spirit, prophesying—that is, understanding and declaring the testimonies concerning Christ that had been given through the holy prophets.

^C "And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect." "Devout men." Even the very act of living there, having left their homelands, was a sign of devotion, especially indeed that they had traveled from different nations, having abandoned their houses. ^D

and relatives, acquaintances, connections, and kinsmen, and were dwelling in Jerusalem. But the phrase, "from every nation," is used instead of "from many nations." For Scripture uses the word "every" to mean "many," employing it in an hyperbolic sense. So it is also said: "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh"; and: "All seek their own, not the things which are of Jesus Christ"; and: "There is not one that is righteous, no, not one." For by the universal and general term, it signifies the many.

Then, when the report spread, the multitude gathered; and they were confounded—that is, they were disturbed and marveled. For since that which occurred happened in a house, the crowd naturally ran together from outside, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect. They knew that being Galileans—and especially the apostles, for they were looking at them more than the others—they were speaking those thousand [different] languages.

The multitude was confounded, not without cause; for they thought that [the apostles] were going to bring trouble upon them because of the rash deed committed against Christ; and conscience was shaking their souls, as the slaughter was still fresh in their hands; and everything terrified them. But this strengthened the apostles, that they were learning of the miraculous gift even from the hearers. For they themselves did not know whether it was, for example, Parthian that was being spoken, but they learned it from them. He mentions nations that were hostile and adversarial to them: Cretans, Arabs, and others; and this was a sign that they would be victors over all. Many, moreover, were there in a state of captivity. From all sides, therefore, testimony is provided by citizens, by foreigners, and by proselytes.

^A VERS. 7. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? ^B VERS. 8. And how do we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?" VERS. 9. Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those inhabiting Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ^C VERS. 10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and Roman visitors, both Jews and proselytes, VERS. 11. Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. VERS. 12. And all were amazed and were in doubt, saying to one another, "What could this mean?" VERS. 13. Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." ^D Everywhere, wickedness is joined to virtue. Some were marveling, while others were mocking and ridiculing. Truly, those [first ones] were religious; for they dwelt there for this reason, namely, that they might—

^A appear in the temple thrice a year according to the prescription of the law. But observe the madness of the others. “They are filled with new wine,” they say; and yet the season was not such, for it was Pentecost and the third hour. But wickedness dares anything. And what was more grievous was that, while those—the Jews, the Romans, the proselytes, they who had perhaps crucified [Him], and those from almost all nations—were marveling and confessing, and they were preaching in their own languages, there were nevertheless found some who mocked. Now, did those who mocked understand the apostles speaking in tongues, or not? For if they did not understand, how did the apostles speak in all languages? But if they did understand, with what confidence did they dare to attribute the cause to drunkenness, having at their feet those who could refute and convict them—namely, those who were listening and understood that they were speaking in tongues and were not drunk? In such a way one might raise a question. But I say the opposite: if they did not understand, they would not even have disparaged the miracle by accusing them of drunkenness. For why would anyone try to disparage that which causes him no annoyance? Therefore Luke also says, “mocking,” as if slandering and calumniating. They calumniated therefore as if they understood, but were not pleased with what was being said; for they were speaking of the great works of God. How then, understanding, did they relate the things being said to drunkenness? From much madness, from excessive cruelty. For it is a habit of the many, if they are not pleased with what is said, to think that the speaker is possessed by a demon ^B or is deranged, or to accuse [him] of drunkenness and pretend not to understand what he says; even though he speaks safely and uprightly, and the mocker, though he brings an accusation, still hears and understands. Those [men] dared even more to charge them with drunkenness because they were hearing [it] in their own tongue, and believed others were not understanding it, as if they were of a different language. For they themselves understood the things being said, but the rest, because of whom they were mockingly accusing the apostles of drunkenness, they thought did not understand the miracle. For just as when the Lord cast out demons, they understood and saw the prodigies, but when they ought to have praised [Him], they objected "Beelzebul," and seeing all diseases and sufferings being healed, they made the wonders to be material for envy and calumny and murder. So too now, although they were unable to deny the unexpected and preternatural gift of tongues, they nevertheless dared to disparage the miracle by [accusing them of] drunkenness. Observe also the malice ^C, which is proven by both the time and the hour. For at Pentecost, from where [would there be] new wine? For new wine is indeed called *gleukos*. Then, does drunkenness furnish different languages, or does it even destroy the one that exists? Observe [how] ^D wickedness is proven by the time and the hour.

^A For what does God contrive? If that mockery had not been suspected, the Jews would have refused to enter and listen. God permitted it, so that the mockery might gather many together.

VERS. 14. But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.”

VERS. 15. “For these are not, as you suppose, drunk, since it is the third hour of the day.”

You saw there [God’s] providence and care; observe here also [his] courage. For if he had had an audience of people all admiring him, would it not have been a wondrous thing even then for an unlettered and private man to break forth with a voice in such a great multitude? ^B But since he had hearers who were mocking and inclined toward murder, how could it not be a thing beyond human nature? But observe how, immediately, as soon as he let out his voice, he refutes the calumny and shows that they are not drunk, nor even alienated in mind, as those who are frantic. But what is [meant by] “with the eleven”? He put forward a common opinion and voice, and he himself was the mouth for everyone. The other eleven stood by, confirming by their testimony what was being said. And [the phrase] “he raised his voice,” means with great boldness, so that from the very beginning they might learn the grace of the Spirit. For he who could not bear the questioning of a cheap serving-girl, this man converses with such boldness in the midst of crowds baying for blood. ΣΕΥΗΡΙΑΝΟΥ.〗 Before receiving the tongues, Peter, being questioned by one serving-girl, was afraid and says: “I do not know the man.” There, one serving-girl and much timidity; here, an infinite multitude and a voice full of boldness. ^C He did not say, “As you mock, these are drunk,” but, “As you suppose,” speaking more mildly, and not wanting to show that they said this deliberately and maliciously; but at first he attributes ignorance to them, and does not charge them with wickedness, paving the way for them toward repentance. And what is this? “Is it not the custom for men to be drunk at the third hour?” But he does not linger on this. Nor did those who mocked think this [in reality] of them, but as detractors and mockers they said so.

VERS. 16. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

VERS. 17. “And it shall be in the last days, says the Lord, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men ^D

^A visions shall see, and your elders shall dream dreams.

VERS. 18. “And yes, upon my menservants and upon my maidservants in those days I will pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

Nowhere meanwhile is the name of Christ, nor his promise, but the promise of the Father. Observe, however, the prudence. He did not come forward and say those things relating to Christ immediately—namely, that “He, after being crucified, promised these things to us.” For had he spoken thus, he would have overthrown everything; although these were sufficient to demonstrate His divinity, yet they were not believed. The thing desired, however, was that faith might be held, and that the things said might be believed to be true. But if they were not believed to be true, it might have happened that they would be overwhelmed with stones. Nothing solves ambiguities other than prophetic testimony. Therefore, when some inexplicable question arises, do not have recourse to reasonings. For the reasonings of thoughts are both overturned and established, but who solves the voice of God? A reasoning is solved; Scripture is not solved. He did not say, “I will pour out my Spirit,” but “of my Spirit.” It is not the Spirit that is poured out, but the gift of the Spirit, upon all flesh—that is to say, upon those who have believed—that is, upon the Gentiles; but he does not yet reveal this to them. Yet the phrase “upon all flesh” gives them also good hope and does not ^B allow the advantage to be theirs alone, thus also cutting off envy. Observe, moreover, how diverse and varied is the revelation of the Holy Spirit. This one has attained the grace of the Spirit and prophesies; another, who lacks the strength to serve in such a ministry, receives the gift of visions: just as Peter at the sixth hour beheld the image of the sheet; as Cornelius at the ninth hour saw the angel. What is in the heart is not called a *horama* (a sight), but a *horasis* (a vision). Otherwise, someone sees a *horasis*, as he who was seeing says, “Go”; but otherwise, not seeing the spectacle with his eyes and contemplating the matter to be contemplated; otherwise, when someone in the highest state is instructed and taught through the imagination. ^C

VERS. 19. “And I will give wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.

VERS. 20. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and magnificent.”

VERS. 21. “And it shall be, that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

These things teach clearly beforehand both concerning the future judgment, and concerning Jerusalem and the captivity of that time, and the things that were to happen because of the cross of Christ, and the things that fell upon the Jews through the war of the Romans; for while much blood was being poured out by them throughout Judea, and smoke was being generated, as cities and villages ^D were burned.

^A The pregnant belly of death, just as from the womb of one in labor, I mean from the bonds of death and the depths of Hades, the Savior Christ emerging, and coming forth as from a strange childbirth of the resurrection. On this account he is also called firstborn from the dead.

For it was not possible for him to be held by it.

VER. 25. For David says concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before me always: for he is at my right hand, that I should not be moved. ^B

VER. 26. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue exulted. Moreover, my flesh also shall rest in hope.

VER. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.

VER. 28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance.

For it was not possible. Athletes, if they are anointed, cannot be seized and captured by their adversaries; and they are protected and remain untouched and inaccessible to the teeth of the serpent. So too, Christ, having been anointed mystically by his own Spirit and engaged with death, and having overcome that pestilence, when the adversary approached, he was broken. ^C Furthermore, what he says, "For it was not possible," is to be understood in this sense: that inasmuch as he is God born of God, and is one who was not capable of any change, either in a worse transformation or in any other way; and because he rose in such a way as no longer to be about to die. Then he brings in David, who removes all human reasoning. Such a matter is prophecy, and it says: "For David says concerning him," not concerning himself. And again, he comes to the humble ones. For it is not now, he says, but old. And God willed these to happen from above, and so they were established: "I foresaw the Lord before me always." He calls his Father his Lord, because he took the form of a servant. ^D And what is said, "at the right hand of the Son," and again, "to sit at the right hand of the Father," signifies equality, and a like condition. Moreover, "my flesh also shall rest in hope." Since Jesus, as he had accepted death, laid it aside in order to raise it again from death, and consequently that flesh, since it was his own, rested in hope because of the expectation of the resurrection. And what is said, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades," and although some apply this to the person of David, although...

EXPOSITION OF THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY BY THEOPHYLACTUS, ARCHBISHOP OF BULGARIA.

Argument of the First Epistle to Timothy.

Timothy was one of Paul's disciples, and so approved, and so closely attached to Paul, that he even chose to be circumcised by him for the sake of the economy, even though he [Paul] was preaching against circumcision to others, and had even resisted Peter himself concerning it. And Paul himself, in many places, bears witness to the great virtue of this man. To him he now writes concerning many necessary matters.

But someone might ask, why does he not write to Silas, or to Clement, or to Luke, or to any other of those who were with him, although there were many, but only to Timothy and Titus? And it may be said that he still kept those with himself, whereas he had entrusted Churches to these. It was necessary, therefore, to exhort them through writings, and to explain what needed to be done.

But if you should ask, why did he not first perfect them in all divine wisdom, and then appoint them to teach, but after entrusting the teaching to them, he writes again and sets them in order? Learn first, that no one is perfect, even if he becomes a teacher, but that this man also needs guidance in many things from those who are more perfect; otherwise, and with the Church just being constituted, it was not easy for the bishop to form all things himself by his word. Then, observe through the whole Epistle, that the instruction to Timothy is not such as is given to disciples, but such as befits a teacher.

^A spiritual body; for the flesh that is raised up after the resurrection is a spiritual and incorruptible body. He says "paths of life," as the souls of the just, together with the Savior, trod them ascending from the lower regions. But the words, "You will fill me with gladness with your countenance," refer to the face of the Lord, meaning the most God-befitting manifestation of God and our own inspection, by which He will visit and look upon us more perfectly and absolutely.

"Viri fratres," [Men, brethren], it is permitted to speak with boldness to you concerning the patriarch David, that he indeed both died and was buried, and his monument is among us to this day. ^B Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath that, of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit upon his throne, he, foreseeing, spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Having fulfilled the testimony of David, he adds: "Men, brethren." When he is about to say something great, he uses this prologue, stirring them up and making them well-disposed; for where it did no harm, he used great moderation of mind. For if he had said simply, "These things were said by David," he would have seemed harsh and stirring them to anger rather than making them obedient. But by the great honor which he pays to the blessed David, he brings it about that the prophecy is easily admitted and approved as being spoken concerning Christ. And his whole speech is ordered in this way: for when he had said that he both died and was buried, he did not say, "And he rose again," but, "And his monument is among us," which is equivalent to saying, "He did not rise again." ^C Then, not even thus does he come to Christ, but again David is praised, and through the praises of him, the goal proceeds. For he says these things for this reason, that through respect for him and his lineage, they might receive the discourse about the resurrection, as if the prophecy were injured if this were not so, and their honor were being destroyed. "God swore to him with an oath." He did not say, "He promised," but "He swore," representing the unchangeable nature of the promise. "To sit upon his throne." In many places of the divine Scripture, "throne" is used for "kingdom," as also here, and in the passage, "Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever." But "according to the flesh He would raise up Christ"—he says "according to the flesh," for as to the divinity, He exists eternally, sitting together with the Father. He attributes all things to the Father so that they might meanwhile accept what was being said. But how did He sit upon the throne of David? ^D Because He is King of the Jews, and much more so of those who crucified Him.

^A VERS. 32. *Hunc Jesum resuscitated Deus, cujus omnes nos sumus testes.* VERS. 33. *Dextera igitur Dei exaltatus, ac promissum Spiritum sanctum a Patre consecutus, effudit hoc, quod et vos nunc videtis et auditis.* VERS. 34. *Non enim David ascendit in caelos: sed ipse ait, Dixit Dominus Domino meo, Sede a dextris meis,* VERS. 35. *Quoad effecero inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum.* VERS. 36. *Certo sciat ergo tota domus Israel, et Dominum et Christum a Deo factum esse hunc ipsum Jesum, quem vos cruci affixistis.*

He flees back again to the Father, although it would have been enough to have said it earlier; but he knew how much utility this brought to the hearers for the acceptance and approval of those things which were pressing and were primarily required and necessary. Furthermore, by the expression "exalted," he covertly signifies that He has been lifted up on high and dwells in the heavens, but not even this was stated openly at the beginning. Observe, however, how at the beginning of the discourse he did not say that Christ had sent down the Spirit, but the Father, when he also brought forward the prophet Joel as a witness. But after he made mention of His signs, and of the things that had happened to Him, and discussed the resurrection with confidence, then he says that He Himself poured out the Spirit; so that it was of Him that the prophet was speaking: *And it shall come to pass in the last days.* ^B By "the promise," he means either that which He promised to us the apostles, or that which the Father had promised to Him before He was crucified and suffered the punishment. For since he was about to say a great and sublime thing—namely, that Christ had poured out the Spirit—he veils and covers it by saying that the Father had promised this to Him. For whatever anyone says, if it does not have a useful result and end, he says it rashly and in vain. And he shows that the cross not only did not make Him humbler, but actually made Him more splendid; if indeed He promised it then, even as John says: *He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire*; but now, after the cross, He gave it. ^C But He Himself says: *The Lord said to my Lord.* Here he no longer speaks with hesitation and restraint, having gained confidence from the things that had been said. But what did the Lord say to my Lord? If David calls Him Lord, much more will they not despise Him or consider Him unworthy. Moreover, through that which he says, *until I make your enemies*, he struck fear into them—that is, naturally, so that they might be seen and subjugated. And lest faith in him be disparaged, he attributes and ascribes the saying to the Father. But since he had also spoken great things, he again leads the discourse down to humble things: *Sit at my right hand.* Through this, *Sit at my right hand*, the equal honor of the Son and the Father is understood. For in the case of a bodiless essence, ^D it is not possible to conceive of a right or a left. But who the enemies are, the Apostle declares, crying out: *When He shall have put an end to all authority, the last enemy shall be destroyed—death.*

And that He was made Lord and Christ by God, is this very one. “Made” is used for “constituted.” For there is no discourse here about *ousiosis*, that is to say, about substantiation or essentiality, and *hypostasis*, that is to say, subsistence. Furthermore, he does not yet cease or desist from humble expressions. For even though it was fitting to add: “Let all the house of Israel know with certainty that He sits at the right hand,” for this was gathered from what had been said before, he does not say this, but what is much more humble and lowly, namely that God constituted Him Lord and Christ; for the word “made” signifies this. Thus one must look everywhere and consider by what means benefit is obtained for the hearers.

^B When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “What shall we do, men and brethren?” And Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted, saying: “Be saved from this crooked generation.”

Do you see how great a thing is gentleness? How it pricks and softens the hearts of men more than severity and bitterness? For here too, the blessed Peter brought their own daring deeds to their remembrance, but he did so mildly, and added no word of punishment. They were therefore put to shame by Peter’s gentleness, because to those who had delivered his Master to death—and who even then were murderous towards them and desired to make away with them—he nevertheless discoursed in the manner of a father and a teacher, with care for them. For they were “pricked,” he says; they were not simply convinced, but condemned themselves. For they say, “What shall we do, brethren?” as if they were at a loss and in anguish over what they had dared to do. Those whom they had called impostors, they now call brethren, and this they do not merely by using such an appellation openly and freely, but by demonstrating their love and how much they had been won over and were well-disposed towards them. For the apostles themselves had also called them thus when Peter began his speech. ^C But although all were questioned, Peter replies again. For they all offered him their mouth, and he says: “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Nor is this in conflict with, “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ^D”

^A.” For the Church understands the holy Trinity to be indivisible, so that, because of the consubstantial union or unity of the same essence and nature in three subsistences or persons, he who is baptized in the name of Christ is baptized in the Trinity, since the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not separated one from the other, nor divided among themselves. For if the name of the Father were not God, and the name of the Son were not God, and the name of the Holy Spirit were not God, one would have to say, “In the name of the God Jesus,” or also, “In the name of the Son alone.” But, he says, “in the name of Jesus Christ,” knowing that the name of Jesus is God, just as the name of the Father and of the Spirit is God. “And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” See how he designates one gift of Christ and of the Spirit, since there is one dignity; which, while discussing it above, he had called “the promise.” Then, “and to your children.” For the gift is greater when they also have heirs to their goods. “And to all that are far off.” But if to those far off, then much more to you who are near. See, however, when he rightly signified the calling of the nations through the expression, “to those who are far off.” When? When he found them pricked to the heart and condemning themselves. For when a soul has condemned itself, it can no longer be envious ^B.

Vers. 41. “Then they indeed, having gladly received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.”

Vers. 42. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and in the communion, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Vers. 43. “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

Vers. 44. “And all that believed were together, and had all things common.”

Vers. 45. “And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

Vers. 46. “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor ^C with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.”

Here is fulfilled the prophecy which says: “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” And fear came upon every soul ^D. For not as...

as though they were worthless. For since Peter abounded with great grace from above, and was demonstrating the promises and the things to come, they were reasonably struck with fear; for the signs and wonders that were performed confirmed the things that were being said. Just as it happened in the time of Christ—first signs, then teaching, then miracles—so it was now. ^A And all who believed were together; not in place, but in disposition and resolve, and in the indissoluble concord and affection toward one another. And the phrase "as anyone had need," he says, not simply, but in a thrifty manner; for this is what it means: as anyone had need. It is not as the wise men among the Greeks did; some abandoned the land, and others threw much gold into the sea. This was not a contempt for money, but foolishness and lack of sense. For the devil endeavored to slander the creatures of God, not [because it was] pointless to use money well. And spending their time daily; not one day, or two, or three, but daily; and with one accord, as if with one soul. Observe, moreover, how the Jews who believed did nothing else but attend to the temple, as they had become more zealous and held the place in greater reverence. And the apostles did not for a time drag them away from there, so as not to do them harm. Breaking bread from house to house; he means the temple by "house" here as well. For they ate in it. And "breaking bread" signifies their great temperance and simplicity of diet. For he says they partook of food, but did not live in luxury. Thus, they were changing their manner of life for the better because of the faith. ^B But how did they have favor with all the people? For he says: "And having favor with all the people." How? Through the things they were doing: through alms, through pure conduct. For even if the priests, moved by envy and jealousy, stood against them, they still had favor with the people. ^C

CAPUT III

^A I have not: but what I have, that I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk. Vers. 7. And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up.

These men appear everywhere to be in great concord. Peter signals to him; they came together to the sepulcher; regarding him, he says to Christ: “And what shall this man do?” ^B Indeed, the author of the book omits explaining the other signs one by one; yet he considered that the sign by which all were moved should not be omitted. But they were going up into the temple; why? Were they still living according to the Jewish custom? God forbid. But they were doing this usefully and by way of condescension, and as if accommodating themselves to the man. Observe, moreover, how they were assiduously devoted to prayers: and at the ninth hour they were praying there together. He mentions both the place and the time accurately, providing proof of what he writes. How then does he not give the name of the lame man? Because not even the apostles themselves knew it; for the man was entirely unknown to them. And this perhaps so that they might not appear to be showing favor or performing the healings out of personal partiality, and so that no suspicion of fakery might be taken up by any of the most shameless—lest any think that some of those known to the apostles were feigning healings performed upon themselves for their favor. How then did they not learn his name after the healing? Because they had no leisure to be occupied in matters that brought no utility or benefit. But to me it seems that not even the common people knew the man’s name; rather, they called him "the lame man" simply because of his affliction. For the infirmity was so notorious and well-known to all that, whenever anyone heard "the lame man," although perhaps there were others, they immediately understood him. Whence, then, did they know that he had been lame from his mother’s womb? From the voice of all; from the testimony of all. For all knew him from his sitting in the temple, but also from the man who was healed himself. Why then did they not bring him to Christ to be healed? Perhaps those who were sitting in the temple were some of the unbelieving; since they did not even bring him to the apostles, seeing them entering and knowing they had performed such miracles. “Silver and gold I have not.” He did not say, "I do not have *here*," as we are accustomed to say, but, "I have absolutely none." Observe, moreover, how John is everywhere silent, while Peter speaks even for him. What then? Do you neglect and turn away from the suppliant because you do not have money? No; but "What I have," he says, "this I give." So also did Christ, ^C often healing by word alone, often also touching, wherever they happened to be weaker in faith, so that the things that were done might not appear to happen by chance. And taking him, he says, he lifted him up. This made the resurrection clear; for what was occurring was an image of the resurrection.

^A

And immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. VERS. 8. And leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. VERS. 9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. VERS. 10. And they recognized him, that he was the one who used to sit for the sake of begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and ecstasy, that is, alienation of mind, on account of what had happened to him.

Walking and leaping: testing himself, and making a greater trial, whether he were truly healed and restored. For on account of the novelty of the thing, which had happened beyond hope, it is credible that even he himself doubted concerning himself. ^B Some, however, say that he also did not know how to walk; and for this reason he moved his feet as if leaping. But observe how he did not remain quiet: partly indeed out of joy and gladness, and partly to stop their mouths, lest it be thought to be dissimulation. For this reason he leapt, as if he were someone who was henceforth almost unknown on account of the event. For we use this expression concerning those who are scarcely recognized. But on account of the benevolence and love with which he followed them, he did not depart from them, perhaps giving thanks to them, and gladdening them. Moreover, the miracle takes place in the temple for the salvation and benefit of many. ^C

VERS. 11. But when the healed lame man held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, astonished and struck with admiration. VERS. 12. Which Peter beholding, spoke to the people thus: "Men, Israelites, why do you marvel at this? Or why do you look at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? VERS. 13. The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Son Jesus; whom you indeed delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had judged him to be worthy of release; VERS. 14. But you denied the holy and righteous one, and asked that a murderer be granted to you. VERS. 15. And you killed the Author of life; whom God raised from the dead: of which act we are witnesses. ^D VERS. 16. And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, His name has strengthened, and the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

^A He does not place the testimony so nakedly, because each of them was spoken together with many accusations and the punishment decreed against them, just as this one is also: *And I will give the wicked for his burial, and the rich for his death.* ^B Comforting them, however, he says that the daring deed was not yours, but God willed it so. At the same time, he also addresses those words which, reproaching him as he hung upon the cross, they said: *If he loves him, let him save him;* and, *If he is the Son of God, let him come down from the cross,* and the like—almost saying: "These were nonsense, O foolish ones; for if it had to happen thus, and all the prophets testify to this, it is manifest that he did not descend out of weakness, but rather out of ineffable power and surpassing authority and unutterable philanthropy."

VERS. 19. *Repent therefore, and return to health, that your sins may be blotted out, in order that times of refreshment may come from the presence of the Lord;*

VERS. 20. *And that he may send him who has been presented to you, Jesus Christ;*

VERS. 21. *Whom heaven must receive until the times of the restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of all his holy prophets from of old.*

"That your sins," etc. He does not speak of that sin which they dared to commit at the cross, for he had said above: *And now I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.* But what was it that he said there: *And now I know?* "Now I know," he says—it is profitable to speak thus, so that I may win your salvation; or "Now I know that you did it in ignorance," from the fact that I see many of you returning and being saved. For it is likely that he says this to those among them who had already returned and believed. But how did they do it in ignorance? For to ask for a robber, not to accept him who was judged fit to be released, and even to wish to kill him—what ignorance is this? ^C But he spoke thus, opening to them the door of conversion; for this reason he does not say: "Repent of the things you dared to do at the cross," but rather "in order that your other sins may be blotted out for the time being." *Repent therefore,* he says, *so that times of refreshment may come.* He shows here that they were about to fall into many tribulations; for this discourse would be fitting for one who is about to weep and who desires some comfort. And see how he proceeds by the way. In the first address, he hinted at the rest and the seating in the heavens; ^D but here, also at his manifest presence. "There will be," he says, "a time of refreshment." For what would the times of refreshment be, if not those of the resurrection? Which Paul also seeks, saying:

And we who are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened. But if anyone says that these are times of refreshment even after the destruction, nothing prevents it. For God cut short the times of their affliction and captivity for the sake of the elect, that those who have believed might find refreshment and be saved from that severe necessity. ^A *And send the Christ Jesus, who has been preached to you.* This is in place of: It is necessary to receive him, since he is God, and ought always to sit with the Father. *Whom heaven must receive until the times...* He declares the cause why he does not come now: It must be restored, he says, and all things must be brought to an end, and then he will come. But how does he say above: *Whom heaven must receive*? Had it not yet received him? Certainly it had. How then did he not say: "whom heaven has received"? He says this as though speaking of the times above. But the words "until" and "as long as" in Holy Scripture are not indicative of a specific time. For how are we to understand that which is said to God: "Thou art from everlasting to everlasting"? The meaning of the passage before us, therefore, is this: Many things, he says, the prophets said were to be, which have not all yet come to pass and been fulfilled, but are still happening and will happen until the consummation. For Christ, having been taken up into the heavens, remains there until the consummation of the world; ^B arriving then with mighty power, after all things which the prophets foretold have been restored—that is, when the end arrives and the things of sense cease—then Christ will be higher than the heavens.

VERS. 22.

VERS. 23. *For it shall be that every soul, whoever does not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.*

VERS. 24. *And all the prophets, both from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also announced these days.*

VERS. 25. *You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham: And in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.*

^C VERS. 26. *To you first, God, having raised up His Servant ^D Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.*

[CYRIL.] He said: "A prophet like me." But the phrase "like me" is to be understood not in terms of nature, but in terms of action. Not, therefore, of essence, but of circumstances. For if he had said "like me" in essence, not one would have risen, but many. "The Lord will raise up for you a prophet." Immanuel is called a prophet because of His human nature, as one who is in the place of Moses, a mediator between God and men. I would even call Him Moses—Moses compared in a parable, the truth being compared with the shadow. ^A For Christ is born in Bethlehem, just as Moses was in Egypt; the former was an Israelite, and so is this one as regards the flesh; the former was of a priestly family, this one from David because of the Virgin; Pharaoh ruled in his day, Herod in this one's; the former kills infants, this one kills infants; the former killed the males, this one also; the former is saved through his mother, and this one was saved through his mother and with his mother. "He shall be cut off from the people." [DIDYMUS.] ^B Since the soul of man is immortal, it is not utterly and completely cut off, but is cast out of a certain good order, where it had been placed before. Thus also, Judas was cast out and removed from the order and company of the apostles. Since, therefore, the soul is immortal, by his extermination and casting out we understand its falling away and being deprived of the goods which it was destined to enjoy, if only it had lived its life in a way worthy of God. "You are the sons of the prophets." He says "of the prophets" to mean: Do not be dismayed, and do not think ^C that you have been made aliens to the promises. "You are the sons of the prophets," so that I might tell you that these things have happened for your sake. What is meant by "sons of the covenant"? It is equivalent to "heirs"—not heirs recently and newly enrolled, but as sons, and otherwise, to show to what extent it is by right of adoption. As if he meant: If, therefore, you yourselves also wish it, you are heirs. For this reason he says, "You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant." "He sent Jesus to bless you." For He sent Him to others indeed, but to you first, who crucified and killed Him. When? Only from the cross? No, but even after this and after the resurrection. For, he says, having raised Him up, He sent Him to you first, to do what? To bless you and save you, if you yourselves also choose to turn away from your sins.

CHAPTER IV

^D VERSE 1. "And as they were speaking these words to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them," VERSE 2. "Being offended because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead:" VERSE 3. "And they laid hands on them, and put..."

them in custody ^A until the next day, for it was already evening.

When they had not yet recovered from the former trials, they encounter others. And see how events are arranged. First, they were all mocked together; second, they fall into dangers, but not in immediate succession. Rather, after having first distinguished themselves in their public addresses, and having performed a great miracle, then finally, after they had gained confidence through God’s permission, they embrace the struggles. But observe for me the progress and advancement of the Jews in their wickedness and audacious impudence. For they who previously sought one in Christ who would betray Him, now, after the cross, having become bolder and more shameless, lay hands [on them] themselves. And with them, he says, was also the commander of the temple, so that they might again cast a public charge upon what had been done, and not treat it as a private matter; which is what, he says, they strive to do in all instances. ^B And they put them into custody until the next day. They, indeed, by doing this, were wishing to soften them and were keeping them under guard, but the delay of time made the apostles more bold.

VERSE 4. "But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand."

What is this? Had they seen the apostles prospering, and not rather bound? How then did they believe? Do you see a manifest divine efficiency? And yet the fact that they had already believed should have made them weaker, but Peter’s address, composed by the divine Spirit, had cast seeds into the depths of their understanding and had touched their very souls. Those men, in the sight of the multitude, bound the apostles, so that by seeing them, they might also make the others more cowardly. But the opposite happened, and they examine them in private, ^C so that observers might not profit from their boldness of speech.

VERSE 5. "And it came to pass on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem."

VERSE 6. "And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the high priestly family."

VERSE 7. "And having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, 'By what power, or by what name, have you done this?'"

VERSE 8. "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: ^D VERSE 9. If we are today being examined for a good deed done to a weak man, by what means this man has been saved,'"

'" ^A VERSE 10. "Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands before you sound." Besides other evils and inconveniences, they did not even keep the ordinances of the Law. Look, for instance, at the multitude of high priests; whereas one alone ought to have held the office for life. They surround the matter at hand with the appearance of a court, so that they might be held accountable for an unjust judgment. They were inquiring by what power or in what name. And yet, they knew. For, being vexed at their proclaiming the resurrection in Jesus, they detained them. Why, then, do they ask? Because they hoped that the apostles, fearing the court and the multitude, would deny it, and thus they thought the whole matter would be successfully managed by them. For see how craftily and cunningly they question. "By what name," they say, "have you done this?" For they preferred that the apostles should confess it to be their own work, rather than of the power and virtue of Christ. And see how they were repressed, because they did not even want to name the healing of the lame man. ^B For why do they not say "of what kind it was"? But they just say, "You have done this." "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel." Observe the philosophy; and consider, where the situation demands, how he sharply rebukes them. He addressed them honorably, but when he came to the subject, he does not omit the fitting rebuke, subtly reminding them that it was for such things that they were always offended and stirred to judgment. Now, what he says is to this effect: "In the highest degree, it was fitting that we should be crowned for these things and proclaimed as benefactors; but since we are called to judgment and are pleading our cause, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel"—which was the very thing that vexed them most; and this is what Christ also told them: "What you have heard in the ear, preach upon the housetops." "By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene." "Do not think," he says, "that we are concealing our country; rather, we proclaim it even more. And indeed, we confess the passion, and we preach the resurrection." "Whom you crucified." He reminded them of a word that could sufficiently terrify them. For what kind of wounds do you think they received from these words? ^{C D} VERSE 11. "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the head of the corner." VERSE 12. "And there is no salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved." This is the stone, that is, the very approved and tested one, which became the head of those joined together through him into one building of the Church of those two peoples; namely, of the Jewish [people] which believed, and of all...

from the nations; and there is no salvation in any other. ^A Here he speaks in elevated terms. For where it was necessary to teach, they also produce prophecies; but where it was necessary to speak freely, they only set forth their own opinion. For when there is no need to settle anything, but to demonstrate it with boldness, he does not spare. For he did not fear now that he might strike, as he does in other cases, adapting and arranging his words for the salvation of his hearers. It is manifest to all, he says, that the name was not given to us alone, but also to all; because, he says, even the Jews thought there was a resurrection, but a cold and childish one.

^B Seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered men and laymen, they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in contradiction.

For it is possible for someone to be unlettered and yet not a layman, and a layman and yet not unlettered; but here both concurred, and for this reason they marveled at them, as they spoke and declaimed. And whence did they perceive it? From those very things which they were saying. And he does not say this—namely, that "they recognized them"—simply; but [he implies] that they had been with Jesus at the time of the passion. For these men alone were with him then, and they had seen them at that time low-spirited and cowed, and this sudden change astonished them most of all. For he who then, when even a maidservant was questioning him, did not stand his ground, now, having advanced into the midst of the chief priests themselves and the council, speaks with boldness and constancy.

^C Having ordered them to go out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable sign has been done through them is manifest to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ^D But that it may spread no further among the people, let us threaten them that they speak no more in this name to any man." And having called them, they charged them not to speak at all nor to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answering toward them said, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge."

^A For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. But they, having threatened them further, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people, because all glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. Why do they not lead them to Pilate, but judge them themselves? Because they were ashamed and abashed at the things which they had previously committed, and feared lest they should be reproached and accused on their account as well.

^B Vers. 23. And being let go, the apostles went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. Vers. 24. Who when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is. Vers. 25. Who by the mouth of David thy servant hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? Vers. 26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. Vers. 27. For of a truth there were gathered together against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, Vers. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

They reported it. It is not for the sake of vainglory that they relate it, but to demonstrate certain proofs of the grace of Christ. ^C Behold also how precise their prayers are. For when they were praying that the one who was fit and suitable for the apostleship might be designated for them, they prayed, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all." For there was need of foreknowledge in that case; but since here it was necessary that the mouths of the adversaries be stopped, they cry out, "Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth." ^D Many, however, of those from the heresies divide the Godhead, saying that there is one God the maker of the world, and another the Father of Christ. Whence they also divide the Scripture, saying that the Old Testament belongs to the maker of the world, but the New to the Father of Christ. And following upon this impious opinion of theirs, they say that these Gods are contrary to each other, and their Scriptures likewise; so that those who flee for refuge to the Lord are enemies of the maker of the world, and are better than he; just as, indeed, even the men of the world are ill-disposed toward Christ and his doctrine.

For this reason, the holy apostles, cutting off this heresy and sect, show that one must understand that the same God is both the maker of the world and the Father of the Savior, since both testaments were given by Him. ^A *Who through the mouth of David thy servant didst say: Why did the nations rage?* As though seeking covenants from God, they bring the prophecy into the middle; at the same time they are consoling themselves, because the enemies were meditating these things in vain.

VERS. 29. *And now, Lord, look upon their threats: and grant to thy servants, that with all confidence they may speak thy word.*

VERS. 30. *By stretching forth thy hand unto cures, and signs, and wonders to be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.*

VERS. 51. *And when they had prayed, the place was moved, and shaken, where they were gathered: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with confidence.*

^B *To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done.* That is: They themselves did not have power; but you are he who allowed whatever happened to come to pass, and brought it to an end; you who know how to easily settle and explain every matter, who are wise and clever, who made use of the works of your enemies for those things which you had decreed. For those men gathered together as enemies; but they were doing what you willed. But what is it that he says, *“Whatsoever thy hand...”*? Here it seems to me that it means the same thing through power and will, because it is sufficient that you alone should have willed it. For no one decrees and predestines by force and power. That is: whatever you established and decided. ^C *And now look.* Observe, he did not say, “shatter them, and strike and lay them low,” but what? *Look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with confidence.* *And when they had prayed, the place was moved, in which they were gathered.* By this it was signified that they were heard and visited by God. For that is at times a sign of wrath, at times also of visitation. The apostles, however, were praying, not refusing and entreating that no inconvenience should happen to them; but they were laboring for the sake of the preaching. But why did God shake the house? In order to terrify, indeed, those who were threatening; but to bring the apostles to confidence, since it was the beginning, and they needed a sign which could be perceived by the senses. The place was therefore moved, ^D and confirmed them all the more. *And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit;* that is, they were revived, and the gift was set aflame within them.

VERS. 32. *And of the multitude of them that believed, the heart and soul were one: and not any one said that ought of the things which he possessed was his own: but all things were common unto them.*

VERS. 35. And with great power the apostles gave testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was in them all.

VERS. 34. Neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things they sold,

VERS. 35. And laid them down before the apostles' feet. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need.

"One heart," etc. Heart and soul here signify the same thing. And with great power they gave testimony of the resurrection; he shows that they were entrusted with something, as it were, and as if he speaks of a debt; this is what is meant by, "They gave testimony." Neither was there any one needy. Therefore grace [was with them], because no one was needy; that is, from the great readiness of those who contributed, no one was needy. For they did not give in part, and reserve in part; nor did they give all as if it were their own, but all who believed were nourished as if from one house. "And brought the prices of the things they sold." This signifies the great honor and reverence of those who brought them; for they did not even dare to hand them over into their hands, but laid them down at their feet, making them lords and stewards, so that they might be expended as from common funds, and not as from private and personal belongings; and this also freed those who gave from vainglory, and afforded those who received twofold joy, as it both relieved their want and rendered them free from shame. ^C

VERS. 36. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is, by interpretation, the son of consolation, a Levite, a Cyprian born,

VERS. 37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

CAPUT V.

VERS. 1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of land,

VERS. 2. And kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto; and bringing a part, laid it at the feet of the apostles.

VERS. 3. But Peter said to him: Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost, and defraud of the price of the land?

VERS. 4. Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? And after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart?

Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. ^A

Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the spirit; and great fear came upon all who heard these things. ^B

VERS. 6. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carrying him out, buried him.

But Joseph—it does not seem to me that this is he who was compared with Matthias. For that one was also called Justus; but this one is Barnabas, which is translated "son of consolation." It seems to me that he also received this name because of his virtue. But how was he both a Levite and a Cyprian? Because the law was already being loosened without being observed; and consequently, the Levites were both moving and dwelling abroad, and doing business.

Now, as he is about to relate what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, and wishes to show that they have sinned, he first makes mention of the one who had acted rightly; for since there was such a multitude doing these things, with so many signs being performed, and such great grace present, it is strange that, not being instructed by any of these things, he brought destruction upon himself. And the terrible thing is that the sin was committed with consent, and no one else saw what had happened; hence it came about that the wretch brought this upon himself to do. Some say: if Satan filled the heart of Ananias, why did he himself suffer the punishment? Because he himself was the cause, having readied himself to receive his efficacy and hidden power, whereby he was filled. "Was it not thy own while it remained? Was it not in thy power?" For was there any force of necessity? Do we drag you against your will? "Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart?" There were three signs in the same matter: that he knew things done in secret; that he was not ignorant of things meditated upon in the mind; and third, that he destroyed them by command and decree. ^C

Many of the neglected-minded ones, putting forward the events concerning Ananias and Sapphira, accuse the Prince of the Apostles of murder. But the accusation does not pertain to Peter, but rather to the Holy Spirit, who justly passed sentence against them. For Peter only rebuked the lie; but the Spirit, having the power of life and death, killed those who had sinned against Him. And the same can be said concerning Sapphira: that Peter did not kill her, but since the transgression belonged to both, the Judge condemned both equally. Therefore, Peter, not being ignorant of this, as one who spoke everywhere through the Holy Spirit, uttered this voice having received it from Him. ^D

VERS. 7. And it came to pass that about the space of three hours had elapsed, and his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.

VERS. 8. And Peter answered her, saying, "Tell me, if..."

you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." ^A And Peter said to her, "Why is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them who buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out." And immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and having carried her out, buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole Church and upon all who heard these things.

A space of three hours had passed, and the woman had not learned of it, nor had any of those who had been present spoken of the matter; for they were afraid. The writer, wondering at this fact, sets forth both things: both that about three hours’ time had intervened, and that the woman entered, not knowing what had happened. ^B Observe, too, that Peter does not call her, but rather waits so that she might enter when she wished, giving her space if she desired to repent. But no one dared to tell her what had happened. This is the fear of a teacher, this is obedience. "Tell me, if you sold the land for so much?" He wished to save her; for he was the author of the sin. For this reason he gives her an opportunity for a defense and for repentance, saying, "Tell me, if for so much?" Yet someone might say that he treated them harshly and bitterly. But what bitterness was it? If someone who gathers wood against the law is stoned, much more so the sacrilegious; for this money was sacred. Why did she fall at his feet? Because she had stood near him. She had been allowed to stand near him ^C so that, if she wished to repent and confess, she would not be ashamed of others as if they were listening. "And they found her dead; and having carried her out, they buried her." Notice that they no longer took care to avoid touching unclean things according to the law, but simply and without any observance touched the dead. Observe also this: that they were severe with their own, but in the case of outsiders, they did not employ punishment. Each, however, in an appropriate way: the former, so that they might not seem to force people to approach the faith against their will through the fear of punishment; the latter, because they did not permit those who had once approached and been deemed worthy of instruction and spiritual grace to be despisers and sacrilegious; ^D and this, especially in the beginning. For this would have provided an opportunity for slandering the preaching. "And great fear came upon the whole Church." They paid the penalty, and others gained the profit. And yet, even before this, signs had been performed, but there was not such great fear. It is true, therefore, what is said: "The Lord is known when He executes judgment."

VERS. 12. And by the hands of the apostles were performed

signs and wonders among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. ^A VERS. 13. And of the rest, no one dared to join them, but the people magnified them. VERS. 14. And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord was added more and more. VERS. 15. So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter came, even his shadow might overshadow some of them. VERS. 16. The multitude also of the towns round about came together into Jerusalem, bringing sick persons, and those who were troubled by unclean spirits, who were all healed. ^B After men began to fear them, Peter himself and the other apostles performed more signs. And they were in Solomon's portico. They no longer remained at home, but were in the temple. Since he said "in Solomon's portico," lest you wonder how the crowds allowed this, he says: "Because no one dared approach them; but the Jewish people magnified the apostles." So that they brought forth the sick into the streets. This did not happen in the time of Christ, that the sick should draw healings through the streets and by a shadow, or that no one should dare to approach. How, then, does this happen here? Because it was the work of Him who said: "He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he also will do, and greater than these he will do." ^C From all sides, the miracle increased for them: from those who had believed; from those who had been healed; from those who had been punished; from the boldness with which they undertook the work of preaching; and from other virtue and care for their lifestyle. For what happened was not of signs alone; but the life and virtue of the men were also great and truly apostolic. ^D VERS. 17. And the high priest arose, and all those with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and they were filled with jealousy. VERS. 18. And they laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody. VERS. 19. But an angel of the Lord by night opened the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said: VERS. 20. Go, and standing in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life. VERS. 21. And having heard this, at dawn they entered into the temple and taught. But when the high priest and those with him had come, they called together the council, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the ministers arrived and did not find them in the prison, they returned, ^A reporting that they found the prison closed with all security and the guards standing before the doors, but upon opening them, they found no one inside. 24 When the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, as to what might come of this. 25 But someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people." What is it that it says, "rising up"? Awakened, moved by the things being said. Now they attack them more vehemently and sharply, yet they do not immediately bring them to judgment, because they thought they would terrify them more by public custody. Observe, however, with me, how the life of the apostles was woven. ^B First there was despondency because of the withdrawal of Christ; then cheerfulness because of the descent of the Spirit; again despondency because of the mockers; then cheerfulness because of the faithful and the sign; again despondency because they were held in custody; then cheerfulness because of the defense; again here, cheerfulness because of the brilliance and the signs; but then despondency because of the high priest and those who arrested them. For as many as live according to God, one might find them being treated and exercised in such a way. But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison by night, led them out, and for their consolation and for the benefit of the Jews. 26 Then he who was captain of the temple guard went with the ministers and brought them, but not with force, for they feared the people, lest they be stoned ^C by them. 27 And having brought them, they set them in the council; and the high priest questioned them, 28 Saying, "Did we not strictly command you and forbid you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you wish to bring upon us the blood of this man." 29 And Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you laid hands on and hanged on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted at His right hand to be Prince and Savior, ^D to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."

^A And we are His witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.

One ought, after fearing God, to be like those who always snatch [the soul] ^B from the hands of the enemy. Yet the security of the prison was double—the seal and the men—and everything was sufficient to cause them to suspect that what had happened was a divine operation. “Did we not,” they say, “strictly forbid you?” But what does it matter even if you did forbid? If they had indeed been persuaded at that time and had agreed to obey, then you would be rightly conducting an inquiry now and demanding an account of their actions. But if they said they would not obey, what is the meaning of your questions and demands now? “And you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” To them, He still seems to be a mere man. They say this, wanting to show, as they suppose, that their prohibition had become necessary, and that they were ordering these things out of concern for their own safety; but they were saying these things rather to incite the multitude against them. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” The apostles do not answer ferociously. For they were teachers; they were not getting angry, but were pitying them, considering how they might deliver them from their error and their rage. “And we are His witnesses of these things.” Of what? That He promised forgiveness and repentance. For the resurrection was now already acknowledged. That He gives forgiveness, both we testify and the Holy Spirit, who would not have come if sins had not first been forgiven. And see how, while mentioning the crime, they add the forgiveness, showing that while the deeds committed were worthy of death, the things granted were given as by a benefactor. He also said, “Him God has exalted as Prince and Savior,” attributing everything to the Father, ^C so that He might not seem to be alien from the Father. But why did they not immediately realize that they had left the prison? So that, being reduced to perplexity first, if they wished, they might grasp and be taught that the power was divine. “And the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” He did not say, “whom God gave to us,” but “to those who obey,” at once being modest and showing the magnitude of the gift, and also indicating that they themselves could have received it too. For this is the reason God permitted the apostles to be led into court: that those men might be instructed, and that these might be exercised in speaking freely and boldly, and that all might learn.

^D When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they consulted to put them to death.

VERS. 34. But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law held in honor by all

^A commanded that the apostles be removed for a short while. 35 And he said to them: "Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do concerning these men." 36 "For before these days rose up Theudas, claiming himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and brought to nothing."

The others, indeed, hearing this were cut to the heart; but these men were being rent asunder, and were deliberating about killing them. Now this Gamaliel was the teacher of Paul; and it is worth wondering how he, being both versed in the law and endowed with judgment of mind, did not yet believe, since not even Paul had yet believed. "Take heed to yourselves what you are about to do concerning these men." Observe the prudence of the public address; how he immediately struck them with fear, and so that he might not be suspected ^B of being like-minded with them, he discoursed as one speaking to those of the same opinion, and he did not use great vehemence, but spoke thus: "Take heed to yourselves," he said, "what you are about to do." "For before these days." He sets forth two examples, and does not mention ancient ones, but new ones, because such things have more strength in persuading. For which reason he also, wishing to signify these, used to say: "Before these few days." And although he could have brought forward other things, he was content with these. For "in two witnesses shall every word be established." He does not say, however, by whom they were killed, but says here that they were dispersed. Josephus also makes mention of Theudas in the nineteenth book of the *Archaeology*, as Eusebius says in the second book of the *Ecclesiastical History* in these words: ^C "When Fadus was procurator of Judea, a certain impostor named Theudas persuaded the crowd, having taken up their possessions, to follow him to the river Jordan. For he said he was a prophet, and that at his command the river would divide and provide them an easy crossing; and he deceived many. But Fadus did not allow them to enjoy their madness, but sent a troop of horsemen against them, which slew many and took some of them alive. And the head of Theudas himself was cut off and carried to Jerusalem."

37 "After this man rose up Judas the Galilean in the days of the enrollment, and drew away much people after him; he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed."

38 "And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught." ^D

But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God." ^A

And they consented to him; and calling in the apostles, they scourged them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and they released them.

They indeed went from the presence of the council rejoicing, that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord Jesus. ^B

And every day in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus the Christ.

It seems the Galileans in the times of Pilate followed the dogmas of Judas the Galilean. Now the dogma of Judas was this: that one should not even to his lips call any man Lord, nor pay him honor or deference; and thus certainly not the king. And many of them, because of this, not saying "Caesar is Lord," suffered grievous punishments, teaching that one must not, beyond the sacrifices in the law of Moses, offer others to God, and they forbade them to be made on behalf of the people and the nation of the Romans for salvation. It is likely therefore that Pilate, being indignant at these Galileans, ordered them for these causes, which seemed against the law to be performed as sacrifices, to be killed; so that then, in the sacrifices being offered, the blood of those offering it was mingled, just as it is reported in the Gospel according to Luke. "Depart from these men." ^C Having spoken this, they offer examples to them, and they themselves think about themselves, lest perhaps, while planning to overthrow others, they be overthrown; for he who fights against that which is pleasing to God does not overthrow that, but he overthrows himself. For if it is a human matter, you would have to trouble yourselves; but if it is divine, you would not be able to destroy it even by troubling yourselves. He did not say that it is from God, but that it is human. For if he had said, "It is from God," they would have disputed it; but if it is from men, he pushes them forward against the apostles. For this reason he wisely orders them to await the outcome of the matter. See, however, he did not say, "If it is not from God, you shall overthrow it; but if it is of God, you shall be overthrown." They ^D were persuaded by him. For this reason they were persuaded, because the apostles were not present, he said these things, and as though he were thinking these things for them. How then did they scourge them, if they were persuaded? They were persuaded to refrain from killing them—for that is what they wanted—and they abandoned that intention; yet they fulfilled their own anger by scourging them.

They were persuaded indeed in this, to abstain from their slaughter. For they had that in mind; and they abandoned that will, yet they satisfied their wrath by scourging them. [alt-version omitted]

Variæ lectiones et notæ. 66 In vulgato pro, τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, ἐστί, αὐτοῦ. 67 Ισ. τό. 68 Θυσίαι: erat. 69 Ισ. τότε. 70 ἐκείνων.

Caput VI

VERS. 1. *In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmur of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.* Not in those very days, but in some days after them; for it is the custom of Scripture so to speak. Now, he calls those who spoke Greek "Hellenists" or "Grecanics." "In the daily ministration"; the ministration to the widows, therefore, was daily. He calls the work of distributing alms "diaconia," that is, ministry. ^A And it was not through malice that the widows were overlooked, but through the negligence of the crowd; wherefore, when the matter was brought into the open for consideration, the cause of the grievance ceased.

VERS. 2. *And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples together, said: It is not fitting that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.*

VERS. 3. *Therefore, brethren, look out from among you seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.*

VERS. 4. *But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.*

VERS. 5. *And this word pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.*

VERS. 6. *These they set before the apostles; and praying, they laid hands upon them.*

VERS. 7. *And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great multitude of the priests obeyed the faith.*

^B They themselves do not choose, but they permit the election to the multitude, who were also to receive the benefit of their care and function; and they themselves choose and present them, and by the laying on of hands they ordain, create, and declare them. "It is not fitting that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables." For necessary things are to be preferred to unnecessary ones. "Men from among you, of good report, full of spirit." He does not simply say they are spiritual, but "full of spirit and of wisdom." For it was a work of the greatest philosophy to bear the complaints of widows. "And praying, they laid hands upon them." See how it is not superfluous; for he does not say "how," but only that they were declared and ordained through prayer. For this is what ordination is—the hand is laid upon the man, but God effects and works the whole business. ^C But what ordination did these seven receive? Was it that of deacons? I judge that their name and dignity was that of presbyters; but they were ordained for this time for this purpose, namely, to minister to the believers in what was necessary. And the number of the disciples was multiplied exceedingly in Jerusalem. He did not

simply say this, but showed how great is the power of almsgiving and of the ordaining of ministers.

EXPOSITIO IN ACTA APOSTOLORUM. - CAP. VI.

^A VERS. 8. Stephanus autem, plenus fidei atque virtutis, faciebat prodigia et signa magna in populo. VERS. 9. Concitati sunt autem quidam de Synagoga, quæ Libertinorum appellatur, et Cyrenensium et Alexandrinorum, et eorum, qui erant ex Cilicia et Asia, qui cum Stephano disputabant. VERS. 10. Qui cum non possent resistere sapientiæ atque Spiritui, qui loquebatur, VERS. 11. Allegaverunt et subornarunt homines, qui dicerent se audivisse illum proferentem verba, quibus et Moyses contumelia afficeretur, et divina majestas læderetur. VERS. 12. Itaque commoverunt plebem et seniores, et Scribas, et adorti eum, rapuerunt et adduxerunt in concilium. VERS. 13. Ac falsos testes produxerunt, qui dixerunt: Homo iste non desinit verba contumeliosa adversus locum sanctum et legem proferre. VERS. 14. Audivimus enim eum dicentem: Jesus Nazarenus hic demolietur hunc locum, et mutabit ritus et instituta, quæ tradidit nobis Moses. VERS. 15. Cumque intuiti essent eum omnes, qui sedebant in concilium, viderunt faciem ejus tanquam angeli.

Vide ut etiam ex illis septem quidam erat eximius atque prælatus. Nam etiamsi ordinatio communis erat, attamen hic gratiam majorem adeptus est. Ac vide ut antehac prodigia non fecerit, sed posteaquam notus et clarus evasit: ut ostendatur solam gratiam non sufficere, sed ordinatione etiam opus esse, itaque incrementum Spiritus factum est; nam etiam in electione ante ordinationem testatur eum Spiritu plenum fuisse; sed dona sunt varia atque diversa.

^B Concitati sunt autem quidam de Synagoga. Concitationem, exacerbationem eorum vocat, et iram. Erant autem diversæ Synagogæ. Qui disputabant cum Stephano. Idcirco disputabant ut cogerent illum aliquid dicere. Ille vero apertius fortasse disserebat, ac legem finem habere dicebat: aut, non dicebat quidem, sed innuebat ac tecte significabat. Nam si plane ac palam dixisset, falsis testibus opus non habuissent. Vide autem ipsum non committere, nec occasionem præbere docendo, sed a disputantibus cogi. Allegaverunt et subornaverunt viros, qui dicerent. Non ipsi disputantes testificantur: statim enim deprehensum et animadversum esset, illos invidia motos calumniari falsumque crimen intentare: sed alios conducunt: ne res videatur esse importuna, contumeliosa atque injuriosa. ^C Nam Deum quidem ob impiam ac crudelissimam cædem non timebant, sed ad hominum gloriam respiciebant. Ac falsos testes produxerunt, qui dixerunt. Ubique falsum testimonium; non enim simpliciter volebant occidere, sed per suffragium et judicii speciem, ut etiam gloriam, ut existimabant, apud homines assequerentur.

they did not fear the wicked slaughter in which they were staining themselves with blood, but they were concerned for the reputation of others. And they brought forward false witnesses who would say—everywhere false witness is leveled—that he was not simply wanting to kill, but that the sentence had been broad, so that they might also damage the reputation, as they thought, of those being killed. But they were not saying "he brings forward," but "he does not cease speaking." For we heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene... Contumeliously, he says "the Nazarene" destroys this place. They said this also concerning Christ: "You who destroy this temple." For they were worried mostly about the temple. But the accusation and dispute is twofold: whether he is going to change the rites and institutions, and introduce others in their place. ^A And all who sat in the council, looking intently at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. God had made him graceful. For because he was a about to say something, in order that he might immediately strike them with awe by his very appearance, He glorified his face. For there are even faces filled with spiritual grace, lovely to those who love, but awe-inspiring to enemies.

CAPUT VII

VERS. 1. The high priest said: Are these things so?

VERS. 2. And he said: Men, brethren, and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.

VERS. 3. And said to him: Leave your country, and your relatives, and come into the region which I will show you.

VERS. 4. Then having gone out from the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Charran. And from thence, after his father had died, He brought him into this land, in which you now dwell. ^C

VERS. 5. And He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a step for his foot; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he had no child.

VERS. 6. But God spoke in this way: that his offspring would be a sojourner in a foreign land, and they would bring them into servitude, and they would deliver them, and they would afflict them for four hundred years.

VERS. 7. And in the nation to which they shall be in servitude, I will judge, said God. ^D

They were not concerned about the wicked deeds by which the divine majesty was injured; but this man—they brought a charge against him of having uttered words by which the divine majesty was injured. And Moses is everywhere fixed in their minds; for the business of God was not so much a care to them as the institutions of Moses. But here, at the beginning, he elevates their opinion, and proves that neither the temple nor the institutions are of any value, and that they will not prevail over the preaching of the Gospel, and that God brings about clever results out of difficult situations. Observe, therefore, through these things, their harangue being woven together...

and how the word of piety perhaps provides that the Holy Spirit is second in dignity from the Son, as one who has his existence from him, and receives from him, and altogether depends on that cause. See how clearly the Great Basil teaches the dogma of the Latins. Indeed, Mark of Ephesus in the Council of Florence, since no other testimony offered itself to him that might respond to this evidence, maintained with great contention that this text had been falsified and interpolated. But what an injustice! For, as John Niger, who had brought it forward, retorted, the codex from which it was taken was of the best quality, brought from Constantinople by Cardinal Cusanus, on parchment, written six hundred years before the Council of Florence, and thus before the rise of the dispute between the Greeks and the Latins on this matter. From whence, then, the suspicion of corruption? But more codices do not have it in this way, Ephesus objected. What of it, if older ones, written before the schism, exhibit the text as we have cited it? Other codices, whatever their number, should rather be said to have been corrupted on purpose by the Photians, with the greater foundation that they were all produced after the rise of the schism, and in some, words favoring our dogma were discovered to have been erased with a knife. Add that this text, as it is cited by us, contains nothing that conflicts with the remaining sayings of the Great Basil; provided, however, that it is read as the Photians read it. For they read it in such a way that it would follow that he remained in doubt whether the Holy Spirit ought to be called second in dignity from the Son and third from the Father: although it is certain that he never doubted in this matter; since both in other places, and especially at the end of the three hundredth epistle, to the canonical women, he says it is a sacrilege to place the Holy Spirit before the Son, or otherwise than in the third order from the Father: which other Fathers also taught. Insititious, therefore, is that *ίows*, "perhaps," which they read after *παραδίδωσιν*, "he delivers." But if this is held as certain, as without a doubt it ought to be, even from this alone it becomes more likely that he added the disputed words; since from this alone it is invincibly demonstrated that his opinion was that the Holy Spirit also proceeds from the Son: for no divine person can be second or third in order or in dignity from another, unless he proceeds from him; certainly Catholic doctors and Fathers recognize no other order in divine things. ^A ...the source of the Holy Spirit. Thus also other Greek Fathers. It is certain, however, among the Fathers, that *πηγή*, "fountain," is the same as *αἴτιος*, "principle." Wherefore also Athanasius himself, in his second oration against the Arians, calls the Father *πηγήν*, the fountain of the Son; and Basil says that the same Father is *ῥίζαν καὶ πηγήν*, the root and fountain, of the Holy Spirit. The same holy Father, in his epistle to Serapion, says that the Holy Spirit *ἴδιον εἶναι κατ’ οὐσίαν τοῦ Υἱοῦ*, is proper according to the substance of the Son; from which it clearly follows that he adhered to our dogma, since in his oration against the Arians he proves in this way that the Son is from God (the Father) and in God. His words are: "Since therefore the Word is proper by nature to the substance of God, he is from him, and in him." But Athanasius's mind is perceived even more clearly from what he says in the fourth homily (according to the Greeks, the third) against the Arians: "For he (the Son) himself, as it has been said, gives the Spirit; and whatever the Spirit has, this he has from the Word." When, truly, the Holy Spirit possesses nature and essence in the first place, who can doubt that Athanasius thought that he received this from the Son? Which Photius attributes to Chrysostom in codex 277: "Christ," he says, "gave us the Spirit who is from him." Anastasius Sinaita, Bishop of Antioch, in the first book *On Right Dogmas*: "And yet the Lord, showing him to exist from himself, breathing on his disciples, said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" Finally, St. Symeon Metaphrastes in the *Martyrdom of St. Dionysius*: "Christ sends into his disciples the Spirit proceeding from him for the guidance of the infidel nations."

^A Abraham departed from the Chaldeans. For it was permitted by the ancestral customs of the Chaldeans, just as it was also for the Medes and Persians, to have intercourse with mothers and sisters; for this reason he circumcised the flesh of the foreskin, renouncing the kinship of the flesh and refusing the unlawful marriages of relatives. Others say that circumcision was commanded to Abraham and his descendants for this reason: that it might be clear that Christ according to the flesh would be from them. For we know that circumcision in the flesh, performed figuratively in the olden days, bore the image of saving baptism, signifying by the casting away of the foreskin the renunciation of birth according to the flesh, and making those who are circumcised children of God. "And he circumcised him on the eighth day." In the first place, Isaac is circumcised on the eighth day; hence [it is the custom] also for the Jews. But Ishmael [was circumcised] when he was thirteen years old; that is why those who are descended from him, the Ishmaelites, are circumcised in this way, as Josephus says. "They sold [him] into Egypt." Having nothing to charge against their brother, but [rather] because he had come for their sustenance, they dealt evilly with him; and without knowing it, they were working with the prophecy and were [even] against their will the causes of his salvation, although after many trials that happened to him, they turned great fear and unbearable shame upon themselves. Although Joseph, bearing it without keeping a grudge, did no harm to them, but also nurtured them when they were starving and made them known to Pharaoh. "And he died, and our fathers, and they were transferred to Shechem." In Shechem were buried Abraham and the patriarchs, which was perhaps called Sychema. For Abraham himself bought it from Emor, that he might bury Sarah there. "And they were placed in the sepulcher." By saying this, he shows that Abraham did not even become the master [of the land] up to the point of his burial. ^B "And as the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt." "Until another king arose, who did not know Joseph." This man, dealing craftily with our race, oppressed our fathers, to make them expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. In which time Moses was born, and he was comely before God; he was nurtured for three months in his father’s house. "And after he had been exposed, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up and nurtured him as a son for herself." ^C And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was powerful in words and deeds. And when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

VERSES 17ff.

^A

VERS. 24. *And seeing one being wronged, he defended him, and exacted vengeance for the one being oppressed by striking down the Egyptian.* VERS. 25. *But he supposed his brothers to understand that God gives them salvation through his hand; but they did not understand.* VERS. 26. *And on the following day he appeared to them fighting and urged them into peace, saying, "Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong one another?"* VERS. 27. *But the one wronging his neighbor pushed him away, saying, "Who appointed you a ruler and judge over us?* VERS. 28. *Do you wish to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?"*

That he says, *The time of the promise was drawing near*, indicates that they had not even increased in those four hundred years, but that the end was about to draw near. For already in Egypt more years than four hundred had passed. But the people were growing and multiplying in Egypt. If that which happened to Joseph is wonderful—that he was sold by his brothers and, having been sold, saved them—this is more wonderful: that the king was feeding him who was going to overthrow his rule. He who was about to be destroyed by the one who had condemned him to death was being educated and reared for the overthrowing of the one by whom he was reared. But that he says ^B that he compelled them to expose the infants so that they would not remain alive, implies that he did not wish to destroy the infants openly. And see by what things the devil attempted to overthrow the promise of God; through these it increased. For Israel was being afflicted, but it was growing and multiplying. For this reason, Moses is received into the royal house and reared and educated, and is again driven into exile; but in exile he is judged worthy to whom that vision might happen, and the moderation and leadership of the people is entrusted to him: thus also He effects that the sold slave should reign where he served. Furthermore, what he says ^C, *asteios*, signifies "urban," used for "graceful" or "acceptable," that is, to God. But his parents bore him, and observed that he was beautiful. For the flower of grace had preceded the age; but having observed his beauty, they spared him, but hid him out of fear of the edict. They were conquered, and under the compulsion of fear they hit upon the idea of casting him out. But they eluded the edict, being moved by mercy, and having made an ark in imitation of that which was made in the time when Noah lived, and having called upon the God of Noah, they cast the child into the river together with the ark, ^D that they might seem to obey the edict, and yet keep the child safe. And while they are casting him, God counsels the daughter of Pharaoh, who was unaware, to go out to the river; she went out, being unaware...

^A and Moses was saved through the symbols and signs of the common salvation of the Church. For the ark was of wood, and the wood was from the water, and it was salvation for him who had been abandoned; and she who took him up was not a Jewess, but from the nations, an Egyptian. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Neither Moses, nor those with Ananias and Daniel, would have endured to be erudite in and instructed by foreign discipline, had they not been compelled by the necessity and force of their masters. For they made use of it in no matter, unless perhaps someone might say that it was good to learn it for the sake of overthrowing their deceits and impostures. And having struck the Egyptian, he avenged him who was oppressed. Moses did not make away with the Egyptian driven by desire or frenzy, nor overcome by anger, but rather moved by zeal and devotion to God. Whatever is done with zeal for God, even if it be a killing, is not a killing. At any rate, Phinehas, who killed two with one hand and one stroke, was heard, and Phinehas stood and made atonement, and the plague was stayed. But the things which Moses did were an enigma of things unknown. For this which was happening was a sign that God was about, through Moses, ^B to kill the Egyptians, but to save the Israelites. And he thought his brothers understood that God was giving them salvation through his hand. Yet by the very deeds themselves, the protection was being declared; what need was there, then, for understanding? And yet, they did not understand even so. And on the following day, he appeared to them as they were fighting, and sought to reconcile them to peace. He who had shown anger against the Egyptian, see how he speaks with kindness: "Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong one another?" "See who has made you a ruler and a judge over us?" The same words they said to Christ. Such is the custom of the Jews, to do wrong to those by whom they are benefited. ^C VERS. 29. Fugit autem Moyses ob hoc dictum et factus est peregrinus et inquilinus in terra Madian, ubi genuit filios duos. VERS. 30. Et expletis annis quadraginta apparuit ei in solitudine montis Sina angelus Domini in rubo ignis flamma conflagrante. VERS. 31. Quod spectrum Moyses conspicatus admiratus est. Cum autem visendi causa accederet, accidit ad eum Domini vox: VERS. 32. Ego sum Deus majorum tuorum: Deus Abrahami, Deus Isaaci, Deus Jacobi. ^D Moyses autem tremefactus animadvertere et intueri non audebat. VERS. 33. Sed Dominus ad eum, Solve, inquit, calceos pedum tuorum: locus enim, in quo consistis, terra sancta est. VERS. 34. Vidi, vidi inquam, incommoda et miserias populi mei, qui est in Ægypto: ac gemitum

eorum audivi. Itaque ad eripiendum et liberandum eos descendi, et nunc veni, mittam te in Ægyptum.

Fugit autem Moyses. Ac ne hujus quidem fuga oeconomiam, id est, providentiam atque dispositionem Dei exstinxit. Expletis enim, inquit, annis quadraginta, visus est ab eo angelus Domini; quando exsul erat, quando non amplius sperabat, adeo ut etiam filios duos procrearet. Nota autem eum nunc Filium Dei, angelum vocare, quemadmodum etiam hominem. Apparet autem ei non in templo, sed in solitudine ac loco deserto; ac ne in ipsa quidem solitudine, sed in rubo. Ecce etiam dignus judicatus est, qui hanc vocem audiret: Ego, inquit, sum Deus patrum tuorum: ille magni consilii Angelus, id est nuntius. Solve calceos pedum tuorum. Locus enim, in quo consistis, terra sancta est ^B. Locus sanctus erat propter apparitionem Christi, ac multo mirabilior co loco, qui erat in Sanctis sanctorum. Illic enim nusquam sic apparuit. Deinde multa quoque cura atque sollicitudo adhibetur. Vidi enim, vidi inquam, vexationem populi mei.

VERS. 35. Hunc Moysen, quem repudiaverant, cum dicerent: Quis te praetorem et judicem constituit super nos? VERS. 36. Hunc, inquam, Deus principem ac redemptorem misit per manum angeli, qui ei apparuerat in rubo. Hic eduxit eos factis prodigiis ac signis in terra Ægypto, et in mari Rubro, et in solitudine annis quadraginta. ^C 66 VERS. 37. Hic est ille Moyses, qui dixit filiis Israelis: Prophetam excitabit vobis Dominus Deus vester ex fratribus vestris sicuti me: eum audietis. VERS. 38. Hic est, qui fuit in congregatione in solitudine cum angelo, qui loquebatur ei in monte Sina, et cum majoribus nostris: qui accepit oracula viva, quae daret nobis. VERS. 39. Cui majores nostri obedire noluerunt: sed eum repulerunt, et animo suo versi sunt in Ægyptum. VERS. 40. Cum dicerent ad Aaronem: Fac nobis deos qui praecedant nos. Nam Moysi huic, qui nos eduxit de terra Ægypti, nescimus quid acciderit. VERS. 41. Et vitulum fecerunt in diebus illis, et obtulerunt hostiam simulacro, ac suarum manuum operibus delectabantur. ^D

Hunc, inquit, Moysen, qui vitae periculum adiit, qui ab illis fuerat contemptus, quem aversati erant, quem repudiaverant, cum excitasset Deus misit per manum angeli, qui apparuerat ei in rubo. Quem angelum dicit, palam ac manifesto Deum viderat ac nominat. Hic est ille Moyses, qui dixit filiis Israel, Prophetam excitabit Dominus Deus vobis ex fratribus vestris.

sicut me. Just as I am rejected, by those by whom I ought especially to have been honored. Pharaoh wanted to do away with Moses, and he escaped; and Herod [wanted to do away with] the Lord, and He was preserved in Egypt. Each as an infant was plotted against; both gave the law, and neither was obeyed. This is he who was in the congregation, in the wilderness, with the angel who was speaking to him. The passage at hand shows that it does not happen by locality that men become better or worse. For those of whom we speak, being outside of Egypt in terms of place, still remained in it in their disposition, not having turned their minds away from Egyptian customs, as the Gospel also says: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Many, therefore, who are still on the earth, by storing up treasure in heaven, have their heart there. ^B The transgressor angels, being there, had their disposition on earth, to which it followed that they were cast down to earth. "Who received living oracles." Living oracles of art, whose end was shown through words, or he speaks of the prophecies. For the prophet says: "I will give them statutes that are not good"—these are what he calls living oracles with respect to them. "Make us gods"—he did not say a God, but gods; "And they made a calf in those days." David says this too: "And they made a calf in Horeb." He does not say Horeb simply, but to show the excess of their madness. For where God appeared to Moses, there they made an idol and offered sacrifices to the idol.

^C VERSE 42. "Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven. As it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you offer to me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?"

VERSE 43. "You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, the images which you made to worship them; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon."

VERSE 44. "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, who spoke to Moses, to make it according to the pattern and form which he had seen."

VERSE 45. "Which our fathers, having received by succession, also brought in with Joshua when they took possession of the territories of the nations which God drove out from before the face of our fathers, until the days of David."

VERSE 46. "Who found favor before God, and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob."

VERSE 47. "But Solomon built Him a house."

VERSE 48. "However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:"

^A VERSE 49. "Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool of my feet. What house will you build for me, says the Lord? Or what is the place of my rest? VERSE 50. Has my hand not made all these things?"

The phrase *paréδoke latreúein* ("gave them over to serve"), which means "he allowed," is used here just as it also is in the Apostle: "God gave them over to a reprobate mind"—which means he allowed them to be given over. He says, therefore: "Since the Jews were possessed by this desire to serve the creature rather than the Creator—although he had often forbidden such a purpose through the prophets—as they persisted in it, he allowed them to do as they wished." And the term *éstrepsen* ("he turned") is used for "having turned away from another will." For the will of God signifies one thing, and that which occurs happens by concession. For it was his will—and he had legislated accordingly—"You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve." But as they persisted in their impiety, he allowed and permitted it; for he does not desire to be worshipped by necessity, lest he should do injury to free will and to the power inherent in each person. ^B Furthermore, by the phrase "the host of heaven," some suppose he means the angels, just as in the expression "the law given through angels." But he is not speaking of the angels, but of the stars, to which they also offered worship and reverence: such as to the calf, which stood in the place of Lucifer; and to the moon, as the queen of heaven. For this expression is almost always used where there is a discourse about the luminaries and stars.

"Did you offer me victims and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?" Consider: first he introduces them as having offered sacrifices to him, and then to the idols. For before this, the name of sacrifice had never been heard, but only precepts and living oracles. He brings forward this testimony not simply, not ignorantly, and not without cause, but to show that they also had no need of sacrifices, while he says: "Did you offer me victims and sacrifices?" exactly as if he were saying: "You cannot say that by offering sacrifice to God, you were also sacrificing to them; rather, you sacrificed to them first, and that in the wilderness, where I was especially cherishing and protecting you." ^C Indeed, even if I said that the temple would be destroyed and that the institutions and sacrifices would be changed, I have said nothing new. For Moses, on whose account you seem to hold such high opinions and to be so pleased with yourselves for forty years, neither offered sacrifices nor built a temple; nor indeed did David, although you were already possessing by hereditary right the land partitioned for you by lot; and even the prophets declare concerning these things as not being necessary.

But in what way do you pretend to defend and uphold Moses, whom both your ancestors and you yourselves have rejected? "And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan." The divine Moses returned to the mountain to receive the law. But those who were of the blood of Israel stood before Aaron and said, "Make us gods." ^D They made, therefore, a calf in the wilderness; and while the calf was the visible idol, they also contrived many others from the individual person. They were addicted, however, more to the worship of the stars; for in addition to the calf, they also took up the tabernacle of Moloch. Setting up a tent...

they established in it a simulacrum which they called Moloch. ^A Now this is a simulacrum of the Moabites: it had a transparent stone on the summit of its forehead in the likeness of Lucifer; and Moloch is interpreted as "their king." Aquila and Theodotion have indeed rendered it this way. It was, moreover, a skillfully crafted image of Lucifer. You took up, therefore, the tabernacle of Moloch—that is, of your king—and what sort of king was this? The star of your god Remphan, which is interpreted as "darkening," or "blinding." They were worshipping Lucifer, therefore, as appearing before the sun's radiance; but to those who worship him, he has become Remphan, that is to say, blindness—not that the star itself caused the blindness, but because the worship of it became the cause of darkening for them. "And I will remove you beyond Babylon." ^B Although the prophet said, "I will remove you beyond Damascus," he [Stephen] here followed the exposition of the Hebrews, who said "beyond Babylon," either because Babylon is the boundary of the region of Damascus, or because the Seventy said "beyond Damascus."

"The tabernacle of testimony was with our fathers in the desert." They had this for this reason, that they might have God as a witness; and he calls it a "tabernacle of testimony," that is, of miracles and of precepts, "as he who spoke to Moses commanded." And so the design took place on the mountain. And this tabernacle was movable in the desert, and was not in one place. ^C Even if it were an angel who spoke to Moses on the mountain, yet he spoke to him in the person of God. And many such things are found in the Holy Scripture. For he says in Exodus that the angel of the Lord said to Moses: "Moses, Moses, do not approach here," and after other things, the angel says: "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham," and other such things.

"Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you also." ^D Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they slew those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers; who received the law by the ordinance of angels, and have not kept it.

Why, having spoken mildly up to this point, does he here use harsh language? Because he saw that they were not paying attention to what was being said; for you always resist the Holy Spirit.

^A He shows by this that what he himself was saying proceeded from the Holy Spirit, especially since he was about to die; for it is not likely that he was ignorant of this, being full of the Spirit. He uses great, fearless, and abundant freedom of speech, and even the things he said to them were not his own, but the prophets'. "Always," he says, "you resist." When He did not want there to be sacrifices, you sacrificed; when, again, He wants them, you do not sacrifice. Again, when the temple was standing, you worshipped idols; when He wants you to be separated from the temple, you do the opposite. He did not say, "You resist God," but, "the Spirit," for there is no difference between the Holy Spirit and God. You resist just as your fathers did; you also do the same. He shows that the evil in them is greater, inasmuch as it had persisted with them from an ancient origin. Christ also used to do this, since they always boasted and glorified themselves much in the name of their ancestors. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? If your fathers killed those who had foretold and pre-signified, it is no wonder if I too, who preach the One whom they had foretold would come, should be killed by you, who take on great airs and glory much in the name of your ancestors. "Of the coming of that Just One." "Of the Just One," he says, showing that they had killed Him unjustly. For if He was just, those who killed Him are very unjust. And he calls Him just, which not even they themselves could deny. For nowhere did they ever accuse Him of being unjust; for how could they have accused Him, who had no sin at all? He charges them with two crimes, murder and betrayal; for, he says, you have become traitors and murderers. "You who received the law by the decree of angels, and have not kept it," that is, things decreed by angels, or delivered by the One who appeared in the bush. He shows them to be such that they have never been, nor are, nor will be, people who obey God, the angels, the prophets, or the Holy Spirit. ^B

Verse 54. But when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at him.

Verse 55. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked up to heaven, and saw the majesty and glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Verse 56. And he says: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.

If they wanted to kill him, how did it happen that they did not kill him immediately? Because they wanted to cover up the crime with a pretext and a veil consistent with reason. For the insult with which they were being affected was not a sufficiently just cause for killing, and in reality, it was not his insult, but the prophet's accusation against them. At the same time, they did not want to appear to be killing him because of the things he had said to them, just as they did not want to appear to be killing Christ for that reason, but for impiety. For they were not content to stain themselves with murder; they were also eager for, and were meditating on, harming His glory. ^D For they feared that if he were killed because of the insult to them,

^A he might become more esteemed. [[And Jesus standing at the right hand of God.]] By this standing, He indicates stability and immobility; furthermore, it was acceptable and agreeable to them, and they admitted and allowed that He should stand at that time.

[Vers. 57.] *At them with a loud voice shouting, they held their ears, and rushed with one mind upon him.* ^B [Vers. 58.] *And casting him out of the city, they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, who was called Saul.* [Vers. 59.] *And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.* [Vers. 60.] *And kneeling down, he cried with a loud voice: Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge. And having said this, he fell asleep.*

What they did in the time of Christ, they did also here. Just as He said, "You shall see the Son of God sitting at the right hand," and they, calling the statement blasphemy, rushed upon Him; so also here. But there indeed they tore their garments; here, however, they stopped their ears. And casting him out of the city, they stoned *him*: they did not even wait to conclude the discourse, but stoned him. And yet, if he were lying, they should have dismissed him as a madman; but if he spoke the truth, they should have admired him more. They cast him out of the city and put him to death, just as they did in the case of Christ. *And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man.* He calls those witnesses whom they had suborned to bear false testimony against him. ^C By these things he implies two matters: namely, that even those who were seen to be witnesses were more prepared for the murder, since they even set aside their garments so as to be light and unencumbered for the stoning; and that he who was later to be the herald of the world was also himself then assisting in the murder—such a divine and wondrous change, and one not according to the level of men, occurred in him.

The phrase, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," served to teach and to show them that he was not perishing.

[[CYRIL.]] Since human nature has been enriched by justification through faith in Christ, and through Him, the blameless state, He has brought in for us this innovation, that our souls no longer run down into Hades as before, but are sent into the hands of the living God. And knowing this, the holy Stephen said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And the blessed Paul also writes: "So then, let also those who suffer according to the will of God commend their own souls ^D to a faithful Creator."

*And kneeling down, he cried with a loud voice: Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge.* He does not pray, he says, simply, but with attention; for up to this point God had allowed his soul to be in him. See how,

animas 72 suas committant atque commendent. ^A Positis autem genibus exclamavit voce magna: Domine, ne imputes eis hoc peccatum. Non simpliciter, inquit, precatur, sed cum consideratione atque attentione: Nam tantisper animam ei adesse Deus concedebat. Vide autem vocem, et in malis patientiam immensam. Hinc ostendit, ne illa quidem priora, quæ in illos dixerat, iracundiæ furorisque alicujus fuisse: sed ut exacerbaret, convinceret, attraheret, alliceret.

CAPUT VIII

VERS. 1. Cæterum Saulus erat ex iis, quibus probabatur illum interfici. Orta est autem in illo die persecutio magna adversus Ecclesiam Hierosolymitam, atque omnes dilapsi sunt in fines Judææ atque Samariæ, apostolis exceptis.

VERS. 2. Curaverunt autem una funus Stephani viri religiosi, magnumque plangorem ei fecerunt.

VERS. 3. Porro Saulus vastabat Ecclesiam, et in domos ingrediens, trahensque viros et mulieres, tradebat in custodiam.

VERS. 4. Atque illi quidem, qui dispersi erant, quacunque iter faciebant, verbum Dei annuntiabant.

Ipsi, inquit, apostoli non dilapsi sunt, sed erant Hierosolymis. Ubi enim major belli moles erat, ^B illic stare primarios bellatores, in acie collocari, cæterisque exemplum fortitudinis animique præsentiæ proponi oportebat. Curaverunt autem una funus Stephani viri religiosi, magnumque plangorem ei fecerunt. Si religiosi erant, cur plangorem faciebant? Quia nondum erant perfecti: atque alioqui quis non planxisset, tali doctrina, tali præsidio, talibus signis carere coactus, et illum mansuetum lapidibus obrutum, mortuum jacentem videns? Saulus autem vastabat Ecclesiam. Ingens furor, quod et solus erat, et in ædes irruebat: animam enim suam dederat pro lege.

VERS. 5. Cæterum Philippus cum devenisset in urbem Samariæ, prædicabat Christum.

VERS. 6. Attendebant autem unanimiter turbæ quæ dicebantur a Philippo, quod et audirent et viderent signa, quæ faciebat.

VERS. 7. Ex multis enim, qui ab iis opprimebantur, spiritus impuri magna voce clamantes exibant. Multi item paralytici et claudi curati sunt.

VERS. 8. Fuit ergo gaudium magnum in illa urbe.

Non apostolus Philippus, qui recensebatur inter illos duodenos, sed unus de septenis illis, qui delecti erant ad dispensationem viduarum, hic est qui et Eunuchum baptizavit, et Simoni fidei ^C tradidit rudimenta. Et audi ipsum Lucam dicentem: Interfecto Stephano ingens adversus Ecclesiam persecutio orta est, et omnes dilapsi sunt in partes Judææ et Samariæ, præterquam apostoli. Unde perspicuum est apostolum Philippum una cum aliis ^D

^A cum ceteris Hierosolymis permansisse. Facit autem etiam hoc ad demonstrationem. Nam Philippus quidem baptizavit eos, qui in Samaria verbum Dei didicerant: Petrus autem et Joannes apostoli Hierosolymis ad eos profecti, donum Spiritus sancti illis præstiterunt. Quod si hic unus fuisset apostolorum, habuisset utique auctoritatem dandi Spiritus sancti; sed baptizat duntaxat, tanquam discipulus: donum autem ac gratiam sancti Spiritus tanquam rei perfectionem addunt apostoli, quibus hujusmodi donationis faciendæ auctoritas data erat. Alii autem dicunt, idcirco Philippum non superinduxisse Spiritum sanctum super baptizatos, quod diaconus duntaxat esset, ab Stephano nominatus atque promotus, presbyteri autem vel epi- ^B scopi, sicut discipuli Domini, auctoritatem non haberet. Porro diaconum illum fuisse testatur Paulus in regulis, non modo de hoc ipso loquens, verum etiam de Anania, qui ipsum Paulum baptizavit. Cæterum diaconus cum esset, baptizavit primum quidem, quod penuria presbyterorum esset in Samaria: licet autem in necessitate etiam diacono baptizare, ubi presbyter non est, quemadmodum docuit ipse Spiritus, hortatus ipsum Philippum, ut propius accederet ad Eunuchum. Notandum est autem, post baptisma impositis manibus per precationem super baptizatos in nomine Domini Jesu venire Spiritum sanctum. Quamobrem etiam usque adhuc talis ordo servatur.

VERS. 9. Erat autem jam antea in illa urbe vir quidam nomine Simon artem magicam exercens, et ^C admiratione sui attonitæ et obstupefactæ genti Samariæ imponens, qui diceret se esse quemdam magnum.

VERS. 10. Cui omnes tam summi quam infimi auscultabant, dicentes: Hic est potentia Dei illa magna.

VERS. 11. Attendebant autem eum, propterea quod magicis præstigiis atque ludibriis satis multo jam tempore eis attonitis et obstupefactis imposuisset, animosque eorum ac mentes cepisset.

VERS. 12. Cum autem credidisset Philippo annuntianti atque docenti quæ pertinent ad regnum Dei, et nomen Jesu Christi, baptizabantur tum viri tum mulieres.

VERS. 13. Itaque Simon et ipse credidit, et baptizatus frequens et assiduus erat cum Philippo; cumque videret virtutes et signa fieri, attonitus admirabatur. ^D

VERS. 14. Porro cum audissent apostoli, qui erant Jerosolymis, ab Samaria verbum Dei esse receptum, miserunt ad eos Petrum et Joannem.

VERS. 15. Qui cum descendissent illo, oraverunt pro eis, ut acciperent Spiritum sanctum.

VERS. 16. Nondum enim super quemquam illorum ^A erat delapsus: sed baptizati duntaxat erant in nomine Christi Jesu.

VERS. 17. Tunc manus ei imponebant, et accipiebant Spiritum sanctum.

VERS. 18. Conspicatus autem Simon per impositionem manuum apostolorum dari Spiritum sanctum, attulit eis pecunias,

VERS. 19. Ac dixit: Date mihi quoque istam potestatem, ut cuicunque imposuero manus, accipiat Spiritum sanctum.

VERS. 20. At Petrus dixit ad eum: ^B Tuum argentum tecum sit in perditionem: quoniam donum Dei existimasti per pecuniam comparari.

VERS. 21. Non est tibi pars neque sors in ratione hac atque doctrina. Cor enim tuum non est rectum coram Deo.

Observe yet another temptation, that which happened through Simon. For he says that they also thought he had great power; so much were they in that time deceived by magic arts: until Philip, arriving, freed them from the delusion. For Simon used to say to the Jews, "I am the Father," and to the Samaritans, "I am the Christ." But Simon himself also believed, not for the sake of faith, but so that he himself might perform signs. How then did he seem to perform signs? He was giving the appearance of it; perhaps he was even restraining those who were oppressed and vexed by demons. And just as he considered his own art to be a matter of skill, so he imagined the apostles' work to be likewise; and that is why he was offering money. And so that he would not be driven away, for that reason he was constantly ^C and assiduously with Philip.

VERS. 22. Repent therefore from this wickedness of yours, and pray to God, if perhaps the thought of your heart shall be forgiven you.

VERS. 23. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.

VERS. 24. And Simon answering said: Pray you for me to the Lord, that nothing of these things which you have said come upon me.

VERS. 25. And they indeed having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and evangelized many villages of the Samaritans.

It would be redundant, the "Repent" which was spoken to Simon, if he were evil by constitution, according to the tales of the heretics. For they say that man, being evil by nature, is not capable of change that comes from a determined will. But not in vain ^D is it said: "Repent therefore, and return to health"; therefore he too was of his own power and will, and "pray to God, if perhaps the thought of your heart shall be forgiven you."

^A Thus, when we do what is good, God does this in us through Jesus Christ, that is, using him as a mediator and one who is active. For he who from the beginning worked our salvation, what wonder is it if he also becomes a mediator in the working of virtues, and fulfills the Father's will in us, confirming and strengthening us for the performance of good deeds? Furthermore, when he had said "that is well-pleasing," he added "before him." For then we are truly well-pleasing when we appear good before God, not when we appear so before men. ^B This is what the prophet David also says: "According to the cleanness of my hands before his eyes," and Isaiah: "Take away the evils from before my eyes."

VERS. 22. "And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of consolation." Do you see? What he did not write to anyone else, he writes to these. He does not say "of admonition," but "of consolation," that is, of comfort and of an exhortation toward endurance, because his words were directed toward those who were afflicted.

"For I have written to you in few words." Having said so much, he still calls these things brief in respect to the things he desired to say. He is saying to them, as it were, "Even if you are faint-hearted, suffer me, for no one can complain of the length of the things said," which we see happens in those who are faint-hearted. For such people do not tolerate a long discourse.

VERS. 23. "Know that our brother Timothy has been released." They were not so hostile toward Timothy, and therefore he put him forward first. ^C But released from where? Either he was in prison and was released, or he was released from Athens; for he was there. "With whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you." This is sufficient to persuade them to cease from their hostile spirit toward him, if indeed he is prepared to come with his disciple. Perhaps it is likely that this is what happened, and that he departed for Judea from Rome. For he was released the first time under Nero, just as we said in the preface to this epistle.

VERS. 24. "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints." Observe here with what honor he treats them, since he salutes those who have the rule through their own people. For it was more fitting that he should write to those who have the rule, and through them salute those who are subject to them; but he most prudently takes care of and fosters the weaker ones.

"They that are of Italy salute you." I am so held by my love for you, he says, that I do not only salute you myself, but I also plant such a longing for you in others, that even though they are separated by such a great distance, they love you and for that reason send you their greetings.

VERS. 25. "Grace be with you all. Amen." Because grace is a common thing, he prays for it in common both for those who have the rule and for the subjects. But what is this grace? The remission of sins, purification, the participation of the Spirit. And how will it be with you? If you do not treat it with injury, if you do not unworthy of it...

Philip said: "If you believe with all your heart, it is allowed." He answered and said: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." ^A And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip. And the Eunuch saw him no more; for he went on his way rejoicing. Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through, he preached the Gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

"I pray you, of whom does he say this?" et cetera. The fact that he knew the prophets speak at one time about different things, or about themselves in the person of another—for this his question declares—was a sign of a man truly thoughtful and prudent. "Behold, water; what prevents me from being baptized?" See how it is managed; he is led and instructed. First he reads and does not understand; then he reads the testimony of Scripture itself, where the suffering, the resurrection, and the gift were; ^B then he asks: the interpretation and explanation follow, since Philip had taken the occasion from the prophecy. Furthermore, since zeal, desire, and longing had given him wings, so to speak, he hastens next to baptism. He did not say, "Baptize me," but, "What prevents me?" demonstrating by his question his great desire to attain baptism. "When they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip." The Spirit takes him up, making the event more wonderful, ^C and at the same time delighting Philip that he was judged worthy of things such as the prophets, like Habakkuk, had obtained. It is the Spirit and not an angel that takes him away, as before, because the appearance of the angel occurred then to those who were more carnal, while the Spirit came to those who were more spiritual. Furthermore, it was useful for him to be parted from the Eunuch by the rapture, since the Eunuch might have begged and asked for him to depart with him. And if he, not yet called by opportunity, had refused and declined, he would have sent the Eunuch away sad. Thus all things were divinely ordered. Moreover, the Spirit set him down at Azotus, where he was then required to preach the Gospel.

CAPUT IX

He explains the fury of Paul against the faithful and the Church, showing him in the midst of zeal and ardor

^A for that zeal drew him. For the statement of Christ was being fulfilled in him: "They who kill you will think they offer a service to God." For he did not act as the Jews did. By no means. That he acted out of zeal, that is, a fervent passion for God, is evident from the fact that he went even to outside cities; for they would not have cared even about those in Jerusalem. For they were intent only on one thing, to enjoy honors. But he journeyed to Damascus because it was a great and royal city, and he feared lest it be preoccupied by the preaching. Nor does he go to the governor to make a request, but to the high priest and pontiff, because he intended to do everything in accordance with the law. ^B "In order that if he found any of that Way, both men and women, he might lead them bound to Jerusalem." What is "of that Way"? Perhaps those who had believed called themselves this, because it was their faith alone through which we are carried to heaven. Or perhaps Paul called them "of the Way" at that time, perhaps as though disparaging and mocking them; for people are accustomed to call a worthless man one "of the way." He did not seek authority to punish them there, but leads them to Jerusalem, because he wished to act with greater authority. VERS. 3. "And as he journeyed, it happened that he drew near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone round him like lightning." VERS. 4. "And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" VERS. 5. And he said: "Who are you, Lord?" And the Lord said: "I am Jesus, whom you persecute." (The things which follow here, ^C up to "but arise," are not found in the ancient Greek manuscript.) "It is hard for you to kick against the goad." VERS. 6. "He trembling and amazed said: Lord, what will you have me do? And the Lord said to him: But arise, and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." VERS. 7. "Now the men who were traveling with him stood amazed and stupefied, indeed hearing the voice, but seeing no one." VERS. 8. "Now Saul arose from the earth, and with his eyes opened, he saw no one. And so, leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus." VERS. 9. "And he lacked sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank." The vision does not occur in the city, but on the journey, in solitude and away from the crowd, because the common people ^D would not have believed, but would even have mocked it, since even there, when they heard the voice, they said that it was thunder. Here, however, the author was weighty and worthy, to whom faith should rather be given, inasmuch as he was reporting what had happened to him. Therefore, not in Jerusalem, nor in Damascus, but on the journey the light shone round him, so that it might not be possible for others to recount the event in different ways; but he himself...

who both knew the vision and had undergone the affliction, could not have his testimony to the narrative abrogated. ^A For this is also what he says when defending his cause before Agrippa. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Christ does not say to him, "Believe"; but He accuses him, saying, "Why are you persecuting me?" as if to say: "For what small or great injury received from me do you do these things? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," meaning to say: "Do not suppose that your war is against men, but against me, who am your Lord." But why did this not happen from the beginning? That it might be shown that Christ had truly risen. For he who was driving Him and did not believe in His resurrection, and was persecuting the faithful with such insanity and fury, by what reasoning would he have believed, had there not been the great power of the resurrection? And why not immediately after the resurrection? That the war against it might be shown more clearly, and that the conversion might follow more divinely. The men who were traveling with him, ^B however, stood speechless, seeing no one. The light shone around all of them, including those who were with him, so that they might bear witness to the vision; but it did not blind all of them, only Paul, so that it might not be considered a common and, as it were, accidental calamity, but might appear as the work of the divine and truly hidden efficacy and providence. But why did those with him not believe? So that they might be credible witnesses to the things concerning Paul. For if they had believed, they would have been thought to bear witness out of favor. But whose voice did those accompanying Paul hear? That of Paul himself answering; the heavenly one, however, he alone heard. Wherefore, here it is said: "But the men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice," that is, of Paul; but seeing no one to whom he was answering. ^C But going further, Paul himself says: "Those who were with me saw the light, and were afraid; but they did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me." When his eyes were opened, he saw no one. Paul's eyesight is injured, because the excess of light is accustomed to cause injury. For the eyes have their limits. It is said, moreover, that the excess of voice can make men deaf, stupefied, and astonished. And he was without sight for three days, and he did not eat nor drink. Why did he do this? Because he was greatly displeased with himself that he had persecuted the Church, and he was exceedingly sad and sorrowful, and was supplicating and praying to God that it might be forgiven him.

^D VERS. 10. There was a certain disciple in Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision: "Ananias." And he said: "Behold, I am here, Lord."

VERS. 11. And the Lord said to him: "Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas a man named Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he is praying."

VERS. 12. And he saw in a vision a man named Ananias entering and laying his hand upon him, that he might regain his sight.

VERS. 13. *And Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem.* ^A VERS. 14. *And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke thy name.* VERS. 15. *And the Lord said to him: Go, because this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.* VERS. 16. *For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.* Why is it that to Ananias, who was not a notable or illustrious disciple, the first instruction and healing of Paul—who was to become so great—is entrusted? It is because he was not to be brought up or taught sublime things by men, but by Christ Himself. For even Ananias indeed baptized and healed him, but he taught him naught. That he was not among the very eminent is clear from the cowardice and fear which are implied by his words. For he so trembled at the persecution by Paul, that upon hearing merely his name from the Lord, he was struck with fear and became amazed; and he did not even attend to what was said immediately after, such as that he is praying, that he has seen a vision, that he is blind, and that a benefactor and savior is being ^B sent to him. *And he saw in a vision a man named Ananias.* For he could not see openly, because he was blind. *And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all.* Whence did they know this? It is likely that, being in fear, they were anxious and inquisitive, and had learned what was being decreed against them. Observe, moreover, how great was the terror; for he could not even endure to hear the name of Paul before he knew what the matter was. “I fear,” he says, “that he may eventually bring me to Jerusalem.” *Go, for this man is to me a vessel of election.* Not only, He says, will he be a believer, but also a teacher, and he shall use great boldness before the Gentiles and kings; and he shall stand against the Jews. He encourages Ananias by these words, and at the same time touches him with shame, as if He were to say: “Since that man, who is so possessed by and mad with such fury and desire for murder—as if seized by ^C a disease—will suffer all things for me, do you nevertheless not even wish to baptize him?” For this reason He says, *a vessel of election*, and, *he shall carry my name*; because when Ananias had heard that Paul was blind, he rejoiced, and as good as said this in his own words: “It is well; let him be blind; why dost Thou bid me open his eyes? That he may bind again? Or that he may punish again?” He says: “He will not only do no evil, but he will also suffer many things for me.” Rightly did He call him *a vessel of election*, the word showing that malice is not natural; for we are chosen as that which is approved. ^D

^A VERS. 17. *So Ananias went and entered into the house, and putting his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way, as thou camest, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.*

VERS. 18. *And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight, and rising, he was baptized.*

VERS. 19. *And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.*

Observe the obedience following the greater fear. These were not the words of Ananias as someone unbelieving or diffident or skeptical, but as someone fearing and trembling. "Brother Saul, the Lord sent me, who appeared to thee in the way by which thou camest." Immediately he reconciles him to himself in the name of the Lord. And yet, Christ had not told him that He had appeared to him, but he had learned it from the Spirit; and yet, it was not an appearance, but He appeared ^B truly by the things themselves and in actuality. "He who appeared to thee," he says; he did not say, "He who blinded thee," avoiding even mentioning and declining such an upbraiding. "He sent me," he says; "it is not my action; I am a minister of grace and of the benefit." Thus they were accustomed to regard nothing as their own. "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales." Scales fall, which show both the intensity of the inflammation and the certain and indubitable healing. "And rising, he was baptized, and when he had taken meat, he was strengthened." For he had been weakened, both from the journey, and from fear, and from hunger, and from grief. Observe also that he did not see fit to take food before he had obtained great gifts.

VERS. 20. *And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.*

VERS. 21. *And all that heard were astonished, and said: Is not this he who persecuted and destroyed in Jerusalem those that called upon this name? and came hither to this end, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests?*

VERS. 22. *But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded and confuted the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, affirming that this is Christ.*

"That this is the Son of God." Not that He rose, nor that He lives; but what? Immediately he delivers the complete doctrine: namely, that He is the Son of God; he was immediately a teacher. For he was not ashamed of the change in those things by which he was famous. "But Saul increased much more in strength, and confuted the Jews." For as one who was learned in the Law, he would stop their mouths with the very things that they themselves brought forward, taking them captive and refuting them. They thought they had seen the end of such argumentation, when Stephen was removed from their midst, and caused them no further trouble; and they obtained another more vehement than Stephen. Furthermore, what he says, "affirming," means reconciling and confirming—that is, teaching, explaining, and expounding from those Scriptures which they themselves knew.

^A to the sick and those possessed by demons, and they were healed. 16. Paul in Troas raised the fallen Eutychus from the loft, who had died, saying, "His soul is in him." 18. Paul in Cyprus rebuked the sorcerer Elymas, and the sorcerer himself became blind. 19. As Paul was sailing to Rome, he and all who were in the ship were storm-tossed for fourteen days and nights. When all were expecting to die, the Lord stood by Paul and said to him, "For your sake I have granted life to these," and they were all saved. After Paul left the ship, a viper bit him, and all thought he would die. But when he remained unharmed, they thought he was a god. 21. Publius, the chief man on the island, was suffering from dysentery; Paul, by laying on of hands, healed him, and cured many other sick people.

Journeys of the holy apostle Paul. He began from Damascus, and came to Jerusalem; thence to Tarsus; and thence to Antioch; and again a second time to Jerusalem; and again a second time to Antioch; and thence after being set apart with Barnabas for the apostolate, he descended to Seleucia; then to Cyprus, where Paul also began to be named; then to Perga; to Antioch of Pisidia; then to Iconium; then to Lystra and Derbe and Lycaonia; then to Pamphylia; then again to Perga; then to Attalia; then again a third time to Antioch of Syria; then again a third time to Jerusalem for the sake of circumcision. Then again a fourth time to Antioch. Then again a second time to Derbe and Lystra, where he circumcised Timothy; then to the Phrygian and Galatian region; then to Mysia; then to Troas; and thence to Neapolis; then to Philippi of Macedonia; then, having traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, he came to Thessalonica; then to Beroea; then to Athens; then to Corinth; then to Ephesus; then to Caesarea; then a second time to Antioch of Pisidia; then to the Galatian region and Phrygia; then again a second time to Ephesus; ^B then, having traveled through Macedonia, he came again a second time to Philippi. And from Philippi again to Troas, where he also raised Eutychus who had fallen; then to Assos; then to Mitylene; then opposite Chios. Then to Samos, and thence to Miletus; thence, having sent for those in Ephesus, he spoke with them; then to Cos; then to Rhodes; and thence to Patara; and thence to Tyre; then to Ptolemais, and thence to Caesarea; and thence again a fourth time he went up to Jerusalem; and thence he was conveyed to Rome.

^A

VERS. 27. *Sed Barnabas prehensum eum duxit ad apostolos, et narravit eis quemadmodum in itinere Dominum vidisset, et ut ei Dominus locutus esset, et quemadmodum Damasci libere nomen Jesu praedicasset.* VERS. 28. *Et erat in Jerusalem cum iis, ingrediens et egrediens, et libere praedicans nomen Domini Jesu.* VERS. 29. *Loquebaturque ac disputabat cum Graecanicis. At illi conabantur eum occidere.* VERS. 30. *Quod ubi fratres resciverunt, deduxerunt eum Caesaream, et dimiserunt Tarsum.* VERS. 31. *Et Ecclesiae quidem per totam Judaeam, Galilaeam et Samariam pace fruebantur, aedificabanturque et versabantur in timore Domini, et confirmatione atque consolatione sancti Spiritus replebantur et augebantur.* ^B

Barnabas was a man humane, kind, gentle, and mild; this is shown both by this passage and by the things that were afterwards done by him. Perhaps he also knew Paul beforehand, seeing that he was his friend. But to which of the apostles did he lead him? Perhaps to Peter and James, whom he himself says in the Epistle to the Galatians that he saw. Notice, however, that Paul did not approach the apostles, being restrained by his own modesty and sense of shame; but he went to the disciples, as one who was a disciple. Barnabas, however, leads him even to the apostles and recounts what he had seen and what he had spoken with boldness. ^C He spoke and disputed with the Hellenists—that is, with those Jews who spoke Greek. For those others, who were deep Hebrews, could not even bear to see him; nay, rather they even attempted to kill him. When the disciples learned of this, they escorted him to Caesarea; fearing what had happened in the time of Stephen, they safely brought him to Caesarea, and thence to Tarsus, that he might at once teach and be safe in his own homeland. For the Jews were not inflamed with such fury against others as they were against this man. For the other apostles—because they had broken the edge of the Jews' rage against them by the passage of time, and because they had presented and shown themselves to judgment more often, and were held in admiration by the multitude—the Jews even ^D revered and honored. *And the Churches throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria were enjoying peace.* He is about to say that Peter descends from there; therefore, that you might not suspect that this was done on account of fear, he prefaces that the Churches enjoyed peace. For when there was the heat of war, the apostles were staying in Jerusalem; but with peace established, they traversed the other places as well, preaching.

VERS. 32. *Accidit autem, ut Petrus omnia peragrans, descenderet etiam ad sanctos, qui Lyddam incolebant.* VERS. 33. *Reperit autem illic hominem quemdam nomine Aeneam, qui annos jam octo decumbebat in grabato, quod paralyticus esset.*

^A VERS. 34. And Peter said to him: Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed, and he arose at once. VERS. 35. And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Saron saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Why did he not wait until the man had faith, nor ask if he wished to be healed? Most of all, and in the first place, the miracle took place for the sake of stirring up, inviting, and summoning the common people; for "All the inhabitants of Lydda and Saron," he says, "saw him, and they turned to the Lord." Furthermore, they had not yet provided here any proofs or demonstrations of his own power. Therefore, it was not consistent or even appropriate to demand faith from them, since they did not demand it from that lame man either. Just as Christ, when he began to perform signs, did not demand faith, so neither did they. For in Jerusalem, it is nothing ^B surprising if faith was required first, so that—as it is said—when Peter came, even his shadow might overshadow some of them; for many signs were performed there. Here, however, it is the first time he approaches and arrives.

VERS. 36. Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which being interpreted is called Dorcas, that is, a gazelle. She was full of good works and alms which she did.

VERS. 37. And it came to pass in those days that she became sick and died; and having washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.

VERS. 38. Since Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent ^C two men to him, begging him not to delay coming to them.

VERS. 39. Peter therefore arose, and went with them; and when he had arrived, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood around him, weeping and showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas used to make when she was with them.

VERS. 40. But Peter, having cast them all outside, knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, said: "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and having seen Peter, she sat up.

VERS. 41. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. ^D

VERS. 42. And the matter became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

VERS. 43. And it came to pass that Peter remained for many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

"Nomine Tabitha." He sets down her name, showing...

showing that she was worthy of her name, and her deeds matched her name; for she was vigilant and sober, just as a gazelle is. For God in His providence often imposes such names. They laid her, having died, in the upper room; that is, they performed every ^A due office for a corpse. The disciples who were at Joppa sent, fearing lest he be burdened, to ask him to come to them. See their simplicity and Peter’s soul, his humility and condescension. They do not come themselves, as if to summon him; but they ask for him through two, and he comes. But why did they not send for him before she had died? They thought it was not worth while to bother the disciples for such matters, and to distract and hinder the preaching. Therefore he says "before they were dead." And all the widows stood by him, weeping and showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas used to make. She shows her humility in being with them and living among them as one of all the rest, not as we do now. Peter, by casting everyone out, kneeled down and prayed. Why does he cast ^B them all out? So that they would not be confounded by tears, and might not be disturbed. He knelt down. He makes the prayer with intensity; then he takes her; then gradually life and power are introduced. Having called for the saints and the widows, he presents her alive to them, for their relief. See the lack of pride in Peter, how great a work he performed, and yet he resides not with a noble, nor with anyone else of eminence, but lodges with Simon the tanner; he is not ashamed of the lowly, nor does he allow the great to be puffed up. Living he exhibits her, and indeed for their protection and confirmation. See the humble and lowly mind of Peter, who has done so much, yet lodges neither with her, nor any other man of note, but with Simon the tanner, neither spurning nor holding in contempt the lowly and mean, nor allowing the magnates to be puffed up.

CAPUT X

VERS. 1. There was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italian, ^C

VERS. 2. A pious and God-fearing man with all his family, and one who gave many alms to the people, and prayed to God continually.

VERS. 3. He saw in a vision clearly at about the hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him: Cornelius.

VERS 4. But he looked at him and, seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? He said to him: Your prayers and your ^D alms have ascended in memory before God.

VERS. 5. And now send men to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is called Peter.

VERS. 6. He is a guest with a certain Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea.

VERS. 7. But when the angel, who was speaking to Cornelius, had departed...

^A having called two of his servants and a pious soldier of those who were in constant attendance upon him, ^B VERS. 8. And having explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppe.

This man is not a Jew, nor of those who were under the Law; but he had already taken up our manner of life. Two even from among them believe, who were endowed with dignity: the treasurer of the Ethiopian woman, and this man. A godly man and one who feared God with all his house. Let us hear, we who neglect our own family and household, that this man was even concerned for his soldiers. A centurion of the cohort which was called the Italian. For it was a great cohort, he says, which was called the Italian. A *speira* is a cohort, which we now call a "Number." For this reason he makes the man known and clear, lest anyone should say that the history of the Scriptures is told falsely. It should be known that a *speira*, or cohort, consists of two hundred soldiers, but a *custodia* of sixty. ^B He saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God entering unto him. He sees the angel for the full assurance of Peter; or rather, not of him, but of others who were weaker. ^C It was the ninth hour, when he was freed from cares, and was in quiet and contrition. Since the Eye of truth and the great Judge saw that the works were great, but dead if faith be lacking, He sends an angel who might compensate the works with rewards, so that those who contended rightly might be crowned with faith. But from the sight a fear entered, yet it was moderate, only as much as to turn and move him; then the words dispelled the fear. Your prayers and your alms have ascended for a memorial before God. See where the alms proceeds: even to the heaven of heaven, and it stands by the royal throne itself. See also the angel first lifting up his mind and raising it to sublime things, and only then saying what he says. And now send men to Joppe, and fetch Simon, who is called Peter: he is a guest with a certain Simon a tanner. In order that they might not go to another, he identifies the man not only by his surname, but also by the place. Whose house is by the sea. The apostles sought out the remote parts of cities, being lovers of solitude and quiet. For what if it happened that there were another? Behold, there is a sign, namely that he dwelt by the sea. He does not state why, lest he should overwhelm him with joy. ^D Having called two of his servants, and a pious soldier. You see, it is not without reason that he says this, that those who were in constant attendance upon him were such men. And having explained all things to them, he sent them to Joppe. Behold his lack of vainglory. For he did not say, "Call Peter to me," but he explained everything so that he might be persuaded. For he did not wish to summon him by the authority of his own rank. Therefore, he narrates the whole matter.

VERS. 9. But on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and

^A as they were drawing near to the city, Peter went up onto the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.

And he became hungry and wanted to taste some food. But whilst they were preparing it, an ecstasy fell upon him, and he sees heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him, as it were a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and being let down onto the earth; in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and reptiles, and birds of the sky. And a voice came to him: Rise, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said: By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean. And the voice came to him again a second time: That which God has cleansed, you must not call common. And this happened three times, and the vessel was again taken up into heaven. ^B

Observe how the Spirit brings together the times, and causes this to happen neither sooner nor later. Peter went up onto the housetop to pray about the sixth hour, that is, in private and in quiet, as in an upper room. An ecstasy fell upon him, and he sees heaven opened. "Ecstasy"—as one might say, an exiting, an emotion—signifies also the consternation due to wonder, and the escape of a man who is being led to spiritual things, out of those things which are perceived by the senses. Thus, a certain spiritual contemplation came to him. And a certain vessel was descending to him, as it were a sheet. The prince of the apostles, Peter, had need of a divine revelation regarding the Gentiles; for he did not know that there ^C is no distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision according to faith, nor did he clearly know that the Lord had said that the Gentiles were to be discipled by means of the worship appearing through faith, until He revealed to him the mystery of His hidden counsel through a revelation; having persuaded him both by the example of the sheet and by the grace of the Holy Spirit which was also given to the Gentiles through faith, that there is, regarding Christ, no discrimination or distinction between Jew and Greek. Bound at the four corners, and being let down onto the earth: the four corners signify the four elements; and the vessel that appeared signifies the grosser world, ^D and the diverse animals are symbols of the condition and constitution of men. Man uncircumcised was a symbol of the whole inhabited world; for he had nothing in common with the Jews, and they were all about to accuse him as a transgressor and a violator of the law. The matter is therefore managed by the Spirit, so that he might have a defense against those who were accusing him, in that he also spoke against it; for it was necessary for him to keep the law strictly. So, that they might not accuse him, this is managed. Perhaps it was while he was lying on his knees that he saw the vision.

And the event was divine, both to see from above, ^A and to be in an ecstasy, and to hear the voice resounding from there, and to confess three times that there were unclean things there, and to have them come from there, and to have them drawn back up to that place: it was a great sign of purity. This happens for the sake of those to whom he is about to explain it later; since he himself had heard, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles" (Matt. 10:5). If even Paul had need of circumcision and sacrifice, much more so then at the beginning of the preaching, when they themselves were weaker. However, he did not pronounce "common and unclean" about everyone, but about those things which the law called common and unclean. But God, handing down the character and pattern of His holy Church, told him to consider nothing common. For all things are pure to him, being received with thanksgiving and the blessing of God. But even if that enigma and mystery pertained to the calling of the Gentiles, so that he should not consider those born in uncircumcision to be common or unclean, ^B nonetheless Peter's discourse did not have its emphasis regarding men, but regarding those things forbidden by the law. That the forms of animals are transferred to the characters of men, we learned from Peter's vision, because in the vessel that was let down from heaven, every form of animal was present: of reptiles, and birds, and four-footed beasts. For the discourse enigmatically pointed to those who were about to be brought to the faith from various sins, that these were they who were likened either to four-footed beasts because of their beastly nature, or to reptiles because of their poisonous disposition, or to birds because of their lightness and instability. And so, snakes are tropologically and allegorically referred to the Sadducees and Pharisees, and the fox to Herod, and horses burning with an insane appetite for mares to those who are lustful and given over to pleasure; sheep to those men who are simpler than others; kids to those who are accustomed neither to communicate nor to share; hedgehogs to the rich, whom the Lord said choke the word with their own thorns and make it unfruitful. And the voice again for the second time to him: "What God has cleansed, do not you call common." The voice indeed appears to be spoken to him, but in reality, it is all spoken to the Jews. For if the teacher is rebuked, much more so are they. ^C

Vers. 17. Moreover, while Peter was hesitating within himself what the vision he had seen might portend, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having inquired after the house of Simon, stood at the gate.

Vers. 18. And having called someone out, they asked whether Simon, who is surnamed Peter, was lodging there.

Vers. 19. And while Peter was persevering in thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold, men are seeking thee. ^D

^A If this has happened, and they are nevertheless scandalized and offended, if this were not so, what would not have happened? But as to what he says, "That he might arcess thee into his house," he says he did not send as one despising, but he was commanded to do so; do not, therefore, despise or scorn him. Rightly, therefore, he first welcomes the men kindly, as they were weary from the labor of the journey, and receives them with hospitality, and thus wins them over and obliges them to himself. Furthermore, that certain men from Joppa should accompany him happened by divine providence, so that they might be witnesses thereafter, when Peter would have need of clearing and defense.

At Cornelius, having called together his kinsfolk and close friends, was awaiting them.

Vers. 25. And as Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him.

Vers. 26. But Peter raised him up and lifted him, saying: Arise, for I myself am also a man.

Vers. 27. And speaking with him, he entered, and finds many gathered together.

The man was famous, and living in a famous city. "Having called together his kinsfolk and necessary friends." Truly, this was the mark of a God-fearing man, to make his close friends participants and sharers of all such good things offered. He rightly called his "necessary" friends, those whom he always trusted, since the struggle for him was concerning such matters. And his friends and kinsfolk also appear to me to have been entertained and received at a banquet by him. ^B And see how he believed completely that Peter would come, because he did not see the angel in a dream, but while awake and in the daytime. But Peter lifted him up, saying: "Arise, for I myself am also a man." With this voice he was both teaching others, giving thanks to God, and showing the humility of his own soul. But mark, before all else he teaches them this, that they should not conceive or think anything grand about themselves.

Vers. 28. And he said to them: You know how heinous and not lawful it is for a man who is a Jew to join or approach a foreigner; but God has shown me that no man should be called common or unclean.

Vers. 29. Wherefore also I came without refusal when I was sent for. I ask, therefore, for what reason you have sent for me?

Vers. 30. And Cornelius said: Four days ago, he says, ^C until this hour I was fasting, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in shining raiment.

Vers. 31. And he says: Cornelius, thy prayers are heard, and thy alms have come up in remembrance before God.

Vers. 32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he is lodging ^D with one Simon a tanner by the seaside: who, when he is come, shall speak unto thee.

^A Ver. 33. Therefore I sent to thee immediately: and thou hast done well in that thou art come. Now therefore all we are present in the sight of God, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by God.

You know that it is not lawful, etc. He discourses concerning the philanthropy of God toward men, and shows what great things God has bestowed upon them. At the same time, he speaks of great things with modesty. For he did not say, "Men, whom we, considering (it) unworthy to associate or join with, come unto you," but, "You know that God has commanded me, that I should not call any man common or unclean, or to approach one of another nation; and God has showed me that I should call no man common or unclean." It is to be noted that the same God permitted the Christian people that they should call no man common or unclean, but live with them, as those who have hope, that they may believe in Christ. Why then do you ask me why you sent for me? Peter had heard the whole thing from the soldiers, but he wishes them to confess it first and to be held accountable to the faith. Being at the ninth hour, he says, praying. ^B This is it: it seems to me that he has fixed the time of life most accurately, and on certain days. For he said, "From the fourth day." See how great a thing is prayer! When he gave himself to prayer, then the angel appears to him. This is one day; and they went that were sent by Cornelius, one; and they came, one; and at the fourth, he appeared, about the third hour after he had prayed. And behold a man stood before me. He does not say, "An angel," but, "A man," and is thus humble. "See how his mind is awakened; see how worthy he was of all these things. Now, therefore, all we are present in the sight of God." He did not say, "In the sight of a man," but, "of God." Thus one must attend to the servants of God.

^C Ver. 34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said: In truth I perceive, that God is no respecter of persons.

Ver. 35. But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him.

Ver. 36. God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Ver. 37. You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached,

Ver. 38. Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ^D

BONIFACE FINETTI'S PREFACE TO THE THIRD VOLUME OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS OF THEOPHYLACTUS

PREFACE. When those who might have compelled me by their almost authoritative command had signified that they wished me to take upon myself the care of editing this third volume, I judged that this labor should by no means be declined, especially since those who could have forced me by their own command chose rather, out of their extraordinary kindness, to persuade me to undertake this duty with reason; saying that it befitted no one more than me, who had undertaken the translation into Latin of the unpublished Works of Theophylactus, of which the greater part of that volume consists.

When, therefore, I had applied my mind to entering upon that which I could scarcely have refused without guilt, I easily understood that a part of the task I had assumed was to write a preface for that same volume, by which I might render to the readers some account of the works it contains and of the labor I have expended upon it. In which matter, this, first of all, seemed to need justification: that this third volume of Theophylactus is perhaps being brought to light much later than had been hoped; unless the things I must say below should relieve me of that labor. For from them it will be made plain and certain that this delay was not caused by anyone's negligence, but by the desire to handle the matter better. For since most of the works which this volume comprises were either very rare or entirely unpublished, and some even discovered very recently, it was necessary that more time should be spent in collecting them (which could only be accomplished through the work of others) and in preparing them for the press than was thought. It was therefore necessary to interrupt the commenced printing of this volume for some time.

But so that the matter might not remain entirely and altogether suspended in the meantime, and so that the expectation of learned men might not be drawn out more than is fair, the skillful managers of this edition have seen to it that the fourth volume, which will also be the last, be submitted to the press, so that the later the scholars receive this third one, the sooner they will be receiving the last volume; the printing of which, since it has already progressed far, we can certainly promise will be brought to light in a few months from now. The benevolent reader will surely bear this short delay with an all the more equitable mind, the more pleasure he is about to perceive from the reading of this volume, both on account of the extraordinary excellence of the works contained in it, and because of their remarkable variety, in which this volume excels those, especially, that have already been published. For whereas those exhibited only exegetical works, this one includes exegetical, oratorical, sacred, profane, historical, political, and dogmatic works in a truly not unpleasing mixture, as is evident from the catalog of the works themselves, which follows. [index: entries preserved] Since, however, some things must be premised about all of these, so that each one may approach their reading better prepared, I will divide this Preface into as many parts as there are sections in this volume.

^A SECTIO I. Regarding the Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles edited by Sifanus.

II. The procession of all the works contained in this volume is led by the Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, translated into Latin and edited by Laurentius Sifanus Prunsfeld, Doctor of Civil and Canon Law, at Cologne by the heirs of Arnold Birckmann in the year 1557. What the occasion of editing this work was, what aim, what diligence he employed in translating it into Latin, and what at length he achieved for its perfection, he declares himself, both in the dedicatory Epistle to the Fugger brothers and in another to Joannes Sambucus; which for this reason I have not thought should be omitted in this edition. The version is sufficiently accurate and polished. But it is to be lamented that, because he had repeatedly discovered the Greek text which he used to be corrupt or mutilated, or at least had doubted it, he was content to note this in the margin, but neglected or it did not occur to him to consult and weigh the source from which that Exposition flowed, namely, the Homilies of great Chrysostom on the Acts of the Apostles; for I do not doubt that in this way he might have been able to patch up and amend most of the passages of his text. That this was indeed successfully achieved by me, the reader will clearly perceive from the Commentary that follows. Furthermore, when I made a trial of certain passages which Sifanus himself rightly suspected to be corrupt or mutilated, I easily discovered that their defect could have been conveniently repaired by such a collation. But why, you will say, did I not do myself what I thought ought to have been done by Sifanus? Because, strictly speaking, I did not wish to lay a hand upon the work of another. Indeed, the single passage which I found to be mutilated by an entire line in the published Greek text—not, as I think, by a defect of the codex nor by the fault of Sifanus, but by the mere carelessness of the printer—I restored from the Chrysostomic source: as you may see on page 11. Therefore, I have seen to the reprinting of that Commentary just as it was edited by the aforementioned Sifanus: except that I judged it to be for the use of the readers to accurately ascribe in their places the numbers of the verses and chapters, of which the former were not noted at all, and the latter only rarely, and then only in the margin. I have also removed a few things from the margin, so that there might be nothing which could offend even the more sensitive minds of some.

^B III. Whether this Commentary is truly the genuine product of our Theophylact, neither Sifanus nor anyone else whom I have seen has thus far called into question. All, of course, have granted unquestioned faith to the epigraph of the codex from which it was copied, by which it is ascribed to Theophylact. Nevertheless, as soon as I cast my eyes upon it, some doubt arose in me regarding this matter, because it seemed to be somewhat removed from the genius of Theophylact and his manner of commenting. For whereas in the other Commentaries which he published—namely, on the Gospels and on the Epistles of Divine Paul—he summarizes his master Chrysostom, and if he pulls anything from other Fathers, he appends it in brief speech with their names suppressed, the author of this Commentary is for the most part so prolix that he surpasses Chrysostom himself, once his moral exhortations are removed, even though in the epigraph brevity and concision (a) are boasted of; and furthermore, he ascribes in the margin the names of several Fathers or writers, as is wont to happen in that kind of commentary which is commonly called a Catena. Although, however, these things cast some scruple into me, they did not in the least lead me away from the common opinion, because I well knew that authors do not always use the same style of writing, even in matters not dissimilar; and that greater or lesser prolixity can be attributed to a greater or lesser abundance of material that is at hand; and that the names of the Fathers, since they appear almost exclusively in the margin, could perhaps have been added by another, and that these are not enough for it to be called a Catena rather than a Commentary, especially since the words of the Fathers are so intertwined with one another that they compose a continuous exposition, and for this reason it can only be inferred from this that some things were added to Theophylact's work by others. That, however, is not a wonder in a work of this kind, which, since it is almost entirely woven from the sayings of others, any learned man could judge that it was permissible for him to add everything he deemed useful. This is the scruple that arose in me—

(a) Namely, in that in which it is held, *καὶ συντομίᾳ συλλήψασθαι* (to be supplied, I think, *ὁμοῦ*), which Sifanus translates, "concisely and briefly collected."

SECTION I. Regarding the Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Recently Recovered from the Vatican Library.

IV. The printing of the preceding Commentary had almost reached its conclusion when three leaves of another commentary on the same Acts of the Apostles arrived from Rome; this commentary, in a manuscript of the Vatican Library, presents Theophylact as its author. Upon collation, we discovered that it differs from the Sifanian [edition], both in other matters and especially in its brevity. This indeed, far from stirring up anew the prior doubt concerning the genuine author of that Commentary, inclined my mind to believe that this one, recently discovered, should rather be ascribed to Theophylact as author, especially because it is much shorter and thus seems to approach more closely to the Theophylactan method of commenting. Some other leaves subsequently received from Rome not only strengthened this suspicion of mine but also gave the managers of this edition the idea of bringing this Commentary to light as well; so that the one which the authority of an equal manuscript, namely a single codex, commends as if it were the offspring of Theophylact, might also enjoy an equal honor of public exposure. Although I myself did not care to be the author of this plan, I did not think it right to oppose it, for I was well aware that learned men have been accustomed to edit not only certain but also doubtful works in the same volume. These works are generally relegated to the end of the volume; but the printing of the preceding Commentary being already completed was the cause of its holding this place. For the editors judged that Commentaries which deal with the same material and labor under almost the same doubt should not be separated. Hence, leaving aside for the time being other things I had in hand, I undertook the labor of translating this into Latin. While I was carrying this out, and observing the Commentary itself more closely and attentively, I detected that in the first six chapters and about half of the seventh there are very few things which might not be in the Sifanian Commentary, and that they differ almost only in the fact that that one is much more prolix, or contains much more. Furthermore, almost all things which are common to both agree so much with the words of Chrysostom that it can hardly or not at all be defined whether what the Vatican Commentary has in the aforesaid chapters was taken from the Sifanian, or some similar model, or immediately from Chrysostom himself. This seems certain, that in that part Chrysostom is exhibited so pure and unadulterated that this title could deservedly be adapted to it: *Scholia on the Acts of the Apostles from Chrysostom*. A few other things which it contains, taken from another store, could have been added to the already finished Commentary by an alien hand.

V. But it must be noted at this point that, since Chrysostom in any of his homilies runs through the proposed text of Luke twice; or, after the first and brief explanation of the words, connects another equally brief and sometimes shorter one, with these or similar words premised: *᾿Αλλ᾽ ἴδωμεν ἄνωθεν τὰ εἰρημένα* (But let us repeat what was said above), the author of this Commentary, whoever he may be, takes the words now from the first, now from the second explanation; and indeed for the most part as they lie in the text of Chrysostom: only by changing, adding, or removing certain words at times, for the sake of greater clarity or brevity, as one who labored not so much about the words as about the sense of Chrysostom. In which matter, if I may be permitted to confess candidly what I seem to have discovered, he has not always performed his duty successfully enough: for sometimes he either suppresses words which were necessary for the completion of the sense, or adds superfluous ones which rather disturb the sense than make it clearer; or in his choice of scholia he passes over better ones. For which reason, this Commentary could justly seem to be adjudicable away from Theophylact, a man outstanding in learning and maturity of judgment, if it were not better to attribute all these things to the carelessness, or lack of skill, and very often the rashness of subsequent scribes. This is explored by me, that the exemplar which I received to be translated into Latin is sprinkled with errors and other defects; the blame for which is to be attributed not to him who wrote it out, who shows himself diligent enough, but to the Vatican codex. However this may be, certainly the greater labor had to be expended by me in arranging the Latin version, the more frequently I found it necessary to compare it with the spring of Chrysostom;

^A so that I might both correct its errors, and, where something was missing, supply it. In those matters, however, which were drawn from another source, I compared them for the same purpose with the Sifanian Commentary and the Florentine transcript, of which I speak below: for many things are common to these individual commentaries, such that one may sometimes be amended and supplemented by another. How much I have perfected the text of the Commentary of which I speak through such comparisons will be known and verified by the reader, if he notices that the words added by me from the stated sources are enclosed in these signs [ ]. At the lateral margin, he will find variant readings noted, though not all of them; for it seemed superfluous and useless to me to warn the reader with some marginal note as often as some manifest error had to be expunged, as Sifanus did; yet I do not think he is to be blamed for this matter, since I easily believe he did so not to display his own diligence or skill, but to remove every suspicion of unfaithfulness. ^B VI. I undertook this work of comparing, for the sake of amending and supplementing the exemplar, not only in the earlier chapters, as I have already hinted, but in every part of it. However, it was not necessary for me to approach Chrysostom so frequently, since from about the middle of the seventh chapter I discovered that it departs more from Chrysostom and conforms almost exactly to the Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles long published under the name of Oecumenius. Yet it is much shorter than that, because it omits many longer expositions contained therein, which are perhaps mere additions. But perhaps someone will interrupt me here, asking: "Do you therefore present to us Oecumenius' Commentary in Theophylact's edition?" By no means. Rather, I am restoring to that same Theophylact the Commentary that was snatched from him, with the Vatican codex giving judgment in its favor; which happened in another of his commentaries (a). Nor let anyone thrust upon me here the possession of some two hundred years on behalf of Oecumenius. For it is prompt to retort that this is valid for settling disputes over the possession of estates, but not over the genuineness of authors. ^C For if the legitimate author of any work is designated by the authority of an ancient codex, that which is known to be his own must surely be restored to him, without any regard for time or possession; especially if this has been acquired without a just title, as is commonly said, as I judge to have happened in the present case. For Donatus of Verona, who was the first of all to publish that Commentary inscribed to Oecumenius in Greek only, offers no foundation or title for why it should be attributed to him; but Hentenius, who brought the same to light in Latin, offers only the similarity of style in favor of Oecumenius with another Commentary which cannot rightly be doubted to be Oecumenius'. But this argument, while mostly weak, is also of no plain strength in this kind of work: for since these are mostly woven with the words of others, they cannot continuously show one and the same style. ^D And indeed in this Commentary most things are borrowed from Chrysostom, with his words often retained as well; others from other Fathers, which is indeed confirmed by the fact that many things are read in the "Catenae," as they are called, of the Greeks, expressed in the same words. Where, then, is Oecumenius' style? Since the question here is not of the author, but of the collector, one must resort to other arguments, if there be any. But none are available for Oecumenius. Donatus of Verona, indeed, praised above, affirms in the Greek epistle to the reader prefixed to his edition that he has many arguments and "many proofs" at hand for this: which, however, he adds, "I do not bring forward, lest in the form of an epistle I be more prolix than I should be, ἵνα μὴ ἐν σχήματι Ἐπιστολῆς πέραν τοῦ δέοντος μακρολογήσω." But I would have gladly borne his prolixity of epistle to have such arguments or conjectures set in the open: indeed, I would not have refused to trust his simple testimony, had not the authority of the Vatican codex called me away from his opinion. Although, not to disguise anything, the testimony of the Vatican codex on this matter is somewhat diminished. For this work is not simply inscribed, as is the custom, "Θεοφυλάκτου Ἑρμηνεία," Theophylact's Commentary, or Interpretation; but "Ἑρμηνεία ἀπὸ τῆς φωνῆς Θεοφυλάκτου, κ. τ. λ.," Commentary or Interpretation from the voice of Theophylact, etc. But what might be gathered from the diversity of such an inscription, I do not understand, unless, either this Commentary (a) Theophylact's commentary on the Epistles of Paul was first published by Porsena under the name of Athanasius.

^A Ver. 11. And behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. Ver. 12. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house. Ver. 13. And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Ver. 14. Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. Ver. 15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Ver. 16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Ver. 17. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? Ver. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

*Moreover these six brethren accompanied me.* Nothing could be more humble than when he produces the testimony of the brethren. He does not set forth those things which the angel had said to Cornelius, namely: *Thy prayers and thine alms*; nor does he speak of the probity and kindness of the man; nor does he say that he had gone by the mission of the Spirit, at the command of God, calling him thence through the angel; but he proves and confirms his action from the latter result, which was in itself a certain and ^B by no means ambiguous argument. But he is not content with these words. He even makes mention of the Lord's word, namely: *Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.* Nothing new, he says, has happened, but what He foretold. But was it not necessary to baptize? Yet the baptism was complete. And he does not say, "I commanded them to be baptized," but he shows that he himself did nothing. What we, he says, obtained, they received. *Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us—* to stop their mouths, he added: *the like gift.* He does not allow them, he says, to have less than us, if after they had believed, He gave the same gift which He gave to us. And he does not say, "as unto you," but, *as unto us.* Why are ye angry when we call them participants and associates? *What was I, that I could withstand God?* To those who were expostulating with him, he answers gravely; ^C he does not...

say "I could not," but "I would not," meaning that he did not dare to resist the divine commandment, so as not to be afraid of the intrusion and assault of the Jews. And rising, he went on his way. See the obedience. He did not question and say: "Why?" but as soon as he was commanded, he arose and went.

Who had come to worship in Jerusalem. For many reasons, the philosophy of this Eunuch is worthy of admiration: because, although he lived in Ethiopia and exercised a magistrate's office, and was prefect of the royal treasures, he nevertheless went up to worship in Jerusalem. Now, women were accustomed to hold rule in that part of Ethiopia, of whom one by right of succession was even Candace, whose steward and prefect of the treasures the Eunuch was. Consider also that even though it was not a feast day, he had nonetheless traveled up: a man from a city which led a life bound by superstition and the worship of demons, who was reading while on the journey, who was reading Isaiah the prophet, who is more sublime than the rest, and who, not even knowing what he was reading, was so captivated by the reading. *Do you understand what you are reading?* He asks wonderfully; for he neither flattered him and praised him, nor again did he mock and ridicule his ignorance; but in order to inspire a greater desire, he at the same time demonstrated that a vast treasure lay hidden within. And he does not disguise it or hide it, but says: "How could I?" Then he asks to be taught. *Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb,* etc. The meaning of the words set before us is very clear. For sheep are carried off at a certain time of year to be shorn, and the shepherds apply shears or scissors to them; and although they are harmed, they do not leap upon those who do these things. So also Christ, when he was assailed with insults, did not insult in return. *In his humiliation his judgment was taken away.* ^C He signifies the unjust judgment which was made concerning him, the truth being hidden. *But who shall declare his generation?* This refers to what happened to him after his resurrection, and his generous and noble dignity, of which the demonstration of those things which he did and administered was the proof. Who by speech will be able to explain, when he begins to think and revolve in his mind, who and what sort of person, and being the only-begotten Son born of God, tolerated all these things? *For his life is taken up from the earth.* Instead of "is exalted," and his life is more sublime than earthly things—this is the conversation or substance or existence of the Only-Begotten, when he is understood outside the flesh, and not yet having become like us.

VERS. 34. *And the Eunuch, repeating his request, said to Philip: I beseech you, of whom does the prophet say this? of himself, or of some other man?*

VERS. 35. *Opening then his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, Philip evangelized Jesus to him.*

VERS. 36. *As they were going on their way, they arrived at certain water; and the Eunuch said, Behold, water: what prevents me from being baptized?* The things that follow, up to: "And he commanded," were not in the ancient manuscript copy. The passage is corrupt.

^A It is one and the same thing for God to be solely good and for a man to be good. For the former is good by essence, being the source and fountain of good things; but the man is not good by essence, but through the attainment of virtue. Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek Saul. He was a very good man, sincere and forgiving. He sought, he says, the athlete and the warrior; he sought the leader. And it came to pass that they remained for an entire year in the Church, teaching a large crowd. It is no small praise for the city that it was the first of all others to enjoy the mouth of that man for such a long duration of time. And it was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. This too is an achievement of Paul, to have raised the name to such a height, like a standard. Where three thousand, where five thousand believed, where there was such a great multitude, nothing of the sort occurred; but they were called [disciples] of the Way. Here, however, they were first deemed worthy of such a name. It should be noted that Antioch was deemed worthy of an archontic (ruling) throne all the more for this reason, because the disciples were first called Christians there. ^B In these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them, named Agabus, rising up, signified through the Spirit that a great famine was about to come upon the whole inhabited world, which indeed also happened in the time of Claudius Caesar. But the disciples, as each had the means, determined to send for the ministry to the brothers residing in Judea. Which they also did, sending to the presbyters by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

[Prophets.] And how does Christ say that "The Law and the prophets were until John"? He speaks of those prophets who had heralded his coming beforehand.

[Signified through the Spirit.] In order that men might not think that the famine had come about because Christianity had entered, the Holy Spirit foretells the future event. For Christ had predicted it. Not for that reason, since this had to happen from the beginning, but because of the injuries and insults to which the holy apostles were subjected. ^D For as they were pressing upon them and were troublesome, a great famine arose, indicating to the Jews the evils that were to come.

[But the disciples, as each had the means.] See also how the famine was for them a cause of salvation, offering an occasion for the giving of alms. See them also, both believing and bearing fruit at the same time, not only to those nearby but also to those far away.

[Sending to the presbyters.] From this it appears that the apostles possessed the dignity of presbyters; furthermore, that they also held the rank of deacons and bishops.

CAPUT XII

^AVERS. 1. Cæterum illa tempestate injecit Herodes rex manus, ut affligeret quosdam de Ecclesia. VERS. 2. Atque interfecit etiam Jacobum fratrem Joannis gladio. VERS. 3. Et cum animadvertisset id gratum esse Judæis, adjecit animum ad comprehendendum etiam Petrum (erant autem dies Azymorum). VERS. 4. Quem cum etiam comprehendisset, conjecit in carcerem, ac tradidit eum quatuor quaternionibus militum custodiendum, volens eum post Pascha producere populo. VERS. 5. Petrus quidem servabatur in carcere: supplicatio autem assidua ac sedula ab Ecclesia ad Deum pro illo fiebat.

Illa tempestate. Qua tempestate? Nempe, tempore Claudii Cæsaris. Caius enim imperator Romanorum Agrippam constituit regem Judææ, cum Herodem atque etiam Herodiadem in Galliæ urbem Lugdunum relegasset. Hic est ille Herodes, qui fuit eo tempore, quo Joannes morte affectus est, ut memoriæ prodidit Josephus et Eusebius. Discrepantia igitur nominis, quod pro Agrippa dicit Herodem, aut errore accidit scriptoris, aut propterea ita dictus est, quod binominis esset. Notandum est autem ex duodecim illis discipulis Domini primum Jacobum ob testimonium Christo ^B præbitum supplicio fuisse affectum.

Ut affligeret quosdam de Ecclesia. Animadverte, fideles viros, et ex iis corpus constitutum, Ecclesiam vocari.

Et cum animadvertisset id gratum esse Judæis, adjecit animum ad comprehendendum etiam Petrum. Ne quis dicat, idcirco illos absque periculo intrepide atque audacter sese morti offerre, quod Deus eos eriperet: propterea permittit interfici etiam principes, Stephanum videlicet et Jacobum, ut persuaderet ipsis interfectoribus, ne his quidem illos suppliciis ad defectionem compelli et impediri. Res autem grata erat cædes, et cædes injusta absurdis illorum et importunis cupiditatibus inserviebat: cum oporteret exscindere, ac refrenare illorum impetum et appetitum, ille, ut qui carnifex, non medicus esset ægrotantium, auxit illorum impetum, et incitavit: tametsi sexcenta habebat exempla et avi et patris Herodis.

Erant autem dies Azymorum: quem cum etiam comprehendisset, conjecit in carcerem. Rursus superflua ac supervacua Judæorum accurata ratio servandæ ^C legis proponitur. Interficere quidem non vetabant, sed in ejusmodi temporis statu id agere prohibebant.

Ac tradidit eum quatuor quaternionibus militum custodiendum. Hoc et iracundiæ et timoris erat. Quanto autem accuratior erat custodia, tanto mirabilius erat divinæ potentiæ documentum. Hoc autem fiebat pro Petro, qui melior ac probatior evadebat.

Precatio autem sedula ab Ecclesia ad Deum pro illo fiebat. Audite, quomodo sese haberent erga magistros: non tumultuati sunt, non perturbati; sed ad precem se contulerunt, ad veram scilicet tutelam. ^D

EXPOSITION ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES — CHAP. XII

^BVERS. 6. *Now when Herod was about to bring him out, that same night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers, and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.* VERS. 7. *And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.* VERS. 8. *Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”* VERS. 9. *So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.* VERS. 10. *When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.*

*Peter was sleeping.* Peter was not in agony or fear; but on that very night, when he was about to be brought out, he was sleeping, having cast the whole matter upon the Lord. Observe also how accurate and diligent the custody was: the guards were sleeping with him. But why did a light shine? So that Peter might both see and hear, and not think it was a phantom or an apparition. And the words "Arise quickly" were so that he might not be listless. He also struck him, for he was sleeping so deeply. The phrase "struck him on the side" is not the action of one causing a disturbance, but of one persuading him so that he would not delay. ^C *Gird yourself and tie on your sandals.* How was Peter acting contrary to the commandment which says, "Provide neither gold nor silver, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a belt, nor a staff," when he himself was wearing a belt, garments, and sandals? And yet, at that time of the year, it was necessary to be unsandaled; for there is great need of them in wintertime. Moreover, Paul writing to Timothy to come before winter, commands him in these words: "The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring it." For no one could say that he did not have another which he was wearing. They did not act against the commandment of Christ; God forbid! Rather, they followed it vehemently. For those commandments were temporary, not perpetual, and for this reason Luke says that Christ spoke ^D to the disciples: "When I sent you without a money bag, knapsack, and sandals, and a belt, did you lack anything?" They say, "No." He says to them, "But now, acquire them." So at that time, that [previous instruction] was…

to show His power. For tell me, what is it to have only one tunic? What then? If it had to be washed, was it necessary to walk about naked, or to sit at home? And what then? If intense cold had set in, or frost had seized the body, was it necessary to be consumed and to remain silent, and not speak? For their bodies were not made of adamant. And he did not know that what had happened through the angel was true; but he thought he was seeing a vision. Reasonably so, because of the excess of what was happening; for an excess of signs strikes the one who sees them with amazement. And Peter thought he was seeing a vision; although, having himself girded himself and put on his sandals, what else could he have suffered? ^A

VERS. 11. *Petrus ad se reversus, dixit: Nunc scio vere Dominum misisse angelum suum, et exemisse me de manu Herodis, ac de omni exspectatione plebis Judæorum.* ^B

And having considered, ^C and Peter, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark; where many were gathered together and praying. VERS. 13. *Cum pulsasset autem Petrus fores vestibuli, accessit auscultandi et sciscitandi gratia puella, nomine Rhode.* VERS. 14. *Quæ ut agnovit vocem Petri, præ gaudio non aperuit vestibulum: sed intro sese proripiens, renuntiavit Petrum stare ante vestibulum.* VERS. 15. *Et illi ad eam dixerunt: Insanis. Illa vero affirmabat ita se rem habere. At illi dicebant: Angelus ejus est.* VERS. 16. *Petrus autem pulsare pergebat. Cum autem aperuissent ostium, viderunt eum, et obstupuerunt.* VERS. 17. *Cum autem mota manu eos silere jussisset, narravit eis quemadmodum Dominus eum de carcere eduxisset, ac dixit: Nuntiate Jacobo, et fratribus hæc, et egressus abiit in alium locum.* VERS. 18. *Porro ubi dies illuxit, haud exigua trepidatio ac perturbatio erat inter milites, quoniam Petrus evasisset.*

*Nunc scio vere.* Now, he says, I have known, not then. The angel wished that happiness should be poured upon him suddenly and as if occurring in a single moment of time; and after he had escaped, and had been liberated, then for the first time he perceived with his senses what had happened to him. And *having considered it*. What does "having considered" mean? That when he considered, he knew and understood. Because one ought not simply to depart, but to compensate and reward the benefactor. But John was perhaps not that one who had been accustomed to live with them always. For this reason, he also added his designation; for he said: *Of him who was surnamed Mark.* Perhaps this is Mark the Evangelist, through whom they say that Peter preached the Gospel. For the Gospel of Mark is said to be Peter's. And the argument is persuasive, from the fact that both Peter and the rest remained with him. ^D

^A For he did not open it out of joy, he says. And this has happened well, so that they, being astonished and seeing him immediately, might not disbelieve—for even to him who has believed in the Lord, an angel is present. It is true that everyone has an angel. For if we might not drive him away by our wicked deeds—for just as smoke drives away bees, and a foul odor drives away doves, so too does much-weeping and foul sin cause the angel of our life to depart. Those men, however, were expecting this from that time. He says that, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." ^B Where Christ is, it is necessary that the angels and the other powers also be. He said: "Tell James and the brothers." How is he not vainglorious? For it is not that he wishes these things to be known to all everywhere, but to the brothers. And having gone out, he went into another place. For he did not tempt God, nor did he cast himself into temptations. This, the angel did not say; but the implication was to depart, and he led him out by night, and gave the authority to withdraw; since those men also had done these things. Having entered, he says, speak in the temple to the people.

^C Herod, having sought him and not finding him, after examining the guards, commanded them to be led away; and having come down from Judea to Caesarea, he stayed there.

Verse 19. And Herod, being enraged at the Tyrians and Sidonians. They came with one accord and consensus to him, and having persuaded Blastus, who was over the king's bedchamber, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king's.

^D He commanded them to be led away. It was possible for God to have rescued them along with Peter; but even if the angel led the soldiers out with Peter, he supposed the matter was a flight. Rather, to be mocked troubled him more, just as if he were being carved up, essentially, by the magicians of his grandfather, and made ridiculous; and that is the greater grief. But Herod was enraged at the Tyrians and Sidonians. It is no small thing that this history is recalled, how quickly justice came and overtook him.

Verse 21. And on the appointed day, Herod having put on

gali indutus, ac sedens pro tribunali, concionem habebat ad illos. ^A

VERS. 22. At populus acclamabat, Vox Dei et non hominis.

VERS. 23. Extemplo autem percussit eum angelus Domini, propterea quod non tribuisset honorem et laudem Deo, et erosus a vermibus exspiravit.

VERS. 24. Porro verbum Dei crescebat et multiplicabatur.

Veste regali indutus. Josephus dicit Herodem indutum veste, quæ tota ex argento admirabili textura confecta fuisset, in theatrum prodiisse, incipiente et illucescente die: ubi primis solarium radiorum immissionibus argentum illustratum mirandum in modum refulgebat, terribilem quendam et intuentibus horrendum emittens splendorem, ac statim adulatores illum deum appellabant, acclamantes: Propitius sis: etsi te hactenus ut hominem reveriti sumus, attamen deinceps te natura humana majorem esse confitemur. Vide quales illi erant adulatores, atque etiam vide apostolorum animi magnitudinem. Quem enim integra natio ita colebat, hunc illi contemnebant, et quasi conspuebant. Atqui si illi, dicat aliquis, clamabant, quid ad hunc? Quia probabat vocem, quia se dignum illa adulatione putabat. Per hunc autem maxime illi, qui ita temere adulabantur, docentur et emendantur: ac utrique quidem supplicio digni erant, sed quoniam judicii tempus non erat, ille qui culpæ maxime erat affinis, punitur. Quod si ille, quod audire sustinuisset, Vox Dei et non hominis, tametsi nihil dixerat, eas pœnas dedit: multo majori merito Christus, nisi ipse esset Deus, pœnas dedisset qui ^B semper dicebat: Verba hæc non sunt mea, et, Angeli mihi ministrant.

VERS. 25. Barnabas autem et Saulus perfuncti ministerio, ab Hierosolymis Antiochiam reversi sunt, assumpto secum etiam Joanne, cui cognomen fuit Marcus.

CAPUT XIII.

VERS. 1. Erant autem quidam in Ecclesia, quæ erat Antiochiæ, prophetæ et doctores, Barnabas videlicet, et Simeon, qui vocabatur Niger, et Lucius Cyrenensis, præter hos Manahen, qui erat una cum Herode tetrarcha educatus, et Saulus.

Adhuc Barnabæ primum mentionem facit. Paulus enim nondum erat clarus: nondum ullum fecerat signum. Notandum est autem et Paulum et Barnabam cum prophetis ^C collocatos, et comparatos esse. Præter hos Manahen, qui erat cum Herode tetrarcha educatus. Ecce mores uniuscujusque; verum quam a pueritia acceperant educationem, non uterque retinuit. Vide enim, ut Herodes quidem pessimus fuerit: Manahen autem, qui una cum hoc educatus fuerat, tantum ab illo mutatus est, ut etiam munus prophetiæ consecutus sit. ^D

CAPUT XIII

^A VERS. 2. *As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.* VERS. 3. *And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.* VERS. 4. *So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.* VERS. 5. *And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.* VERS. 6. *And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus.* VERS. 7. *Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.* VERS. 8. *But Elymas the sorcerer (for so by his name is his interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.*

What is meant by "ministering"? It means preaching. And by "Separate me for the work": he says "for the work" in place of "for the apostleship." By whom, then, are they ordained? By Lucius and Manahen? No, rather by the Spirit. And they are ordained with authority and power to preach. How then does he himself, Paul, say: "Not of men, neither by men"? It is because no man called him, nor did any man bring him forward. Nor did they ordain the deacons (that is, the ministers) just as happens by chance, but by fasting beforehand and praying. They laid their hands upon them, so that one might infer from this that through this imposition of hands, which was accustomed to be administered after fasting and prayer, they had surpassed the rank of deacon. They do not linger in Seleucia, for they knew that though they might have gained much benefit from the neighboring city, they were hastening toward urgent matters. ^B This proconsul having called for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God. It was a wonderful thing in the proconsul that, even though he was preoccupied by the magic arts of that man, he still wished to hear the apostles. Note also how the sorcerer was not vehemently indignant when they preached to others, but was so when they approached the proconsul.

VERS. 9. *Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,* VERS. 10. *And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?* VERS. 11. *And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.*

^A And immediately there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and seeking about, he looked for some to lead him by the hand.

VERS. 12. *Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.* Saul, however, who is also Paul, etc. Here his name is changed along with his ordination. But he changed his name not because he was in any way inferior to the apostles, but because he possessed what was the chief and preeminent quality of the leaders of the disciples, and he obtained it in order to have the matter and occasion of winning greater familiarity. "O full of all fraud." Lacking nothing, he says. Well did he say: "Full of all fraud." He was indeed a pretender. For he says he is of the devil; for he was doing the work of that one. "You do not wage war against us," he says, "nor is it a battle, but you are perverting the right ways of the Lord. And you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." He who was brought by this sign, he also wished to lead toward the faith. ^B It was not punishment, therefore, but healing. For it was not merely an act of vengeance, but the hand of God. And that which he says, "For a season," the word belonged not to one punishing, but to one turning [him] back. For if it were for one punishing, he would have made him blind forever; but as it is, he did this for a season. "That he might win the proconsul," he says, "and that he might make the timing of the 'season' the boundary of his thought, giving himself the opportunity for the turning of his way toward what is better. And seeking about, he looked for some to lead him by the hand." A proof of his blindness, the seeking to be led by the hand. ^C It was necessary that he who was foretold to be caught by his own sorcery should be disciplined by this punishment; just as also the magi were disciplined by the swellings. It was fitting that he, who previously had carried out his sorceries, should be punished and corrected by this, just as, indeed, they too were punished and corrected by boils.

VERS. 13. *Now when Paul and his company had set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: but John departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.*

VERS. 14. *But they passing through from Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, they sat down.*

VERS. 15. *And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying: Ye men brethren, if you have any word of exhortation to be made to the people, speak.* ^D

John, however. John who is called Mark, had been a fellow traveler with them as far as Perga in Pamphylia from Palestine; then, as the apostles were using a strenuous course, and were arming their soul with an unyielding [spirit] against the contests, Mark, as a man who was sluggish and not firm enough in soul for such a course, and being [unable] to [endure] the conflicts and dangers and battles that arose in every city, having resigned from the course...

of the apostles, he returned to Palestine, not by denying Christ, but by declining the long course as burdensome. But Paul and Barnabas returned again, laden with the fruits of piety, and announcing to the Church in Jerusalem the conversion and repentance of the nations. Since all were therefore praising Paul and Barnabas for their achievements, ^A Mark, being sorrowful and pained in soul, was stricken; and perhaps such thoughts came into his mind: "If I had been a companion of the apostles, I would now be a sharer in their praises." And he resolved to go out with the apostles for the preaching. And they came to Perga in Pamphylia. They run back again to Perga. For they were hastening toward the metropolis, Antioch. And having entered the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath, they sat down. They used to enter the synagogues in the form of Jews, so that they might not be attacked or driven out; and thus they successfully accomplished everything.

But Paul, standing up and motioning with his hand, said: "Men, Israelites, and those ^B who fear God, listen!"

VERS. 17. The God of this people chose our fathers, and lifted up the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm brought them out of it.

VERS. 18. And for a time of about forty years, He sustained them in the desert.

VERS. 19. And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He allotted their land to them.

VERS. 20. And after these things, for about four hundred and fifty years, He gave judges until Samuel the prophet.

VERS. 21. And from there they requested a king, and God gave them Saul, the son of Cis, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

VERS. 22. And having removed him, He raised up David for them as king, ^C to whom He also said, bearing witness: "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man according to my heart."

VERS. 23. From his seed God, according to the promise, brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.

VERS. 24. John having preached before the face of his entry the baptism of repentance to Israel.

But Paul stood up. ^D Here Paul preaches for the first time, and observe his prudence. Where the word of God had been sown, he runs past; but where there was none, he tarries, just as he himself says in writing: "And thus being ambitious to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was named." Observe also how Barnabas gives way.

^A For he gives way to Paul, just as John did to Peter everywhere, even though he was more worthy than him; but he was looking to the common benefit. "God has chosen the fathers of this people." From above, he shows that the benefits of God are great, just as Stephen also does. "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart." It should be noted that these words do not exist in the text of the Kings in the very way they are stated, but only prophetically spoken by the divine Samuel to Saul: "For he asks," he says, "for a man according to his own heart, and the Lord commands him as prince over his people: because you did not keep and execute all that the Lord commanded you." ^B Paul has instead put: "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart." But in saying, "Men, brethren, if you have an exhortation for the people, speak it," this was the reason: "It was a custom for the Jews on the Sabbaths to read the law of Moses and the prophets; and after their reading, to address the people and explain." And that is why these men also invite those around Paul to speak in the Synagogue. "Of this man's seed, God, according to promise, brought to Israel salvation." He says by his seed God calls the Savior according to the promise, and brought him to Israel. The name of David was very desirable to them. For the sake of this thing, he had mentioned his lineage, when he had preached before the face of his entry. By entry he means the incarnation.

^C "And as John was finishing his course, he said: Whom do you suppose me to be? I am not he; but behold, there comes after me, one such that I am not worthy to loose the latchet of his feet."

"Men, brethren, sons of the race of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent."

"For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, having ignored him, and the voices of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, by judging him they fulfilled them."

^D "And having found no cause of death, they asked Pilate to do away with him."

"And when they had finished all the things written concerning him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a monument."

"But God raised him from the dead."

"Who was seen for many days by those who went up with him from Galilee into Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people."

"And we bring you the good news concerning the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this for their children, having raised up Jesus."

As it is written also in the second Psalm: "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." And that He raised Him from the dead, no longer to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: "I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David." For which reason he also says in another place: "You will not suffer your Holy One to see corruption." For David, indeed, having served in his own generation by the counsel of God, fell asleep and was added to his fathers, and saw corruption. But He whom God raised did not see corruption. John does not testify simply; but since all were bringing their estimations to him, he himself rejects it. For it is not the same thing for one to refuse this honor when no one offers it, as it is to refuse and reject it when many offer it. ^B "Men, brethren, sons of the lineage of Abraham." Here he shows the nobility and the splendor of the Jewish race. "And their rulers, not knowing Him." He defends and excuses them in a certain way. They crucified Him, he says, not knowing who He was; for the sin was one of ignorance. And having found no cause for death, they asked Pilate that He be put to death. He mentions the manner of death which they eagerly sought. They bring Him to the public square, so that the punishment might be manifest from the judgment seat, and so that they might be more vehemently accused, who had delivered Christ to a foreigner. And he did not say, "They entreated," but "They begged." They received the favor, he says, as He [Pilate] was unwilling. Which Peter states more clearly: "When he had decided to release Him." But God raised Him from the dead. Does it trouble you that Jesus is said to have been raised by God? For if Jesus is none other than the Word incarnate, and this is the power of the Father, by which He effects all things, as that saying is: "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God," He will be understood to have raised Himself, even though He is said to have been raised by the Father, to whom, as the principle and cause without time, all things are referred. Since He Himself also says: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it." — "He who was seen for many days by those who had ascended with Him to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses unto the people." Which they would not be, if they were not confirmed by divine power. To you, the children of the fathers, having raised up Jesus. The brethren of the God-slayers understand the name "Jesus" as referring to the man. Since, therefore, he had previously said that the Word had been placed in the monument, lest anyone suspect that he had said that the Word was without flesh, he again calls Him "Jesus," nowhere, of course, giving a division to the incarnate Word after the union. "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." Attribute these words, of course, to the incarnation of Christ, which had a temporal arrival. For "today" and "tomorrow" are indicative of days. For He is begotten from the Father without time, as even the children of the heretics confess. "You will not suffer your Holy One to see corruption." ^D

^A He is therefore a liar who claims to confess that the body of God and Savior Christ is passible, that is, susceptible to passions; and at the same time says that even before the resurrection it was incorruptible, that is, free from passions and immortal. For the incorruptibility which is according to the state of being without sin, it is evident that He possessed from the very time of the incarnation. But He whom God raised "did not see corruption," for He made the tomb a place of vacancy from corruption. For Christ, having been raised from it, has truly arisen as the leader of the vacancy from corruption; so that we too, having risen from the tombs according to the resurrection we hope for, may meet Him in the clouds as He comes again with splendor and majesty in the air.

VERS. 38. "Be it known to you therefore, men and brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is announced to you."

VERS. 39. "And from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses, by Him everyone who believes is justified."

VERS. 40. "See therefore lest that which is spoken in the prophets come upon you:"

VERS. 41. "Behold, you despisers, and marvel, and perish; for I perform a work in your days, which you will not believe, if any one declares it to you." ^B

See how he steals the discourse from present affairs; namely, from the promised seed. He did not, however, append the testimony by which they were to be convinced and acknowledge that the forgiveness of sins comes through Him; for that was beyond controversy and certain. "Behold, you despisers, and marvel"; when the prophet Habakkuk had cried out, God answered the wicked and harmful ones, indicating to them the imminent calamities and future evils. And the matter was full of terror and wonder: how the Israelite people, who had been numbered among the sons of God, and called the first-born, and on account of whom Egypt had perished, were delivered into the hands of the Babylonians, and not only to the sword, but also to captivity and servitude and all abominable and dire evils. "Which you will not believe." So great, he says, and of such magnitude are they, that faith is not even given, if any one should announce them to you. ^C

VERS. 42. "And as they were leaving the synagogue of the Jews, the Gentiles requested that these words be spoken to them on the next Sabbath."

VERS. 43. "Now when the assembly was dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to persevere in the grace of God."

VERS. 44. "And on the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God." ^D

^A VERS. 45. "But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming." VERS. 46. "Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying: 'It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you; but since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.'" VERS. 47. "For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" VERS. 48. "And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."

You see the prudence of Paul. He instilled in them a desire and longing for a second hearing by putting forth certain seeds which he did not yet explain, so that he might bind them and win them over to himself, and not make them more arrogant by casting everything at once into their souls. For he said, "The forgiveness of sins is announced to you," but he did not explain how. And he did not baptize them immediately because the time was not yet right. ^B Regarding "the next Sabbath," it stands for the future Sabbath, as he explains below. "But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy." Such is the tyranny of envy; for many waste away and perish when they see others prospering. And such people fight not only with their brother, but also with the will of God. "But since you thrust it aside." Lest anyone should think that the phrase "you judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life" is a matter of religious modesty, he therefore said first, "You thrust it aside," and then, "We turn to the Gentiles." He did not say, "We abandon you," but spoke in such a way as to suggest that it was possible for them to return there again. "I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles," that is, for the knowledge which leads to salvation; and not simply for some Gentiles, but for all. "As many as were ordained to eternal life." Those "ordained" were not constrained by necessity. For "those whom he foreknew," he says, "he also predestined." ^C The race of the Lord according to the flesh is common, indeed, to the whole human nature, but the Israelite people is His own and near. Since, therefore, He came to the Israelites, but enlightened the Gentiles through the apostles, He says, "I have given you to them on account of the promise made to their fathers; but through you I will enlighten the Gentiles, and I will provide salvation to all men" (for this is what it means by "to the end of the earth"), "and I will fulfill the covenants made to their fathers." For others have interpreted the "covenant" as an "agreement." "And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Those who were ordained to life—that is, chosen—believed by virtue of foreknowledge, yet by their own will and capacity to choose. But the foreknowledge of God does not abolish the free will of our own volition, where ^D

I shall bring to a close the covenants and agreements which I made ^A with their ancestors. For this is what it means: a dispensation or testament; the others interpreted it as a covenant and agreement. And as many as were ordained unto eternal life believed. They believed, then, according to the foreknowledge and by the ordinance of God—or rather, they were set apart; yet they did so by their own choice and will. For the foreknowledge of God does not take away the free will of our own volition, inasmuch as Paul, having been destined according to the foreknowledge of God to be a chosen vessel before the foundation of the world, did not attain to this immediately from his mother’s womb, nor in his youth, but after the progress of time, when he had attained to a knowledge of his own virtue and honesty.

VERS. 49. **And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region.**

VERS. 50. **But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.**

VERS. 51. **But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.**

VERS. 52. **And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.**

What he says, "The word of God was spread abroad," is used to mean it was distributed, carried across, and divulged. But the Jews did not contain themselves within mere jealousy, but added deeds to it as well. By "devout women" he does not mean the faithful, but the Greeks, that is, the Jewesses; and by "honorable," the wealthy. Do you see into what great baseness and shame they led the women? For, in imitation of the author and prince of evils, they strive to block the way of salvation for men through the women, just as he also, ^C through Eve, shut the paradise to men. "But they shook off the dust of their feet against them." They did not do this simply or rashly, but only after they had been expelled by them. "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." The teachers were being banished, and they were rejoicing; this, however, was the power of the Gospel. For the calamity of the master does not take away boldness, but makes the disciple more eager.

CAPUT XIV

VERS. 1. **It came to pass in Iconium, that they entered together into the synagogue, or conventicle, of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.**

VERS. 2. **But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and corrupted the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.**

VERS. 3. **Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.**

"That they entered together," etc. They had not become more timid, but again they went into the synagogues, destroying and removing their defense and

their excuse. It is likely that they spoke to them just as they had also done to the Greeks. But the Jews who did not believe stirred up and corrupted the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. They even stirred up the Gentiles, as if they themselves were not sufficient; yet they did not depart from there, for they were not being put to flight, but were merely being fought against. And they spent a sufficiently long time speaking freely. Their own eagerness and readiness of mind produced this freedom of speech; but that those who heard them came to believe was the result of the signs. And freedom of speech also contributed something to the matter. ^A

VERS. 4. "And the city’s multitude was divided, and some were with the Jews, but others were standing with the apostles."

VERS. 5. "And as an impetus of the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers was formed, to insult and stone them,"

VERS. 6. "Upon perceiving this, the apostles fled into the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region."

VERS. 7. "And there they were preaching the Gospel."

"And the multitude was divided," etc. This was what Christ said: "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt. x, 34). "Upon perceiving this," the apostles fled. There is, therefore, nothing absurd if the saints flee from those who are planning to plot against them, and on that account judge it most appropriate to consult their own safety by flight and to avoid the war which was being brought upon them on account of their witness for Christ. ^C

VERS. 8. "And a certain man in Lystra was sitting, powerless in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked."

VERS. 9. "This man heard Paul speaking, who looking steadily at him, and seeing that he had faith to be saved,"

VERS. 10. "Said with a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet.' And he leaped up and walked."

VERS. 11. "But the crowds, seeing what Paul had done, lifted up their voice, saying in Lycaonian, 'The gods, having been made like to men, have descended to us.'"

VERS. 12. "And they were calling Barnabas, indeed, Jupiter, but Paul, Mercury, because he was the leader of the discourse."

"Said with a loud voice." Why with a loud voice? So that the crowds might believe. But as for the phrase, "who looking steadily at him, and seeing that he had faith to be saved," it seems to me that Paul looked into his soul; for it was a sign of a philosophical mind to pay heed to what was being said by Paul. "And he leaped up and walked." The act of leaping was a certain proof of true and restored health. The crowds, seeing what Paul had done, ^D

^A observed also the benefit to the pagans and the evil-doing of the Jews. The latter honored them as gods; the former, however, pursued and cast them out as pestilential men and destroyers. And they called Barnabas, indeed, Jupiter, but Paul, Mercury. Do you see how it was the custom among the Greeks to make gods out of men? So when they ask, "Whence came the origin of the worship of idols?" know its source. By this same custom they were also making gods out of the apostles. Thus also the devil, in the beginning, strove to introduce impiety, saying, "You will be as gods." And because he did not avail then, he makes the attempt later, everywhere contending to introduce polytheism, ^B that is to say, the worship of many gods.

VERS. 13. *And the priest of Jupiter, whose temple was before their city, having brought bulls and garlands to the gates, with the crowds wanted to sacrifice.*

VERS. 14. *Hearing this, the apostles Barnabas and Paul, tearing their garments, leaped in among the crowd, exclaiming.*

VERS. 15. *And saying, "Men, why do you do these things? We too are men of like passions with you, who proclaim to you that you should turn from these vain institutions to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them."*

VERS. 16. *Who in the generations past allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.*

VERS. 17. *Although he did not leave himself without witness, doing good, giving us rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.*

VERS. 18. *And saying these things, they scarcely restrained the crowds from sacrificing to them.*

*Tearing their garments.* Look at them everywhere pure and untouched by glory, not merely not desiring it, but even rejecting it when it was given; just as Peter also said: "Why do you look at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?" And these say the same, but they do it with added vehemence: they tore their garments and leaped in.

*And we are men of like passions with you.* We are men, he says, but greater than these; for these [imaginary gods] are dead. Do you see how it was the custom ^C for the Greeks to make gods out of men? For you find in their books, among those who have written the ancient histories, that Jupiter, who was a man, made himself a god by saying that he was a god; just as many of the Roman emperors and kings of the Macedonians were called gods. Wherefore one should not disbelieve what has been handed down in memory about this matter from antiquity, because some have indeed been deceived, and have called certain [men] gods: since even these people were deceived regarding Barnabas and Paul. And those in Samaria said that Simon the magician was the great power of God. Since he did not name ^D

Jesus, nor say "In the name of Jesus, rise up and stand upright," they suspected him to be a god, and not a minister of God. ^B — [CYRIL.] *Having torn their garments.* It was a custom among the Jews, if ever any blasphemous or absurd thing was said about God, to rend their garments. And so Caiaphas, when Christ said that He was the Son of God, rent his garment, saying: "He has blasphemed," that is, he has injured the divine majesty with his speech. Since, therefore, what was happening was a certain evil omen, the apostles also did this, still following and observing Jewish traditions and institutions. But this custom was reprehended, as it was not sanctioned by the Mosaic law. Therefore God, addressing Jews doing such things, said: "Turn to me with all your heart in fasting and weeping, and rend your hearts, and not your garments" (Joel II, 12, 13). ^C *Who in the past generations allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.* He said "allowed," but why did He not also add "why"? For he was insistent upon the urgent matter at hand, and nowhere does he place the name of Christ. For God did not leave Himself without witness in every generation, performing things that lead men to righteousness. For, not offering violence to free will, He allowed all men to walk as seemed right and pleasing to them; but He Himself always performed those things by which they, being endowed with reason, could recognize the Creator. For he says the annual rains are His witnesses. ^D

VERS. 19. Now Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, and having stoned Paul, they dragged him outside the city, thinking that he was dead. VERS. 20. But when the disciples had gathered around him, he rose up and entered into the city. And on the next day he went with Barnabas to Derbe. VERS. 21. And when they had preached the Gospel in that city, and had made many crowds disciples of their doctrine, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch. VERS. 22. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to remain in the faith: and that through many afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of God. VERS. 23. And having ordained for them presbyters in every Church, and having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. VERS. 24. And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. VERS. 25. And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

VERS. 26. And from there they sailed to Antioch: from where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. ^A VERS. 27. When they had arrived and gathered the Church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. VERS. 28. And they remained there no little time with the disciples.

*Qui cum persuasissent turbis.* Behold the fury of Jewish bitterness: that they should have forced and insinuated themselves into a populace which had deemed the apostles worthy of such honor, and persuaded it to stone them. They were dragging them outside the city because they feared them. ^B For they made it their aim to overturn the preaching. But do you see the readiness of his soul? Do you see it fervent and burning? He enters into the very city again after having been cast out of it. And on the next day together with Barnabas, etc. This was to show that he had complied with the disciples who were surrounding and protecting him, returning to the city from which he had been cast out, and from there withdrawing himself, because he had already sown the seed of the Word of God there, and because it was not right that he should inflame their anger. For through many afflictions and hardships we must enter into the kingdom of God. See that no one is justified without labor and trouble. Therefore the Lord said that the gate of the way which pertains to and leads to the kingdom ^C [of God] is narrow and constricted, meaning that it is full of distress and afflictions. But not every sort of affliction leads to the kingdom of God, but only that which happens on account of faith in God. *Et cum ordinassent atque constituissent illis presbyteros*, etc. They taught that one should fast even in temptations, and that ordinations should be performed with fasting. But in Cyprus they had not appointed presbyters, nor in Samaria: because the latter was near to Jerusalem and the apostles, and in Antioch itself the word of God was flourishing. But here the disciples had great need of consolation, and especially those who were from foreign nations and needed to be taught. Note also that Paul and Barnabas were possessed of the episcopal dignity: for this reason they ordained not only deacons, but also presbyters. *Postquam autem Antiochiam advenerunt, retulerunt discipulis quæcunque Deus secum fecisset.* He did not say, "what they themselves had done," but "what God had done together with them": to me, however, it seems he refers to the temptations. *Et ut exteris nationibus ostium fidei aperuisset.* He calls the teaching, which the foreign nations had received through them, the opening of doors. *Atque haud exiguum tempus illic cum discipulis commorati sunt.* Because it was a great city, they had need of teachers.

CAPUT XV

VERS. 1. And some who had come down from Judea were teaching the brothers, saying, If you are not circumcised according to the rite instituted by Moses, ^D you cannot be saved.

^A Ver. 2. When therefore no small dissension and dispute had arisen between Paul and Barnabas and them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and some other of their number, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters, to inquire of them concerning this question.

Ver. 3. And they, having been sent on their way by the Church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to the brothers.

Ver. 4. And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the Church and the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported all that God had done with them.

Do you see the trials, both from within and from without? They were not speaking of circumcision simply, but rather: "Unless you are circumcised, you cannot be saved." This was the contrary of the truth: because if they were circumcised, they could not be saved. But Paul did not say: "Why? Am I not the one to whom faith should be given, on account of so many signs performed through me?" Rather, he allowed himself to be persuaded to go up for their sake. And how does he come to say in the Epistle to the Galatians, "I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, nor did I consult them"? Because, in the first place, he did not go up of his own accord, but was sent by others; and secondly, he did not approach them in order to learn, but to bring others to his own conviction. For he himself was from the beginning of this opinion, which the apostles later confirmed: namely, that those who believed from the foreign nations ought not to be circumcised. But because he did not yet seem to them to be invested with such authority that they would grant him credence on so great a matter, and because they were looking to and attending to those who were in Jerusalem, he went up—not to learn anything ^B further himself, but in order to win over the dissenters, so that those in Jerusalem might also confirm these things.

Ver. 5. And certain of the faction and sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying that it was necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Ver. 6. The apostles and the presbyters gathered together to consider this matter.

Ver. 7. ^C When much disputing had occurred, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brothers, you know that from early days God made a choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel and believe."

Ver. 8. "And God, who searches and knows the hearts, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as also to us."

Ver. 9. "And He made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith."

Ver. 10. "Now, therefore, why do you tempt God to set a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"

^A Ver. 11. "But through the grace of the Lord Jesus we believe we shall be saved, even as they." Ver. 12. "And all the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul, describing what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them."

"Certain of the sect of the Pharisees." Not those who believed from the nations, but those who believed from the Jews, demanded that the faithful be circumcised and perform the other carnal precepts of the Law; the disciples did not agree to these who were of the mind of the old Law, even though they themselves were also from the stock of the circumcised. For they were not seeking to establish their own will, but the common good. Therefore, the apostles and the elders gathered to consult regarding this matter. ^B Again, from this fact, one may conjecture that the apostles possessed a certain dignity that elevated them above the elders; for this reason, when he designates all of them, he does not include them together with the elders under a common name. "Men, brethren, you know." Observe that Peter was entrusted with the matters by divine grace, yet he himself still maintained Jewish customs up to this point. "You know," he says—perhaps those who had previously challenged him regarding the custom of Cornelius were also present, and those who had entered his house with him; for this reason, he presents them as witnesses. What is it that he says: "He made a choice among us"? ^C This means in Palestine, or in your presence. Moreover, in saying "by my mouth," he shows that God spoke through him, and nothing human. "And the searcher and knower of hearts, God, bore witness to them." He leads them to the spiritual testimony. "Now, therefore, why do you tempt God, by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples?" There is no distinction among the faithful, whether they are Jews or Greeks; where faith is, it effects the expiation of sins coming forth from the heart. Now this expiation is similar to circumcision, and for carnal circumcision is given spiritual circumcision, which, by faith in Christ, cleanses the hidden parts. What is the meaning of "You tempt God"? ^D As if He were not able, he says, to save by faith; that is, why do you not have faith in God? For it is of unbelief to introduce the Law. [CYRIL.] It is acknowledged that the Law was burdensome and troublesome to those in Israel; the disciples themselves also confessed this, and the Savior Himself even taught us this when He said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you" (Matt. xi, 28). He says those who were under the Law are the ones laboring and burdened; whereas He named Himself gentle and meek, as if the Law did not possess this. Similar is that: "By grace you are saved." Therefore, while of old the Law saved those who observed and kept all things that were expressed in the Law, now the grace of the Lord saves us, even without the observance of the Law, through faith.

^A Ver. 13. And after they had kept silent, James answered saying: Viri fratres, audite me (Viri fratres, audite me/Men, brethren, hearken unto me).

Ver. 14. Simeon hath declared how at the first God did visit, to take out of the nations a people for his name.

Ver. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets: as it is written:

Ver. 16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.

Ver. 17. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Ver. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Ver. 19. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

Ver. 20. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Ver. 21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Ver. 22. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

Ver. 23. And they wrote letters by them after this manner.

^B James answered saying: He was bishop; therefore he also speaks later. See also the prudence of this man, for he confirms and establishes his own opinion through both the new and the ancient prophets. "Simeon hath declared." Simeon, who in the Gospel which Luke wrote, said in prophecy: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart." "To take out of the nations a people for his name." He did not choose them simply and rashly, but for his name, that is, for his own glory and honor. "And to this agree the words of the prophets." By reason of time, he was known; but he did not possess that authority such that belief would be accorded to him, because he was not ancient. Therefore he subjoins an ancient prophecy: "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down," and the rest. For it had truly fallen in an irreparable ruin. What then? Have they been raised and built up ^C

^A by God, and do these observations overthrow [them], so that we fight against God? But with authority he says, "I judge." But to write to them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and the rest. For these things, although bodily, are nevertheless necessary to be kept; because they produced great evils, from which he especially wishes them to cease. For Moses, indeed, from ancient generations, and the rest. And even before the coming of the Savior, Moses was read on every Sabbath uniquely in the synagogues; but yet after the coming ^B of Christ, it is not forbidden to be read in the churches of Christ. And this is shown from the fact that, "For Moses of old time," even until this day, "hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." For if the Old Scriptures were not read in the churches, would the Apostle not have written to the Galatians without judgment that, "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?"

The Apostles, and the elders and the brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

VERS. 24. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

VERS. 25. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

VERS. 26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

VERS. 27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

"It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord." Because these things pleased all, and upon deliberation they write these things. It should be noted that neither James nor Peter dared to decree regarding the business of circumcision—although they judged it to be right—without the whole Church; nor would they all have interposed their authority, unless they had been persuaded that this also pleased the Holy Spirit. ^C Moreover, lest the matter might seem to look toward a disparagement of Paul and Barnabas in that they were sent, see their commendation: "Men," he says, "who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

VERS. 28. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

VERS. 29. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. ^D

EXPOSITION ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES — CAP. XVI

^A VERS. 30. And they, having been dismissed, came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. VERS. 31. Having read it, they rejoiced for the consolation and exhortation. VERS. 32. And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, with much speech consoled the brethren and confirmed them. VERS. 33. And having spent some time, they were dismissed in peace by the brethren to the apostles. VERS. 34. But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord. VERS. 35. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas: Come, let us return and visit our brethren throughout every city in which we have announced the word of the Lord, how they fare. VERS. 36. But Barnabas determined to take with him John, called Mark: VERS. 37. But Paul did not think it right that he who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them into the work, should be taken. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit. So that they might not think it to be a human business. And that which he says, "to us," is added to this end, that they might be taught that even to them, albeit they were circumcised, the matter is thus approved and pleasing. "Except these necessary things." He shows that nothing is lacking to them, but that this is sufficient. But by this, that they are commanded to abstain from things strangled, murder is prohibited. And having gathered the multitude, they delivered the letter. This is a comfort to teachers, namely, the progress of those being instructed. "And having returned, let us visit." It must be noted that it is the duty of those who preside to ^C busy themselves with those who have been enlightened by them, lest perhaps they are not sound in the faith, but are lame, and need to be corrected. "There arose therefore a contention, so that they separated from one another, and Barnabas, having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus." VERS. 38. Therefore such a contention of spirits arose between them, that one departed from the other, and Barnabas, having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus. VERS. 39. But Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, being commended to the grace of God by the brethren. VERS. 40. And he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the Churches.

CAP. XVI

^A and taking him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places. For all knew his father, that he was a Greek.

CAPUT XVI

There arose, therefore, a contention. Between Paul and Barnabas there was a certain pusillanimity; and while one side honored justice, the other honored injustice—yet each served the purpose of piety. The cause of this pusillanimity is this: A certain Mark was accompanying them on their evangelical journey from Palestine as far as Perga, a town in Pamphylia. Then, as the apostles were engaged in a strenuous journey, Mark, being human, grew weary; and renouncing the apostles' journey, he returned to Palestine—not because he denied Christ, but because he avoided and refused the long journey as being burdensome. Paul and Barnabas finally returned, laden with the fruits of piety, and announcing to the Church which was in Jerusalem the conversion and repentance of the Gentiles, and how the foreign nations had converted themselves to the true God, and, having condemned their wicked practices, had embraced a sounder doctrine and discipline. ^B When, therefore, they were praised by all for the good things they had achieved, Mark was struck with grief of soul; for he reflected in his mind: "If I had been a partner and companion in their labors, I would also have been a partner and companion in the praise." He determined, therefore, to be a companion and associate in their journey again. And Barnabas indeed wished to receive him back as a companion, now that he had repented; but Paul contended that he who had not gone forth with them to the work of the Lord should not again be joined as a companion. The dissension, therefore, was not unjust, but just, and stemmed from a small-mindedness. Paul wanted what was just to be done; Barnabas looked to humanity. Therefore, though they dissented in opinion, they were in concord through piety. And they disagreed not in faith, nor in reason, but after the manner of men, through pusillanimity. But this was a divine dispensation. ^C For as they dissented, Barnabas, having taken Mark, set out on his own journey. But Paul’s strictness was profitable to Mark; for he strove by his zeal to cover his former negligence. Paul had forbidden Mark to be received in the Churches—not that he might grieve and afflict him, but that he might make him better and more diligent. But when he saw that he had progressed in virtue and diligence, and by the things he later did had purged his former faults, he began to commend him, and says: "Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, salutes you; concerning whom you received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him." And we find this same thing also in the prophets, namely, diverse opinions and characters; for instance: Elijah, and Moses, who was meek. ^D Thus, also here, Paul is more severe. Yet, even so, he is indulgent. He "requested," he says—for he was not angry, but was exhorting. What then? Did they depart as enemies? God forbid. For you see after this Barnabas enjoying many praises from Paul in the Epistles. It seems to me that the separation even happened by mutual consent, and that they said to each other: "Since I wish one thing, and you do not wish it, in order that we not fight,

^B let us partition the regions between us, and depart into different lands." And so, yielding to one another, they did this. These things, however, were written for an example to us, so that we might not fall back and be cast down; for it is impossible, being human, not to be provoked to anger at times; but it is necessary that those whose spirits are stirred should change and be softened. But this quarrel was of great benefit to Mark. For the harshness and severity of Paul turned him toward soundness, while the kindness and gentleness of Barnabas ensured that he would not thereafter fail or be found wanting in his duty. And so, although they fought, the fruit tended toward one single end. For when he saw Paul wishing to depart, he feared greatly and condemned himself, and seeing Barnabas thus defending him, embracing him, and championing him, he loved him dearly. And thus the disciple was improved and corrected through the conflict and disagreement of his masters. So far was he from being scandalized or taking offense.

He was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches. He does not go to other cities before he has visited those which had received the word. Let us do this as well: let us instruct the first ones first, so that they may not be a hindrance and obstacle to those who come after. ^C And behold, there was a disciple there, by name Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman. And it must be noted that the Jews had come to hold the law in such contempt that they married Greek or Gentile women, and gave their own in marriage to Greeks. And taking him, he circumcised him on account of the Jews. It is worth marveling greatly at the wisdom of Paul; he who had fought so much concerning circumcision, and had stirred up everything for this cause until he had settled it, circumcises the disciple, and not only does he not forbid or prevent others, but he even does this himself. In all things, therefore, he looked to what was profitable, and did nothing merely without cause. And the amazing thing is that he even took him along. "On account of the Jews," he says, "who were in those places." For they would not have endured to hear the word from one who was uncircumcised. And what resulted? See the achievement: he circumcised him in order to do away with circumcision—not by commending circumcision, but by wanting to achieve a most important matter which was pleasing and acceptable ^D to all the apostles together. For the Jews were everywhere slandering him as one who everywhere was subverting the law and teaching those from the nations to commit apostasy, and they were, therefore, extremely hostile toward him. Since, then, he found Timothy, a disciple of Greek stock, who was suitable for his service and whom he wished to have as a traveling companion, on account of those who were falsely accusing him, he circumcised him, wishing by such a maneuver to draw them toward himself. For if Timothy had remained uncircumcised, being a teacher, everyone would have leaped away from him. For if such a great accusation had been made against him on account of Trophimus the Ephesian (though he was indeed from the Greeks), what then would he have suffered if he had kept Timothy, a teacher, with him, who was uncircumcised? Observe him also having been purified by the agreement of the co-apostles, and announcing in the temple the completion of the purification. He did all things for the salvation of the Jews. One might also find Peter dissembling in his dealings with the Jews.

And these things, indeed, did not bring any harm; rather, they were to the Jews a ground for salvation and the beginning of faith in Christ, because they thought they possessed teachers who were guarding the Law, and by this artifice he wished to draw them in. For if Timothy had been uncircumcised while performing the office of teaching, they would all have recoiled and fallen away from him. For they were accusing Paul vehemently because of Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they thought he had brought into the temple; yet this man was a Greek and a Gentile. What then would have happened to him if Timothy, who was a teacher, had had uncircumcision with him? ^A Likewise, he shows him to be observing the decision of the fellow-apostles and to be observing the completion of the purifications in the temple. He did all things for the sake of the salvation of the Jews. One might also find Peter, too, simulating Judaism; and these things caused no harm to the apostles. For they were the beginning of salvation and faith in Christ for the Jews, inasmuch as they thought that the ones they had as teachers were keeping the Law, which they themselves also thought ought to be kept.

Ver. 4. *And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.* ^B

Ver. 5. *And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.*

Ver. 6. *Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,*

126 Ver. 7. *After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.*

Ver. 8. *And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.*

Ver. 9. *And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;* ^C *There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.*

Ver. 10. *And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.*

Ver. 11. *Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis:*

Ver. 12. *And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.*

*They delivered to them the decrees to keep.* He calls dogmas—that is, the decrees and certain firm rulings—not those mysteries which, by the counsel and disposition of the intent of God, are delivered as God being incarnate, or putting on flesh, but those things, namely, which are to be abstained from by them—those offered to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication—which are directed toward the ordering of a canonical life. ^D Being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. Why, indeed, they were forbidden he does not say, but only that they were forbidden, teaching us that we should obey and not seek [reasons], and showing that they were doing many things even in a human way. And that the Spirit forbids them to preach the word in Asia and Bithynia, knowing the apostasy of those there, he does this by night.

^A And a vision appeared to Paul: A certain Macedonian man, and so forth. No longer by an angel, as happened to Philip, as happened to Cornelius, but by a vision he appears, henceforth in a way more human. For where the reason for believing is easy, it occurs in this way; but where there was need of greater force, it occurs in a more divine way. It should be noted that in these cities Luke was with Paul, from the fact that he includes his own person, saying: "We sought," "we reached by a straight course," "we departed."

^B VERS. 13. *And on the Sabbath day we went outside the city to the river, where prayer was accustomed to be made, and having sat down, we were speaking to the women who had gathered together.*

VERS. 14. *And a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened to give heed to the things spoken by Paul.*

127 VERS. 15. *And after she was baptized with her household, she besought us with these words: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and stay with me; and she constrained us.*

*By the river.* This was done the more for this reason, that they might gather secretly outside the city at the river, of course, because the worshipers of God, on account of the scarcity of Jews, had no synagogue. For the Jews did not pray only where there was a synagogue, but even outside, as if choosing a certain fixed and secret place, as those who were more addicted to corporal things, and on the Sabbath day, when it was also fitting for a crowd to assemble. *If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord.* Observe this woman who was studious of wisdom. ^C First, she herself testified that she had been called by the Lord. Observe also her humility of mind. This woman was humble, and, he says, of the purple-dyeing art, that is, selling cloths dyed in purple. And the historiographer is not ashamed to add the profession and the gain. But she did not say, "If you esteem me a great or religious woman," but, "faithful to the Lord." If to the Lord, then much more to you. She did not ask simply, but left the matter to their judgment, although she urged them vehemently.

VERS. 16. *And it happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain young slave girl having a spirit of Python met us, who provided much profit to her masters by divining.*

VERS. 17. ^D *This girl, having followed Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are servants of the most high God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.*

VERS. 18. *And she was doing this for many days. And Paul being troubled, and having turned, said to the spirit: I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her. And it came out that same hour.*

^A Ver. 19. But, her masters seeing that the hope of their gain had gone, having seized Paul and Silas, dragged them into the forum to the magistrates,

Ver. 20. And having brought them to the praetors, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews.

Ver. 21. And they teach customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, nor to observe, being Romans.

Having a spirit of Python. Who is this demon? God, he says, Python, so named from that place. ^B And he wished to cast them into temptations. And this Pythia is otherwise called, being a certain woman, sitting upon the tripod of Apollo, spreading apart her legs; then thus a wicked spirit being sent up from beneath, and entering through her genital organs, used to fill the woman with madness; and she, loosening her hair, thereafter would be in a frenzy and cast foam from her mouth; and thus becoming intoxicated, she would utter the words of madness.

Variæ lectiones et notæ.

Scholion Laurentii Siphani.

^C I thought it worth the effort, if I should add some things collected from Cicero, Justin, Strabo, and Diodorus Siculus, for the sake of explaining and better understanding this place. That demon, therefore, was called among the Gentiles by some Pythian, by others Delphic Apollo, from Delphi, the people and city of Phocis, which was called by another name by the Greeks Pytho, and sometimes Python. The demon himself was called Python, the woman herself through whom he gave oracles Pythia, and sometimes by the poets Puthô, who, being seized by the instinct of that demon, predicted future things. The Pythic games and festivals were also ^D accustomed to be celebrated there, called from the word *pusthesthai*, that is, from inquiring, because in that place men were accustomed to inquire, that is, to consult the demon about future things. For the things which are handed down about the Python dragon having been killed there by Apollo are fables, even laughed at by sensible pagan writers. There was on the southern side of Mount Parnassus a place on a rock hanging on every side, in the form of a theater, having on the summit a town and a temple with an oracle, extending in circumference sixteen stadia, overlooked by Lycoria, in which place above the temple Delphi (as the people and location were called) had their seat: but afterwards, near the temple itself and around the Castalian spring, the very crowd of men, who were flowing from everywhere to the fame of the oracle, settled on that rock and made a city. Neither the sea, but precipices, nor man-made, but natural defenses protected the temple and city. The middle rock of the crag receded into the form of a theater, as was said. Wherefore the shouting of men and, when it happens, the sound of trumpets, echoing and resonating between the rocks, used to be multiplied and returned louder than it was emitted; which thing usually brings greater terror of majesty and astonishment to those ignorant of the cause. In this recess of the rock, at about the middle height of the mountain, they say there was a small flat space, and in it a deep hole of the earth and a cavern concave at the lowest part, but with an opening not excessively wide; from which a cold spirit, exhaled like a kind of wind into the heights, turned the minds of men into madness and insanity, and, filling them with the demon, compelled them to give responses to those consulting. Moreover, the report prevailed that the oracle itself was discovered by goats in this way: For when in that place, where the *adyton* of the temple was later, a chasm of the earth lay open, and goats grazing around it were wandering, it often happened that certain ^C goats approaching closer to that cavern and looking in, would stir up wonder in their shepherd by certain strange leapings and a voice previously unknown to them, so that he himself also approached to view the situation of that place. Upon which being done, a huge disturbance seized him (as had also happened to the goats), so that they suffered those things which almost happen to those seized by divine frenzy; but he, besides that, also predicted future events. This agitation of mind which arose to those approaching closer to the chasm, having been spread among the men of that region, many gathered for the sake of testing it, and whoever had approached closer were seized by a divine spirit. Therefore, the matter having been turned into wonder, it was believed that it was a chasm oracle, and it was observed for some time that those about to consult concerning their affairs would betake themselves to that chasm, and would render responses one to another. But when many, seized by madness, leaped headlong and perished, those who held that place, lest anyone should thereafter be in danger there, ordained that a woman prophet should be chosen for the use of all, from whom predictions might be received, and a machine be built for her, in which she could safely be both divinely inspired and respond to those consulting; and that machine, because it was supported by three props, was called a tripod. Thither, therefore, the Pythia ascending, having received the spirit, gave oracles both in bound and unbound speech; but those things which she had rendered in unbound speech were bound into verses by certain poets, ministers of the temple. See Strabo, lib. ix, Justin, lib. xxiv, likewise Diodorus Siculus, lib. xvi, where he describes the deeds of the sixth year of the reign of Philip of Macedon. Furthermore, Virgil beautifully describes the divine frenzy and perturbation of the Pythias and Sibyls in the sixth book of the Aeneid with these verses:

Ventum erat ad limen, cum virgo poscere fata Tempus, ait, Deus, ecce Deus. Cui talia fanti Ante fores, subito non vultus, non color unus, Non comptae mansere comae; sed pectus anhelum

these men are the servants of the most high God. O impure one, if thou knowest that they proclaim the way of salvation, why dost thou not depart from them? But Paul was pained. That is, he was moved and stung; and he silenced her, even though she said what was true, teaching us not to advocate even the truth ^A when those who feign it are demons, but to block off for them every path of deceit, and to seal up one’s hearing to all things said by them. For if Paul had accepted his testimony, he would have deceived many of the faithful. At first, therefore, he did not accept it, but rejected it; for he did not wish to throw himself upon signs, but when he persisted, then he commanded him to depart. The demon was acting maliciously; but he, prudently. ^B But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain had departed. Everywhere money is the cause of evils. They wanted the damsel to be possessed by a demon so that she might make money and amass wealth. See that they do not care for or dwell upon the demon, but look to one thing alone: the pursuit of money and greed. The demon said, "These are the servants of the most high God"; but they said, "They disturb our city." The demon said, "They proclaim to us the way of salvation"; they said, "They deliver to us customs which it is not lawful to accept."

And the crowd rose up against them, and the magistrates, having torn off their garments, commanded them to be beaten with rods. ^C

VERS. 23. And having laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.

VERS. 24. Who, having received such a mandate, cast them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.

VERS. 25. But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

VERS. 26. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and the bonds of all were loosed.

VERS. 27. And the jailer, having awakened and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing his sword, was about to kill himself, ^D thinking the prisoners had escaped.

VERS. 28. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: Do thyself no harm; for we are all here.

^A VERS. 29. Then he, having asked for a light, sprang in, and trembling, fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas. VERS. 30. And having brought them out, he said: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? VERS. 31. And they said: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. VERS. 32. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. VERS. 33. And taking them at that hour of the night, he washed them of their stripes and wounds; and he himself, and all his household, were baptized immediately. VERS. 34. And when he had brought them into his house, he set a table before them; and he rejoiced with all his house, having believed in God.

And the multitude rose up together against them. The miracles and the doctrine were the work of Paul; but Silas also was a participant and companion in the dangers. Know that even the demons know that the Most High God is Jesus who was crucified. Therefore, Paul, being a servant of His, affirmed it, saying: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ." Suddenly, however, a great earthquake happened. An earthquake occurred, so that he was awakened; and the doors were opened, so that he was astonished at what had happened. But the prisoners did not see these things; for otherwise all might have fled. But that it might not seem that the earthquake happened by chance, it followed that the doors were also opened, which fact bore witness to that earthquake. "Believe in the Lord, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." ^B Not even when he was in prison did Paul rest, but even there he brought the jailer to his own mind, having accomplished this noble captivity. And having taken them at that hour of the night, he washed them of their stripes. He indeed washed them of their stripes; but he himself was washed of his sins. And he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his house. And yet there was nothing there save for words alone and good hopes.

VERS. 35. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying: Let those men go. VERS. 36. And the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, namely, "The magistrates have sent to order that you be released: now therefore depart, and go in peace." VERS. 37. But Paul said to them: They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now they cast us out secretly? Not so; but let them come themselves, and lead us out. VERS. 38. The lictors reported these words to the magistrates. And they, having heard that they were Romans, were terrified. ^{C D}

[VERS. 39. And they came and besought them, and when they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city. VERS. 40. Having departed therefore from the prison, they went to Lydia, and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.] But Paul said to them, etc. Although the praetors had commanded it, Paul nevertheless does not depart; but he does so both for the sake of Lydia and the rest of the brethren, so ^A that they might not think that they had been released because they had used some mediator. Nay, he even levels a charge against them, because they had beaten both Roman citizens, and those uncondemned, and that publicly. Do you see that they also, in a human manner, had devised and contrived many things? He said these things so as not to appear to be dismissed as one condemned, and as one who had done wrong. This jailer, by the way, is this Stephanas ^B whom Paul mentions in the first epistle to the Corinthians, where he says: "I baptized also the household of Stephanas." And having departed from the prison, they went to Lydia; and having seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed. For it was not right to leave her, from whom they had been received into hospitality, in anxiety and distress; and they did not wish to depart, even though they were urged by the praetors, unless they had gone to the humble woman and the others whom they called brethren. O with what humility and charity were they endowed! ^C

CHAPTER XVII

^A

VERS. 8. When they heard these things, the multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled. VERS. 9. And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

And they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia. They pass by the small towns, and they hasten to the great cities, because from there the word of God was to spread to those nearby. They came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Although he had said, "We turn to the nations," yet he did not desert these, for he had a great longing for them. He discoursed from the Scriptures, revealing and explaining that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead. Before everything else he preaches the passion and the punishment of Christ, for he knew that this was the source of salvation. And a great multitude of devout Greeks. ^B He calls those "devout Greeks" who were indeed from among the Jews—because they kept the law but spoke Greek—or those who were proselytes from the Greeks and Gentiles and were added to the Jewish sect. And all these act against the decrees of Caesar, in that they say another king is Jesus. And their ancestors accused Jesus in this same way, saying that he called himself a king. But those men [the ancestors], as is evident, could have had some reason by which they might be easily deceived, because the one who was being accused was alive. But these men, what refuge of falsehood or pretext did they have, when they said that they were proclaiming Jesus as king—who, as they themselves thought, was dead, and who could never be a cause of fear to the kings of the earth, as one whom they saw not appearing at all? ^C

VERS. 10. And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berrhoea; who, when they had arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. VERS. 11. These were more noble than those who were in Thessalonica; for they received the word with all readiness of mind and alacrity, daily searching the Scriptures whether these things were so. VERS. 12. And many of them believed, and of the honorable Greek women and of men not a few.

VERS. 13. But as the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was also preached by Paul at Berrhoea, they came there too, agitating the crowds and the multitudes. ^D VERS. 14. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul away, to proceed up to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. VERS. 15. And those who were conducting Paul brought him as far as Athens, and having received a command for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

^A *Generosiores* (Noble), here stands for "more humane," "more fair," "more moderate," and "more honest." As to what he says, *daily investigating and searching the Scriptures whether these things were so*, they did not seek out and investigate as though they were unbelievers (for they had already believed), but as those who were unskilled in the tradition of the prophets. For indeed, by this very means they became more faithful, searching the Scriptures and finding that the things concerning the incarnate dispensation of the Lord were in agreement and accordance with the writings of the ancient prophets. Then, the brethren immediately sent Paul as far as Athens. They fled by divine counsel and arrangement, not out of fear of danger; for otherwise they would have ceased preaching and would not rather have provoked and irritated [their persecutors]. But from this, two things resulted: both the anger of those others was extinguished, and the preaching of the Gospel was advanced. They send Paul alone; for they were afraid lest something untoward happen to him, being as he was the head and the one in whom the sum of the matter consisted. Thus, grace did not act everywhere in the same way, but allowed them to be now vigilant, now cast into anxiety.

^B VERSE 16. *But while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city given over to idolatry.* VERSE 17. *He reasoned, therefore, in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout, and daily in the marketplace with those who happened to be there.* VERSE 18. *Then some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What will this spermologos (babbler), that is, this trifler and chatterer, say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.* ^C VERSE 19. *So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?"* VERSE 20. *For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; therefore we want to know what these things mean."* VERSE 21. *For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.*

*His spirit was provoked.* Through the word "provoked," he does not mean anger here. For the grace [of God] is a thing far removed from anger and indignation. What then is it that he says, "Provoked"? He was spurred on, he was excited, he was deeply moved; he could not bear it, but was distressed. *Then some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him.* Epicureans are those who say that all things happen without the providence of God. Against whom Paul, extending his discourse most especially, says: *Who Himself gives to all, life and breath, who defines and con- ^D*

^A stitutes the prescribed times, and the certain and determined times of their sojourn and habitation: by which words he shows the providence of God. The philosophers did not deride him speaking in this way; for they did not understand anything of what was being said. For how could they, of whom some said that God was a body, and others that pleasure was beatitude? And some said: "What does this seed-picker want to say?" A *spermologos* (seed-picker) is said to be a very lowly bird, accustomed to gathering seeds scattered at crossroads; to this bird, raising empty arrogance on a wide tongue, and thinking highly of themselves, the philosophers compared Paul. For "the wise call the base vile," says the writer of Proverbs. Since, therefore, the *spermologos* or seed-picker is a small bird, and fit neither for eating nor for pleasure, they called base men *spermologoi*. But others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons." For they thought that the resurrection was some goddess, as they were accustomed to worship females as well. For they called their gods demons. ^B They led him to the Mars Hill, not in order to learn, but to punish him in that place where cases of homicide were conducted and examined. The place was called the Mars Hill because, as the story goes, Mars paid penalties there for adultery. But a hill (*pagos*) is a high place: for that courtroom was on a certain mound. It is to be noted that, although they were devoted and addicted to speeches and gatherings, yet they thought those things which they had never heard before were foreign and new. For otherwise, even if he were preaching that a man had been affixed to a cross, what was said was not new: but if he said that God was affixed to a cross and had risen again, he was truly speaking of things that were strange.

VERS. 22. But Paul, standing in the middle of Mars Hill, said: Ye men of Athens, in all things I see you as being more religious. ^C

VERS. 23. For passing through and reflecting on the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: To the Unknown God. Whom therefore you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.

VERS. 24. God, who made the world and all things that are in it, He, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.

VERS. 25. Nor is He served by the hands of men, as though He stood in need of anything, since He Himself gives to all, life and breath and all things.

VERS. 26. And He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation. ^D

VERS. 27. To seek the Lord, if perhaps they might grope and touch Him and find Him. Although He is not far from every one of us.

VERS. 28. For in Him we live and move and are, as also some of your own poets have said: For we are also His offspring.

^A VERS. 29. Since, therefore, we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine nature is like to gold or silver or stone, graven by the art and device of man.

* *Fere religiosiores* (somewhat religious). A man is called *Deisidaimon* (superstitious) who fears demons, who considers and venerates everything as a deity—wood, stone, and spirit. ^B It seems as though he is praising them, but *deisidaimonesterous* is used in place of "more reverent"; he said this because of the altar. Now, the altar had been built by them for the following reason: Once, the Athenians had clashed with their enemies in battle, and they had retreated after having suffered a defeat. And because it was their custom to celebrate games for the demons, some demon appeared and said that he had never been worshipped by them; and he, being angry with them, claimed to have been the cause and author of that defeat. Therefore, they built a shrine for him; and, as if taking care lest at some other time they should suffer in the same way because they had neglected or overlooked some God unknown to them, they built that altar, inscribing it: "To the Unknown God." By this they meant: "If any other god is ignored by us, let this altar be raised in his honor, so that he may be gracious to us, if, being unknown, he is not being worshipped, lest he be neglected." The whole inscription on the altar was: "To the gods of Asia, Europe, and Libya: to an Unknown and Strange God."

"For as I passed by and beheld your devotions." He did not find a divine book in the city, but an altar standing there. And taking his occasion from the inscription on the altar, he demolished the altar. ^C For what else was he to do? All the Greeks were impious and devoid of the worship of the true God. If he had used the Gospels as a starting point to speak to them, they would have mocked him; if he had spoken from the Prophets, they would not have believed. Therefore, he conquered them with the very weapons of the enemy; and this is what he means: "I became as one without law to those without law." He saw the altar and turned the inscription to his own use—or rather, he translated and inverted their meaning. "It was inscribed," he says, "on the altar: To the Unknown God." But who else was the God who was ignored, other than Christ?

What, then? Did the Athenians write this on account of Christ? If they had written it on account of Christ, the success of the thing begun by Paul would not be so much to be wondered at. But they had written it otherwise; he, however, had the power to transfer and change the writing. ^D Now, it is necessary to say for what reason they had written, "To the Unknown God." They had many gods, both ancestral and local, as well as foreign and visiting ones. These, therefore, they had received partly from their mothers, and partly from neighboring nations. Since, therefore, they had not received all of them from the beginning, but they had been introduced to them little by little—some in the time of their fathers, others in the time of their grandfathers, and others in their own generation—they came together and said: "Just as we were ignorant of these, and then later we recognized them, so it happens that another also may be ignored, being a God, but not recognized by us, and therefore He escapes our notice, being neglected and not worshipped." They therefore set up an altar and inscribed it, "To the Unknown God," saying by that inscription that if there is any God...

other God who is unknown to us, we worship him also. Take note of the immense and excellent fear of the demons. For this reason Paul said: "I see that in all things you are more prone to the fear of demons," that is, more religious. For you do not worship only the demons who are known to you, but even those not yet known to you. And having captured the thought, he set it upon Christ: "For whom you worship unknowingly, this one I proclaim to you." The Athenians were about to accuse him of these things: "You are introducing new and foreign doctrines; you are introducing a God whom we do not know." Being desirous, therefore, to be relieved of the suspicion and to teach that he is not preaching a foreign God, but one whom they had already honored by their worship, he says: "You have anticipated me; your worship has preceded my preaching: for I proclaim this one whom you worship unknowingly."

"God who made the world." He has uttered one statement by which he overturns all the dogmas and opinions of the philosophers. For the Epicureans call things fortuitous and say they are produced from atoms, that is, from indivisible corpuscles; but this man says the world and all things in it are the work of God. ^B "He does not dwell in man-made temples." So that they might not think the God who was being proclaimed by him was one of many, he corrects this, adding: "He does not dwell in man-made temples, but in the human soul." What then? Did He not dwell in the temple of the Jerusalemites? By no means; but He was active and exercising His power and bringing it into action. Who, therefore, was worshipped by the hands of men among the Jews? Not by hands, but by the mind; since He did not require these things there as one in need of anything: "Shall I eat the flesh of bulls?" He says, and what follows. — "Not in need of anything, He who gives to all life and breath." He posits two certain arguments for Divinity: namely, that He Himself needs nothing, and that He provides all things to all. Behold, however, he also makes Him the Creator of the soul, not its progenitor.

"And He has decreed and established certain and prescribed times." He decreed that they should seek God; but He did not decree this for all time, but for designated times, showing that they found Him now, ^C although they had not sought Him. For since they had not found Him upon seeking, he shows that He was so manifest as if some object placed in the middle were being touched by hand. For it was not the case that He was here in heaven but not elsewhere, nor that He was in this time but not in another. Therefore, it was possible to find Him at every time and within every limit; so He arranged and managed the matter, that He might not be hindered by place or time. For this very thing helped them most, that the heaven is everywhere, and that it stands for all time.

"So He is near," he says, "so that without Him we do not live. For in Him we live and move and are." Just as in a bodily example it is impossible to be unaware of the air poured out everywhere, and not being far from every one of us, but rather even being within us. He speaks of His providence and His sustaining power, that existence is from Him, that activity is from Him, that not perishing is from Him. ^D "As even some of the poets among you have said."

^A Aratus is a wise man, he says, for even he, without Him, we cannot exist. "For in Him we live and move and are." He does not say this in a corporeal sense, for he shows that we cannot exist—so that He who is everywhere, and not far from any one of us, even within us, might not be unknown. He signifies His providence, and the fact that existence and activity are from Him, so that we do not perish. But also, as some of your poets have said: Aratus, that wise man, says of Jove: "For we are also His offspring." But here he says this of the Creator, not meaning the same one whom he worshipped. Far be it! For what properly pertains to God he says, not to the one they worshipped. He says that we are offspring of God—he says this, that we are very close kin, because it seemed good to God that we be born in our nature on the earth. He did not say, "You ought not to think the divine nature is like gold or silver"—but what is more humble than this, indeed, "You ought not." See how he introduces that which is incorporeal. For the mind, when it suspects a body, also assumes an interval.

^B "The times of this ignorance ^C God overlooked, but now he commands all men ^D everywhere to repent." Because he has fixed a day in which he is to judge

Theophylact on Acts 17

Hearing of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, "We will hear you again ^A about this."

And thus Paul went out from their midst.

But some men joined themselves to him, and believed, ^B among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

"The times of this ignorance," etc. He does not speak of the departed, but of those to whom God is addressing his command. For he says, "overlooked," which properly signifies that He did not overlook as if out of ignorance, but that anyone would be wrong, would be wandering, who took this to mean that God suspected something absurd or alien to Himself. But he does not say that you sinned and were evil of your own will and counsel, and he knew what should have been done but ignored it. He commands, therefore, not seeking punishment as if men were worthy of punishment, but now he calls them to repentance. "Because he has fixed ^C a day in which he is to judge the world." Necessarily, he says, he will make a judgment of all deeds and a discernment "by the Man," whom he has determined will be the judge of the living and the dead. This is the Lord who became flesh. But those who heard such great and lofty things did not even attend, but mocked the resurrection. A "sensual" man, he says, does not receive the things of the ^D Spirit. And thus Paul went out from their midst. Thus, how? By persuading some, and by being mocked by others. But some believed, among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite. The court of the Areopagus was outside the city. They were having a trial at the Areopagus about all manner of faults and transgressions. Therefore, as one who introduces strange demons, they drag Paul to the Areopagus council.

from the midst of them. Indeed. How? By leaving some persuaded and brought to his way of thinking, while being mocked by others. But some believed, among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite. The court was outside the city on the hill of Ares. The Areopagites, therefore, determined all cases of fraud and malice. For this reason, since Paul was a proclaimer of foreign demons, they dragged him to the court and senate of the hill of Ares; but since the divine Dionysius had at that time been co-opted into the college of Areopagites as a judge, he attributed this to evangelical truth, so that he was unwilling to pronounce judgment against it. And when he had bid farewell to and renounced the foolish austerity of the Areopagites, he embraced the illumination of the Gospel. For although the Romans were ruling at that time, they nevertheless left Athens and Lacedaemon free; whence even then, among the Athenians, the judgment of the Areopagites was exercised. And Dionysius is indeed initiated and imbued with the doctrine of salvation through Paul, but he is instructed and trained, as a child by a master, by the great Hierotheos. ^B

CHAPTER XVIII

*He came to Corinth.* He was led by the Spirit to Corinth, in which city he needed to stay. For the Athenians, even though they were fond of hearing strange and new things, nevertheless did not pay attention. For they did not study this thing, but only sought to have something to say at all times. It seemed enough, therefore, to Paul, if he should cast the seeds there. ^D For under Nero, Paul was perfected and crowned with martyrdom; but in the time of Claudius, the war against the Jews was being stirred up and provoked, and the Jews were driven from Rome as pestilential men. Therefore, it happens by divine will and disposition that he was led there as if bound, so that he would not be expelled as a Jew. And because Aquila was of the same trade, he stayed with him and worked. For this reason he stayed, having found a suitable lodging. For it was more suitable for him than any king's palace, just as the wrestling ground is more useful to the athlete than soft bedding, and the sword to the warrior.

Having shaken out his garments, he said to them: in order to terrify them not only by word, but also by action: ^A *Your blood be upon your own head*. The statement is obscure. But I think he means this: Everyone who abandons Christ, who is life, appears to murder himself, passing from life to death, in a way pouring out his own blood through the slaughter which he brings upon himself. He says this, therefore: In that you slaughter yourselves through unbelief, you shall pay the penalty for this very crime, while I am innocent. From this it is possible to say that he who slaughters himself is punished by God as a murderer.

And having departed from there, he came into the house of a certain man named Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was adjoining the synagogue. ^B And Crispus the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all his house, and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

And the Lord said to Paul in the night through a vision: Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not be silent. Because I am with you, and no one shall attack you to harm you, because I have much people in this city. And he sat for a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God.

Whose house was adjoining. So that even from this he might be kindled with zeal, namely on account of the proximity. And Crispus the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord. He speaks of this Crispus, about whom he says: *I baptized no one, except Crispus and Gaius*. Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not be silent. ^C What he most needed to do, this he says to him afterwards. For nothing so vexed Paul and kept him anxious as those who did not believe.

And when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up unanimously against Paul; and they brought him to the judgment seat, saying that, contrary to the law, this man persuades men to worship God.

And when Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If indeed it were some crime or wicked villainy, O Jews, with reason I would bear with you; but if it is questions about a word, and names, and the law which is yours, you yourselves shall see to it; for I do not wish to be a judge of these things. ^D And he drove them away from the judgment seat. And all the Greeks, having laid hold of Sosthenes,

^B the chief of the synagogue, beat him before the judgment seat; and of these things Gallio cared for nothing.

VERS. 18. *But Paul, having remained many days more, having taken leave of the brethren, sailed away to Syria; and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.*

The Jews set upon Paul with one accord. How then did they set upon him, one might ask? By suddenly seizing him. And yet they availed nothing, but were leading him to the proconsul, who blocked them from the court, for he seems to me to have been a humane and equitable man. When they had laid hold of Sosthenes—now as to why they were beating Sosthenes: perhaps they were beating him because he himself was more devoted and attached to Paul, just as was Crispus the chief of the synagogue; or they had reached such a pitch of ^C madness that, having failed in their purpose and their hopes, instead of Paul they were beating Sosthenes; or they were beating him for this reason, that they had wished to kill Paul, and Sosthenes was preventing them; and as they were acting lawlessly in the presence of the magistrate himself, they beat Sosthenes, saying as it were this: "If he who wishes to do what he wishes, and there is no law, then behold, we also beat this man." But the proconsul did not take notice of them, but let them beat one another; for if they had done this against some other person and not among themselves, he would certainly have been able to restrain and curb them. And with him sailed away Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Cenchreae. Since the Jews suspected him of teaching defection from the law, and many were offended in him, and were not accepting the preaching—for this cause also here [in Cenchreae] and in the temple in Jerusalem he does this by way of accommodation (oikonomikos); and this was what he himself was saying: "I have become to those under the law as under the law, that I might gain those who are ^D under the law." *For he had a vow.* By "vow" he means a promise. For he had promised to cut off his hair, so that he might no longer, as a worldly man, perform the things of the world, but as one living according to God, might remain with the Church. And Aquila also cut off his hair according to a promise. For those who wished to live, as they supposed, godly lives, used to do this; moreover, this was an ancient custom for the Jews. Therefore, it is right that both monks and canonicals, that is, regular virgins and nuns, cut their hair.

VERS. 19. *But he arrived at Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself, having entered into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews.*

VERS. 20. *But when they were asking him to remain longer with them, he did not consent,*

VERS. 21. *But he bade them farewell, saying: I must

by all means celebrate the coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing. ^A And he left them there. He left them at Ephesus, and rightly so, as they were fit for teaching; for having spent so much time with him, they had learned much. Now the statement "I will return again to you," since Paul was a prophet and had foreseen that he was to return, he promised that he would return again. But lest anyone from rashness do the same thing, imprudently promising that he will do this or that, he taught us to promise to do nothing concerning future matters without adding, "God willing." For no one knows what the coming day will bring forth. He is foolish, therefore, who does not qualify his promise with "If the Lord wills." For if, as though confident that he will certainly do it, he makes a promise, he will hear many a time: "Fool, this night I will take your soul; what therefore you have promised, ^B when will it be?"

*And he set sail from Ephesus, and arriving at Caesarea, and having gone up and saluted the Church, he went down to Antioch.*

*And having spent some time there, he went out, passing in order through the Galatian region and Phrygia, confirming the disciples.* This was always the custom of Paul, to visit the believers and confirm them, so that if he found them weakened, he might relieve their burdens with his instructive discourse.

VERS. 24. *A certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus, being powerful in the Scriptures.*

VERS. 25. *This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning the Lord.* There are some who assert that this Apollos is the Apelles, the bishop of the Corinthians, about whom Paul writes: "Regarding Apollos, I exhorted him much." Also: "I planted, Apollos watered." Consider whether this be true. For this man was either binominal, or otherwise one of these names was changed into the other.

*Knowing only the baptism of John.* And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. ^C But when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him, and expounded the way of God to him more accurately.

*And when he wished to pass into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him; who, when he arrived, helped much those who had believed through grace.*

VERS. 28. *For he was mightily [convincing the Jews].*

publicly, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

If this man knew only the baptism of John, how did he burn with the Spirit? For the Spirit was not given in this way; and if those who were after him had need of the baptism of Christ, much more did he. What, then, is to be said? It seems to me that he was one of the hundred and twenty who were baptized together with the apostles; or, if this is not the case, what happened in the case of Cornelius happened ^B also in his case. And otherwise: the baptism of John provided an exhortation to repentance and to a better life, but not also the expiation of sin; so that this is the distinction between the baptism of John and the baptism of the faithful, namely, that the baptism of the faithful grants the remission of sins. For the faithful person is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and is washed clean from the religion he had previously held. But if those who had been baptized by John did not have the Holy Spirit, how did Apollos, who had been baptized only into the baptism of John, burn with the Spirit? Indeed, even if he burned with the Spirit, he did not possess the Holy Spirit; for he neither spoke with tongues nor prophesied. It is one thing to burn with the Spirit, and another to possess the Holy Spirit. He who possesses the Holy Spirit has Him dwelling within himself, and the Spirit Himself speaks from the inner ^C chambers of the heart, just as He spoke to the apostles, bidding them either to speak the Word or not to speak it. But he who burned with the Spirit did something through illumination and exhortation that was applied externally, as he was led by the Spirit. For from things that fall under the senses, it is necessary to conjecture those things which cannot be seen. For he was refuting the Jews sharply and vehemently in public. In that he was convicting them publicly, the freedom of speech was demonstrated; in that he was doing so sharply, the power was declared; in that he did so from the Scriptures, the expertise was demonstrated. For neither does freedom of speech accomplish anything if power is not present, nor does power if freedom of speech is not present.

CAPUT XIX

VERS. 1. And it came to pass in the meanwhile, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul having traversed the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said ^D unto them:

VERS. 2. Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

VERS. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

VERS. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

VERS. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

^A But "not so much as whether there be any Holy Ghost." These differ much from those who did not even know if there was a Holy Ghost. For that they did not even believe in Christ is clear from the fact that he said: "That they should believe on him which should come after him." And he did not say that the baptism of John was nothing, but that it was imperfect. But whence did they, being in Ephesus, have the baptism of John? Perhaps they had journeyed to Jerusalem at that time and had departed, and they did not even know Jesus. He does not say to them, "Do you believe in Jesus?" but what? "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" He knew that they did not have it, but he wants to tell them this, so that, knowing of what they were in want, they might ask.

VERS. 6. "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

VERS. 7. "And all the men were about twelve."

They did not see the Spirit; for he is invisible. But the ^B grace gave some perceptible proof of that operation, which could be perceived by the senses. And one spoke in the tongue of the Persians, another in that of the Romans, another in a different tongue; and by this it was made manifest from without, that it was the Spirit that was speaking in him.

VERS. 8. "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God."

What is meant by, "spake boldly"? He was prepared for dangers; or he was arguing more openly, not veiling his opinions in shadow. Observe, however, how he everywhere pushes himself into the synagogues, and so leaves. For everywhere he wished to take opportunities from them.

VERS. 9. "But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus."

VERS. 10. "And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks."

"Spake evil of that way." By "the way" he means either Christ, who is also called the Way; or by the way he signifies the true faith, which was being proclaimed through Paul. But the fact that he says, "he separated the disciples," teaches those who believe in Him to depart from those who malign the majesty of the Son of God with their blasphemies.

VERS. 11. "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul."

VERS. 12. "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, ^D and...

the diseases were being freed, and the evil spirits were being chased from them. ^A

The Institution of a King, to Constantine Porphyrogenitus

XXXIX. Following the address regarding those errors which the Greeks attribute to the Latins, there comes the *Institution of a King* addressed to Constantine Porphyrogenitus, the son of the Emperor Michael [Doukas] VII and of Maria, who was born of the kings of Iberia. It is truly an exceptional work, and worthy of the genius, learning, and wisdom of Theophylact. It is divided into two parts; the former of which is entirely occupied with the exposition and exaltation of the exceptional gifts of mind of the Empress Maria, as well as the prerogatives of the royal boy, both of mind and of body. The latter part, however, comprises many most wise precepts by which Theophylact himself instructed Constantine, whose tutor he was, on how to rule well and prosperously. And indeed, in this part, he has performed his duty most perfectly, just as in the other, former part, he skillfully fulfilled the roles of an eloquent orator and, perhaps, of a seasoned courtier. The most learned Peter Possinus, a man of greatest skill in the Greek language and an alumnus and ornament of the famous Society of Jesus, was the first to bring this booklet to light from the Florentine-Medicean library; he dedicated it to Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre—who, being at that time a mere adolescent and administering the kingdom under the guardianship of his mother, was still young—in a letter sent from Rome in the year commonly called the holy year 1650, moved especially by this reason (as he himself testifies), that in this little work there is described with precision and graphic detail. [index: entries preserved]

^A a person placed in extreme danger is convinced by some miserable and calamitous individual, upon whom he wishes to pour out all his wrath.

VERS. 18. And many of those who believed came, confessing and declaring their actions and deeds. Every believer ought to tell his own sins, and by reproving himself, renounce them, so that he may not commit the same things anymore, that he might become righteous according to what is said: "Declare thou thy sins first, that thou mayest be justified" (Isa. xliii, 26); and that: "The righteous is his own accuser in the first speech of his cause" (Prov. xviii, 17).

VERS. 19. Many of those who had practiced curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all; and they counted the prices of them, and found fifty thousand pieces of silver.

VERS. 20. So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

VERS. 21. When these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying: "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."

^B "Burned them before all." Because they knew that there would be no use for them afterwards. And the Ephesians were so given to image-worship and to magical incantations that they bought magical and incantatory books at a great price, as though they contained the most beautiful things in life. When they had believed in Christ, they did not sell them, but burned them: first, that no one might become a participant in the contagion and corruption that brings ruin to the soul from them; and then, also, so that they might not gain anything from such a source. For just as it is forbidden to offer the price of a dog, or profit from prostitution to God; so they judged it not right that money which had been procured from this cause should be laid at the feet of the apostles.

VERS. 22. And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus, he stayed there for a time in Asia.

He sent the disciples into Macedonia, ^C to announce his coming and to make [the Macedonians] more eager. He remains, with good reason, in Asia; for there was the tyranny of the philosophers.

VERS. 23. And there arose at that time no small stir about that Way.

VERS. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines for Diana, provided no small gain for the craftsmen.

"Silver shrines." Perhaps small boxes. Observe, moreover, that everywhere the occasion for the worship of idols is taken from money. For this Demetrius did ^D what he did for the sake of money; not because their impiety was in any danger, but because...

he had no occasion to seek a livelihood and money. ^A For Demetrius knew that he was deceiving men, making for them silver shrines and gods; and he feared lest his craftiness might be exposed through the true teaching of Paul. And he feared lest the temple of Artemis in Ephesus might also perish in the end; and he was proclaiming beforehand the destruction of the temple, which indeed came to pass.

^A

VERS. 32. "And some cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together." They would not suffer him to give himself up to a disorderly mob; so much did all the faithful love him. And Paul also obeys, for he was not ambitious. "And the more part knew not wherefore they had come together." For such is the multitude; it follows simply, like fire cast into a forest.

VERS. 33. "And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people." ^B

VERS. 34. "But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

Why did Alexander wish to make a defense? Was he himself accused? Rather, he did it so that he might find an opportune time, and settle the whole business, and draw away the anger of the populace.

VERS. 35. "And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?" ^C

VERS. 36. "Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly."

The town clerk speaks correctly and even with rebukes; and he did not say, "Who is there that ignores Diana," but, "our city." Why, then, are you moved and disturbed with excessive zeal, as if these things were obscure? For they wished to take and pretend that religion was the cause of their tumult. Now, the term *neōkoron* (temple-keeper) signifies, word for word, one who cleans the temple and purges it with brooms; he used it for a sacred servant. For *korein* is the same as *saroun*, that is, to sweep or purge with brooms. Whence also is the compound *neōkoros*, who sweeps the temple or purges it with brooms. But *Diopetous*, that is, of the round temple of Jupiter, or he calls *Diopetes* the statue of Athena, or the palladium; which they thought had been cast down from above by Jupiter, and not made by men, just as the ^D Greeks used to fable, so that the minds of the simpler folk might be captivated by admiration and dread.

VERS. 37. "For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess."

VERS. 38. "Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another."

VERS. 39. "But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly."

VERS. 40. *For we are in danger of being accused ^A of sedition ^A for today, there being no cause existing for which we can give an account of this gathering.* And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

He censures them mildly and moderately, showing that they acted rashly, and that there was no need to bring the common assembly together because of private crimes. For he says, *ἀγοραῖοι ἄγονται*, that is, forensic assemblies are being held, which was a type of court in Asia—the *agoraioi*, those who teach or advise the poor and people in the markets. And for this reason they were called *agoraios* rather, just as there are advocates in certain cities. For the proconsuls heard the cases of the rich, or criminal and capital cases. But they are called *agoraios*, that is, forensic, and *dikologoi*, that is, pleaders, from the word *agoreuein*, which means to speak, that is, to speak in the forum and before the people.

CHAPTER XX

VERS. 1. *And after the uproar had ceased and was composed, Paul called the disciples to him and embraced them, and bade them farewell, and departed to go into Macedonia.*

VERS. 2. *And when he had gone over those parts and had exhorted them with much speech, he came into Greece.*

VERS. 3. *Where he had spent three months, and laying in wait was made for him by the Jews as he was about to sail into Syria, he took the resolve to return through Macedonia.*

VERS. 4. *And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater the Beroean, and of the Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.*

VERS. 5. *These going before tarried for us at Troas.*

VERS. 6. *And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days: where we abode seven days.*

And exhorted them with much speech. For there was need of much exhortation because of that disturbance.

VERS. 7. *And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul reasoned with them, being ready to depart on the morrow: and continued his speech until midnight.*

VERS. 8. *And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.*

And upon the first day of the week. This was then Pentecost, and the Lord's day. Until midnight. He did not even cease at night: but instead he discoursed further, since there was leisure. Note also how much he discoursed, and at the time of the supper itself.

VERS. 9. *And there sat a certain young man named Eutychus,*

as he sat in the window, being oppressed by a deep sleep, and as Paul was discoursing for a long time, having been overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story; and he was taken up dead.

The devil disturbed the feast, having overcome the hearer with sleep. He was sitting in the window at the dead of night; such was his desire for listening. And what is wonderful is that, being a young man, he was not slothful; and when he was being overcome by sleep, he did not depart, nor did he fear the danger of falling. For it was not out of sloth that he nodded off, but out of the necessity of nature.

VERS. 10. *But Paul having gone down, fell upon him,* and embracing him said: *Do not be troubled; for his soul is in him.*

VERS. 11. *And when he had gone up, and had broken bread, and tasted, and had conversed a long time, even till break of day, so he departed.*

VERS. 12. *And they brought the boy alive, and were not a little comforted.*

VERS. 13. *And we, going aboard the ship, sailed to Assos, from there intending to take in Paul.*

For his soul is in him. He did not say, "He shall rise again," or "I will raise him up." See his modesty and his spirit inclined toward comforting.

For so he had ordered, being himself about to travel on foot.

VERS. 14. *And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.*

VERS. 15. *And sailing thence, the day following we came over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and having stayed at Trogyllium, the day following we came to Miletus.*

Being himself about to travel on foot. The lighter task he permits to them, but the more laborious one he takes upon himself, and was traveling on foot; at the same time ordering many things, and exhorting them to be separated from him.

VERS. 16. *For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, so that it might not happen to him to lose time in Asia.* For he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

You see him both desiring and hastening, and often not attaining what he wished, so that we might not think that he was above human nature. For those holy and great men shared with us the same nature, but not the same purpose and resolve. Wherefore they were also endowed with great grace.

VERS. 17. *And from Miletus sending to Ephesus, he called the elders of the Church.*

VERS. 18. *And when they were come to him, he said to them: You*

^A know from the first day, from the time I entered into Asia, in what manner I have been with you for the whole time, VERS. 19. Serving the Lord with all humility, and with many tears and temptations, which have happened to me by the designs of the Jews: VERS. 20. That I have kept back nothing that was useful, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house, VERS. 21. Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus.

*With all humility.* He does not say simply, "with humility," but, "with all." For there are many kinds of humility: in word, in deed, towards those in authority, and towards those who are subject. *He called the elders of the Church.* Since the custom is unknown to the many, especially that of the New Testament or the evangelical dispensation, which calls bishops "presbyters" (those older by birth) and calls presbyters "bishops," this also has been noted here, as well as from the Epistle to Titus, and furthermore from the Epistle to the Philippians. We shall also be able to know, if it is to be gathered logically and consistently, whether the same is true of the first Epistle to Timothy. And from the Acts indeed, proof of this matter can be had. For it is written thus: *And from Miletus sending to Ephesus, he called the elders of the Church*, and he did not say, "he called the bishops." Then he adds: *In which church the Holy Spirit hath placed you bishops, to rule the Church of the Lord and God.* And from the Epistle to Titus: *And thou shouldst ordain in every city, he says, presbyters, as I also appointed to thee.* And from the Epistle to the Philippians: *Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.* ^B *That I have kept back nothing that was useful to you and would be conducive, but that I have preached it.* For if it had been done, it would not have been necessary to know what things were hidden and suppressed. For just as it is a mark of the envious to conceal some things, so too it is a mark of mental folly to tell them everything. Therefore he added, "of those things which were useful."

VERSE 22. *And now behold, being bound in the Spirit, I go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things which shall befall me there.*

VERS. 23. *Save that the Holy Spirit in every city testifieth to me, saying that bands and afflictions wait for me.*

VERS. 24. *But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.*

469 IN THE SEQUEL TO THE WRITINGS OF THEOPHYLACT.

If the oration which we have brought forward above had been written at the appropriate time, it would present no difficulty; for that he once exercised that office is a fact sufficiently explored, both from other monuments and especially from the second of those twenty epistles which we are now bringing to light for the first time. But that these things are little suited to Theophylact, already growing old and for many years addicted to the government of a most extensive Church, no one fails to see. Yet it is openly gathered—unless my opinion deceives me—that the author of this Encomium was exercising the office of sophist and head of a school at the same time he recited it publicly, from his final words, by which he addresses his students who, as it seems, were standing around him: "But truly I, O boys, have now laid the foundation of the prayer and praise due to our Emperor; add you the woof. I have shown you the art by which a more elegantly painted and perfect cloth may be made." But although all these things could cast some suspicion regarding the true author of this oration, they ought not, by legal right, to be an impediment to us from having it published in this volume together with the other works of Theophylact: for we prefer to attribute the fetus to him, uncertain though it be, rather than perchance to take away from him what is legitimate.

SECTION X. Concerning the twenty epistles recently extracted from the Vatican library.

XLII. The most diligent curators of this edition, when they heard that certain unpublished epistles of our Theophylact lay hidden in the Vatican library, thought they must be procured at all costs, so that this present edition might not go forth diminished in any part. They obtained their wish through the highest kindness of that most celebrated man, Joseph Evodius Assemani, prefect of the same library, who collected twenty epistles from many codices, and having inscribed them in an excellent hand, sent them here so that they might be brought to light by us. There seems to be no place for doubting that they were indeed written by Theophylact; since they clearly bear the name of Theophylact, and contain the same style and almost the same subject matter as others already published. Wherefore I have no doubt that they will be most pleasing to the reader. However, I predict that he will be affected with peculiar pleasure by the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth epistles, which seem to continue the same series as the thirty-second of those published by Meursius: where you will also perceive Theophylact exercising his authority over the Bishop of Triaditza, yet joined with the humanity that befits a prelate of the Church. But from the second, inscribed to John Sebastus, brother of the Empress, he will discover that it is not certain (as some think) that Theophylact was a Constantinopolitan by birth. In it, indeed, while commending his kinsmen and relatives who are in Euripus to a man of princely rank, he signifies not obscurely that he too is from the same place, and therefore originated from Euboea; which is also gathered from the verses which the oldest manuscript of Saint Justina at Padua contains; which, rendered into Latin, I myself have taken care to have appended above (Vol. I, col. 137). In other epistles the reader will find described briefly and neatly by Theophylact the rude and rustic customs of the Bulgarians, which were then prevalent; and he will, I believe, grant pardon to the complaining old man who sometimes uses hyperbolic phrases both in this matter and in bewailing other calamities. As for the first, it is worth noting here that after its printing I discovered through a more accurate collation that its latter part is actually the second of the epistles published by Giovanni Lami, which is inscribed to the Grand Domestic. But one must note the variant reading of one word which stands in the Lamian edition: where instead of *nikos* (victory), which is read in the aforesaid first epistle, there is *neikos* (contention): which reading I think should be preferred to the other, indeed that it alone is true; for it produces a much better and more appropriate sense. Moreover, the Lamian edition can to some extent be corrected and supplemented from that other, as will be clear to one collating them.

XLIII. Whether other unpublished epistles of the same author still lie hidden in libraries is entirely unknown to us. This we can assert with the best of right: that no labor has been spared, so that if there were any, they might be brought to light. Wherefore, when I had read in the catalog of manuscripts of the public library of Augsburg that a codex was found there containing the epistles of Theophylact,

(a) For he has these words in that place: "Who joined for me a chorus of rhetors, so that becoming their leader, as I once was... I might together with them fulfill the oratorical dance?"

^A Not that our own salvation is to be preferred to the salvation of the flock, but because when we take heed of ourselves, then the flock also gains profit. "Whom the Holy Spirit has set as overseers." You have the ordination from the Holy Spirit, he says. Note, however, that those he called elders above, he here calls overseers, that is, inspectors and rulers: either because elders also have need to inspect the flocks endowed with reason in the Church, lest anyone be weak in faith, lest anyone hunger or thirst, or stand in need of rebuke and correction, according to that precept: "Reprove, rebuke, exhort, comfort." Or he calls them overseers here, that is, bishops. "Which He purchased with His own blood." It is not for a small thing, he says, that the danger exists, since He did not spare His own blood. For in order that He might reconcile enemies, He even poured out His blood; and you, can you retain those who are already made friends?

VERS. 29. "For I know this, that after my departure savage and pestilent wolves will invade you, not sparing the flock."

VERS. 30. "And from among yourselves men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them."

VERS. 31. "Therefore watch, remembering that for three years night and day I did not cease with tears to warn everyone."

A double evil is proposed: that he himself will not be present, and that others will attack; and, what is more troublesome, "from among yourselves," he says, they will arise. A serious thing it is, where the war is civil and intestine. "To draw away the disciples after them." For the object of heretics is to strive to acquire a people not for the Lord, but for themselves, so that they may boast among themselves, while the name of the heretics themselves is bruited about in those whom they have joined to ^C themselves, so that they may be known from it: for example, Manichaeans from Manes, Arians from Arius, and similarly in other species of heresies. This is what he says, "the effort to draw away the disciples after them." For this reason Paul, repelling and restraining them beforehand, presses down and rebukes those who said: "I am of Paul, I of Apollos."

VERS. 32. "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all the sanctified."

VERS. 33. "I have coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing."

VERS. 34. "You yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me."

He ends the admonition with prayers. For since he had terrified them vehemently, lest he should completely strike and cast them down and leave them dejected in spirit, see the consolation. "And at present," he says, "I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace": that is, to His grace. ^D

[...the grace of his. Silver or gold. He does not say, I have not accepted, but, I have not even coveted. ^A And this which follows is greater: You know that these hands have ministered to my needs and to those who were with me. For true almsgiving and beneficence is to give to the needy from those things which one has acquired by one's own works and labor. And see how the man worked, diligently and sedulously discussing and preaching by night and day.

VERS. 35. I have shown you all things, that we ought so toiling to succor the infirm, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus. For he himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

No one can take refuge in ignorance. I have shown by ^B deeds that those who toil must work in this way, and must remember the word of the Lord Jesus. And where did he say this? Perhaps the apostles handed down this saying taken from the mouth of the Lord without writing; or it is evident from those things which one might conjecture and infer by reasons. There is one degree, to cast away one's own things; a second, to provide for oneself and to supply necessary things; a third, even to assist others; a fourth, for even him who preaches the word of God and has the power of receiving, not to receive what he could receive without reproach. He did not say, however, that it is evil to receive, but, that it is better ^C not to receive.

VERS. 36. And having spoken these things, kneeling, he prayed with them all.

VERS. 37. And there was a great weeping of all; and falling upon the neck of Paul, they kissed him,

VERS. 38. Grieving especially for that word which he had spoken, that they were no longer to see his face. And they accompanied him to the ship.

It is to be noted that he who bids his friends farewell and gives them instructions ought to bend his knees, and together with all who are present, pray and so depart. The expression "Falling upon the neck" ^D shows their affection and good disposition toward Paul, as if embracing him one last time, and those in whom great love had been generated by his preaching, and in whom an incitement of love had been injected.

CAPUT XXI

VERS. 1. And when it happened that we were torn away from them, we set sail, and coming with a straight course we came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara.

VERS. 2. And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went on board and set sail.

VERS. 3. And when we had left Cyprus behind, and had left it on the left hand, we sailed into Syria, and arrived at Tyre; for there the ship was to discharge its cargo.

He shows the violence by saying, "Torn away from them"; and with good reason. For they could not easily enter the sea.]

^A What is said, "having sailed straight"? It means, "We departed, not lingering in other places." And finding a ship sailing to Phoenicia. Perhaps that ship was staying there, but he did not find one going to Caesarea, but this one that was tending to Phoenicia; and they left Cyprus and Syria. For, having abandoned that on the left hand, they did not simply sail past, but [he mentions it] because they were not even near to the regions of Syria; they were hastening.

VERS. 4. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. Who were saying to Paul through the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem.

VERS. 5. But when we had finished those days (the *Theophylact* commentary reads: "when we had completed the days"), we departed and went on our way, all of them bringing us on our way with their wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. ^B

VERS. 6. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

VERS. 7. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

To Paul they were saying through the Spirit. Therefore, why did the Spirit command, and why did he contradict? That is to say, they knew through the Spirit. For they were not giving the admonition through the Spirit. For they were not simply foretelling the terrible things to him, but were doing so out of compassion for him. But "when we had completed the days," he says—for after the completion of the appointed days, that is, the *Azymes* (Unleavened Bread), we departed from Tyre. See how he counts "all the days": after the *Azymes*, he came to Tyre in five days; then he spent seven days there. The total is twelve. ^C

VERS. 8. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

VERS. 9. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Philip’s daughters were virgins. Note that these prophetesses, his daughters, were virgins, and that they practiced this out of modesty and religion, so that they attained the gift of prophecy. And if it were not worth mentioning, the writer would not have added that they were virgins. ^D

VERS. 10. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

^A And when he was come unto us, and took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own feet and hands, he said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

This was that Agabus who had once predicted the coming famine. But the matter was grave and bitter, that they were about to deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Observe, however, that while he had heard that he had ten thousand evils to suffer, he was then hastening on. Agabus did not say "they shall bind Paul," lest he should appear to be saying this by collusion, but, "the man whose this girdle is."

VERS. 12. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

VERS. 13. But Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. ^B

VERS. 14. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

What mean ye to weep, etc.? Others were weeping, but he was consoling and exhorting them, grieving because of their tears—he who was not affected or anxious about his own perils. "I weep for your sake," he says, "not for my own troubles and afflictions." For he says he is also willing to die for that. But after they could not persuade him, they desisted; for they saw that it was the will of God. It is to be noted, therefore, that we must turn away from those who hinder one from doing something strenuous and noble, even if they weep. For tears of this sort even broke Paul himself, and softened the strength of his soul. Therefore he puts them aside and repels them. ^C

VERS. 15. And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

VERS. 16. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

VERS. 17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

VERS. 18. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

VERS. 19. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

That which is said, "took up our carriages ^D [instructed and prepared]," signifies this: that they had taken those things which were necessary for making the journey. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James. This man was the bishop of Jerusalem; this was the brother of the Lord.

^A Jacob. He was the bishop of Jerusalem; he was the brother of the Lord, a man great and admirable. He relates to them the deeds done among the foreign nations, not for the desire of vain glory, but because he wished to indicate the kindness of God, that is, the preaching of the Gospel word.

VERS. 20. And when they heard it, they glorified God, and said unto him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of the Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law.

VERS. 21. And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

VERS. 22. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. ^B

VERS. 23. Do this that we say to thee. How many thousands of the Jews are there? These thousands were from among those who had cried out: His blood be on us and on our children: yet the benign and merciful One accepted even them, and from among their children he saved them, and bestowed upon them innumerable good things. They were informed of thee. He did not say, they heard, but, they have thus believed and been taught. We have four men which have a vow on them.

VERS. 24. Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. ^C Bound by a vow. There are many kinds of vows. For some vowed victims and sacrifices, others money, others themselves, and others promised to abstain from certain days of wine, or not to shear the head. Such were also these men. A vow, which sometimes signifies prayers and observance, here implies a promise or pledge. For hair is a symbol of mortification or mortality: for it is dead, and receives no sense of pain. Take these, and be purified with them, and bear the charges for them. That is, offer for them the victims and sacrifices that are prescribed by the law, so that you may dissolve the suspicion. Do this, he says, by way of making an apology, not in word. That they may shave their heads, he says, and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing. A custom existed that those who were bound by a vow should shave their heads after the purification, and then perform the offering. ^D Something of this kind was done by Aquila and Priscilla, as is evident, since they were worshippers of God who shaved their heads.

^A As regards those who believed from among the foreign nations, we have sent word, judging that they should observe nothing of the sort, except to abstain from what is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. Just as we, he says, commanded those things, although we preach to the Jews, so you too, preaching to the nations, cooperate with us. For the matter is an act of condescension; do not fear.

Then Paul, taking the men, having been purified with them on the following day, entered into the temple, announcing the completion of the days of purification, until the offering was presented for each one of them.

Paul was shaven and practiced all the Jewish rites; not that his mind was changed (since that would have been an evil deed), but because love was condescending. And the phrase "announcing the completion of the days of purification," that is to say, "proclaiming"—he was the one who was making himself manifest.

^B VER. 27. When the seven days were about to be finished, the Jews who had come from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd, and laid hands on him, shouting,

VER. 28. "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and has profaned this holy place."

VER. 29. For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him; whom they thought Paul had brought into the temple.

Observe the dispensation of divine design: after the Jews were persuaded, then those others attack, so that they might not also be persuaded. Everywhere, their nature and temperament is turbulent.

VER. 30. And the whole city was stirred up, and there was a rush of the people; and they seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were closed.

VER. 31. And as they were seeking to kill him, a report reached the tribune of the cohort, that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.

VER. 32. He, taking soldiers and centurions, immediately ran down upon them. And they, seeing the tribune and the soldiers, ceased beating Paul.

^D VER. 33. When the tribune had come closer, he took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he inquired who he might be, and what he had done.

^A VERS. 34. And others shouted something else in the crowd. But since he could not know the truth because of the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.

They were pulling him outside the temple. For they wanted to kill him, and therefore they were pulling him, so that they might do this with greater security and license.

VERS. 35. And when he came to the steps, it happened that Paul was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd.

VERS. 36. For the multitude of the people was following, shouting: Take him away.

VERS. 37. But when he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the tribune: Is it permitted for me to say something to you? But he said: Do you know Greek? ^B

VERS. 38. Are you not that Egyptian who before these days stirred up a revolt, and led out into the wilderness those four thousand men of the Sicarii?

What is, *Take him away*? This is what among us they say in the Roman manner: *Signis cum insere et immisce*; or, *Take him away*, he said, take him away and remove him from the living. For this was the custom for the Jews to use this expression against the just: that even against the Lord they said, *Take him away, take him away, and take him out of life*. Are you not that *Egyptian*? There was a certain man, an Egyptian, studious of new things, seditious, a fraud, an impostor and a charlatan. And the devil hoped to have his frauds veiled through him, ^C and then actually to make the apostles and Christ himself partners in the crimes that pertained to his following. Of the men of the *Sicarii*. Among the Jews there are three general sects: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. These in their way of life are honest and religious, practicing charity and continence among themselves. Wherefore they are even called Essenes, that is, holy and innocent; but others call them Sicarii, that is, zealots.

VERS. 39. But Paul said: I am a man indeed who is a Jew of Tarsus, a citizen of no obscure city in Cilicia: but I pray you, permit me to speak to the people.

A man who is a Jew. For by nature we Jews are Christians, as we confess the true ^D faith, which the word Jew signifies. Since you are that *Egyptian*, he says; immediately it leads him away from that suspicion: then, so that he might not think that he is of that nation, he says he is a Jew, he tells of his religion. What then? Did he not deny it? God forbid; he is a Jew...

the nation [to be] a Jew, he declares his religion. What then? Did he not deny it? Far be it! For he was both a Jew and a Christian. But what he says, "Permit me to speak to the people," is the greatest argument that he was free from any guilt, in that he was so ready to defend himself and clear his name, and wished to stand [ready] to give an account to the people of the Jews.

^A When he had permitted it, Paul, standing upon the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. And when there was great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect, saying:

CAPUT XXII

VERS. 1. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear my defense which I now make to you.

VERS. 2. And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect, they kept the more silence; and he says.

Standing on the stairs. Even from the place there was great advantage, both that he was haranguing from on high, and that he was in chains. What is like this spectacle, to have seen Paul, bound with two chains, haranguing the people? How was he not terrified, seeing such a great multitude hostile to him? "Men, brethren, and fathers." That which he says, "fathers," was out of honor; that which he says, "brethren," was out of kinship. See the speech being at once free from adulation, and holding to gentleness and modesty. For he did not say, "Masters," or "Lords," but, ^B "Brethren," ^C which they desired above all. "I am not an alien to you," he says, "nor against you." "And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect." You see how the similarity of language took hold of them; for they had a certain reverence for that tongue.

VERS. 3. I indeed am a man, a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of the law, being a zealot of God, as you all are today:

VERS. 4. Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women:

VERS. 5. As also the high priest bears me witness and all the council of elders.

He paves the way for his speech, beginning thus: "I indeed am," he says, "a man, a Jew"—which was what all were mostly wishing to hear. But lest they should again think of the nation, but rather the religion, he subjoins: "brought up in this city." He shows his great zeal concerning the divine worship; since, ^D having left such a great country of his own, which was so far away, he chose to be reared here for the sake of the law. And he did not say simply, "by Gamaliel," but "at the feet of," signifying his perseverance, his constant attendance, the earnestness regarding his listening, and his great reverence for that man. "Taught according to the strictness of the [paternal law]." Not sim-

simply of the law, but of the ancestral law. What then? If you knew the law precisely, why do you not defend it, why do you not love it? A zealot, he says. ^A And since he puts forth great boasts about himself, he makes the word public to all of you today. See how many witnesses he brings: the elders, the chief priest, and those in the city. Thus far, the witnesses had him as their own; but now they lack witnesses.

Ver. 5. *From whom also having received letters to the brethren, I was going to Damascus, to bind even those who were there, to Jerusalem, that they might be punished.*

Ver. 6. *And it came to pass that as I was traveling and drawing near to Damascus at midday, suddenly a great light from heaven shone round about me.*

Ver. 7. *I fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?*

Ver. 8. *And I answered: Who are you, Lord? And he said to me: I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.*

As he does not think that it was a matter of anger that was occurring, he shows that he was doing everything out of zeal, and not out of vainglory.

Ver. 9. *Those who were with me saw the light indeed and became terrified, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking to me.*

Ver. 10. *And I said: What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me: Arise and go to Damascus, and there it shall be told to you concerning all things that have been appointed for you to do.*

Ver. 11. *And as I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I came to Damascus led by the hand by my companions.*

Ver. 12. *Ananias, however, a religious man, as one living according to the prescription of the law, testified to by all the Jews who dwelled at Damascus,*

Ver. 13. *Came to me, and standing by me he said: Brother Saul, receive your sight. And in that same hour I looked upon him.*

*They saw the light.* This happened deservedly. For it was fitting for him to be considered worthy of that voice. Since the coarser senses are persuaded by sights more than by words, they see the light and become terrified; and since it did not work as great an effect or power around them as it did around him. For even in the things that happened to him, He gave to him the power to take away the eyes, provided they wished it. It seems to me, however, that the divine providence did not grant the faith to them, lest the testimony given to them be abrogated. He came to Damascus, led by the hand by his companions. The city knows him, ^D so that it might recognize him; that he was a persecutor. He confirms the testimony both by his presence and by...

his own and others' affairs: the priests, the elders, the companions; the things themselves, the things he did, the things he suffered; indeed, things themselves also offer testimony to things, not the person alone. Ananias was a stranger; then the affair itself [testifies], namely, the recovery of sight. ^A

VERS. 14. *Atque ille dixit: Deus patrum nostrorum te destinavit ad cognoscendum voluntatem suam, et ad videndum illum justum et ad audiendum vocem ex ore ejus.*

He rightly said, "Of the fathers," that he might show that they are not Jews, but strangers to the law, and that they do not do the things they were doing out of zeal for God. "And to see that Just One." For the time being he says only this, that if He is just, then these men are subject to accusation. ^B

VERS. 15. *Quoniam eris ei testis apud omnes homines eorum quæ videris et audiveris.*

VERS. 16. *Et nunc quid cunctaris? exsurge, ac baptizare, et ablue peccata tua invocato nomine Domini.*

VERS. 17. *Accidit autem mihi in Jerusalem reverso et in templo oranti, ut raperer extra memetipsum.*

VERS. 18. *Et viderem eum mihi dicentem: Festina, egredere celeriter extra Jerusalem, quia non accipient testimonium tuum de me.*

"Because you will be His witness." For this reason, because you will not reject the vision and the hearing. "Of the things which you have seen and heard," he says. Through both of the senses he renders Him faithful. "You will be a witness," he says, "before all men," not only before your own domestic kin ^C and neighbors, but even before strangers. For this is what witnesses are: they do not provide faith to those who already know, but to those who do not know. And this is a great prophecy. And behold its outcome: he became a witness before all men through the things he did, through the things he suffered, through the things he said.

VERS. 19. *Atque ego dixi: Domine, ipsi sciunt me esse eum, qui trahebam in carcerem, et verberabam in synagogis eos qui credebant in te:*

VERS. 20. *Et quando effundebatur sanguis Stephani testis tui, ego quoque assistebam, et in necem ejus consentiebam, et custodiebam vestimenta eorum qui illum interficiebant.*

VERS. 21. *Et dixit ad me: Vade, nam ego te ad gentes extraneas procul ablegabo.*

VERS. 22. *Auscultabant autem ei usque ad hoc verbum: ac deinde alta voce dicebant: Tolle de terra hominem istiusmodi: non enim fas est eum vivere.* ^D

Why did he say, "They know"? Not in opposition to Christ, but desiring to learn of such an unexpected and sudden thing. But Christ did not teach him, but only said to leave. "And when the blood of Stephen was being poured out," and so on. He brought to their remembrance the same

old custom in translation, of not proceeding with the work I have undertaken before I have reviewed the labors of the previous day, and corrected them to such an extent that I might in some way satisfy my own mind. And although I did not satisfy myself in every respect (for how could I have done so in those places where I found it necessary to follow conjecture in a copy that was deeply corrupted and mutilated?), I nevertheless preferred, once the matter was undertaken, to keep my word and not frustrate the expectations of men, and to have some part of the work—which may at some time be repaired—thought less than perfect, rather than to have the whole work desired for a long time. You have here at once my plan for undertaking the matter, and, once undertaken, the reason why the completed and finished work comes forth into the light so late.

When, therefore, the end had already been almost imposed upon the work, and I was deliberating and consulting with myself whom I should most especially choose as a patron for these my labors—while other friends were proposing to me others, and indeed men of the highest standing, but with whom I had virtually no acquaintance—I judged it inept and importunate to seek the friendships of great and unknown men to whom one has no access, and to insinuate oneself not only servilely but even shamelessly; and further, I saw that such a thing was most adverse and hostile to my own nature and character. Nor was I ignorant that those upon whom such an honor is bestowed, while they are unknown, are wont to suspect not without cause that their own munificence and liberality are being solicited by importunate men; yet if someone who has been affected by a benefit strives to declare the gratitude of his own mind, he is accustomed not only not to offend him, but even to bear away praise from men, if he achieves nothing else.

As I was revolving these things in my mind, and remained perplexed as to whom I might dedicate these my labors without offense and the detraction of anyone (for it did not seem suitable or expedient for a book to undergo the judgment of men without a patron and defender, especially one whose author was even now surviving, since we are more subject to the envy of the living than of the dead, and more open to detractors), you, as is right, came into my mind first of all, to whom, not only because of old but also because of recent merits—nay, even because of your perpetual kindness and liberality toward me—I owed far more than to anyone else. It does not escape me that an immoderate and excessive proclamation of your liberality is unwelcome and unpleasant to your ears; but grant me, I beg, this indulgence—for you have never denied anything to me when I asked, but have bestowed many things even when I did not ask—that I may, at the very least, summarize the benefits you have conferred upon me. For I have commemorated in another place with sufficient abundance the supreme benefits conferred upon me by your father, a man of the highest character and excellence, and since his passing from life, you have not only stood forth as heirs of his wealth and resources but have also been, above all, imitators of his virtues and liberality; this has stood forth so strongly toward me that I have not greatly missed the liberality and munificence of the deceased.

For, to pass over earlier matters, which were frequent and immense, first two years ago, when I was involved in this work, you took care that a good sum of money be provided and supplied to me, not only not at my request, but not even at my thought; then, when I had already suspected that your liberality was exhausted sooner than I had dared to hope for or seek anything of the sort, a few months ago you gifted me with a sum of money just as large as that which you gave two years before. Having received this benefit from you at the most opportune time, when I was clearly deliberating whom I should procure as the guardian and defender of this offspring of mine, all doubt and hesitation were virtually removed from me; for one scruple still remained. Because I also knew that the less you courted honors, the more they were conferred upon you, and that many learned men had dedicated their labors and studies to you, I feared that I would offend your minds—surfeited and filled as they are with such feasts—with ill-timed benevolence, sooner than I would win favor from you by this kind of service.

But yet, since it seemed that the book should by no means be published without a patron, nor exposed to the judgment of men, and I judged that I would not be acting piously or rightly if, passing you by, I sought other patrons for myself (for the judgments of other men are not the same as yours), I preferred to sin in this direction rather than to appear not grateful enough to anyone less prudent. For I do not see, nor can I hope, that there will ever be a time when I could remunerate your benefits with any other kind of service than this, seeing that I possess nothing besides the will. To this is added that I saw I could scarcely find any others from among the number of my friends besides you who, aside from their non-vulgar skill in both languages, could not only judge very well of writings of this kind, but would also judge candidly and sincerely. Therefore, I ask and beg you, in light of your perpetual and greatest benevolence toward me, that this small and meager offspring, which I commend to your patronage and trust, you might be willing with all aid to protect from the envious, and to defend with all your strength from all calumniators and detractors: if it shall be judged by you worthy to be embraced, and worthy to be received into your family and fostered, and if it shall one day be useful to pious and studious men, I will claim nothing for myself therein; I transfer all my right to you, by whose resources I have been aided and sustained in producing this birth. If in any place it appears more deformed or less perfect, and in any part of itself mutilated and depraved, attribute this partly to the faults of its Greek mother, which were not uncorruptedly conveyed to me, and assign it partly to my own weakness, by whom, as the evil overcame the strength and talent of the artisan, all things could not be corrected and amended. For if any judge, more unfair and malignant, shall suspect that these things which I say about the faults of the Greek mother are being put forward by me in less than sincere and whole faith, I shall produce the most affluent witness of what I say, the most clear and most learned man, D. Johannes Sambucus Pannonius: for the parents of that mother are in his power, and most clear, [index: entries preserved]

The next day, wishing to know for certain what was alleged ^A by the Jews, he released him from his bonds and ordered the chief priests and their whole council to come; and bringing Paul down, he set him before them.

CHAPTER XXIII

Paul, looking intently at the council, said: "Men and brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him: "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! And do you sit judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law command me to be struck?" Those who stood by said: "Do you revile God's high priest?" Paul said: "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written: 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

*Paul, looking intently at the council.* He no longer speaks to the multitude or the crowd. But [where he says], "I have lived before God in all good conscience," this means: "I am not conscious of having wronged you in anything, nor of doing anything worthy of these bonds." ^B *And do you sit judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law command me to be struck?* This is used instead of: "You, being yourself liable to punishment, as if you were worthy of ten thousand blows." *Do you revile God's high priest? I did not know that he was the high priest.* How then did you say, "And do you sit judging me according to the law?" But he feigns an ignorance which does not harm, but builds up. Indeed, I am strongly persuaded that he did not know he was the high priest, as he had returned after a long interval of time, had not been associating with the Jews, and saw him in the midst with many other people. For the high priest was no longer clearly identifiable, as there were many others, and [they were] distinct. He calls him a "whitewashed wall" because, ^C although he had a brilliant exterior, as a defender of the Law and one judging according to the Law, his mind was filled with lawlessness. Thus, he reproves his bearing based on his exterior condition.

*But Paul, perceiving that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council: "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged."* When he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the multitude was divided.

Caput XXIII

^A Vers. 8. *For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.*

I am a Pharisee. He speaks again after the manner of men, and nowhere does grace desert him. And he does not lie in this instance either; for he was a Pharisee by descent. Since, then, they did not want to accuse him by calling him to trial, he himself thinks to explain to them what is the charge against him. I am on trial concerning hope and the resurrection of the dead. And he commends himself by [speaking of] their accusation and calumny. But the Sadducees perhaps do not even know God, being a certain thick-headed sort; hence they do not even believe that a future resurrection will be. The Pharisees, however, confess both. And yet there are three things; how then does he say "both"? "But if," he says, "it is a spirit and an angel"—he says, "both," and he is speaking of the three. For one must not judge the writings of the illiterate and fishermen by the strictness of external terminology. For from these things heresies and sects are born.

^B Vers. 9. *And there arose a great clamor, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' part stood up, and fought, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel, let us not fight against God.*

"Or if a spirit hath spoken to him." Something is wanting for the completion of the sentence, so that it might be as follows: Whether an angel hath spoken to him, the reason and art of the speech, that he might escape the treachery, is unknown, he says; or as if these words are put forward for the Pharisees, they are to be taken: What if a spirit hath spoken to him—and if he should say: *Behold, when I speak of the resurrection, it is certain that it is either by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or by an angel that I have received such a proclamation of the resurrection.* The tribune is afraid. He fears he might be torn apart, because he said he was a Roman; and the matter was not without danger. And the soldiers later snatch him away, as their own, I suppose.

^C Vers. 11. *And the following night the Lord standing by him, said: Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.*

Vers. 12. *And when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they killed Paul.*

Vers. 13. *And there were more than forty men that had made this conspiracy.*

EXPOSITION OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The one who narrates these things is Luke the Evangelist, the same who wrote the book. For being an Antiochene by race and a physician by profession, he traveled with the other apostles, and especially with Paul, and wrote what he knew with precision. He narrates in it how the Lord was taken up, with angels ushering him; and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which occurred at Pentecost upon the apostles and all who were present at that time; and the establishment of Matthias in place of Judas the traitor; and the establishment of the seven deacons; and the election of Paul; and what he suffered; and what wonders the apostles performed through prayer and faith in Christ himself; and finally, his journey to Rome.

Luke narrates the acts of the apostles and the signs performed by them; and there are signs which he also explains. These are: 1. Peter and John healed in the name of the Lord the man lame from birth, who was sitting at the Beautiful Gate. 2. Peter rebuked Ananias and Sapphira his wife for embezzling from what they had promised to God, and they died immediately. 3. Peter raised the paralytic Aeneas. 4. Peter, having prayed in Joppa, raised the dead Dorcas. 5. Peter saw the vessel let down from heaven, full of every animal. ^B 6. Peter healed those who brought handkerchiefs from his body. 7. Peter, being guarded and bound in prison, was released by an angel, ^C without the soldiers knowing; and Herod, having been eaten by worms, gave up the ghost. 8. Stephen performed wonders and signs. 9. Philip in Samaria cast out many spirits; and the lame and paralytic were healed by him. 10. Paul, approaching Damascus, saw a vision and immediately became an evangelist. 11. The same Philip met the eunuch reading, and baptized him. ^D 12. Paul in Lystra healed a man lame from birth in the name of the Lord. 13. Paul was called to Macedonia after a vision. 14. Paul cleansed the woman in Philippi who had a spirit of Python. 15. Paul and Silas were thrown into prison and had their feet secured in the stocks. But at midnight, an earthquake occurred, and their bonds were loosened. 16. From Paul’s skin, others took away handkerchiefs...

the third hour of the night.

Vers. 24. And that mounts should be made ready, upon which they might place Paul and bring him safely unto Felix the governor. When the son of Paul’s sister had heard that the ambush was being prepared, this was of God’s providence and ordinance, that they did not observe that he would hear of it. Again, human prudence is preserved. For Paul wished no one to know what had been indicated to him, not even the centurion, so that the affair might not be made manifest and leak out. Paul ought not to be reproached for fearing dangers; rather, it is to be attributed partly to the infirmity of nature—for he was a man—and partly, his intention and will are to be praised, because even while fearing death and scourging, he did nothing unworthy of himself on account of this fear.

Vers. 25. He wrote, however, a letter containing this form: Vers. 26. Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. Vers. 27. When the Jews had seized this man and were about to kill him, I came up with the military force and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman citizen. Vers. 28. And when I wished to learn the cause for which they were accusing him, I brought him to their council. Vers. 29. Him I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, but having no charge worthy of death or bonds. ^B

Vers. 30. And since an ambush was indicated to me, which the Jews were preparing against the man, I sent him immediately to you, and I commanded the accusers also to state what they have against him before you. Farewell.

Vers. 31. The soldiers, therefore, as it had been commanded them, taking Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris. Vers. 32. But on the morrow, letting the cavalry proceed with him, they returned to the barracks. Vers. 33. The cavalry, entering ^C Caesarea, when they had delivered the letter to the governor, then presented Paul to him. Vers. 34. Having read the letter, and having asked from what province he was, and having learned that he was from Cilicia: Vers. 35. I will hear you, he said, when your accusers also have arrived.

And as for no crime that is worthy of death, etc. See also the letter, which contains both a clearing of this man and an accusation against them. Observe also how, through the vote of those outside, he is— ^D

innocent Paul is held, just as Christ was judged innocent by Pilate. ^A And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's praetorium.

CHAPTER XXIV

VERS. 1. And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with certain elders, and with Tertullus an orator, who presented themselves to the governor against Paul. VERS. 2. And being called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: VERS. 3. That we enjoy great peace under your rule, and that many things are rightly administered for this nation through your providence, most excellent Felix, is accepted by us everywhere, and we hold it in highest gratitude. ^B VERS. 4. But that I may not detain you longer, I pray you to hear us briefly for your equity. In Herod's praetorium. It should be noted that the praetorium of Herod is at Caesarea. Who presented themselves to the governor against Paul. Something is again missing in the wording for the thought to be fully expressed, so that it should be: "who presented a written document to the governor against Paul." That we enjoy great peace under your rule. See how he anticipates the judge at the outset with praises, and wishes to denounce Paul as a man who is a lover of novelty and seditious. ^C VERS. 5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. VERS. 6. Who also has attempted to profane the temple: whom we also took, and would have judged according to our law. VERS. 7. But Lysias the tribune coming upon us, with great violence took him away out of our hands, VERS. 8. And commanded his accusers to come unto you: of whom you yourself mayest be able, by examining him, to know of all these things, whereof we accuse him. VERS. 9. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. ^D This term "Nazarenes" appeared ignominious and worthy of reproach; and under this name they also slandered him. For Nazareth was a lowly town. Tertullus calls the Nazarenes heretics, that is, sectarians and factious, so that this might also be a sect among the Jews. Furthermore, Tertullus was a Greek; wherefore he discharged the office of orator and was a pleader. VERS. 10. And Paul, when the governor had beckoned unto him,

^A he responded in this manner: Since I know that for many years you have been a just judge to this nation, I plead my cause for myself with a more cheerful spirit.

VERS. 11. Because you can know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

VERS. 12. And they neither found me in the temple speaking with any one, or making a gathering of the people, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

VERS. 13. Neither can they now convince me, of the things whereof they now accuse me.

VERS. 14. But I confess this to you, that according to the way, which they call a sect, so worship I, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.

VERS. 15. And I have hope in God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

So far, he says, am I from stirring up sedition, that I even ascended to worship. And he dwells upon this discourse, because it was a strong argument. *Thus worship I, believing in God and the Father.* After he was called to be an apostle of Christ, by saying that he worships the ancestral God, he shows that the God of the Old and New Testament is one. By "way," he means the faith or the tradition.

VERS. 16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.

VERS. 17. Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings.

VERS. 18. Upon which they found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. But there were certain of Asia, Jews, ^B

VERS. 19. Who ought to have been present before you, and to object, if they had aught against me.

VERS. 20. Or let these same here say, what crime they found in me, when I stood before the council: ^C

VERS. 21. Unless it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, that touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

*I exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence.* This is perfect virtue, when we give no handle to men to find fault, and study also to be free from all offence before God. *Or let these same here say, what crime they found in me.* In the council; not in private, but while an inquiry was being held. And that I speak the truth, those who are accusing me of these things bear witness. For this... ^D

[abundance] of justifications, not to flee from the accusers, but to be ready to give an account to all. For this is what they were working toward from the beginning, that he was preaching the resurrection; for once this was demonstrated, the things accomplished by Christ were easily introduced, namely that He had risen.

^A Having heard these things, Felix adjourned the case regarding them, knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way, saying: "When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will fully know your matters." And he ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have relief, and that he should forbid none of his own people to serve him or to come to him.

"Adjourned the case regarding them." He postponed it on purpose, not needing to learn, but to put off the Jews in order to dismiss them; he did not want to punish [Paul] on account of them. "Knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way, saying." Felix knew the faith accurately, having been instructed in the things concerning Christ from the Old Testament; and out of a desire to please men, he did not release Paul, as he says later on: "But Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure," and furthermore, indeed, also hoping to receive money from him. He knew this, as he had a Jewish wife, from whom he constantly heard these things.

^B After some days, Felix having arrived with Drusilla his wife who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he was reasoning about righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix became terrified and answered: "For the present time, go; but having found a convenient season, I will call for you."

At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul, so that he might release him. For this reason also, sending for him more frequently, he would converse with him.

^C And when two years were fulfilled, Felix received as a successor Porcius Festus. But Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

CAPUT XXV

^D Festus, therefore, having arrived in the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

^A VER. 2. The chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they besought him, VER. 3. asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, laying an ambush to kill him on the way. VER. 4. Festus answered that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, but that he himself would soon be setting out there. VER. 5. Therefore, he says, let those of you who have the ability go down with me, and if there is any crime in this man, let them accuse him.

Together with Drusilla his wife. This woman was joined in marriage to a Greek, contrary to the law of Moses, although being a Jewess; or perhaps she was indeed a Jewess, but having been married to him, she became a Greek. Hence, she was also shaking his own faith, persuading her husband to become a transgressor.

Felix was terrified. Such was the power of the words that they even terrified the governor. For this reason, he sent for him more frequently to converse. Do you see how the things written keep to the truth? He sent for him frequently, not because he admired him, nor because he approved of or praised the things being said by Paul, nor because he wanted to believe, but as he says, hoping that money might be given to him.

^B VER. 6. And having stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day, sitting on the tribunal, he ordered Paul to be brought.

VER. 7. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and heavy charges against Paul, which they were not able to prove.

VER. 8. But when he was defending himself, saying that he had committed no offense against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor against Caesar.

VER. 9. Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul, saying: Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged before me concerning these things?

VER. 10. And Paul said: I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar, where I ought to be judged. I have done the Jews no wrong, as you know very well.

^D VER. 11. For if I am an offender, and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if there is nothing of those things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

VER. 12. Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered: You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.

That he had committed no offense against the law of the Jews, etc. Behold a clear testimony that Paul in all things kept himself blameless and pure from offense, neither against God, nor the law, nor against man.

That is to say: he never treated the stone-built edifices of the Jews with mockery, even though he knew and preached that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor did he dare to insult the Jewish priest, even though he no longer obeyed the high priests of the Jews. And as for the words, "I stand at the tribunal of Caesar," this means: I wish to go to Rome to the emperor, and there undergo judgment. I appeal, he says, and I invoke you.

Vers. 13. *And after some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to greet Festus.*

Vers. 14. *And as they were staying there for many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying: A certain man has been left in bonds by Felix:*

Vers. 15. *Concerning whom, when I was lately at Jerusalem, the high priests and the elders of the Jews came to me, demanding judgment against him.*

^B Agrippa the king. Either Agrippa was coming into the provinces in the capacity of a king, and for this reason was called king; or perhaps he was himself also king of the eastern parts, while Nero ruled the western parts and was at Rome. For the name Caesar in Latin signifies "emperor," so that by this common name all emperors are called Caesars insofar as they are emperors, though these are not their proper names. I have said this so that no one, because of the community of the general name, might think that our Lord was born and Paul suffered in the time of the same emperor. For the Lord was born, as the calculation of time declares, in the time of Caesar Augustus, but died thirty-two years later, in the reign of Tiberius Augustus. Paul, however, died in the time of Nero, thirty-two years after the death of the Lord; or rather, even Herod, like Agrippa, came in the capacity of a king, for which reason he also was called king.

Vers. 16. *To whom I answered that it is not the custom for Romans to deliver up any man to destruction before he who is accused has his accusers present, and has received opportunity to answer for the charge.*

Vers. 17. *When therefore they had come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat and ordered the man to be brought.*

Vers. 18. *Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought against him no crime of those that I suspected.*

*It is not the custom for the Romans.* Therefore, when Pilate delivered up Jesus to the Jews, it is clear that he did so with a murderous intent; since he despised both the judgment of God and trampled upon and violated the custom of the Romans, that he might surrender innocent blood.

^A and was about to be judged by the Roman emperor, by whom he had been sent to rule the borders of Jerusalem. Regarding whom the accusers stood by, but brought forward no charge. And indeed they brought charges, but they did not prove them, nor did they convince the accused with documentation. For while their ambushes and bold deeds indicated that such things were to be suspected, the examination and investigation of the judge had nothing of the kind, nor did the governor find, upon investigation of the matter, what he suspected.

VERS. 19. *But they had some questions against him concerning their own religion, and about a certain deceased Jesus, whom Paul claimed was alive.*

VERS. 20. *And since I was hesitant in the questioning of this matter, and could not resolve it, I said: Do you wish to go to Jerusalem, and there undergo judgment concerning these things?*

VERS. 21. *But when Paul appealed that he be kept for the examination of Augustus, I ordered that he be guarded until I would send him to Caesar.*

VERS. 22. *But Agrippa said to Festus: I also myself wished to hear the man. And he said: Tomorrow, you shall hear him.*

VERS. 23. *Therefore, on the following day, when Agrippa and Bernice had arrived with great pomp, and had entered into the auditorium with the tribunes and the leading men of the city, by order of Festus, Paul was also brought in.*

VERS. 24. *And Festus said: King Agrippa, and all you men who are present together, you see this man, about whom the whole multitude of the Jews both in Jerusalem and here have petitioned me, shouting that he ought to live no longer.*

*And about a certain Jesus.* It is not surprising that he speaks of a "certain Jesus," inasmuch as he is a man endowed with authority, and does not care about him. *But since I was hesitant.* For the inquiry into these matters exceeded the ears of the judge. *That he be kept for the examination of Augustus.* He calls the Emperor "Augustus" less commonly, just as he also calls him "Caesar," whom he also calls "Lord."

VERS. 25. *But I, knowing that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and he himself having appealed to Augustus, I determined to send him.*

VERS. 26. *Of whom I have nothing certain to write to the Lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after an investigation has been made, I may have something to write:*

VERS. 27. *For it seems irrational to me to send a prisoner who is to plead his case, and not to signify the charges brought against him.*

*That he had committed nothing worthy of death.* By now, at last—

the judge himself bears witness to him that he was innocent; nevertheless he did not release him, the Lord having so arranged that Paul should appeal; for it was necessary that those who had appealed should be sent to Rome, and that what he himself had foretold might be fulfilled, namely: "I must also see Rome." Observe, moreover, how Paul, having put away everything among those with whom he was born and reared, comes to Rome pure from every suspicion of wickedness.

CAPUT XXVI

^A Ver. 1. *Agrippa autem ad Paulum, Permittitur, inquiebat, tibi pro temetipso dicere. Tunc Paulus extensa manu respondit:*

Ver. 2. *De omnibus quorum Judæi me insimulant, Agrippa rex, existimo me beatum, qui causam dicturus sim hodie apud te,*

Ver. 3. *Qui maxime cognitas habes omnes Judæorum consuetudines atque quæstiones. Quamobrem oro te, ut patienter me audias.*

Ver. 4. *Ac vitam quidem meam ab juventute, quam ab initio in gente mea Hierosolymis egi, sciunt omnes Judæi,*

Ver. 5. *Qui longe jam antea me noverunt, si velint testificari, nempe secundum accuratissimam sectam nostræ religionis me vixisse Pharisæum.*

Ver. 6. *Et nunc propter spem repræsentandarum earum rerum, quas Deus majoribus nostris promisit, sto causam dicens:*

^B Ver. 7. *Quas res promissas duodecim nostræ nationis tribus assidue nocte ac die Deo servientes se sperant consecuturas. De qua spe, rex Agrippa, accusor ab Judæis.*

Ver. 8. *Quid? incredibile judicatur apud vos, ab Deo mortuos exsuscitari?*

"Existimo me beatum, qui causam dicturus sim hodie apud te." These things he said not in order to win him over by flattery (far from it!), but because he wished to gain him by his gentleness and moderation. And in part he did gain him, and he captivated the judge, when he had hitherto been thought to be a condemned man. For in the presence of all he said: "In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian." "Qui maxime cognitas habes omnes Judæorum consuetudines atque quæstiones." And yet, if he were ^C conscious of evil in himself, he should have feared, pleading his case before a judge who knew all things; but it is a sign of a pure conscience not to refuse a judge who accurately knows the things that have happened. "Sciunt omnes Judæi, qui longe jam antea me noverunt." That is to say, they know that what I say is true, but they do not wish to testify, lying by their own will and sinning deliberately. "Secundum exquisitissimam sectam me vixisse Pharisæum." It should be noted that the Pharisees also are heretical, and that they scrutinize the Scriptures more accurately than the other ^D Jewish sects.

But he said "most accurate," not "most true," for they did not possess the true knowledge of the Scriptures. Therefore, this "accurate" method examines matters minutely and reasons them out; yet it does not always know the reality of the thing, but sometimes a person even deceives himself. ^A

VERS. 9. "I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

VERS. 10. "Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them."

VERS. 11. "And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities."

"I verily thought with myself." I imagined, he says, by my own judgment that this ought to be done in this way. "And being exceedingly mad against them." For those who are driven by the secret power of the devil and the instigation of demons did absurd and terrible things, just like the insane; or perhaps I was even more mad than they, since I was doing evil willingly and deliberately. ^B

VERS. 12. "Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,"

VERS. 13. "At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me."

VERS. 14. "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

VERS. 15. "And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest."

VERS. 16. "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;" ^C

VERS. 17. "Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,"

VERS. 18. "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

"Above the brightness of the sun." In bringing forward that which is brighter than other things that fall under the senses, and since the light of Jesus could not be compared to that light, just as ^D

the hearing of a man can receive speech, that light, he says, far excels the light of the sun.

^A Vers. 19. "Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision."

Vers. 20. "But I declared first to those at Damascus and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and perform works worthy of repentance."

I was not disobedient. To these things, he says, I was persuaded; by this vision I was led along, and thus it persuaded me not to delay further. Vision, moreover, is a pure viewing and contemplation that surpasses human nature; which, unless the eyes of someone are revealed, cannot be seen or discerned.

^B Vers. 21. "For this cause the Jews sought to seize me in the temple and tried to kill me."

Vers. 22. "Having obtained help, therefore, from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass."

Vers. 23. "Whether Christ was to suffer, whether he would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the people and to the Gentiles."

Saying nothing else than what the prophets said. That indeed the prophets spoke concerning the passion of Christ, it is superfluous to state things that are manifest; but that Moses foretold it, is plain from his having said, as if in the person of Judah: "As a lion he lay down and slept, and as a lion's whelp; who shall rouse him up?" For he clearly signifies the death of Christ and his resurrection. And indeed the passion as well, through those things which he says again: "You shall see your life hanging before your eyes."

"The first to rise from the dead." For this one, indeed, rose first, and dies no more. For those who were raised through him, or through the disciples, died again, ^C awaiting the resurrection until the universal resurrection.

Vers. 24. "And as he was thus making his defense, Festus said with a loud voice: You are mad, Paul! Your many letters turn you to madness."

Vers. 25. "But he said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of truth and soberness."

Vers. 26. "For the king knows about these things, to whom I also speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things escapes his notice." ^D

"You are mad, Paul." Because he was always speaking to the king, he was seized by a certain agitation, and seeing his freedom of speech ^A and confidence in speaking, Festus said this out of anger and rage; but Paul explains the reason why he turned his speech away from Festus toward the king. "For this has not been done in a corner."

VER. 27. "Do you believe, King Agrippa, in the prophets? I know that you believe."

VER. 28. But Agrippa said to Paul: "In a little you persuade me to become a Christian."

VER. 29. And Paul said: "I would pray to God, both in a little and in much, that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I also am, except for these chains." ^B

VER. 30. And when he had said these things, the king and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them arose;

VER. 31. And having withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying that this man does nothing worthy of death or chains.

VER. 32. But Agrippa said to Festus: "This man could have been released, if he had not appealed to Caesar."

"For the king knows about these things." Here he speaks of the cross and of the resurrection, because the doctrine had spread through the whole inhabited world. And he says these things to show that Agrippa knows everything, ^C as if to say even to them: "You ought indeed to have known these things also." For that which follows is this: "For this has not been done in a corner."

"I would pray to God, both in a little and in much..." Although it was worthy of glory, he said this, looking to their perception and opinion, regarding "except for these chains." What are you saying, O blessed Paul, "without chains"? And what freedom of speech would you have left to you hereafter, if you are ashamed of these things and flee from them, especially before such a great multitude? Do you not boast of these in all your Epistles, and call yourself a prisoner, and carry the chain about with us everywhere in place of a crown? What then has happened now, that you pray away the chains? "I myself," he says, "do not pray them away, nor am I ashamed of them, but I lower myself, accommodating to their weakness: for they are not yet capable of receiving and approving my boasting. But I have learned from my Lord ^D not to sew a piece of new cloth onto an old garment. For this reason I spoke thus."

CHAPTER XXVII

VER. 1. And when it was decreed that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and others whom

they had as prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort.

VERS. 2. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, about to sail to the places along Asia, we set sail, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us.

VERS. 3. And on the following day we arrived at Sidon, and Julius using humanity towards Paul, permitted him to go to his friends and be cared for by them.

*Comitante nos Aristarcho (Aristarchus being with us).* Aristarchus is present rightly and usefully, and he proceeds along with him for some distance, as he was about to report to Macedonia the whole state of his affairs. Furthermore, regarding what he says: *Julius using humanity towards Paul, permitted him to go to his friends, etc.*, it is indeed likely that he was suffering from the great harassment and affliction of his bonds, of fear, and of being pulled and hauled this way and that; and see how he does not even conceal this fact, that Paul wished [the centurion] to provide for his health and that he was infirm.

^BVERS. 4. And setting sail from thence, we sailed under Cyprus because the winds were contrary.

VERS. 5. And having sailed across the sea which is about Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra of Lycia.

VERS. 6. And there the centurion finding a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, put us on board it.

VERS. 7. But when we had been sailing slowly for many days, and had scarcely arrived off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete off Salmone.

VERS. 8. And scarcely passing by it, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

*Navem, inquit, Alexandrinam (A ship, he says, of Alexandria).* It is expected that both those had reported to Asia the things concerning Paul, and these likewise to Asia. ^C

VERS. 9. But when much time had passed, and the navigation was already dangerous, because the fast had already gone by, Paul advised them,

VERS. 10. Saying to them: "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage is going to be with great injury and loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."

*Jejunium jam præterierat (The fast had already gone by).* I think that he speaks here of the fast of the Jews. For he had set out long after Pentecost, so that he arrived at the parts of Crete almost in mid-winter. But that he might not seem to be prophesying, ^D but speaking from conjecture, "I perceive," he says; for they would not have accepted it immediately if this…

had been what he said.

[VERS. 11.] *At centurio gubernatori et naviculario credebat magis, quam iis quæ Paulus dicebat.* The centurion, however, believed the pilot and the shipowner more than the things said by Paul.

[VERS. 12.] *Sed cum portus appositus non esset ad hibernandum, plerique etiam inde solvere statuerunt, si quo modo possent in Phœnicen pervenire: is portus est Cretæ, spectans ad Africum et Chorum : atque illic hiemare.* And as the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority formed a resolution to set sail therefrom, if by any means they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, looking towards the Southwest and the Northwest wind.

[VERS. 13.] *Cum igitur auster leviter aspirare cœpisset, arbitrati se consecutos esse quod in animo proposuerant, cum solvissent, Cretam ex propinquo prætervehebantur.* And when a south wind blew softly, supposing that they had achieved their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete close inshore. ^B He believed the shipowner more. He did this because he thought it was more necessary to believe those who were expert in sailing, rather than a passenger unskilled in nautical matters. And so it was a failure of judgment, and not of fortune.

[VERS. 14.] *Sed haud multo post irruit in eam ventus turbulentus ac procellosus, qui vocabatur Euroclydon.* But not long after, a turbulent and tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, struck against her.

[VERS. 15.] *Cumque correpta esset navis, et non posset obsistere vento, jam non amplius obnitentes jactabamur.* And the ship having been caught, and not being able to withstand the wind, giving way, we were driven along.

[VERS. 16.] *Cum autem infra parvam quamdam insulam, quæ vocatur Clauda, cursu delati essemus, vix potuimus obtinere scapham.* And having run under a certain small island, which is called Clauda, we were with difficulty able to get control of the skiff.

[VERS. 17.] *Quam ubi subduxerunt, adjumentis utebantur, succingentes navigium, timentesque ne in Syrtim ejicerentur.* Which when they had taken up, they used cables to undergird the ship, fearing lest they should fall into the Syrtis. ^C One ought not to demand that Scripture speak strictly. For what it said, "to withstand" (ἀντοφθαλμεῖν), is appropriate for a man, and not for a ship.

[VERS. 18.] *Demisso vase, ita ferebantur. Cum autem vehementi tempestate jactaremur, sequenti die jacturam faciebant.* Having lowered the gear, they were borne along in this manner. And when we were violently tossed by the tempest, on the following day they made a jettison.

[VERS. 19.] *Ac tertio die nostris ipsorum manibus armamenta navis projecimus.* And on the third day, we threw out with our own hands the ship's rigging.

[VERS. 20.] *Cum autem neque sol, neque sidera ad dies complures apparerent, ac tempestas haud exigua incumberet, jam omnis salutis nostræ spes adempta erat.* And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm lay upon us, all hope of our being saved was now being taken away.

[VERS. 21.] *Sed cum diuturna inedia esset, stans Paulus in medio illorum dixit : Oportebat quidem, viri, mihi obtemperantes a Creta non solvere, atque lucrari hanc injuriam atque detrimentum.* And when there was much abstinence, then Paul stood in the midst of them, and said: "Men, you should have obeyed me and not have set sail from Crete, and to have gained this injury and loss." ^D That is, the sails. For when the wind is violent, this happens, as the stern is being cut away.

[VERS. 22.] *Et nunc jubeo vos bono animo esse : nam animæ nulla erit jactura ex vobis, præterquam navigii.* "And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there will be no loss of any life among you, except the ship."

^A For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, and whom I worship, saying: "Do not fear, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you." Therefore be of good cheer, men; for I believe God, that it will be so, just as it has been told to me. However, we must be cast upon a certain island.

And when the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic, about the middle of the night, the sailors surmised that some land was drawing near them. And they cast ^B the lead and found twenty fathoms; and having gone a little further, and casting the lead again, they found fifteen fathoms. And fearing lest they should fall upon rough places, they cast four anchors from the stern and waited for the day to come.

And as the sailors were seeking to flee from the ship, and had lowered the skiff into the sea, under the pretense that they were about to extend anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers: "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the skiff and let it fall away.

And as the day was about to break, Paul urged all to take food, saying: "The fourteenth day today, you are continuing fasting while waiting, without having taken ^C anything." And now I exhort you to be of good cheer. After such a long storm, he does not speak to them in an insulting manner, but wishes that he might have their confidence even for the time to come; and he produces the things that had happened as a testimony to the truth of the things he was about to say. And he predicts two things: that the ship will indeed be lost, but those who are in it will be saved, and that it is necessary to be cast upon an island. These were not the things of someone guessing, but of one prophesying and ^D vaticinating. "Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you." Behold, if it were not for Paul, all who were in the ship would have perished. Therefore that which was said by Homer is false:

"But I say that no one of men has escaped fate,"

^A neither the good nor the bad, when he is first born. This means that it is impossible for anyone to escape the fatal necessity of death, which, as soon as one is born, establishes and defines the death of a man. Assuredly, if it had been fated that all should perish, Paul, too, would have had to perish, as far as can be conjectured from consistent and probable things, seeing as he had endured for fourteen days at sea without food. For the false statement said: "Neither the good nor the bad"; but Scripture said the contrary, namely, that the just man was saved from an evident danger. Now, God granted the souls to Paul, but the ship and its nautical equipment perished. Thus, therefore, do the ungodly live on account of the just man. Sometimes, however, the ungodly perishes even before his time on account of his own wickedness, just as Ecclesiastes says: "Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou stiff-necked; why shouldest thou die before thy time?" ^B "Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat." Paul was not believed at first, God so disposing and managing the matter, in order that after the experience of events he might be believed, which indeed also happened. For behold how the centurion is persuaded to let even the boat be lost; but the sailors did not yet believe, though later they were persuaded. For this race of men is headstrong and troublesome.

VERS. 34. "Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you."

VERS. 35. "And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat."

VERS. 36. "Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat."

VERS. 37. "And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls."

VERS. 38. "And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea."

VERS. 39. "And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship."

^C That he says Paul ate, he did this lest perhaps he should perish from hunger; that he gave thanks to God, he did this on account of those things which had occurred. "And when he had taken bread, he gave thanks to God." The mode of giving thanks teaches us that he used these words: "We give thanks to Thee, O God, that Thou hast willed us to live until now, even though we remained without food. Wherefore, celebrating Thy heavenly glory, we break bread that we may take it for nourishment."

VERS. 40. "And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands,"

[...], and raising the mainsail to the breeze, they held towards the shore. ^A

Ver. 41. But when they had fallen into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow indeed remained stuck fast and immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.

Ver. 42. And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and escape.

Ver. 43. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves first and get to land.

Ver. 44. And the rest, some on boards, and some on some of the fragments of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to land.

When day had dawned, they let go the moorings; and the ship is broken up in the daytime, so that they might not fall apart through fear, and that they might also behold the prophecy in effect. It is to be noted that someone kills another of his own free will, with fate not preventing this from coming to pass. For behold, having plotted to do it, they came to the work of slaughter of their own volition; and having heard the centurion, they ceased again, having the power to act. Just as it was in their power not to be persuaded, since they were many and strong; but counsel and free choice both does what it wills, and desists from doing what it does not will.

CAPUT XXVIII

Ver. 1. And when those who were with Paul had escaped safe from the voyage, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

Ver. 2. And the Barbarians showed us no small kindness; for having kindled a fire, they received us all ^B because of the rain that was present, and because of the cold.

Ver. 3. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and set them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Ver. 4. And when the Barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said among themselves: Of a truth this man is a murderer, whom, when he had escaped from the sea, justice did not suffer to live.

Ver. 5. And he indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.

Paul having gathered together the sticks. The viper, having set upon Paul as he was gathering wood, inflicted no injury, because the saint was a perfector of faith. For when the viper had set its teeth into the hand of the Apostle, and had found no softness or swelling of sin, it immediately leaped back and jumped into the fire. ^{C D}

It leaped, as if demanding satisfaction from itself. But we are terrified of wild beasts, because we do not possess the armor of virtue. ^A *One to another they said.* See, even among the barbarians, the natural judgment remains whole and perfect; they do not condemn simply, but speak to one another with a sense of awe.

^B Ver. 6. *But they watched for him to swell up, or to fall down dead suddenly; but after they had looked for a long time and saw nothing harmful happening to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.* To "swell up" is to say, to burst or to be torn asunder. *But after they had looked for a long time.* That sign did not happen suddenly; rather, the people waited for some time. So far was it from being a fraud, or from being a thing easily understood. *They said he was a god*, as they were accustomed to consider everyone who did something new, wonderful, and extraordinary as a god. Just as the ancients also used to name those as gods who, whether because of their strength, performed something greater and more excellent than other men of their age, such as Hercules was; or who, through magic prestige, distracted those who looked at them, such as that Simon in Samaria.

Ver. 7. *In those places, there were estates belonging to the first one of the island, named Publius, who took us in and kindly entertained us for three days.*

Ver. 8. *And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fevers and dysentery; to whom Paul entering ^C and having prayed, laid his hands upon him and healed him.*

Ver. 9. *When this had occurred, others also in the island who had diseases came to him and were healed.*

Ver. 10. *Who also honored us with many honors, and when we were departing, they supplied us with what was necessary.* Publius was hospitable. For he did not do it because he had seen some wonderful thing, but only because he had pity on them due to the misfortune they had suffered, he received them hospitably, and he fostered and cared for the persons of the two hundred and eighty men, counting this as his gain. *And it happened that the father of Publius was suffering from dysentery and fevers, etc.* A disease difficult to cure—torment—being healed through Paul, brought many to faith.

Ver. 11. *After three months, we set sail in an Alexandrian ship, which had wintered in the island, having as its sign the Dioscuri, that is, Castor and Pollux.* ^D

Ver. 12. *And arriving at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.*

Ver. 13. *From there, we sailed round and arrived at Rhegium;*

and ^A after one day, the south wind blowing, on the next day we came to Puteoli: Ver. 14. *Where, finding the brethren, we were called upon by them to stay for seven days, and so we went into Rome.*

*Whose sign was the Dioscuri.* It was always the custom, more especially in Alexandrian ships, to have such paintings at the prow, on both the right and left sides. And since it is likely, with the worship of idols prevailing at that time, that the Dioscuri were painted on the ship, from this it is naturally to be understood that the ship’s captain was a foreigner and an idolater, that is, a worshiper of idols; just as Isaiah ^B also says somewhere: *They shall fly in the ships of foreigners, and shall plunder the sea together.*

*And from there, the brothers, having heard of what concerned us, came out to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, giving thanks to God, he took courage.*

*And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard.*

*As far as the Forum of Appius.* He indicates certain places situated before Rome; the one having some image of Appius, whence, as is likely, it was called a forum; just as even until now the images of kings are called forums. But as for the Three Taverns, by this they obscurely signify the use of certain inns or taverns, which are so named in the language of the Romans.

*But it was permitted to Paul to remain by himself with the soldier who guarded him.*

*And it came to pass after three days, that Paul called together those who were the first of the ^C Jews. And when they had come together, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people or against the ancestral customs, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:*

*Who, having examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.*

*Whom when Paul saw, he took courage.* Although he had worked so many signs, yet he also took some encouragement from the sight of them. And from this we learn that he also received consolation after the manner of other men, and the contrary.

*But to Paul it was permitted.* Venerable, therefore, was Paul from then on, so that it was even permitted to him to remain by himself. For if even before this they used benignity and humanity toward him, much more so ^D now. *With the soldier who guarded him.* So that it was not possible for him to even there...

suffer any ambush. Thus they were not guarding him, but were taking care that no inconvenience or annoyance should befall him.

VERS. 19. *But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of.*

VERS. 20. *For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.* Since Paul knew that it was ^B absurd and base to contend at all in judgment, and especially before an unbeliever, he makes a defense regarding both points: that he had done nothing contrary to what was customary, but had been accused by the Jews through calumny; and that he did not appeal to Caesar of his own accord, but because they provided the cause, since they were unwilling to try the case with me according to the custom of the Church, or to obey the lawful decisions of the magistrates. *For they were willing to release me; but they did not release me, because the Jews spoke against it.* What then? Have you done this, to appeal to Caesar, in order that you might accuse them? He denies it, and says: I did this, he says, that I might escape the danger. *Because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.* That is, there was one remaining hope of salvation for the Jews from the Scriptures, Christ, whom I having preached, came into this state of bonds.

VERS. 21. *And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.*

VERS. 22. *But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest.* ^C Before Paul arrived in Rome, the Jews had been warned not to receive the preaching concerning Christ; and not they alone, but also those who were everywhere in the world. And from where is this manifest? We find in the writings of the ancients that those who dwelt in Jerusalem, the priests, scribes, and elders, having written through letters, sent them to all the nations to the Jews everywhere, slandering the teaching of Christ as being alien to God, and instructing them through their epistles not to receive it. And this very thing the prophecy of Isaiah also seems to signify, which says: "Woe to the land of the ^D winged ships beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: which sendeth ambassadors by the sea, and epistles of papyrus upon the waters." Through this, it is signaled that even beyond the region of the Ethiopians, and to the ends of the earth, the sound of the wickedness of those who inhabited Judaea went forth through certain, as it were, flying ships; and their apostles, that is, the messengers and legates, carrying papyrus letters, sailing over the waters and moving about in the sea, scattered in every land, the teaching concerning—

the Savior our God. ^A And even now it is a custom for the Jews to call those "apostles" who carry around circular letters from their rulers. But the remainder of the prophecy that follows speaks concerning the disciples of our Savior; them, because they were evangelists to all men, he calls "light and swift messengers" ['angels'], in order to distinguish them from the Jewish apostles of whom he had spoken before.

For regarding this sect, it is known to us that ^B it is contradicted everywhere.

VERS. 23. *And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.*

VERS. 24. *And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.*

The Jews call faith in Christ a "heresy." Behold, even the Jews themselves testify that Christ was preached everywhere, even if not all welcomed and approved the preaching, but some Jews, or even Greeks and the nations abroad, spoke against it.

VERS. 25. *And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,*

VERS. 26. *Saying,*

See how they do not now plot ambushes against him. For in Judea they were as if under a tyranny; but here, even when they were insulted by him, they dared to say nothing in return. For he was no longer committed to their power. "Well spake the Holy Ghost." To those who say that the Holy Spirit is a minister of the Father, Paul here deals a mortal blow. For the Lord who sits upon a throne high and lifted up, whom Isaiah saw, he here calls the Holy Spirit. For He is of the same essence ^C and nature as the Father and the Son, and is a participant of the same authority.

VERS. 26. *Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive.*

VERS. 27. *For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.*

VERS. 28. *Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.* ^D

^A "And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves." They did this, he says, having stopped their ears and closed their eyes, "lest they should be converted, and I should heal them," describing their intense wickedness and their hurried turning away. He says this to draw them in and provoke them, and to show that if they should turn, he will heal them. "For the heart of this people hath waxed gross." This is not said as if God were working to ensure they would not see; for He wills that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, as if He were envious, lest they should perhaps obey at some time. Rather, we are accustomed to use this manner of speaking concerning those who ^B flee far away and do not wish to hear the word of salvation: "This man flees so much and turns away his hearing, fearing lest he should even hear a word that would convert him and restrain him from his wickedness."

"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." Not like that man of Sinope, ^C who was clad in rags and dwelt in a tub; who, though it was unnecessary, struck many with astonishment at his own person, but brought profit to no one. Paul did none of these things; for the desire for honor was not in his heart; rather, he was dressed most becomingly, and dwelt permanently in a house, and neglected nothing that related to the other virtues, which that Cynic despised while he lived lasciviously, and behaved unseemly in public, and was driven by a mania for glory. For if anyone asks what the cause was for his living in a tub, he will find no other cause but vainglory alone. But Paul even paid the rent for the dwelling which he used at Rome.

EXPOSITION OF THE ACTS, ALTERNATE TEXT. BY THE MOST HOLY ARCHBISHOP OF ALL BULGARIA, LORD THEOPHYLACT, EXPOSITION ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. FROM THE VATICAN CODEX.

In the name of God, the Acts of the Apostles begin, written by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke.

PROLOGUE OF THEOPHYLACT.

This blessed Luke was a disciple of Paul; and for this reason he had a greater knowledge of his acts than others. Of whom the divine Paul himself says, "Luke is with me alone." And again to the Corinthians, "Whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches." And furthermore, when he says again, "According to my Gospel which you received," he is considered to be speaking of the Gospel of Luke. But Luke does not record everything that the divine Paul did up to the end of his life, although he was with him until his death. First, because he considered these things sufficient to provide benefit to those who wished it; second, because urgent matters were always pressing, and the apostles were not very studious in writing narratives, for they preferred to hand down many things through unwritten tradition.

Moreover, even if this book is inscribed "Acts of the Apostles," ^A yet it is mostly the acts of Paul that one finds written therein. But the acts of the all-holy Spirit are also known to be contained here. For the Gospels contain the acts of the Son, but the Acts contain those of the all-holy Spirit.

CHAPTER I.

^A of the all-holy Spirit, the spectacle and manner of Christ’s ascension. And concerning his glorious and second coming.

BEGINNING OF THE TEXT. 1, 1-8. The first discourse I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day on which, having given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up; to whom also he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them for forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And [while] eating with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father, which you heard, he said, through my mouth: for John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. They, therefore, when they had come together, asked him, saying: Lord, if at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel? He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father has set by his own authority; but you shall receive power ^B when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth. End of Pascha.

1, 9-12. And when he had said these things, while they were looking, he was lifted up: and a cloud took him away from their eyes. And as they were gazing into heaven as he was going, behold, two men stood by them in white garments, who also said: Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in the way you saw him going into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem ^C from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, having a Sabbath day's journey.

COMMENTARY. He recalls to Theophilus the Gospel written by himself, so that he may show forth his own exact diligence. For at the beginning of that work he says: "It seemed good to me, having followed everything from the beginning," etc. He makes mention, therefore, of that work and the diligence which he used in writing it, so that, knowing that the same industry was applied to this book, he might pay the greatest attention to the things contained in it. Moreover, out of modesty, he did not say: "I have composed the first Gospel, O Theophilus." Now this Theophilus was one of those who had been imbued by him with the precepts of piety. ^D

"Which he began." He signifies the miracles and the doctrines, and furthermore that he taught by doing: for he did not persuade others by words only, but provoked them by acting.

^A Therefore, he exhorted them to transfer themselves to the imitation of virtue.

"Usque in diem." [Until the day.] The order of the words is this: "Giving commandment through the Holy Spirit," that is, speaking to them spiritually, and mixing in nothing human. Or because he commanded them in the Holy Spirit: for where the Son performs anything, there the Holy Spirit (as being of the same nature as he) also operates and is present. But what did he command? Namely: "Go, teach all nations," and what follow.

"Quos elegit." [Whom he chose.] He did not say, "He ascended," but, "He was taken up": for he was still discoursing as of a man. But that you may not think this was done by another’s power, he added: "To whom he also showed himself living." Then he says: "By the space of forty days appearing to them," but he does not say, "In forty days," since he was not with them continuously as he was before the resurrection, but he appeared and departed again by intervals. ^B "Et convescens." [And eating together.] This is, having a common table, he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem. For, first, he led them away into Galilee while they were afraid and trembling, that they might hear what was to be said without fear; then, after they had heard and forty days had passed, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem. And the second reason is that, just as a wise commander does not permit soldiers who are about to encounter many enemies to go out until they have put on their armor, so the Lord did not allow them to appear in the battle-line before the descent of the Spirit, so that they might not easily be overcome and captured by the multitude of the enemy. But there is also another reason for this command, namely that many were about to believe there, or in Jerusalem. Thirdly, that some might not say that, having dismissed their acquaintances, they went to strangers for the sake of boastfulness.

"Sed exspectarent." [But that they should wait.] They heard a promise of this kind when he said to them: "It is expedient for you that I go; for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you." But the Holy Spirit did not arrive while he was still present, nor immediately after he departed, but after ten days, so that, having been made to desire him, they might in this way receive the grace. For if the Spirit had come while he was present, and he had departed while the Spirit remained, there would not have been so much consolation; for indeed they were very strongly attached to him. ^C Therefore he rises, and the Spirit does not immediately descend, so that, having been sad for a little while, they might receive pure joy at his presence.

"Quia Joannes." [For John.] He declares then how much he himself excelled John; and not only this, but also that he shows the apostles themselves to be greater than John, since they were also about to baptize in the Holy Spirit. But he did not say, "I will baptize you in the Holy Spirit," but, "You shall be baptized," everywhere leaving us examples of humility. ^D For this was clear from the testimony of John, that he himself was the one baptizing. "For he himself," he says, "will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

...since it is known from the testimony of John that he himself would baptize: "For He," he says, "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." ^A Therefore, when they wish to question Him, they approach together, so that they might prevail through their numbers. For they knew that what was said before, namely, "No one knows the day," was not a sign of His ignorance, but rather of a delaying of the answer. For this reason they ask again. What then does He say? "It is not for you to know times or seasons," and so forth. He does not tell them the time, having taught them much greater things, so that they might be watchful; for indeed, they were not harmed by not knowing. Nor did He answer that upon which they interrogated Him: since it is the task of a teacher to teach not what the disciple desires, but what is profitable for him to know. Hence He says: "It is not for you to know times or seasons," and so forth. Then, lest they think that they were about to fall into many dangers, He says that the liberation from all their difficulties is near. "For you shall receive," He says, "power from on high, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." ^B And since He had said previously: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles," wishing the Gospel to be preached to the Jews first, but then it was necessary for the preaching to be spread throughout the whole world, He now appropriately adds: "And in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Then, lest they question Him again, "He was immediately taken up. And a cloud received Him," since this is a sign of the Lord’s divine power. "This Jesus, who was taken up." They used a demonstrative word, saying: "This Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, will so come," that is to say, with a body. And also because He will come to judge "in a cloud." He calls them men, because they appeared as such to the eyes: for indeed, the angels, lest they strike terror, had exactly assumed the form of men. ^C Two, moreover, have appeared, to indicate the firmness of the testimony. And saying, "Why do you stand looking into heaven?" they warned them not to remain longer in that place, nor to expect to see Him again. "Then they returned." "Then," he says, namely, when they had heard these things, they returned. But these events seem to have happened on a Sabbath, because it says: "From the mount that is called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey." For the length of the journey that the Jews were permitted to make on the Sabbath had been defined: namely, five stadia.

CAPUT II.

Petri sermo ad discipulos de morte et reprobatione Judæ proditoris, ac de subrogatione Matthiæ, super quem sors cecidit Dei gratia per orationem. ^D

Feria secunda hebdomadæ Paschalis.

EXPOSITION OF THE ACTS. ALTERNATE TEXT. – CHAP. I.

^A 1, 12-26. In those days they returned to Jerusalem from the mount which is called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James were staying. All these were with one accord persevering in prayer with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brothers said (now there was a crowd of persons together, about one hundred and twenty): Men and brethren, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered among us, and obtained the lot of this ministry and apostleship. This man indeed purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed forth. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own dialect Aceldama, that is to say, the field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let his habitation be desolate, and let there be no one to inhabit it; and, Let another take his bishopric. It is necessary therefore of these men who have been gathered together with us through all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ^B beginning from the baptism of John until the day that he was taken up from us, that one of these should be made a witness of his resurrection with us. And they set forth two, Joseph who was called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying they said: O Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show whom thou hast chosen of these two, to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas transgressed, to go to his own place. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

COMMENTARY.

"They went up into the upper room," because they feared that if they were seen in the city, they might be seized. But he rightly makes mention of the disciples; for since one of them had betrayed Jesus, another had denied him, and another had been faithless, he thought it necessary to show that, with the exception of the traitor, all were safe. He adds: "All these were persevering with one accord in prayer, with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." ^C What therefore is said concerning the Mother of Jesus, that "the disciple took her into his own," is in no way contrary to this. For even if that very disciple himself was present there, nothing prevents the Mother herself from having been there too. "And in those days." Peter, as though burning with charity, and as one to whom the flock had been entrusted by Christ, and as the first of the choir, always speaks first.

^A And he consoles them by the prediction concerning Judas. "For it was necessary," he says, "that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus," and what follows. Then, "He," he says, "purchased a field with the reward of iniquity." He does not say that the Jews purchased it, but *he* purchased it—and rightly so. For since he was the one who paid the price, even if others may have been the buyers, he himself should be considered the owner. For it was his money which he acquired from the wages of supreme iniquity. Then he says, "And falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his entrails gushed out." He says this concerning the punishment which Judas then underwent. "And that field was called in their own language Hakeldama, that is, the field of blood." Now the Jews called it by this name not on his account, but on account of Judas. And Luke reports this to establish his point, bringing forward the enemies themselves as witnesses that they imposed such a name upon that field for that reason; for by saying, "in their own language," he implies this sufficiently. But that which follows, "Let his dwelling be desolate, and let no one live in it," was spoken of that field as well as of his house. And by the words, "And let another take his office," understand by "office" the leadership or the priesthood. There are some, however, who say that Judas did not end his life by the noose, but that he survived after being taken down before he could be strangled. Papias, the disciple of John, narrates this matter more clearly than others with these words: ^B "Judas was a great example of impiety in this world; his body swelled to such an extent that he could not pass through a place where a chariot passes easily—no, not even his head alone could pass. For they say that the eyelids of his eyes swelled so enormously that he could not see the light at all, and his eyes could not be seen even by the instruments of physicians, so deeply had they retreated from the outer surface. His private parts were more deformed and fuller of all foulness than any other part of his body, and only through them did the pus and worms, flowing from his whole body, pour forth as a result of his condition, all to his greater ignominy." This is what he says in the fourth book of the *Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord*. ^C And he adds that after many torments and punishments, having died in his own field, the field itself, inasmuch as it is quite distant from the road, became desolate and uninhabitable even to the present time; indeed, that even now no one can pass through that place without stopping their nose. So great of a judgment, he implies, overtook him even in his flesh while yet on earth. ^D "It is necessary, therefore, from these..." Since the Spirit had not yet come, and they did not yet deem themselves worthy or suitable to administer this task by themselves, or to learn by some sign who ought to be chosen, "they cast lots for them."

^A it renders the harmony of the divine oracles perfect. For just as the Savior, being about to undergo his passion, wished to suffer at the time when that lamb was wont to be sacrificed and offered, so that he might join the truth to that type; so also the advent of the Holy Spirit happened at the time when the law was given, that it might be shown that then, as now, the Holy Spirit is the lawgiver. He well says that a sound came from heaven; since then, too, the voice of God occurred from heaven upon the mountain, and then also "fire appeared," so that the ancient vision might demonstrate that He is the same who comes then and now. "As it were fire," however, he says, with the addition of the particle "as," so that no one might suppose anything corporeal concerning the Holy Spirit; and "as it were a breath," for it was not wind. "And sat," that is, remained, rested. For sitting denotes fixedness and permanence. And the Holy Spirit did not rest upon the twelve only, but also upon the seventy, and upon the one hundred and twenty. Nor did they receive the tongues upon their mouths, but upon their heads; and rightly so. For the Spirit was not given into the organ of nature, so that they might not be thought to utter from their own mouths those things which they did not possess. ^B But just as air is carried down from heaven onto the summits of mountains, and from the heights into the valleys; so the grace of the Spirit, seizing the crown of the head as a mountain, is bestowed thence upon the brain, and then into the mouth and the heart, and filled the whole man through and through, taking its beginning from the head. Otherwise: Since the apostles were being ordained as teachers of the inhabited world, and ordination is performed in no other way than upon the head, fittingly they received the tongues upon their heads. "And they were in Jerusalem." To show that their confusion arose from fear and the novelty of the spectacle, he says: "They were confused by fear." And indeed deservedly. For they thought this event portended their own destruction because of the audacious crime they had committed against Christ. For conscience shook their souls, while the slaughter of the Lord was still fresh in their hands; wherefore all things terrified them, and rendered them fearful and trembling. "Because each one was hearing." For this reason, before other gifts, the apostles received the gift of tongues, because they were about to travel to all places. And just as, at the time of the tower-building, one language which then was, was divided into many; so now, many languages flowed together into one man, so that the same person might speak in Latin, and in Persian, and in the language of the Indians, and in many other tongues, with the Holy Spirit sounding within him; whence this gift was called the gift of tongues, because they were able to speak in many languages. ^C

Tuesday of Paschal Week. Peter's instruction on this matter from the prophets.

TEXT.

II, 12-21. And all were amazed and were perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" And others ^D

^A mockingly said, "They are filled with new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was uttered by the prophet Joel: 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.'" He calls those who are to dream "old men," referring to those whose age is advanced and excelling in the magnitude of virtue, and who have grown white as it were with glorious achievements; and by "young men," those who are strong in faith and eager for what is good. Yet ^B this saying can also be understood literally regarding the old and the young. "And I will show wonders." He speaks these things regarding the future judgment, and regarding Jerusalem, and the Roman captivity; or he declares the events that were to come to pass when the Lord was crucified, and those things which were to happen to the Jews because of Him through the Roman war. For even at the time of the crucifixion, because of the impiety the Jews exercised against Christ, the very nature of the elements—of the sun and the moon—seemed to languish and show indignation; and Josephus the historian hands down that many such things happened in the heavens as the Romans waged war against them. Or perhaps this results from the disposition of those who suffer. By the "great and manifest day of the Lord," he understands the day of the resurrection. As for the words, "And it shall be that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," this is not to be understood as a bare and simple invocation, but one that is made with affection, with an upright life, and with suitable confidence. "For not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter ^C into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Wednesday of Paschal Week. On the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ, and the mission of the Holy Spirit.

TEXTUS. II, 22-36. In those days Peter said to the people: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him: 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.' Brethren, ^D I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

^A Christ, to sit on his throne, he foreseeing spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, of which we all are witnesses. Therefore, having been exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the holy Spirit, he poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens. But he himself says: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know most certainly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. ^B

COMMENTARY

Since he had dealt with them harshly, he now addresses them more gently, and makes mention of their forefather at an opportune moment, and begins again from the beginning. And because he was about to speak to them of Jesus, so that they might not be immediately agitated, he speaks nothing of the lofty things regarding him, but begins from very humble facts, and immediately mentions his homeland, which seemed to be of little account. To be sure, elsewhere he calls Christ "a desirable man" ^C and immediately adds: "This is the author of life." But what else is it to call Christ the author of life than to assert that he is the Son of God, and Lord, or in the flesh the Word of God, through whom all things were made? Now, however, he says nothing great about him, but only such things as one might say of a prophet who had received power from God. Then, placing their daring deed in their midst, he attempts to deliver them from the charge; at the same time he shows that they would not have had strength against him if he himself had not permitted it. Then, so that they might not henceforth say, "We did well," because they had done this, for this reason he added: ^D "By the hands of lawless ones you pinned him up and killed him." That is, "by the hands of lawless ones," meaning the soldiers. Rightly, moreover, has he termed the resurrection "the solution of the pangs of death," as if from the belly of one in labor—I mean, from the bonds of death and the recesses of Hades—the Savior Christ emerged, and came forth as from a strange birth of resurrection, and for this reason he is also named "the firstborn from the dead." And in saying, "inasmuch as it was not possible for him to be held by it," he means that his resurrection was not common to him as it is to others, but he rose in such a way as never again to die. For that which is in labor cannot hold that which it contains any longer, but suffers and hastens to expel it. "For you will not abandon." Thus, the Apostle Peter, having interpreted the text—that neither Christ's soul was left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption—shows him to be man and God at once. For the Godhead, both before the flesh, and in the flesh, and after the passion, always remains the same as it was by nature.

and endures forever. But in the passion, which belonged to human nature, he fulfilled the dispensation for our sake, separating his soul from his body, yet never separated from either of those to which he was once united; but he joined together again the parts that had been separated, so as to give a precedent and beginning to the entire human nature for the resurrection from the dead, in order that every corruptible thing might put on incorruption, and mortality might put on immortality, with our first-fruits, through its union with God, having been transformed into a divine nature.

Consequently, that expression, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face," signifies ^B the inseparability of the Godhead of the only-begotten Son from Christ. Furthermore, that the Father is said now to stand at the right hand of the Son, and at other times the Son to sit at the right hand of the Father, signifies nothing other than the equality of both to us. He calls the Father his Lord, precisely because he took upon himself the "form of a servant." Then, having said, "You shall not allow your Holy One to see corruption," he immediately adds, "You have made known to me the ways of life." For it is not permitted to say that the flesh united to the Word could ever be held by corruption, or that the divine soul could be shut up by the gates of Hades. For he rose again on the third day, "since it was impossible" that he who is ^C Life by nature should be "held by the bonds" of death. And as for the expression, "You will fill me with joy with your countenance," he says this to teach that, as he possesses the face of humanity, having been made like us, he utters words which are fitting for us rather than for himself—insofar as he is understood to be God—and, calling the face "ours," ^D he pours forth the participation in heavenly goods toward us; for whatever he attributes to human nature, he asserts as if it were given to himself.

"Men and brethren." He speaks thus so that, if only out of honor for him—that is, for David and his lineage—they might receive the discourse concerning the resurrection of Christ; for if this were not so, both the dignity of the prophecy and the honor befitting him would be injured. And again, he proposes that which was wonderful, saying, "Because his soul was not left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption." For his resurrection was not like that of others: death indeed took hold of him, but it could not exercise its dominion upon him. Yet he refers all things to the Father, so that they might more willingly accept the things said.

"By the right hand, therefore." When the apostle Peter says that Christ was "a man approved by God by powers, and wonders, and signs, which God did through him," and "whom God raised up," and again, "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ," and other things of this sort; he does not say this because, as if he were a mere man strengthened by divine power, he performed these things—far be it!—but he speaks in this way for the sake of his humanity, condescending to the weakness of his hearers, so that he might make the word acceptable. And showing that

Christ was not contrary to God, but being equal and consubstantial—and inseparable from the substance of the Father as a Son—even after He became man, He performed nothing of those things which were worthy of God without the substance of the Father; but He was always with Him and worked all things together with Him, as One who is not contrary to God, but is consubstantial and of the same power, working alongside Him. ^A • "For not David." • Here, no longer speaking with hesitation, having taken courage from what had been said, he does not say, "May it be permitted to speak," or anything of the sort; but confidently henceforth, after the mention of the Spirit, he even discourses concerning the ascension into heaven. And not simply, but again by bringing in the witness and reminding them of that which Christ Himself uttered. For he says: ^B "The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." Here indeed he also struck great fear, just as in the beginning. For having said, "Until I make your enemies your footstool," he concluded well here, shaking their understanding.

Thursday of the Renewal Week

Regarding the faith of those present and their salvation through baptism.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

shall a nation be born at once? Because Sion has travailed, and brought forth her children? But I have given this expectation; and what the prophet taught by words, here experience demonstrates clearly. *And it came to pass.* Since Peter had been speaking at length from above, and had shown the promises and future things, they were naturally seized with fear, and the miracles testified to what was being said, and, clearly, the great and sudden change of those who had believed at that time ^A seeing it.

*On concord for the common utility, and on the increase of the number of believers.*

TEXT. 11, 44-47. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and their possessions and goods they sold, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.

COMMENTARY. Not in any random way, as the philosophers among the Gentiles, of whom some abandoned their fields, and others threw their gold into the sea. This, however, is not a praiseworthy contempt for riches, but folly and madness. For always and everywhere the devil has sought to slander God's creatures, as if it were impossible for someone to use money honestly. Here, however, ^B no one had more than another; and they quickly came to one accord, that they might provide what was necessary for all. Moreover, this is an angelic commonwealth, where no one said that anything was his own. By mentioning only bread as their food, it seems to me that he indicates also their fasting and austere life; for they took food, not delicacies. After having said, *With gladness*, he adds, *and singleness of heart*; for there cannot be gladness without simplicity. ^C

CHAPTER IV

*On Friday of Easter Week.*

TEXT. III, 1-8. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth, and a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple. Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, ^D asked an alms. But Peter looking [upon him] with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them

expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. ^B

COMMENTARY

TEXT

COMMENTARY

^A which is through Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

Saturday of Easter Week

TEXT. Acts III, 11-16. And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. But Peter seeing it, answered unto the people: Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

COMMENTARY. "His Servant," or the slave of God, Peter calls Jesus Christ (although He is God and the Son of God), by reason of His humanity; for when He had taken upon Himself the form of a slave and became man, He endured all things human. For thus the prophets ^B also often call Him. Or perhaps Peter spoke in such a way so as to adapt himself to the weakness of his listeners, and to render his discourse easy, such as could be received by them.

TEXT. III, 17, 18. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

COMMENTARY. Since he had vehemently rebuked them and shown that He whom they had crucified was risen, now that the opportunity for repentance was given to them, he again softens his discourse and says, "And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers." Then, ^D lest they should say, "How does God glorify Him now, by raising Him from the dead, when He did not help Him then?" he brings forth the prophets witnessing that it was necessary for these things to happen. Afterwards, he shows that the prediction of the prophets was not the cause why these things came to pass, but rather that their wickedness compelled the prophets themselves to foretell those things which were to be done to Christ through their impiety; he proceeds—

^A

TEXT

COMMENTARY

^A God is, He Himself is the author of both institutions. David, seeking this from God, used to say: "Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them." Then he adds the destruction of those who were about to disobey Christ, saying: "And it shall be, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from out of his people." But since the soul is immortal, we understand its destruction to be the being deprived of those good things which, had it lived rightly, it would have enjoyed. "Ye are [the children]." Because they thought on account of the crime committed against Christ that they had become alienated from the promises, or had fallen away entirely from divine promises, and that it was not consistent with reason for Him to be crucified by them, and now for Him to tend to them as dear friends, He shows that both are true according to prophecy ^B and this, and that it was due to us from above, that we also should believe in Him: "For ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers," that is to say, "Ye are heirs of all things which the prophets foretold, and for your sake all things have come to pass." And in order that they might believe that this also seems right to God, He adds yet another testimony, teaching that "in Christ all the families of the earth" shall be "blessed," and you first, He says, who nailed Him to the cross, if only you turn from your iniquities.

On Tuesday of the second week.

TEXT

EXPOSITIONIS IN ACTA TEXTUS ALTER. — CAP. IV. ^A COMMENTARY. They clothe the matter in the form of a trial, that they might make them subject to unjust judgment. For they hoped that the apostles, terrified by the multitude, would deny the deed, and so would set the whole matter right. What then do they say? "In what name have you done this?" They do not say in what name, but they shadow it over, not wishing to name it, although they know well, because of the people. Then Peter, remembering the words which the Lord spoke to them, saying: "When they bring you into the synagogues, do not worry how or what you should speak; for it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you," ^B being filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "It was indeed fitting that we should be crowned for these things today, and proclaimed as benefactors. But since we are being judged for a benefit done to a weak man, what must be done? Now is the time to proclaim the Benefactor."

TEXT. IV, 11, 12. "This is the stone which was set at naught by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no other. For there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved."

COMMENTARY. He recalls to their minds that saying which could justly terrify them: "And whoever falls on this stone shall be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him." ^C This means that He is highly approved, even if He appears to be rejected by you. He wishes, of course, to terrify them, that even so He might compel them to embrace the faith.

CAPUT V.

TEXT. IV, 13-22. "But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, ^D they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying: 'What shall we do to these men? For that a notable sign has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But that it may spread no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.' And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John

^A answering, said to them: If it be just in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. But they threatening them sent them away, finding no way how they might punish them, because of the people: for all glorified God for that which had been done. For the man was more than forty years old, in whom that sign of healing had been wrought.

COMMENTARY

Thursday of the second week. Thanksgiving made by the Church for the faithful constancy of the apostles.

TEXT IV, 23-31. And being let go, they came to their own, and related all that the chief priests and the ancients had said to them. Who having heard it, with one accord lifted up their voice to God, and said: Lord, you are he that made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them: who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David, your servant, have said: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people meditate vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ. For there assembled in truth in this city against your holy Child Jesus, whom you have anointed, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, to do what your hand and your counsel decreed to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant to

your servants to speak your word with all boldness. ^A For, he says, the place was shaken in which they were gathered. This is a proof that they were heard. ^B "That through the mouth." As if demanding a covenant from God, they bring forward the prophecy, at once comforting themselves that the enemy "meditate" everything "in vain." "Bring those things," they say, "to the end, and show that 'they meditated in vain'; so too now grant to them to meditate in vain"—that is, that their threats may not come to effect. They said these things not because they shrank from suffering something arduous, but for the sake of the preaching. For they did not say, "And deliver us from dangers," but, "Grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness." ^C The "fremitus" (uproar) is an irrational motion or attempt. He mentions four kinds of those who stood against Christ: Gentiles, peoples, kings, and princes. By Gentiles, he perhaps signifies those who were strangers to the faith, like the soldiers who raged against Him; by peoples, those who were from the circumcision; for they "meditated in vain," killing the prophets and not understanding Christ who was among them; by the "kings of the earth and the princes," Herod and Pontius Pilate and the rulers of the Jews. But that he says the kings "stood by," I think this implies either that they had conspired among themselves, and that Herod and Pontius Pilate had come to an agreement and friendship (for being enemies to each other before, they were made friends by that most atrocious crime against Christ), or else that, although they were clothed with kingly dignity, they placed themselves at the service of those who wished to commit murder against the Lord and against His Christ. For insult against Christ reverts to the Father Himself. For if the Father is in the Son, and the Son in the Father, how could it not be one and the same insult against both? ^D Moreover, Christ is the Word of the Father. For He was anointed for our sake, not by human means, but by the Holy Spirit; not as if He were in need of holiness (for He is holy by nature, and the dispenser of the Holy Spirit), but because, having become man in our likeness, He was anointed with us according to His humanity. "And when they had prayed." This was a sign of God's visitation, and that they had been heard. And that this is so, hear the prophet saying: "Who looks on the earth and makes it tremble." God did this both to strike greater fear into the Jews, and to lead the apostles to courage after those threats, and to greater boldness. For because it was the beginning, they needed a perceptible sign so that they would be believed. But after this, this never happens. And the phrase, "They were filled with the Holy Spirit," means this: They were inflamed by the Spirit, and the sacred gift was rekindled in them.

Of the unanimous and total communion of the believers.

TEXT.

IV, 32, 33. The heart of the multitude of the believers was

and one soul, and no one of them said that anything of what they possessed was his own, but all things were common to them. And with great power the apostles gave testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ^A COMMENTARY. That is, by signs they demonstrated that Christ had risen; for they had no other means by which to show that He had risen, except by the signs. TEXT. IV, 34, 35. Nor was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses, selling them, brought the prices of the things they sold, and laid them at the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to each as any had need. ^B COMMENTARY. Out of the great reverence which the faithful felt for the apostles, they did not dare to hand the prices of the sold goods into their hands, but brought them to their feet; and they appointed them to be distributors and masters of their own goods, so that they might be spent as common things and no longer as private property. And this contributed greatly to their avoidance of vainglory. TEXT. IV, 36, 37. Joseph, however, who was called Barnabas by the apostles, which is interpreted "Son of consolation," a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, having a field, sold it, and brought the price, and laid it ^C at the feet of the apostles. COMMENTARY. This Joseph does not seem to me to be the one who was chosen with Matthias to fill the number of the choir of the twelve apostles. For that one was also called Joseph and Barsabas; but afterwards he was called Justus. But this one was called Barnabas, which is "Son of consolation," and it seems to me that he obtained that name from his virtue, as he was exceedingly suitable and apt for providing consolation.

On the Friday of the second week. Concerning Ananias and Sapphira, and their bitter death.

great upon all those who hear these things. And the young men arose, wrapped him up, and carrying him out, buried him. It happened, however, about the space of three hours later, that his wife, not knowing what had taken place, came in. Peter said to her, "Tell me, woman, if you sold the land for this much?" And she said, "Yes, for that much." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Then she fell down immediately at his feet and breathed her last. And when the young men came in, they found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon the whole Church and upon all who heard these things. ^B

COMMENTARY

CAPUT VI. Dominica secunda post Pascha.

TEXTUS. V, 12-20.

ducees), were filled with zeal; and they laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison. But an angel of the Lord by night opened the doors of the prison and, leading them out, said: Go, and standing, speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

COMMENTARY

On the Saturday of the second week.

TEXT

^A the Holy Spirit, which God has given to them that obey him.

COMMENTARY

^B

Gamaliel’s faithful counsel concerning the apostles, confirmed by certain examples and proofs.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

899 THEOPHYLACTI BULGARIAE ARCHIEP. 900 pietatis quam praeferebat. Docebat enim ille neminem neque honoris neque benevolentiae causa, vel solum voce tenus, dicendum esse Dominum: et nequidem eum qui imperium tenebat. Quare ex ejus asseclis multi, quod Caesarem Dominum appellare nollent, plagas acerbissimas perpessi sunt. Docebant etiam nullas, praeter eas quae in lege Mosis praescriptae sunt, victimas esse Deo offerendas. Quocirca prohibebant, ne quas magistratus populi suppeditabat, ex offerrentur pro imperatore et populo Romano. Ex quo verisimile fit indignatum propter ista Pilatum, jussisse, ut inter victimas quas illis juxta legem offerre placebat, ipsi jugularentur: adeo ut cum sacrificiis eorum offerentium quoque sanguis misceretur; quemadmodum ex Lucae Evangelio apparet.

Theodas autem impostor quidam erat, qui multis a se deceptis pollicitus fuit, Jordanem se dissecturum perviumque populo facturum: quod cum praestare non potuisset, peremptus est ipse omnesque qui cum illo erant.

CAPUT VII. Dominica tertia Unguentiferarum. De electione septem diaconorum.

TEXTUS. VI, 1-7. In diebus autem illis crescente numero discipulorum, factum est murmur Graecorum adversus Hebraeos, eo quod despicerentur in ministerio quotidiano viduae eorum. Convocantes autem duodecim multitudinem discipulorum, dixerunt: Non est aequum nos derelinquere verbum Dei et ministrare mensis. Considerate ergo, fratres, viros ex vobis boni testimonii septem, plenos Spiritu sancto et sapientia, quos constituamus super hoc opus. Nos vero orationi et ministerio verbi instantes erimus. Et placuit sermo coram omni multitudine. Et elegerunt Stephanum, virum plenum fide et Spiritu sancto, et Philippum, et Prochorum, et Nicanorem, et Timonem, et Parmenam, et Nicolaum advenam Antiochenum. Hos statuerunt ante conspectum apostolorum et orantes imposuerunt eis manus. Et verbum Domini crescebat et multiplicabatur numerus discipulorum in Jerusalem valde. Multa etiam turba sacerdotum obediebat fidei.

COMMENTARIUS. ^A Graecos seu Hellenistas puto hic vocari eos qui Graece loquebantur: hi enim quanquam Hebraei essent, Graeca tamen lingua familiariter utebantur. Observa vero, ^B quomodo «quotidianum ministerium» erat viduis inservire. Ministerium vero vocat, et non eleemosynam, hac ratione et dantes et recipientes extollens. Non autem ex malitia oriebatur, quod hujusmodi viduae despicerentur, seu praetermitterentur; ^C sed fortasse ex turbe negligentia aut inedia ^D vel praetermissione. Dominum enim, inquit, negare oportet, neque vel tenus ore proferre, non modo ob honorem aut benevolentiam, sed ne ob ipsum quidem regnantem. Multi sane eorum, quia noluerunt Caesarem Dominum vocare, acerbissimas plagas pertulerunt. Docebant autem non oportere praeter statutas in lege Mosis sacrificia Deo offerri; quapropter prohibebant ne ea, quae a magistratu populi praebebantur, pro imperatore et populo Romano offerrentur. Probabile igitur est Pilatum ob haec indignatum adversus Galilaeos, jussisse ut in sacrificiis quae ipsi lege cauta offerebant perimerentur, ita ut sacrificiis offerentium etiam sanguis commisceretur; sicut etiam in Evangelio secundum Lucam apparet.

Hic Theudas praestigiator erat, et postquam multos deceptos persuasisset, pollicitus est se Jordanem scissurum iterque populo facturum: sed cum id praestare non potuisset, interfectus est ipse et omnes qui cum eo erant.

ΚΕΦΑΛ. Ζ'. Κυριακὴ γ' τῶν Μυροφόρων. Περὶ χειροτονίας τῶν ἑπτὰ διακόνων.

ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟΝ. Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις, πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν, ἐγένετο γογγυσμὸς τῶν Ἑλληνιστῶν πρὸς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, ὅτι παρεθεωροῦντο ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν. Προσκαλεσάμενοι δὲ οἱ δώδεκα τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν, εἶπον· Οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμῖν καταλείψαντας τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, διακονεῖν τραπέζαις. Ἐπισκέψασθε οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν μαρτυρουμένους ἑπτὰ πλήρεις Πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ σοφίας, οὓς καταστήσωμεν ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης. Ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ διακονίᾳ τοῦ λόγου προσκαρτερήσομεν. Καὶ ἤρεσεν ὁ λόγος ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους· καὶ ἐξελέξαντο Στέφανον ἄνδρα πλήρη πίστεως καὶ Πνεύματος ἁγίου, καὶ Φίλιππον, καὶ Πρόχορον, καὶ Νικάνορα, καὶ Τίμωνα, καὶ Παρμενᾶν, καὶ Νικόλαον προσήλυτον Ἀντιοχέα· οὓς ἔστησαν ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀποστόλων, καὶ προσευξάμενοι, ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας. Καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ηὔξανε, καὶ ἐπληθύνετο ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν μαθητῶν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ σφόδρα. Πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν Ἰουδαίων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει.

ΕΡΜΗΝΕΙΑ. Ἑλληνιστὰς οἶμαι καλεῖν τοὺς Ἑλληνιστὶ φθεγγομένους· οὗτοι γὰρ Ἑλληνιστὶ διελέγοντο, καίτοι Ἑβραῖοι ὄντες. Ὅρα δὲ, ὅτι «καθημερινὴ διακονία» ἦν ταῖς χήραις ὑπηρετεῖν. Διακονίαν δὲ καλεῖ τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ οὐ ταχέως ἐλεημοσύνην, ἅμα καὶ τοὺς ποιοῦντας καὶ τοὺς πάσχοντας διὰ τούτου ἐπαίρων. Τοῦτο δὲ, οὐ κακίας ἦν, τὸ παρορᾶσθαι τὰς τοιαύτας χήρας, ἀλλὰ τῇ τοῦ πλήθους ἴσως ῥᾳθυμίᾳ. Διὰ τοῦτο προὔθηκεν αὐτὸ

not a small evil; and therefore it was quickly remedied. *Convocantes.* First, he sets forth the absurdity, showing that it was impossible for them to perform both tasks with the same diligence. And just as when they were about to elect Matthias, they declared the necessity of the matter—namely, that there was one lacking to complete the twelve apostles who ought to have been—so also now they affirm that this work is necessary. Yet they do not choose them themselves but grant to others the power to bring forward those who were pleasing to all and approved by all. And indeed, they themselves could have chosen, being moved by the Holy Spirit; yet they desire a testimony from others besides. To define the number, to ordain, and to prescribe whatever appertained to this office, belonged specifically to them; but the selection of the men they leave to the others, lest they should be thought to be showing favor to anyone. They propose seven for election, not twelve; because, even among necessary things, some are more important than others. They offer a certain excuse, however, since it was not possible for them to take care of the preaching of the Word of God and at the same time provide for the poor, in order to show that they were not refusing this sort of administration out of pride, but so that they might be able to attend more diligently to preaching. *And they chose.* All who were chosen were full of faith, so that the same things as had occurred in the case of Judas, Ananias, and Sapphira might not happen again. Then, separating them from the crowd, they placed ^B them before the apostles, who, having prayed, laid their hands upon them and dismissed them. And it is to be noted that the ordination and dignity of the diaconate, through prayer and the imposition of hands of those who preside over the Word, was given from the beginning; a custom which is preserved even to the present time. And one might say that this ministry was not uniquely that of deacons or presbyters (for as yet there was no bishop, except the apostles); hence, I do not think it is clear and manifest what is meant here by the names of "deacon" or "presbyter." But for the time being, they were ordained to this task through the prayer and imposition of the hands of the apostles. For they prayed for them, that they might be able to effectively complete the work enjoined upon them. They needed no less than seven men for this, for much money was flowing in, and there were many widows.

CAPUT VIII

TEXTUS

and coming upon him they seized him, and led him into the council. And they set up false witnesses who said, "This man ^A does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the traditions which Moses delivered to us." And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. ^B

VI, 1-4. And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" But he said, "Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charan, and said to him, 'Depart from your land and from your kindred, and come into the land which I will show you.' Then he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charan. And from there, after his father had died, He brought him into this land in which you now dwell."

COMMENTARY

Libertines are called the freedmen of the Romans. But there dwelt there also many other foreigners from foreign cities, who also had synagogues where the law had to be read.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

TEXT

^A EXPOSITION. What is written here is not contrary to what is written in Exodus. For there it says that "after four hundred and thirty years the great power of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt"; but here it says "after four hundred." And one must observe that it was not said that they went out upon the completion of four hundred years, but "after four hundred," which shows that some additional years, namely thirty, had passed. To be sure, one must count the years of Abraham from the seventy-fifth to the one hundred and twenty-fifth; Isaac's sixty; Jacob's ninety-nine; Joseph's one hundred and ten; and in Egypt one hundred and forty. All these years, when added together, make four hundred and thirty-four. When, therefore, He says: "And they shall mistreat them for four hundred years... and after these things they shall come out and serve Me," the phrase "after these things" indicates those thirty years; for the Apostle is not expressing the duration of the journey from Egypt into the wilderness until the giving of the Law.

Concerning the famine, the trial, and the recognition of the sons of Jacob; and concerning the birth of Moses, and the apparition made to him by God on Mount Sinai.

TEXT

COMMENTARY. Why did God command Abraham to circumcise the foreskin of his flesh? Some offer this ready answer. Since, they say, Abraham

was from the land of the Chaldeans; and to the Chaldeans—in accordance with their ancestral customs, as was also the case among the Persians and Medes—it was permitted to marry their mothers and sisters; for this reason he circumcises the flesh of his foreskin, as if by this act renouncing the necessity of the flesh ^A and denying illicit marriages of his own kin. Others say that circumcision was commanded to Abraham and his descendants for this reason, so that it might be manifest that Christ would arise from them according to the flesh; for which cause He Himself was circumcised and brought an end to circumcision. Still others say that the circumcision in the flesh, being done typically in the past, held the image of saving baptism, inasmuch as, through the casting away of the foreskin, it signified the renunciation of generation according to the flesh, and constituted those who were circumcised as sons of God. Therefore, Isaac was the first to be circumcised on the eighth day; whence the Jews also are circumcised on that same day. ^B

TEXT. 19-23. He having circumvented our race, afflicted our fathers, that they might expose their infants, to the end they might not be kept alive. In which time Moses was born, and was pleasant to God; who was nourished three months in his father’s house. And he being exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in his deeds. And when the time of forty years was fulfilled to him, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. ^C

COMMENTARY. "Circumventing," that is, seeking to subject them by sophistries or crafty contrivances. For a sophism is a forced explanation; and thus this phrase in this place signifies the same thing as to impose upon them violently. Wherefore also they call the impostors "Sophists," because they hide the truth by fraud and sophistries. "In that time, therefore," he says, "was born Moses, and was pleasant," that is, dear and beloved to God. And when Pharaoh's daughter had taken him up after he was exposed, she taught him all the wisdom of the Egyptians. From this it is evident that education outside of the Scripture is not to be entirely rejected; ^D since it is said by way of praise: "Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians," and likewise concerning the three children and Daniel: "They excelled all in the wisdom of the Chaldeans and in all other disciplines." However, those who must perpetually cling to the study of the holy and divinely inspired Scripture ought to spend time on such disciplines only for a little while. For neither did Moses, nor those around Ananias and Daniel, have learned the foreign education except by the necessity and force of their masters. For indeed, they did not make use of it for anything, unless one

^A should say that it was useful for Moses to acquire it, in order to overturn the errors of the Egyptians with its aid.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

TEXT

of the Lord giving answer to him: ^A "I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

COMMENTARY

Concerning the exodus and the making of the calf by the Israelites, and other things up to Solomon and the building of the temple.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

^A in his heart, uttered this: "I will go over and see this great vision, why the bush is not burnt." But the Lord immediately restrained him, saying: "Do not approach here;" and He commanded him to loose the sandal from off his feet. Behold, He whom he had just before called an angel, He now shows to be Lord and God. For He Himself is the Angel of the great counsel, and the Son of God.

It is necessary to say what is signified by the enigma of the sandal. The sandal is a sign of mortality and corruption, ^B since every sandal is a remnant of an animal already dead. It behooves, therefore, the mind that strives to ascend to divine contemplation and to understand the mystery of Christ, to loose all dead and carnal imaginations, as though they were certain sandals. For one cannot approach Christ through the Law and its preparatory form of worship. For Moses, bearing the person of the Law, unless he first wipes away the stains contracted from sin and casts off the worship which still consists in types and shadows, cannot approach Christ. But those who would willingly loose the aforementioned sandal will then approach Christ, offering ^C to God the worship in spirit and truth.

TEXT

VII, 37-42. This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel: "God will raise up for you a Prophet from your brothers like me; Him you shall hear." This is he who was in the Church in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us; to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but they thrust them away, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, saying to Aaron: "Make for us gods who will go before us; for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. But God turned and gave them up to serve the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: "Did you offer to Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?"

COMMENTARY

This the blessed Stephen added, hinting ^D to them the mystery accomplished in Christ, and showing that Moses also spoke to us concerning Him. For God the Father long ago announced beforehand the incarnation of His Only-begotten through the all-wise Moses, and that He would be revealed as the second Lawgiver for us. For He who in olden times spoke through angels and gave the Law, in the last times sanctioned the New Testament by Himself, as the Angel of the great counsel of His Father.

And this is that, "As me," that is to say, a legislator. He calls the Lord of the prophets a prophet, by reason of His humanity. ^A

TEXT. VII, 43. And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, the figures which you made to worship them. And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

COMMENTARY. After Moses ascended the mountain, the Israelites fashioned a calf and defiled themselves with the worship of the stars; and having made a tabernacle, they set up an idol in it, which they called Moloch. Now this idol was of the Moabites, having on its forehead an exquisite, translucent stone in the likeness of the morning star. And the name Moloch is interpreted, "their king"; while Remphan means "darkening and blinding." ^B "You took up, therefore, the tabernacle of Moloch," that is, of your king. But who is this? "The star of your god Remphan," which has become a blinding for you. For your hearts have been darkened. Since you have imitated the madness of the Moabites, who dwell near Damascus, therefore you shall proceed beyond Damascus, that is to say, into Babylon. Although the prophet did indeed say "beyond Damascus,"—for the version of the Seventy Interpreters has it so—yet blessed Stephen says, "beyond Babylon," ^C following the Hebrew reading; or because Babylon is the boundary of the land of the Damascenes and the Syrians.

TEXT. VII, 44-46. The tabernacle of the Testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, as He appointed who spoke to Moses, to make it according to the pattern that he had seen. Which also our fathers, having received it, brought in with Joshua into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out from the face of our fathers, until the days of David, who found favor before God, and asked to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

COMMENTARY. The tabernacle of the Testimony, that is to say, of the commandments of God, was called that which was shown to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, because it was ordained by God, ^D so that they might have God Himself as a witness, because the design of it was made on the mountain, and He Himself ordained it to Moses.

TEXT. VII, 47-59. But Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High dwells not in houses made by hands, as the prophet says: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool of my feet. What house will you build for me, says the Lord? Or what is the place of my rest? Has not my hand made all these things? You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers, so also you. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they killed those who foretold concerning the coming of the Just One, whose you now

^A have been the betrayers and murderers; who received the law by the disposition of angels, and did not keep it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking up to heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God. And crying out with a loud voice, they stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord. And casting him out of the city, they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, who was calling upon [God] and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And kneeling down, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord.

COMMENTARY

In the four hundred and fortieth year from the exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt, Solomon began to build the temple in Jerusalem, as the third book of Kings teaches. Therefore, the temple was built so long after the exodus of Israel from Egypt so that, having grown weary with their wandering through the mountains, they might at last be content with one place, which God made honorable in the city of Jerusalem. But they, being slow to understand and ignorant of the things concerning God, and thinking that Jerusalem was God’s city, foolishly asserted that He dwelt in it alone. God, ^B therefore, rebukes those who held such low opinions, saying: And what house will you build for me, who have heaven as a throne, and the earth as a footstool? For it was necessary for those who thought His nature could be restricted and bounded by a place, to show clearly and plainly that God is everywhere and cannot be contained by any limit; but that He pervades all things, so that heaven is full of Him and the earth is full. "You always." He does not say, "You resist God," but "You resist the Holy Spirit"; because he knows no distinction between God and the Holy Spirit: for the Holy Spirit is also God, although it may seem otherwise to the impious. "You therefore always," he says, "resist God." For when He willed that there be sacrifices, you did not offer them to Him; and when He does not will it, you offer them. ^C When the temple was standing, you worshipped idols; when He wills to be worshipped without a temple, you do the opposite: acting just like your fathers. "Which of the prophets?" We do not doubt that the blessed Stephen spoke these things most truthfully, for he spoke while inspired by the Holy Spirit. And indeed, he was able to demonstrate from the Old Testament with what right he could reproach the fathers of those who did not believe in Christ, saying that they had always persecuted and killed the prophets: but ^D this is shown from the books of the New Testament. If, therefore, he says, you killed those who foretold concerning His coming, much more did you kill Him. And he called Jesus the Just One, wishing to draw them in.

cannot. He says, therefore: If you killed those who foretold his coming, how much more would you kill him? ^A He calls Jesus the Just One to lead them to the acknowledgment of the crime they had committed; he calls them traitors and murderers, as if they were confederates of those who crucified him. "And indeed you did these things," he says, "when you had received the law, whose precepts, he who keeps, leads an angelic life." For this is the meaning of the words: "Who have received the law by the disposition of angels." Some say that this indicates that the law itself was arranged and delivered to Moses by the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

"But being..." The blessed Stephen sees Jesus standing and not sitting, because Jesus wished by that posture of assistance to show his protection for him, and to bring great courage to his athlete. ^B Another view: because it would have been too grievous for the Jews to hear that he was sitting, he said he was standing; meanwhile, he also wished to signify his resurrection by this phrase. But that Christ does not stand, but sits, Paul also taught, when he said: "He raised us up together, and made us sit in the heavenly places [in Christ Jesus], at his right hand." "Lord Jesus." From this it is evident that the souls of the just, once released from the body, no longer descend into Hades, as they did before, but are transmitted into the hands of the living God through Jesus Christ, the Savior of all. "Lord, do not hold..." When Stephen prayed to God not to hold his death against them as a sin, it seems worth inquiring whether such a sin was forgiven them. We answer: If they repented, it was forgiven; for even he who struck him with a thousand hands, and persecuted the Church, namely Paul, later became a protector and defender of the Church.

The Tabernacle of the Testimony

CAPUT IX.

Concerning the persecution of the Church, and the burial of Stephen: where also [we read] of Philip the apostle, who healed many in Samaria.

TEXT

^A Igitur, qui dispersi erant, pertransibant evangelizantes verbum Dei.

De Simone Mago, qui credidit et baptizatus fuit cum aliis multis: ubi de missione Petri et Joannis ad ipsos, et de invocatione Spiritus sancti supra baptizatos.

^B Feria 3 hebdomadae tertiae.

TEXTUS. VIII, 5-17. Philippus autem descendens in civitatem Samariae, praedicabat illis Christum. Intendebant autem turbae his quae a Philippo dicebantur, unanimiter audientes et videntes signa quae faciebat. Multi enim eorum qui habebant spiritus immundos, clamantes voce magna exibant; multi autem paralytici et claudi curati sunt. Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in illa civitate. Erat autem vir quidam nomine Simon, in civitate magus, seducens gentem Samariae, dicens se esse aliquem magnum; cui auscultabant omnes a minimo usque ad maximum, dicentes: Hic est virtus Dei, quae vocatur magna. Attendebant autem eum, propter quod multo tempore magiis suis dementasset eos. Cum vero credidissent Philippo evangelizanti de regno Dei, in nomine Jesu Christi baptizabantur viri ac mulieres. Tunc Simon et ipse credidit; et cum baptizatus esset, adhaerebat Philippo. Videns etiam signa et virtutes maximas fieri stupens admirabatur. Cum autem audissent apostoli, qui erant Jerosolymis, quod recepisset Samaria verbum Dei, miserunt ad eos Petrum et Joannem. Qui cum venissent, ^C oraverunt pro ipsis ut acciperent Spiritum sanctum: nondum enim in quemquam illorum venerat, sed baptizati tantum erant in nomine Domini Jesu. Tunc imponebant manus super illos, et accipiebant Spiritum sanctum.

COMMENTARIUS.

Philippus iste non ille est, qui inter duodecim apostolos annumeratus est; sed unus ex septem diaconis, qui una cum Stephano ad viduarum curam habendam electus fuit. Hujus rei veritas exinde patet, quod facta persecutione, apostoli soli Jerosolymis permanserunt, reliquis discipulis omnibus in varia loca dispersis; unde dicitur: «Et omnes dispersi sunt per regiones Judaeae et Samariae, praeter apostolos.» Inter dispersos autem erat iste Philippus; qui et Simonem Christiana religione imbuit Samariae, et baptizato, Dei nutu, eunucho, Spiritu Domini raptus, inventus est in Azoto. Abiit vero etiam Samariam, quae patria ipsius erat. Furore enim, quo Stephanus similia petitus fuerat, territus timensque, ne pateretur, in domum suam se recepit. Aliunde autem, si is qui in Samaria baptizavit, unus ex apostolis fuisset, habuisset utique potestatem dandi ^D Spiritum sanctum: quare opus non fuisset, ut Petrus et Joannes, Jerosolyma advenientes, Spi-

rituals of the holy spirit, that He might grant them the grace. ^A This one, therefore, baptized only as a disciple; but the apostles, to whom the authority for such a gift had been granted, brought the grace to perfection. "Now there was a certain man." Note that one ought not to approach magi; but if anyone has been deceived and has approached them, let him depart quickly. For the persistence found in them brings one to a derangement of the mind, so that one is unable to understand or discern. This Simon, therefore, having played the hypocrite ^B before the apostles, though being a magus, was nonetheless baptized just like the others by Philip, one of the seven; but as he was a deacon, he did not have the power to bestow the Holy Spirit through the laying on of his hands. And that this is true, and that Simon did not even receive the gift of miracles, can easily be inferred from the fact that the sacred writer says: "Seeing also the signs which were being done, he was amazed" and approached asking for this. "When they heard." It is evident that those baptized by Philip in Samaria ^C had not received the Holy Spirit because he lacked the faculty to give Him, since, as we said, he was one of the seven deacons: and while they indeed had received the virtue to perform miracles, they did not have the same for giving the Holy Spirit. For this was the special prerogative of the apostles. Or alternatively: Philip did not cause the Holy Spirit to descend upon those he baptized, not because of some imperfection of his own, or because he was unworthy to obtain this (since he performed miracles at other times, healed diseases, and cast out demons), ^D but so that he might accord this honor to the apostles (for he was not lowly or unworthy, since he himself is recorded as having performed signs, healings of diseases, and the casting out of demons), and because he did not ask for this to happen to them, either as they were not yet suited for the reception of the Spirit, or because even Simon, though baptized by him, while still minded toward the things of the flesh, sought from the apostles to receive by the giving of money the power to bestow the Holy Spirit upon whomsoever he willed by the laying on of hands.

Feria 4 of the third week.

TEXT

CHAPTER X

VIII, 20-23. But Peter said to him: May your money be with you for perdition, because you thought that the gift of God could be possessed with money. You have no part nor lot in this matter. For your heart is not right before the Lord. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray to God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. And Simon answering said: Pray you for me to the Lord, that nothing may come upon me

...those things which you have said. They indeed having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

COMMENTARY

CAPUT XII

Feria 5 of the 3rd week. It is also said on the feast of the holy Philip.

TEXT

a sheep led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who shall declare his generation? Because his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answering Philip said: I pray thee, of whom says the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? And Philip opening his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch says to Philip: See, here is water; what hinders me to be baptized? And Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful. And he answering said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more; for he went on his way rejoicing. ^B

COMMENTARY

Why did the angel not appear to the eunuch and lead him to Philip? Because perhaps he would not have believed, but would have been struck with fear instead. We must know, indeed, that the Ethiopians call every mother of their kings Candace. For the Ethiopians do not recognize a father of their kings, inasmuch as they boast that they are children of the sun; but the mother, as I said, they call Candace. "As a sheep." By this phrase the voluntary will of the Savior in tolerating those things which pertain to our redemption is signified. For just as a sheep, when it is led to sacrifice, or a lamb, when it is shorn—compelled, indeed, by necessity—do not even emit a bleat; so also He Himself, when He was suffering willingly, kept silent. But the words, "In his humiliation his judgment was taken away," signify the perverse judgment made against Him, with the truth being oppressed. But when he adds, "Who shall declare his generation?" he indicates that He is without genealogy. Indeed, He was Himself without genealogy as God, even if, according to the flesh, He was begotten and registered and placed in a census. Or, it is as if he had said: Who would be able to declare in speech the glory and noble dignity of His, which the execution of the ordered things demonstrated after He rose again, when He indeed subjected Himself to death, but all have risen again and been redeemed by His grace? Then he expresses the cause, saying: "Because his life is taken from the earth." That is, it is lifted up, and His life, or manner of life, is more sublime than all earthly things. His life is also lifted up and is above all things, that is, the nature of the Only-Begotten, if it is considered before the flesh, or not yet having been made like to us. After He also voluntarily submitted Himself to death, "His life was taken from the earth" and was transferred and ascended above the heavens, because He was the King of glory, and His life according to...

^A that if he found any who were of this way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him; and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And trembling and astonished, he said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him: Arise and enter into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. ^B And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was there three days without sight, and neither did he eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple in Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord. And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and search in the house of Judas for one named Saul, of Tarsus: for behold he prayeth. (And he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands upon him, that he may recover his sight.) But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. ^C But the Lord said to him: Go, for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, who appeared to thee in the way by which thou camest, that thou mayest see and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up, he was baptized, and when he had taken food, he was strengthened.

COMMENTARY

^A For he was to receive a great measure of the Spirit's grace through his zeal and great eagerness immediately upon his illumination. From this it is to be noted that those dreams should be related which are of common benefit and contribute to piety—all those which involve the presence of the Lord or an angel. But there are also personal dreams which ought not to be spoken of. Yet even if the benefit was Saul's own, since it happened in such a paradoxical way, it again summons man to piety, and for this reason, as it was of common benefit, it had to be related. ^B "Now there was a certain disciple." Ananias says these things, not as one disbelieving what was said to him, nor thinking that Christ could be deceived—God forbid!—but fearing and trembling. For it was likely that such men, being in fear, would be anxious and say, "If these things are so, how can they come to pass?" What, then, does the Lord, the examiner of the hearts of men, say regarding Paul? He shows that the wickedness was not naturally innate in him. "He is," He says, "a vessel of choice for me." He showed that he is approved (for a vessel is chosen because it is approved). And he says that he will not only be a believer, but also a teacher and herald to the world, and that he will suffer many things for my name. ^C

On the Saturday of the third week. TEXT.

IX, 19-31. Now (Saul) was with the disciples ^D who were in Damascus for some days. And immediately in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, that "This is the Christ, the Son of God." And all who heard were amazed and were saying, "Is this not he who destroyed in Jerusalem all who were calling upon this name, and who has come here for this purpose, that he might lead them bound to the chief priests?" But Saul was gathering strength even more and was confounding the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, confirming that "This is the Christ." And when many days were being fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates of the city day and night, that they might kill him. But the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. And when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to join himself to the disciples; and all were fearing him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and led him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. And he was with them, going in and out in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he was talking and disputing with the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers had learned of this, they brought him down to Caesarea and

sent him away to Tarsus. The Church throughout all Judea and Samaria and Galilee had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord, and it was filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

COMMENTARY

for the others, that is to say the deeper Hebrews, did not even wish to see him.

CAPUT XIV. On Aeneas healed by Peter at Lydda; where it treats of Tabitha, the widow-loving, whom Peter raised from the dead by prayer in Joppa.

On the Sunday of the third week. TEXT.

^A And it came to pass, as Peter passed through all things, that he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. And he found there a certain man named Aeneas, who had lain for eight years on a bed, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, the Lord Jesus Christ heals you: arise and make your bed." And immediately he arose; and all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, who turned to the Lord. And in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which being interpreted is called Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she became sick and died. Having washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And as Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, asking that he not delay to come unto them. And Peter rising up went with them; and having arrived, they brought him into the upper room, and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and garments that Dorcas had made while ^B she was with them. But Peter, having cast everyone out, and having knelt down, prayed; and having turned to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." ^C And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. And giving her his hand, he raised her up living. And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon a tanner.

COMMENTARY.

Peter did not wait for the faith of the paralyzed man, nor did he ask if he wished to be healed; for as yet they had not exhibited proofs of the power with which they had been endowed. Reasonably, therefore, did he not demand faith from that man, just as he had not demanded it from the lame man before. But the miracle was performed mostly for the consolation of others; for that man was well known. Therefore, just as Christ the Lord, when He began to perform signs, did not pre-require faith, so neither did the apostles. At Jerusalem, indeed, faith reasonably preceded, that—as Peter arrived—at least his shadow might overshadow some of them. ^D For many signs had already been performed there; but in this place, this was the first to happen. For some signs were performed to draw unbelievers to faith; others, for the consolation of the faithful. "In Joppa moreover." He shows that she was fittingly named, being both watchful and sober like a gazelle; for many things...

to have been [named] in this way, just as a kid: for there are many names imposed so providently that the denomination follows the property of the person. It happened, however, that she fell ill and died. When they had washed her, they did everything that pertained to the care of the funeral: then, having sent a messenger, they summoned Peter; which they did not wish to do before she died, not thinking it right to create trouble for disciples of this kind, and to call them away from their preaching. And for this reason he also notes that Lydda was near to Joppa: wherefore they requested this as a kind of appendix to the work: for she was a disciple. What then did Peter do? He put everyone out, so that he might not be disturbed by the tears and groans of those weeping. Placing his knees, he prayed; for they did not perform all signs with the same ease: then calling her, and giving her his hand, he raised her up; bestowing life upon her by his word, and providing her with suitable strength by his hand. It is to be noted, however, that signs were performed by the apostles not only for the unbelievers, but also for the saints, so that others might also believe. And in fact, many seeing this sign believed: so that it is true again that signs are for the unbelievers: for they would not have believed otherwise, unless they had seen signs again; whereas the saints had believed even without a sign that Peter could recall her from the dead to life; for otherwise, they would not have sent to summon him. "And when Lydda was near." This city is now called Diospolis, and is distant eighteen miles from Jerusalem. "With one Simon a tanner." Peter does not stay with any of the illustrious men, but with a tanner, provoking us in all things to utility: wherefore he allows neither the base to be despised, nor the noble to be puffed up. For they were in need of his instruction, who had believed in the Lord and God Jesus Christ, whom he himself was preaching.

CHAPTER XV. Concerning Cornelius, and concerning those things which were said to him by the angel, and again concerning those things which were said to Peter from heaven regarding the calling of the Gentiles.

Monday of the fourth week. TEXT. X, 1-20. And there was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort which is called the Italian, religious and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms to the people, and praying to God always. He saw in a vision manifestly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God entering in to him and saying to him: Cornelius. But he looking at him, and being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms have ascended for a memorial in the sight of God. And now send men

to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he is lodging with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." ^B This man shall tell you what you ought to do. And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier from among those who served him; and having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. On the next day, as they were traveling and drawing near to the city, Peter went up to the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and wanted to eat; but while they were preparing, a trance fell upon him, and he saw heaven opened and a certain vessel, like a great sheet, descending and being let down to the earth by four corners, in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean." And the voice spoke to him again a second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." This was done three times, and the vessel was taken up again into heaven. Now while Peter was doubting within himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having inquired for Simon's house, stood at the gate; and calling out, they asked whether Simon, who is surnamed Peter, was lodging there. But while Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise, therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them."

COMMENTARY

^A life denotes. Different animals finally represent the various conditions and the various states of men. Or, to speak more clearly, the linen cloth is the Church: the beasts contained within it are the Gentiles. Peter therefore saw the Church bound by the four Gospels, in which were all nations. And a voice came. Perhaps Peter was praying on bended knee when he had that vision; and for that reason it was said to him: "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." Indeed, it indicates that whatever was then taking place was from God; namely, to see upwards into heaven, to be in an ecstasy of mind, and that a voice was made from thence, and to affirm three times that what was there was unclean: and that it came from thence and was drawn back there, was a great argument of purity. This happens for the sake of those who come after, to whom he is about to explain; since he himself also hears: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles." That the voice occurred three times demonstrates to him the truth of the vision itself. Furthermore, it is manifest that Peter did not wish to speak of all foods indiscriminately when he says: "Because I have never eaten anything common, or impure and unclean," as if, forsooth, oxen and sheep and birds were called impure by him: since he was born of the Jews; and the Jews do eat flesh, nor is meat-eating forbidden to them in any way. Since, therefore, he always ate, or at least until he came to the Savior, how can it be clear that he did not speak concerning all things indiscriminately, that they were impure and unclean, but rather concerning those things which the Law ^B defined as common and unclean? Nevertheless, with Peter speaking about these things—of the common and unclean things according to the Law—God, delivering the character of the holy Church of Christ to him, said that he should consider nothing common. For all things are clean to it, which "are received with thanksgiving and with the praise of God." But even if that riddle alluded to the calling of the Gentiles, so that Peter might not think the uncircumcised were common or unclean, nevertheless the speech of Peter did not have its emphasis concerning men, but concerning those things forbidden in the Law, as has been shown. ^C

Tuesday of the Fourth Week. TEXT. Acts 10:21-33.

And Peter, descending to the men, said: "Behold, I am he whom you seek: what is the cause for which you have come?" Who said: "Cornelius the centurion, a just man and fearing God, and having testimony from the whole nation of the Jews, received an answer from a holy angel to send for you into his house, and ^D to hear words from you." Introducing them, therefore, he received them with hospitality. On the next day, rising up, he went out with them, and certain of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the next day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius verily was expecting them, having called together his kinsmen and necessary friends. And it came to pass when he in

^A in entered, Peter met him, and Cornelius fell at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying: Stand up; for I myself also am a man. And talking with him he went in, and findeth many that were come together. And he said unto them: Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said: From the fourth day until this hour I was fasting, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house; and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and saith: Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppe, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside; who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

COMMENTARY.

It seemeth that he had set for himself certain times of a stricter life, and during some days. For this reason he said: "From the fourth day." When therefore the angel appeareth to him, this is one day; and when those sent by Cornelius departed, one; and when they arrived, one; and the fourth, on which Peter came to him about the ninth hour, at which time he was praying. Observe therefore the greatness of the prayer; when he gave himself over to piety, then the angel appeareth to him.

Wednesday of the fourth week. TEXT.

Peter opened his mouth and said: Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.) Ye know the thing which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God ^D to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

to witness ^A that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

COMMENTARY. [«He is acceptable.»] That is, if he runs to holy Baptism, having abandoned his former error. [«The word, which.»] He says these things for the sake of those present, so that he might draw them also to faith; yet he gives the special prerogative to the sons of Israel, and so that they might not think they were in the rank of those rejected, he says, [«He is Lord of all.»] [«How he anointed him.»] That Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit must be understood according to his humanity, or in so far as he is man. For since he [«emptied himself,»] and was made of flesh and blood in our likeness, those things which he had by nature as God, he is said to receive on account of his humanity. For he does not receive them for himself, in so far as he is God the Word (for all things were his own), but for us in himself, as in some first-fruits. [«Him God.»] From this it is shown that the resurrection is confirmed; for not even after he rose did he perform any sign; for this very resurrection was a great sign. But there is no sign of the resurrection more excellent than to eat and to drink. [«To him all.»] As many prophets as have spoken, he says, concerning the remission of sins, they all bear witness that it can be received only through this Jesus. Thus also Isaiah, assuming his person, says: [«I am he who blots out your sins and your iniquities.»] ^B

Wednesday of the fourth week. TEXT. X, 44-48. While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

CHAPTER XVI.

Peter’s instruction concerning Christ: and concerning the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who heard: and how those who then believed from among the Gentiles were baptized.

^A explaining to them in order, saying: I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision, a vessel descending like a great sheet, let down by four corners from heaven, and it came even to me. Looking intently at it, I observed; and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me: Rise, Peter, kill and eat. But I said: By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth. But a voice answered me a second time from heaven: What God has cleansed, you must not call common. And this happened three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

COMMENTARY

When they believed that baptism is altogether for the remission of sins, then the Holy Spirit came upon them; and thus God prepared a great defense for Peter. And the Holy Spirit did not descend upon them just in any way, but they spoke with various tongues; which thing filled those who were present with great wonder. Wherefore Peter commanded them to be baptized immediately in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he did not say: What need is there of water for those who have already received the Holy Spirit? For he knew that through those sacred symbols are accomplished burial, death, resurrection, and life. For just as it is easy for us to be submerged in water and to emerge, so it is easy for God to bury the old man and to make the new one alive. This is done three times, that we might know that this is accomplished by the power of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ^B Some, however, say that it is done so that the resurrection of Christ, which occurred on the third day, might be signified as working this in us.

"But Peter began." He shows through his apology that he himself was nowhere the cause, but God was the cause everywhere. For in a trance, he says, He himself made it; He himself showed the vessel; I even argued against it, and again He himself spoke; not even so did I obey; the Spirit commanded me to go; and having gone, not even then did I rush forward. I said that God sent me; and not even so, however, did I undertake to baptize. But again God did everything; God baptized them, not I. "For while I was still speaking to them, the Holy Spirit fell upon them; and they spoke with tongues, and magnified God, just as we did." ^C

Friday of the Fourth Week

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^D XI, 11-18. And behold, three men immediately stood before the house in which I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. And the Spirit told me to go with them, nothing hesitating. And these six brethren also came with me, and we entered into the man's house. And he told us how he had seen the angel in his house, standing and saying to him: Send to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter; who will speak to thee

the hearing. The earthquake occurred, so that the jailer was awakened. ^A And the doors were opened, so that he wondered at what had happened and believed. For these things did not happen for a display, but for his salvation. But the prisoners did not see these things; for otherwise all would have fled. This is that Stephanas of whom Paul makes mention in the first Epistle to the Corinthians.

That the apostles went out from the prison after being asked.

TEXT. XVI, 35-40. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. And the jailer reported these words to Paul, that, The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates, and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

COMMENTARY. Paul, saying: “They have beaten us openly,” etc., shows a double offense committed against himself and Silas, namely that they were both Roman men ^B and were beaten while uncondemned. For he often made use of human methods for a certain economy, so that he might not seem to be released as one condemned or as a wrongdoer, and so that the matter might not appear to be a favor from them. And because he knew that it was necessary to be subject to principalities and powers, he called himself a Roman (for the Roman emperor held sway over almost all the earth, and over Judea itself, to whom the Jews also paid tribute). Therefore Paul did not reject the Roman rule and dominion, as the rest of the Jews did, who, deceiving themselves, said that God alone was their own king, but not man; yet in their actions, like subjects, they paid tribute; denying the name, but in their deeds being subject. ^C These, whom Vespasian afterwards destroyed because they did not submit, were subjects in fact.

CHAPTER XXV.

TEXT. XVII, 1-15. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that

but by the adding of virtue has it to be good. For it is not simply said, "Good," but, "A good man." To this, therefore, you shall also refer that, "The good man," and, "Well done, good and faithful servant," and the like. It is to be noted that for this reason Antioch was deemed worthy of an episcopal throne, since it was there that the disciples were first called Christians. And this name is diametrically opposed to polytheism. "In those days." This is not contrary to what was said by the Lord: "The law and the prophets were until John." For this refers to those prophets who foretold His coming. Therefore, that they might not think that the famine had occurred because Christianity had entered in, the Holy Spirit foretells it. Christ also had said this beforehand, not because it had to happen from the beginning, but because of the evils that were being done to the apostles; and God was long-suffering. But when they persisted, a great famine resulted, signaling to the apostles the evils that were about to happen. But if it were for their sake, it ought in any case to have ceased once they were gone; for they ought rather to have been praised, because those [Jews] were doing their own work—killing, punishing, tormenting, and persecuting them from every side. For this reason, then, the famine also happened, even if the wretches did not understand it; and the Christians also suffered together with them in this. "Sending." It should be noted that the apostles also had the dignity of presbyters; and it is noted in another chapter that they lacked neither the rank of deacons nor of presbyters. ^C

CHAPTER XVII

unto him, "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals." And he did so. And he saith unto him, "Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." And he went out, and followed him; and he knew not that it was true what was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street, and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."

COMMENTARY

^A It designates that time which was transpiring while Claudius Caesar reigned. For Gaius, the emperor of the Romans, appointed Agrippa as king of Judea, having sent Herod into exile to Lugdunum in Gaul on account of the turpitude of his life, along with his wife Herodias. This is not [(18)] that Herod who reigned at the time of the Lord's Passion, concerning whom Josephus speaks in Book XVIII of the *Antiquities*, and Eusebius in the second book of the *Ecclesiastical History*. Therefore, this is either a change of name, such that "Herod" is put for "Agrippa," or it is a slip of the pen, as seems likely; or it was expressed in such a way because that king had two names; for from other sources, both the time and the deeds show that he was the same Agrippa under Claudius Caesar, who was emperor of the Romans after Gaius.

"And he killed." Lest anyone should say that Christians, therefore, do not fear death because they are certain that they are to be snatched away by God, for this reason God permits some of them, and indeed the chief ones, to be killed, so as to show the killers themselves that they are not by this means turned aside from their duty, nor can they be hindered.

"Delivering him." That is to say, sixteen in number: for four taken four times make sixteen. For perhaps in each watch, or at every three hours, there were four guards; and four guards were called a "custody," or a "watch," throughout the space of three hours: whence all the twelve hours of the night together comprised four "custodies," or watches; in each of which, since four guards kept watch, they altogether made sixteen.

"Gird thyself." Since the Lord has commanded His disciples that they should not possess gold, or silver, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor a girdle, nor a staff; how was Peter acting against the command, both having garments, and shoes? And what too of Paul, when he writes commanding Timothy: ^B "The cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee"? Behold, he had a cloak, and he would not have the ^{C D}

^A habit to forego having, or having in his possession, other garments, or a belt, or shoes? Did he then disobey Christ? What then is the case? Those commands, he says, were for a season, and not for all time. And that this is true, Luke the Evangelist bears witness; for he says that Christ said to the disciples: "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? They said to Him, Nothing." Then he says: "But now, I say unto you, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip." For what reason did He then command this? Wishing to show forth His own power. If now it behooved Paul to have only one tunic, when it was necessary to wash it, he would have had to sit at home naked, or go about naked and act indecorously, while necessity called? It did not behoove Paul, therefore, travelling over the inhabited world for such great achievements, to sit at home on account of a lack of clothing, and to be hindered in such great business. And what if a severe frost set in, and the tunic he wore became soaked, or frozen? How could it have been dried? Or again, he would have had to sit naked. What, if cold had afflicted his body? He would have had to waste away and be unable to speak? And what could be more grievous than this? For bodies made of adamant had not been prepared for them. What then? Was it necessary to perish? By no means. But this, as it has been said, Christ commanded then, wishing to show forth His power, that they would lack none of the necessities.

Monday of the fifth week.

TEXT

XII, 12-17. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and praying. And as he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda: And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

COMMENTARY

To show that he is not speaking of the mother of that John who was always with them, he therefore adds his surname, saying: "Who was surnamed Mark." This is he who also wrote the Gospel

Gospel, the nephew of Barnabas; of whom Paul also writes to Timothy: "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." ^A "His angel is [here]." From this place it is manifest that each of us has an angel.

CAPUT XVIII. Of the punishment of the guards, and then of the bitter and miserable death of the impious Herod.

TEXT. XII, 18-24. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied.

COMMENTARY. After the angel liberated Peter from prison and chains, when Herod had sought him and not found him, he put to death the soldiers who were guarding him in his stead. In the third year of his reign, Agrippa came to Cæsarea, which was previously called Strato’s Tower: and there he celebrated spectacles, as a kind of festival, in honor of Cæsar. On the second day of the spectacles, dressed in a robe made entirely of silver, of wondrous texture, he came at dawn to the theater: where, being struck by the first rays of the rising sun, the silver shone in a wondrous manner, so that it not only dazzled the eyes of those looking on, but also struck terror into their souls. ^C But immediately the flatterers who stood around him, both calling him a god and beseeching him to be propitious, said, "Although until now we have feared you as a man, henceforth we shall venerate you as superior to human nature." The king, hearing these things, neither rebuked them as was fitting, nor did he reject the impious flattery from himself. But indeed a little later, when he had looked up, he saw an owl impending over his head, and sitting upon a certain rope. He immediately recognized it to be nothing other than a messenger of impendent evils: and he felt himself seized by a sudden and dire pain of the bowels and belly. Wherefore, looking around at his friends, "I," he said, "who am a god to you, am now compelled to leave this life."

friends, “I, God unto you,” he says, “am already compelled” to finish ^A “this life, since the fate has immediately sent down upon me the voices that rebuke me; I who was called immortal by you, am now compelled to die.”

CAPUT XIX.

TEXT. Barnabas and Saul returned ^B from Jerusalem having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John who was called Mark. Now there were in the Church that was at Antioch prophets and teachers, among whom were Barnabas and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, who was the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said: Separate for me both Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, after fasting and praying, and having laid their hands upon them, they sent them away. So they, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they had arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. And having traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found there a certain man, a sorcerer and Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a prudent man. ^C This man, having summoned Barnabas and Saul, sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name translated) resisted them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who is also Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, and looking intently at him, said: “O full of all deceit and all craftiness, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, seeing what had happened, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

COMMENTARY. In order that Paul might not have less than any of the apostles in this respect, God changed his name, and from being Saul, willed that he be called Paul, so that he might have the same ^D prerogative as the coryphaeus of the disciples. And that the sacred writer might intimate that the words which Paul uttered to Elymas the sorcerer by no means proceeded from an angry spirit, he therefore says anticipatingly: “Filled with the Holy Spirit.” For if he had wished to punish him, he would have made him blind entirely and forever; but now it was not so, but only for a time, a limit imposed by judgment.

^A in the books of Kings, but only that these things were spoken prophetically by Samuel to Saul: "Thus, even now, your kingdom shall not stand; the Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be leader over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." And hence Paul phrased it thus: "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall perform all my desires."

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^A great that they would not be believed, if anyone were to foretell them to you.

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Astris. These, however, not only did not receive them, but even cast them out from their borders—which is worse. For the Lord does not wish His disciples to have even the dust from the land of impious men upon their feet, that they might show thereby that they had brought back no benefit from the unbelievers. Dust is a symbol of the labor they endured for their sake.

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CHAPTER XXI

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^A thus acted the divine disciples, Barnabas and Paul, in this place; for when they were accounted gods, they turned away with their whole heart from what was being done, and showed signs of mourning. And it was indeed a matter for mourning if they had truly been thought to be gods: for thus they would have brought in and increased the idolatry which they had come to dissolve and utterly to root out.

Paul is stoned by Jews from the neighboring towns.

TEXT. XIV, 19-26. But there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and from thence he departed, and the next day,

COMMENTARY. Here is fulfilled that which was said to him by the Lord: ^B "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

TEXT. (Paul) departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, ^C they went down into Attalia: and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

COMMENTARY. Why did the apostles not appoint elders in Cyprus or in Samaria, but did so here? Because those regions were near to Jerusalem and the apostles; and in Antioch itself the word was already prevailing. But here they had need of much consolation, especially those who were from the Gentiles, as they had much still to learn. ^D It should be noted that Paul and Barnabas possessed episcopal authority, since they ordained not only deacons, but also elders; and that the disciples performed these ordinations with fasting and prayers. Observe also that Paul and Barnabas were ordained in the city of Miletus. However, I found another copy, which for Miletus had Antioch, which is also more probable.

of the apostles and the elders, and they declared that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

CHAPTER XXII

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Feria 6 of the fifth week.

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we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, in the same way as they. Then all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

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^A Jesus Christ. Wisely, moreover, does he confirm the proposed matter from the new and from the old prophets: for he could not demonstrate what he felt by some act, as Peter and Paul had already done. It was rightly arranged, however, that these things should be done through those who were not going to remain much longer in Jerusalem, so that he who taught them might not seem liable to any blame, and so that they might not be divided in opinion.

TEXT

XV, 16-34. After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen, and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set it up: That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things. Known to the Lord from eternity is his work. For which cause ^B I judge, that those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted, but that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath. Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole Church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren, writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment: it hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men and send them unto you, with our dearly beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will by word of mouth tell you the same things. For it hath ^C seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things: That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well. They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them. And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with peace by the brethren, unto them that had sent them. But it was thought good for Silas to remain there. ^D

COMMENTARY

"I will rebuild the tabernacle," that is, those converted from the Gentiles to Christ, and called by his name. Others, however, say that these things were spoken concerning his resurrection from the dead. For when God the Father raised up the tabernacle of the Son that had fallen into death, that is, the flesh derived from the earth, then the whole of human nature...

returned to its ancient form, and all our ruins were brought to a new appearance. For we have risen with Christ. For death indeed tore down the tabernacles of all; but God the Father rebuilt them in Christ. And there was no other way for our nature to rise, unless He who had formed it from the beginning stretched out His hand to it, and refashioned it from above through the regeneration of water and the Spirit. For it had truly fallen into an irreparable collapse, and it had need of that omnipotent hand. And this, he says, shall not exist for a short time, but for the days of eternity; for the gift of immortality shall be unchangeable for us. Now the Jews, looking toward the captivity, have understood this to be said of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem; but this is not true; for even after this it was often destroyed; but the prophecy promises an eternal rebuilding. Nor have they rightly understood this to be said of Zerubbabel, who also derived his lineage from David. Not even this is true. For Zerubbabel, after ruling for a short time, received the term of death; but the prophecy promises eternal goods, and announces that all the nations would come to the knowledge of God. It is evident, therefore, that we must understand this to be said of our Lord Jesus Christ. For our Lord, being of the lineage of David according to the flesh, fulfilled the promise that had been made to David. ^B

COMMENTARY.

On the epistle of the apostles.

had sat; but he did not do so; but ^C "until a time," he said: by which words he prescribes a limit for him, by which he might receive light in his mind and change his ways for the better. Therefore, by that very sign by which Paul himself had been brought to good fruit (namely, sudden blindness), by the same he also attempted to bring back Elymas: wherefore it was not a punishment, but a medicine. "Saul however." This is John, surnamed Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, who also wrote the Gospel inscribed with his name, a disciple of Peter, the chief of the apostles; about whom he himself says in his Epistle: "Mark my son greets you." This man, therefore, when Paul was sent on a longer journey with his companions, departed from them, even though he was a minister, because he did not think that he should face so many dangers. ^D [The Greek reads: He was saying, he said, that in himself he held the recovery of light, having changed his manner for the better. For he himself was brought to the light by a sign, and by this same sign he wished to bring this man also. It was not, therefore, a punishment, but a healing. "Saul however." This is John, who was also called Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, who also wrote the Gospel inscribed with his name, and disciple of Peter, the chief of the apostles, about whom he says in his Epistle: "Mark my son greets you." This man, therefore, being sent on a longer journey away from Paul, departed from them, even though he was a minister, because he could not endure the dangers.]

CHAPTER XX.

Wednesday of the fifth week.

TEXT. XIII, 13-24. And when Paul and those who were with him had sailed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia. But John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But they, passing through Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia: and entering the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, they sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the Synagogue sent to them, saying: Men, brethren, if there is any word of exhortation in you to the people, speak. But Paul rising and signaling with his hand for silence, said: Men of Israel, and you who fear God, hear: The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they were sojourners in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm led them out of it, and for the time of forty years endured their manners in the desert. And destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their land to them by lot, as if after four hundred and fifty years. And after these things he gave judges until Samuel the prophet. And from then they asked for a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And removing him, he raised up David to them for a king: to whom bearing witness, he said: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man according to my heart, who will do all my wills. Of this man's seed God according to the promise brought forth to Israel a Savior Jesus, John preaching before the face of his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

COMMENTARY. The seven nations destroyed in the land of Canaan are: the Hittites, Canaanites, Girgashites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. "I have found David." It is to be noted that these things were nowhere said verbatim

and consistently. That which each one thought not to be profitable, this he did not accept after this, because of his communion with that man. ^A It seems also that the separation took place according to wisdom, and they said to each other: "Since I wish one thing, and you do not wish it, lest we quarrel, let us divide the places"; so that by yielding to each other, they did this. For Barnabas wished to depart from Paul, and for this reason he withdrew. Yet we find this even in the prophets, namely, different opinions and different temperaments. For instance, Elijah is austere, Moses is gentle. Thus, also here, Paul is more vehement than Barnabas. And this conflict was of great benefit to Mark; for the terrifying manner of Paul caused him to turn, while the kindness of Barnabas ensured that he not be further abandoned. So they do dispute, but the end of it all is gain. For when he saw Paul choosing to depart, he was very afraid and condemned himself; and Barnabas, seeing him grasp at him so, would have loved him very much. And the disciple was corrected by the conflict of the teachers; and he was so far from being scandalized. For as he saw himself thus cast away by Paul because of his sloth, he hastened, both by his zeal and by his second course, to cover his former sluggishness, having been very much benefited by the strictness of Paul. That there was no enmity between the apostles is shown everywhere after this, with Barnabas enjoying many commendations from Paul in the epistles. ^B

CAPUTER XXIII. Concerning the instruction of Timothy, and the arrival of Paul in Macedonia according to a revelation. Wherein [there is mention] of the faith and salvation of a certain woman, Lydia, and of the healing of a slave girl who had a spirit of Python, because of whom Paul was cast into prison.

TEXT. XVI, 1-15. He arrived at Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, son of a certain Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek; he was well spoken of by the brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wished him to go out with him, and he took and circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places; ^C for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went through the cities, they delivered to them to keep the decrees that had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. So the Churches were being strengthened in the faith, and they increased in number daily. Having passed through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word of God in Asia. Having come toward Mysia, they were trying to go into

to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit did not permit them. And passing through Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: A certain man of Macedonia was standing, entreating him and saying: Come over into Macedonia and help us. And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us ^A to preach the Gospel to them. And having set sail from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and on the next day to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is the first city of the part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in that city staying for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went forth outside the gate by the river, where it appeared there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to give heed to the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. ^B And she constrained us.

COMMENTARY

He calls "dogmas" those statutes of abstaining from things offered to idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood. The Holy Spirit did not permit the apostles to preach the Gospel in Asia and Bithynia, perhaps because He foresaw that the heresy of the Pneumatomachians would dominate among those nations. It is to be noted, however, that Luke was together with Paul in these cities; as is evident from the fact that he includes himself in his narrative, saying, "We sought," etc., where there appeared to be a place of prayer. ^C They prayed not only where there was a synagogue, but also abroad: for the Jews designated some place for prayer, inasmuch as they were more coarse. Or it is because, on account of the fewness of the Jews, there was no synagogue there; so those who were zealous for piety gathered secretly near the river outside the city.

CHAPTER XXIV

TEXT

XVI, 16-34. And it came to pass, as we were going to prayer, a certain girl having a spirit of Python met us, who provided great gain to her masters by divining. She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are servants of the most high God, who announce to you the way of salvation. And she did this for many days. ^D But Paul was sore troubled, and turning, said to the spirit: I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to go out from her. And it went out the same hour. But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain had gone out, caught Paul and Silas and dragged them into the forum unto the rulers; and having brought them to the magistrates, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews. And they announce custom which it is not lawful for us to receive nor to do

^A, being Romans. And the crowd ran against them, and the magistrates, having torn their garments, ordered them to be beaten with rods. And having inflicted many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them safely. He, having received such a command, cast them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the wood. But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God; and the prisoners were listening to them. ^B And suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bonds of all were loosed. And the jailer, having been awakened and seeing the doors of the prison open, having drawn a sword, wanted to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had fled. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: Do yourself no harm; for we are all here. And having asked for a light, he rushed in, and becoming trembling, he fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas; and bringing them out, he said: Lords, what must I do to be saved? But they said: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, you and your house. And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all who were in his house. And having taken them in that hour of the night, he washed their wounds; and he himself was baptized, and all his own immediately. And bringing them up into his house, he set a table, and rejoiced with all his house, having believed in God.

COMMENTARY

It is said that this Pythia was a certain woman who was accustomed to sit upon the tripod of Apollo with her legs spread apart. In this state, the demon, insinuating itself from below and pervading her private parts, filled her with frenzy. Wherefore, with hair dishevelled, she raved and emitted foam from her mouth; and thus, in a state of madness, she poured forth words of frenzy. ^C But why did both the demon say this, and why did Paul forbid it from saying so? Because it wished to win for itself trust and authority. For if Paul had accepted its testimony, it might perhaps have deceived many of the faithful, as if attested by it. For this cause, it did not refuse to speak against itself, so that it might confirm the things it had said for itself: for it knows, in order to destroy men, how to adapt itself even to the times. Paul at first, indeed, did not accept its testimony, but despised it, not wishing immediately to apply his hand to signs. But when the demon persisted in crying out, and it was now a nuisance to him, then he commanded it to depart. ^D "Being grieved," says the text of Paul, that is, moved and bitten, and having stopped the mouth of her who was even speaking the truth, he commanded the demon to depart out of her, teaching us not to believe demons, even when they seem to support the truth, but with ears closed to all things that proceed from them, to block off every way for them to deceive. "And there was an earthquake." From which

"This is Jesus Christ, whom I proclaim to you." And ^A some of them believed and were joined to Paul and Silas; as were a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the noble women. But the Jews, being jealous, and taking unto them certain wicked men from the marketplace, and making a mob, set the city in an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. And when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the magistrates, crying out: "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also, whom Jason hath received; and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus." And they troubled the people and the magistrates when they heard these things. And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. ^B

The brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea. Who when they were come thither, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, searching the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Many therefore of them believed; and of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as far as to the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. ^C But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

COMMENTARY

"He reasoned with them from the Scriptures." Since the Jews were opposed to signs, to such an extent that they slandered the apostles as impostors and magicians, Paul in this place undertakes to persuade them from the Scriptures, which are not subject to such suspicion. "Of the devout Greeks." Here he calls those Greeks who, being from the Jews, were using the Greek language. And he says "devout," because they were observing the law; or he calls those Greeks who had embraced Judaism by this name. By "more noble" here he understands "more prudent." These "searched the Scriptures," ^D not as unbelievers, but as being devoid of the tradition of the ancient prophets; and for this reason they became more confirmed in the faith by searching the Scriptures, finding that the things concerning the economy of the Incarnate Lord were plainly in agreement with the oracles of the prophets.

CHAPTER XXVI

On the inscription which was at Athens upon the altar; and concerning the wise preaching of Paul, and his piety.

^A XVII, 16-18. But as Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

COMMENTARY. ‹ Stirred. › It does not mean anger here, nor indignation; for grace is far from anger and indignation. Wherefore ‹ stirred › is just as if one said, he was provoked, he could not bear it, he was vehemently grieved: just as it says elsewhere: ‹ and there arose a dissension among them, › and so forth. ‹ But straightway [they led] Paul. › By prudent counsel, and not out of fear, did the Apostle depart; because he desired with all his might that the evangelical preaching should be spread, and the anger of those men extinguished. ‹ But certain [of the philosophers]. › The Epicureans, indeed, thought that the universe had coalesced of its own accord from atoms; the Stoics, on the other hand, thought it to be a body and conflagration. Certain of them, thinking highly of themselves on account of their learning, foolishly mocking the divine Paul, ‹ What will this babbler ^B (spermologos) say? › they said. For since the ‹ spermologos › is a small and vile bird, accustomed to gather the seeds cast about in the cross-roads, not fit for food nor for pleasure; hence they called vile men of no account ‹ spermologoi. › But because Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection, they, being accustomed also to worship female goddesses (inasmuch as they took demons for gods), imagined that ‹ resurrection › was some goddess.

On the Tuesday of the fourth week

TEXT. XVII, 19-34. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, ‹ To the unknown God. › Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God ^D

who made the world and all things that are therein, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. ^B And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

COMMENTARY

^C They brought him, he says, to the Areopagus, not in order to learn, but in order that he might be punished, as that was where capital cases were heard. The place was called the Areopagus because Ares, or Mars, as they fable, had once submitted to judgment there for adultery. ‘Pagus’ signifies a high place; for that judicial tribunal was situated on a hill. Hence, by some, those who are rulers of certain places or districts are called ‘Pagarchi.’ ^D ‘And found an altar.’ They say there are two reasons for the inscription at Athens, ‘To the unknown God.’ For some say that when the Athenians sent a certain Philippides to the Lacedaemonians for the sake of seeking aid, at the time when the Persians were waging war against them, he encountered the phantom of Pan on Mount Parthenion, who complained grievously of the Athenians, because while they zealously worshipped the other gods, they neglected him entirely; yet he promised that he would aid them. Therefore, when the Athenians had won, they raised a temple to him and built an altar. And, being cautious lest the same thing should happen to them at another time, in case they might perchance overlook some unknown god, they raised that other altar, and inscribed upon it, ‘To the unknown God,’ saying, ‘If any other god is still unknown to us, let this altar be in his honor, so that he may be propitious to us, even if, being unknown, he is not worshipped by us with any peculiar cult.’ Others, however, tell the story thus: when a dire pestilence was raging among the Athenians and consuming them to such a degree...

so that they could not even bear the thinnest linen; they rendered some worship to all whom they thought to be gods, yet gained no profit from them. ^A Reputing, however, that perhaps there might be some god whom they had left unhonored, and who had therefore sent that pestilence, they built a new altar, upon which they inscribed: "To an Unknown God"; and once they had offered sacrifice upon it, the pestilence immediately vanished. Paul therefore affirms that this is Christ, the God of all, whom he declared he was announcing. Moreover, that complete inscription stood thus: "To the gods of Asia, and Europe, and Libya, to an unknown and foreign God."

"God who made..." That they might not think the God who was being preached by him was one of the many, he corrects them, adding: "does not dwell in temples made with hands." Indeed, He dwells in temples, but not in such as these; rather, in the human soul. Whence it is said that He does not inhabit the temple in Jerusalem, but rather "works" there; nor was He worshipped by the Jews with "human hands," but with the mind: for of the things they offered, God did not require them as if He were in need of anything; for He says: "Will I eat the flesh of bulls?" etc. ^B Then, in confirmation of his discourse, he puts forward this excellent saying of Aratus, one of their own poets: "For we are also his offspring." And Paul takes this indeed concerning the supreme Maker, although it had been pronounced by Aratus concerning Jove. Aratus, of course, was not speaking of the same Person entirely, yet he uttered that which can properly be applied to Him. "That we are the offspring of God," says the Apostle, not in the sense the Greek poets speak, but in another; namely, that we are familiar and very close to Him.

Speaking words to the Athenians, Paul calls Christ only "a man," saying: "In a man in whom He has appointed, having provided faith to all, by raising him from the dead"; and he adds nothing of the "form of God," nor that he was "equal" to Him, nor that he was the "splendor of His glory"; and this is fitting; for the time was not yet opportune for these expressions. But it was enough ^C that they should accept for the time being that He is a man, and that He has risen; He concealed His divinity for the interim.

"And the times indeed..." He does not say this, that no one among them is punished, but that no one among those who wish to repent shall be punished. For he does not speak concerning those who have already died, but concerning those to whom he was then preaching. He does not demand from you, he says, an account of the past years of "your ignorance." He did not say, however, that He despised or permitted, but "overlooked," that is, He does not demand punishment, though they were worthy of punishment.

CHAPTER XXVII

^A and was baptized; and how, when a sedition arose in Corinth, Paul withdrew, went to Ephesus, and after he had delivered a sermon there, departed.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

^A passing over from life into death, and in a certain manner shedding his own blood through the slaughter which he brings upon himself. He says this, therefore: “Because you slaughter yourselves through unbelief, you yourselves must pay the penalty for this thing, while I am innocent.” From this it is possible to perceive that he who kills himself is to be punished ^B by God as a murderer. “By night, through a vision.” It should be noted that there is no difference whether Paul saw the Lord Jesus in a dream or whether he beheld Him while awake; there is no distinction. Nay, even by day He was seen by him. For this reason they beat Sosthenes, because he too was more inclined toward Paul, just like Crispus the synagogue leader; they had arrived at such a pitch of madness that, having been frustrated in their desire, instead of beating Paul, they beat Sosthenes the synagogue leader; or perhaps they beat him for this reason, ^C because they wished all the more to kill Paul, and Sosthenes was preventing them. Again Paul goes down into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having, he says, “shorn his head.” To shear the head for the sake of a vow was a custom peculiar to the Jews. “He left,” he says, “those around Aquila at Ephesus”; and he did this appropriately, so that they might teach there. Why is it that Paul, being a prophet and knowing that he was to return, did not promise to return simply, but added, “if God wills”? He wished to teach us that we should promise to do nothing without adding this condition: “if God wills.” For “no man knows what ^D the coming day might bring forth.”

Friday of the sixth week. Concerning Apollos, a man eloquent and faithful.

TEXT. XVIII, 22–28. And going down to Caesarea, he went up and greeted the Church, and went down to Antioch. And having spent some time there, he departed, passing in order through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus, being powerful in the Scriptures. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John. And this man began to speak boldly in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him to themselves and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to go to Achaia, the brethren exhorted him and wrote to the disciples to receive him. Who, when he had arrived, helped those much who had believed through grace. For he stoutly refuted the Jews publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

COMMENTARY. “Knowing only the baptism of John.” It is worth the labor to inquire how, if Apollos knew only the baptism of John, he was nevertheless fervent in the Spirit; for the Spirit was not thus given; and if those after him

needed the baptism of Christ, and he would have needed it even more. What, then, is one to say? For the sacred writer did not put both together without reason. It seems to me, therefore, that this man was one of those hundred and twenty who were baptized with the apostles. But if this is how the matter stands, it must be said that the same thing happened in his case as in the case of Cornelius; and yet, he is not baptized. Upon careful consideration of this matter, it seems this is not the case, such that he should have been baptized, since the other twelve knew nothing accurately, not even the things concerning Jesus himself. It is likely, however, that he was indeed baptized. And if the disciples of John were baptized again after his baptism, it was fitting that the disciples should do likewise. ^B

CAPUT XXVIII. On baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit given through the prayer of Paul to those who believed in Ephesus; and on the healing of the people.

Feria hebdomadæ sexta. TEXTUS. XIX, 1-8. And it came to pass, that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about ^C twelve. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

COMMENTARIUS. Whence did these men, who were staying in Ephesus, have the baptism of John? Perhaps they had previously travelled to Jerusalem and then approached John and were baptized by him, without knowing Jesus. Why does he not say to them, "Believe in Jesus Christ," but, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost," even though he knew perfectly well that they had not received it? But he wishes them to confess this themselves, so that, perceiving ^D what gift they lacked, they might as quickly as possible seek it.

^A John, from this it is shown that the baptism of John was incomplete. For he did not say "of remission," but "of repentance." Then, being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, as he says, they immediately received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of Paul. They did not see the Spirit himself—for He is invisible—but the grace provided some perceptible proof of His operation; and one immediately began speaking in the tongue of the Persians, another in that of the Romans, another in that of the Indians, or some other such tongue, and this manifested to those on the outside that the Spirit was in the one who spoke, God making it plain that this was a power from above.

^B Behold, here is properly fulfilled that which is written: "He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt. 11, 11). For indeed, Paul, the last of the apostles according to his calling, granted through the laying on of hands that which John did not give in his baptism to those who were baptized.

Concerning the sons of Sceva, and that one ought not to have recourse to infidels, and those who have rendered themselves unworthy of the faith; and concerning the confession of believers; and concerning the sedition stirred up at Ephesus by Demetrius the silversmith against the apostles.

TEXT. XIX, 9-10. But when some were hardened and did not believe, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, daily disputing in the school of a certain Tyrannus. ^C This took place for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God was working no ordinary powers by the hands of Paul; so that even handkerchiefs and aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. But some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." Now there were seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva who were doing this. But the evil spirit answered and said to them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but who are you?" ^D And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaping on them and mastering both of them, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all the Jews and Greeks who lived at Ephesus, and fear...

[index: entries preserved]

fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. ^B And many of those who had believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds. And many of those who practiced curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all; and having computed the prices of them, they found the money to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. Thus mightily did the word of the Lord grow and prevail. And when these things were finished, Paul determined in the Spirit, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, that, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. But having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself remained for a time in Asia. And there arose at that time no small disturbance concerning that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, making silver temples of Diana, provided no little business for the craftsmen; whom he gathered together along with the workmen of similar tasks, and said: Men, you know that from this work we have our wealth; and you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, ^C but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable crowd, saying that they are no gods which are made with hands. And not only does this part of ours risk coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana is about to be reckoned as nothing, and her majesty is about to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. And having heard this, and being filled with wrath, they cried out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travelers of Paul. And when Paul wanted to enter into the people, the disciples did not permit him. And certain of the Asiarchs, who were his friends, sent to him, entreating him not to give himself up to the theater. Others, indeed, cried out one thing and others another; for the assembly was confused, ^D and most did not know for what cause they had come together. And they brought Alexander forward out of the crowd, the Jews thrusting him forward. But Alexander, having gestured with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the people. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single voice arose from all, as they cried for about two hours: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the town clerk, having quieted the crowd, says: Men of Ephesus, for what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple-keeper of the great goddess Diana and of the image which fell from Jupiter? Seeing therefore that these things are undeniable, it is necessary for you to be quiet and to do nothing rashly. For you have brought these men, who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of your goddess. If, therefore, Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a charge against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. But if you seek anything about other matters, it shall be resolved in the lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being charged regarding today’s sedition, since there is no cause for which we can account for this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

of today's sedition, when no cause exists, concerning which we might be able to render an account for this gathering. And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

CHAPTER XXIX

Paul's journey: where also [we read] of the death and resuscitation of Eutychus through the prayer of Paul at Troas.

TEXT

COMMENTARY

^A any profit should be acquired for themselves. For just as it was forbidden that profit gathered from fornication should be offered to God, so they judged that money acquired in such a manner was not worthy or readily acceptable to be placed at the apostles' feet.

And of the Diopetes.

Neocorus.

On the Saturday of the sixth week. TEXT.

XX, 7-12. And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. ^B And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where we were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, and we took him in, we came to Mitylene. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried in Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

Seventh Sunday. Pastoral exhortation of Paul to the presbyters dwelling in Ephesus. TEXT.

XX, 16-18. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia,

EXPOSITION OF THE ACTS. ALTERNATIVE TEXT. — CHAP. XXVI.

COMMENTARY.

^A what is beneficial, he added not only to speak, but also to teach. Here, one must place a punctuation mark at the word "bound," so that the thought is as follows: "I am going to Jerusalem, foreseeing through the Spirit the things that will happen, I am going as a prisoner." But in order to show that he is departing willingly, and not unwillingly, he says: "That throughout every city bonds and afflictions await me." "I am clean," he says, "from the blood of all, if you, having fallen asleep, do not die" 88 by the slayer of souls. For he says, "I have fulfilled the duty of a teacher, having announced to you the counsel of God." Therefore, he who does not speak what he ought is guilty of blood, that is, of their slaughter. He shows, then, that they too, if they do not act, are guilty of their own blood. He commands teachers to do two things; for neither to pursue only the good of another has profit, nor to care only for one’s own; for such a one is a lover of self. It is to be noted, however, that he says "elders" ^B further back—here he calls them "bishops," or rather, since he says "elders," he implies the necessity of overseeing the rational flocks of the Church, lest anyone be weak in faith, or hungry, or thirsty, or in need of reproof and correction; or he calls them "bishops" here because they are truly overseers. He roots out the source of evil, which is the love of money. For he does not simply say, "I did not take," but, "nor did I desire." Then he shows that true almsgiving ought to be done to the needy from one's own labors, since it is not good to give from the things of others. Then he also says that the usage of this to construct his point was spoken by the voice of the Lord, which is not found in Scripture at present, and perhaps the apostles handed it down without writing, or one could infer that it is possible it was said in other words conveying this same meaning. He does not say, however, that it is evil to receive and to distribute, but that it is better ^C not to receive; for this is a matter of compassion toward the weak. There is, therefore, a first degree: to cast away one's own; a second, to suffice for oneself; a third, to provide also for others; a fourth, for one who is a preacher and who has the authority to receive, not to receive. So that he is thus much better than those who possess nothing.

TEXT. ^D (Acts 20:37, 38; 21:1-3) And there was a great weeping of all, and falling upon the neck of Paul, they kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they would no longer see his face. And they accompanied him to the ship. And when it came to pass that we were pulled away from them, having set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara; and finding a ship crossing over to Phoenice, having gone on board, we set sail. And when we had appeared off Cyprus, and left it on our left hand, we sailed to

Syria, and came down to Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade its cargo. And having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days; these told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. And when it came about that we had completed the days, we departed and went on our way, all of them accompanying us with their wives and children, until we were outside the city; and having knelt down on the shore, we prayed. And having bidden one another farewell, we went on board the ship, and they returned to their own homes. And we, having finished the voyage from Tyre, arrived at Ptolemais, and having greeted the brethren, we stayed one day with them. And on the next day, ^B

COMMENTARY

CHAPTER XXX

TEXT

[alt-version omitted]

EXPOSITIONIS IN ACTA TEXTUS ALTER. — CAP. XXI.

^A COMMENTARY. It must be noted that these were the daughters of Philip the deacon; whence it is allowed even for those who have wives to exercise the office of the diaconate. Note also that his daughters, who were prophetesses, were virgins, and that they exercised this [ministry] all the more on account of their piety; whence they were made worthy of the gift of prophecy. From this it is clear that virginity was a matter of great concern to them. For if it were not a matter of such concern, the sacred writer would not have added that they were also virgins.

TEXT. XXI, 15-19. After these days, having prepared ourselves, we went up to Jerusalem. And there came also with us some of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them (one with whom we should stay) a certain Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And on the following day Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were assembled. And when he had saluted them, he related ^B by distinct accounts all that God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry.

CAPUT XXXI.

James’s exhortation to Paul concerning the fact that he does not appear to forbid the Hebrews to be circumcised.

XXI, 20-25. And they, when they heard it, glorified God, and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and all are zealous for the law. Now they have heard it said of thee, that thou teachest an apostasy from Moses to those who are among the Gentiles, all the Jews, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk according to the customs. What is it therefore? It is necessary that the multitude should come together; for they will hear that thou art come. ^C This therefore do that we say to thee: We have four men who have a vow upon themselves. Take these, purify thyself with them, and pay their expenses ^D that they may shave their heads; and all shall know that those things which they heard concerning thee are false, but that thou walkest and thyself keepest the law. But as for those who have believed of the Gentiles, we have written, judging that they should keep no such thing, except that they must keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication.

COMMENTARY. ‘Having prepared ourselves,’ that is, having taken what was necessary for the journey. ‘Thou seest, brother.’ James and his companions give counsel, they do not command. For those who had believed among the Jews in Jerusalem still wished to observe the legal customs. ‘Purify thyself.’ They counsel him to prepare his defense not by word, but by deed. Therefore, they say, provide the victims thyself which they offer according to the law, that thou mayest dissolve the suspicion which they have concerning thee, and show them that not only dost thou teach nothing contrary to the law, but that thou thyself also observest the things that are of the law. And lest Paul should say, ‘If the Gentiles find this out, they will be scandalized,’ they add, ‘As for those who have believed among the Gentiles...’

they add: "As to those who have believed from among the Gentiles, we have written, having judged that none of these things should be kept by them." As we therefore have commanded those, even though we preach to the Jews, so you also, preaching to the Gentiles, cooperate with us. This is a matter of adaptation; do not suspect anything. And indeed it is not difficult to do this in Jerusalem. Do this, therefore, here, so that it may be permitted to you to do that elsewhere. Persuaded by these things, Paul shaved his head and fulfilled all the legal requirements.

CHAPTER XXXII.

^BTEXTUS. XXI, 26-40. Then Paul, having taken the men, on the next day, having purified himself with them, entered into the temple, announcing the completion of the days of purification, until an offering should be made for each one of them. But as the seven days were being completed, those Jews who were from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, shouting, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place; moreover, he brought Gentiles into the temple and defiled this holy place." For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. And the whole city was moved, and there was a rush of the people; and laying hold of Paul, they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were closed. And as they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the tribune of the cohort, that all Jerusalem is in confusion. Who immediately, having taken soldiers and centurions, ran down to them. And they, having seen the tribune and the soldiers, ceased beating Paul.

^CThen the tribune coming up seized him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was, and what he had done. And others shouted one thing and others another in the crowd. And when he could not learn the truth because of the tumult, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd. For a multitude of the people followed, crying, "Away with him!" And when he was about to be led into the barracks, Paul says to the tribune, "If it is permitted for me to say something to you?" But he said, "Do you know Greek? Are you not that Egyptian who before these days stirred up a tumult and led out into the desert four thousand men of the Sicarii?" And Paul said to him, "I am indeed a man, a Jew from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I ask you, therefore, permit me to speak to the people." And when he gave him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, gestured with his hand to the people and with a great

^A silence having occurred, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

Paul’s narrative regarding himself, and his call to the apostleship.

XXII, 1-11. "Men, brothers and fathers, listen to the defense I now make before you" (and upon hearing that he was addressing them in the Hebrew tongue, they yielded even more silence. He says): "I am indeed a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strictness of the ancestral law, being a zealot for God, just as you all are this day. I followed this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears witness to me, and all the presbytery. From whom also receiving letters to the brothers, I was going to Damascus to bring those who were there bound to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished. And it happened to me, as I was going and approaching Damascus about midday, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' And I answered: 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me: 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' Now those who were with me saw the light indeed, and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking to me. I said: 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me: 'Arise, go to Damascus, and there it shall be told to you about all things which it has been appointed for you to do.' And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by those who were with me, I came to Damascus."

^B Regarding what Ananias said to Paul in Damascus; and regarding the vision and the voice of God occurring in the temple; and how, when Paul was about to be beaten for these things, he was released by saying that he was a Roman.

Ananias, a certain man devout according to the law, having a good report from all the Jews living in Damascus, came to me and, standing near, said to me: "Saul, brother, look up." And I, at that very hour, looked up at him. And he said: ^C "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you shall be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you delaying? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling upon his name." And it happened that when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance, and saw him saying to me: "Hurry and go out quickly from Jerusalem; for they will not receive your testimony about me." And I said: "Lord, they themselves know that I was binding and beating in the synagogues those who believed in you; and when the blood of Stephen ^D your witness was being shed, I was standing by, and was consenting, and was guarding the garments of those who were killing

of thy witness. And I myself was standing by and consenting to his death, and keeping the garments of those who killed him." And he said to me, "Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles." ^A And they listened to him up to this word, and they raised their voice, saying, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for it is not fitting that he should live." And as they were shouting and throwing off their garments and casting dust into the air, the tribune commanded him to be brought into the barracks and examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they were shouting against him in this way. But as they were binding him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" And when the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and reported to him, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." And the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." And the tribune answered, "I obtained this citizenship with a large sum." ^B And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Immediately, therefore, those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the tribune also was afraid, when he realized that he was a Roman and that he had bound him.

CHAPTER XXXIII

Acts 22:30. But on the following day, wishing to know more precisely the reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all their council to assemble, and, bringing Paul down, he set him before them.

COMMENTARY. "Away with him." It was the custom among the Jews to utter this cry against the righteous, ^C as also against the Lord: "Away with him," that is, from the number of the living. Now this Egyptian (of whom mention is made here) was a man who loved novelty, a seditious person, an impostor, and a magician. The devil, therefore, desiring to make Paul a fellow-participant in the crimes that applied to that man—just as he did at that same time with Christ the Lord—exerted that man to work certain wonders among the Jews. But since the tribune said to Paul, "Are you not that Egyptian?" in order to remove that suspicion, he immediately made manifest both his own race and the religion which he practiced, just as elsewhere he called himself "legally" of Christ. But "Sicarii" (dagger-men) are called robbers who use certain small swords, which in size resemble the scimitars of the Persians, but in curvature resemble the daggers ("sicae") called by the Romans: from which the name of "Sicarii" attached to men of that sort. There are, indeed, ^D

^A three general sects of that nation: namely, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. These lead a more honest life than the rest, love one another, and practice continence. For this reason they are called Essenes, as if "osii," that is, holy, whom others call "sicarii," that is, zealots. "If a Roman man." Paul did not lie by calling himself a Roman, even though he was a Jew, as he himself had said a little earlier. For from the time of Hadrian, it happened that all were Romans; for great consideration was had for those who had obtained this grace, that they might be so called. But Paul said this so that, if he were scourged, he would not easily fall into contempt. For if they had scourged him, they might have perverted the whole matter and even killed him. But now, if not for another reason, then certainly for this one, not only did they not scourge him, but they also released him from his bonds. "Paul says." Paul indicates that his father also was a Roman. For before Paul was born, since Cilicia had been made subject to the Romans, it was necessary that he, too, as being under them, should be a Roman. ^B Meanwhile, however, according to the prophecy of Agabus, he was bound in Jerusalem. What then happened subsequently? The tribune released him and led him to the Jews. Therefore, it was not a lie that he was a Roman. "For he was afraid," it says, "the tribune, when he realized that he was a Roman," that is, of noble lineage.

On the Seventh Week: TEXT

^C XXIII, 1-11. Paul, looking steadfastly into the council, said: "Men and brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." But the high priest Ananias commanded those standing by him to strike his mouth. Then Paul said to him: "God shall strike thee, thou whited wall. And dost thou sit, judging me according to the law, and against the law dost thou command me to be struck?" And they who stood by said: "Dost thou revile God's high priest?" But Paul said: "I knew not, brethren, that it is the high priest. ^D For it is written: Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." But Paul, knowing that one part was of the Sadducees and the other of the Pharisees, cried out in the council: "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; for the hope and resurrection of the dead I am judged." And when he had said this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry. And some of the scribes of the Pharisees' side stood up and fought, saying: "We find no evil in this man; what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?" And when a great dissension had arisen, the tribune, fearing that Paul might be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from the midst of them, and to bring him into the camp. And on the following night, the Lord standing by him, said: "Be constant, Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou also witness at Rome."

COMMENTARY

"God shall strike thee, thou whited wall." It is worthy of inquiry how Paul, when he had said elsewhere: "Being reviled we bless; being defamed we entreat" 83, etc., here on the contrary not only speaks evil, but even curses. We say that these words are of boldness rather than of anger. For he did not wish to appear contemptible to the chiliarch. For if he had refrained from having him scourged, as one about to be delivered to the Jews, the thought that Paul was being beaten by servants would have made the latter even more bold. But this is not directed, as some say, to the servant, but to him who gave the order; for which reason he also immediately offers an apology. For knowing that it is necessary both to restrain just anger and to suppress righteous indignation, acting as if repentant, he says: ^A "I knew not that he is the high priest," although he did know (for he had said: "And sittest thou judging me according to the law?"). But he pretends an ignorance that does not harm, but rather performs a service. For it is possible to use even a disguise that is stronger than boldness. Frequently, an untimely boldness has harmed the truth, whereas a timely disguise has achieved the task at hand. Again, he speaks as a man, and not everywhere does he receive the grace. And in this instance, and after this, he sought to divide the multitude that was evilly united against him. And he does not lie even here, for he was a Pharisee by lineage. The Sadducees, being somewhat thick-headed, perhaps did not even know God; whence they ^B refuse to believe that there is a resurrection. "But the Pharisees confess both." But if there are three things, how then does he say "both"? Either because he considers spirit and angel as one thing, or that the term "both" is received not only regarding two (which it indeed signifies properly), but also regarding three (though less properly). Hence, one must not judge the writings of simple and unlearned fishermen by the strict precision of profane speech. It is possible to understand what was said in two ways: either something is missing in it to complete the meaning, so that it is thus: "But if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, it is uncertain," he says; or the saying must be cited as if from the Pharisees: "But if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel." Instead of, "Behold, the things regarding..."

Varieties of readings and notes

(39) It is strange that the author, who transcribes Chrysostom almost entirely, here departs distinctly from him, and, as I indeed think, also departs from the truth. Chrysostom, as fairness itself seems to demand, believes and maintains that Paul was truly unaware that Ananias was at that time the prince of the priests. It is well to repeat here the words which he has in homily XLVIII on the Acts of the Apostles, so that no one may trust the exposition of this commentator in this part. He says therefore at the beginning of number 2: "Some say (the Greek text I omit for the sake of brevity) that he spoke through irony. But to me it seems that he was entirely unaware that he was the prince of the priests: otherwise he would have honored him. Therefore he purges himself, being accused, and adds: 'Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.'" And shortly after: "I am completely persuaded that he did not know that he was the prince of the priests, because he had returned after a long time, and had not ^D frequented the Jews, and saw him in the midst of many others; for the prince of the priests was not manifest among the many and diverse bystanders." And at the end of this number: "I knew not, he says, that he is the high priest. Therefore the rebuke arose from ignorance. For if this were not so, having received this, he would have departed and not been silent, and the tribune would have handed him over to them." Similarly in the following number: "I knew not, he says, that he was the high priest of God." He said this, and did not stop here; but showing that he is not speaking ironically, he adds: "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." No truer or fairer exposition can be given here. Moreover, in this Commentary published under the name of Oecumenius, this explanation is also mentioned as belonging to certain others: *phasi*, "some say." I wonder, however, that the compiler, for the most part, recounts the opinion of Chrysostom so coldly, in almost his exact words.

of sedition, he is showing clearly, or he was instructed in the doctrine of the resurrection by the Holy Spirit or by an angel. ^A *Quid si* (What if...): This statement can be understood in two ways: either something is missing from the sense of the words for it to be complete, as it should be, "Whether a Spirit or an angel has spoken to him is uncertain," or one should say that it is a statement of the Pharisees, "If a Spirit or angel has spoken to him," that is, since he speaks of the resurrection, it is manifest that he has derived his existence from that which was elicited either through the Holy Spirit or through an angel.

CHAPTER XXXIV

TEXT. XXIII, 12-35. Now when it was day, the Jews gathered together and bound themselves by an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ^B There were more than forty men who had made this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves by a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now therefore, you must notify the tribune along with the council, so that he may bring him down to you, as though you were going to examine his case more accurately. We are ready to kill him before he draws near." But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush; so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him." So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you." The tribune took him by the hand and went aside privately and inquired, ^C "What is it that you have to tell me?" He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire something more accurately about him. But do not believe them, for more than forty men of them are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor to drink until they have slain him; and now they are ready, waiting for your promise." So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things." And he called two of the centurions and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen from the third hour of the night, and provide mounts, ^D so that they may mount Paul and bring him safely to Felix the governor," writing a letter containing this form: "Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. This man, having been seized by the Jews and being about to be killed by them, I came upon with the army and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman. And wishing to know the cause for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. I found him to be accused concerning questions of their law, but having nothing worthy of death or bonds charged against him...

But when an ambush was reported to me, which they were about to prepare [for the man] by the Jews, I sent him to you, having also commanded his accusers to speak before you against him. Farewell.” ^B The soldiers, therefore, according to the command given to them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. And the next day, having left the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the camp. Upon arriving in Caesarea and delivering the letter to the governor, they presented Paul to him. The governor, having read it and asked from what province he was, learned that he was from Cilicia. “I will hear you,” he said, “when your accusers also arrive,” having ordered him to be kept in Herod's praetorium.

CHAPTER XXXV. Tertullus’s accusation against Paul, and his defense before the governor.

XXIV, 1–26. But after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders and a certain orator named Tertullus, and they appeared before the governor against Paul. Paul being summoned, ^C Tertullus began to accuse, saying: “Since we enjoy much peace through you, and many things are being corrected for this nation through your providence, we always and everywhere receive it, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving. But that I may not trouble you further, I pray you to hear us briefly, in your clemency. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and one who excites sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also tried to profane the temple, whom we apprehended and wanted to judge according to our law. But Lysias the tribune came upon us, and with great force took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you, from whom you yourself, by interrogating, will be able to learn about all these things ^D of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the charge, asserting that these things were so. But Paul, the governor having signaled him to speak, answered: “Knowing that you have been for many years a just judge to this nation, I answer for myself with good courage, since you can learn that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And neither in the temple did they find me arguing with anyone, nor inciting a crowd to gather, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; nor can they prove to you those things of which they now accuse me. However, I confess this to you, that according to the way which they call a heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets, having hope in God, which these people themselves also expect, that there is about to be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. In this, I also strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men at all times. But after [E] many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings and vows, in which they found me

conscience towards God and men at all times. And after many years I arrived bringing alms to my nation, and offerings. In which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd, nor with a tumult; certain Jews from Asia, who ought to be present before you and to accuse me, if they had anything against me; or let these men themselves say if they found any dishonesty in me while I stood in the council, unless it be for this one expression which I uttered as I stood among them, that 'concerning the resurrection of the dead I am judged by you today.' ^A And Felix, having heard these things, deferred them, knowing more accurately about the Way, saying, 'When Lysias the commander descends, I will determine your case,' and ordering the centurion that he should be kept, and have rest, and that he should not forbid any of his own to serve him, or to come to him. After some days Felix, having arrived with Drusilla his own wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith which is in Christ Jesus. ^B And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment that is to come, Felix becoming terrified, answered, 'For the present, go; and when I have found time I will summon you,' at the same time also hoping that money would be given him by Paul, wherefore he summoned him more frequently and conversed with him.

CAPUT XXXVI. Concerning the succession of Felix, and the advancement of Festus, and the examination of Paul before him, and his acquittal.

When two years were completed, Felix received as his successor Porcius Festus. ^C And Felix, wishing to do a favor for the Jews, left Paul bound. Festus, therefore, having arrived in the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews appeared before him against Paul, and were pleading with him, asking for a favor against him, that he might summon him to Jerusalem, preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus then answered that Paul should be kept in Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go out shortly. 'Therefore,' he says, 'let those among you who are able, descending together, if there is any fault in this man, let them accuse him.' And having spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day, having sat on the judgment seat, he ordered Paul to be brought. ^D And when he had arrived, the Jews who had descended from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and heavy charges against Paul, which they were unable to prove, while Paul was making his defense, that 'Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned.' And Festus, wishing to do a favor for the Jews, answered Paul and said, 'Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged there concerning these things before me?' And Paul said, 'I stand at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know better. If, therefore, I do wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if there is nothing in what these men accuse me of, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.' Then Festus, when

^A... are accusing me, no one can bestow me upon them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered: You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go. And after some days had passed,

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CHAPTER XXXVII

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COMMENTARY

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^A For which hope I am accused by the Jews, O king. Why is it thought incredible with you, if God raises the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou ^B hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

COMMENTARY

CHAPTER XXXVIII

^A The voyage of Paul to Rome is filled with many and very great dangers. Within which is Paul’s exhortation to those with him concerning the hope of salvation. Paul’s shipwreck, and how they were saved upon the island of Melita, and what miracles Paul performed there. Feria 6 of the seventh week.

TEXT. XXVII, 1-44; XXVIII, 1. And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, launching, we sailed by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus,

^A began to eat. Thus, even now Paul prophesies to them, saying that they would suffer shipwreck, [even though that did not happen to them] with the loss of lives according to his word. For this, as far as the nature of the matter was concerned, would have happened, had not God preserved them; for it was for his sake that He caused them also to be saved. The centurion does not heed the things said by Paul, believing rather those who were skilled in sailing than a man inexperienced in nautical matters; and from this he shows that the error was one of judgment, and not of fortune. For that it is in accordance with nature to flee from danger, experience itself teaches, since no one casts himself headlong, for this brings obvious danger—as if fortune and fate were asleep in manifest and visible matters; although even if they were vigilant, they could do nothing against the free choice by which men ^B freely govern their own affairs, as can be seen even in those who were sailing with Paul. For they were using their own liberty to such an extent that shortly after, having found a favorable wind, they were concluding their voyage with joy. It must be noted, however, that the expression "to look back" (ἀντοφθαλμεῖν) is improperly applied to a ship; for this is properly fitting only to a man. Whence it follows that one should not always demand a literal meaning from the Scripture. "But, with a violent storm." The shipwreck that occurred, therefore, came about from the season, because the storm was great; but the greater miracle was that at such a time the Apostle himself, and the others because of him, were snatched from the midst of dangers: wherefore he was not deceived. "And behold, God has granted thee." From this the falsity of that Homeric saying ^C is made manifest: For I say that9 no man has escaped fatal destiny, Whether evil or good, once he has first been born.

This means: It is impossible to escape the fate of death, which determines a man's death at the very moment of his generation. For behold, if they had not been saved for Paul's sake, all to a man in the ship would have perished; but God delivered them in order to honor the just man. Furthermore, if it were fate that all should perish, even Paul would have had to perish; for Homer says, "neither evil nor good"; it was necessary, therefore, that both the good and the evil should fall in a common disaster, which brought certain death. But the contrary appears: forasmuch as the just man was saved from most evident danger, even though all who were with him would have perished. For so had God decreed; for He says: "Behold, God has granted thee ^D all them that sail with thee." And thus, for the sake of the just man, those who were ungodly lived...

man perishes before his time because of his own wickedness, according to that which is written: "Do not act wickedly much, and be not a fool, that thou mayest not die in a time not thine." ^B Therefore, in order that Paul might hold them back, and that his prophecy might not fail, he said by way of divine economy: "Unless these stay in the ship" (meaning the sailors), "you cannot be saved." When, therefore, they saw that their own lack of judgment had brought them into danger, then they began to obey him, as the timely counsel given by a holy man was more able to save them than the "fate" which, in the midst of danger, does not even have a name. For if they had believed in fate, being Gentiles, they would have disregarded the advice of the godly man and let the sailors go, saying: "Even if these leave, it is profitable for us to die; no advantage will come to us from these not leaving." But they did not say this, nor did they allow them to leave. Wherefore, on many counts, the notion of fate and fortune is to be utterly rejected.

Paul exhorts all who were in the ship to take food, and he himself was the first to take it, persuading them not so much by word as by deed. For this, he says, is for your own ^C salvation (that is, eating), lest you perish from hunger. For they had no concern for food, inasmuch as they were in the greatest danger to their lives. But how did the number of those sailing with them become known to them? It is likely that they had asked one another the reason why they were sailing, and thus learned everything. ^D Again, it is shown from this that they were grateful to Paul; for because the soldiers wanted to kill some of them, in order that the prophecy of Paul might not fail, the centurion did not permit them to be killed, so that he might save Paul.

On the Saturday of Pentecost

XXVIII, 1-10. "But the barbarians showed us no little kindness. For having kindled a fire, they took us all in, because of the rain which was upon us, and because of the cold." And when Paul had gathered a multitude of sticks and had laid them on the fire, a viper came out from the heat and fastened itself onto his hand. But when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another: "Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed to live." He, however, having shaken the beast into the fire, suffered no harm. But they were expecting him to swell up, or suddenly to fall down dead. But after they had waited for a long time and saw that nothing amiss had happened to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Now, in the regions about that place, there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who, having received us, for three days hospitably entertained us. And it happened that the father of Publius was suffering from fevers and

with dysentery. Paul went in to him, and having prayed and laid his hands upon him, healed him. ^A This done, all the others who had infirmities on the island came forward and were healed. They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they provided us with what was necessary.

CAPUT XXXIX. How Paul came from Melita to Rome.

XXVIII, 11-15. After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island, with the twin brothers as its figurehead. And coming to Syracuse, we tarried there three days. Thence, coasting around, we ^B arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli; where, finding brothers, we were entreated to stay with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. And from thence, when the brothers heard about us, they came out to meet us as far as Appii Forum and The Three Taverns. Seeing whom, Paul, giving thanks to God, took courage.

CAPUT XL. Of Paul's address to the Jews who were at Rome.

XXVIII, 16-31. But when we came to Rome, it was permitted to Paul to dwell by himself with the soldier that kept him. And after three days he called together those who were the chief of the Jews. And when they had come together, he said to them: I, men and brethren, having done nothing against the people or the customs of the fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands ^C of the Romans; who, when they had examined me, desired to let me go, for the reason that there was no cause of death in me. But the Jews contradicting, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore I have requested to see you and to speak to you; because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning you from Judea, nor did any of the brethren come and announce or speak any evil concerning you. But we desire to hear from you what you think: for ^D concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere. And having appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening. And some believed the things that were spoken; but some believed not. And when they were not in agreement among themselves, they departed, Paul saying one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying: Go to this people and say: Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people has been hardened, and they have heard heavily with their ears and have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes, and with their ears

they should hear, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it. And when he had said these things, the Jews went out, having much disputing among themselves. And Paul remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.

COMMENTARY

2. ^B"With the sign of the Dioscuri." It was a custom, especially in Alexandrian ships, to have paintings of this kind on the prow, to the right and left. Since, however, it was consistent with the idolatry then prevailing, for the Dioscuri to be depicted on ships, it is henceforth logical to infer that the owner of the ship was an alien, that is, an idolater. Concerning this also Isaiah said: "They shall fly in the ships of strangers, they shall plunder the sea also."

3. He points out certain places before Rome: the one having an image of Appius, as is likely, and called a forum of that man, ^Cjust as even now the images of the emperors among the Romans are called "fora." And the "Taverns" imply the use of certain inns or taverns, as they are called in the Roman tongue.

4. "I, men and brethren." Paul, knowing that it was altogether absurd to go to law, and especially before an unbeliever, so that he might not have his hearers prejudiced against him, undertakes to excuse himself regarding both these matters. For this reason, he says, "I desired to see you and speak to you," ^Dlest, forsooth, anyone could slander me. He explains the matter, therefore, as it stood, saying: "That I might escape the hands of my enemies," and that I might not accuse others, but that I might defend myself, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar. But even before Paul arrived in Rome, the Jews, not only those who dwelt in Rome, but also those who were dispersed everywhere throughout the earth, had been warned not to receive the preaching of the Gospel. And whence is this known? We find in the writings of the ancients that the priests and scribes and elders who dwelt in Jerusalem, having inscribed letters,

^A sent them unto all nations to the Jews everywhere, defaming the doctrine of Christ as being alien to God; and through these letters, they enjoined that it should not be accepted. And even the prophecy of Isaiah seems to signify this same thing, when it says: "Woe to the land, wings of ships beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, sending ambassadors by the sea, and papyrus letters upon the water." By this he signifies that, even beyond the region of the Ethiopians and unto the ends of the earth, the malignant report of those who inhabited Judaea, borne as if on winged ships, had arrived beforehand; and their "apostles," carrying with them papyrus letters, and sailing upon the waters and traversing the sea ^B, ran about throughout all parts of the earth, slandering the discourse concerning our Savior. Moreover, even to this day it is a custom among the Jews to call those "apostles" who carry about circular letters from their leaders.

"Well spake the Holy Spirit." To those who say that the Holy Spirit is a minister of the Father, Paul deals a deadly blow here. For the Lord, whom Isaiah saw sitting "upon a throne high and lifted up," the Holy Spirit here declares Him to be; for He is consubstantial with the Father and the Son, and partakes of the same power. And Paul prepares the saying so that it shows the prophet to have spoken this word about Jesus as if by divine power; seeing that the people heard the word of Jesus but did not understand, and, seeing the wonders wrought by Him, did not perceive them. For by referring that saying to the future time, he indicates that those things which are prophesied therein were ^C directed toward other times. Observe, however, the precision of the Holy Spirit's manner of speaking. For He did not say absolutely, "And ye shall not see," but: "Ye shall see and shall not perceive." And likewise He did not say, "Ye shall not hear," but: "Ye shall hear, and shall not understand." For they were the first to deprive themselves of this, by stopping their ears, closing their eyes, and making their hearts heavy. For they not only did not hear, but they heard with difficulty. And they did this, He says, "lest they should turn, and I should heal them." And by provoking them, He shows that if they would turn, He would heal them. ^D

[alt-version omitted]

MONITUM.

1061 EXPOSITIONIS IN ACTA TEXTUS TERTIUS. 1062

COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Luke, an Antiochene by birth and a physician by profession, wrote two books: one the Gospel, and the second this one, the Acts of the Apostles. His entire discourse, therefore, concerns the ascension of Christ into heaven after the resurrection, and the coming of the Spirit upon the apostles, and ^A how and where the disciples proclaimed the piety towards Christ, and how they worked miracles through prayer and faith in Christ, and concerning the call of Paul from heaven, and his mission and preaching; and, to speak succinctly, the many and great dangers they endured for the sake of Christ.

Why does he remind him of the Gospel? In order to manifest his own accuracy. For indeed, beginning that work, he says: “It seemed good to me also, having followed all things accurately from above, to write to you in order.” And he is not content with his own testimony alone, but he brings in the apostles, saying that he received it “as they handed it down to us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.” Therefore, having made the account credible there, he requires no further confirmation here, ^B once the disciple has been persuaded. “Of all that he began not simply concerning everyone, but from the beginning until the day he was taken up.” And yet John says that it was not possible to write everything; how then does he say it in this way? Rather, he did not say “everything,” as one might say, in a rough and coarse manner, but [he wrote] concerning all the matters that were vital and urgent—that is, having spoken divine words to them, and nothing human, or rather, since through the Spirit he commanded [them]. What did he command? “Going, make disciples of all the nations,” etc.

“He was taken up.” He did not say, “He ascended,” since he is still discoursing as if about a man. Did he even after the resurrection teach the disciples? But ^A no one has told us all things with precision. For he was not with them always as he was before the resurrection, but only at intervals of forty days. For he appeared and departed again, leading their thoughts upward, and no longer allowing them to be disposed towards him as before, but [causing] him to be considered greater than a man. But he did not appear to all, but to the apostles only, so that he might not seem a phantom to the many. For this reason he remained for forty days after the resurrection, providing a proof in that long duration of his own appearance, so that they might not think what was seen was a phantom; therefore he also ate with them. And what was he discussing? “Concerning the kingdom of God.” Because they had been pained and were troubled by what had already come to pass, and were about to go forth into great struggles, he comforted them with words about what was to come, living among them. And the apostles everywhere made this a great proof of the resurrection, saying: “We who ate and and drank with him.” As to the “how,” it is not ours to say. ^B First, he led them out into Galilee away from their fear, so that they might hear his words in safety, and then he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem before the Spirit who was to lead them arrived. By the command “not to depart,” he showed that they themselves were ready to desert, but by the promise he held them back; and the uncertainty of the time... he says. When he said: “And I will send another Comforter; and, if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come.” Why, when he was present, and when he had not yet departed, did He not immediately arrive? It was necessary for them to be in longing for the matter, and so to receive the grace. For this reason, when He departed, then the Other came. For if He had remained personally, they would not have been in such expectation; but having become in longing, they received Him gladly.

^A He shows then the mean between Him and John, no longer, as before, obscurely, when He said: "But the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." But how does He say, "You shall be baptized," when there was no water in the upper room? Because more authoritative is the Spirit, by whom also the water operates. When the disciples are about to ask something, they approach together, that they may move the majority to awe. For they knew what had been said by Him previously: "No one knows the day," when He was deferring them. What wonder then if He does not say the day of the end, seeing that He does not make clear this which is close at hand, and that they might be watchful?

Why did a cloud receive Him? And this is a proof that He went up into heaven; for this was the symbol of heaven, not fire, nor a chariot, as in the case of Elijah; for He precisely modeled them thus, so that they might not be terrified. Which also they said at the same time, and the words were those of flatterers.

"Then." When? When they heard; for they would not have endured it, had He not promised them another coming. And it seems to me that it was also a Sabbath; for He would not have so indicated the distance, saying "a Sabbath day’s journey," unless they were walking a defined length of travel on the day of the Sabbath, on the second day after the Feast. Perhaps he says seven stadia, because the Mount of Olives was that distance from the city of Jerusalem. So it is about a mile distant, which makes seven stadia, or rather, the distance was as far as it was permitted for a Jew to walk on a Sabbath, in order to converse, as it were, while moving about. So they were remaining in Jerusalem after the resurrection. The Sabbath day's journey was two thousand cubits; and the ark covered as much distance [in front of] the camp as this distance which the Jews walked on a Sabbath. ^B Origen in the fifth Stromata: "It was two thousand cubits, and rather the holy tabernacle and the ark took up this distance for the camp, and from such a distance it tented, which distance those who worshipped the holy tabernacle were permitted to walk on a Sabbath." He well mentioned the disciples. For since one betrayed and disbelieved, he shows that except for him, all were safe. They greatly feared the Jews. "With the women," he says. For he said that they followed Him, and Mary the mother of Jesus. How then does he say that "He took her to his own home" then? Again, having gathered them, thus she came down and with the brothers of Him. As fervent and as one entrusted with the flock of Christ, and as one more preferred, he always begins the discourse, making the fulfillment of what was spoken in David. For if God called them brothers, much more so this one, they being present. He calls him a lot every where, showing that it is wholly of the grace of God and of the election, and reminding them of the old things, that God allotted him, just as also the Levites; that the wages of the betrayal, this also became a herald of the punishment.

^D Well, not in the sin, but in the penalty he raised the argument. Judas did not die by the noose, but survived having been cast down before being strangled. And the Acts demonstrate this, that "becoming headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and his bowels gushed out." For indeed, his flesh was so swollen, that not even where a wagon easily passes, was it able to pass through. This is about the field and the house; that is to say, the beginning, the priesthood. So these things happen not by my own opinion, but by his who has spoken these things beforehand. For that he might not seem to rejoice at a great matter, and in this, such as Christ, he brought forward the prophet as a witness. See that also the disciples were called ministers and bishops.

Why is it shared? That the matter might not become something to be fought over, and they might fall into strife, but he entrusts the calling to the multitude. He did not say, "Of the other witnesses," but, "Of the resurrection; for this was what was being sought, the other things having been agreed upon." "You, not we." And opportunely they call Him heart-knower; for from these it was necessary to make the choice. He did not say, "Choose," but, "Show forth," knowing that all things have been predestined by God. As long then as the apostles were destitute of the Spirit, they were entrusting the matters to a lot; later, both to the multitude and to the [Spirit's] own grace.

That is to say, on that very Pentecost; for it was necessary for these things to happen at the feast, so that those present at the crucifixion of Christ might also see these things. Christ rising, destroyed the power of the demons; for this reason, until Pentecost we do not bow to the earth while praying against our enemies, chanting: "They themselves were tripped up and fell," and the rest. But the Spirit having appeared divinely, we bow the knee, not bearing the sight, and showing that through the Spirit we have learned the worship of the Trinity. "For God is Spirit, and those who worship Him," and the rest. ^C On the day of Pentecost, then, the law was given to Moses, and it was necessary that on the day on which the old law was given, on it also the grace of the Spirit should be given; so that both the authority of the Spirit and the undivided nature of the divine substance in the Old and New [Testaments] might be shown, bringing about the one symphony of the divine words. For just as the Savior, being about to perform the holy passion, did not endure to give Himself to the passion at any other time than the time when the lamb was being sacrificed.

Well, the "From heaven," since even then the first voice of God on the mountain came from heaven, and then He came to Mount Sinai, as Moses testifies saying: "From heaven His voice was heard, and He showed you His great fire." So also now, He first broke forth a voice, and then the fire appeared. Why? In order that, even the ancient vision might show the same God, who then and now has visited. Well, everywhere the "As," so that you may not think anything sensible regarding the Spirit, and

"As of a rushing wind," it was not, therefore, a wind. "As of fire." For when the Spirit needed to be made known to the Son, He came as in the form of a dove upon the head of Christ; but now, when an entire multitude needed to be converted, ^A it is "As of fire." The sitting ^B is indicative of stability. He remained; He rested. Did He then come upon the Twelve? No, but upon the hundred and twenty, for Peter would not have simply brought forward the testimony of the prophet, saying, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh," and the rest. Why did the apostles receive the gift of tongues before other gifts? Because they were about to go everywhere. And as at the time of the building of the tower the one language was divided into many, so then the many languages were often in one person; and he would converse in the tongue of the Persians, and of the Indians, and of the Romans, and in many other tongues; and the gift was called the gift of tongues.

Remaining was a sign of piety, having abandoned the fatherlands of so many nations and their own people, to dwell there. For because the event happened in a house, they naturally ran together from outside. "The multitude was confused, because of the fear, and that he might show that fear and the strangeness of the spectacle caused the confusion," he says: "They were confused by fear." Confusion, then, is that which creates a stoppage. When the fear of God confuses you, it leads to contrition. You were confused because of the consciousness of sins; you were established because of the hope of repentance. Neither is this feat ours, nor did the glory pass to our children, but to those whom it itself calls, and to those fathers. He says these things also concerning the future judgment, and concerning Jerusalem, and the captivity; that which was to come to pass at the cross of Christ. He calls the "day of the Lord" the day of the resurrection. Many have thought that He spoke of blood concerning the moon, and not concerning the side. Yet he speaks of "blood," which the Jews poured out and drew upon themselves, saying, "Why do you wish to bring the blood of this man upon us?" ^B Not simply. "For not everyone who says to Me 'Lord, Lord,'" but with disposition. He did not say, [Be persuaded], but, "Listen," which was not burdensome. And see how he says nothing of the lofty things, but begins from the very humble ones, and not even what one might say concerning a prophet, but he begins from the fatherland, "Jesus the Nazarene." Then, having placed their audacity in the midst, see how he tries to absolve them of the charge. "For even if it was preordained," he says, "the birth pangs of death, as the Old [Testament] says, and calamity." "Birth pangs"—He does not hold the thing held, but he suffers and hastens to cast it off. And well did he also foretell the solution of the birth pangs of death, the resurrection, as in the womb of one in labor, I mean the bonds of death, and the recesses of Hades, of Him who rose, ^C and of the Savior Christ, and of Him who came forth as if from the womb of the strangeness of the resurrection. For this reason He is also called "the firstborn from the dead"; and He thus rose, so as never again to die. For this is that which is meant, "It was not possible that He should be held," because the resurrection has not become common to the others. ^D That the Son is said to stand at the right hand of the Father, and sometimes the Son to be seated at the right hand of the Father, signifies to us nothing other than equality. He calls the Father His "Lord," but this is because He received the form of a servant. For this reason He rose on the third day, inasmuch as it was not possible for Him, being life by nature, to be held by the bonds of death. For it is not holy to say that the flesh united to the Word could be held, or that the divine soul—which tasted of the gates of Hades (for "It was not abandoned to Hades," as the divine Peter said; for He rose having despoiled Hades), and said to those in the bonds, "Come forth," and to those in darkness, "Be revealed"—could be held. These things the souls of the righteous, together with the Savior, performed, ascending from the regions below. Teaching that, having the countenance of humanity, as having become as we are, He releases words of things that are more fitting to us than to Him, insofar as He is understood as God, as if for Himself, and as the first to invoke upon us the state of heavenly goods. For He says that what is given to Him is given to the nature of man.

^A

How do you think it is? This won over the apostles; rather, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled here, which says: "Who has heard such a thing, and who has seen such? If a land has travailed in one day, if also a nation has been born at once, because it travailed and brought forth her children. But I have given... this expectation. Rejoice, Jerusalem, and hold a festival, all you who love her." And the prophet has taught—here experience shows it clearly.

Two virtues, both the persevering and the together, to the teaching, he says, of the apostles. For they again were teaching them, and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. All things were in common and with perseverance. For they did not despise them as if they were ordinary people, nor did they pay attention to things seen, but their mind was on fire. For since Peter was flowing forth in abundance, and was demonstrating the promises and the things to come, they were naturally beside themselves with fear, and the miracles bore witness to the things being said; just as in the case of Christ, first signs, then teaching, then miracles. ^B

They enjoyed the teaching. Notice how the Jews did nothing other than stay in the temple, as they had become more zealous, and had greater reverence for the place. For the apostles did not pull them away, so as not to cause harm. See how many things he bears witness to for them.

It seems to me he speaks of bread, and he indicates fasting here, and a hard life; for they were partaking of food, not luxury. Do you see that the words of Peter contained this discipline of life as well? For there cannot be rejoicing if there is no simplicity. Everywhere these men are seen having great harmony. Peter beckons to this one; they came to the tomb together; he says regarding him to Christ, "But what about this man?" He indeed overlooked other signs, while still writing his book. He mentions the sign from which he set everything in motion. The suffering was natural, superior to medical art. He had spent forty years in Galilee. The man was well-known both from the place and from the suffering. See how the apostles do not come to these things primarily; thus were they pure from ambition. ^C

Thus also Christ acted; He often healed by word, often by deed, often He even reached out His hand where they were weaker regarding the faith, so that it might not seem to happen by chance. "And taking him by the right hand, He raised him up." He did this to signify the resurrection; for this is an image of the resurrection.

But he also used leaping and jumping, perhaps testing himself that what had happened was not merely imaginary. Some say that he also did not know how to walk. Truly worthy of a miracle; they do not lead him, but he follows, showing his benefactors through his following. "And leaping," he says, "and praising God." Not admiring them, but God, the One Who worked through them. The man was grateful. He said rightly, "They recognized him," as though even [ignorant of how to walk]

while remaining until now from the event—for we use this expression for things barely recognized. He did not separate himself from them ^A out of his kindness and friendship toward them, perhaps thanking them and praising them. This portico stood from the construction of Solomon; for Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple, and Cyrus the Persian built it.

If this disturbs and troubles you, learn who did it, and do not be amazed: "For God raised Him from the dead." See everywhere, when he takes refuge in God, and says that everything happens by Him, then he rebukes fearlessly, just as he said above: "A man attested by God to you." And everywhere he reminds them of their daring deed, so that the resurrection might be confirmed. It is to be noted that even if one performs signs, one ought not to be puffed up. What are you saying, Peter? Is He whom you proclaim, Jesus, not the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob? And elsewhere: "I am the First, and beside Me there is no other." And to the Jews he said, "Before Abraham was, I am." How then do you say these things? What I mean is of this sort: He whom you crucified as an opponent and transgressor of the law, and as one acting against the polity of the law, is God and the Son of God, who gave the law and sent the prophets. For, he says, instead of Him you asked for another, even then, a robber. He revealed the matter very strongly; for because he had them under his hand, he strikes them severely. And again, so they might not say: "How does God now glorify Him who did not help Him then?" they bring forward the prophets as witnesses, that it had to be so.

Here he establishes the faith of the resurrection. "Whom God raised from the dead." Where [does this come] from? He no longer takes refuge in prophecy, but in Himself, since He was now worthy of credence. For at that time, having said that "He rose," he brought David as a witness; but now, the choir of the apostles. Since he attacked them severely, and showed Him risen, he relaxes again, giving them the authority of repentance, and he says: "I know that you did it in ignorance."

^B That through faith in Christ one is sanctified. It is necessary, therefore, that faith should concur on both sides, both of the one being sanctified and of the one praying above, as in the case of the paralytic and the woman with an issue of blood. Here he stirs up the discourse concerning the "economy." Some of the prophets preached the coming of the Lord and the sufferings which He was about to endure for the sake of humanity. Christ, having been crucified, fulfilled the prophecies concerning these things. Whence, if he says that the words of all the prophets had been fulfilled with the suffering of the Savior, we do not understand all the prophets absolutely, but all those who foretold the sufferings of Christ, until the times of restoration.

See how, advancing in an orderly way, in the first speech he hinted at the resurrection and the ascension into heaven, but here also [he hints at] the manifest presence. The words "until" and "as long as," in divine Scripture, are not indicative of time. The thought, therefore, proposed is thus: Many things, he says, the prophets spoke of as to happen, which have not yet all been fulfilled, but are still ^C coming to pass until the consummation of the world; He will come then with glory, as is befitting to God.

The phrase "as me" indicates the pattern of the legislation—what is truly fulfilled in Christ—and he did not say "any other prophet." For it is manifest that the law was given through Moses, which also, according to Deuteronomy, he expanded by divine inspiration, and harvested the glory of a lawgiver, prefiguring the true Lawgiver, Christ, who also spoke the law. For through Him, in many and various ways, as through His own Only-begotten, and subsistent, and consubstantial Son, God and Father has spoken to us. Since, then, Moses alone among the prophets was in the guise of a lawgiver, for this reason, also looking singularly toward Christ, he said, "The Lord will raise up a Prophet from your brothers, like me." For even as he introduced the legal polity, so also Christ introduced the evangelical [polity] according to the measure of the voluntary emptying.

Truly, the soul of man being immortal, it will not be utterly destroyed, but [it is destroyed] from some good thing where it was previously established. Thus also Judas was destroyed from the choir of the apostles. Since the soul is immortal, we understand its destruction to be the becoming outside of the good things which it was destined to receive, if it had lived in a manner befitting to God. "You are the sons of the prophets," so that I was speaking to you, and for your sake all things have happened. For since they thought that, because of their daring deed, they were alienated from God, and had no reason, [to see Him] now being crucified and now healing them as His own; he shows that it was also according to prophecy, and this was of the covenant which God established. "Of the covenant," he says, "you are sons," that is to say, heirs. So that they might not think they were receiving these things as a favor from Peter, he shows that it was owed to them from above, so that they might rather believe that this also seems good to God. What is the meaning of "sons"? That is, heirs. Why then are you disposed toward your own inheritance as though it were foreign? You have indeed done things worthy of accusation, but you will also be able to obtain forgiveness.

"To you first," he says, "God, having raised up His Servant, sent Him." Yes, even to others. But also to you first, to those who crucified Him. "Blessing you," he says, "in turning away from your wicked deeds." For so that they might not think [that] He Himself was granting these things, but not the Father, for this reason he says, "blessing you." For if He is your brother, and blesses you, the matter is a promise. In the case of Christ, they were seeking the one who would betray Him; here, however, they themselves lay on their hands, having become more audacious after the crucifixion. For sin, as long as it is being conceived, has a certain shame; but when it proceeds, it then makes those who commit it more shameless.

"And the captain of the temple," he says, so that they might again cast a public charge upon those spoken of, and not deal with it as a private matter, not only because they were teaching, but because they were saying not only that He had been raised, but also that we are raised through Him. They no longer bring them to Pilate, being ashamed and blus-

blushing at their former actions, lest they be accused on those counts. For this reason He foretold at the time of the five thousand: "Give ye them to eat," meaning, "You also shall satisfy the five thousand with faith after this." For the things of the Law were no longer being kept along with the other evils. And again, they cast the appearance of a court of law over the matter, so that they might be held accountable for an unjust judgment. And yet they knew; for they had seized them ^A while they were laboring. Why then do they question them? Expecting that they would deny it because of the multitude, and thinking that by this means they had succeeded. See, therefore, what they say: "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" — "This, which? Why do you not speak, but rather cast shadows? By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"

See the boldness of the man and his philosophy; he speaks nothing insulting, but attacks them with great respect. And from the very preface he confounded them and reminded them of what had happened before, that they were even judging them for acts of benevolence; as if he were saying, "We ought, rather, to be crowned, and to be proclaimed as benefactors for these things. But since we are being judged for the benevolence shown to a weak man, and not to one who is glorious or wealthy, the indictment is heavy." ^B It is laden with much [heaviness]. What especially grieved them—for this is what Christ said to them: "What ye have heard in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops." And that the Father is said to have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, with the matter manifestly being wrought concerning His flesh, no one would doubt; since He Himself, existing as the life-giving and operative power of the Father, was vivifying His own temple, according to what was said: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." So then, that which was being vivified was not something foreign, nor the body of one of the men among us, but the very own body of the Word Himself. He reminded them also of a word sufficient to cause fear: "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder," that is to say, because He is exceedingly proven. And when it was necessary to teach, see how they cite prophecies; but when it was necessary to speak with boldness, they merely declare: "Neither is there any other name," he says. And he did not say simply, "at all," but, "Neither is there salvation in any other." ^D For these were the only ones there then, and he saw them humble and restrained. And this, the great change, was most striking. For those were the people around Annas. Great is the boldness of the man, and he having not abandoned them even in that very court of law. For if they had said that it was not so, he would have accused them. See, being in a quandary, they once again working out everything with human fear. As in the case of Christ, he says, it is not possible to overturn what is happening and cast shadows, but while they were trying to prevent it, the things of faith were increasing all the more; so it happens now as well. Behold also the shamelessness of these men, and the philosophy of the Apostles.

1072 If we speak falsehoods, refute us; but if they are true, why do you hinder us? Such is philosophy; they in anxiety, these in joy. For He stopped their mouths with signs, and they were not able [f. they stood/endured] to finish their speech, but interrupted them in the midst as they were speaking, very insultingly. But let us see the things said from the beginning. In the first place, therefore, they were acting for the sake of human glory; but now another thing is presented, that they are not speaking to murderers, which is what they said afterwards: "Do you wish to bring this man’s blood upon us?" They are not recounting [these things] for the sake of ambition, but they were demonstrating proofs of the grace of God. For whatever they themselves said, these things they narrated; but their own [words] it is likely were passed over. "They came," he says, "unto their own." See them not casting themselves into temptations, but bearing those brought against them nobly. See how precise their prayers are; when they were deeming a man worthy to be revealed to the apostleship, they said thus: "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts"; for there was need of knowledge there; but here, since the opponents needed to be silenced, they discuss lordship; therefore they began thus. As if requiring a covenant from God, they bring the prophecy into the middle, at the same time consoling themselves that the enemies are meditating everything in vain. Bring those things to a perfection, that they have meditated on vain things. [OF CYRIL.] Herod and Pontius Pilate have come into a compact and friendship, not that they might bring any necessary things to an end, but so that, after having treated the Christ of the Lord—that is, of God and the Father—with insolence, they might perish miserably, and might be held liable for the God-slaughter. ^C For the plotting against Christ reaches back to the Father Himself. For if the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father, how was the injury against them not one and the same? Thus we also learn to pray. And yet, how would one not be filled with anger upon encountering men who are attempting to kill the God-man, and threatening such things? Would one not be filled with complete hatred? But not these holy ones. That they were heard, and of the visitation, this has become the proof. And why did it happen thus? Listen to the prophet: "He that looketh on the earth, and maketh it to tremble." For that He is present at their prayers, He revealed; and God was doing this both for greater fear, and to lead them into courage after those threats. For since it was the beginning, and they needed a sensible sign, in order for them to be believed. What is it, "They were filled"? That is to say, they were inflamed, and the gift was being rekindled [f. being kindled] for them. Do you see that along with the grace of God they also contributed their own [efforts]? For everywhere it is necessary to observe this. To me it seems that love brought in voluntary poverty; and this is the wonderful thing, that having removed the things from themselves,

they were nourishing others, so that it might no longer be as if from their own possessions, but as if from faith, and the resurrection was being preached. That is to say, they were nourishing them from common goods; and thus that which is said in Deuteronomy is fulfilled: “There shall not be in you ^A a needy person, because the Lord your God shall bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving to you.” Great is the honor! “At the feet,” he says, “of the apostles they would lay it,” neither daring to place it into their hands, nor were they providing it as if blinded; but they were carrying it to the feet, so that it might be spent as if from common remainder.

^B There was a double security, just as at the tomb were both the seal and the men. See how they were fighters against God; these things that are happening to Him are human. Tell me, who led them out when the doors were shut? Truly, [the minds] of those who are full of anger and drunk. Those whom neither the prison, nor the bonds, nor the shut doors held—they expected that they could prevail over these!

“It does not seem to me that this one is the same as the one after Matthias. For that one was called Justus. But the ‘son of consolation’ seems to me to have received this name from his virtue, as one who was capable and suitable before this. But observe everywhere how he demonstrates the law being dissolved, and how he was also a Cypriot, because they were already shifting and were termed Levites.

The terrible thing is that sin [happened] with consent, and no one else saw what was happening; whence did it come upon this wretched and miserable man to do this? It should be noted that even knowing about what was done by another, while maintaining silence, is sin. If Satan did this, why did he himself become the cause? Because he accepted his energy and was filled with it. “But he should have been corrected,” he says. But he would not have been corrected. For he who sees such things and does not gain profit, much less would he have gained profit by other means. It was not necessary, therefore, simply to let the event pass by, but to be extracted as if it were a gangrene, so that it might not corrupt the rest of the body. For was there any necessity or force? For were we dragging you against your will, “because you put it in your heart”?

O the madness! “For they were fearing,” he says, “the crowd.” For what does the crowd profit them? It was necessary to fear God, who always snatches them away like birds from their hands.

What are you doing, wishing “to bring upon us the blood of this man”? What are you saying? You are lashing, and you are being afraid? You are persecuting, and you are fearing? You are judging, and you are trembling? Thus weak is wickedness. It was necessary, therefore, to ask, “How did you get out?” But they, as if nothing had happened, ask, saying: “Did we not give you strict orders?” And for this was the whole matter, and all the rest was secondary work for them. Again they discuss with gentleness. And yet it was possible to say: Who are you that set yourselves in opposition to God? But in the order of the advice of the council, he answers with great gentleness. Great is the wisdom, and he shows them to be fighting against God. For what ^C you killed, he says, God raised. And to the Father they again ascribe everything, so that it might not seem to be alien to the Father. And he does not simply say the resurrection, but also the exaltation. See again the profit; see the teaching brought to completion in the order of a defense.

This is a greater sign than the lame man, both to kill and to know in the ministry the things that took place in secret. That one was punished, and others gained profit; not simply so, although signs had happened before, but such fear was not present. True is that saying: “The Lord is known by the judgments He executes.” But see, Peter himself did not exact the penalty, but waited so that he might enter, nor did any of the others dare to speak of what happened. This is the fear of a teacher, this is the honor of the disciples, this is obedience. “An interval of three hours,” and the wife did not learn; nor did any of those present speak of it, although it was enough to be noised abroad, but they were afraid. The evangelist, marveling at this now, was saying that “she entered not knowing.” Since he wished to save her (for he was the leader of the sin), for this reason he gives her an opportunity for defense and authority for repentance, saying: “Tell me.” First he instructs her by the sin, and then he shows that she will justly suffer the same things as the husband, since she also committed the same sin. After their fear became greater, both he and the others were performing signs.

No longer in a house, but having taken over the temple, they were spending their time there. No longer were they being guarded to avoid touching things unclean, but they were simply touching the dead. And see how they are intense with those who are their own people, but with those who are outsiders they do not use the power.

Observe how he no longer speaks of the number of those who believed; thus were the things of the faith increasing into a multitude.

Great is the boldness and the trustworthiness. Of what words? That he promised forgiveness, that he promised repentance. Now the resurrection was already acknowledged; but that he gives forgiveness, we are witnesses, and the Holy Spirit, which would not have come if sins had not been dissolved first; so that this is an irrefutable proof. And he did not say, which He gave to us, but, to those who obey, at once being modest, and at once showing it to be great, and declaring that it is possible for them also to receive it; and not simply, They were ^D pained, but, “They were cut to the quick.” This Gamaliel was the teacher of Paul; and it is worthy to marvel how, while having judgments according to mind, and being learned in the law, he does not yet believe. Since Paul had not yet believed. But it is not possible for him to remain disbelieving entirely; and this is clear from his words. And observe the prudence of the public discourse, how he immediately put them into fear, and so that he might not be suspected by them of thinking as they did, as if he were discussing with those of one mind, and he does not use much severity; but as if they were drunk from anger, thus he says: “Men of Israel,” he says, do not simply or as it happens carry yourselves. He brings them to their senses by examples, and besides saying the examples, “Pay attention to yourselves,” saying

^A that they should not neglect the preaching. And yet they themselves could have chosen, being moved by the Spirit, but they nevertheless desire a testimony from them too. The matter of determining the number and of ordaining, and in such a need, was his [the Apostle’s]; the choice of the men, however, they entrust to them, so that they might not seem to be showing favor to themselves. Again, both at the beginning and the end, they apologize. “We shall persevere,” he says. For so it had to be: not simply, nor as it happens, but to persevere.

Perhaps those men were also full of faith, so that the same things would not happen as in the case of Judas, and Ananias, and Sapphira. They set them apart from the multitude, and they themselves draw them forth, not the apostles. See how it is not superfluous. He does not say how, but what? They were ordained through prayer; the hand is laid upon the man, but God works all things. He did not say this simply, but he showed how great is the power of almsgiving and of order. They were not ordained simply, but he prayed over them, that they might be able to prevail. And see, of seven men, he manifested this. Such great sums of money were flowing, such a great multitude of widows.

See also among the seven how there was one who was chief, and held the first place; for even if the ordination was common, yet he dragged on more grace. See, before this he did not do so, but when he became manifest, that it might be shown that grace alone does not suffice, but there is need also of ordination. So there was an addition of the Spirit; for if they were full of the Spirit, obviously [it was] that from the laver. Again, he calls the provocation of their anger an insurrection. ^C Here is a great multitude, and see another form of the accusation. For since Gamaliel had forbidden them to complain anything against him, they introduce another accusation. The Libertines were perhaps the freedmen of the Romans. As, therefore, there were many foreigners there, so they also had synagogues, where it was necessary for the law to be read and prayers to be made. For they were gathering for this reason, that they might force him to say something. But he, more nakedly from then on, was discussing and was saying the ending of the divine law; which he was not saying, but he was pressing the point. And since he was saying it openly, he did not need the suborned men, nor the false witnesses. And in the case of the apostles, they were saying that they were preaching the resurrection; ^D here, however, that they were being healed. O the folly! "Jesus, he says, the Nazarene," and reproachfully, "will destroy this place." This they were saying about Christ. "He who destroys this temple." For there was great reverence among them for the temple, since they also desired to reside there, and about the name of Moses is a double accusation. If he will change the customs, and introduce others in their stead. Bitter is the accusation, and full of dangers, as if he were making it his own work. And with an addition, “Which Moses delivered to you,” he says, “no longer God.” As by a subversion of the polity and impiety they were accusing him.

This is that [a man] can shine even in a lesser rank. “I saw his face,” he says. For this was the grace, this was the glory of Moses. God made him full of grace, but this is nothing…

this is that which Moses had upon his face; that which he carried about upon his soul.

The questioning begins with gentleness: “Why do you harm your neighbor?” Therefore, he himself also begins with mildness, saying, “Men, brethren.” Observe the unfolding of this speech, and how, after they had always enjoyed much benevolence, they repaid their benefactor with the opposite. Observe how he leads these facts up from the earth. For if he had said that He would give, it would be manifest, and there is nothing from him. For he came having left behind both his kin and his fatherland. Why then did He not give? Because it was a type of another land. He did not give, and he promised. Again, He shows the power of God, to do all things out of impossible circumstances; he shows here the promise coming before the type, and before circumcision, and the sacrifice, ^B and the temple, and that they did not receive these things by merit, nor was the land a reward for anything but obedience alone. And not even after circumcision was given is the promise fulfilled. And because those things were types, and it was not contrary to the law for God to command him to leave his fatherland. That is fatherland where God may lead.

For this reason, he did not give, because He promised to give it to him as a possession. But being a sojourner and a stranger, expecting to depart after a little while, how could he possess it? The inheritance is preserved, therefore, for Abraham through his seed, which is Christ. Observe how many years before [this happened] was the promise, and nowhere was there circumcision, nor sacrifice. Here he shows how He allowed it to suffer ill, although He had nothing to reproach them with; but nevertheless they did not perform these things with impunity. Why then does the Apostle say four hundred? The things before the covenant which He made with Abraham, and the journey out of Egypt in the desert until the giving of the law. ^C

For what reason was it legislated for the fathers to be circumcised in uncircumcision? And some say: Because Abraham departed from the Chaldeans. It had been permitted to the Chaldeans according to the customs of their fathers, like the Medes and Persians, to mix with mothers and sisters. For this reason he circumcises the flesh, separating himself from the intimacy of the flesh, and renouncing the marriages of kinship. Others say: So that it might be manifest that Christ would be from them according to the flesh. For we know that the circumcision in the flesh which occurred in the old [covenant] typically held the image of the saving baptism; by the casting away of the foreskin, it signifies the renunciation of the birth according to the flesh, and makes those who are circumcised to be sons of God. ^D In the first place, then, Isaac is circumcised on the eighth day, where also the Jews [are], but Ishmael [was] being thirteen years old; for this reason those from him are circumcised in this way, as Josephus says. Pharaoh rejoiced, and his court, since Joseph was descended from a free race. It is to be noted that they were buried at Shechem, those around Abraham and the patriarchs, which was perhaps called Sikima; for Abraham bought it from Emir, so that he might bury Sarah there.

1078 Observe, then, that it does not increase in the four hundred years, but [it shows] that the end was about to draw near, although four hundred years had already passed, and more, in Egypt. But this is the miracle: they deliberated how to overcome them with crafty devices. For sophism is a forced interpretation; therefore the emphasis here says, to set upon them violently; whence he also calls the magicians “tricksters,” as those who hide the truth through deceit and sophistry. This is marvelous, that the protector who was about to be [delivered] is brought forth not after these things, nor before this, but in the midst of this very wrath, and was raised for three months in his father’s house. But when human hopes were despaired of and had collapsed, then the benevolence of God was shown shining forth. And Moses was saved through symbols of the common salvation, that from the Lord. For the ark was of wood, and the wood was from the water, and it was salvation to the one who had been forbidden; and the one who took him up was not a Judean, but from the nations, and an Egyptian. “Comely,” or well-pleasing to God, instead of God-beloved. Nowhere a temple, nowhere a sacrifice, though so many dispensations occurred, and he was raised in a barbarian house. From what is set before us it is manifest that the instruction of those outside the scriptures is not to be rejected. For it is said in the manner of an encomium, both concerning Daniel and the Hebrews with him, that they excelled all in the philosophy of the Chaldeans. Observe, therefore, both instruction and letters. And he was there for forty years, and he was not corrupted by the circumcision. While these things are being said, observe how one must approach other rational things; for one must for a little while again attend to them, while remaining in the divinely-inspired Scripture. For, “Be not much [involved] with a strange woman,” was said not concerning a woman living with a husband, but for the sake of such wisdom; for to approach a strange woman, not even to be with her, is harmless. Neither Moses, nor those around Ananias and Daniel, learned the foreign instruction, except by the necessity and force of masters. For they did not use it in anything; unless one might say that it is good to learn [it] in order to overturn the deceits of those people. Moses killed, not yielding to temper, nor moved by anger, but by zeal. And everything that is done for the sake of God is piety, even if it be killing, as also in the case of Phinehas.

He no longer excited the zeal, but he was admonishing; and the divine Moses was indeed accused of having killed the Egyptian, although he was oppressing and pressing down. But burying him, as if into an abyss, Christ [buries] evil demons, and moves them away from the tyranny against us—even if they are not willing—through those who possess them sending them forth. Moses has therefore moved from the land of the Egyptians to Midian; and in equal manner also Christ from Judea to Galilee. But neither did his flight extinguish the economy, just as death did not. Do you see that it is not interrupted by time? When he was a fugitive and a stranger, then the angel appears to him. He calls the Son of God an “angel,” just as also [he calls him] man, in the wilderness, not in a temple. Observe how miracles come to be, and nowhere are there temples, or sacrifice, not even in the desert itself, but in the bush. Behold, he was also granted a voice.

^A And he shows that He is the God of Abraham. Through Him the signs were performed; nor did the angel of great counsel profit them after this, and he shows how great is the philanthropy which God exercises. Even if in Exodus it is written that he was "trembling," this does not differ from that "fearful" state. These things are said concerning the vision at the bush, with the same distinction remaining between the fearful and the trembling.

The item is a sign of death and corruption, if indeed the sandal is a remnant of a dead and already rotting creature. Therefore, Christ is inaccessible to those under the Law and under pedagogical worship. For it is necessary that the defilement be washed away and the filth from sin be rubbed off. For it is truly necessary for the mind, attempting to ascend to divine contemplations, to loosen, as it were, certain sandals, being free of every dead and carnal fantasy. Nowhere is there a temple, and the place is holy by the epiphany of God. This is far more marvelous than the place in the Holy of Holies. Why did He allow them to be maltreated there? Inasmuch as for every just person, afflictions become causes for rewards. But if the affliction is great for great men, it is much more so for us. ^B For God and Father long ago foretold the incarnation of His own offspring, and that He would be revealed as a second lawgiver to us, He who had spoken long ago to the ancients through angels, giving the Law, but at the end of the ages having been revealed as the worker for us, and the angel of the new covenant. Again, nowhere is there a temple, nowhere a sacrifice. He shows that He not only performed signs, but also gave a law. Just as Christ first performs signs, and then gives the law, so also He did the same. What is, "living utterances," the end of which was shown through the Word? That is, he means the prophecies. What are you saying? You do not await the one who brings you out, but you flee the legislation and deny the benefactor? See how they insult: "For Moses," he says, "who brought us out of the land of Egypt." Nowhere is the name of God, but they attributed everything to Moses. And where they ought to have given thanks, they bring Moses into the middle; but where they ought to have been persuaded by the Law, they do not bring Moses. "Make us gods." They did not say, God; for they still adhered to the customs of the Egyptians. And yet, this is worthy of wonder, that they did not know what was marvelous, that you, who do not recognize Christ, where they did not recognize even Moses and ^C God, who was shown through so many signs, not only did they not know Him, but they insulted Him in another way by making idols. And if they did it, how are these things that happened [divine]?

Thenceforth, therefore, these customs and sacrifices began. They were the first to perform sacrifice to idols; for it is signaled, "They made a calf in Horeb, and offered sacrifice to the idol," since before this there was nowhere any mention of sacrifice, but commands and "living utterances." That "He handed them over," here, means He allowed, and the captivity is an accusation of their wickedness. There was a tabernacle of witness, and yet it did not profit them, but they were consumed, nor before this— ^D 1. "Which our fathers, having received, brought in," he says. You see that the holy place is where God is? For this reason, he said, "in the desert," so that he might compare the place. He used the word emphatically. You cannot say, he says, that you sacrificed to me, and you were sacrificing to those [idols], and this in the desert, where he stood foremost over them. Since the prophet Amos said, "I will deport them beyond Damascus," the holy Stephen, having set the application here, said, "I will deport you beyond Babylon," following the exposition of the Hebrews, or because the end of the land of the Damascenes and the Syrians is Babylon. The Seventy, however, have found "beyond Damascus." And when there was a tabernacle, there were no sacrifices; for this reason it was [so] that they might have God as a witness, that was all.

Moloch was an idol worshiped among them, and they called the tabernacle of the idol a temple, and they concerned themselves with the worship of a star, having attached to it the designation of their own God. For they say that the Morning Star is so called in the Hebrew language. And "types" are the images which, he says, they fashioned with their own hands. "In addition to the calf, you also took up the tabernacle of Moloch," for having made a tent, they set up an idol, and they called it Moloch. This is an idol of the Moabites, having a transparent stone and an exceptional one on the tips of its forehead in the shape of the Morning Star; and Moloch is interpreted as their king. It was, however, a crafted image of the Morning Star. "Take up, therefore, the tabernacle of Moloch," that is, of your king. And who was this king? The star of your god Repphan [vulg. Remphan], which is interpreted as darkness.

So that in the mountain there was an inscription, and it was itself portable in the desert, and not situated in one place, and he calls it the tabernacle of witness, that is, of the offerings, of the commands. David sought to find grace, and the marvelous, the great one, did not build [it], but the rejected one, Solomon. Thus, the temple was no great thing.

For he says, "Neither will he grant me rest, until I learn the place of the Lord and the tabernacle," that is, the dwelling of the God of Jacob; and it is clear that this is Christ. In the four hundred and fortieth year of the exodus of the sons of Israel from Egypt, Solomon began to build the temple in Jerusalem, as the third book of Kings teaches us. For this reason, the temple was built long after the return of Israel from Egypt, so that, having grown weary with the wandering in the mountains, they might love the one place in Jerusalem, which God made honorable. This was shown through what has already been said, and it is shown also through the prophetic voice: "What house will you build for me? says the Lord." But these things are not worthy of God, if indeed they are created things. Observe how he leads these [arguments] little by little, that

they are somewhat slow in understanding and unskilled in the things concerning God. Those who, even because of what was said by David, "Glorious things were spoken of you, O city of God," supposed that God dwelt in it alone. God therefore rebukes those who have such small notions, and says: "What house will you build for me, having heaven as a throne and the earth as a footstool?" For it was necessary for those who supposed His nature to be restricted to places to demonstrate clearly that He is everywhere, and that nothing contains Him, but rather He Himself comes through all things. ^B Here, then, he has used the argument accusingly. There was much boldness, as he was about to die, and indeed I believe he also knew this: "When He did not want sacrifice, you were sacrificing; when He did not want to give you commands, you snatched them; when you received, you neglected; when the temple stood, you worshipped idols; when He wishes to be worshipped without a temple, you do the opposite." He did not say, "You resist God," but "the Spirit," so that there would not even be a single difference. When he says, "of the just one," he is wishing to curb them, that is, those to whom the law was given, having ordinances which made their polity angelic, for those who performed it.

Is the sin not standing imputed to them? If they repented, it was forgiven. A great achievement is again shown to our souls through our Savior Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. For since we have been justified by faith in Him, and human nature has been found to be enriched within Him without fault, He has renewed for us that human souls no longer run to Hades, stripped as they were before; but rather they are sent into the hands of the living God. And knowing this, the holy Stephen said, "Lord, receive my spirit." ^B This was a dispensation, so that they might no longer remain in Jerusalem, but the hearers mix freely with Samaria: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles." "Except the apostles," he says. And by this they wished to bring the Jews on, but not to abandon the city, and to become a cause of boldness to others. See how he gives an account accurately regarding Paul, so that he may show you the divine energy, so that later, not only did he not believe, but he even beat him with myriads of hands. And see how God again allows temptations to happen, so that you may not say, after these things, that it was by grace alone that they achieved it. If they were pious, why did they perform lamentation? They were not yet perfect. The man was graceful, and this shows that they were human, not only due to fear, but also sadness and lamentation.

Some say that the one ordained by angels through an angel to Moses, who appeared to him in the bush, "Those who proclaimed him." Much rather Him. The Son of man is He who is at the right hand of God. And if you think that what is said is an exaggeration, Stephen, who was filled with the Spirit, answers you, that he saw the Son of man standing at the right hand of God with much glory. Therefore, that ^C he was "standing" and not sitting, is to show the support toward the martyr. For it is also said concerning the Father: "Arise, O God," and again, "Now I will arise, says the Lord." Therefore, in order to provide encouragement to the athlete, and to persuade those who were raging to abate their fury against him, the form of one coming to help is shown. For that He was not [remaining] standing, hear Paul saying: "He raised us up and made us sit with him in the heavenly places at his right hand." What they did in the case of Christ, they did here as well. Just as He said, "You shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of God," and those who called the matter blasphemy tore their garments, so also here, "they stopped up their ears." For since he spoke about death, and nothing was discussed concerning the resurrection; and he even wished to add this doctrine, so that even in this way the Jews might accept it. Since sitting appeared burdensome to them, they stopped up their ears.

Again "outside the city," just as in the case of Christ; and in his very death, the confession and the preaching. This was demonstrating that he is not perishing, and was teaching them. And this blessed man does not pray simply, but with attentiveness, "having placed his knees." He sees a divine death for himself, up to ^D which he permitted his soul to be ^C indeed, but forgiven? If they repented, it was forgiven. ^D Much is the madness, the fact that he was the only one, the fact that he was entering into the houses; for he became more bold from this slaughter. The persecution, he says, strengthened and scattered the teachers, so that the discipleship became greater. It was not the apostle Philip, who was numbered among the twelve, but one of the seven who were appointed for the administration of the widows, who also baptized the eunuch. And how did he also [baptize] Simon? Just as Christ also chose Judas. After Stephen was killed, "a great persecution arose against the Church, and all were scattered throughout the regions, except for the twelve apostles." Likewise this man, who was one of the seven deacons, and having baptized the eunuch, was found at Azotus. And he hastened to Caesarea, which brought him. For having experienced the grief over Stephen, and perhaps fearing that he might share in similar things, he returned home.

For this is a clear sign, not as the magicians were doing; for perhaps those men bind. How did they not destroy him, just as Ananias and Sapphira? Because also of old, the one who gathered the wood was killed for the instruction of others, and no one else suffered the same thing. So also now. See also the other temptation of Simon: "Saying that he was someone," he says, "himself." This Simon flattered the apostles, and he himself also, like the others, was baptized by Philip. But all of them, without him, received the presence of the great apostles, and through their the laying on of hands received the Holy Spirit. Since the apostle ^D Philip, being a deacon, did not have the authority of the [laying on of hands]

^A of giving the Holy Spirit through it, this man Philip among the Twelve [is not that person]. For indeed, after the removal of Stephen, the others were scattered, except for the apostles.

And the word of Christ was being fulfilled, that, "Woe, there shall come false-Christs and false-apostles in my name." They had received the Spirit of remission, but not yet that of signs.

It should be noted that one must not approach magi; but if someone has been deceived and has approached them, let him withdraw quickly. For persistence in evils leads to a state of mental derangement, so that one does not understand what is happening. For the participation of the Holy Spirit is given not for money, nor to hypocrites, but to the holy through faith.

Why was it that these had not received the Holy Spirit? Either because Philip was honoring the apostles, or because he did not have such a gift; for he was one of the seven. But observe that they did not go forth; it was providentially ordered for them to go out, and for the others in a different way, because of the Holy Spirit. For they had received powers to perform signs, but not to give the Spirit to others; this was the prerogative of the twelve apostles. And observe the chief ones; they do not send others, but Peter. He would not have seen [it] if something sensible had not occurred, just as Paul also acted, for they spoke in tongues. Why did Simon offer money? Although he did not see them doing this for the sake of money, the matter was not one of ignorance, but of him testing them and wishing to cast blame upon them. For this reason he says, "You have neither part nor lot in this word." Inasmuch as he was not using it for the necessary purpose, he was no longer treating these things as a supplicant, but as an instructor. "To you," he says, "to such a one as you"; as if one were to say, "May it perish with your intention." He was securing the ecclesiastical ordinations, having the testimony of right faith and a solemn life. For the evils at Jeroboam’s time were haunting them, so that it might not become a practice and custom for the ungodly. Since he thought he was escaping notice. Do you see how everything is done out of wickedness? It is shown that repentance is sufficient to conquer every sin, because of God who rejoices in repentance. But the word "surely," being added, teaches that the matter of repentance becomes difficult for those who sin against the divine itself, in which Simon also sinned, having deemed the Holy Spirit not obedient to the operations. ^B Great is his anger in these words. Otherwise, he did not punish him so that faith might not be of necessity henceforth, so that the matter might not appear cruel, and so that he might also introduce the things of repentance. It is enough for correction to expose what is in the heart, for him to confess that he was caught, and this is clear from his saying, "Pray you."

Perhaps [it was] because of Simon, so that they might not be deceived, and so that they might henceforth be secure. Why does he again go away to where the tyranny was? Just as generals do in wars, they occupy the struggling part of the war. It seems to me that this man was one of the seven; for he would not have gone from Jerusalem towards the south, but towards the north—but from Samaria towards the south. "This is," he says, "a desert." So that one might not need to fear the rule of the Jews. And why did he not ask "why"? But instead, "Having arisen he went." See the angels supporting the preaching, themselves not preaching. Why does the angel not appear to the eunuch, and lead him to Philip? Because perhaps he would not have been persuaded, but would have been even more astonished.

Great are the praises of this man, if he remained in Ethiopia, and was surrounded by such affairs, and with no feast occurring, and while being in a superstitious city, he was coming to worship in Jerusalem; and there was much zeal, because sitting on a chariot he was reading. And look at in what time, in the most grievous storm. Here the prophecy has been fulfilled which says, "Ethiopia shall outstretch her hand to God." And this [is proof] of his philosophy, and [that he had] this prophet in his hands, being higher than the others. Observe also again his reverence; he was reading without knowing, and then after he had read, he inquires. That this one is Jesus, and that the Scripture is fulfilled in him, as the eunuch himself, being persuaded, and immediately requesting to be baptized, said: "I believe Jesus to be the Son of God." Who was also sent to the branches of Ethiopia preaching God, the one preached by the prophets, as one, and of Him, His coming according to man, which had already come to pass. "And as a sheep he was led to the slaughter," and the rest of what the prophets say about him.

BY CHRYSOSTOM

BY THEOPHYLACTUS

BY CHRYSOSTOM

were well-prepared; for the prophet also had everything—the incarnation, the passion, the ascension, the resurrection, and the judgment to come. But if he shows great desire, do not be amazed. Why did he snatch him away? The event was shown to be more wondrous, and at that time he did not know it. Thus, it came to pass that he was amazed by him later on. "For he was going," he says, "on his way rejoicing," so that the divine event might be shown, so that he might not think that he is merely a man; therefore, the Spirit snatched him away beneficially. For if the eunuch had also desired to go along with him, he might have been distressed had he refused, being that the time was at hand. Philip also gained a great thing, which he heard concerning the prophets, concerning Ezekiel, concerning Habakkuk and the others, having seen it come to pass for himself. From there it is shown that he had traveled a long road, if indeed he was found in Azotus; ^B he stood him there, where it was also necessary to preach the gospel. Appropriately he spoke of the zeal of Paul, and he shows that he is being drawn while in the midst of his zeal, and not yet satisfied by the murder of Stephen. Behold, that which was said by Christ was being fulfilled, that "Those who kill you will think they offer a service to God." Why was he traveling to Damascus? It was a great and royal city, and he was afraid lest it also be seized beforehand. And see the desire and the intensity: he does not approach a ruler, but the priest; for thus were the believers called, perhaps because they were cutting the road that leads to heaven. Why not in Damascus, or in Jerusalem? So that it might not be permitted to others to narrate it, but this man, who was making the journey for this reason, was a credible narrator. This, therefore, he also says in his apology to Agrippa. For the intensity of the light strikes from without; for the eyes have their limits. And it is said that an intensity of voice can also make men deaf and struck down. But Christ blinded him alone, and extinguished his anger with fear, so that he might listen to the things being said. He says nothing to him; he does not say, "Believe," or anything of the sort, but he reproaches him, as if saying: "Having been wronged in what small or great way by me do you do these things?" See how he did not immediately promise everything, but softens his mind beforehand. Thus he also called the disciples a second time. He gives him good hopes, and that he will regain his sight. ^C And also there is a witness in the canons that Ananias was a deacon, and Paul was in the canons. This, however, happened because of the scarcity of presbyters due to the persecution that had occurred. He will not only be faithful, he says, but also a teacher, and he will use much boldness. He is justly called "a vessel," with the Word showing that wickedness is not natural. "A vessel," he says, "of election"—for we choose that which is approved. And let no one think that he says these things disbelieving what is said, nor thinking that Christ had been deceived—far be it!—but because he was afraid and trembling. God, who treads within the hearts, bore witness to these things while grace was not yet present; and let us not deceive ourselves by saying that it is impossible for anyone to happen like Paul. Immediately he associates him with the name: "Jesus," he says, "who appeared to you" (and yet Christ did not say this to him, but he learned it from the Spirit, so that he might regain his sight, he says. He did not say, "He who blinded you," but, "He who appeared to you"). See that this one also is not arrogant; but just as Peter was saying concerning the lame man, "Why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power we have performed this?" so also this man, with hands being laid on him, was uttering these things. And yet he had not appeared. But he was revealed through the deeds. It seems to me that both this man and Cornelius, while these words were being said, shared in the Spirit. See, and he had been weakened from the journey, from the fear, from the famine. And so that he might not think the blinding was a phantasy, for this reason scales fell [from his eyes]. And wishing to increase the despondency, he blinded the man before he came. Why does it say, "Having taken food he was strengthened"? Because such men become exhausted. He did not endure to share in food beforehand, until he received the great gifts. But he does not say, "Jesus the crucified, the Son of God," but, "He who appeared to you," from those things familiar to him, since Christ also added nothing more. And he did not say, "The crucified, the one who was persecuted," so that he might not seem to mock him. See, he was immediately a teacher in the synagogues. He was not ashamed of the reversal, he did not fear those in whose midst he was before, clearly putting an end to these things, not that he rose again, not that he lives. But what? Immediately he set forth the doctrine accurately: "That this is the Son of God." Why did he draw or shift no one of the credible and great ones to the possession of Paul? ^D And it is more wondrous that he saw that he had come for this. Because he was not going to be led by men, but by Christ himself. Since this one also taught him nothing, but only baptized him; for having been enlightened, he was soon to draw much grace of the Spirit from his zeal and much readiness; for that he was not of the highly distinguished is clear. He did not say to him: "Discuss, and catechize him." For if, having said that he prays and has seen, that a man is laying hands upon him, he did not persuade them, much more if he said this. So, he says, he will not disbelieve you. Whence is this clear? It was likely that they, being in fear, were investigating. He does not say this as if Christ did not know these things, but given these circumstances, how can these be? And we do not have it to say that he had met with the apostles before. Being skillful in the law, he was stopping their mouths, and he did not permit them to speak. They thought they had been rid of the discussion in such matters by having gotten rid of Stephen, and they found another more vehement. That is to say, teaching with gentleness. And see, they were not saying to him: "Are you the one who was ravaging, why have you changed?" For they were ashamed; but they were saying it to themselves. In the case of Stephen, they were seeking accusers and slanderers, but in the case of Paul they move away, because they saw the preaching being intensified. See him, not saved by grace, but by human wisdom, so that you might learn that the virtue of the man shone without a sign. But if he also desired his departure from hence, yet nevertheless he also longs for the salvation of men.

^A Since he frequently contrived such things, guarding himself for the preaching; and he did not even refuse to employ human methods, when the time demanded it. [THEODORE.] It was necessary for him to be tested for a time by sufferings, and to be beaten as if in a smithy by the first assaults, so that he might fulfill the testimony of Christ concerning himself: "For he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name."

How, in the [epistle] to the Galatians, does he say that he did not go up to Jerusalem, but to Arabia, and [then] to Damascus, and after three years to Jerusalem, and that he saw none of the apostles? But here he says the contrary: that Barnabas brought him to the apostles. Either he says this—that he did not go up, so as to refer the matter to them. For what does he say? "I conferred not," nor did I go up to Jerusalem. Or if not this, it is clear that the plot in Damascus took place after his coming from Arabia, after the three years. Or if not this again, [it was] the ascent after his coming from Arabia; he himself, at any rate, did not go to the apostles, but tried to attach himself to the disciples, being as he was both a teacher and a student. For this reason, he says, they went up, that I might go to the apostles who were before me; at any rate, I learned nothing from them. Or interpret this ascent in this way: He went to Arabia, then to Damascus, then to Jerusalem, then to Syria. Or, if not this again, that he again went up to Jerusalem, then was sent to Damascus, then to Arabia, then to Damascus again, then to Caesarea, and then, after fourteen years, went up again to Jerusalem, perhaps when he brought the brothers with Barnabas. Or if not this, he speaks of a different time; for the historian often abbreviates the time, and brings many things together.

Barnabas was a gentle man, and see him not going to the apostles because of his moderation, but to the disciples, since, being a disciple [himself], he was not considered trustworthy. He is called the son of consolation, whence he also became accessible to the man, whence he also was not afraid. For the man was energetic, and it was likely that he had heard the things concerning him even in Damascus. The disciples, then, were afraid, but the apostles did not believe him. For this reason, he removes their fear from thence: "He disputed, he says, with the Hellenists," [that is, those] speaking in the Greek tongue. And this was very wise; for those others, the profound Hebrews, did not even want to see him.

This is the evidence of a more intense and overwhelming victory, and that they were greatly aggrieved by what had happened. Fearing, therefore, lest the same thing might happen as in the case of Stephen, they sent him to Caesarea and to Tarsus, both to preach and to be in greater safety, as in his own fatherland. That is to say, he caused peace to increase among them—this truly [is] peace—for the war from without would not have harmed them. The Spirit also exhorted them both through signs and through works, and without these, [Spirit exhorted] each one individually.

Just as some general would go around the ranks ^B of trained men, [judging] which of them needs their presence. See him everywhere running first, and when there was danger, he is the one; but when it was a matter of management and the affairs were full of calm, they were all together; and when he is about to perform wonders, he himself rushes forward.

Why did he not wait for the faith of the man, nor ask if he wished to be healed? Because the miracle was performed for the consolation of many. And hear how great the gain was: "And all who dwelt [there] saw and believed." For the man was notable, and the sign provides proof. For they did not only relieve [them] of diseases, but also provided health and strength, and had not yet provided proofs of their own power. And Christ, beginning the signs, did not require faith; likewise, neither did these. For in Jerusalem, indeed, their faith preceded, so that when Peter came, even his shadow [was sufficient]; here, however, this happens first. For some of the signs were done for the sake of drawing others in, and others also for the consolation of those who believe.

^C He shows that she was well-named, being thus wakeful and sober just like Dorcas. For many names are given by divine management, as we have often said. She was full not only of alms, but also of good works. She did not die simply, but having fallen into sickness. And they washed and laid her, so that the miracle might not be doubted. Why did they wait for her to die? And why was Peter not troubled before this? They considered it unworthy for the disciples to disturb them further, philosophizing about such things, and to distract [Peter] from his preaching; since even for this reason he says that he was near. Perhaps this was requested as a secondary matter; but primarily, not anymore—for she was a disciple. They do not plea, but entrust to him that he might grant her salvation. See how great the exhortation to alms becomes. Why does he cast everyone out? So that they might not be confused by the tears, nor be disturbed. They did not do all the signs with the same ease. But this benefited them; for they were not only concerned for the salvation of others, but also for their own. For he who heals so abundantly by a shadow, how does he do such things now? And it is [the case] where the faith of those who approached ^D contributed. He raises this dead woman first. See the prescribed prayer; see the life being introduced piece by piece, then the power; the one through the word, the other through the hand. And just as from sleep he awakens her: first she opened her eyes, then she sat up from the sight, then she received strength from the hand. See the fruit, not being for display; for this reason he casts everyone out, imitating the teacher even in this. It is to be noted that signs were performed by divine management not only for the unbelievers, but also for the holy ones, so that others also might believe. For behold, after this sign, many again believed, so that the signs were again for the unbelievers; and they did not believe otherwise, [even] the holy ones [believing] without the sign, because he is powerful.

^A Peter to raise up the dead without delay: for how [could he have] the symbols of [his] station? Perhaps as he was lying on his knees? Or did they send for him? Behold the lack of pride in Peter, how he does not remain among these [people of rank], nor with any other of the notable men, but with a tanner, leading us through all [these things] to humility, neither allowing the lowly to be ashamed nor the great to be puffed up. For those who had believed because of the signs were in need of his teaching.

This is not a Jew, or one under the Law, but he had already adopted our way of life. Behold two who believed while in positions of authority, the eunuch and this man; and see the great diligence that was shown on their behalf, and do not think it was because of their rank, but because of their reverence. For it is for this reason that he also sets the ranks, so that the reverence might be shown to be greater. This is a great thing: to give alms and [to offer] prayers. And for this reason he makes the man known, so that no one might say that the history of the Scriptures is lying. “From the cohort,” he says: for a cohort is what is called a number.

Why does he see the angel? For the assurance of Peter; or rather, not of him, but of the others who were weaker. At the ninth hour, when he was released from cares, and was in quiet and contrition. In order that they might not come to another, he indicates the man not only by the name, but also by the place. See how the apostles sought out the secluded parts of the cities, and were lovers of solitude and quiet! What then if it happened to be another [place]? Behold, there is another sign, [the fact of] dwelling by the sea; and he did not say why, so as not to compel him, but left him in desire and longing to hear. ^B Do you see? He does not say these things simply, that those who were persevering with him were of such a sort. But see also the lack of pride. “And he desired to taste.” For he did not say, “Call Peter to me,” but he explained everything so as to persuade [them]; and this is done out of economy; for he did not think it right to summon him using [the power of] his rank. See how the Spirit brings the times together, and does not cause it to happen either sooner or later. That is to say, privately and in quiet; as in the upper room.

What is “an ecstasy”? A certain spiritual vision occurred to him, and his soul, as one might say, departed from the body. Ecstasy also signifies amazement at a wonder, and becoming outside of the sensible realm, being led toward spiritual realities. The man was a symbol of the entire world, he was of the highest rank. For he had nothing in common with the Jews. They were all about to accuse him as a transgressor. See then what is provided for in this, and he himself says, “I have never eaten,” not fearing them—far be it!—but it is ordered by the Spirit, so that he might have a defense toward those who were accusing him, [the fact] that he even spoke against it; for it was very necessary for them to keep the Law. He was being sent to the Gentiles, so that they might not accuse him. See how many things come to pass. For so that it might not seem to be a fantasy, “I said,” he says, “By no means, Lord.”

The four beginnings signify the four elements; and the vessel that appeared signifies the grosser world, and the various animals signify the classification of men's [natures]. It seems to me that this is also a proclamation, that it was a divine thing that was happening then to see from above, and to happen while in an ecstasy, and for a voice to be carried from there, and for him to confess three times that they are unclean, and to come from there, and to be drawn up there. A great demonstration of purity. And why does this happen? For the sake of those who come after, to whom he is about to explain; since he himself heard: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles.” For if even Paul had need of circumcision and sacrifice, much more [was this so] then, at the beginning of the preaching, when they were weaker. It seems the voice is spoken to him, but the whole thing is spoken for the Jews. For if the teacher is corrected, much more so are these. The sheet, then, is the earth; and the beasts in it are those from the Gentiles; and this third thing that happens is baptism. Great is the authority of the Spirit; for what God does, this is said to be the Holy Spirit doing. For the angel does not operate in this way, but first by saying, “Your prayers and your alms,” to show that he was sent from there. But the Spirit [does] not so, but “because I have sent them.”

He saw a soldier, he saw a man, he was not afraid any longer; but having first confessed who he himself was, and having asked, then he inquires the cause; as if wishing to hide himself, so that if he were pressed immediately, he might also walk out with him; but if not, so that he might lodge them in his house. They speak the praises, so as to persuade [them] that an angel had appeared to him. See whence the beginning of the Gentiles comes, from a man of reverence who was shown to be [worthy] by his works. ^C Do not show disdain; he did not send as if disdainful, but he was so commanded. With boldness, then, he remains with them, and the others went with him. It is well, then, that he first shows kindness to the men, as they were in toil, and he draws them to himself. And some come with him; and this [is] also done out of economy, so as to be witnesses afterward, when it is necessary for Peter to make a defense. The man was of high standing, and being in a prominent city; because of this everything [happens thus], and the matter takes its beginning from Judea. He did not appear in a dream, but to one awake, in the day about the ninth hour. Thus he attended to him; and this is of a friend, to make one’s necessary friends partakers in good things. [By this] he also instructs the others, and gives thanks to God, and shows forth his own humility. See how he instructs them in this before the others, [saying] to imagine nothing great about themselves; and he speaks about the philanthropy of God, and shows how greatly God bestowed grace upon them. And see how, at once, he speaks great things and acts with moderation. For he did not say, “Men, we have come to you, not deeming it worthy to associate with anyone”; but what? “You know,” [that] God ordered this, [that it is] unlawful to associate with or approach one of another race. It should be noted that God himself permitted [it] to the Christian people, that no man is common, or...

unclean, to be spoken of; ^A but to be with them, whenever they have hope of believing in Christ, so that they might not hate, because the thing was a transgression, nor that the ruler obeyed for this reason, but that they reckon everything to God. It was not permitted not only to associate, but not even to approach.

Already Peter had heard everything even from the soldiers, but he wishes first that they confess and render themselves liable to the faith. "Praying at the ninth hour." What is this? To me, it seems this is also a time set for himself for a more accurate life, and in three days; for because of this he said, "from the fourth day." See how great prayer is. When he gave [himself] to devotion, then the angel appears to him; this is one day; and there was [the time] when those sent by Cornelius had gone away, one [day]; and there was when they had come, one [day]; and on the fourth he appeared as if at the third hour, after which he had prayed. He does not say "angel"—such is his lack of vanity. See how great faith and devotion is. He knew that Peter had said nothing human, because "God showed me," he says. He says then: "We are present to hear the things commanded to you by the Lord. Not before a man, but before God." Thus one must attend to the servants of God. That is to say, he does not examine the quality of persons, but the difference of matters; clearly signifying that in what manner Cornelius feared God, who was instructed through the Law and the prophets, for whom also he performed almsgivings, this person is in truth God. But the knowledge of Christ was wanting to him. He says every virtue. See how he proclaims his mindset, so that he might not seem to be, as it were, among those cast aside. He says these things also for the sake of those present, so that he might convince them also. For this reason he leads up the discourse, and compels Cornelius to speak, and gives to them, to the sons of Israel, that which is exceptional. According to that which is human, manifestly. Since he emptied himself, ^B and similarly with us partook of blood and flesh, these things which he has according to nature as God, he is said to take also according to the human. For he does not take them for himself so much, as God the Word is—for they were his own—but for us, as in a first-fruit through himself. Hence he shows many diabolical traps, and nourishment of bodies brought about by him, just as Christ also was saying.

Again the lowly things; when he showed that he had been sent from God, then he says that he was killed, so that you might not imagine anything abnormal. You see them in no way hiding the cross, but setting it with the other things, even the manner, "whom also they killed," he says, "hanging on a tree"? And yet he himself chose them, but even this he attributes to God. "To those who had been chosen beforehand," he says. See from whence he confirms the resurrection. Why, having risen, did he not perform a sign, such as to eat and drink? He says he was to testify fearfully, so that they might not have [excuse] to fall into ignorance; and he did not say that he himself is the Son of God, but, which would rather make them grow, the main proof [was] from the prophets. Having convinced [them] with fear, then he brings in the forgiveness, not spoken by himself, but by the prophets. As many, he says, as were the prophets who spoke concerning the forgiveness of sins, in this Jesus they said them to be forgiven. Thus also Isaiah, bringing forward his own person, says: "I am he who blots out your sins and your iniquities."

See the economy of God; he did not leave the Word to be frustrated, nor the baptism to occur from the order of Peter; but since they showed their mind to be admirable, and the beginning of the teaching had occurred, and they believed that by all means the baptism is a forgiveness of sins, then the Spirit came upon [them]; and this happens, God pre-economizing a great defense for Peter. And not simply did the Spirit come upon [them], but they spoke in tongues, which amazed those who had come together. To those saying, "Why did Philip not bring down the Spirit, and why did the Spirit fall upon these before they were baptized?" to them one must say that by the judgment of God these things happen, and no one is able to hinder the Spirit from descending, even before one is baptized in water, upon whom he observes the Spirit to fall, as Peter testifies. Thus also in the case of Philip, it must be understood that God did not see fit to impose the Spirit upon those baptized by him at the time of baptism; and it exceeds man to search out the judgment of God, according to that which was said: "Who has known the mind of the Lord?" ^C What was the need of water, [when] the Holy Spirit had fallen upon them? The mystery revealing to us that which was hidden. Divine things are performed in it—symbols, [the] tomb and death, and resurrection and life. Just as it is easy for us to be baptized, and to breathe again, so it is easy for God to bury the old man and to show forth the new one. And this happens to a third [end], so that you may learn that by the power of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit [are] all things.

After these things, those of the circumcision were disputing, but not the apostles—far be it! But they were offended no small amount; and see what they put forward. They do not say, "Why did you preach?" but, "Why did you eat with them?" They were still zealous for the law. And Peter does not stand against this cold point (for it was indeed cold), but against that high one: that if they partook of the Spirit, he says, how was it not allowed to impart this? As if he were saying: it was sufficient even to convince by seeing the sheet, but yet a voice was added. It was not of the wisdom of Peter that the words were, but of the Spirit; and he shows through the defense himself in no way the cause, but everywhere God—for upon him he cast everything. "For in ecstasy," he says, "he did it. I was in Joppa; as a vessel he showed it; I also spoke against it; and again he himself said, and not even thus did I listen; the Spirit commanded to go, and thus having gone I did not run [ahead of the Spirit]." See, that "I did not do my own [will]," he says, "that not even..."

EXPOSITIONIS IN ACTA TEXTUS TERTIUS. 1094 ^{A B C D} this eulogy can stand to everyone, that he enjoyed the time of that mouth before all others; and therefore they were deemed worthy of the name first in this place. Do you see to what a height Paul raised the achievement, that he made the name a kind of sign? Where three thousand and five thousand believed, and a great multitude, nothing of the sort occurred, but they heard of the Way. But here they were named Christians. [AMMONIUS.] It should be noted that Antioch was more rightfully deemed worthy of a princely throne for this reason, because the Christians were first so called there. For "Christian" is a name opposed to polytheism.

EXPOSITIONIS IN ACTA TEXTUS TERTIUS

...time they ate, regarding that which they said, that "you came in and ate with them." This, however, he does not say to Cornelius; for there was no need. Do you see the legislation of the Spirit? And nothing is more humble whenever he brings forward the testimony of the brethren. He did not say the things spoken by the angel, that he said to Cornelius, "Your prayers and your alms," and the rest; but what does he say? "He will speak words to you, in which you and all your house will be saved." This is added reasonably, and he says nothing about the gentleness of the man. Since the Spirit sent him, he says, and God commanded through the angel. From this, as he asks, while he is resolving the discernment of the matters, what was he to do? But he says none of these things, but he insists from the latter, which was also an indisputable proof according to this.

And what does Christ say, that "The law and the prophets were until John"? He speaks of those prophets who proclaimed his coming in advance. They had Cyprian and Cyrenian teachers, and Paul; but this man surpassed them, since Paul also had Ananias and Barnabas as teachers. For in order that they might not think that because the famine happened, the Christian religion had entered, that demons had departed, the Holy Spirit foretells it. But this is nothing wonderful; for Christ also foretold it, not because it had to happen from the beginning, but also because of the evils that happened to the apostles; and God was longsuffering; but when they pressed, a great famine occurs, signaling to the Jews the evils that were to come; and see when it occurs, when also the Gentiles were added.

And he is not satisfied with this, but he also reminds them of the Lord's memorial, that nothing newer has happened, but just as he foretold: "But was it not fitting to baptize?" But you had completed the baptism; and he does not say, "I commanded them to be baptized," but what? He shows that he did nothing. "What we have received," he says, "they also received." In order that he might block their mouths more greatly, for this reason he added, "the same gift." Do you see how he does not leave them to have any less? And he does not say, "to you," but, "to us." Why are you indignant when we call them members? Oh, what a great defense! For he did not say, "Knowing these things, then, are you quiet?" but what? He accepts their impulse, and while they bring charges, he makes a defense. "Who was I, able to prevent?" Very shamefully and heavily; from which, thereafter being afraid, "they were quiet and glorified God." Not a small achievement has the persecution become. For to those who love God, all things work together for good.

If they had intentionally striven to establish the Church, they would not have done anything else but this; they dispersed the teachers. See where the preaching was examined, "as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch"; they spoke to no one, however, "except to Jews only." And when Stephen was put to death, and Paul was endangered, and the apostles were scourged and driven out, then the nations were received; which also Paul says: "To you it was necessary that the word of God be spoken first; but since you reject it, behold, we turn to the nations." Perhaps because they did not know Hebrew, they called them Greeks.

Why has the need for signs come even now? In order that they might believe. Why do they not write to Paul, but send Barnabas? They did not yet know the virtue of the man; but it is managed for Barnabas to arrive, since there was a multitude, and no one to prevent. Naturally, the faith flourished, and especially because they endured no temptation here, and Paul is preaching. It is not the same to be a good God, and a man. For the one, by essence, is the beginning and source of good things; but the other, he does not happen to be by essence, but has this in the acquisition of virtue. Indeed, for this reason they were called Christians here, because Paul endured so much time here. And not a small part of the city.

See, for them, the famine becoming the cause of salvation and the occasion of alms; and at the same time believing, and at the same time bearing fruit, not to these alone, but also to those far away. So then, the apostles also had the rank of elders; and it has been noted in another chapter that they had the rank of deacons and bishops. What time? That which was in the time of Claudius Caesar. For Gaius, the emperor of the Romans, establishes Agrippa as king of Judea, having exiled Herod to Lugdunum of Gaul, with his wife Herodias. This is he who reigned at the time of the passion of the Lord, as Josephus records, and Eusebius correctly says, that this Herod the king was not at the time of Christ. Not yet do the Jews or the council do this, but the king; the authority and the warfare are greater, in as much as it was done for the favor of the Jews. See that they are faithful men, and the system from them is called a Church. And so that no one may say that for this reason they dare to face death fearlessly, because God snatches them away, he permits the leaders to be removed, Stephen and James. And it should be noted that James was the first of the twelve to be martyred. Again, the superfluous precision of the Jews, while they were preventing the killing, they were doing such things at such a time.

It was of brotherly love, "the prayer was made earnestly." Hear how they were disposed toward the apostles. And see Peter sleeping, and not being in anguish, nor in fear on that very night, in which he was about to be led forth; but since what prayer is able to do, let us learn from this. Let us examine that also. Christ said, "Do not ac-

- ^A quire gold, or silver, or two tunics, or a belt, or a staff, or sandals." What then of Peter? Was he acting against the command by possessing those things which the angel says?

What then is this? They did not oppose it—far from it! But they followed the commands of Christ very strictly. For those commands were temporary, and not for all time. And I say this not by conjecture, but from the divine Scriptures; for Luke says that Christ said to the disciples: "When I sent you out without money-bag, and wallet, and belt, did you lack anything? And they say to him: No. He says to them: Now, then, acquire them." But what was it necessary, tell me, for one to have? What then, if it was necessary to wash this? Was it necessary to sit at home naked? And for what reason did He command this then? Wishing to show His power. Do you see how great is the excess of the sign? How it strikes the one who sees it? How it does not allow for disbelief? For if Peter had seemed to be seeing a vision while girding himself and putting on his sandals, what else could he have learned? ^B

Now he understood, he says, not then. And why does this happen, and Peter is no longer in the awareness of what is happening, even though he had enjoyed such things, and had been delivered, just as all of them were delivered? And that the chains fell from his hands is also a great proof of the sudden escape. He wishes for gladness to be his, and after being delivered, to receive his awareness. See Peter, not departing immediately, but first bringing the good news to his own. And what is this, "having pondered"? That one should not simply depart, but should repay the benefactor. "He came to the house of Mary." Who was this John? Perhaps not the one who was always with them. For on account of this he also added his distinguishing mark; for he said, "of the one called Mark." See also the understanding of the maid, who was full of piety; she held back from opening; and it happened for the good: so that they, being surprised and seeing it immediately, might not disbelieve, but their mind might be trained, which is our custom to do. This is true, that everyone has an angel. And what does the angel want? From that time they expected this. For he says: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them." Where Christ is in the midst, it is necessary for a great multitude of archangels and other powers to be. ^C

To everyone who has believed in the Lord, an angel stands by, unless we drive him away by our wicked deeds. For just as smoke drives away bees, and stench drives away doves, so too the tearful and foul-smelling sin drives away the angel of our life. It was much more desirable for the disciples then, not by being saved alone, but also by his presence, and immediately departing. How is he no longer vainglorious! Nor did he say, "Make these things known to those everywhere," but, "to the brothers."

For he did not tempt God, neither did he cast himself into temptation; since even this, when he was commanded... ^D they did. "Going in, he says, speak in the temple to the people." But the angel did not say this, but gave the authority to depart in silence and to withdraw by night. Perhaps some may be perplexed as to how God overlooked the athletes being destroyed, and now again the soldiers on account of Peter, although it was possible for Him to have delivered them also along with Peter. But the time of judgment is not yet, so that reward might be distributed according to merit to each. And besides, he did not throw them into the hands of Peter himself. For it was more painful to him to be mocked, as his grandfather was, being deceived by the Magi; he was rather causing them to delay, and to be laughed at. For if the angel had led the soldiers out with Peter, the affair would have been thought to be a flight. Of this history, tell me, why is there mention? What does the Gospel have to learn? That He was angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians, and this is not even a small thing, how justice came immediately and seized him, if not on account of Peter, but on account of his own boastfulness. And yet if they shouted, he says, what is to this one? Because he accepted the voice, because he judged himself worthy of the flattery. See again both being worthy of punishment, but this one being punished. For the time is not yet for the judgment; but he punishes this one, who is most responsible, sparing those to derive profit from this.

Josephus says that he also wore a bright robe made of silver. See how they too were flatterers, and the mind of the apostles; for an entire nation which this man [thus] treated, these men spat upon. [*] Furthermore, he mentions Barnabas first; for Paul was not yet famous, he had not yet wrought any sign. It must be noted that Paul and Barnabas were ranked with the prophets. Behold the way of each, and not the upbringing from childhood. For see, how Herod was the most wicked; but his foster-brother Manaen was so changed, that he was even deemed worthy of prophecy. What is, "ministering"? That is, preaching. What is, "Set apart for me for the work"? For the apostleship. See then by whom he is ordained: by Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen, or rather by the Spirit. For by how much the persons are lesser, by that much more dignified does the grace of God appear. He is ordained then as an apostle, so as to preach with authority. How then does he himself say: not from man, nor through men? No man called him, nor was he brought, that is, through men. For this reason he says: I was not sent from this one, but by the Spirit. It must be noted, that they did not ordain the deacons as it happened, but fasting and praying. And behold again they laid hands on those around Saul, so as to surmise from this, that they moved beyond the rank of deacon through the laying on of hands that followed. Truly the Holy Spirit does not speak to those who happen to be, but to those who minister to Him and fast. See, how they do not tarry in Seleucia, knowing that from

the neighboring city they would have gained much profit, but they hastened toward pressing matters. ^A

See them showing every zeal by curbing them first, so that they might not act more contentiously; and they did not speak to those others, save only to the Jews, and they themselves went into the synagogues. Again, a Jewish sorcerer, just like Simon; and see him, when he was preaching to others, he was not very indignant; but when they approached the proconsul, then he was. And the marvel of the proconsul is that, although he was already preoccupied by that man’s sorcery, he wished to hear the apostles. In like manner also did the Samaritans. Here his name is changed at the ordination, just as also occurred in the case of Peter.

For what reason? So that this one might not have less than the apostles, but that the one who was the chief of the disciples had specifically, he also might possess; and that he might receive a stronger ground for intimacy. "To no one," he says, "in any way lacking"; and he spoke well: "without any guile," he was dissembling, for he was working that one's work. "Son of the devil," for he was doing that one’s work. "Enemy of all righteousness," for all righteousness was this, it seems to me, and to expose his life. The words were not of anger. For this reason, having anticipated it, he said: "filled with the Holy Spirit," that is, of activity. You are not fighting against us, he says, nor with battle, but "you are perverting the straight ways of the Lord."

That "until a time," giving a limit to his intention, to have in it the receipt of the light, transitioning for the better in his ways. For he himself was led by a sign, and by this same one he wished to bring this man also. ^C It was not, therefore, punishment, but healing; saying as it were, "It is not I who do it, but the hand of God." And indeed, the lack of arrogance: this word was not of one punishing, but of one turning him back. For if it were of one punishing, he would have made him blind forever. But now it is not this, but for a time, in order that he might win the proconsul. Why did he not perform another sign? Because this one was not equal to destroying the enemy. A proof, therefore, of the blindness, is to seek guides. And see the hardening: the proconsul only believed. Why does John withdraw from them? As they were setting out for a longer journey by now, although he was a minister, yet they themselves held the danger, but having come again to Perga, they pass through; for they were hastening toward the capital, Antioch. ^D

Again, they entered the synagogues in the guise of Jews, so that they might not be fought or driven out; and thus they achieved everything. Henceforth, from here, we learn about Paul, having learned not small things about Peter in the things said formerly.

See the Jews doing this abundantly; but after this, no longer. If you wished for this, you ought rather to have implored. O, the vanity! Here Paul acts as herald for the first time; and see his understanding: where the word was scattered, he runs about; but where there was no one, he tarries, just as he says, writing: "And he, ambitiously" Barnabas yielding to Paul, (for how could he not?) whom he had brought from Tarsus; just as also John to Peter everywhere, although he was even more venerable than him, yet they looked to the common interest. See him call God their God, the common God of all men, and show from above that His benefits are great, just as Stephen also does.

Here, because He governs in various ways, he made their case clear. "For the Lord shall seek," he says, "for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord shall charge him as leader over His people, because you did not keep what the Lord charged you." From this, Paul has posited: "I found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall perform all my desires." For the most prophetic Samuel has said these things prophetically to Saul. And it must be noted that these words are by no means written verbatim in the Book of Kings, or it is only said prophetically by divine Samuel to Saul as follows: "And now your kingdom shall not stand, and the Lord shall seek for Himself a man after His heart," and the rest. "John having proclaimed before the face of His entrance." By entrance he means the incarnation. Thus also John, writing the Gospel, takes refuge in this intelligently; for he had a great name throughout the whole world. And John also testifies not simply, but while all were bringing glory upon him, he himself wards it off. For it is not the same thing for no one to offer this honor and for many to provide it, and not simply, but with such great humility. He calls them from their forefather, here he shows Jewish nobility. And everywhere they are careful to show this, that the good is their own, so that they might not flee by paying attention to it as something foreign. Since they crucified him, this [man], he says, being ignorant, the sin, he says, was one of ignorance. See how he also makes a defense for them quietly, and not only this, but that it was also necessary for it to come to pass. See how, for them, it is a matter of great concern to tell of the manner of the death, and they bring Pilate into the middle, at once that the passion might be manifest from the judgment, and at once that they might be accused more greatly, having handed him over to a man of another race. And he did not say, "They petitioned," but, "They asked for," they received a favor, he says, as though that man did not wish to crucify him. And let it not disturb you that Jesus is said to have been raised by God. For if Jesus is none other than the incarnate Word, and this is the power of the Father, through which He does all things, according to that: "Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God," he himself will be understood to have raised himself, even while being said to have been raised by the Father, to whom, as to a beginning and as to an eternal cause, all things are referred. But also he himself says: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it." They would not have been, if they were not confirmed by divine power, they would not have testified such things before men who were witnessing. The name Jesus upon the man [his/her/its...]

^A whom the God-killers' brethren have taken. Since then [the Apostle], having previously mentioned the Word, said that He was placed in a tomb, lest anyone should suppose that he spoke of the Word as bodiless, he calls Him Jesus again, nowhere granting a division to the Word who became flesh after the union, while muzzling the mouth of those who gainsay.

These words truly befit the incarnation of Christ, which had a temporal visitation; for "today" and "tomorrow" are representative of days. For He is born timelessly from the Father, as even the children of the heretics confess.

Having made the tomb a sign of incorruption, for Christ was raised from it for us as the true leader of incorruption, so that we too, having risen from the tombs, according to the hoped-for resurrection, might meet Him in the clouds, coming a second time with glory. Why did he not adduce a testimony through which they were going to be persuaded that forgiveness of sins comes through Him? Because this was what was being striven for: to show first that He rose; and this being admitted, that other point was indisputable. He weaves his discourse from the things present, from the prophets, from the seed according to promise, [showing] that God is crucified and dies. Do not marvel that it seems incredible, for even this he foretold from above. The prophet Habakkuk having cried [it] out, God replies to those who do injustice [regarding] the calamities that were to befall them. For it was a matter of great astonishment how Israel, who was numbered among the children of God and called the firstborn, for whom even Egypt was destroyed, is delivered to the Babylonians, and not only to the sword, but also to slavery, and captivity, and all the things that are to be deprecated. These things, he says, are so many and of such magnitude that if someone were to announce them to you in advance, they would even be disbelieved.

^B not simply of the nations, but of all, and as many as were ordained unto life eternal." And this is a proof that they were beforehand by the judgment of God, "ordained," but not by necessity, "whom He foreknew, he says, and predestinated." [THEODORE:] The lineage of the Lord according to the flesh, the nature of all men is common, but Israel is peculiar and near. Since, therefore, He arrived at first toward Israel, He enlightened the nations through the apostles. "I have given you," he says, "to these, because of the promise made to their fathers, but I will enlighten through you the nations, and I will provide salvation to all men" (for this is what "unto the uttermost part of the earth" signifies), "and I will place an end to the covenants made to their fathers"; for the rest interpreted "testament" as "covenant."

That is, separated unto God. See how he shows the haste of the benefit. Instead of "he was carrying over," [they understood it as] "he was carried over." Instead of "they did not stand until the zeal," but they added works. "Honorable" he calls the wealthy, devout [women]; he does not mean the faithful, but the Hellenized, that is, the Jewish [women]. Yet, as most wicked and imitators of the devil, they hasten to shut the way of salvation to men, just as he shut the paradise to the first-created through Eve. They do what Christ commanded, and they shake off the dust. And they do not do this simply, but because they were driven away by them. For what seems to be a disgrace—to be driven away from everywhere—this serves as the cause of greatest honor. Again, were they entering the synagogues? See how they did not become more cowardly saying that, "We turn to the nations," out of great abundance, yet they undo their defense, "So that a great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed." For it is likely that they were discoursing as to Greeks; but at the same time, they roused the nations for the rest, as if not sufficing for them. Why then did they not go out from there? For they were not being persecuted, but only being warred against, that is, being calumniated.

^D See the prudence of Paul. He was not admired only then, but he cast into them a second desire for hearing, having spoken certain seeds, and not having resolved—nor having gone out with the word—so as to keep them suspended and identified with him. He said that forgiveness of sins was preached to us for this reason; but the "how," he did not explain. Why did he not baptize them immediately? Because it was not yet the time. But it was necessary to persuade so that they would firmly remain "in the next Sabbath," instead of, "the one that was to be," as he clarifies below. For this reason these things are said, so that no one might think that this happened as an afterthought. For the injustice from you is not on us. For lest anyone should think them [the apostles] to be haughty, for this reason he said first, "Ye reject them," and then, "We turn to the nations." The saying is full of much gentleness. He did not say, "We abandon you," but, "It shall be possible," he says, "even here again to turn." And this has not happened from our insolence, "for so it has been commanded to you [LXX text has: to us]." Why then did you not do this? The nations should have heard, and this [happened] not before you, but from you [it happened] that [it was done] before you.

This caused the boldness; or rather, their zeal caused the boldness; for this reason they do not perform signs for a long time. But the believing of those who heard was [a sign] of the signs; but the boldness also contributes somewhat. See, also, how they ascribe the whole to God everywhere. This is no small thing, that there should be division. Christ said this: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword."

There is nothing strange, therefore, if the holy ones flee those who are plotting against them. And they do not appear to be fleeing from this, the conflict of martyrdom that is pressing upon them. This has been noted by me, because of the Arians who blamed the great Athanasius for fleeing in the faith, and not delivering himself to the Arians to put him to death.

Why "with a loud voice"? So that the crowds might believe. See also, he was attending to the things said by Paul. Did you see the philosophy? Nothing from the lameness was hindered as to the eagerness of the hearing. He says, "having looked steadfastly at him, and seeing that he had faith of"

being saved. Already his disposition had been settled; although in other cases the opposite has occurred. Formerly healing the bodies, they then healed the souls; but this man, not so. It seems to me that Paul looked into his very soul. A proof of true health is the leaping. ^A Observe also the benefit to the Gentiles and the wickedness of the Jews. It is a custom for the Greeks to make gods out of men. So when I say, "Whence is idolatry?" learn the origin. Thus, they also made the apostles gods out of men; thus also did the devil conquer in the beginning by introducing impiety, saying, "You shall be as gods." And since he did not succeed then, he attempts it later, everywhere exerting himself to introduce polytheism. It is a custom for the Jews, in cases of blasphemies against God, to rend their garments. And so indeed Caiaphas, when Christ said He was the Son of God, rent his own garments. And these men also have done this, having arrived in Lycaonia. "We are men," he says, "but greater than these; for these are dead things." Observe them not only overturning, but also teaching, and speaking nothing about invisible things.

But why did He permit it, he says no more. For he stays for the time being with the urgent matter, nowhere placing the name of Christ. He calls them witnesses of the yearly gifts. O the madness of the Jews! Because he had so honored the apostles before the people, they dared to step in and stone Paul, and [that] outside the city, fearing them.

Do you see the boiling and inflamed zeal? He came back into the same city again; so that it might be shown that if he yielded, it was both because the word had been sown, and because it was not necessary to inflame their anger; these things made the signs not less brilliant and made them rejoice all the more. He nowhere says that they returned rejoicing that they performed signs, but that they were deemed worthy to be dishonored for His name; and this they were taught by Christ, saying, ^B "Do not rejoice that the demons obey you." For in order that the courage of the disciples might not fall, because those who are thought to be gods suffer such things, they entered to them and conversed. And observe, first he goes out to Derbe, giving them time to breathe from the anger, and then again to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch; yielding when they were angry, but attacking when they were calmed.

Do you see that they did not govern everything by grace, but also by their own diligence? There was another comfort, and they taught them to fast in the time of temptation, and with fastings were the ordinations. Why did he not appoint presbyters in Cyprus, or in Samaria? Because that [region] was near to Jerusalem and to the apostles, and in Antioch itself the word prevailed; but here they needed much comfort, and especially those from among the Gentiles, who were indebted to be taught much. He did not say what they themselves did, but what God did. It seems to me that he calls the temptations door-openings—calling the teaching [the door].

For the city being great, it needed teachers; and they were not saying circumcision simply, but that, "You cannot be saved." Which was the opposite, for those who were being circumcised were not able to be saved. Do you see the constant temptations? Paul did not say, "Why? Am I not credible from so many signs?" but he was persuaded because of them. A custom is said by the Scripture to be a lawful matter. How then in the Epistle to the Galatians, "I did not even go up," he says, "to Jerusalem to the apostles before me, nor did I confer?" ^C Because, first, he himself did not go up, but was sent by others. Second, he did not come to be taught, but to persuade others. For he himself from the beginning held this opinion, which the apostles also later ratified, that it was not necessary to be circumcised. But since he did not seem to them [to be] credible for the time being, but they were giving heed to those in Jerusalem, he went up, not himself to learn more, but to persuade those who were gainsaying, that even in Jerusalem they vote for these things.

Not the believers from among the Gentiles, but those from among the Jews were demanding the believers to be circumcised, and to do the other fleshly things of the Law; whom, as still thinking the things of the Law, and wanting to circumcise the believers for their own boasting, the apostles did not accept; for they were not seeking to establish their own will, but that which is for the common benefit of the world. Again from here it is possible to conjecture that the apostles held some other dignity surpassing the presbyters; therefore he did not include them with the presbyters, signifying all by a common name.

Observe Peter, above, graced with the matter, and not even until now Judaizing. "You," he says, "know." Perhaps those who had accused him long ago regarding Cornelius were present, having entered with him; for this reason he brings them forward as witnesses. ^D "In you," he says, "from ancient days God chose." What is, "in you"? That is, in Palestine, or in our presence through my mouth; see how he shows God speaking through him, and nothing human.

There is no difference, he says, of believers, whether they are Jews or Greeks, where faith creates a cleansing of those things coming out from the heart, and this cleansing is like circumcision; and in place of the circumcision in the flesh is given the circumcision in the Spirit, cleansing by faith in Christ the hidden things; for thus the fleshly circumcision was not beneficial to all, because it was given only to the male, contributing nothing to the person of the females. But in true faith there is neither male and female, and bond or free, but all are one. What is, "You tempt"? That is, Why do you disbelieve God? So it is of unbelief to introduce the law. Then he shows also those who received no benefit, and turns the whole [argument] toward the law, not toward them, and cuts off the accusation. It is to be noted that the difficult-to-achieve commands of the flesh should not be used to compel anyone, such as supreme...

fasting, or nakedness, or silence; unless someone of their own accord enjoins these upon himself. For even if they are difficult, they are assuredly not virtues, but even those done by many, and those not done, are such that we believe we are saved by the grace of the Lord. Similar to this is, "By grace you have been saved." So, of old the law saved those who kept what was said in the law; but now the grace of the Lord, without the keeping of the law, saves through faith.

He was a bishop, as this man says; wherefore also the latter says, and the words, "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established," ^A are fulfilled here. See also how he confirms the statement from the new and the old prophets. He who prophesied in Luke, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace."

Furthermore, since that one, in terms of time, was clear, but he did not have credibility because he was not ancient, he brings forward an ancient prophecy. "As it is written," he says, "After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen down." What then? Were the Jerusalems raised up, or were they not rather destroyed? What raising up does he speak of? That after Babylon. And what is, "As God first visited"? Peter argued more strictly, but this man more gently. For so it behooves him who is in great authority to concede difficult matters to others, but himself to appear as one of the gentler ones. "Having taken," he says, "from the nations a people for his name." He did not choose them simply, but "for his name," that is, for his glory. The one who was crucified was the one saying these things in the prophet. For all nations have been called by his name; for they are addressed as Christians. For there had truly fallen an incurable fall, needing that mighty hand. And our nature could not have risen up, had not the One who formed it in the beginning stretched forth his hand quickly and fashioned from above the rebirth through water and the Spirit. "Known to God from eternity are all his works." Then the credibility of the statement, that nothing is new, but from the beginning these things were prefigured; and the authority again: "Therefore I judge not to trouble those who are turning from among the nations," that is, not to overturn them. For if God has called them, but these observances overturn them, we are fighting against God. And with authority, "I judge." For this reason he says it is good. Why then did he not send these things to the Jews also? Moses speaks to them. See how great is the condescension; where nothing was harmed, he set him up as teacher, and granted grace, which nothing hinders, having allowed the Jews to listen to him. ^B Even if before the coming of the Savior Moses was read every Sabbath in the synagogues alone, yet after the coming, it is not forbidden to be read in the churches of Christ. And see, if it is possible for this to be shown from, "For Moses has been read throughout the day, even to this day." But also the words, "Pay attention to the reading."

It is to be noted that it is the duty of leaders to investigate those baptized by them, lest perhaps they be unsound in the faith, but limping, and they need to be corrected. And in the prophets we find this, different opinions and different characters; for instance, Elias is strict, Moses is gentle; so also here, Paul is stricter. See also the gentleness of this one: "He wanted," he says, "the one who departed," and what follows. What then? Did they depart as enemies? God forbid. For you see after this Barnabas receiving many praises from Paul in the Epistles. A contention, he says, occurred, not enmity, not rivalry. So much did the contention prevail, that they separated; and with good reason. That which each suspected to be profitable, this he did not accept after this because of the communion with the other. To me it seems that the separation took place according to wisdom, and they said to each other, "Since I want this, and you do not, that we may not fight, let us divide the labors." So, agreeing with one another, they did this. For he wanted the apostle to stand. ^C It is not about the books of the New Testament alone that he is talking, nor about the words, "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable." See also that they send those of their own, so that the credibility may be greater, so that those with Paul may be above suspicion. ^D Sufficient is the accusation against their presumption, and worthy of the gentleness of the apostles who spoke nothing from others. Then that it is done tyrannically, that this seems good to all, that they write these things with careful inquiry. And so that the sending of them might not appear to be a slander of Barnabas and Paul, see their praises. "Men," he says, "who have delivered their souls for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." For it was necessary that the letter should not be present alone, that they might not say that they took it by force, that they spoke the praise regarding Paul instead of others, he shut their mouths. Here he wards off fear, although it sufficed to say, "by the Holy Spirit," so that they might not think it was human. And the, "to us," so that they might be taught that they themselves also accept those who are even in circumcision. He shows that nothing is lacking to them, but this is enough; for they were able to do it even without deeds. But so that it might be a written law, so that they might be persuaded to the law, having commanded the nations not to do all four of these things, the others they conceded to them. And these are: "To abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication." For the New Testament does not order these, nowhere did Christ discuss these, but they are taking these from the law. Then those men also encouraged them, and having confirmed them, they were disposed more contentiously toward Paul. Thus they departed with peace. No longer were there divisions and fights. And Paul continued to teach, there was no longer arrogance in the Church; after Peter, Paul speaks, and no one interrupts him. James and John listen, and no one jumps in, but they are silent; for he had been entrusted with the leadership. Then, since that one, in terms of time, was plain, but he did not have credibility, because he was not ancient, he brings forward an ancient prophecy. "As it is written," he says, "After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen down." What then? Did the Jerusalems rise up, but did they not rather crash down? What rising up does he speak of? That after Babylon. And what is, "As God first visited"? Peter indeed argued more strictly, but this one more gently. For so it behooves him who is in great authority to concede the burdensome things to others, but for himself to appear as one of the gentler ones. "Having taken," he says, "from the nations a people for his name." He did not simply choose, but "for his name," that is, for his glory. The one crucified was the one speaking these things in the prophet. For all the nations have been called by his name; for they are addressed as Christians. For there had truly fallen an incurable fall, and it needed that mighty hand. And it was not possible for our nature to rise up, had not the hand that formed it in the beginning stretched forth quickly, and fashioned from above the rebirth through water and the Spirit. "Known are all his works to God from eternity." Then the credibility of the word, that nothing is new, but from the beginning these things were prefigured; and the authority again: "Therefore I judge not to trouble those who are turning from among the nations"; that is, not to overturn them. For if God has called them, and these observances overturn them, we are fighting against God. And with authority, "I judge." Because of this he says it is good. Why then did he not send these things to the Jews? Moses speaks to them. See how great is the condescension; where nothing harmed, he set him up as teacher, and granted grace, which nothing hinders, having allowed the Jews to hear him. If even before the coming of the Savior Moses was read every Sabbath in the synagogues alone, but after the coming he is not forbidden to be read in the churches of Christ. And see, if it is possible for this to be shown from, "For Moses has been read throughout the day, even to this day." But also the words, "Pay attention to the reading."

and not even this city of the Philippians was great. ^A

Paul’s Barnabas left on this account. I wish that we, too, were separating in such separations, so as to depart for the preaching. These things are written for our pattern, so that we might not fall. For it is not possible for men to be without provocation; but when provoked, one must change. This man is admirable and very great; the quarrel greatly benefits Mark. For the fearful aspect of Paul turned him back; while the kind aspect of Barnabas made him no longer abandon him. So, although they fight, the result ends in one gain. For seeing Paul choosing to depart, Barnabas was much afraid and condemned him; and seeing Barnabas thus holding on, he greatly benefited him, and the disciple was corrected through the battle of his teachers; so much did he avoid the scandal. ^B

Observe the wisdom of Paul; he does not go to another city before visiting those who had received the word; for it is annoying to run in vain. Indeed, it is worthy to be amazed at Paul’s wisdom; having fought so much about circumcision, he circumcised the disciple. And not only does he not forbid others, but he performs this himself. There is nothing wiser, for he saw everything toward utility, and did absolutely nothing out of prejudice. "He wished," he says, "for him to go forth with him." And the admirable thing is this: that he circumcised him because of the Jews, he says, who are in those places; for they would not have endured to hear the word from the uncircumcised. And what follows? Behold the success; he circumcised in order to abolish circumcision; for he was preaching the dogmas of the apostles. ^C

Behold, he has clearly called the abstinence from things sacrificed to idols, from fornication, and from what is strangled, "dogmas," which belong to the canonical life. Why they were forbidden, he does not say; but that they were forbidden, he says, teaching us to obey only and not to inquire, and showing that they also did many things in a human manner. Not through an angel anymore, as Philip saw and Cornelius; but what? By a vision it appears to him, remaining more human; but where there is great violence, it is more divine. For since he was only in a hurry to preach, a dream appears to him for this; but he did not endure to stop preaching, and for this the Holy Spirit reveals it. So also there to Peter: "Arise, go down." For truly the Spirit did not perform even the easy things, but a dream sufficed. It should be noted that Luke was also with Paul in these cities, as he includes his own person, saying, "We sought to travel straight." For not only where there was a synagogue, but also outside they prayed, as if setting apart a certain place, being somewhat more carnal as Jews; and on the day of the Sabbaths, when a crowd was also likely to assemble. ^D

Observe the lack of vanity again; this woman is truly humble, and from a craft—for she was a seller of purple. But observe the philosopher woman; first she herself bore witness, for God to call her. And observe how she is not ashamed of her trade—filled with much humility and wisdom. She did not say, "If you have judged me a great woman, if [you have judged me] religious," but, "Faithful to the Lord," and to us much more. [alt-version omitted] ...or one might say, or we might see who this demon is. God, he says, Pytho, so named from the place. Do you see that Apollo is a demon, and he wanted to throw them into temptations so as to provoke them? "O you wicked one, if you know that they announce the way of salvation, why do you not depart from them?" But just as Simon wanted, saying, "Give me also, that on whom I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit," this he also did. It is said, then, that a certain Pythian woman would sit on the tripod of Apollo, parting her legs, and then an evil spirit would rise up from below, and through her genital parts would emerge, filling the woman with madness, and she, having loosened her hair, would then rave and emit foam from her mouth, and thus, having fallen into drunkenness, would speak the words of her madness. Why did the demon speak these things, and Paul forbade it? And that one was acting maliciously, and this one wisely. He wanted, then, to make himself credible. For if Paul had accepted his testimony, he would have deceived many of the faithful, inasmuch as he was accepted by that one; and he himself had used condescension toward destruction. Paul, therefore, did not accept it at first, but spat upon it, not wishing to simply throw himself upon the signs. But as he persisted in doing this and showing the work, then he commanded him to go out. "And Paul being vexed," that is, he saw the malice of the demon; as he himself says: "For we are not ignorant of his thoughts." Having been moved and identified, and having muzzled her even though she spoke the truth; teaching us neither to receive demons even when they pretend to argue for the truth, but to wall off every path of error from them.

Everywhere money is the cause of evils. O the Greek cruelty! They wanted the girl to be possessed by a demon so as to make money. What do you say? Are you persuaded by the demon? Why does he not say there, that "These men are servants of the most high God"? You say that "They disturb our city." Observe them not even paying attention to the demon, but looking at one thing: the love of money. And indeed Paul performed the whole, yet he shares in the dangers. Thus, seeing their power were they deceived, or did they testify that they were not common men, but some powerful ones, having the authority to do what they wished through the Lord? As one might say, into the abyss. How many tears are these worthy of! What things those people suffered! And we, not even enduring to be grieved for the sake of Christ even to the point of words. For what purpose did they pray at midnight? The Psalm.

^A obedience to You.” Why did the affair at midnight occur, and the earthquake? This happened for the sake of the jailer, not for a display, but for salvation. The earthquake also occurred in such a way that he was awakened, and the doors were opened, so that he was astonished at what had happened. These things, however, the prisoners did not see, for if they had, they all would have fled. Paul marveled at [the jailer's] humanity; he was amazed at his courage, that, being able, he did not flee, and that he restrained him from slaughter. But why did not another sign occur? Because this [sign] especially drew him in, being sufficient to persuade him, even where he himself was in danger.

For miracles do not so much move us as those [events] that come for our salvation; and in order that the earthquake might not seem to happen by chance, this also followed as a witness to it. It appears to be at night; for they were doing nothing for display, but for salvation. The jailer was not evil; this is Stephanas, whom Paul mentions in the Epistle to the Corinthians. And when the magistrates sent word, Paul did not depart, but for the sake of Lydia and the others he feared them, so that they might not be thought to have been considered worthy to be released, and so that they might establish the others in boldness. The charge was twofold, because they were both Romans, and uncondemned, and publicly [beaten]. Do you see that they also managed many human affairs? But in order that it might not seem as though he were released as a condemned man, and as one who had sinned, for this reason he says, “Having beaten us publicly,” and the rest; so that the matter might not be one of their favor. See how it manages the grace [of God] in various ways.

Because they had cast them in unjustly, they asked them to leave the city; they requested this favor. And they, having gone to Lydia and comforted her, thus departed. For it was not necessary to leave the hostess in distress and anxiety. They departed not by obeying them, but hastening toward their preaching.

How much freedom from vainglory and love he had, in that he did not otherwise consent to depart! And this even though they had been falsely accused by the magistrates, had they not entered into the humble woman’s house and [seen] the rest, whom they also called brothers, and given them instructions. Again, they pass by small cities, but hasten toward the greater ones, from which, as from a certain fountain, the word might flow into ^D those nearby.

Although he said, “We are turning toward the nations,” he did not let these people go; for he had much longing for them. Hear him saying, “For I myself wished to be anathema for the sake of my brothers.” He did this because of the promise of God and the glory, and this so that it might not be a stumbling-block to the Greeks. Do you see that before all things he proclaims suffering? And thus they were not ashamed, but knew this to be a saving thing. Christ did this, discussing up and down from the Scriptures, not everywhere from signs. But since they were disposed in the opposite way toward this, slandering him as a deceiver and a sorcerer, he—[arguing] from the Scriptures—did not have this suspicion. Thus also the fathers of these men were accusing Jesus, saying that “He calls Himself a King.” Yet, even if they had some [evidence] according to outward appearance, what escape from falsehood did these men have, saying that they proclaim Jesus, who according to them died, as King? But, as it seems, proclaiming the truth, they knew that even if He was invisible to them, yet He was truly King. “More noble,” that is, more reasonable, and not simply, but with accuracy, where there was an emotional issue, they examined the Scriptures.

Not as unbelievers did they search (for they had already believed), but as being without a share in the tradition of the ancient prophets, and they became more faithful. They found things concerning the economy of the Lord’s incarnation to be in agreement with the words of the prophets. He does not say “anger” here, nor “indignation,” as he says elsewhere, “There arose a provocation between them”; but that it was being stirred (for the gift is far from anger and indignation); they did not bear it, but were consumed. But he is also managing them, waiting even for them to remain, though [Paul and Silas] were unwilling. The Athenians, lifting up their eyebrow in vain, thinking great things on a broad tongue, foolishly were saying, “What would this seed-picker want to say?” They say that a seed-picker is a very lowly bird, accustomed to gather things scattered in the crossroads; to which the foolish ones compared the Master’s Paul. For they even used to think that the resurrection was some god, since they were accustomed also to worship female gods. For they called the gods—for the cities were completely full of demons—demons. “They led him,” he says, “to the Areopagus,” not as if to learn anything, but to be punished, where the murder trials were. And for what reason was it called the Areopagus? Because Ares, as they say, gave judgments from there. And a "págos" is a high place; for that tribunal was upon a certain knoll; hence also the rulers of the places or villages are called Pagarchs by some. If Paul were preaching a human being to have been crucified, that which was said was not strange; but if he said that He had been crucified and had risen, it was bringing something strange into their ears.

Here that is indicated, that although they were always busy talking and hearing about this, yet they thought they were hearing strange things, which they had never heard. Just as he seems to be praising them, saying nothing harsh, “I observe that you are more superstitious,” that is, more religious. But a superstitious person is one who fears demons and considers everything divine, both stone, and wood, and spirit. An altar had been set up to some such [unknown god] by them for a certain reason. A war once broke out for the Athenians against their opponents, and then, having fared poorly, they retreated. And since it was the custom for the superstitious to play, one of the demons appeared, saying that he had never yet been worshiped by them, and that he himself, having been angered at them for the defeat, had been the cause of it; they built a temple to him, and as if guarding against the same thing happening another time, having omitted [the name of] some God unknown to them, they—

^A erected that altar, with the inscription: "To an Unknown God." By saying this, they meant: If any other god should be unknown, let this one be set up by us in his honor, so that he may be auspicious to us, in case he is some unknown god who is not being worshiped. The entire inscription of the altar is: "To the gods of Asia and Libya and Europe, to an unknown and foreign God." For it was not possible through external wisdom to know the truth. For this [wisdom], like some dishonored handmaid, was not permitted to enter within and peer into the Master's mysteries. In order that they might not think the God being proclaimed by him was one of the many, he corrects [them] by adding: "He does not dwell in temples made by hands." Here, then, he spoke enigmatically of his own [God] and established Him, and he destroys [the temples] of theirs. For He does indeed dwell in temples, but not in such ones; rather, in the human soul; he has demolished the bodily [temple]. What then? Does He not dwell in the temple of Jerusalem? Certainly not; rather, He acts [in it]. How, then, was He worshiped by the hands of men among the Jews? Not by hands, but by the mind, since He did not seek those things as if in need. "Shall I eat," he says, "the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?" Two proofs of divinity: that He Himself needs nothing, and that He provides everything to all. "Giving," he says, "life and breath." Lo, he also makes Him the Creator of the soul, not its generator.

These are better than those, and what a condemnation this is of the atoms and of matter! The soul of man is no longer partial; but this does not mean He is the Creator, as they say, but rather that He Himself is worshiped in the mind, and everything is His, he says. He determined the time to seek God, but He did not determine this for all time, but "appointed periods," showing that not by seeking now did they find Him. For since they did not find Him by seeking, he shows that He was so evident, just as if something being felt in the middle [of a space]. For heaven was not here, and elsewhere there, nor was He present in this time but not in another. So that in every season, and at every boundary, it is possible to find Him. For He ordained things in such a way that He would be hindered neither by place nor by time. For this very thing contributed most to them: that heaven is everywhere, that it stands in all time. See where he destroys the partial [gods]. Why do I speak at length? He is so near, as not to live without Him: "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being"—just as in a bodily example, just as it is impossible to be unaware of the air poured out everywhere, and not existing far from each one of us, but rather even existing within us. But the poet said nothing equal: he [said]: "For we are also his offspring." But he said that about Zeus; whereas this man takes it for the Creator, not calling Him the same as that one, God forbid! But he applies it properly to Him; and since he spoke of "his" altar, not of the one they worshiped. For he said we are the offspring of God, that is, kinsmen, very close, just as when he says "sojourners" and "neighbors." He did not say, "You ought not to think the divine ^D is like gold, or silver." "We ought not to think." See how he introduced the incorporeal; for whenever the mind suspects a body, it also surmises a spatial interval. What then? Is no one of these punished? None of those who wish to repent. He speaks concerning these, not concerning those who have departed, but those to whom he brings the message. He does not demand an account from us, he says. He did not say, "He overlooked" or "He let be," but "You were ignorant," "He overlooked"; that is, He does not demand punishment, as if they were worthy of punishment; you were ignorant. And he does not say, "Having [the truth] you played the villain," but he showed this through the above [remarks]. For what reason did Paul, having persuaded them, and being about to hear them again, and with no dangers present, hasten to leave Athens? Perhaps he knew he would not accomplish much, and he was being led by the Spirit to Corinth. To Corinth, as I said, he was being led by the Spirit, where it was necessary to remain. For the Athenians, although they were lovers of strange discourse, nevertheless were not attentive; for they did not study this, but rather to always have something to say. For indeed Paul reached his end under Nero, but under Claudius the war against the Jews was already being fanned, from afar, so that it might even school him, and they were being driven from Rome as pests. For this reason, it is orchestrated that he be taken there as a prisoner, so that he might not be driven out as a Jew, but as one acting under authority, and be kept safe there.

The saying is obscure; but I think he means this: "Each of those who apostatize from Christ, who is life, appears to murder himself, passing from life into death, to a degree shedding his own blood through the slaughter which he brings upon himself." This, then, he says: "Because you slaughter yourselves through unbelief, you yourselves shall suffer the penalty for this very thing, while I am innocent." And from this observation it is perhaps possible to say that he who slaughters himself is punished as a murderer before God. See how, having again said "from now," he still does not neglect them, so that he was about to wake them, so that also from this he might have zeal from the proximity. This is that Crispus who, writing, says: "I baptized no one except Crispus and Gaius." This one I think is also said to be Sosthenes, a faithful man, so as both to be beaten and to be always with Paul. It should be noted that Paul saw the Lord Jesus through dreams, for which reason he also said: "Have I not seen Jesus the Lord?" Now, whether he saw Jesus through dreams or while awake, there is no difference; however, He appeared to him in the day. How, then, did they unite against him, one might say? And yet they prevailed in nothing, but dragged him before the proconsul. He seems to me to be a man of mild character. He barred the courtroom to them; the trial was brilliant. For when he was being beaten, they did not think it a personal insult, so impudent were the Jews. Oh, the shamelessness! They were shameless, and Gallio cared nothing for it; although the matter concerned his own insult, yet they beat him as if they had truly received authorization. Why did he not beat them? Although he himself had authority...

^A to know who was the more reasonable one, he did not; rather, they were being instructed. For this reason they beat Sosthenes, because he also was attaching himself more to Paul, or else they had been driven to such a point of madness that, having failed in their purpose, instead of beating Paul, they beat Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue; or it was because Paul had intended to preach, and Sosthenes was attempting to restrain them, that they beat him. See how the Law was being abolished! For it was a Jewish custom to shave their heads in accordance with a vow; yet it was also necessary that a sacrifice should take place, which did not happen. For he ought to have remained still and to have exhorted them concerning these matters; why did he again desire to reach Syria? Because he had accomplished such things there in accordance with the doctrine.

He left these men in Ephesus as teachers; for having been with him for so much time, they learned many things, and yet he had not yet led them away from Jewish custom. See then here, also, he is entreated to remain, and since he did not consent, he did not simply leave them, but did so with a promise. And he departed to those places, to which he had stepped before this.

Paul, being a prophet and knowing that he was about to return, promised that he would return again. However, so that no one might do the same thing out of rashness, promising to do some such thing, he taught us to promise to do nothing concerning the future without saying, "If God wills." For so also James exhorts in his Epistle, saying: "For no one knows [v. knows] what the coming day will bring forth." Foolish, therefore, is he who does not predetermine with the promise, "If the Lord wills." It was always Paul's custom to visit the believers and to strengthen them. ^B Behold, now also learned men were being brought forward. There are some who assert that Apollos is Apelles, the bishop of the Corinthians, concerning whom Paul writes: "As for Apollos, I exhorted them much; and again: "I planted, Apollos watered." And if this is true, consider whether the man is double-named, or if one of the names was otherwise changed for the future. If this man only knew the baptism of John, how was he fervent in the Spirit? For the Spirit was not given in this way. And if those who followed him had need of the baptism of Christ, much more did he have need of it. What, then, is one to say? He did not place both things in succession without reason. To me, it seems he was one of the one hundred and twenty who were baptized with the apostles. Or if not this, then what happened in the case of Cornelius has also happened in his case. Great was the boldness of the man; he spoke accurately about Jesus, but he had need of greater precision and instruction. For this reason, knowing everything from his fervent desire, he drew the Holy Spirit, just like those around Cornelius. And on the one hand, his boldness in reproving, or speaking in public, was made manifest; on the other, the force of his words was evidenced, and the experience [shows] that it is from the Scriptures: neither does boldness prevail if there is no power, nor does power prevail if there is no boldness.

These differed greatly from those. ^A For if they knew that the Spirit is holy, it is clear from his saying: "Into the one coming after him, that they might believe." And he did not say that the baptism of John is nothing, but that it is incomplete. Many received the Spirit, so it is likely they had the Spirit, but he was not visible. Whence did those in Ephesus have the baptism of John? Perhaps they had visited Jerusalem at that time, and had left; and they did not even know Jesus. And he does not say to them, "Do you believe in Jesus?" But what? "Did you receive the Holy Spirit?" For he knew that they did not have it, and he wishes to say this to them, so that having learned of what they were deprived, they might ask. And from this a great doctrine is shown, that the baptism of John is incomplete for repentance. And he did not say, "baptism of remission," but "baptism of repentance." Having been baptized, they immediately received the Spirit; but they did not see the Spirit (for he is invisible), yet the grace afforded some perceptible proof of that operation. And one spoke in the language of the Persians, another in that of the Romans, another in that of the Indians, or in some other tongue. And this was being made evident to those outside, that it is the Spirit in him that is speaking. Behold, here is specifically fulfilled the saying: "The least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Behold, for the last of the apostles concerning the calling—that which John did not give in the baptism—this the baptized received through the hands of Paul. "Why did he speak with boldness?" He was positioned for dangers, and he spoke also more openly, not overshadowing the doctrines. They teach [men] to separate from those who blaspheme the Son of God, [and to cleave to] those who believe in Him. See how much the defection achieved! And both Jews and Greeks heard. "The Way"—he calls our Lord Jesus Christ, or the true faith in Him being proclaimed through Paul. Not only did they touch [the garments] while carrying them, but they also took them and applied them; and for this reason he did not allow him to leave for Asia, reserving him for this time, as I think. ^C Sudaria and semicinctia, I think both are linen-like; but the sudaria are put on the head, while the semicinctia are held in the hands by those who are unable to wear oraria (such as those who wear consular robes), or a napkin, for the purpose of wiping away the moisture of the face, such as sweat, spittle, tears, and the like.

They were doing everything for the sake of the craft, and they did not want to believe, but through the name of Jesus they desired to cast out demons, and they did not consider Jesus to be anything great, but they added Him to Paul, as if he himself considered Him to be something great [v. considering Him to be something great]. This expression shows that they were not exorcising the unclean spirits as those who believe in Jesus, but as those who were tempting [Him], being double-minded. Wherefore also the unclean spirit testified that they were not believers; and they have paid a penalty for their rashness for a short time. What then does "they attempted" signify? That they were not confident, yet they were setting out to see if they might succeed in their purpose. How the demon was not working with them, but...

^A those thoughts which disturb the soul; for those which come from God do not confuse, but rather settle the soul and illumine it. For this reason he says: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," lest those things which are brought in by us be thought to have imperfection. ^B

VERS. 16, 17. "Do not therefore err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, descending from the Father of lights." Understand God here as the Father of lights; by lights, however, understand either the angelic powers or men who are illumined by the Holy Spirit. "With whom is there no variableness, neither shadow of turning." There is no variableness, he says, with the God of lights; for He Himself cries through the prophet: "I am, I am, and I am not changed." But that phrase, "neither shadow of turning," is equivalent to saying: not even by any imagination or suspicion is there any change.

VERS. 18. "For of His own will He begat us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." He said "of His own will" because of those who, through diabolical madness, teach that this world was produced by chance or of its own accord. For after he had said above, "With whom is there no variableness," and by this had indicated that the Divine is immutable, he appends: "Of His own will He begat us." For if we have been made, it is clear that we are also mutable. For how could that which is changeable be immutable, since it did not exist, but was brought ^C into being through change? Then, after he said "begat," lest anyone should suspect that He begat His Son in the same way as He begat us, he adds, "with the word of truth." "For all things," according to John the Theologian, "were made through Him," that is, through the Word of truth. Wherefore, if we were produced through the Word, we certainly cannot be consubstantial with Him from whom we have received our being. But the phrase "a kind of firstfruits" has the same meaning as "the first and most precious." By the name "creature," he understands the visible nature.

VERS. 19. "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." That word "swift" does not designate mere hearing, but hearing that is efficacious, and which impels one toward the performance of those things which have been heard. For he knew that he who willingly offers an ear, is for the most part also ready to present himself to the work itself; just as, on the contrary, he who follows with regard to something is afflicted, and puts that thing off, ^D and finally, at some time, will desist from the undertaking entirely. Therefore, in the learning of divine things, he prescribes speed; but in those things that are dangerous in their administration, he prescribes slowness. Of this kind are speaking and becoming angry; for speech that comes from anger is never wont to end in good. (6) And therefore a certain God-wise man...

the blessed David said: "Be angry, and do not sin" (Ps. IV, 5); that is, do not, when you are made angry, immediately also add the madness that springs from anger. What is present here is in agreement with these things, both as concerning speech itself and as concerning becoming angry—and especially concerning the anger which, having been brought in without reason, deprives one of the righteousness of God. Wherefore he also says: "The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God."

^B "For the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God." Righteousness is a disposition in the soul which distributes to each according to his worth; but anger destroys even the wise. How could this [anger], by clouding the mind through excessive passion, establish the faculty that makes a reasoned distribution to each according to their worth? But indeed, observe that he did not speak simply of the one who does not work the righteousness of God, but of the one who, in things ruinous to himself, shows himself courageous. For this reason he also put forward the expression without the addition of the article; and that this is what he intends is shown by the [verse]: "Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly" (Ps. I, 1). For the addition of the subjunctive article shows that the word "man" intends to signify both those who incline toward good and those who incline toward evil. It must be noted, moreover, that he did not say "works" (ἐργάζεται) in the simple sense, but with the addition of the preposition: "works out" (κατεργάζεται). That is: He is not entirely deprived of what is proper. For it is possible in anger to discern some utility, in that it does not lack or cast away everything that is praiseworthy in every other psychic motion; rather, one may also find something good in it.

^C "Therefore, putting away all filthiness and abundance of wickedness, with meekness receive the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls." To "filthiness," he adds "abundance of wickedness," wishing by this to signify that even if someone should often fall into filthiness, they should quickly stand apart from it, and not, by persistence in it through habit, make the [evil] more firmly established. For things that are performed by us more frequently and more superfluously are wont to be restored into a nature, or rather to procure for it a habit of nature. He says "with meekness" because of the word of doctrine, which does not receive its reception in noise and turmoil. He calls that word "engrafted" by which we are born rational and endowed with the faculty of discerning the better from the worse.

^D "But be doers of the law, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." For if someone...

^A And yet, the inhuman crowd ^B sought to have me as their accuser, and they hastened to kill him. "Appeasing the anger of the populace. What does 'Take him away' mean?" It means what they say among us according to Roman custom: "Cast him into the standards." It is the custom for the Jews to speak this phrase against the righteous, as indeed they did against the Lord: "Take him away," that is, "Remove him from the living." See with what restraint Paul speaks to the chiliarch: "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" "Do you know Greek? Are you not then the Egyptian?" For some man had become a revolutionary, and a seditionist, and a deceiver, and a sorcerer, and the devil expected to cast suspicion through him, and to make partakers of the crimes belonging to them both Christ and the apostles. But he prevailed in nothing, but the truth became more brilliant. Among the Jews there are three general sects: Pharisees, Sadducees, and those called Essenes, that is to say, holy ones; others have named these also Sicarii, that is to say, zealots.

These myriads, moreover, from among those who shouted, "His blood be upon us and upon our children," were present. But yet the philanthropic God accepted even from them, and from those who had repented and believed. They did not say, "They heard," but, "They were instructed," that is, they believed and were taught. As giving counsel, he says, not as giving orders; whence they persuade him, for it was an economy and condescension. It was not, therefore, a cutting-off of the preaching [for this is the reading: *ekkopē* (or *egkopē*)], seeing that they themselves were even ordaining such things for them. Therefore, he does not reproach Peter [or rather, Paul] simply (for what he did here himself, that Peter [or rather, Paul] did there, while silent, establishing the dogma for him). And he did not say, "Why? Is it not right to teach things concerning the nations? It is not enough not to preach there, but it was necessary to do something more than the laws." Those in Jerusalem who believed from among the Jews wished to observe the legal customs. They advise him to make his defense in deed, not in word. "In order that they may know," he says, "that those things which they were instructed concerning you are nothing." They did not say, "That you teach," but, of superabundance, "That you yourself observe." Not only was this the thing being sought, not to teach others; but what? That he himself also keeps them.

"What then? If the nations know, will I harm them?" he says. "How, when we ourselves, the teachers of the Jews, sent them to him?" That is, "Offer the sacrifices being brought on their behalf according to the law, so that you may dissolve the suspicion."

^C See him, when he discusses with those on the outside, not refusing to use aids from the laws; here, however, he shames them by the city. And elsewhere again he says thus: "They cast us, who are Romans, into prison publicly, uncondemned." Because he said, "Are you the Egyptian?" he immediately led him away from this suspicion. Then, so that the Jewish nation might not be thought of, he foretells the religion of the Lord. What then is this? What then? He did not deny it—far from it! For he was a Jew and a Christian, observing as much as he ought, since he who believes in Christ obeyed the divine law most of all others. And previously discussing, he says, "We by nature are Jews." Here, in a shaming way: "Just as we commanded those, although teaching Jews, so do you also, preaching to the nations, cooperate with us." And he does not say, "But I am able to bring forward Timothy, whom I circumcised? And I am able to persuade by word?" But he was persuaded by them and did everything; he was above suspicion because he was even bearing the expense. These things happened not by his changing his mind—since the matter was a base one—but by his love condescending. For in order that he might truly change those who were such, he himself became appearing to observe the law not truly, but he was shaven, and performed all the Jewish things. For indeed where the Gospel was not harmed, he was the lowliest of all; but where, out of humility, he saw some being wronged, he no longer uses the same advantage. "Declaring," that is, proclaiming; he himself was the one making himself manifest.

See the economy taking place: after the Jews were persuaded, then those others attack, so that they might not also attack alongside. For the temple and the law agitated them most of all. And Paul spoke nothing to the apostles, that they themselves had become the cause to him. The accusation is greater from those present. "For still," he says, "he has brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled it." And yet in the time of Christ they went up to worship, but they say those who had taken him went to worship. For they wanted to kill him, and because of this "they dragged him," so that they might do this with greater impunity. They struck him without needing law or courts; and in the meantime a certain sedition had seized the city, and the populace was in great tumult.

^D See the discourse stripped of flattery, and having reasonableness. For he did not say, "Masters," or "Lords," but, "Brothers," which he desired most, "and fathers." This is of honor, that is of genuineness. "I am not a stranger to you," he says. You see how he bound them by the harmony? For they had a certain reverence for that tongue.

See how he prepares the way for the discourse: thus starting, "I am," he says, "a man, a Jew," which all wanted to hear rather than that. "Brought up in this city." He shows his great zeal concerning the worship, seeing that he even left such a homeland, and one so distinct from the others, he chose to be brought up here because of the law. These things he says not only defending himself before them, but showing that by divine power, and not by human purpose, he came to the preaching. For he would not have changed so suddenly if he were not taught. He did not say simply, "by Gamaliel," but, "at the feet," showing the perseverance, the constant attendance, the great reverence towards the man. That from of old he was such, and not simply having seen the law. But since he said great praises concerning it,

^A he shares the word, adding: "as you all are." Oh, great is the zeal, and [great are] the witnesses of the truth of Christ. And he shows that they act not with a human purpose, but with divine zeal.

See how many witnesses he brings forward: the presbytery, the high priest, those in the city; for his defense was not out of cowardice, but for teaching and boasting. What is the disagreement regarding the vision of Paul recorded in the Acts? For in the vision along the way, Luke records that those who were with [Paul] heard the voice but saw no one; whereas here, he says upon the stairs that those who were with him beheld the light, but did not hear the voice of the one speaking. Concerning the history, Chrysostom, having interpreted the place very knowledgeably, said that the first explanation is that which says, "Those who were with him heard the voice," that is, Paul’s voice, saying, "Who are you, Lord?" [and they heard] that voice, but saw no one except Paul. The second explanation, which says they beheld the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking, means they did not hear the voice of the Lord that came to Paul, but only beheld the light. This happened reasonably; for he alone was to be deemed worthy of that voice. For if those others had heard it, would they not have become better? Since, however, the duller [of mind] are persuaded more by sight, they saw the light and became afraid; and in fact, He blinded his [Paul’s] eyes, and gave to them to see again if they wished. It seems to me that they did not believe by divine economy, so as to be credible witnesses.

He well said, "of the fathers," ^B so as to show them not as Jews, but as aliens to the law, and not being zealous for it. "To know," he says, "His will." Therefore, this is His will. See how there is teaching in the order of the narrative.

Here he uttered a great thing, saying, "having called upon the name of the Lord," showing Him to be God; for it is not possible for one to call upon another, unless it is God.

See how he inserts himself. "I came," he says, "after that vision, to Jerusalem." Again, this is without a witness; but see, the witness comes from the outcome. He said that "They will not receive your testimony," and they did not receive it. And yet, he says, if one had to suspect this from logical reasoning, they certainly should have received it. For I was the one warring against Christians; so because of this, they ought to have received [my testimony]. ^C Here he constructs two points: first, that they are inexcusable (for not according to what was expected, nor according to logic, were they persecuting him), and that Christ was God, prophesying things contrary to expectation, and not looking at things happening, but foreknowing things to come. Why did he say, "They know that I was binding [believers]"? Not contradicting Christ, but wishing to learn of such a paradox. But Christ did not instruct him, but only said to leave.

He reminded them of Stephen, of the cruel murder. At that point, they could not bear it, because this convicted them. And already the prophecy was being fulfilled. ^D They no longer endured hearing the entirety of the speech, but, filled with great wrath, they blasphemed. See how he insisted, up and down, that he had become a disciple of Christ, not by the mediation of a man, but by Him having deigned of Himself to reveal all knowledge to him.

And yet, it was necessary to learn from them if they had forgotten any of the things said, but he simply grants it by his authority, and does this to them for favor. For he was not seeking what he might do justly, but how to stop their anger, which was unjust.

Why ever does the Apostle Paul call himself a Roman, and speaking to the chiliarch, said, "But I have even been born one"? [MAXIMUS FROM THE...] Those everywhere, as if it were something great to be called Romans, were accounted such, offering gifts, and were registered as Romans and ran to the name of the lineage. Since, therefore, the parents of the Apostle, being in Tarsus, were registered as Romans, ^A the Apostle, as having been born of them, reasonably says, "But I have even been born one." Would Paul have lied? God forbid! [JOHN.] For he was a Roman, even if he feared nothing else lest he be caught and receive a greater penalty. Or he did not utter this expression simply, but to deliver himself from torments, and to frighten the ruler. And he does not say it simply, but, "Is it lawful for you?" There are two charges: both the [beating] without trial, and [doing so] to a Roman. ^B Are you a Roman? He said: Yes; knowing that one must submit to authorities and powers, and that the Emperor of the Romans at that time ruled over all the earth. He confessed himself a Roman, not casting off the Roman authority and dominion, which the other Jews, deceiving themselves, did not; [but they] said God alone was their king, and not man, ^C yet in practice, as subjects, they paid tribute, denying the rule in name, but in practice submitting to it. He was practically cleansing his mind, Paul saying that: "You announce the title as recent and coming from yourself; but to me, [the privilege] was inherited, rooted from above and arranged by fatherly right." Because of this, when that man heard it, and was confirmed that he was attempting to scourge a Roman, he was restrained, dissolving his boldness and anger into cowardice and fear. For at that time, they were obtaining the honor, not only those who happened to be natives of Rome, but also those to whom the title was granted by law of favors or of money.

That is to say, "I am also conscious of [what I have done to myself]." What have I done to you? It is not even worthy of these bonds. Some say that he did not know that he was the high priest. What then? He defends himself as if there were an accusation, and adds, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people." For if he were not a ruler, was it right to insult him simply? For he himself says: "Reviled, we bless; persecuted, we endure." Here he does the opposite, and not only reviles, but also curses. Outspokenness. ^D

^A of words is rather of the spirit than of anger; he did not wish to appear contemptible to the chiliarch. For if he himself refrained from scourging, as being one about to be handed over to the Jews, to be beaten by servants would have made him more arrogant. He does not direct his words at the boy, but at the one who gave the order. And the phrase, "You whitewashed wall, and do you sit judging me according to the law?" is equivalent to saying: "You who are guilty," as if he were saying, "and worthy of ten thousand deaths."

[OTHERWISE.] I am strongly persuaded that he did not know it was the high priest, for a long time had passed since he had returned, and he had not been associating with the Jews, and seeing him in the midst with many others; for the high priest was no longer clear, there being many and various ones. Therefore, the holy Paul, wishing to show that one must also restrain righteous anger and veil just indignation, as if having changed his mind, says: "I did not know," and so on. Did you not know he is the high priest? Why then did you say, "And do you sit judging me according to the law?" But he feigns ignorance—not in a harmful way, but in a providential one. For it is possible to use a strategy better than outspokenness. Often, outspokenness has harmed the truth, whereas a timely strategy has accomplished the proposed aim. ^B

He does not everywhere enjoy grace, and in this instance he wished to divide the multitude that was wrongly in agreement against him. And he does not lie here, for he was a Pharisee from his ancestors. Since they did not wish to say why they judge him, he is forced at last to state himself why they condemn him; and from their own accusation and slander he establishes his own position. Perhaps the Sadducees do not even know God, being dull-witted people, whence they did not even wish to believe in the resurrection.

And yet, there are three; how then does he say "both"? Spirit and angel, he says, is one. When he stood with them, then they make a defense for him. The phrase that says "both" does not only speak of two, which "both" strictly denotes, but also of three. Therefore, one ought not judge the writings of the simple and unlettered fishermen by the precise rigorousness of those from without. For from these, one might say, all heresy is born, by those who seek to scrutinize the Scriptures according to a literal interpretation of certain words. And if a spirit spoke the mechanism of the word to him, so that he might escape the plot, it is unclear, he says, or the word is to be taken as if from the Pharisees. But if a spirit or an angel spoke to him, it means: "Behold, he is clearly speaking about the resurrection, having been instructed in the doctrine of the resurrection either by the Holy Spirit or by an angel."

The chiliarch is then afraid lest he be torn apart, since he said that he is a Roman, and the matter was full of danger; but the army seizes him as their own, I think. And why did he not appear to him before he fell into the danger? Because God always comforts in tribulations. For then it appears more desirable, and in dangers it trains us. And after the ^C appearing, he permits him to be saved again in a human way.

See, they are fierce and mad concerning wickedness, and forty at once. For such is the nation; when it is necessary for them to agree on something good, not even two come together; but when it is for evil, the whole populace does, and they take the rulers as participants. "They bound themselves with a curse," or instead of this, they said they were outside the faith in accordance with God if they did not do what was deemed best. This was of the economy of God, that they should not perceive that they would be heard. What then of Paul? He was not troubled, but he knows ^D that this is the work of God, and he leaves everything to Him. This is not a crime of Paul, but an infirmity of nature, yet a commendation of his will. This was managed so that even he might learn their plot. For it was not from having nothing to say, but from the fact that they were attempting things in secret while being nothing. It is likely that even after he was sent away, the high priests approached and were put to shame; for he wished neither to deny nor to consent. Then they believed on account of the things that had already happened.

He is sent, then, to Caesarea, so that he might hold a discourse there before a greater theater and a more brilliant audience; so that the Jews might not have it to say, "If we had seen Paul, we would have believed." Observe also the letter of apology [C (in margin)] that he had in his favor, and the accusation against them. The guards are called "right-hand men."

Observe how, through the vote of those from without, Paul becomes innocent, as was Christ by Pilate. They handed him over as if to put him to death and condemn him; but the opposite happens, and he is saved. And he (the chiliarch) not only rescues him from that impulse, but from much else, and becomes a servant to them, so that he might be saved without danger after such a display of force. Since, then, he threw him out of the city, they then desist, and he would not have sent him away with such security if he himself had not happened to have judged him innocent of nothing, and knew of their murderous intent.

It should be noted that in Caesarea is the praetorium of Herod. "They manifested to the governor." Again, the word is missing for the meaning of the phrase, so that it might be: "Who presented a scholastic document against Paul." Observe how he preempts the judge with praises from the beginning, and how he desires to hand him over as a revolutionary and a rebel; then, as having much to say, he hurried past. Observe how he casts the judge into a desire for punishment, if he were about to take hold of the one turning the world upside down.

"Causing factions to the Jews throughout the world," he says. The sect of the Nazarenes seemed to be ignominious, and from this they again slandered him; for Nazareth was of no account. Tertullus calls the Nazarenes heretics, so that this existence was also a heresy among the Jews, or rather Tertullus was a Greek, which is why he was a rhetorician, that is, he was a pleader.

^A Paul, however, did not insult those whom he knew and whom he was preaching, for he was not even daring enough to insult the high priest of the Jews in his presence, even though he no longer obeyed the Jewish high priests. These addresses are not flattery, testifying to the judge of justice, but rather the opposite: "For enjoying," he says, "peace through you." Why then do you stir up sedition unjustly? Yet this man seeks justice, because "for many years." And what of this? That he would not have straightway immediately stirred up a riot. Since the accuser had nothing to show in Jerusalem, see what he says: "To all the Jews throughout the world." For this reason, Paul drags him here: "I came up," he says, "to worship." This is how far I am from stirring up sedition, and he dwells at length on this argument. After the vocation of being an apostle of Christ, he says ^B that he worships the ancestral God, showing him to be one for both the Old and the New. They were separating him, but this man brings him in and reconciles himself to the law; but he makes no mention of Christ here. Having spoken of believing, he introduced matters concerning Christ; but for now, he dwells on the argument of the resurrection. This perfect virtue is when we do not even give handle to men, and strive to be blameless before God. How, then, could I have disturbed them, so as to perform alms, [when] I had such a journey? Everywhere he destroys the sedition. He delayed on purpose, not needing to learn, but to ward off the Jews. But to let him go again was not possible; for it would have been shameless. Note that Felix knew the faith accurately, having been catechized from the Old [Testament] about the things concerning Christ; and he did not release Paul out of human-pleasing, as the narrative says, as he was passing by, hoping for money, and wishing to store up favors for the Jews. He knew this also as he had a Jewish wife, from whom ^C he heard these things continually. "With Drusilla his own wife." She was joined to him against the law, being a Jewess; or perhaps she was a Jewess, but having been married to him, she became a Greek; wherefore she was choosing for him her own faith, persuading her husband also to become a transgressor. Why does he himself also curry favor with the Jews? Because the whole commonalty and the whole city were there. For this reason, Paul again frightened him, using a human weapon. "I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I must be judged," instead of, "I wish to go to Rome to the emperor and be judged there; I appeal to you," he says. He shows that he rightly appealed to Caesar. For if they had nothing terrible to say, and they were mad, rationally he goes to him; and he is released for the time being from the trial, and the plot devised by the Jews against him is thwarted. Agrippa was coming down in the rank of king in the provinces, and for this reason he was also styled king; or perhaps he was himself king of the eastern parts, while Nero was the ruler of the western ones, and was in Rome. For the name Caesar in Roman signifies emperor, and as a common noun, all emperors of the Romans were called Caesars, but these were not their own proper names. I said this so that no one, from the homonymy of the general name, might think that our Lord was born and Paul suffered under the same emperor. For the Lord was indeed born, as the times reveal, under Caesar Augustus; but he died after thirty-three years under Tiberius Caesar. ^D And Paul died under Nero after thirty-five years of the Lord’s death; and rather, Herod, as Agrippa, came down in the order of a king; wherefore he also was called king. So that Pilate, gratifying the Jews so that they might kill him, was clearly doing this with a murderous soul, since he not only disregarded God's judgment in this, but also deceived the Roman law, and despised the ordinances of the emperor, by whom he had been sent to rule the regions of Jerusalem. "They brought no accusation." And yet they were bringing one, but they did not prove it; indeed, [the claim of] a plot and audacity, this [the judge] suspected it indicated; but the examination [showed] nothing of the sort. Rationally, he says, "concerning some man," being in authority, and not caring about these things. Agrippa fell into the desire of the hearing, and he does not hear simply, but with preparation; and behold the apology. For when the ruler says these things, he is beyond suspicion, so that the Jews might even be condemned by him. See how he does not hide the judge's opinion here; though if he had condemned him, he would not have done this, nor would he have wished to hear from a condemned and wicked person. And see Paul, even though speaking to a ruler, saying none of the things which it is likely would hurt his soul, but about righteousness and the coming judgment, that is, of the resurrection. And such was the power of the words that it even frightened the ruler. The things written hold to the truth, not praising them, but he is called away not of those things said, but expecting to receive money. There, therefore, God managed it, not permitting the ruler. For it is likely that he, having freshly stepped into the office, wanted to show favor; but God does not allow it. Since they came down, from then on, they were shamelessly making the accusation heavier. Behold, a clear testimony that in all things Paul kept himself blameless, having sinned neither against God, nor against man, nor against the law, nor against the temple. Instead of: neither did he ruin the buildings of the Jews of stone. For the present, the judge himself testifies to him that he was innocent; nevertheless, he did not release him, perhaps the Lord having thus managed it, so that he might appeal and by the necessity of the senate be sent to Rome, and what was prophesied by him might be fulfilled, that "I must also see Rome." He calls the emperor "Augustus" abusively, just as "Caesar," whom also, passing by, he calls lord. And this was [a part] of Paul’s purity.

as he was being spoken to, and says: "You are mad, Paul." But he explains the reason why he turned the discourse toward the king, ^A for he saw that the judge had nothing to say regarding the fury, since he always saw him directed toward the king. Although, if he were conscious of anything against himself, he ought to have been afraid, being judged before one who knows all things. But this belongs to a clear conscience: not to refuse a judge who knows precisely the things that have happened, but even to rejoice and to call him blessed.

Since he is about to extend his discourse and say something about himself, for this reason he began by offering an invitation: he does not state what his manner of life was, but leaves it to their conscience, and places the whole matter in the choice—he would not have chosen it if he were wicked and evil. He sets forth two arguments regarding the resurrection: one from the prophets, though he does not produce a prophet, but rather the very opinion of the Jews themselves; and another, the stronger one, from facts, since Christ appeared to him, and he confirms even this by arguments, clearly explaining his former madness. Then, he adds praise of the Jews: "Serving night and day," he says, "they hope to attain." So, if he was not of a life easily reproached, he ought not to have been judged for these things. "Why is it thought incredible by you if God raises the dead?" And another argument: For if he were not in such glory, if they were not raised up in these doctrines, but it were now being introduced, who would not have accepted the teaching? "For the sake of this hope," he says, "I am accused, and this is upheld by them."

He says how he persecuted, and this is also confirmatory; and he produces the priests as witnesses, and the cities abroad, that they heard him saying, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads," and he demonstrates the philanthropy of God, in that, while being persecuted, He appeared to him. For, he says, He brought benefit not only to me, but He also sent me as a teacher to others, and showing that the prophecy had come to pass which says, "Delivering you from the people and the Gentiles." I was persuaded by these things, he says, by this vision he was brought, and thus he persuaded them not to delay.

He shows the evils that hold the unbelievers: Satan, the darkness; and the good things of the believers: the light, God, the inheritance of the saints. He does not simply exhort them to repent, but also to exhibit a wondrous life. And look, everywhere the Gentiles are intertwined with the people; for those present were from the Gentiles.

He then, teaching others about an excellent life, how could he himself have become the leader of sedition and strife? Therefore, just as I believed, so also must the one who hears me believe me. For I do not report by hearsay the words of others, but what I myself heard. And a vision is a pure sight, one that surpasses man—that which a man, while in the flesh, cannot see without his eyes being opened.

Look how his speech is devoid of flattery, and he ascribes everything to God. Then the boldness: "And yet I do not fall away." And the assurance: "For I assert it from the prophets." "If Christ is subject to suffering," if the resurrection is the promise. Festus saw the boldness, and just as if he were suffering something from anger ^B and the saying, he says: "You are mad, Paul." But he explains the reason why he turned the discourse toward the king.

The word "if" is in place of "that": it is that Christ is subject to suffering, that he is the first from the resurrection; for this one was the first to rise, and he dies no more. For those who rose through him, or through his disciples, died again, while waiting for the universal resurrection.

Here he speaks concerning the cross and concerning the resurrection, because the doctrine has taken place everywhere in the inhabited world. He says these things showing that Agrippa knows all things, saying as it were to them also: "For you ought to know these things," for the thing that follows is this: "For it has not been done in a corner."

Although it was worthy of glory, yet looking to their perception, for this reason he said: "except for these bonds," not that he himself was wishing away the bonds, or was ashamed of them, but by yielding to their weakness. For he learned from the Master not to put a piece of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment; for this reason he spoke thus. One must, therefore, yield. For when they learn to philosophize, then they will know the beauty of this iron, and the splendor from the bonds. Look how, while he is again judging in his favor, and after saying, "You are mad," he lets him go—not from death, but from ties—and he would have completely let him go, "had he not appealed to Caesar." But this happened economically, both the departing with bonds, and the "until bonds" as a criminal, he says. And Aristarchus to some point accompanies Paul, well and usefully; Aristarchus is present intending to report everything regarding him to Macedonia.

For it was likely that he would be from much affliction ^C of the bonds, of the fear, of being led and carried. Look how he does not hide even this, that he wished to "receive care." I believe he means the fast of the Jews here. For after Pentecost they departed from there after a long time, so as to arrive in the parts of Crete in the very winter itself. And this too is no small miracle, the being saved, and the others through him. Look at the lack of arrogance: so that he might not appear to be prophesying, but speaking from conjecture, "I perceive," he says; for they would not have accepted it immediately if he had said this. So one should not demand literalism everywhere in Scripture; for how can one take the word of "facing" literally in regard to a ship, where it fits in regard to a man? That is to say, the sails; for when there is a strong wind, this happens as the ship and the stern are held back. What happened came about under the circumstances, but the miracle is greater, that in such a time they were saved from the midst of dangers, he himself and through him the rest. Then the winter is harsh, the darkness is great, and so they would not forget, and the ship is broken up, and the corn is ^D….

souls of those onboard are being strengthened ^A, since they had been assured that they would be saved. Paul, having seen that they were yielding to him through necessity, and since it was not yet time, while they were despondent and in danger, to preach the Lord Jesus Christ, teaches them piety for the time being, in part, saying that they should not break bread in any other way than by first giving thanks to the one God, and only then eating; and this same thing he teaches us. “Having cast off the ropes” ^B, the ship is loosened in the day, that they might not be destroyed by fear, so that you might see the prophecy fulfilled in deed. Do you see that even in this they were granted to Paul? For because of him, the centurion did not allow them to be killed. Thus, it seems to me that those others were known to be evil, to the point that they chose to kill them, and the devil tried to hinder the prophecy; but the centurion was already won over to Paul.

OF SAINT BASIL

OF THEODORE

^A of the taverns, or of certain inns or retail shops, as they are called. He was permitted to remain by himself because of being admired by them. For they did not count him with the others, but he was worthy of respect "with the soldier guarding him." So that it was not possible for him to undergo any treachery by the men throughout the city, but the soldier was a guard for Paul. So that their ears might not be forestalled. And what did he have in common with them? For they were not destined to accuse him, but nevertheless, he was not so much concerned about instructing them. Paul, knowing that it was entirely improper to be judged, and especially by unbelievers, makes a defense concerning both things, that neither did he act against the established law, but, having been slandered, was accused ^B by the Jews; nor did he voluntarily call upon Caesar, but they themselves having provided the cause, for which [there] was [no] reason for them to deliver him to me, nor to comply with the legal decisions of the magistrates. "For because of the hope of Israel." For there was one hope of salvation for the Jews, remaining from the Scriptures, [the] Christ, for which having preached I came to this state of bonds. What then? they say: have you done this in order to accuse them? No, he says, but in order to escape the danger. I am so far from being hostilely disposed toward you, that because of you I am wearing this chain; and because of this, he says, was the reason I wished to see you, so that no one might be able to accuse [me], and to say what is apparent, that having escaped their hands, I came to the same place, not giving evils to others. Then those men also were so won over by his argument, that they themselves also defended their relatives. The Jews call the faith in Christ a sect, because it is spoken against everywhere. Behold, the Jews also testify that Christ has been preached everywhere. Yet, he says, not all accept the preaching, but some speak against it. For the saying, that "The Spirit spoke," is nothing wonderful; for an angel also is said to say whatever the Lord would have said. "He spoke well," he says, "the Holy Spirit," but that is no longer the case when someone narrates about the things said by the angel. He does not say, "The angel spoke well," but "The Lord spoke well; the Spirit spoke well," instead of: You do not disbelieve me, but God foreknew this from above to those who call the Holy Spirit a minister of the Father. Here Paul gives the fatal blow. For the Lord who was sitting on a throne high and lifted up, whom Isaiah saw, the Holy Spirit speaks of here. For he is said to be consubstantial with the Father, and with the Son, and shares the same authority. ^C And this scripture prepares the prophet as speaking from God, since the people heard the words of Jesus, and did not understand, and seeing the wonders done by him, [and] did not see. For turning the scripture to a future time, he indicates the things prophesied for later times ^D of the economy. You see the prophet accusing with such precision. For he himself did not say, "You shall not see," but that "And you shall see, and shall not perceive"; nor that "You shall not hear," but that "You shall hear, and shall not understand." They deprived themselves, first by stopping their ears, closing their eyes, and making their heart heavy; for they not only did not hear, but even heard with difficulty. And they did this, he says, "Lest they should turn, and I should heal them," speaking of their intensified wickedness, and their quick apostasy. And in saying this, he draws them and provokes them, and shows, that even if they turn, he will heal them. So that to the Gentiles the mystery of this has been given to be known. Again he stirs up their zeal, from the Gentiles, [saying], "They, he says, shall hear." He shows the freedom henceforth. Preaching, he says, unhindered in Rome, he who was hindered in Judea. Since he remained there two years; but what do we say after the two years? "I hasten to go to Spain, and I hope," he says, "as I pass through to see you." For a time he went a second time, then, and when he was perfected. In my first defense, he says, no one stood with me. Thus he escaped them and having filled the whole world, thus he ended his life. The entire time of Paul's preaching is therefore twenty years, and another two years which he fulfilled in the prison in Caesarea; and in addition to these again those in Rome [are] another two, and the last years [as well, total] ten; so that all the years from his calling until [his] perfection are thirty-five. But let no one complain to me about these things and challenge the following parts of the Acts, saying that Luke does not say these things. Which some sensible man will ask: If you do not accept the times that are after the Acts, give me, he says, Luke narrating the martyrdom of Paul. For if Luke measured Paul's life in Rome only by these two years, having narrated the martyrdom to us, he would have needed no curiosity of times from us; but since he does not write our martyrdom (for it was a later time and it happened long after the book), be persuaded henceforth by Eusebius the chronicler, and receive the history as a friend. For the disciples of Christ, being persuaded to accept also the teachings and traditions of the Fathers for edification, become heirs of the kingdom of Jesus.

Martyrology of Paul the Apostle

THEOPHYLACT OF BULGARIA, ARCHBISHOP. ACCURATE EXPOSITION OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES.

WHY THE FOLLOWING EPISTLES ARE CALLED CATHOLIC.

These Epistles—the one by James, the two by Peter, the three by John, and the one by Jude—are called Catholic, as if they were "circular." For that holy assembly of the Lord's disciples did not address these Epistles to any one specific people or city, as the divine Paul did, for example, to the Romans or the Corinthians; but rather they addressed them generally to those who are faithful—that is, to the Jews in the Dispersion, as Peter did, or to all Christians who profess the same faith.

ARGUMENT OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF JAMES.

James wrote this Epistle to those of the twelve tribes who had been dispersed and had believed in our Lord Jesus Christ. He made it didactic, that is, full of instruction. For in it he teaches concerning the variety of temptations: which are from God, and which arise from the heart of man. And [he teaches] that one must manifest one's faith not by word alone, but by deed; and that it is not the hearers of the law, but the doers of the law, who are justified. Regarding the rich, he charges that they should not be preferred over the poor in the churches, but rather be rebuked as proud. And finally, after having comforted those who suffer injustice, he encourages them to bear it with long-suffering until the coming of the Judge; and having taught about patience, and demonstrated the usefulness of patience from the story of Job, he gives instruction that the presbyters should be summoned to the sick, and that each one should strive to turn the erring back to the truth:

and says that the reward for this is the forgiveness of sins from the Lord. And thus he concludes the Epistle.

INDEX OF THE CHAPTERS OF THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF JAMES

1. On patience, and unfeigned faith, and humility toward one's neighbor. In this is contained a discussion of the lust within us, and of its effects; and that God is not the cause of it. For whatever good is in us is from Him. Of gentleness, and purity, and good works, through which we attain beatitude; and of knowledge and consistency of speech. Of charity toward everyone without respect of persons, according to the Law. That man is justified not by faith alone, but also by works, and not by either one separately, but by both together. That a forward and unruly tongue brings death to him who possesses it, and that it is therefore necessary to restrain it for the praise and glory of God. ^B 2. Concerning a good conversation and peaceable conduct toward one another, away from the seeking of glory for human wisdom. 3. Concerning divine wisdom. 4. And that from sloth and the love of pleasure, contention and tumults and enmity toward God arise. 5. Concerning repentance for salvation. 6. Concerning not judging one’s neighbor. 7. That the steps of a man are not directed by man, but by God. ^C 8. Concerning the avarice of the rich, and their luxury in this world, and concerning the righteous judgment of God. 9. Concerning long-suffering and patience in tribulations, and concerning truth. 10. Particular exhortations befitting each person with faith. And that one must serve the salvation of one’s neighbor.

GENERAL EPISTLE OF SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE

CHAPTER ONE

1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the dispersion, greeting. ^D Servant of God, that is to say, of the Father; but servant of the Lord, that is, of Jesus Christ. Wherefore, if he is equally the servant of the Father and of the Son,

and is equal to the Father both in essence and in dignity. Above every worldly dignity, ^A the apostles of the Lord pride themselves on being servants of Jesus Christ.

VERS. 2. "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into various temptations." The Apostle knows those temptations and afflictions that are according to God to be both praiseworthy and worthy of joy; for these are a very strong bond and an increase of charity and contrition. Whence it is also said: "My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation." And Christ says: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer." For it is impossible, apart from various exercises, to attain to any crown, whether worldly or heavenly. Indeed, out of modesty, he calls them "brethren," not "sons." Moreover, temptations bring all joy to the strenuous, because by them their integrity is made manifest; for integrity produces a perfect work. But someone will say: If such is the effect of temptations, why does Christ the Lord teach us to ask God not to lead us into temptation? We reply, therefore, that temptations are of two kinds: some have their origin in us, while others are brought upon us by God for the sake of exercise and ^B proclamation of our virtue. Those which have their origin in us are likewise of two kinds: those that arise from an irrational fortitude, which we call boldness—against which the Lord teaches us to be on our guard, forasmuch as "the spirit indeed is willing," but in the time of contest that willingness is often extinguished; and thus boldness does not in the end lead to good. Other temptations, however, are brought upon us as afflictions because of sins, as was the destruction of the Sodomites. Such temptations as these must be avoided by us with all care by living a life immune to sin. But those which are sent by God, of the kind that Job and Abraham endured, are not only not to be avoided, but, if it be possible, are rather to be sought through patience and thanksgiving, as they are worthy of glory and crowns. "Various temptations," he said, for the reason we have just explained, because, namely, some temptations are from God, while others are from us.

VERS. 3. "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." Since, as we said, temptations are of two kinds, patience is useful and convenient in both: in those ^C which are from God, because we thereby acquire glory, as did Abraham and Job; and in those which are from us, so that by sustaining them with thanksgiving, we may offer them to God as a compensation for the sins we have committed. For he who is his own judge provides for himself the beginning of salvation; for he already approaches to the form of a just man, inasmuch as "the just man is the first accuser of himself."

^A "But let patience have her perfect work." Observe that he does not say of patience in a definitive sense that "it has a perfect work," but in an imperative sense: "Let it have." For he is not declaring a pre-existing virtue, but is prescribing that which ought to be brought into being. "That ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." He says that wisdom is the cause of a perfect work. Since he knows that the proof of faith and of patience in temptations is not an achievement for just any men, but for those who are wise according to God; for this reason, he urges those who desire to achieve these things to pray for wisdom. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He understands spiritual wisdom, not human, for he offers this here as the cause of a perfect work; and this is wisdom from above, by which, being strengthened, we shall be able to perform that which is good.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." For if he believes, let him ask; but if he does not believe, let him not even ask; for he shall not receive anything of those things which he asks for. The "wavering" one is he who asks with arrogance. Indisputably, the one who wavers is insulting. For if you have not believed that He accomplishes your request, do not even approach at all, lest you be found an accuser of Him who has power over all things, by having doubted without cause. Therefore, one must avoid such a shameful sickness. "For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." "For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." "Wavering" is to be understood as one who separates himself from a firm matter, and hesitates whether it will be or not. For this man shall not receive anything, being dubious concerning that which he hopes for.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." "Double minded" is used here instead of: mingled, unconstructed, incomplete, of two minds, a hypocrite. By "ways," he means the movements of the soul, upon which hopes are suspended, whether they are good or bad, according to that which David also said: "Thou hast foreseen all my ways." Alternatively: He calls a double-minded man someone who is unstable, that is, one who is not firmly established either toward the future or toward the present, but is carried about here and there, and at one time clings to future things, and at another to present things. Such a person he compares to a "wave of the sea," which has no stability, and to the "flower of the grass," which has no permanence but withers when the sun has risen. Wherefore he did not compare him to the hay, which is somewhat more permanent, but—

to the flower, in order to express its very brief duration. But why is the person called "double-minded"? Clearly, because he is not directed with confidence towards either the present or the future life. For in Scripture, "soul" or "mind" is often used to mean life, according to the saying, "All that a man has, he will give for his soul." Remove, therefore, from yourself this perplexity of mind, and do not doubt to ask of God, saying within yourself, "How can I ask and receive from the Lord, having sinned so much against Him?" Do not think such things, but confess to the Lord with your whole heart and turn back to Him, and ask of Him without hesitation; and you will know His compassion, for "He will not forsake you, but will fulfill the requests of your heart." For God is easily forgetful of injuries and has mercy upon His own creatures. ^B

VERS. 9. "Let the humble brother glory in his exaltation." Humility is the dispenser of all good things, and without it nothing good is accomplished; therefore he adds, "Let the humble man glory in his exaltation," that is, in his sublimity. Because he has compared the one "who wavers" to "a wave of the sea," which, indeed, is puffed up by the winds and raised on high, but is lowered and leveled more quickly than it was raised; the person who "wavers" suffers something similar, who, out of pride, does not base his petitions on any of the necessary things. For this reason he adds, "Let the humble brother glory," as if he were saying: He who wishes to ask for something should first ask for the things that are necessary, in which he will by no means be disappointed; and these things are "the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness." Then let him persevere in asking for such things; he should not, after having prayed a little, immediately withdraw—for this is the way of the proud—but let him await the receipt of what he asks for, while persevering in humility of soul. ^C

VERS. 10, 11. "But the rich in his humility, for as the flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun has risen with its heat, and has dried up the grass, and its flower has fallen." He compares riches to the flower of the grass, wishing to indicate their fleeting nature. "And the beauty of his face has perished." He uses "face" metaphorically here, for "face" is said only of a man, and not of other things. "So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways." He calls the course of the present life his "ways." ^D

VERS. 12. "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." Since temptations are of a twofold kind, as we have said, patience is useful in each of them. Furthermore, mindful of the Lord's Prayer, which presents what is safer—that is, that we avoid falling into temptations—the Apostle resumes his discourse through the things set before us, and declares what kind of temptation is sent by God, and what kind arises from us, and is therefore voluntary. Although it is also correct to say that, looking toward the weakness of human nature, the Lord and God

^A suggested what is more imperfect—namely, to pray to avoid temptations—since at that time the apostles were still imperfect. But after our weak nature was strengthened by the knowledge of His resurrection and also by His ascension into heaven, His brother according to the flesh teaches us to no longer fear temptations.

VERS. 13. "Let no one, when he is tempted, say, 'I am tempted by God.'" If temptations are of a double kind, why then does he now remove the cause of every temptation from God? But observe that he does not say, "He who has been tempted," but "He who is being tempted." For if anyone brings temptations upon himself through sin and intemperance, and is tossed about in them as if in a continuous storm, the apostle says that this man is not tempted by God, but by his own concupiscence. For he who has overcome the temptation brought upon him becomes stronger, and is thereafter more difficult to be taken by temptations, especially those that are set in motion by himself. For he who gives himself more perfectly to the exercise of virtues, with the progress of time, even enjoys great peace from temptations. "For God is ^B intentable by evils, and He Himself tempts no one." God cannot be tempted by evils, according to the statement of him who said: "The divine and blessed being neither has business [of its own], nor does it give it to others." For all these things concern mortal and earthly nature, in which vicissitude and change occur, which are as it were the rudiments of our nature. Concupiscence and sin, and the death that springs into the soul from this, are certain degrees of human perdition. For concupiscence, having found a place to be received, wrought sin, which gave birth to death; unless, having rooted it out through repentance, we provide ourselves with the beginning of a second life.

VERS. 14, 15. "But each one is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and enticed. Then concupiscence, having conceived, brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death." Since he has shown that the divine nature is neither tempted nor brings this upon others, he speaks of temptations as those thoughts ^C [Bonifacii Finetti notæ.]

(3) The Vulgate interpreter translates, "untemptable by evils." Perhaps he reads *apeirastos* for *apeirastos*. (4) This impious statement, though well understood, I suppose, by its author, is brought forward here by the commentator to illustrate the saying of St. James. For it is that of Epicurus, which he places as a foundation for removing divine providence. Namely, with these words he attributes to God a total peace and indolence, so as to remove from Him all administration of things. Indeed, Laertius reports it as that of Epicurus in his *Life*, and before him Cicero in book II of *De Natura Deorum*; whose words I have here given in a Latin version of the same opinion. But it is better to cite that passage here in full. I know that the Epicureans venerate all things [as] divine; although I see that for some it appears that Epicurus, so as not to fall into the offense of the Athenians, left the gods in name but removed them in reality. Therefore, in those select and brief opinions of his, which he calls his *principal doctrines*, as I suspect, the first opinion is: "Whatever is blessed and immortal, it neither has, nor gives, any business to anyone." Lactantius, in his book *De Ira Dei*, c. 4, attributes the same opinion to Epicurus in almost the same words. His words are: "From this (says Epicurus) [God] is blessed and incorrupt, because He cares for nothing, nor does He Himself have business, nor does He give it to another." Where the author has "divine and blessed," these are the proper words of Epicurus, "blessed and incorrupt," in the same sense. For "others" [aliis], he has elsewhere "to another" [alteri]: by which variety of reading Sextus Empiricus repeats the same opinion in *Hypotyposeon* III, 24. That it is Epicurus is evident from what he infers thereafter. For thus he immediately continues in Laertius: "Wherefore He is not touched by anger or by grace." By which words, as noted by Lactantius in the lauded place, just as He removed anger from Him, so also he removed beneficence, and thus also the government of the world. (5) He brings a similar line of reasoning with fewer words, appending: "For all these things are of infirmity."

^A is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, this person resembles a man who considers the face of his birth in a mirror. To "consider the face of his birth" is to know oneself through the law; and for this reason, he did not say only "face," but "face of his birth." For through the law we learn what kind of beings we were born, and we consider what kind of beings the spiritual law makes us through the grace of regeneration. Then, not persevering in this inspection through practice, we forget the spiritual gift we have received. For he who gives himself over to wicked actions does not even remember the benefits with which God has affected him. For if he held in memory that he was born from above, justified, and numbered among the sons of God, he would by no means give himself over to works that destroy the grace received. ^B Moving from the common mirror to the spiritual mirror, the apostle transfers his discourse, though he did not express the second member of the comparison; for the complete comparison would be thus: "If anyone is a hearer of the law, and not a doer, he is like a man considering his own face in a mirror; for just as that man considered himself and went away, and immediately forgot what kind he was, so also he who has learned through the law of Moses that for which he was made—namely, for the glory of God, and to live according to the image of God who made him—has known that he was so made; but afterwards he does none of these things, but conducts himself in the same way as one who considers his own face." He therefore did not propose this example as fully as he ought, as it seemed, yet not without cause; for by leaving something unsaid, he wished to make the hearer more attentive and to stir him up, so that he would not listen to these things in vain. For hearers are not blessed, but those who join practice to hearing; ^C since the Pharisees were also hearers, but because they were not doers, they did not manage to be blessed. "Deceiving yourselves," that is, cheating yourselves, by making light of your own salvation. "For he considered himself, and went away, and immediately forgot what kind he was." He joins forgetfulness to hearing, since hearing the law alone is not sufficient for the salvation of the soul unless action also follows to confirm the hearing. ^D "But he who has looked into the perfect law of liberty, and has continued in it, this man, not having become a forgetful hearer, but a doer of work, this man shall be blessed in his doing." He said "looked into," and not "having entered in"; for the spiritual law, having something excellent and great everywhere, knows how to draw anyone to itself even from a brief encounter. But after he said, "perfect law," he added, "of liberty," to signify the gift of liberty itself. For the law of Christ, when it has freed one from the servitude which is according to the flesh, establishes the one who approaches it in liberty; and through this liberty, it renders him attentive, and frees him from the forgetfulness which corrupts all good things.

^A VERS. 26. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." Among the Jews, he was considered religious who had faith in his works, because he appeared to be a man of no ordinary standing. And since the Jews thought highly of themselves because of their legal observances, and believed that all piety toward God consisted in these, and being occupied solely with these, they thought they performed what was blessed; and they were disposed toward others rather reproachfully, as is clear from the Pharisee in the Gospels, and his arrogance regarding the publican; the Apostle, checking this conceit, says what is set before us. For having mentioned the "doer of works," and having called him blessed, he immediately corrects the evil which might thereupon arise, as if he were a "doer of the law," as if he were saying: Do not think, whoever you are who boast in the works of the law, that you will be blessed by works of this kind alone; for this is not enough for you to be acceptable to God. For he is acceptable only who, while performing many good works, does not therefore despise others out of a vain estimation of himself—others who do not perform the same things. Moreover, "deceiveth his own heart" is to be understood as if he said, "strangling" and deceiving his conscience out of the pride of his soul; for here the heart signifies this, even as it is said: "A contrite and humbled heart."

^C VERS. 27. "Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation." "Religion" seems to contain something more than "faith." For the name itself professes the knowledge of certain hidden things, and a firmness in those things which are known by faith. For this reason the Apostle used this very word, "religious," saying, as if he were to say: You think yourself a knower of the secrets of the law and a precise observer. But how, if you are not able to bridle your tongue, do you revile your neighbor, and living with pride, do not pity any of those in need, whereas the law does not even tolerate one who slanders, but commands us to pity even our enemies? If, therefore, you wish to be religious, do not show your religion in the reading of the law, but in the doing. And this is to pity your neighbor. For pity toward one's neighbor is a resemblance to God. "Be ye therefore," he says, "merciful, as your Father also which is in heaven is merciful." ^D But let your pity exist without respect of persons; since not even God divides His own benefits, but "He maketh His sun to rise on the rich and poor, and raineth upon the just and the unjust." "To keep one's self unspotted from the world." By "the world" here he means—

moundo. » This world is to be understood as the vulgar and promiscuous populace, which is deformed by concupiscences and errors. ^A

CAPUT II

VERS. 1. « My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.» For he who does anything with respect of persons fills himself with impurity, inasmuch as he who dishonors one who shares the same nature—and indeed, even more than that, dishonors himself—if the display made toward another is reflected back upon the one doing it. ^B

VERS. 2, 3. « For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool.» It seems the custom of wearing a ring was especially prevalent among the Jews. But perhaps someone might ask here: If James is a teacher of the Testament of Jesus Christ, why does he not now abrogate those things which are of the law, but rather extols them, receiving those who occupy themselves in legal worship, and in no way reproving them? To whom we reply that he speaks with them in such a way for the sake of ingratiating himself and condescending to their weakness, so that, if he were to subvert the law immediately, he might not alienate them from himself by the novelty of his doctrine. For with prudent economy he admits into the New Testament legal ceremonies, so far as he could without detriment to it; (and indeed, what did Sabbatism, or fasting, or the abstinence from certain foods detract from the faith of Christ?) and when, by this method, he had rendered them more benevolent and more attentive to his words, then at last he gradually exhorts them to abstain from legal things, as being useless and contributing more to servitude than to the liberty which is in Christ. ^C Wisely, therefore, using brief exchanges, after he had obtained that they should not take what he was saying harshly, he then proposed what is fitting for Christians.

VERS. 4. « Are ye not then partial in yourselves? » The copulative particle here also is redundant, being added only out of the ancient manner of speaking. For since this is a consecutive member of the preceding discourse, the conjunction is superfluous. For it stands thus: « If any man enter into your assembly, » etc. Then: « Are ye not partial in yourselves? » Since this is the second member of the period, the phrase required that it be brought forth without a conjunction, so that a sense of this kind might arise: Since you have not judged as you ought, « you have become judges of evil thoughts. » That expression, « Are ye not partial, » is the same as: Your judgment, with no prior inquiry made, whether ^D you have been judged within yourselves, because it is of the passive form.

parepidomos* does not indicate simply one who arrives, that is, one who arrives from another region; but it signifies something more, and yet something more humble. For just as a secondary work is humbler than the primary work, so also *parepidomos*, or pilgrim, is something less than *epidemos*, or sojourner. But there is a figure of hyperbaton in the inscription, which should therefore be ordered thus: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." The remaining words should be placed between these, for they declare to whom the Epistle is addressed. He used the expression, "According to the foreknowledge of God," declaring that he is in no way inferior to the prophets, who were themselves sent, only differing in time. That the prophets were also sent, Isaiah asserts with these words: "He has sent me to preach good tidings to the poor." But even if he is inferior in time, he is not, however, inferior in the foreknowledge of God; rather, in this respect he declares himself equal to Jeremiah, who was recognized and sanctified before he was formed in the womb, and given as a prophet to the nations. ^B And since the prophets, among other things, also announced the coming of Christ (for they were sent for this purpose), he proposes the work of his apostleship, and says that he was sent "in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." By this he signifies the same thing, as if he were to say: "This is the manner of my apostleship: to set apart" (for this is what 'sanctification' signifies, according to that saying: "Ye shall be my holy people," that is, set apart from other nations). The manner of his apostleship, therefore, was to set apart, by means of spiritual gifts, the nations obedient to the faith, and sprinkled by the cross and the blood of Christ; not, indeed, with the ashes of a heifer to cleanse the stains contracted from the communion of the Gentiles, when purification was needed, but with the blood from the passion of the Lord Christ. At the same time, he also foretells, through the blood, the martyrdom that would come for Christ's sake for those who ^C were to believe in Him; for he who, in obeying, follows the footsteps of the Master, will surely not refuse to shed his own blood for Him who shed His own blood for the whole world. "Grace unto you and peace be multiplied." "Grace," because we are saved gratuitously and without contributing anything of our own; "peace," because, having offended the Lord, we were counted among His enemies. ^D Vers. 3-5. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." He glorifies God, offering Him this thanksgiving for the benefits conferred by Him. What, then, are those benefits? Hope, not of the kind that was made through Moses concerning the inhabitation of the land of Canaan—which was dead—but a living one. And whence does this have life? "From the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." For because He rose again, He will also deem those who come to Him through faith in Him worthy of the same...

that he believes in God, it is superfluous for him to be called a believer. For he who simply says that he is the Lord’s is not a believer, but he who loves the Lord in such a way that, because of his faith in Him, he is ready to endure even death. And that this is the scope of the things proposed, the examples adduced demonstrate. For Abraham, he says, showed by his work that he believed in God, when he offered up his firstborn as a whole burnt offering. Similarly, Raab also, having believed, despised death. ^A

VERS. 17-19. “So also faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.” But someone will say: “You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith from your works, and I will show you my faith from my works. You believe that there is one God; you do well: and the demons believe and shudder.” These things do not contradict the blessed Paul. For since the name of faith admits of two meanings—since it signifies at times the simple assent of the mind to an apparent thing (for we are accustomed to call it faith in this sense, by which we also know that the demons believe in Christ, that He is the Son of God); and conversely, we call by the name of faith the consequence arising from affection joined with a firm assent—the divine James ^B calls that simple assent “dead” faith, inasmuch as it is destitute of the works that quicken it. Paul, however, calls that “faith” which is from affection, which surely is not empty of works: for indeed, it would not be generated in one idle of noble works. For even Abraham did not attain this without having first contended to cast off the paternal weakness ^C—the struggle for which faith was awarded as a prize. But Paul preferred this to the works that are according to the law—the sabbatisms, and circumcision, and the rest of the purifications. For on the subject of works, two meanings are also seen. For those things are also called “works” which confirm faith, of which, if it be destitute [the faith is left dead; and again, there are the works of the law, ^D without which Abraham...]

and all those who are of Christ, are justified. Since, who would gainsay that faith cannot be produced in an unclean person (I speak of the faith of works)? For neither would anyone store ointment in a filthy vessel, nor could the faith of God be engendered in an unclean man. The holy apostles are not, therefore, contrary to one another, but, being occupied with the different sense of what is signified, each follows out that which was proposed to him according to his own signification.

^B VERSE 20. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” He calls him “vain” who boasts only in faith alone, possessing nothing of that substance which comes through works for its completion.

VERSE 21-23. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering Isaac his son upon the altar?” You see that faith wrought with his works, and by works faith was made perfect. “And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith,” etc. Both propose Abraham as an example of what they assert concerning faith: the one, indeed, to show that faith excels works by the example taken from Abraham; the other, in turn, to prove that works are better through faith, by an argument likewise taken from the same Abraham. But it has been said above that both, being occupied with the double meaning, each takes that which serves his purpose. ^C Some, however, of the Fathers have judged of this matter thus: namely, that Abraham, distinguished by various times, is an image of both kinds of faith; namely, of that which is before baptism, which does not require works, but only faith and the confession of salvation, and the word by which we are justified, believing in Christ; and of that which follows baptism, and which is joined with works. In this way, the Holy Spirit, who spoke in both, does not appear in any way contrary to Himself: since one faith, indeed, justifies the baptized person through confession alone, if he should immediately depart from this life (for to such a one works are not present, but the purity acquired through baptism is sufficient for him); the other, however, requires from the one who is baptized the exhibition of good works as well. To this matter Paul also agrees in another place, teaching that faith after baptism requires perfection, which arises from works; when, indeed, it is said: ^D “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by charity.” Charity, however, has need of the exercise of many virtues, that it may be fulfilled. “And Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice, and he was called the friend (21) of God.” Abraham was an image of justice from faith alone, when he believed, and that was “reputed to him unto justice.” But [he was an image] of that which is from works, when he offered his son upon [index: entries preserved]

that his seed be multiplied as the stars, reckoning that God is able to raise him up even from the dead. Nevertheless, Paul also brings forward David as a witness. For David knew, by the Holy Spirit, the faith that was to be in Christ in due times. Wherefore he says: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” ^A

• “You see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” — “By works,” not those of the Law, as has already been said, such as circumcision and the like, but by those of virtue, of righteousness, and their like.

• “And in like manner also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, receiving the messengers, and thrusting them out another way?” For even as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. ^B

CHAPTER III

“Be not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you shall receive the greater judgment.” Having said above and taught that the faithful should not possess faith void of honest works, he passed over to another commandment of equal moment. For there are some who undertake to teach what they themselves have not performed. And he says that “the greater judgment” awaits such men, along with their gaining nothing. For he who teaches what he does not himself ^C possess, as if he did possess it, is worthy of condemnation, inasmuch as he is slipping by his own tongue; and confirming this from the circumstance, he says: For if otherwise the tongue is prone to slip—

Bonifacius Finettus' notes

(22) This exposition is taken from the commentary of Cyril of Alexandria on the Epistle to the Romans, which has not been published. It is contained both in the Vienna Catena, but without the name of Cyril inscribed, and in a similar Oxford Catena (with Cyril’s name prefixed), as is evident from the excerpts which Joannes Christoforus Wolf, pastor of Hamburg, inserted into his Greek Anecdota, volume IV. “Since, however, the said commentary of Cyril has not been published, and this exposition is found somewhat more fully in both the aforementioned Catenae, I hope that I shall be doing a thing not ungrateful to the studious reader if I report it in full. Thus, therefore, it stands in the Vienna Catena: Since blessed James says that Abraham was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac in ^D sacrifice; but Paul asserts that he was justified by faith; this apparent contrariety is to be explained thus: that Abraham, before he had Isaac, believed, and as a reward for his faith received Isaac himself: and when he offered the same, he not only performed the commanded work, but also did not fall away from the faith by which he believed that through Isaac his seed was to be multiplied as the stars of heaven, considering that God was able to raise him up even from the dead. Furthermore, Paul also brings in David, a man indeed illustrious in piety, as a witness and assertor of his words, who wisely constructs, as one speaking in the Holy Spirit, the remission of sins through faith, and announces it to all men. For he knew that it was to come someday through Christ. Wherefore he says: 'Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.' Whosoever therefore honors God and Lord of all by faith, has justification as his reward.”

(25) To this sentence the Vienna Catena appends words which are known to be those of Severian, bishop of Gabala, from the Oxford Catena in the aforementioned Wolf’s *Anecd. Graec.*: “Hear the Scripture testifying of the good works of Rahab. She was therefore a pearl in a brothel, gold mixed in mire, a flower lying in mud, surrounded by the thorns of impiety; a pious soul enclosed in a place of impiety.”

^A reus esse convincitur. And to confirm this the more, he adds: if he who falls through the native slipperiness of his tongue, or through negligence, is one who uses it in such a way that he does not escape judgment (for Solomon says: "Through the sin of the lips comes ruin near to evil"), how can it be that he who deliberately sins with his tongue, teaching that which he has not learned by experience, should escape inevitable punishment?

^B VERSE 2. "For in many things we all stumble." ^C Namely, because we lead our lives carelessly through a lack of attention. "If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." He proves that no one can live free from every crime from the slipperiness of the tongue, and from this he demonstrates that no one is perfect. For who has not at some time sinned with his tongue? But if anyone has overcome the slipperiness of his own tongue, how will he not be able to govern his whole body rightly? For he who has conquered that which is more prone to slipping, will much more dominate that which tends toward falling more slowly.

^D VERSE 3. "Behold," of horses "we put bits in their mouths so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body." By similitudes he confirms what he said: "Able also to bridle the whole body," from the bits of horses and the rudders of ships. That word "Behold" is the same as "consider." But the phrase "the bits of horses" is to be construed by inverting the order of the words a little: "we put bits into the mouths of horses." For if the sentence is not construed in this way, the meaning is unintelligible, which is as follows: "Consider that we put bits in the mouths of horses, and ships [are steered] by a small rudder; just as we lead horses by a small bit where we wish, so therefore the tongue must also be governed by right reason," even though it is a "world" or "universe of iniquity," as it is used by common men. Understand that by "world" he here means the multitude. Or thus: although it is a "world," or ornament, that adorns human nature—for by it we communicate our thoughts to one another (for some wish the word "world" to be taken in this sense here)—nevertheless, according to the usage of the common crowd, it does harm, "defiling" sometimes "the whole body, and setting on fire the whole wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell." Nevertheless, it is not difficult to manage it.

exercise it diminishly through the acceptance of persons, but integrally. Indeed, we can say this about other virtues as well. For he who does not preserve temperance or justice perfectly, but only to a lesser degree, seriously harms the whole body of virtue. Therefore, the law of charity must be understood here throughout the whole law, which is the principal goal of the Apostle. And he calls it the law of liberty, which is free from the acceptance of persons: for indeed he who accepts persons is not free, but a slave; “for by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the slave” ^A.

VERS. 14. “What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? Shall faith be able to save him?” If we have forgiven the offenses of our neighbor against us, and have shared our goods with those in need, the mercy of God will also receive us kindly on the day on which He shall examine whatever things have been committed by us in this life. For this is a great and noble deed. Just as, on the contrary, there will be a grievous condemnation for those who have not been kindly disposed toward those who share the same nature. For those who have been harsh toward those who have sinned against them, the condemnation of that evil servant shall lay hold, and that retribution which is indicated in the Lord’s Prayer, in which we ask God that He “forgive us, as we also forgive them that trespass against us” ^B. And for the unmerciful, or those who are harshly disposed ^C toward those who require some corporeal consolation, “judgment without mercy” shall be met; “for mercy exalteth itself above judgment.” For “the merciful,” according to the Lord’s sentence, “shall obtain mercy.” Moreover, mercy toward the poor has even been able to obtain pardon for unbelievers, as we learn from the history of Daniel. What then will it not be able to do for faithful men? Truly, it seems to me that mercy behaves just as the oil gathered from trees does for athletes; for when it is smeared on the athletes, it allows them to slip out of the grips of their adversaries, so that they cannot be held by them. So also in the judgment, if we have shown any mercy toward the poor, it will grant us that we may be able to escape the ^D onslaughts and insults of the demons.

VERS. 15, 16. “And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food, and one of you say to them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and you give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?” Observe the spiritual sense. For he did not say only, “If thou hast faith,” but “What shall it profit?” as if to say: Show me the work for which I might adjudge such an appellation to you: for this is the work of faith. Therefore, what he says is of this sort: If anyone does not show by works

^A Ver. 5. "So also, the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a fire kindleth how great a wood!" That is: In this way also, the tongue ought to be moved according to reason. "For it is a small member, yet it worketh great things," that is, clearly, evil and good. For "it boasteth great things" is the same as "it performeth great works."

Ver. 6. "And the tongue is a fire, a world 35 of iniquity." The tongue is set among our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the wheel of our birth, being set on fire by hell. The order of the discourse here is: "So also the tongue is a world of iniquity, a fire." For just as fire destroys all things, so does it. By "world," however, many here understand "multitude," just as in that place: "The world ^B knew Him not." The tongue, therefore, is also a world, that is, a multitude or a totality of iniquity 34.

Vers. 7, 8. "For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of things in the sea 35 is tamed and hath been tamed by the human nature. But the tongue no man can tame: it is an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison." This confirmation must be referred to the things said above. For when he had said and taught through the bit and the rudder—which, although small in themselves, nevertheless, if rightly applied, effect great and noble things—and had subjoined that the tongue likewise needs to be managed by right reason, he now, by the examples brought forward, shows that he is by no means enjoining impossibilities, just as if he were saying: Perhaps someone will respond: ^C Even though the tongue is a small member, yet since it worketh great things, whether good or evil, it will by no means suffer itself to be ruled as we wish. But if man tames beasts that are alien to his own nature, it should be said that his own member can be tamed by him all the more. Wherefore, that which is written, "But the tongue no man can tame," should be thought to have been said not assertively, but by way of interrogation, so that the sense may be this: If man makes ferocious animals tame and tractable, why will he not be able to tame his own tongue? Thus, indeed, it should be read. For if he had uttered that as an assertion, he would not seem to have used the subsequent exhortation appropriately: "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." For if it is impossible to direct the tongue toward the right rule, he would be wrongly exhorting them to it; for he who persuades toward impossibilities, persuades in vain. ^D That remark, however, "an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison," must be understood as stated assertively.

Vers. 9-12. "By it we bless God and the Father, and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not..."

so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh water. This is to be understood as an interrogation, for it is meant to put the hearers to shame; just as that which follows: “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.” For if we are commanded to speak well of all (for “revilers shall not inherit the kingdom of God”), art thou not ashamed to use the same instrument for both evil and good? No sober person would mix mire and balsam in the same vessel. Dost thou pray? Do not curse thine enemy. For prayer and cursing are far apart from each other. If thou dost not forgive him who hath offended thee, neither will it be forgiven thee; but by cursing him thou shalt destroy thyself, when thou prayest that thy debts may be forgiven thee, as thou also forgivest thy debtors. ^B

VERS. 15-16. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Men ambitious and puffed up with the wisdom of this world, goaded by the spirit of contention and jealousy, preached against good teachers, envying them and mixing human things with divine, in order that they might attract hearers by the novelty of their doctrines, from which source even heresies have sprung. Having therefore completed his discourse on rashness and the incontinence of the tongue, he passes on to envy, which is produced in men from a similar insanity, and says that the doctrines of such men are not of those who are sound in mind, inasmuch as they are not of divine wisdom, but devilish. This he says after having first commended the good teacher. But since the word “zeal” (or envy) is seen to be in the middle, between good and evil (for zeal is a motion of the soul, enkindled toward something, with a certain assimilation to that toward which it is affected), for this reason he added “bitter,” showing what kind of zeal this is. “Strife” (or contention) in this place is a blameworthy desire to win. It is also called backbiting together with cursing. ^{C D}

VERS. 17, 18. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” Pure and undefiled, holding fast to nothing of the things of the flesh.

[alt-version omitted]

simulation. The fruit of justice is sown in peace for those who make peace. ^A “Chaste,” that is, pure and without spot, cleaving to nothing carnal. “Without judging,” that is, not separating by the observance of meats and various washings, about which Paul discourses accurately in the Epistle to the Colossians.

CHAPTER IV

VERS. 1. “Whence do wars and contentions come among you? Are they not hence? From your pleasures,” which war in your members. ^B He shows that even if they claim to be teachers, they are nevertheless entirely carnal and perform the worst deeds, surrendering themselves to pleasures; some to a more delicate table (which Paul, criticizing, says: “For such men do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own belly”), others are greedy for the possession of lands; others covet splendid houses; and another covets something else from among those things which the evil spirit suggests to them, using every effort to plunder their eternal salvation.

VERS. 2. “You covet and have not: you kill and envy, and cannot obtain; you contend and make war, and you have not, because you do not ask.” He proceeds here by way of affirmation and negation, the affirmation being removed on account of its ^C absurdity. The absurdity consists in the fact that the things considered in the affirmation are incitements to pleasure; for concupiscence ends in the consummation of pleasures, and murder, and jealousy, and strife, and war are not good; and therefore they do not attain the things for the sake of which they practice these evils. It should be known, however, that he is not speaking here of carnal murder or war; for it would be incongruous to understand this even of robbers, much less of those who are at least to some extent faithful and have turned to God. As it seems to me, therefore, he says that they “kill” those who kill their own souls by such attempts, through which they also wage war against piety. Just as later on he says “adulterers and adulteresses,” not ^D of those who are such in actual fact, but of those who commit fornication against the divine commands by the introduction of spurious opinions (for no one, even if he were filthier than swine, would tolerate an adulterous teacher), thus he understands “murders” and “wars” not as carnal, but as spiritual.

VERS. 3. “You ask, and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it in your pleasures.” Such was the Pharisee mentioned in the Gospel of Luke: the more he recounted the good works performed by himself, the more he obstructed the divine hearing; and thus a hollow tumor of words flowed through his lips, and dissolved into foam like the waves of a surging sea. But someone will ask: If that promise of the Lord Jesus Christ, who cannot deceive, is true, “Everyone who asks receives,” how then does the present Apostle say such things? We answer: Whoever, in the way that follows

^A proceeds to ask, possesses the promise intact, failing in none of the things requested. But if someone, having wandered from the goal of the ordinance of petition, seems to ask, yet does not ask in the manner in which he ought, such a one does not truly ask; therefore, he will not receive. For if a teacher, let us say a grammarian, should promise to teach every person who comes to him the knowledge of grammar, but the student draws near languidly, and not having applied himself to the reception of the promised things, should then appear lacking in diligence, could anyone justly accuse the teacher of falsehood? No one in his right mind would do so. For the one who was to be taught did not approach the teacher in the way that the teacher had encouraged. How then, and what is it necessary to ask? someone might respond. Listen to Him who made the promise, teaching this: “Seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” It is manifest, therefore, that he who asks in this way, and principally for such things, will not be defrauded of other things, if at least they are of such a kind as not to hinder his eternal salvation. But he who asks for things harmful and injurious to himself will surely not have for his provider Him whose “every good gift” ^B this is. But even if someone asks for divine knowledge, or any other spiritual gift, out of a love for the pleasure springing from it, he will not receive; for he asks wrongly, being—and evil—for his own destruction; and God is not the provider of evils.

VERS. 4. Adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore desires to be a friend of the world is constituted an enemy of God.

^A whom we hate and of whom we are enemies, behaves in the same way. Since, therefore, there are two things to which men devote their efforts—God and the world—and since there are two things connected with each of these, namely friendship and hatred, whenever we are found devoting our efforts to one of these, we are evidently sparing of the other. Now zeal produces friendship, while neglect produces hatred. Therefore, whoever cleaves to divine things is, and is called, a friend of God; but whoever, having neglected God, has loved the world, this man shall be counted among the enemies of God. And since it has been shown that all these things arise from the arrogance [and pride] of the false teachers, he employs another argument in return, desiring as he does to urge such people to sober up from their intoxication, [and to deliver them from their stupor]; and he says:

VERS. 5, 6. Do you think that the Scripture speaks in vain...

^B “Do you think that the Scripture says in vain: The spirit that dwelleth in you lusteth even unto envy? But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” By saying and explaining something of this kind through these words, he uses an elliptical and concise manner of speech, as if he were saying: “Up to this point, I have advised you with my own words to use your wisdom rightly and blamelessly, and not to misuse it through pride, nor to adulterate the word of doctrine. But if you also desire to know this from Sacred Scripture, hear: ‘God resisteth the proud.’” If, therefore, [He] ^C “resisteth the proud,” and we are accustomed to resist our enemies, then surely the proud are to be counted among the enemies of God. For it is not in vain, or to no purpose, or out of envy that Scripture sets before us impossible things, rather it aims to effect through its exhortation the grace that dwells within us. So if you are obedient to the Scripture, humble yourselves before God, and you will find grace, He Himself exalting you. Pride is the consummation of wickedness, and it differs from vain conceit in that pride is the elation of the soul arising from things that are truly present, while the other arises from things that are in no way possessed. Modesty also differs from humility, for the former... ^D Now that which is diametrically opposed to pride—namely, modesty or humility—is a great good. And since both come to be in us by our own volition, whoever exalts himself through pride is condemned and humbled by the Lord, whereas on the contrary, he who has humbled himself through modesty is to be exalted in his own time, for those struggles which he underwent for its sake will, as it were by the hand, lead him to spiritual sublimity. Otherwise, according to Cyril: If by the envy of the devil death entered into the world, and if Christ has dwelt in our inner man according to the Scriptures, He therefore dwelt in us so that He might abolish the death brought in by envy.

^A And not only this, but “He gives also a greater grace. For I came,” He says, “that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.” And that God dwelt in us out of a longing for us, Isaiah declared, saying: “Not an angel, nor an ambassador anywhere, but the Lord Himself saved us,” because He surely loves us and cares for us. But how did our Savior give “a greater grace”? By casting down the Satan who plotted against us. For this reason he added, “God resists the proud.” For how is he not proud, who cried out: “I will seize the whole earth with my hand as a nest”?

VERS. 7-10. “Be subject therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” He calls “double-minded” those who do not choose to live in one way, but are carried away and persuaded constantly by the violence of men; for they are not single-minded, dwelling in the house of the Lord. That “soul” is also called “life,” the passage in Job will teach us: “Skin for skin, and all things that he has will a man give for his soul,” that is, for his life.

^B “Speak not against one another, brethren. For he who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy.” The Apostle knows that pride drives those who strive against the meek to total contempt through neglect and backbiting. From this, therefore, he seeks to lead them away, and through the words set before them, he strives to render them modest. ^C But the word “judges” in this place is equivalent to “condemns” or “contemns.” For he who condemns does so out of contempt. Which law? First, the one that says: “Judge not, that you may not be judged.” Then, the one hinted at in the Psalms, where it is said: “Him who spoke against his neighbor in secret, I persecuted.” And because this proceeds from contempt, he adds: “But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law.” For who can bear to live under someone whom he contemns? “Do not, therefore,” he says, “be a contemner, nor conduct yourself as if you were a contrary lawgiver. For it is not permitted you, since there is only one Lawgiver, God, who is able to ‘save and destroy’ those who transgress His law; for it belongs to law and the Lawgiver to punish His transgressors; but not to you, who have nothing beyond empty babbling, but rather you carry a verdict against your own self. For by doing the same things as the one you are backbiting, in as much as you condemn him, you condemn yourself.”

^A Vers. 13. *But who are you, who judge your neighbor?* He says this for the sake of reproach, as if to say: Since you are such, how do you dare to judge men who are of the same condition as yourself? *Come now, you who say: Today or tomorrow we will go to such a city, and we will spend there one year and will trade and make a profit.* He does not forbid the ability to act, but he shows that it is not all in our power, but that we need also the grace from above. For it is possible both to run, and to trade, and to do all things necessary for life, yet one ought not to ascribe this to one's own labors, but to the philanthropy of God. For Jeremiah says: *O Lord, I know that man’s way is not his own* (Jer. X, 23). And the author of Proverbs: *Do not boast of tomorrow, not knowing what the coming day may bring forth* (Prov. XXVII, 1).

^B Vers. 14. *You who do not know what will be tomorrow.* He declares the vanity of our life and reproaches us because we spend the entire time of our lives on these things, and because all our labor is consumed in repelling temporal evils. Whence David says: *Verily, he says, man passes by in an image, but in vain he is troubled* (Ps. XXXVIII, 7); that is, regarding that which is not truly, but exists only as if in a phantom: for such is an image; regarding that which is not self-subsistent, but only in the likeness and semblance of the life that is truly advancing.

Vers. 15. *For what is your life? It is a vapor appearing for a little while, and then vanishing. For you ought to say: If the Lord wills, and we shall live, we will do this or that.* ^C *Vapor* is a certain airy composition exhaling from fiery heat and moisture, having the smallest amount of subsistence: for because of its extreme thinness it is quickly cast down and dissolved by the surrounding body, just like a small drop of moisture in water. To this, therefore, he compares our life, and indeed hits the mark. But having interrupted the discourse with such an example, he returns again to the passage itself and proposes the consequent member of it: for it holds together as a whole: *Ecce nunc, you who say: Today or tomorrow we will go to such a city, and we will spend there one year, and we will trade and make a profit. You ought to say: If the Lord wills, and we live, we will do this or that.*

^D Vers. 16. *But now you boast in your arrogances.* Although the order seemed to require that he say this beforehand, nevertheless he did not do so; but having broken the nexus of the discourse for a while through the interposed example, so that he might demonstrate through some image the vanity of our occupation regarding this world, the cause of which is pride, he afterwards added what was missing. For thus is this speech framed: *You boast in your arrogances.* Who? *Those who do not know what will happen.

^A — it convicts your refusal to share. And in the last days (by which he means the Lord's coming), you shall find your wealth, which you have stored up for yourselves, as fire for your destruction. This is what happened to the rich man in the Gospels. "As fire, which you have stored up in the last days." This should be connected with "your wealth," so that it stands thus: "Your wealth, which you have stored up as fire, and have lived in luxury and debauchery upon the earth," shall be here, and shall eat your flesh.

VERS. 4, 5. "Behold the wages of the laborers who harvested your fields, which has been kept back by you, cries out; and the cries of the harvesters have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived in luxury upon the earth, and in debauchery; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter." ^B Here is a complaint and a digression against the Jewish princes, who used to devour the poor and grow fat on all tributes, but were being prepared for slaughter to be undergone at the hands of the Romans, especially since they condemned our only righteous Lord, and killed him, though he did not resist nor cry out. Whence he adds:

VERS. 6. "You have condemned, you have killed the Just One, and he does not resist you." It cannot be denied that the apostle refers that "you have killed the Just One" to Christ, since he subjoins: "And he does not resist you." However, by saying this, he also includes others who suffered similar things at the hands of the Jews; perhaps, too, he speaks prophetically of his own future killing. ^C

VERS. 7. "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the earth." After he has reproved the luxury of the Jewish princes and their harshness toward the poor, he now passes on to the faithful, and says: Do not be scandalized, brothers, when you see these things, nor be disheartened, as if vengeance were not eventually to come. He truly hints at the incursion of the Romans, and the captivity of the Jews which was to be brought about by them, which he also calls the coming of the Lord, just as John—who reclined upon the breast of ^D the Lord, when he introduced the Lord himself speaking about his own death—did: "If I want him to remain until I come." For the time of this life was extended for him until the taking of Jerusalem, and a little beyond. And that the coming of the Lord, both here and in the case of John, is the total destruction of Jerusalem, is clear also from the prophet who says: "Behold the Lord comes; and who shall sustain the day of his coming?" — that is, as the coming of God brings punishment upon the impious. But also the golden-tongued John, interpreting this saying in some of his expositions, wishes it to signify the destruction of Jerusalem, and confirms this from the speech of the three [concerning the end].

For he says: "What is the meaning of 'after thee'?" After thy wrath has passed. And when did this come to pass? When Nebuchadnezzar was destroying Jerusalem. So much for the subject of the presence. But some of the Fathers also say this, that by "long-suffering" he here means mutual forbearance, and by "patience" that which is exercised towards outsiders. For a person is long-suffering toward one whom he is able to punish, ^A but he shows patience toward one whom he cannot punish. For this reason, in relation to God, one is never said to have "patience," but always "long-suffering," whereas in relation to men, we speak of "patience." "Being long-suffering over him, until he receives early and late rain." The "early rain" is repentance with tears in youth; the "late rain" is that which occurs in old age. But all things depend upon the clemency of God; therefore he says, "until he receives."

Vers. 8-12.

[...], if you separate the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth. For everyone who declares his words becomes the mouth of God. For what does He say? "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of my Father who speaks in you." Hence it is also that, through David, He forbids the sinner ^A to recount His statutes. The Catholic Epistle of James, 242 verses.

THEOPHYLACTI ARCHBISHOP OF BULGARIA EXPOSITION ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF SAINT PETER

ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PETER

^B Peter writes this Epistle to the Jews who were in the Dispersion and had become Christians. It is an Epistle intended for instruction. Since some of the Jews had believed in Christ, he confirms them. First, he explains and demonstrates that faith in Christ was foretold by the prophets, just as our redemption through His blood was also made known by them; and that all things were evangelized to them and to the Gentiles, into which things the angels desire to look. Next, he exhorts them to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of Him who called them, and he urges them also to honor kings. He commands mutual harmony to wives and husbands alike; and having given a few exhortations concerning conduct, he signifies that the preaching of salvation and resurrection was made by the Lord even among the dead, so that those who had died beforehand might rise and be judged in the body, but also remain in the grace of the resurrection. He adds that the end of all things has drawn near, ^C and that therefore all ought to be prepared to render an account to the Judge; and so he brings the Epistle to a close.

CHAPTERS OF THE SAME EPISTLE

1. On regeneration in Christ. And on patience in tribulations; and on saving faith foretold by the prophets.