New Testament IVa: John 1–10
Overview
In addition to the serial homilies of John Chrysostom, readers will find selections from those of Origen, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Cyril of Alexandria and Augustine. These commentaries are supplemented with homiletic material from Gregory the Great, Peter Chrysologus, Caesarius, Amphilochius, Basil the Great and Basil of Seleucia among others. Liturgical selections derive from Ephraim the Syrian, Ambrose and Romanos the Melodist, which are further supplemented with doctrinal material from Athanasius, the Cappadocians, Hilary and Ambrose.
Top Highlights
“It is for this reason that Christ rebukes him and touches his conscience, in order to show that his miracles were done principally for the sake of the soul. For here he heals the father who was sick in mind no less than the son in order to persuade us to listen to him, not because of his miracles but because of his teaching. Miracles are not for the faithful but for the unbelieving and for people who are not as knowledgeable about the faith.” (Page 174)
“God’s own Son was made the Son of man so that he might make the sons of men the sons of God (Chrysostom).” (Page 39)
“John points to the Father as the archē, that is, the source of the Son (Cyril of Alexandria), who himself as the Son and agent of creation is the source and cause, or ‘beginning,’ of all that exists (Augustine).” (Page 1)
“If you are not born again, if you do not share in the Spirit that comes through the washing of regeneration, everything you think about me will be from a human point of view, not a spiritual one.… Now, some take the expression ‘again’8 to mean ‘from heaven’; others think it means ‘from the beginning.’” (Page 109)
“It is as if he said, ‘You seek me to satisfy the flesh, not the Spirit.’ How many seek Jesus for no other objective than to get some kind of temporal benefit! One has a business that has run into problems, and he seeks the intercession of the clergy; another is oppressed by someone more powerful than himself, and he flies to the church. Another desires intervention with someone over whom he has little influence. One person wants this, and another person wants that. The church is filled with these kinds of people! Jesus is scarcely sought after for his own sake.… Here too he says, you seek me for something else; seek me for my own sake. He insinuates the truth that he himself is that food … ‘that endures to eternal life.’” (Page 222)