{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/113/1130061.htm","path":"chr/ecf/113/1130061.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/113/1130061.htm","text":"\u201cWho is the Image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation: for in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church.\u201d\nTo-day it is necessary for me to pay the debt, which yesterday 732 I deferred, in order that I might address it to your minds when in full force. Paul, discoursing as we showed of the dignity of the Son, says these words: \u201cWho is the Image of the invisible God.\u201d Whose image then wilt thou have Him be? God\u2019s? Then he is exactly like the one to whom you assign Him. For if as a man\u2019s image, say so, and I will have done with you as a madman. But if as God and God\u2019s Son, God\u2019s image, he shows the exact likeness. Wherefore hath no Angel anywhere been called either \u201cimage\u201d or \u201cson,\u201d but man both? Wherefore? Because in the former case indeed the exaltedness of their nature might presently have thrust the many into this impiety 733 ; but in the other case the mean and low nature is a pledge of security against this, and will not allow any, even should they desire it, to suspect anything of the kind, nor to bring down the Word so low. For this cause, where the meanness is great, the Scripture boldly asserts the honor, but where the nature is higher, it forbears. \u201cThe Image of the Invisible\u201d is itself also invisible, and invisible in like manner, for otherwise it would not be an image. For an image, so far as it is an image, even amongst us, ought to be exactly similar, as, for example, in respect of the features and the likeness. 734 But here indeed amongst us, this is by no means possible; for human art fails in many respects, or rather fails in all, if you examine with accuracy. But where God is, there is no error, no failure.\nBut if a creature: how is He the Image of the Creator? For neither is a horse the image of a man. If \u201cthe Image\u201d mean not exact likeness to the Invisible, what hinders the Angels also from being His Image? for they too are invisible; but not to one another: but the soul is invisible: but because it is invisible, it is simply on that account an image, and not in such sort as he and angels are images. 735\n\u201cThe Firstborn of all creation.\u201d \u201cWhat then,\u201d saith one, \u201cLo, He is a creature.\u201d Whence? tell me. \u201cBecause he said \u2018Firstborn.\u2019\u201d However, he said not \u201cfirst created,\u201d but \u201cfirstborn.\u201d Then it is reasonable that he should be called many things. For he must also be called a brother \u201cin all things.\u201d (Heb. ii. 17.) And we must take from Him His being Creator; and insist that neither in dignity nor in any other thing is He superior to us? And who that hath understanding would say this? For the word \u201cfirstborn\u201d is not expressive of dignity and honor, nor of anything else, but of time only. What does \u201cthe firstborn\u201d signify? That he is created, is the answer. Well. If then this be so, it has also kindred expressions. But otherwise the firstborn is of the same essence with those of whom he is firstborn. Therefore he will be the firstborn son of all things\u2014for it said \u201cof every creature\u201d; therefore of stones also, and of me, is God the Word firstborn. But again, of what, tell me, are the words \u201cfirstborn from the dead\u201d (Col. 1:18, Rom. 8:29.) declaratory? Not that He first rose; for he said not simply, \u201cof the dead,\u201d but \u201cfirstborn from the dead,\u201d nor yet, \u201cthat He died first,\u201d but that He rose the firstborn from the dead. So that they declare nothing else p. 271 than this, that He is the Firstfruits of the Resurrection. Surely then neither in the place before us. 736 Next he proceeds to the doctrine itself. For that they may not think Him to be of more recent existence, because that in former times the approach was through Angels, but now through Him; he shows first, that they had no power (for else it had not been \u201cout of darkness\u201d (ver. 13.) that he brought), next, that He is also before them. And he uses as a proof of His being before them, this; that they were created by him. \u201cFor in Him,\u201d he saith, \u201cwere all things created.\u201d What say here the followers of Paul of Samosata? 737 \u201cThe things in the heavens.\u201d What was in question, he has placed first; 738 \u201cand the things upon the earth.\u201d Then he says, \u201cthe visible and the invisible things\u201d; invisible, such as soul, and all that has come to exist in heaven; visible, such as men, sun, sky. \u201cWhether thrones.\u201d And what is granted, he lets alone, but what is doubted he asserts. \u201cWhether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.\u201d The words \u201cwhether,\u201d \u201cor,\u201d comprehend the whole of things; but by means of the greater things show it of the less also. But the Spirit is not amongst the \u201cpowers.\u201d \u201cAll things,\u201d he saith, \u201chave been created through Him, and unto Him.\u201d Lo, \u201cin Him,\u201d is 739 \u201cthrough Him,\u201d for having said \u201cin Him,\u201d he added, \u201cthrough Him.\u201d But what \u201cunto Him\u201d? It is this; the subsistence of all things depends on Him. Not only did He Himself bring them out of nothing into being, but Himself sustains them now, so that were they dissevered from His Providence, they were at once undone and destroyed. But He said not, \u201cHe continues them,\u201d which had been a grosser way of speaking, but what is more subtle, that \u201con\u201d Him they depend. To have only a bearing on Him is enough to continue anything and bind it fast. So also the word \u201cfirstborn,\u201d in the sense of a foundation. But this doth not show the creatures to be consubstantial with Him; but that all things are through Him, and in Him are upheld. Since Paul also when he says elsewhere, \u201cI have laid a foundation\u201d (1 Cor. iii. 10.), is speaking not concerning substance, but operation. For, that thou mayest not think Him to be a minister, he says that He continues them, which is not less than making them. Certainly, with us it is greater even: for to the former, art conducts us; but to the latter, not so, it does not even stay a thing in decay.\n\u201cAnd He is before all things,\u201d he saith. This is befitting God. Where is Paul of Samosata? \u201cAnd in Him all things consist,\u201d that is, they are created into 740 Him. He repeats these expressions in close sequence; with their close succession, as it were with rapid strokes, tearing up the deadly doctrine by the roots. For, if even when such great things had been declared, still after so long a time Paul of Samosata sprung up, how much more [would such have been the case], had not these things been said before? \u201cAnd in Him,\u201d he saith, \u201call things consist.\u201d How \u201cconsist\u201d in one who was not? So that the things also done through Angels are of Him.\n\u201cAnd He is the head of the body, the Church.\u201d\nThen having spoken of His dignity, he afterwards speaks of His love to man also. \u201cHe is,\u201d saith he, \u201cthe Head of the body, the Church.\u201d And he said not \u201cof the fullness,\u201d 741 (although this too is signified,) out of a wish to show His great friendliness to us, in that He who is thus above, and above all, connected Himself with those below. For everywhere He is first; above first; in the Church first, for He is the Head; in the Resurrection first. That is,\nCol. 1.18. \u201cThat He might have the pre\u00ebminence.\u201d So that in generation also He is first. And this is what Paul is chiefly endeavoring to show. For if this be made good, that He was before all the Angels; then there is brought in along with it this also as a consequence, that He did their works by commanding them. And what is indeed wonderful, he makes a point to show that He is first in the later generation. Although elsewhere he calls Adam first (1 Cor. xv. 45.), as in truth he is; but here he takes the Church for the whole race of mankind. For He is first of the Church; and first of men after the flesh, like as of the Creation. 742 And therefore he here uses the word \u201cfirstborn.\u201d\nWhat is in this place the meaning of \u201cthe Firstborn\u201d? Who was created first, or rose before all; as in the former place it means, Who was before all things. And here indeed he uses the word \u201cfirstfruits,\u201d saying, \u201cWho is the 743 p. 272 Firstfruits, the Firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre\u00ebminence,\u201d showing that the rest also are such as He; but in the former place it is not the \u201cFirstfruits\u201d of creation. 744 And it is there, \u201cThe Image of the invisible God,\u201d and then, \u201cFirstborn.\u201d\nCol. 1:19, 20. \u201cFor it was the good pleasure of the Father, that in Him should all the fullness dwell. And having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, through Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.\u201d\nWhatsoever things are of the Father, these he saith are of the Son also, and that with more of intensity, because that He both became \u201cdead\u201d 745 for, and united Himself to us. He said, \u201cFirstfruits,\u201d as of fruits. He said not \u201cResurrection,\u201d but \u201cFirstfruits,\u201d showing that He hath sanctified us all, and offered us, as it were, a sacrifice. The term \u201cfullness\u201d some use of the Godhead, like as John said, \u201cOf His fullness have all we received.\u201d That is, whatever was the Son, the whole Son dwelt there, not a sort of energy, but a Substance.\nHe hath no cause to assign but the will of God: for this is the import of, \u201cit was the good pleasure\u2026in Him. And\u2026through Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.\u201d Lest thou shouldest think that He undertook the office of a minister only, he saith, \u201cunto Himself.\u201d 746 (2 Cor. v. 18.) And yet he elsewhere says, that He reconciled us to God, as in the Epistle he wrote to the Corinthians. And he well said, \u201cThrough Him to make an end of reconciling\u201d; 747 for they were already reconciled; but completely, he says, and in such sort, as no more to be at enmity with Him. How? For not only the reconciliation was set forth, but also the manner of the reconciliation. \u201cHaving made peace through the Blood of His Cross.\u201d The word \u201creconcile,\u201d shows the enmity; the words \u201chaving made peace,\u201d the war. \u201cThrough the Blood of His Cross, through Himself, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.\u201d A great thing indeed it is to reconcile; but that this should be through Himself too, is a greater thing; and a greater still,\u2014how through Himself? Through His Blood. Through His Blood; and he said not simply His Blood, but what is yet greater, through the Cross. So that the marvels are five: He reconciled us; to God; through Himself; through Death; through the Cross. Admirable again! How he has mixed them up! For lest thou shouldest think that it is one thing merely, or that the Cross is anything of itself, 748 he saith \u201cthrough Himself.\u201d How well he knows that this was a great thing. Because not by speaking words, but by giving Himself up for the reconciliation, He so wrought everything.\nBut what is \u201cthings in the heavens\u201d? For with reason indeed is it said, \u201cthe things upon the earth,\u201d for those were filled with enmity, and manifoldly divided, and each one of us was utterly at variance with himself, and with the many; but how made He peace amongst \u201cthe things in the heavens\u201d? Was war and battle there also? How then do we pray, saying, \u201cThy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth\u201d? (Matt. vi. 10.) What is it then? The earth was divided from heaven, the Angels were become enemies to men, through seeing the Lord insulted. \u201cTo sum up,\u201d he saith, \u201call things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth.\u201d (Eph. i. 10.) How? The things in heaven indeed in this way: He translated Man thither, He brought up to them the enemy, the hated one. Not only made He the things on earth 749 to be at peace, but He brought up to them him that was their enemy and foe. Here was peace profound. Angels again appeared on the earth thereafter, because that Man too had appeared in heaven. And it seems to me that Paul was caught up on this account (2 Cor. xii. 2.), and to show that the Son also had been received up thither. For in the earth indeed, the peace was twofold; with the things of heaven, and with themselves; but in heaven it was simple. For if the Angels rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, much more will they over so many.\nAll this God\u2019s power hath wrought. Why then place ye confidence in Angels? 750 saith he. For so far are they from bringing you near, that they were ever your enemies, except God Himself had reconciled you with them. Why then run ye to them? Wouldest thou know the hatred which the Angels had against us, how great it was; and how averse to us they always were? They were sent to take vengeance in the cases of the Israelites, of David, of the Sodomites, of the Valley of weeping. 751 (Ex. xxiii. 20.) Not so however now, but, on the contrary, they sang upon the earth 752 (2 Sam. xxiv. 16.) with exceedp. 273 ing joy. And He led these down to men 753 (Gen. xix. 13.), and led men up to them.\nAnd observe, I pray you, the marvel in this: He brought these first down hither, and then he took up man to them; earth became heaven, because that heaven was about to receive the things of earth. Therefore when we give thanks, we say, \u201cGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.\u201d Behold, he saith, even men appeared well-pleasing to Him thereafter. What is \u201cgood will\u201d? (Eph. 2:14, Deut. 32:8, Sept.) Reconciliation. No longer is the heaven a wall of partition. At first the Angels were according to the number of the nations; but now, not to the number of the nations, but that of the believers. Whence is this evident? Hear Christ saying, \u201cSee that ye despise not one of these little ones, for their Angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.\u201d (Matt. xviii. 10.) For each believer hath an Angel; since even from the beginning, every one of those that were approved had his Angel, as Jacob says, \u201cThe Angel that feedeth me, and delivereth me from my youth.\u201d 754 (Gen. 48:15, 16, nearly.) If then we have Angels, let us be sober, as though we were in the presence of tutors; for there is a demon present also. 755 Therefore we pray, asking 756 for the Angel of peace, and everywhere we ask for peace 757 (for there is nothing equal to this); peace, in the Churches, in the prayers, in the supplications, in the salutations; and once, and twice, and thrice, and many times, does he that is over the Church give it, \u201cPeace be unto you.\u201d Wherefore? Because this is the Mother of all good things; this is the foundation of joy. Therefore Christ also commanded the Apostles on entering into the houses straightway to say this, as being a sort of symbol of the good things; for He saith, \u201cWhen ye come into the houses, say, Peace be unto you;\u201d 758 for where this is wanting, everything is useless. And to His disciples Christ said, \u201cPeace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.\u201d (John xiv. 27.) This prepareth the way for love. And he that is over the Church, says not, \u201cPeace be unto you,\u201d simply, but \u201cPeace be unto all.\u201d For what if with this man we have peace, but with another, war and fighting? what is the gain? For neither in the body, should some of its elements be at rest and others in a state of variance, is it possible that health should ever be upheld; but only when the whole of them are in good order, and harmony, and peace, and except the whole are at rest, and continue within their proper limits, all will be overturned. And, further, in our minds, except all our thoughts are at rest, peace will not exist. So great a good is peace, as that the makers and producers of it are called the sons of God (Matt. 5:9, 45.), with reason; because the Son of God for this cause came upon the earth, to set at peace the things in the earth, and those in the heavens. But if the peacemakers are the sons of God, the makers of disturbance are sons of the devil.\nWhat sayest thou? Dost thou excite contentions and fightings? And doth any ask who is so unhappy? Many there are who rejoice at evil, and who do rather rend in pieces the Body of Christ, than did the soldiers pierce it with the spear, or the Jews who struck it through with the nails. A less evil was that than this; those Members, so cut through, again united, but these when torn off, if they be not united here, will never be united, but remain apart from the Fullness. When thou art minded to war against thy brother, bethink thee that thou warrest against the members of Christ, and cease from thy madness. For what if he be an outcast? What if he be vile? What if he be open to contempt? So saith He, \u201cIt is not the will of My Father that one of these little ones should perish.\u201d (Matt. xviii. 14.) And again, \u201cTheir Angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.\u201d (Matt. 18.10.) God for his sake and thine even became a servant, and was slain; and dost thou consider him to be nothing? Surely in this respect also thou fightest against God, in that thou deliverest a judgment contrary to His. When he that is over the Church cometh in, he straightway says, \u201cPeace unto all\u201d; when he preacheth, \u201cPeace unto all\u201d; when he blesseth, \u201cPeace unto all\u201d; when he biddeth to salute, \u201cPeace unto all\u201d; when the Sacrifice is finished, \u201cPeace unto all\u201d: and again, in the middle, \u201cGrace to you and peace.\u201d How then is it not monstrous, if, while hearing so many times that we are to have peace, we are in a state of feud with each other; and receiving peace, and giving it back, are at war with him 759 that giveth it to us? Thou sayest, \u201cAnd to thy spirit.\u201d And dost thou traduce him abroad? Woe is me! that the majestic usages 760 of the Church are become p. 274 forms of things merely, not a truth. Woe is me! that the watchwords of this army proceed no farther than to be only words. Whence also ye are ignorant wherefore is said, \u201cPeace unto all.\u201d But hear what follows, what Christ saith; \u201cAnd into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter\u2026as ye enter into the house, salute it; and if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.\u201d (Matt. 10:11, 13.) We are therefore ignorant; because we look upon this merely as a figure of words; and we assent not to them in our minds. For do I 761 give the Peace? It is Christ who deigneth to speak by us. Even if at all other times we are void of grace, yet are we not now, for your sakes. For if the Grace of God wrought in an ass and a diviner, for the sake of an economy, and the advantage of the Israelites (Num. 22.), it is quite clear that it will not refuse to operate even in us, but for your 762 sakes will endure even this.\nLet none say then that I am mean, and low, and worthy of no consideration, and in such a frame of mind attend to me. 763 For such I am; but God\u2019s way always is, to be present even with such for the sake of the many. And, that ye may know this, with Cain He vouchsafed to talk for Abel\u2019s sake (Gen. iv.), with the devil for Job\u2019s (Job i.), with Pharaoh for Joseph\u2019s (Gen. xli.), with Nebuchadnezzar for Daniel\u2019s (Dan. 2:0, Dan. 4:0.), with Belshazzar, for the same (Dan. v.). And Magi moreover obtained a revelation (Matt. ii.); and Caiaphas prophesied, though a slayer of Christ, and an unworthy man, because of the worthiness of the priesthood. (John xi. 49.) And it is said to have been for this reason that Aaron was not smitten with leprosy. For why, tell me, when both had spoken against Moses did she 764 alone suffer the punishment? (Num. xii.) Marvel not: for if in worldly dignities, even though ten thousand charges be laid against a man, yet is he not brought to trial before he has laid down his office, in order that it may not be dishonored along with him; much more in the case of spiritual office, be he whosoever he may, the grace of God works in him, for otherwise everything is lost: but when he hath laid it down, either after he is departed or even here, then indeed, then he will suffer a sorer punishment.\nDo not, I pray you, think that these things are spoken from us; it is the Grace of God which worketh in the unworthy, not for our sakes, but for yours. Hear ye then what Christ saith. \u201cIf the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it.\u201d (Matt. x. 13-15.) And how becometh it worthy? If \u201cthey receive you\u201d (Luke x. 8.), He saith. \u201cBut if they receive you not, nor hear your words,\u2026verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.\u201d What boots it then, that ye receive us, and hear not the things we say? What gain is it that ye wait upon 765 us, and give no heed to the things which are spoken to you? This will be honor to us, this the admirable service, which is profitable both to you and to us, if ye hear us. Hear also Paul saying, \u201cI wist not, brethren, that he was High Priest.\u201d (Acts xxiii. 5.) Hear also Christ saying, \u201cAll whatsoever they bid you observe\u201d (Matt. xxiii. 3.), that \u201cobserve and do.\u201d Thou despisest not me, but the Priesthood; when thou seest me stripped of this, then despise me; then no more will I endure to impose commands. But so long as we sit upon this throne, 766 so long as we have the first place, we have both the dignity and the power, even though we are unworthy. If the throne of Moses was of such reverence, that for its sake they were to be heard, much more the throne of Christ. It, we have received by succession; from it we speak; since the time that Christ hath vested in us the ministry of reconciliation.\nAmbassadors, whatever be their sort, because of the dignity of an embassy, enjoy much honor. For observe; they go alone into the heart of the land of barbarians, through the midst of so many enemies; and because the law of embassy is of mighty power, all honor them; all look towards them with respect, all send them forth with safety. And we now have received a word of embassy, and we are come from God, for this is the dignity of the Episcopate. We are come to you on an embassy, requesting you to put an end to the war, and we say on what terms; not promising to give cities, nor so and so many measures of corn, nor slaves, nor gold; but the kingdom of heaven, eternal life, society with Christ, the other good things, which neither are we able to tell you, so long as we are in this flesh, and the present life. Ambassadors then we are, and we wish to enjoy honor, not for our own sakes, far be it, for we know its worthlessness, but for yours; that ye may hear with earnestness the things we say; that ye may be profited, that not with listlessness or indifference ye may attend to what is spoken. See ye not ambassadors, how all pay court to them? We are God\u2019s ambassadors to men; but, if this ofp. 275 fend you, 767 not we, but the Episcopate itself, not this man or that, but the Bishop. Let no one hear me, but the dignity. Let us then do everything according to the will of God, that we may live to the glory of God, and be counted worthy of the good things promised to those that love Him, through the grace and lovingkindness, &c. &c.\n\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03c4\u03ae\u03c1\u03c9\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f41\u03bc\u03bf\u03b9\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2. The argument is, that invisibleness being mentioned, the image must have it, as if one should say, \u201cthe picture of a venerable man,\u201d one would understand a venerable expression in the features. Compare St. Athanasius against Arianism, Disc. 1, c. vi. \u00a7 20, Tr. and note d. [The argument is fine spun, and not convincing. The image must be of the same essence, or substance in this case; but an image cannot be invisible, otherwise it were not an image. Compare Meyer, and especially Lightfoot.\u2014J.A.B.]\n270:735\n[The words, \u201cand angels are images\u201d are omitted by the common text, with several mss., but manifestly to escape an apparent difficulty, because it has been noticed above that angels are never called images.\u2014J.A.B.]\n271:736\ni.e. is anything else meant by the word \u03c0\u03c1\u03c9\u03c4\u03cc\u03c4\u03bf\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2, than that He is the Firstfruits of the Creation. This may be his meaning, or \u201cthat he, the Only-begotten, is the Beginning of the Creation.\u201d See note on St. Athanasius against Arianism, Disc. 1, Oxf. Tr.\n271:737\nP. of Samosata held the Divine Word, or Reason, to be a mere Attribute, and not a Person. The Person of our Lord would thus be simply Human, only with a Divine influence. See St. Ath. Def. of Nic. Def. c. v. \u00a7 11, Tr. This text of St. Paul is quoted against P. of Samosata, Conc. Ant. i. Labbe, t. i, p. 846, by the orthodox Bishops. See also Epiph. H\u00e6r. 45. The heretics might allow what is said here of the Word as an Attribute; the refutation follows presently.\n271:738\nOne ms. has, \u201cfirst the things in heaven,\u201d &c., which agrees with the sense.\n271:739\ni.e. \u201cIn Him,\u201d in the beginning of the verse, is said in such a sense as to agree with \u201cthrough Him.\u201d\n271:740\n[Chrys. here seems to insist on the local sense of \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2, \u201cinto,\u201d which above, and in Rev. Ver., is translated \u201cunto.\u201d All things in Him consist, being created into Him. But the fancy is of doubtful value.\u2014J.A.B.]\n271:741\n\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03ce\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2. Here used of the universe, somewhat as 1 Cor. x. 26, only in a more extended sense.\n271:742\nCat. \u201cand first of men even as he that was first of Creation after the flesh,\u201d then one Par. and Br. M. read, \u201cFor this cause both here and there the word \u2018Firstborn\u2019 is used. But what is \u2018Firstborn of all creation\u2019? It is for \u2018First Created,\u2019 as \u2018Firstborn from the dead\u2019 is for \u2018Who rose again before all.\u2019 And as there he puts \u2018Who is before all,\u2019 so here also he has put \u2018Firstfruits.\u2019\u201d [A Paris ms. has the same reading, except that for \u201cFirst Created\u201d it has \u201cFirst Creator.\u201d\u2014J.A.B.]\n271:743\nRec. text \u1f00\u03c1\u03c7\u1f74, St. Chrys. has \u1f00\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03c7\u1f74 [and so six cursives. But this reading is clearly wrong, and vitiates the following statements of Chrys. For the meaning of \u201cbeginning\u201d here, see Lightfoot.\u2014J.A.B.]\n272:744\nThe same mss. add, \u201cbut only the Firstborn, and not even this in the first place, but after saying, \u2018Who is the Image,\u2019\u201d &c.\n272:745\n\u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b3\u03ad\u03b3\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5, alluding to the expression, \u03c0\u03c1\u03c9\u03c4\u03cc\u03c4\u03bf\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2 \u1f10\u03ba \u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03c1\u1ff6\u03bd.\n272:746\n[\u201cThe reconciliation is always represented as made to the Father. The reconciler is sometimes the Father Himself, sometimes the Son.\u201d\u2014Lightfoot.\u2014J.A.B.]\n272:747\n\u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03ac\u03be\u03b1\u03b9 as \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03cd\u03c4\u03c1\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2, above? [The compound verb may mean to reconcile completely or finally.\u2014J.A.B.]\n272:748\nOr \u201cby itself\u201d (\u1f11\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u1f78), i.e. separate from the Divine Person, as it would be if there had been a several Human Personality. (Cat. and Bodl. \u1f11\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd.)\n272:749\nBodl. Extr. [Catena], \u201cHe made not him staying on earth,\u201d &c.\n272:750\n[Chrys. shows no suspicion of that combination of the Jewish (Essene) doctrine of angels with the Gnostic doctrine of \u00e6ons, which we now know to have prevailed at Coloss\u00e6 (see Lightfoot on Col., Int. II.).\u2014J.A.B.]\n272:751\nJudg. 2:5, Ps. 84:6, 2 Sam. 5:0. seems hardly applicable).\n272:752\nDownes conjectures, \u201cPeace on earth.\u201d Luke ii. 13.\n273:753\nGr. \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2, one suspects \u1f04\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 (\u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03ce\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2), which has been conjectured.\n273:754\n\u201cFeedeth\u201d is said of God in the text. On the passage, St. Chrys. does not notice the mention of the Angel. He quotes it, however, in his first Homily de laudibus B. Pauli. He also infers the doctrine from Acts xii. 15; Hom. xxvi. St. Jerome, on Isa. lxvi. 20, quotes all these passages. Bp. Bull, Ser. xii. adds, Eccl. v. 6.\n273:755\nSee St. Hermas, Past. 1, ii. pr. 6, \u00a7 1, and Cotelerius, note 14, t. i., p. 93, who cites Origen, Hom. xii. in Luc. S. Greg. Nyss. de Vita Mosis, p. 194; Petavius, Theol. Dog. de Ang. l. ii. c. 8, cites St. Basil, contr. Eunom. p. 70, and on Ps. xxxiii. p. 220, &c.\n273:756\n[There was among the forms of prayer in Chrys.\u2019s day this, \u201cAsk for the angel of peace.\u201d See Field\u2019s Annotations.\u2014J.A.B.]\n273:757\nIn Hom. xxxii. on St. Matt. he mentions a prayer for Peace. See also Const. Ap. 1. viii. c. 37 fin.\n273:758\nMatt. 10:12, Luke 10:5, but neither accurately. [That is, neither Gospel is here accurately quoted. Chrys. often makes slight mistakes in quoting, as we do.\u2014J.A.B.]\n273:759\ni.e. the Bishop. [This is the person several times above called \u201che that is over,\u201d \u1f41\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u1f7c\u03c2, the same word that is employed by Justin Martyr, I. Apol. c. 65, for the person presiding in an assembly for worship.\u2014J.A.B.]\n273:760 274:761\nThis implies that he was Bishop, and consequently that these Homilies were delivered at Constantinople. [Below he distinctly declares himself to be the Bishop.\u2014J.A.B.]\n274:762 274:763\nOr \u201ceven so, let him attend to me.\u201d\n274:764 274:765 274:766\n[This would seem clearly to indicate that these homilies were delivered at Constantinople. The passage below, on ch. iii. 2\u20134, does not necessarily show the contrary.\u2014J.A.B.]\n275:767\n\u03c0\u03c1\u03cc\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2. \u201cUp hill,\u201d \u201cagainst the grain.\u201d","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XIII: The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.: Colossians 1:15-18","type":"page"}