The present volume has no need to offer any lengthy biographical notice on St. John Chrysostom. Two previous volumes of this series have already presented information on his life and work,¹ and still further data are easily found in readily available sources.² A brief sketch, however, may be in place here, to give some notion of Chrysostom’s oratorical talent, his background in scriptural exegesis, his own position in the Church of Antioch, and the place in the Antiochene community of the people who are, in this volume, the targets of his polemics, namely, the Jews and Judaizing Christians.

(2) The...

Today i had intended [843] to complete my discussion of the topic on which I spoke to you a few days ago; I wished to present you with even clearer proof that God’s nature is more than our minds can grasp. Last Sunday² I spoke on this at great length and I brought, forward as my witnesses Isaiah, David, and Paul. For it was Isaiah who exclaimed: “Who shall declare his generation?”³ David knew God was beyond his comprehension and so he gave thanks to him and said: “I will praise you for you are fearfully magnified: wonderful are your...

The wicked and unlcean fast of the Jews [857] is now at our doors. Though it is a fast, do not wonder that I have called it unclean. What is done contrary to God’s purpose, be it sacrifice or fast, is the most abominable of all things.?² Their wicked fast will begin after five days. Ten days ago, or more than ten, I anticipated this and gave an exhortation with the hope it would make your brothers safe. Let no one find fault and say my discourse was untimely because I gave it so many days beforehand. When a fever...

Once again a necessary and pressing need [861] has interrupted the sequence of my recent discourses.² I must put aside my struggles with the heretics for today and turn my attention to this necessary business. For I was ready to address your loving assembly again on the glory of the only-begotten Son of God. But the untimely obstinacy of those who wish to keep the first paschal fast³ forces me to devote my entire instruction to their cure. For the good shepherd does more than drive away the wolves; he also is most diligent in caring for his sheep who...

Again³ the jews, [871] the most miserable and wretched of all men,⁴ are going to fast,⁵ and again we must make secure the flock of Christ. As long as no wild beast disturbs the flock, shepherds, as they stretch out an oak or pine tree and play their flutes, let their sheep go off to graze with full freedom. But when the shepherds feel that the wolves will raid, they are quick to throw down the flute and pick up their slingshots; they cast aside the pipe of reeds and arm themselves with clubs and stones. They take their stand...

How is it that we have [883] a larger throng assembled here today? Surely, you have come together to demand that I keep my promise;¹ you are here to receive the silver tried in the fire which I pledged to pay over to you. For as the Psalmist says: “The words of the Lord are pure words: silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth.”² Blessed be God because he has put in your hearts the yearning to hear words good for your souls.

(2) When wine-tipplers get up each morning, they start their meddlesome probing to discover where...

Wild beasts are less savage and fierce [903] as long they live in the forests and have had no experience fighting against men. But when the hunters capture, them, they drag them into the cities, lock them in cages, and goad them on to do battle with beast-fighting gladiators. Then the beasts spring upon their prey, taste human flesh and drink human blood. After that, they would find it no easy task to keep away from such a feast but they avidly rush to this bloody banquet.¹

(2) This has been my experience, too. Once I took up my flight...

Have you had enough [915] of the fight against the Jews? Or do you wish me to take up the same topic today? Even if I have already had much to say on it, I still think you want to hear the same thing again. The man who does not have enough of loving Christ will never have enough of fighting against those who hate Christ. Besides, there is another reason which makes a discourse on this theme necessary. These feasts of theirs are not yet over; some traces still remain.

(2) Their trumpets were a greater outrage than those...

Gone is the fasting [927] of the Jews,¹ or rather, the drunkenness of the Jews.² Yes, it is possible to be drunk without wine; it is possible for a sober man to act as if he is drunk and to revel like a prodigal. If a man could not get drunk without wine, the prophet would never have said: "Woe to those who are drunk not from wine;”³ if a man could not get drunk without wine, Paul would never have said: “Do not be drunk with wine.”⁴ For he said this as if there were a possibility of getting...