John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom is widely regarded as the greatest preacher in the history of the church. Born in Antioch and trained as a lawyer under the famous orator Libanius, he became a monk, then a priest in Antioch where his extraordinary preaching brought him fame. He was appointed Archbishop of Constantinople in 398 AD, where his reforms of the clergy and outspoken critiques of wealth and corruption made enemies among the Empress Eudoxia and the court. He was twice exiled and died on the way to his place of banishment. His homilies on virtually every New Testament book (Matthew, John, Acts, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians) remain unsurpassed models of expository preaching that draw out the plain meaning of Scripture and apply it directly to daily Christian life.
On Scripture and Preaching
This man speaks to us concerning things in Heaven, and what he delivers is no message from earth. For neither man, nor angel, nor archangel, nor any other created power, but the Paraclete Himself inspired this sacred writing; and it is of this that we should ever bear in mind when we hear these words, lest we fall into the common habit of carelessness.
Homilies on John, Homily 1.1 (NPNF 1.14) (2 Tim. 3:16; John 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:21)
Just as men who are skillful in the art of medicine attend to the sick before consulting their own case, so does this blessed Evangelist. He begins not from the things below, but from the things above. And what advantage does this bring us? This, that being led up by the strangeness of the things spoken, we may have our thoughts raised aloft.
Homilies on John, Homily 2.1 (NPNF 1.14) (John 1:1–3; Isa. 55:8–9)
Ignorance of Scripture is the source of all evils. We go into battle without arms, and how must we come off but with wounds? For this reason did our fathers ordain that the Church should be continually occupied with reading the Scriptures — so that we, even when we are at home, should have this reading.
Homilies on Colossians, Homily 9 (NPNF 1.13) (Eph. 6:17; Ps. 119:11; Col. 3:16)
On Grace and the Gospel
...to those who are saved indeed, it is the power of God; but to those who perish, it is foolishness...This is why Paul is not ashamed; for he sees the power of the Gospel...Not what appears to be wisdom, but what is so in reality, ought we to court.
Homilies on Romans, Homily 1 (NPNF 1.11) (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18)
Christ crucified is the foundation of this faith and life. Let us not be ashamed of the cross — this is our glory, this is the boast of Christians. Let us take it up, let us glory in it, that we may share in what was done upon it.
Homilies on John, Homily 85.1 (NPNF 1.14) (Gal. 6:14; 1 Cor. 1:23–24)
On Prayer
Prayer is an all-sufficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine which is never exhausted, a sky unobscured by clouds, a heaven unruffled by any storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.
On the Statues, Homily 5 (NPNF 1.9) (Phil. 4:6–7; 1 Thess. 5:17)
The potency of prayer hath subdued the strength of fire; it hath bridled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt.
On the Statues, Homily 5 (NPNF 1.9) (Dan. 6:22; Jas. 5:16–18; Acts 12:5–7)
On Wealth, Poverty, and the Poor
This is the rule of most perfect Christianity, its most exact definition, its highest point, namely, the seeking of the common good...for nothing can so make a person an imitator of Christ as the caring for his neighbors.
Homilies on 1 Corinthians, Homily 25.3 (NPNF 1.12) (1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:4)
Not to share our own wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life; we do not possess our own wealth but theirs...The rich are in possession of the goods of the poor, even if they have acquired them honestly or inherited them legally.
Homilies on Lazarus, Homily 2.5 (NPNF 1.9) (Luke 16:19–31; Matt. 25:40; 1 John 3:17)