Homilies on Ephesians — Homily 18

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

[[Ephesians 5.5]], 6

For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, which is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.

There were, it is likely, in the time of our forefathers also, some who weakened the hands of the people [[Jeremiah 38.4]], and brought into practice that which is mentioned by Ezekiel — or rather who did the works of the false prophets, who profaned God among His people for handfuls of barley [[Ezekiel 13.19]]; a thing, by the way, done methinks by some even at this day. When, for example, we say that he who calls his brother a fool shall depart into hell-fire, others say, What? Is he that calls his brother a fool to depart into hell-fire? Impossible, say they. And again, when we say that the covetous man is an idolater, in this too again they make abatements, and say the expression is hyperbolical. And in this manner they underrate and explain away all the commandments. It was in allusion then to these that the blessed Paul, at this time when he wrote to the Ephesians, spoke thus, For this ye know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, which is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God; adding, let no man deceive you with empty words. Now empty words are those which for a while are gratifying, but are in nowise borne out in facts; because the whole case is a deception.

Because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.

Because of fornication, he means, because of covetousness, because of uncleanness, or both because of these things, and because of the deceit, inasmuch as there are deceivers. Sons of disobedience; he thus calls those who are utterly disobedient, those who disobey Him.

Ver. 7, 8. Be not ye, therefore, partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord.

Observe how wisely he urges them forward; first, from the thought of Christ, that you love one another, and do injury to no man; then, on the other hand, from the thought of punishment and hell-fire. For you were once darkness, says he, but are now light in the Lord. Which is what he says also in the Epistle to the Romans; What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof you are now ashamed? [[Romans 6.21]], and reminds them of their former wickedness. That is to say, thinking what ye once were, and what you are now become, do not run back into your former wickedness, nor do despite to the grace [[Hebrews 10.29]] of God.

You were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord!

Not, he says, by your own virtue, but through the grace of God has this accrued to you. That is to say, you also were sometime worthy of the same punishments, but now are so no more. Walk therefore as children of light. What is meant however by children of light, he adds afterwards.

Ver. 9, 10.