Homilies on Ephesians — Homily 9

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Chapter IV. Verses 1-3

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you, to walk worthily of the calling wherewith you were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Great has the power of Paul's chain been shown to be, and more glorious than miracles. It is not in vain then, as it should seem, nor without an object, that he here holds it forward, but as the means of all others most likely to touch them. And what says he? I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you, to walk worthily of the calling wherewith you were called. And how is that? with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.

It is not the being merely a prisoner that is honorable, but the being so for Christ's sake. Hence he says, in the Lord, i.e., the prisoner for Christ's sake. Nothing is equal to this. But now the chain is dragging me away still more from my subject, and pulling me back again, and I cannot bear to resist it, but am drawn along willingly — yea, rather, with all my heart; and would that it were always my lot to be descanting on Paul's chain.

But now do not become drowsy: for I am yet desirous to solve that other question, which many raise, when they say, Why, if tribulation be a glory, how came Paul himself to say in his defense to Agrippa, I would to God that whether with little or with much not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds? [[Acts 26.29]] He said not this, God forbid! As deeming the thing a matter to be deprecated; no; for had it been such, he would not have gloried in bonds, in imprisonments, in those other tribulations; and when writing elsewhere he says, Most gladly will I rather glory in my weaknesses. [[2 Corinthians 12.9]] But what is the case? This was itself a proof how great a thing he considered those bonds; for as in writing to the Corinthians he said, I fed you with milk, not with meat, for you were not yet able to bear it; [[1 Corinthians 3.2]] so also here. They before whom he spoke were not able to hear of the beauty, nor the comeliness, nor the blessing of those bonds. Hence it was he added, except these bonds. To the Hebrews however he spoke not thus, but exhorted them to be bound with [[Hebrews 13.3]] them that were in bonds. And hence too did he himself rejoice in his bonds, and was bound, and was led with the prisoners into the inner prison. Mighty is the power of Paul's chain! A spectacle this, which may suffice for every other, to behold Paul bound, and led forth from his prison; to behold him bound, and sitting within it, what pleasure can come up to this? What would I not give for such a sight? Do ye see the emperors, the consuls, borne along in their chariots and arrayed in gold, and their bodyguard with every thing about them of gold? Their halberds of gold, their shields of gold, their raiment of gold,