Homilies on First Timothy — Homily 17

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

[[1 Timothy 6.2]]-7

These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

A teacher has need not only of authority, but of gentleness, and not only of gentleness, but of authority. And all these the blessed Paul teaches, at one time saying, These things command and teach [[1 Timothy 4.11]]; at another, These things teach and exhort. For if physicians entreat the sick, not for the benefit of their own health, but that they may relieve their sickness, and restore their prostrate strength, much more ought we to observe this method, of entreating those whom we teach. For the blessed Paul does not refuse to be their servant: We preach not ourselves, he says; but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake [[2 Corinthians 4.5]]; and again, All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos. [[1 Corinthians 3.12]] And in this service he serves with alacrity, for it is not slavery, but superior to freedom. For He says, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. [[John 8.34]]

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. Presumption therefore arises not from knowledge, but from knowing nothing. For he that knows the doctrines of godliness is also the most disposed to moderation. He who knows sound words, is not unsound. For what inflammation is in the body, that pride is in the soul. And as we do not in the first case say that the inflamed part is sound, so neither do we here consider the arrogant. It is possible then to be knowing, and yet to know nothing. For he that knows not what he ought to know, knows nothing. And that pride arises from knowing nothing is manifest from hence. Christ made Himself of no reputation [[Philippians 2.7]], he therefore who knows this will not be high-minded. Man has nothing except from God, therefore he will not be high-minded. For what have you that thou did not receive? [[1 Corinthians 4.7]] He washed the feet of His disciples, how can he who knows this be setting himself up? Therefore He says, When you have done all, say we are unprofitable servants. [[Luke 17.10]] The publican was accepted only from his humility, the Pharisee perished by his boastfulness. He who is puffed up knows none of these things. Again, Christ Himself says, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you smite me? [[John 18.23]]

Doting