Homilies on Philippians — Homily 4

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

[[Philippians 1.22]]-26

Then what I shall choose I know not. But I am in a strait between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; which is very far better: yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; that your glorying may abound in Jesus Christ in me, through my presence with you again.

Nothing can be more blessed than the spirit of Paul, for the reason that nothing is more noble. We all shudder at death, I am wont to say, some by reason of our many sins, of whom I too am one, others from love of life, and cowardice, of whom may I never be one; for they who are subject to this fear are mere animals. This then, which we all shudder at, he prayed for, and hasted toward Him; saying, To depart is very far better. What do you say? When you are about to change from earth to heaven, and to be with Christ, do you not know what to choose? Nay, far is this from the spirit of Paul; for if such an offer were made to any one on sure grounds, would he not straightway seize it? Yes, for as it is not ours to depart and be with Christ, neither, if we were able to attain to this, were it ours to remain here. Both are of Paul, and of his spirit. He was confidently persuaded. What? Are you about to be with Christ? And do you say, What I shall choose I know not? And not this only, but do you choose that which is here, to abide in the flesh? What in the world? Did you not live an exceeding bitter life, in watchings, in shipwrecks, in hunger and thirst, and nakedness, in cares and anxiety? with the weak thou were weak, and for those who were made to stumble you burn. [[2 Corinthians 11.23]]-29 In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in fastings, in pureness. [[2 Corinthians 6.5]]-6 Five times did you receive forty stripes save one, thrice were you beaten with rods, once were you stoned a night and a day you have been in the deep, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils among false brethren. [[2 Corinthians 11.24]]-26 Did you not, when the whole nation of the Galatians returned to the observance of the law, did you not cry aloud, and say, Whosoever of you would be justified by the law, you are fallen away from grace? [[Galatians 5.4]] How great was then your grief, and still do you desire this perishing life? Had none of these things befallen you, but had your success, wherever success attended you, been without fear, and full of delight, yet should not thou hasten to some harbor, from fear of the uncertain future? For tell me, what trader, whose vessel is full of untold wealth, when he may run into port, and be at rest, would prefer to be still at sea? What wrestler, when he might be crowned, would prefer to contend? What boxer, when he might put on his crown, would choose to enter afre