Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles — Homily 30

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Acts XIII. 42

And as they were going out (text rec. 'from the syn. of the Jews,') they besought (the Gentiles ) that these words might be spoken unto them on the following sabbath.

Do you mark Paul's wisdom? He not only gained admiration at the time, but put into them a longing desire for a second hearing, while in what he said he dropped some seeds ( εἰπών τινα σπέρματα ) as it were, and forbore to solve (the questions raised), or to follow out the subject to its conclusion, his plan being to interest them and engage their good-will to himself, and not make (people) listless and indifferent by casting all at once into the minds of those (who first heard him). He told them the fact, that through this Man is remission of sins announced unto you, but the how, he did not declare. And when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and worshipping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas — after this point he puts Paul first — who, speaking unto them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. [[Acts 13.43]] Do you observe the eagerness, how great it is? They followed them, it says. Why did they not baptize them immediately? It was not the proper time: there was need to persuade them in order to their steadfast abiding therein. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. [[Acts 13.44]] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and contradicted the things spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. [[Acts 13.45]] See malice wounded in wounding others: this made the Apostles more conspicuous — the contradiction which those offered. In the first instance then they of their own accord besought them to speak (and now they opposed them): contradicting, it says, and blaspheming. O recklessness! Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. [[Acts 13.46]] Do you mark how by their contentious behavior they the more extended the preaching, and (how the Apostles here) gave themselves the more to the Gentiles, having (by this very thing) pleaded their justification, and made themselves clear of all blame with their own people (at Jerusalem)? ( c ) See how by their envy they bring about great things, other (than they looked for): they brought it about that the Apostles spoke out boldly, and came to the Gentiles! For this is why he says, And speaking out boldly, Paul and Barnabas said. They were to go out to the Gentiles: but observe the boldness coming with measure: for if Peter pleaded in his justification, much more these needed a plea, none having called them there. [[Acts 11.4]] But by saying To you first, he showed that to those also it was their duty (to preach), and in saying Necessary, he showed that it was necessary to be preached to them also. But since you turn away from it — he does not say,