TRV
John Chrysostom
Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500
7,356 passages across 56 books of the Bible · Who was this?
On Acts
20 of 1,274-
Acts 2:39
"The promise," i.e. the gift of the Holy Ghost. So far, he speaks of the easy part, and that which has with it a great gift; and then he leads them to practice: for it will be to them a ground of earnestness, to have tasted already of those so great blessings.
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Acts 2:40
"And with many other words did he testify, and exhort, saying." Observe how, throughout, the writer studies brevity, and how free he is from ambition and display. "He testified and exhorted, saying." This is the perfection of teaching, comprising something of fear and something of love. "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." He says nothing of the future, all is about the present, by which indeed men are chiefly swayed; he shows that the Gospel releases from present evils as well.
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Acts 2:40
Since, however, the hearer would desire to learn what was the sum and substance of these further words, he tells us this: "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." They approved of what had been said, although fraught with terror, and after their assent given, proceed at once to baptism.
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Acts 2:41
Once there were three thousand - there were five thousand - and yet they had all one soul: but now each knows not his brother, and is not ashamed to lay the blame on the number, because it is so great! Yet he that has many friends is invincible against all men: stronger he than any tyrant.
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Acts 2:41
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Think you not this cheered the Apostles more than the miracle?
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Acts 2:41
They heard, and were forthwith baptized. They did not speak those cold words which we do now, nor did they contrive delays; and yet they had heard all the requirements: but that word, "Save yourselves from this generation," made them to be not sluggish; rather they welcomed the exhortation; and that they did welcome it, they proved by their deeds, they showed what manner of men they were. They entered at once the lists, and took off the coat; whereas we do enter, but we intend to fight with our coat on. This is the cause that our antagonist has so little trouble, for we get entangled in our own movements, and are continually thrown down.
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Acts 2:42
"And they continued" it is written, "steadfastly in the doctrine" (or, "teaching") "of the Apostles": for it was not for one day, no nor for two or three days that they were under teaching as being persons who had gone over to a different course of life. "And they continued with one accord in the Apostles' doctrine," etc. The expression is not "together," but "with one accord," ("and daily," he says afterwards, "they were continuing with one accord in the temple,") i.e. with one soul.
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Acts 2:42
And here again in his conciseness, he does not relate the teaching given; for as young children, the Apostles nourished them with spiritual food.
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Acts 2:42
"And they continued steadfastly and with one accord in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship." Here are two virtues, perseverance and concord. "In the Apostles' doctrine," he says: for they again taught them; "and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer." All in common, all with perseverance.
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Acts 2:43
"And fear came upon every soul": of those that believed. For they did not despise the Apostles, like common men, nor did they fix their regard on that which was visible merely. Verily, their thoughts were kindled into a glow. And as Peter had before spoken much, and declared the promises, and the things to come, well might they be beside themselves with fear. The wonders also bore witness to the words: "Many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles." As was the case with Christ; first there were signs, then teaching, then wonders; so was it now.
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Acts 2:43
"And fear came upon every soul": clearly, of those, as well, who did not believe; namely, upon seeing so great a change all at once effected, and besides in consequence of the miracles.
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Acts 2:44
"And all that believed were together, and had all things in common," etc. They are all become angels on a sudden; all of them continuing in prayer and hearing, they saw that spiritual things are common, and no one there has more than other, and they speedily came together, to the same thing in common, even to the imparting to all. "And all the believing," it says, were together: and to see that this does not mean that they were together in place, observe what follows "And had all things common". "All," it says: not one with the exception of another. This was an angelic commonwealth, not to call anything of theirs their own. Forthwith the root of evils was cut out.
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Acts 2:44
Once more, the unanimity, the charity, which is the cause of all good things!
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Acts 2:44
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common." Consider what an advance was here immediately! For the fellowship was not only in prayers, nor in doctrine alone, but also in social relations. "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." See what fear was wrought in them! "And they parted them," he says, showing the wise management: "As every man had heed." Not recklessly, like some philosophers among the Greeks, of whom some gave up their land, others cast into the sea great quantities of money; but this was no contempt of riches, but only folly and madness. For universally the devil has made it his endeavor to disparage the creatures of God, as if it were impossible to make good use of riches.
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Acts 2:45
By what they did, they showed what they had heard: this was that which he said, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
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Acts 2:45
For indeed, because when people make doles of money, there are apt to be insults, pride, grudging; therefore says the Apostle, "Not grudgingly, or of necessity."
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Acts 2:45
They cast away their riches, and rejoiced, and had great gladness, for greater were the riches they received without labor. None reproached, none envied, none grudged; no pride, no contempt was there. As children they did indeed account themselves to be under teaching: as new born babes, such was their disposition. Yet why use this faint image? If you remember how it was when God shook our city with an earthquake, how subdued all men were. Such was the case then with those converts. No knavery, no villany then: such is the effect of fear, of affliction! No talk of "mine" and "thine" then. Hence gladness waited at their table; no one seemed to eat of his own, or of another's;-I grant this may seem a riddle. Neither did they consider their brethren's property foreign to themselves; it was the property of a Master; nor again deemed they aught their own, all was the brethren's. The poor man knew no shame, the rich no haughtiness. This is gladness. The latter deemed himself the obliged and fortunate party; the others felt themselves as honored herein, and closely were they bound together.
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Acts 2:46
See of how many things he bears witness to them! Genuine faith, upright conduct, perseverance in hearing, in prayers, in singleness, in cheerfulness. "Praising God." Two things there were which might deject them; their abstemious living, and the loss of their property. Yet on both these accounts did they rejoice. "And having favor with all the people." For who but must love men of this character, as common fathers? They conceived no malice toward each other; they committed all to the grace of God. "With all the people." Fear there was none; yea, though they had taken their position in the midst of dangers.
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Acts 2:46
"And continuing daily with one accord in the temple", they enjoyed the benefit of teaching. Consider how these Jews did nothing else great or small, than assiduously attend at the temple. For, as having become more earnest, they had increased devotion also to the place. For the Apostles did not for the present pluck them away from this object, for fear of injuring them. And this honor too passed over to the place; the eating in the house. In what house? In the Temple. Observe the increase of piety: They cast away their riches, and rejoiced, and had great gladness, for greater were the riches they received without labor.
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Acts 2:46
"And breaking bread from house to house, did take their portion of food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people." It seems to me that in mentioning "bread," he here signifies fasting and hard life; for they "took their portion of food," not of dainty fare. "With gladness," he says. Seest thou that not the dainty fare, but the food made the enjoyment. For they that fare daintily are under punishment and pain; but not so these. Do you see that the words of Peter contain this also, namely, the regulation of life? "And singleness of heart." For no gladness can exist where there is no simplicity. How had they "favor with all the people?" On account of their alms deeds. For do not look to the fact, that the chief priests for envy and spite rose up against them, but rather consider that "they had favor with the people."