Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:1-2)
“The acceptable time.” What is this? That of the gift, that of the grace, when it is appointed not that an account should be required of our sins nor penalty exacted; but besides being delivered, that we should also enjoy ten thousand goods, righteousness, sanctification, and all the rest. For how much toil would it have been proper to undergo in order to obtain this “time!” But, behold, without our toiling at all it has come, bringing remission of all that was before. Therefore also He calls it “acceptable,” because He both accepted those that had transgressed in ten thousand things, and not merely accepted but promoted them to the highest honor. Just as when a monarch arrives, it is a time not for judgment, but for grace and pardon. Therefore also He calls it acceptable.… It is a day of grace, of grace divine, therefore with ease even we shall obtain the crown.
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:1-2)
“The acceptable time.” What is this? That of the gift, that of the grace, when it is appointed not that an account should be required of our sins nor penalty exacted; but besides being delivered, that we should also enjoy ten thousand goods, righteousness, sanctification, and all the rest. For how much toil would it have been proper to undergo in order to obtain this “time!” But, behold, without our toiling at all it has come, bringing remission of all that was before. Therefore also He calls it “acceptable,” because He both accepted those that had transgressed in ten thousand things, and not merely accepted but promoted them to the highest honor. Just as when a monarch arrives, it is a time not for judgment, but for grace and pardon. Therefore also He calls it acceptable.… It is a day of grace, of grace divine, therefore with ease even we shall obtain the crown.
John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians 12.1
No comments:
Post a Comment