546 WORKS OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM. and become more zealous, much more would this be the case, if we heard their words and their other actions. But concerning a friend a man enquires, where he lives, what he is doing, whither he is going : and say, should we not make these enquiries 1 about these the general instructors of the world? For when a man leads a spiritual life, the habit, the walk, the words and the actions of such an one, in short, all that relates to him, profits the hearers, and nothing is a hindrance or impediment. But it is useful for you to learn that this Epistle was sent upon necessary matters. Ob serve therefore how many things are rectified thereby. We have this one thing first, that in all things it becomes one to be earnest. For if Paul bestows so much concern upon a run away, a thief, and a robber, and does not refuse nor is ashamed to send him back with such com mendations ; much more does it become us not to be negligent in such matters. Secondly, that we ought not to abandon the race of slaves, even if they have proceeded to extreme wicked ness. For if a thief and a runaway become so virtuous that Paul was willing to make him a companion, and says in this Epistle, " that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me " (v. 13), much more ought we not to abandon the free. Thirdly, that we ought not to withdraw slaves from the service of their masters. For if Paul, who had such confidence in Philemon, was unwilling to detain Onesimus, so useful and serviceable to minister to himself, without the consent of his master, much less ought we so to act. For if the servant is so excellent, he ought by all means to continue in that service, and to acknowledge the authority of his master, that he may be the occasion of benefit to all in that house. Why dost thou take the candle from the candlestick to place it in the bushel ? I wish it were possible to bring into the cities those (servants) who are without. "What," say you, " if he also should become corrupt." And I why should he, I beseech you ? Because he has come into the city? But consider, that being without he will be much more corrupt. For he who is corrupt being within, will be much more so being without. For here he will be delivered from necessary care, his master taking that care upon himself; but there the concern about those things will draw him off perhaps even from things more necessary, and more spiritual. On this account the blessed Paul, when giving them the best counsel, said, " Art thou called, being a servant ? care not for it : but if even thou mayest be made free, use it rather" (i Cor. vii. 21) ; that is, abide in slavery.2 But what is more im portant than all, that the word of God be not blasphemed, as he himself says in one of his Epistles. " Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed." (i Tim. vi. i.) For the Gentiles also will say, that even one who is a slave can be well pleasing to God. But now many are reduced to the necessity ofblasphemy, and of saying Christianity has been introduced into life for the subversion of everything, masters having their servants taken from them, and it is a matter of violence. Let me also say one other thing. He teaches us not to be ashamed of our domestics, if they are virtuous. For if Paul, the most admirable of men, speaks thus much in favor of this one, much more should we speak favorably of ours. There being then so many good effects and yet we have not mentioned all does any one think it superfluous that this Epistle was inserted ? And would not this be extreme folly? Let us then, I beseech you, apply to the Epistle written by the Apostle. For having gained already so many advantages from it, we shall gain more from the text.3 1 B. and Ven. ep 2 So also he says on the place, and Theodoret too, although he calls it a hyperbole. Ei xal is properly " if even," but the /ecu may be taken with the following word, as " also "; see Kiihner, 824, anm. i, who quotes Eur. Andr. 1080, and Xen. Mem. i. c. 6, 12. 3 T)C i><f>))S. [NOTE. The views of the Fathers on Slavery and Emancipation were very conservative, as slavery was inter woven with the whole structure of the Roman empire and could not be suddenly abolished without a radical social revolution. But the spirit of Christianity always suggested and encouraged individual emancipation and the ulti mate abolition of the institution by teaching the universal love of God, the common redemption and brotherhood of men, and the sacredness of personality. Comp. Bishop Lightfoot s Commentary on Colossians and Philemon, and Schaffs Church History, I. 793-798; II. 347-354; III. 115-122. Mohler, in his Vermischte Schriften, II. 896 sqq., has collected the views of St. Chrysostom on slavery, and says that since the time of the Apostle Paul no one has done more valuable service to slaves than St. Chrysostom. P. S.]