HOMILIES OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE PHILEMON. ARGUMENT. FIRST, it is necessary to state the argument of the Epistle, then also the matters that are questioned respecting it. What then is the argument? Philemon was a man of admirable and noble character. That he was an admira ble man is evident from the fact, that his whole household was of believers, 1 and of such be lievers as even to be called a Church : there fore he says in this Epistle, " And to the Church that is in thy house." (v. 2.) He bears wit ness also to his great obedience, and that " the bowels of the Saints are refreshed in him." (v. 7.) And he himself in this Epistle com manded him to prepare him a lodging, (v. 22.) It seems to me therefore that his house was altogether- a lodging for the Saints. This ex cellent 3 man, then, had a certain slave named Onesimus. This Onesimus, having stolen some thing from his master, had run away. For that he had stolen, hear what he says : " If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, I will repay thee." (v. 18, 19.) Coming therefore to Paul at Rome, and having found him in prison, and hav ing enjoyed the benefit of his teaching, he there also received Baptism. For that he obtained there the gift of Baptism is manifest from his saying, " Whom I have begotten in my bonds." (v. 10.) Paul therefore writes, recommending Edd. ir, which applies 1 B. and a Venice MS. read Tnt to the household as one. J iravriav event*. The phrase occurs again in a few lines, where it is translated, " on every account." 3 #av/u.a<TTbs as before. him to his master, that on every account he should forgive him, and receive him as one now regenerate. 4 But because some say, that it was superflu ous that this Epistle should be annexed, since he is making a request about a small matter in behalf of one man, let them learn who make these objections, that they are themselves de serving of very many censures. For it was not only proper that these small Epistles, in behalfof things so necessary, should have been inscribed,5 but I wish that it were possible to meet with one who could deliver to us the history of the Apostles, not only all they wrote and spoke of, but of the rest of their conversation, even what they ate, and when they ate, when they walked, and where they sat,6 what they did every day, in what parts they were, into what house they entered, and where they lodged 7 to relate everything with minute exactness, so replete with advantage is all that was done by them. But the greater part, not knowing the benefit that would result thence, proceed to censure it. For if only seeing those places where they sat or where they were imprisoned, mere life less spots, we often transport our minds thither, and imagine their virtue, and are excited by it, 4 B. and Ven. here add, " And on this score forgive him every thing. And so much for the argument. Now let us proceed to the solution of the questions. Inasmuch as some venture to say," &c. and presently, " For I say not only this, that it was proper, . . . bul add this also, that I wish." 5 He means in the Canon, as before by the word " annexed." So B. and Ven. Edd. " where they sat and when they walked." 7 Lat. " landed. "but KaTrJx07)0-ai> bears the other sense, and he means evidently, " in what part of the house." B. and Ven. have, l; I would not have been weary of relating."