{"author":null,"canonical_references":[],"database_sha256":"8cfbe7284c6936871d57c02dc6aa63ebbdfd4722422d539dd9f716e46e91112e","date_end":null,"date_start":null,"edition_year":null,"id":"sermonindex-ecf-6516","native_reference":{"book_number":650,"chapter_from":10,"chapter_to":10,"system":"MyBible module coordinates (mapping unverified)","verse_from":34,"verse_to":34},"public_import_allowed":false,"record_kind":"verse-keyed-module-record","review_required":["English edition and exact text","author/work attribution","dating","verse mapping and citation kind","reuse and attribution","split author quotations and deduplicate"],"review_status":"unreviewed","source_html":"<p><b>Dionysius of Alexandria</b>: First, then, they seized an old man of the name of Metras, and commanded him to utter words of impiety; and as he refused, they beat his body with clubs, and lacerated his face and eyes with sharp reeds, and then dragged him off to the suburbs and stoned him there. Next they carried off a woman named Quinta, who was a believer, to an idol temple, and compelled her to worship the idol; and when she turned away from it, and showed how she detested it, they bound her feet and dragged her through the whole city along the rough stone-paved streets, knocking her at the same time against the millstones, and scourging her, until they brought her to the same place, and stoned her also there. Then with one impulse they all rushed upon the houses of the God-fearing, and whatever pious persons any of them knew individually as neighbours, after these they hurried and bore them with them, and robbed and plundered them, setting aside the more valuable portions of their property for themselves, and scattering about the commoner articles, and such as were made of wood, and burning them on the roads, so that they made these parts present the spectacle of a city taken by the enemy. The brethren, however, simply gave way and withdrew, and, like those to whom Paul bears witness, they took the spoiling of their goods with joy. And I know not that any of them-except possibly some solitary individual who may have chanced to fall into their hands-thus far has denied the Lord.<br/><i>— Epistle III.-To Fabius Bishop of Antioch</i></p><p><b>John Chrysostom</b>: \"Ye had compassion on them that were in bonds.\" Thou seest that he is speaking concerning himself and the rest who were in prison. Thus ye did not account \"bonds\" to be bonds: but as noble wrestlers so stood ye: for not only ye needed no consolation in your own distresses, but even became a consolation to others.</p><p>And \"ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods.\" O! what \"full assurance of faith\"! Then he also sets forth the motive, not only consoling them for their struggles, but also that they might not be shaken from the Faith. When ye saw your property plundered (he means) ye endured; for already ye saw Him who is invisible, as visible: which was the effect of genuine faith, and ye showed it forth by your deeds themselves.</p><p>Well then, the plundering was perhaps from the force of the plunderers, and no man could prevent it; so that as yet it is not clear, that ye endured the plundering for the faith's sake. (Although this too is clear. For it was in your power if you chose, not to be plundered, by not believing.) But ye did what is far greater than this; the enduring such things even \"with joy\"; which was altogether apostolical, and worthy of those noble souls, who rejoiced when scourged. For, it says, \"they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name.\" But he that endures \"with joy,\" shows that he has some reward, and that the affair is no loss but a gain.</p><p>Moreover the expression \"ye took\" shows their willing endurance, because, he means, ye chose and accepted.</p><p>\"Knowing\" (he says) \"that ye have for yourselves in heaven a better and an enduring substance\"; instead of saying, firm, not perishing like this.<br/><i>— Homily on Hebrews 21</i></p><p><b>Oecumenius</b>: \"For you had compassion on my chains.\" He said, Not only did you not need relief, but you also extended helping hands to others who were bound.<br/>\"the plundering.\" It is great to bear the plunder of resources. And when it is accepted even with joy, it is apostolic [ἀποστολικόν].<br/>\"and you joyfully accepted.\" He praises their voluntary patience.<br/>\"knowing that you have.\" Behold, he also affirms that they have faith.<br/>\"and enduring.\" This is firm, not as perishing, and passing from one to another.<br/><i>— The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews</i></p>","source_html_sha256":"569c39de067c8cf88edcacfa537f816126b229b82e047c648007c41ef91c63fb","source_module":"ECF","source_row_id":6516,"source_url":"https://www.sermonindex.net/commentary/ecf/","text_sha256":"4554fb63fa5eb4735f126df5ceb68467f909a7e74fd70c34083a9befc76709fb","translator":null,"work":null}