{"author":null,"canonical_references":[],"database_sha256":"8cfbe7284c6936871d57c02dc6aa63ebbdfd4722422d539dd9f716e46e91112e","date_end":null,"date_start":null,"edition_year":null,"id":"sermonindex-ecf-3210","native_reference":{"book_number":510,"chapter_from":7,"chapter_to":7,"system":"MyBible module coordinates (mapping unverified)","verse_from":19,"verse_to":19},"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>John Chrysostom</b>: \"The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil-entreated our fathers, that they should cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.\" \"Dealt subtly:\" he hints at their not liking to exterminate them openly: \"that they should cast out their young children,\" it says.<br/><i>— Homily on Acts 16</i></p><p><b>Oecumenius</b>: Having become crafty, that is resolved to outwit them by cunning devices. For sophistry is a forced explanation. Wherefore the emphasis here says that it is plain they are violently imposed upon; therefore the charlatans are called sophists, as those who hide the truth by deceit and fallacies. Following what has been said concerning Abraham, the account of the trading shows the hardship of his descendants under the Egyptians. Whose counterstroke is the refreshing destruction of the Egyptians, which it was foretold would be wrought upon them by God himself at the Red Sea. In case under the burden of sufferings, despair of salvation should lead them to slide into unbelief. Consider also the pledge of the faith of those to whom promises are made. What is that? Circumcision of the genital parts, known to them alone and not to others who have not suffered. From these things indeed springs the compelling proof of those who conduct these affairs.<br/><i>— Commentary on Acts</i></p><p><b>Oecumenius</b>: But even at the time when deliverance for the afflicted was drawing near, the arrogance of the oppressors, having increased, introduced destruction of the males by the midwives. Moreover, as to the other evils it chiefly led to an increase in the number of the afflicted, here, in order to condemn the crimes, it unexpectedly rescues even Moses, who was to destroy them, and esteems him worthy of royal nurture and care. Why was this also mentioned? To show that even now those who arm themselves against Christ and his disciples do not recognize that they will meet with like fates, being seized in the very works of their hands. The sign of circumcision is meant to indicate this on the generative members. The covering placed upon the ancestors in paradise, having sprung from the envy of the original evil serpent, from which it also seemed more credible than the act of God concerning the taste of the tree. Circumcision introduced the removal of this for one who turns to live toward God, commanding the cutting out according to the Mosaic legislation of customs from birth.<br/><i>— Commentary on Acts</i></p><p><b>Oecumenius</b>: Moreover, this season of visitation according to Christ also appears. During which all shadowy and typical things are transferred to the truth according to the Gospel. Therefore those who do not endure being so transformed are represented as hard of neck and uncircumcised, hard-hearted with regard to subjection to the Divine Spirit, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, as not enduring to devote matters suitably to the times. But if it was remarkable in Joseph that although he was sold by his brothers, he nonetheless preserved those same men: this is more marvelous still, that the king nourished him who was about to depose him of his rule. But by showing that he had the infants exposed he indicated that he did not wish them to be killed openly. See how the Devil by those things advanced the promise of God, by which he strove to dissolve it. Moses is cast into exile, but in exile he attains that vision, and the leadership of the people is entrusted to him: therefore he even makes the sold servant reign where the servant was held. (Wis. 10:14) And Christ himself in death demonstrated power and strength; so wise is God, and his providence incomprehensible. [CHRYSOSTOM]<br/><i>— Commentary on Acts</i></p>","source_html_sha256":"3ea1dfba5e4ec6bd6662ebcd38aa7a55781cd8920044e3b585363e7937eefd70","source_module":"ECF","source_row_id":3210,"source_url":"https://www.sermonindex.net/commentary/ecf/","text_sha256":"fc8d6ad0d8ab5eedf4017e032c3e8b79c977a9dd8da58d990e482d0c1b9361ad","translator":null,"work":null}