VOLUME ELEVEN

BOOK TWO

COMMENTARIES ON THE EPISTLES OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

CREATION

attributed to St. John Chrysostom,

and in the Patrology of Migne

classified as Spuria

Typesetting and editing by Tatiana Makarova (St. Petersburg).

COMMENTARY ON THE 1ST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS

DISCOURSE 1 on 1 Thess. 1–3. On the necessity of wakefulness. — Under what conditions prayers are useful.

DISCOURSE 2 on 1 Thess. 1:8–10. About Alexander the Great. — The feat of a preacher. — Signs of a true friend. — An example of Christian friendship.

DISCOURSE 3 on 1 Thess. 2:9–12. Teacher's duty. — One should not be confused by temptations. — Spells and bandages for the purpose of healing the sick. — About fortune-tellers. "You shouldn't worry about money.

DISCOURSE 4 on 1 Thess. 3:5–8. The guardianship of Ap. Paul about the disciples. "Every sin is impurity, and every virtue is purity. The chastity of Joseph. "You don't need to remember about grievances.

DISCOURSE 5 on 1 Thess. 4:1–3. Purity in marriage. "Young men should not hesitate to get married. — Chrysostom's caution when discussing immodest subjects.

DISCOURSE 6 on 1 Thess. 4:9–10. One should not grieve for the dead. — The reason for such sorrow is unbelief.

DISCOURSE 7 on 1 Thess. 4:13. Evidence of the resurrection. — Transmigration of souls among the Greeks.

DISCOURSE 8 on 1 Thess. 4:15–17. Circumstances of the future resurrection. — Eternal rewards and punishments. — The state of the country in the place of Sodom and Gomorrah. Proofs of the existence of Gehenna.

DISCOURSE 9 on 1 Thess. 5:1–2. The end of the world is unknown for the benefit of the living. — Any sin is spiritual intoxication. "Effeminacy leads to destruction.

DISCOURSE 10 on 1 Thess. 5:12–13. A useful way to take revenge is to pay good for evil. — Against covetousness and predators.

DISCOURSE 11 on 1 Thess. 5:19–21. A means of avoiding backbiting. — The story of a slave. — Special receptions of beggars in order to obtain food. — A call to mercy.

COMMENTARY ON THE 2ND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS

CONVERSATION 1. Introduction. — The opinion that the resurrection of the dead has already taken place. — Signs of the coming of the Antichrist. "Human affairs are like a dream.

DISCOURSE 2 on 2 Thess. 1:1–2. Love should be extended to everyone. "We should not rejoice at the punishment of our enemies. — What power does the fear of punishment have? — It is useful to talk about Gehenna. — Ap. Paul, out of love for Christ, counted the torments of Gehenna for nothing. "Wealth is not good, and poverty is not evil.

DISCOURSE 3 on 2 Sol. 1:9–10. About glorification in the future life. — About the Antichrist. — It is necessary to read the Holy Scriptures. Writing.

DISCOURSE 4 on 2 Thessalons. 2:6–9. Nero as a prototype of the Antichrist. — Why did God allow the coming of the Antichrist? - Church Tradition must be recognized as authentic. — Chrysostom on his episcopal calling. — His humility.