John 1:14
Perhaps we seemed to you the other day unnecessarily harsh and burdensome, using language that was too sharp and extending our criticisms of most people's laziness too far. Now if we had done this simply from a desire to annoy you, each of you would rightly have been angry. But if, looking out for your benefit, we neglected in our speech what might please you, if you will not give us credit for our concern, you should at least excuse us because of such loving care. For truly we greatly fear that if we are working hard, and you are not willing to show the same diligence in listening, your future accountability may be all the more severe. That is why we are compelled continually to stir you up and wake you, so that nothing of what is said may escape you. For this way you will be able to live for the present with much confidence and to display it on that Day before the judgment-seat of Christ. Since we have recently sufficiently prodded you, let us today at the outset turn to the actual words themselves.
1. Perhaps we seemed to you the other day needlessly hard upon you and burdensome, using too sharp language, and extending too far our reproaches against the sluggishness of the many. Now if we had done this merely from a desire to vex you, each of you would with cause have been angry; but if, looking to your advantage, we neglected in our speech what might gratify you, if you will not give us credit for our forethought, you should at least pardon us on account of such tender love. For in truth we greatly fear, lest, if we are taking pains, and you are not willing to manifest the same diligence in listening your future reckoning may be the more severe. Wherefore we are compelled continually to arouse and waken you, that nothing of what is said may escape you. For so you will be enabled to live for the present with much confidence, and to exhibit it at that Day before the judgment-seat of Christ. Since then we have lately sufficiently touched you, let us today at the outset enter on the expressions themselves.
We saw, he says, His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father.
We beheld, he says, His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father.
Having declared that we were made sons of God, and having shown in what manner—namely, by the Word having been made Flesh—he again mentions another advantage we gain from this same circumstance. What is it? We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father. We could not have beheld this glory had it not been shown to us through a body like our own. For if the people of old could not even bear to look upon the glorified face of Moses, who shared the same nature with us, and if that righteous man needed a veil to shade the brightness of his glory and show them their prophet's face made mild and gentle, how could we creatures of clay and earth have endured the unveiled Godhead, which even the powers above cannot approach? Therefore He tabernacled among us, so that we might be able to approach Him, speak to Him, and converse with Him with much boldness.
Having declared that we were made sons of God, and having shown in what manner, namely, by the Word having been made Flesh, he again mentions another advantage which we gain from this same circumstance. What is it? We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father; which we could not have beheld, had it not been shown to us, by means of a body like to our own. For if the men of old time could not even bear to look upon the glorified countenance of Moses, who partook of the same nature with us, if that just man needed a veil which might shade over the purity of his glory, and show to them the face of their prophet mild and gentle; how could we creatures of clay and earth have endured the unveiled Godhead, which is unapproachable even by the powers above? Wherefore He tabernacled among us, that we might be able with much fearlessness to approach Him, speak to, and converse with Him.
But what does "the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father" mean? Many of the prophets were also glorified—Moses himself, Elijah, and Elisha (one surrounded by the fiery chariot, the other taken up by it), and after them Daniel and the three young men, and many others who performed wonders. Angels have appeared among human beings and partially revealed to those who saw them the flashing light of their own nature. Not only angels, but even the Cherubim were seen by the prophet in great glory, and the Seraphim as well. The Evangelist leads us away from all these and removes our thoughts from created things and from the brightness of our fellow-servants, setting us at the very summit of what is good. For he says we beheld the glory not of a prophet, nor of an angel, nor of an archangel, nor of any higher power, nor of any other created nature (if such exists), but of the Master himself, the King himself, the true Only-Begotten Son himself, the very Lord of all.
But what means the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father? Since many of the Prophets too were glorified, as this Moses himself, Elijah, and Elisha, the one encircled by the fiery chariot 2 Kings 6:17, the other taken up by it; and after them, Daniel and the Three Children, and the many others who showed forth wonders; and angels who have appeared among men, and partly disclosed to beholders the flashing light of their proper nature; and since not angels only, but even the Cherubim were seen by the Prophet in great glory, and the Seraphim also: the Evangelist leading us away from all these, and removing our thoughts from created things, and from the brightness of our fellow-servants, sets us at the very summit of good. For, not of prophet, says he, nor angel, nor archangel, nor of the higher power, nor of any other created nature, if other there be, but of the Master Himself, the King Himself, the true Only-Begotten Son Himself, of the Very Lord of all, did we behold the glory.
The word "as" in this passage doesn't indicate similarity or comparison, but rather confirmation and absolute definition. It's as if he said, "We saw glory—the kind of glory it was fitting and expected that the Only-Begotten and true Son of God, the King of all, should possess." This way of speaking is common. I won't hesitate to support my argument even from everyday usage, since my goal here isn't to speak with beautiful words or elegant composition, but only for your benefit. So there's nothing wrong with establishing my point through a common practice. What is this common habit? Often when people have seen a king richly dressed and glittering everywhere with precious stones, and later describe to others the beauty, the decorations, and the splendor, they list as much as they can: the glowing color of the purple robe, the size of the jewels, the whiteness of the mules, the gold around the yoke, the soft and shining couch. But when, after listing these things and many others, they still can't fully convey the splendor no matter what they say, they immediately add, "But why say much about it? In short, he was like a king"—not wanting by the word "like" to show that the person they're describing resembles a king, but that he is a real king. In exactly the same way, the Evangelist used the word "as" to express the transcendent nature and incomparable excellence of His glory.
For the expression as, does not in this place belong to similarity or comparison, but to confirmation and unquestionable definition; as though he said, We beheld glory, such as it was becoming, and likely that He should possess, who is the Only-Begotten and true Son of God, the King of all. The habit (of so speaking) is general, for I shall not refuse to strengthen my argument even from common custom, since it is not now my object to speak with any reference to beauty of words, or elegance of composition, but only for your advantage; and therefore there is nothing to prevent my establishing my argument by the instance of a common practice. What then is the habit of most persons? Often when any have seen a king richly decked, and glittering on all sides with precious stones, and are afterwards describing to others the beauty, the ornaments, the splendor, they enumerate as much as they can, the glowing tint of the purple robe, the size of the jewels, the whiteness of the mules, the gold about the yoke, the soft and shining couch. But when after enumerating these things, and other things besides these, they cannot, say what they will, give a full idea of the splendor, they immediately bring in: But why say much about it; once for all, he was like a king; not desiring by the expression like, to show that he, of whom they say this, resembles a king, but that he is a real king. Just so now the Evangelist has put the word as, desiring to represent the transcendent nature and incomparable excellence of His glory.
Indeed, all others—both angels and archangels and prophets—did everything as those under command. But He acted with the authority befitting a King and Master, which even the crowds marveled at, seeing that He taught as one having authority. Matthew 7:29 Even angels, as I said, have appeared with great glory upon the earth, as in the case of Daniel, of David, of Moses, but they did everything as servants who have a Master. But He acted as Lord and Ruler of all, and this even when He appeared in poor and humble form. Yet even so, creation recognized her Lord. Now the star from heaven that called the wise men to worship Him, the vast throng of angels everywhere attending the Lord and hymning His praise, and besides them many other heralds who suddenly sprang up—all of these, as they met, declared to one another the glad tidings of this ineffable mystery. The angels declared it to the shepherds, the shepherds to those in the city, Gabriel to Mary and Elisabeth, Anna and Simeon to those who came to the Temple. Nor were only men and women lifted up with pleasure, but even the infant who had not yet come forth to the light—I mean the citizen of the wilderness, the namesake of this Evangelist—leaped while still in his mother's womb, and all were soaring with hopes for the future. This occurred immediately after the Birth. But when He had manifested Himself still further, other wonders, even greater than the first, were seen. For it was no longer a star or sky, no longer angels or archangels, not Gabriel or Michael, but the Father Himself from heaven above who proclaimed Him, and with the Father the Comforter, flying down at the uttering of the Voice and resting on Him. Truly, therefore, did he say, We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father.
For indeed all others, both angels and archangels and prophets, did everything as under command; but He with the authority which becomes a King and Master; at which even the multitudes wondered, that He taught as one having authority. Matthew 7:29 Even angels, as I said, have appeared with great glory upon the earth; as in the case of Daniel, of David, of Moses, but they did all as servants who have a Master. But He as Lord and Ruler of all, and this when He appeared in poor and humble form; but even so creation recognized her Lord. Now the star from heaven which called the wise men to worship Him, the vast throng pouring everywhere of angels attending the Lord, and hymning His praise, and besides them, many other heralds sprang up on a sudden, and all, as they met, declared to one another the glad tidings of this ineffable mystery; the angels to the shepherds; the shepherds to those of the city; Gabriel to Mary and Elisabeth; Anna and Simeon to those who came to the Temple. Nor were men and women only lifted up with pleasure, but the very infant who had not yet come forth to light, I mean the citizen of the wilderness, the namesake of this Evangelist, leaped while yet in his mother's womb, and all were soaring with hopes for the future. This too immediately after the Birth. But when He had manifested Himself still farther, other wonders, yet greater than the first, were seen. For it was no more star, or sky, no more angels, or archangels, not Gabriel, or Michael, but the Father Himself from heaven above, who proclaimed Him, and with the Father the Comforter, flying down at the uttering of the Voice and resting on Him. Truly therefore did he say, We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father.
Yet he says this not only because of these things, but also because of what followed them. For no longer do only shepherds and widowed women and elderly men bring us the good news, but the very voice of the things themselves, sounding clearer than any trumpet and so loudly that the sound was immediately heard even in this land. For, as one says, his fame went into all Syria, and He revealed Himself to all, and all things everywhere proclaimed that the King of Heaven had come. Evil spirits everywhere fled and rushed away from Him, Satan covered his face and withdrew, death at that time retreated before Him and afterwards disappeared altogether, every kind of sickness was loosened, the graves released the dead, the demons released those whom they had driven mad, and diseases released the sick. And one might see things strange and wonderful, such as the prophets rightly desired to see but did not see. One might see eyes being formed, and see Him showing to all in a short time and on the more noble part of the body that admirable thing which all would have desired to see—how God formed Adam from the earth. Paralyzed and twisted limbs were fastened and fitted to each other, dead hands moved, paralyzed feet leaped vigorously, ears that were blocked were reopened, and the tongue that was bound by speechlessness sounded aloud. For having taken up the common nature of men, as some excellent craftsman might take a house decayed by time, He filled in what was broken off, bound together its cracks and shaken parts, and raised up again what had completely fallen down.
2. Yet he says it not only on account of these things, but also on account of what followed them; for no longer do shepherds only, and widow women, and aged men, declare to us the good tidings, but the very voice of the things themselves, sounding clearer than any trumpet, and so loudly, that the sound was straightway heard even in this land. For, says one, his fame went into all Syria Matthew 4:24; and He revealed Himself to all, and all things everywhere exclaimed, that the King of Heaven had come. Evil spirits everywhere fled and started away from Him, Satan covered his face and retired, death at that time retreated before Him, and afterwards disappeared altogether; every kind of infirmity was loosed, the graves let free the dead, the devils those whom they had maddened, and diseases the sick. And one might see things strange and wonderful, such as with good cause the prophets desired to see, and saw not. One might see eyes fashioned John 9:6-7, (might see) Him showing to all in short space and on the more noble portion of the body, that admirable thing which all would have desired to see, how God formed Adam from the earth; palsied and distorted limbs fastened and adapted to each other, dead hands moving, palsied feet leaping amain, ears that were stopped re-opened, and the tongue sounding aloud which before was tied by speechlessness. For having taken in hand the common nature of men, as some excellent workman might take a house decayed by time, He filled up what was broken off, banded together its crevices and shaken portions, and raised up again what was entirely fallen down.
What could one say about the creation of the soul, which is so much more remarkable than that of the body? The health of our bodies is a great thing, but the health of our souls is greater by as much as the soul is better than the body. And not only for this reason, but also because our bodily nature follows wherever the Creator leads it, and there is nothing to resist, while the soul, being its own master and possessing power over its actions, does not obey God in all things unless it chooses to do so. For God will not make it beautiful and excellent if it is unwilling and somehow forced against its will, since that would not be virtue at all; instead, He must persuade it to become so through its own will and choice. And so this healing is more difficult than the other. Yet even this succeeded, and every kind of wickedness was driven out. And just as He restored the bodies He healed not only to health but to the highest strength, so He did not merely free souls from the worst wickedness, but brought them to the very peak of excellence. A tax collector became an apostle, and a persecutor, blasphemer, and violent man appeared as a herald to the world, and the Magi became teachers of the Jews, and a thief was declared a citizen of Paradise, and a prostitute shone by the greatness of her faith, and of the two women, of Canaan and Samaria, the latter who was also a prostitute, undertook to preach the Gospel to her countrymen, and having enclosed an entire city in her net, brought them to Christ; while the former by faith and perseverance obtained the expulsion of an evil spirit from her daughter's soul; and many others far worse than these were immediately numbered among the rank of disciples, and at once all the infirmities of their bodies and diseases of their souls were transformed, and they were reshaped into health and the most exact virtue. And of these, not just two or three men, not five, or ten, or twenty, or a hundred only, but entire cities and nations were very easily reshaped. Why should one speak of the wisdom of the commands, the excellence of the heavenly laws, the good ordering of the angelic way of life? For He has set before us such a life, appointed such laws for us, established such a way of life, that those who put these things into practice immediately become angels and like God, as far as is possible for us, even if they may have been worse than all other people.
And what should one say of the fashioning of the soul, so much more admirable than that of the body? The health of our bodies is a great thing, but that of our souls is as much greater as the soul is better than the body. And not on this account only, but because our bodily nature follows withersoever the Creator will lead it, and there is nothing to resist, but the soul being its own mistress, and possessing power over its acts, does not in all things obey God, unless it will to do so. For God will not make it beautiful and excellent, if it be reluctant and in a manner constrained by force, for this is not virtue at all; but He must persuade it to become so of its own will and choice. And so this cure is more difficult than the other; yet even this succeeded, and every kind of wickedness was banished. And as He re-ordered the bodies which He cured, not to health only, but to the highest vigor, so did He not merely deliver the souls from extremist wickedness, but brought them to the very summit of excellence. A publican became an Apostle, and a persecutor, blasphemer, and injurious, appeared as herald to the world, and the Magi became teachers of the Jews, and a thief was declared a citizen of Paradise, and a harlot shone forth by the greatness of her faith, and of the two women, of Canaan and Samaria, the latter who was another harlot, undertook to preach the Gospel to her countrymen, and having enclosed a whole city in her net, so brought them to Christ; while the former by faith and perseverance, procured the expulsion of an evil spirit from her daughter's soul; and many others much worse than these were straightway numbered in the rank of disciples, and at once all the infirmities of their bodies and diseases of their souls were transformed, and they were fashioned anew to health and exactest virtue. And of these, not two or three men, not five, or ten, or twenty, or an hundred only, but entire cities and nations, were very easily remodeled. Why should one speak of the wisdom of the commands, the excellency of the heavenly laws, the good ordering of the angelic polity? For such a life has He proposed to us, such laws appointed for us, such a polity established, that those who put these things into practice, immediately become angels and like to God, as far as is in our power, even though they may have been worse than all men.
The Evangelist, having gathered together all these things—the marvels in our bodies, in our souls, in the elements of our faith, the commandments, those ineffable gifts higher than the heavens, the laws, the way of life, the persuasion, the future promises, His sufferings—spoke those words so wonderful and full of exalted doctrine, saying, "We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." For we admire Him not only because of the miracles, but also because of the sufferings: that He was nailed upon the Cross, that He was scourged, that He was beaten, that He was spit upon, that He received blows on the cheek from those to whom He had done good. For even those very things which seem to be shameful deserve the same expression, since He Himself called that action glory. For what took place was proof not only of kindness and love, but also of unspeakable power. At that time death was abolished, the curse was loosed, demons were shamed and led in triumph and made a spectacle of, and the record of our sins was nailed to the Cross. And then, since these wonders were happening invisibly, others took place visibly, showing that He was truly the Only-Begotten Son of God, the Lord of all creation. For while that blessed Body still hung upon the tree, the sun turned away its rays, the whole earth was troubled and became dark, the graves were opened, the ground shook, and an innumerable multitude of dead leaped forth and went into the city. And while the stones of His tomb were fastened upon the vault and the seals still upon them, the Dead One arose—the Crucified, the nail-pierced One—and having filled His eleven disciples with His mighty power, He sent them to men throughout all the world to be the common healers of all humankind, to correct their way of living, to spread through every part of the earth the knowledge of their heavenly doctrines, to break down the tyranny of demons, to teach those great and ineffable blessings, to bring to us the glad tidings of the soul's immortality and the eternal life of the body, and rewards which are beyond conception and shall never have an end. These things, then, and yet more than these, the blessed Evangelist had in mind—things which, though he knew them, he was not able to write, because the world could not have contained them (for "if all things should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written," John 21:25). Reflecting therefore on all these, he cries out, "We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
3. The Evangelist therefore having brought together all these things, the marvels in our bodies, in our souls, in the elements (of our faith), the commandments, those gifts ineffable and higher than the heavens, the laws, the polity, the persuasion, the future promises, His sufferings, uttered that voice so wonderful and full of exalted doctrine, saying, We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. For we admire Him not only on account of the miracles, but also by reason of the sufferings; as that He was nailed upon the Cross, that He was scourged, that He was buffeted, that He was spit upon, that He received blows on the cheek from those to whom He had done good. For even of those very things which seem to be shameful, it is proper to repeat the same expression, since He Himself called that action glory. For what then took place was ( proof) not only of kindness and love, but also of unspeakable power. At that time death was abolished, the curse was loosed, devils were shamed and led in triumph and made a show of, and the handwriting of our sins was nailed to the Cross. And then, since these wonders were doing invisibly, others took place visibly, showing that He was of a truth the Only-Begotten Son of God, the Lord of all creation. For while yet that blessed Body hung upon the tree, the sun turned away his rays, the whole earth was troubled and became dark, the graves were opened, the ground quaked, and an innumerable multitude of dead leaped forth, and went into the city. And while the stones of His tomb were fastened upon the vault, and the seals yet upon them, the Dead arose, the Crucified, the nail-pierced One, and having filled His eleven disciples with His mighty power, He sent them to men throughout all the world, to be the common healers of all their kind, to correct their way of living, to spread through every part of the earth the knowledge of their heavenly doctrines, to break down the tyranny of devils, to teach those great and ineffable blessings, to bring to us the glad tidings of the soul's immortality, and the eternal life of the body, and rewards which are beyond conception, and shall never have an end. These things then, and yet more than these, the blessed Evangelist having in mind, things which though he knew, he was not able to write, because the world could not have contained them (for if all things should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written John 21:25), reflecting therefore on all these, he cries out, We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Those who have been considered worthy to see and hear such things, and who have received such a great gift, ought to live in a way that matches these teachings, so that they may also receive the good things that are stored up there. For our Lord Jesus Christ came not only so that we might see His glory here, but also that which is to come. This is why He says, "I will that these also be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory." Now if the glory here was so bright and splendid, what can one say about that future glory? For it will appear not on this corruptible earth, nor while we are in perishable bodies, but in a creation that is imperishable and does not grow old, and with such brightness that it is impossible even to describe in words. O blessed, three times blessed, yes many times blessed, are those who are considered worthy to see that glory! It is about this that the prophet says, "Let the unrighteous be taken away, that he behold not the glory of the Lord." May God grant that not one of us be taken away or excluded from seeing it. For if we do not experience it in the future, then it is time to say of ourselves, "It would have been good for us if we had never been born." For why do we live and breathe? What are we, if we miss that sight, if no one allows us then to see our Lord? If those who do not see the light of the sun endure a life more bitter than any death, what must those suffer who are deprived of that light? For in the one case the loss is limited to just this one deprivation, but in the other it does not stop there—though even if this were the only thing to be feared, the degrees of punishment still would not be equal, but one would be as much more severe than the other as that sun is incomparably superior to this one. But now we must also expect other punishment, for whoever does not see that light must not only be led into darkness, but must be burned continually and waste away and gnash his teeth and suffer ten thousand other dreadful things. So let us not allow ourselves, by making this brief time a time of carelessness and laziness, to fall into everlasting punishment. Instead, let us be watchful and sober, let us do everything, and make it our entire purpose to reach that happiness and to stay far from that river of fire, which rushes with a loud roaring before the terrible judgment seat. For whoever has once been thrown in there must remain forever; there is no one to rescue him from his punishment—not father, not mother, not brother. The prophets themselves declared this aloud, one saying, "Brother delivers not brother. Shall man deliver?" And Ezekiel declared something even more than this, saying, "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters." For only one defense exists there, that through works, and whoever lacks that cannot be saved by any other means. Thinking about these things, then, and reflecting on them continually, let us cleanse our life and make it bright, so that we may see the Lord with confidence and obtain the promised good things, through the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and with whom, to the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory forever and ever. Amen.
It behooves therefore those who have been deemed worthy to see and to hear such things, and who have enjoyed so great a gift, to display also a life worthy of the doctrines, that they may enjoy also the good things which are (laid up) there. For our Lord Jesus Christ came, not only that we might behold His glory here, but also that which shall be. For therefore He says, I will that these also be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory. John 17:24 Now if the glory here was so bright and splendid, what can one say of that (which shall be)? For it shall appear not on this corruptible earth, nor while we are in perishable bodies, but in a creation which is imperishable, and waxes not old, and with such brightness as it is not possible even to represent in words. O blessed, thrice blessed, yea many times so, they who are deemed worthy to be beholders of that glory! It is concerning this that the prophet says, Let the unrighteous be taken away, that he behold not the glory of the Lord. Isaiah 26:10, Septuagint God grant that not one of us be taken away nor excluded ever from beholding it. For if we shall not hereafter enjoy it, then it is time to say of ourselves, Good were it for us, if we had never been born. For why do we live and breathe? What are we, if we fail of that spectacle, if no one grant us then to behold our Lord? If those who see not the light of the sun endure a life more bitter than any death, what is it likely that they who are deprived of that light must suffer? For in the one case the loss is confined to this one privation; but in the other it does not rest here, (though if this were the only thing to be dreaded, even then the degrees of punishment would not be equal, but one would be as much severer than the other, as that sun is incomparably superior to this,) but now we must look also for other vengeance; for he who beholds not that light must not only be led into darkness, but must be burned continually, and waste away, and gnash his teeth, and suffer ten thousand other dreadful things. Let us then not permit ourselves by making this brief time a time of carelessness and remissness, to fall into everlasting punishment, but let us watch and be sober, let us do all things, and make it all our business to attain to that felicity, and to keep far from that river of fire, which rushes with a loud roaring before the terrible judgment seat. For he who has once been cast in there, must remain for ever; there is no one to deliver him from his punishment, not father, not mother, not brother. And this the prophets themselves declared aloud; one saying, Brother delivers not brother. Shall man deliver? Psalm 49:7, Septuagint And Ezekiel has declared somewhat more than this, saying, Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters. Ezekiel 14:16 For one defense only, that through works, is there, and he who is deprived of that cannot be saved by any other means. Revolving these things, then, and reflecting upon them continually, let us cleanse our life and make it lustrous, that we may see the Lord with boldness, and obtain the promised good things; through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and with whom, to the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.