Homilies on 1 Corinthians
Homiliae in epistulam i ad Corinthios · Εἰς τὴν πρὸς Κορινθίους πρώτην ἐπιστολὴν ὁμιλίαι
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Contents
Only Homily 19 (on 1 Cor 7: marriage, separation and remarriage) is published, sections 1–6.
- 19.1Chrysostom introduces 1 Cor 7: continence is better but marriage is safer; Paul speaks to all, not only to priests; husband and wife each owe the other the body, and neither may abstain without the other's consent.
- 19.2Chrysostom explains Paul's rules on temporary abstinence for prayer and on marriage for those who burn, the Lord's command against separation (with remaining unmarried or reconciliation), and the believer's duty to stay with a willing unbelieving spouse.
- 19.3Chrysostom explains why a husband may cast out a wife who commits sexual immorality (that marriage is already dissolved) but must keep a willing unbelieving wife, and why a believer deserted or forced to impiety by an unbeliever is not enslaved.
- 19.4Chrysostom reads 1 Cor 7:21–23 as telling slaves to remain slaves, since true slavery is to sin, and illustrates with Joseph, who stayed free in slavery while his free mistress and brothers were slaves of vice.
- 19.5Chrysostom continues that the real slavery is to sin and passion, as Potiphar's wife and Cain show, and begins on virginity (1 Cor 7:25–27), where his text breaks off.
- 19.6Chrysostom explains 1 Cor 7:28–40: marrying is no sin for an unvowed virgin, though widows who break a vow of widowhood by remarrying are condemned; Paul grants a second marriage “in the Lord”, and holiness is required in every state.