John Chrysostom
(347 - 407)

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John Chrysostom (from André Thevet)
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Synopsis

John Chrysostom or 'golden-mouthed' has been called "the greatest preacher in the early church".[1] He was born in Syrian Antioch into a Christian family. His father Secundus, a civil servant, died when John was only a few years old. His widowed mother, Anthusa rejected any idea of a second marriage and devoted herself to raising her two children.[2] John showed great promise and studied law under the renowned pagan rhetorician Libanius.[3] According to the church historian Socrates, John became disillusioned with a career as a lawyer and decided to become a monk.[4] He was talked out of that vocation by his mother[5] and instead John enrolled in the Christian school of Diodore (d. c. 390), who later became bishop of Tarsus. In his biblical exposition Diodore placed an emphasis on the literal and historic sense of Scripture and opposed the use of allegory,[6] which he used only when it appeared that it was the author's intention.[7] In his sermons and writings John Chrysostom followed the same Antiochene hermeneutic. The ascetic side of fourth century Christianity was very attractive to him and this, as we shall see, is also reflected in his writings on Genesis

John was ordained as a priest in Antioch, were he served for twelve years before being made archbishop of Constantinople. His rhetorical background proved of great benefit to his ministry, even if his linguistic education was limited to Greek.[8] That being said, Chrysostom's Greek was the best produced by any of the early Christian writers.9

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References

[1] Robert Wilkin, "John Chrysostom," Everett Ferguson, editor, Encylopedia of Early Christianity. (New York: Garland, 1990), 495.

[2] Chrystomus Baur, John Chrysostom and His Time, Vol. 1. trans. M. Gonzaga. (London: Sands & Co., Ltd., 1959), 1-5; Wilkin, 495.

[3] Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia, Vol. 3, 291.

[4] Socrates, History, 6.3 (NPNF, 2nd series, Vol. 2, 138).

[5] John Chrysostom, De Sacerdocio 1.5; Donald Attwater, St John Chrysostom: Pastor and Preacher. (London: Harvill Press, 1959), 24.

[6] Attwater, 25.

[7] Frances Young, Nicaea To Chalcedon. (London: SCM, 1983), 156.

[8] Frederick H. Chase, Chrysostom: A Study in the History of Biblical Interpretation. (Cambridge: Deighton, Bell & Co., 1887), 28-38.

[9] Baur, Vol. 1, 305.

Bibliographies

D.C., Burger, A Complete Bibliography of the Scholarship on the life and Works of St. John Chrysostom. Evanston, IL., 1964.

Primary Sources

	Ancient Christian Writers, Vols. 31, 45. New York: Newman, 1963, 1985.
	John Chrysostom (Christian Classic Ethereal Library)
	John Chrysostom, Apologist, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 73, Margaret A, Schatkin & Paul W. Harkins, translators. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210860. pp.298.
	John Chrysostom, Commentary on St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, Homilies 1-47, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 33, Thomas Aquinas Goggin, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210240. pp.485.
	John Chrysostom, Commentary on St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, Homilies 48-88, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 41, Thomas Aquinas Goggin, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210259. pp.495.
	John Chrysostom, Discourses Against Judaizing Christians, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 68, Paul W. Hawkins, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813209714. pp.286.
	John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 1-17, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 74, Robert C. Hill, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813209722. pp.246.
	John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 18-45, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 82, Robert C. Hill, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210879. pp.288.
	John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 46-67, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 87, Robert C. Hill, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813200873. pp.288.
	John Chrysostom, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 72, Paul W. Harkins, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210275. pp.357.
	John Chrysostom, On Marriage and Family Life. C.P. Roth & D. Anderson, trans. Crestwood: St. Vladimir's Seminary, 1986. Pbk. ISBN: 0913836869. pp.114.
	John Chrysostom, On Repentance and Almsgiving, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 96, Gus Goerge Christo, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Hbk. ISBN: 0813200962. pp.190.
	John Chrysostom, Saint Chrysostom: On the Priesthood; Ascetic Treatises; Select Homilies and Letters; Homilies on the Statues. Philip Schaff, translator. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. Hbk. ISBN: 0802881076.
	John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 1-17, Fathers of the Church, Vol. 74. Robert C. Hill, trans. Washington , D.C.: Catholic University Press of America, 1999. Pbk. ISBN: 0813209722. pp.246.
	John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 18-45, Fathers of the Church, Vol. 82. Robert C. Hill, trans. Washington , D.C.: Catholic University Press of America, 2002. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210879. pp.288.
	Thomas Allen Moxon [1877-1943], St. Chrysostom on the Priesthood. Translations of Christian Literature. Series I: Greek Texts. London: SPCK, 1907, 1932. Hbk. pp.171. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Isidore of Pelusium, Epistulae 2.42.
	Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of John Chrysostom. Ancient Christian Writers, Vol. 45. New York: Paulist Press, 1955. Hbk. ISBN: 0809103583. pp.249.
	P. Schaff et al, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 1st Series, Vols. 9-14. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1887-1894.
	Sozomen, Church History 8.2-8.
	Theodoret, Church History 5.27-36.

Secondary Sources

	Pauline Allen & Wendy Mayer, "Chrysostom and the Preaching of Homilies in Series: A Re-Examination of the Fifteen Homilies In Epistulam ad Philippenses (CPG 4432)," Vigiliae Christianae 49.3 (1995): 270-289.
	Pauline Allen &8 Wendy Mayer, John Chrysostom. The Early Church Fathers. London: Routledge, 2002. ISBN: 9781134673292. pp.240. [Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly]
	Pauline Allen & Wendy Mayer, "The Thirty-Four Homilies on Hebrews: The Last Series Delivered by Chrysostom in Constantinople," Byzantion 65 (1995): 309-48.
	Anonymous, St. Chrysostom's Picture of His Age. London: SPCK, 1875. Hbk. pp.220. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Donald Attwater, "St. John Chrysostom and the Liturgy," Orate Fratres 13.7 (May 14, 1939): 305-310.
	M.A. Aucoin, "Augustine and John Chrysostom: Commentators on St. John's Prologue," Science et esprit 15 (1963): 123-31.
	St. John Chrysostom (C. Baur)
	George S. Bebis, "Saint John Chrysostom: On Materialism and Christian Virtue," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 32.3 (1987): 227-237.
	Stephen D. Benin, "Sacrifice as Education in Augustine and Chrysostom," Church History 52.1 (1983): 7-20.
	Allen Dwight Callahan, "John Chrysostom on Philemon: A Response to Margaret M. Mitchell," Harvard Theological Review 88.1 (1995): 149-156.
	R. Carter, "The Chronology of St. John Chrysostom's Early Life," Traditio, Vol. 18 (1962): 357-364.
	R.E. Carter, "The Future of Chrysostom Studies," Studia Patristica 10. (1970): 14-21.
	Frederic Henry Chase [1853-1925], Chrysostom: A Study in the History of Biblical Interpretation. Deighton, Bell & Co., 1887. [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Elizabeth A. Clark, "Sexual Politics in the Writings of John Chrysostom," Anglican Theological Review 59.1 (1977): 3-20.
	Elizabeth A. Clark, "John Chrysostom and the Subintroductae," Church History 46.2 (1977): 171-185.
	Elizabeth A. Clark, Jerome, Chrysostom and Friends: Essays and Translations. New York: Mellen, 1979. Hbk. ISBN: 088946541X . pp.254.
	David A. Davis, "St John Chrysostom on Ministry, Discernment, and Call," Theology Today 62.3 (October 2005): 408-413.
	A.M. Devine, "The Manuscripts of John Chrysostom's Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. A Preliminary Study, a Critical Edition," The Ancient World (Chicago) 20 (1989): 111-25.
	Gordon D. Fee, "The Text of John and Mark in the Writings of Chrysostom," New Testament Studies 26.4 (1979-1980): 525-547.
	Everett Ferguson, "Preaching at Epiphany: Gregory of Nyssa and John Chrysostom on Baptism and the Church," Church History 66.1 (1997): 1-17.
	J. Fotopoulos, "John Chrysostom: On Holy Pascha," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 37 (1992): 123-34.
	Adrian Fortescue [1874-1923], The Greek Fathers. London: The Catholic Truth Society, 1908. Hbk. pp.255. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Peter Gorday, The Place of Chapters 9-11 in the Argument of the Epistle to the Romans: a Study of the Romans Exegesis of Origen, John Chrysostom and Augustine: dissertation...Vanderbilt University. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University, 1980. pp. ix + 372.
	A. Gelston, "Notes on a Citation of Chrysostom by Severus," Journal of Theological Studies 50.1 (1999): 162-163.
	Vigen Guroian, "Family and Christian Virtue in a Post-Christendom World: Reflections on the Ecclesial Vision of John Chrysostom," St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly 35.4 (1991): 327-350.
	Tolvo Harjunpaa, "St. John Chrysostom in the Light of his Catechetical and Baptismal Homilies," Lutheran Quarterly 29.2 (1977): 167-195.
	Malcolm Heath, "John Chrysostom, Rhetoric and Galatians," Biblical Interpretation 12.4 (2004): 369-400.
	R. Hill, "Chrysostum as Old Testament Comentator," Estudios biblicos 46 (1988): 61-77.
	Robert C. Hill, "St. John Chrysostom's Teaching on Inpiration in 'Six Homilies on Isaiah'," Vigiliae Christianae 22.1 (1968): 19-37.
	Robert C. Hill, "St. John Chrysostom and the Incarnation of the Word in Scripture," Compass 14.3 (1980): 34-38.
	Robert C. Hill, "Chrysostomas Old Testament Commentator," Estudios biblicos 46.1 (1988): 61-77.
	Robert C. Hill, "The Spirituality of Chrysostom's Commentary on the Psalms," Journal of Early Christian Studies 5.4 (1997): 569-579.
	Robert C. Hill, "St John Chrysostom: Preacher on the Old Testament," The Greek Orthodox Theological Review 46.3-4 (Fall 2001): 267-286.
	Robert C. Hill, "St John Chrysostom as Biblical Commentator: Six Homilies on Isaiah 6," St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 47.3-4 (2003): 307-322.
	Robert C. Hill, "St. John Chrysostom on the Sages," The Greek Orthodox Theological Review 49.1-2 (Spring 2004): 89-104.
	P. Jackson, "John Chrysostom's Use of Scripture in Initiatory Preaching," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 35 (1990): 345-66.
	Anthony Kenny, "Was Chryssostom a Semi-Pelagian?" Irish Theological Quarterly 27 (1960): 16-29.
	R.A. Krupp, Saint John Chrysostom: A Scripture Index. New York & London, 1984. Hbk. ISBN: 0819143804. pp.270.
	J.T. Lienhard, "On 'Discernment of Spirits' in the Early Church (1 Cor 12:10 for Chrysostom, Origen, Athanasius; Cassian," Theological Studies 41 (1980): 505-29.
	Joseph Thomas Kingsmill, "The Life and Times of St. Chrysostom," William Lefroy [1836-1909], ed., Church Leaders in Primitive Times. Lectures on Their Words and Works. Delivered in Norwich Cathedral by Eminent Anglican Devines, 2nd edn. London: Chas. J. Thynne, 1909. Hbk. pp.141-180. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Blake Leyerle, "John Chrysostom on Almsgiving and the Use of Money," Harvard Theological Review 87.1 (1994): 29-47.
	Joseph Lupi, "Liturgical Symbolism in the Baptismal Homilies of St. John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia," Melita Theologica 29.1/2 (1977): 29-42.
	Blake Leyerle, The Narrative Shape of Emotion in the Preaching of John Chrysostom. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2020. ISBN: 9780520975729. pp.228. [Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly]
	Amy Smyth McCormick, "John Chrysostom's Homily No. 50 as an Example of the Antiochene Exegetical Tradition," Patristic and Byzantine Review 12.1-3 (1993): 65-82.
	Thomas R. McKibbens, "The Exegesis of John Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospels," Expository Times 93.9 (1982): 264-270.
	Gordon C. McMillan, "The Voice of One Crying: John Chrysostom the Preacher," Mid-America Journal of Theology 32 (2021): 161-174.
	W.A. Markowicz, "Chrysostom's Sermons on Genesis. A Problem," Theological Studies 24 (1963): 652-64.
	Wendy Mayer, "Constanopolitan Women in Chrysostom's Circle," Vigiliae Christianae 53 (1999): 265-288.
	Wendy Mayer, "Who Came to Hear John Chrysostom Preach? Recovering a Late Fourth-Century Preacher's Audience," Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 76.1 (2000): 73-87.
	Wendy Mayer, "The Homily as Historical Document: Some Problems in Relation to John Chrysostom," Lutheran Theological Journal 35.1 (2001): 17-22.
	Wendy Mayer, "John Chrysostom as Bishop: The View from Antioch," The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 55.3 (July 2004): 455-466.
	Margaret M. Mitchell, "John Chrysostom on Philemon: A Second Look," Harvard Theological Review 88.1 (1995): 135-148.
	Ivor Moody, "Catching Chrysostom: An Ancient Ministry for a Modern World," Modern Believing 43.4 (2002): 18-24.
	John J. O'Brien, "Initiation, Chrysostom, and the Moral Life," Liturgical Ministry 8.2 (1999): 91-99.
	C.F.W. Paniel (Prof. H.J. Ripley, translator), "Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople Viewed as a Preacher," Bibliotheca Sacra 4 No. 16 (1847): 605-649. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	F. van de Paverd, St. John Chrysostom, The Homilies on the Statues: An Introduction. Orientalia Christiana Analecta, 239. Rome, 1991.
	J.D. Quinn, "St. John Chrysostom on History in the Synoptic," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 24 (1962): 140-47.
	Hugh M. Riley, Christian Initiation: A Comparative Study of the Interpretation of the Baptismal Liturgy in the Mystagogical Writings of Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 1974. ISBN: 081320531X.
	P.J. Ryan, "Chrysostom - A Derived Stylist?" Vigiliae Christianae 36.1 (1982): 5-14.
	William Richard Wood Stephens [1839-1902], Saint John Chrysostom. His Life and Times. A Sketch of the Church and the Empire in the Fourth Century, 2nd edn. London: John Murray, 1880. Hbk. pp.456. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Lauri Thuren, "John Chrysostom as a Rhetorical Critic: The Hermeneutics of an Early Father," Biblical Interpretation 9.2 (2001): 180-218.
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	Robert L. Wilken, John Chrysostom and the Jews: Rhetoric and Reality in the Late Fourth Century. The Transformation of the Classical Heritage, 4. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983. Hbk. ISBN: 0520047575. pp.207. e-book: Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2004. ISBN: 9781725212510. pp.210. [Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly]
	Frances Young, "They Speak to Us across the Centuries 3. John Chrysostom," Expository Times 109.2 (1997): 38-41.

Biographies

	Donald Attwater, St John Chrysostom: Pastor and Preacher. London: Harvill Press, 1959. (Out of print).
	C. Baur, John Chrysostom and His Time, 2 Vols. London: Sands, 1960.
	James Davie Butler, "Life of John Chrysostom," Bibliotheca Sacra 1 No. 4 (1844): 669-702. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	Frederic William Farrar [1831-1903], Lives of the Fathers. Sketches of Church History in Biography, 2 Vols. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1907. Hbk. pp.781+737. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
	J. N. D. Kelly, Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom, Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop. Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd., 1995. Hbk. ISBN: 0715626434. pp.320.
	Herbert Moore [1863-1943], The Dialogue of Palladius Concerning the Life of Chrysostom. Translations of Christian Literature. Series I. London: SPCK, 1921. Hbk. pp.213. pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]