John Chrysostom

Chrysostom: Greek for “golden‑mouthed,” a name given to John in later centuries for his preaching.

Homily: A sermon that explains a passage of Scripture and applies it to the hearers.

John Chrysostom was a preacher in Antioch and later archbishop of Constantinople. He was born in Antioch around 347. His father died when he was young, and his mother Anthusa raised him. He studied rhetoric under Libanius, the leading pagan teacher of the city.

John spent several years as a monk in the mountains near Antioch. His strict fasting damaged his health, and he returned to the city. He was ordained a priest in 386 and preached there for 12 years.

## Major Works

Homilies on Matthew, 90 sermons.

Homilies on John, 88 sermons.

Homilies on Acts, 55 sermons preached in Constantinople.

Other works include On the Priesthood and hundreds more sermons on Genesis, the Psalms, and Paul’s letters.

## Homilies on Matthew

John preached through books verse by verse. He focused on the plain historical meaning of the text and then pressed it into the lives of his hearers.

In Homily 50 he asks if you want to honor Christ’s body. Then do not neglect Him when He is naked. Do not honor Him in church with silk while you pass Him by outside, cold and hungry.

## Homilies on John and Homilies on Acts

His sermons on John defend the full deity of Christ against Arian teaching. His sermons on Acts are the only complete ancient commentary on that book to survive.

## Preaching and Pastoral Care

In 387 riots broke out in Antioch and crowds pulled down statues of the emperor. The city feared a massacre. Over that Lent John preached 21 sermons, now called Homilies on the Statues, calling the people to repentance while their bishop traveled to plead with Theodosius. The city was spared.

## Christian Living

John called the Christian household a little church. Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church. Parents should raise children to know Scripture.

He preached constantly on wealth, telling the rich that what they owned was held in trust for the poor. He urged believers to read the Bible at home as well as hear it in church.

## Reform of Church Life

In 398 John was made archbishop of Constantinople. He cut the lavish spending of the archbishop’s house and gave the money to hospitals. He disciplined clergy and confronted the wealthy.

He made powerful enemies, including Empress Eudoxia and Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria. A synod deposed him in 403, and in 404 he was exiled. In 407 soldiers forced him on a long march. He collapsed and died at Comana. His last words are recorded as “Glory to God for all things.”

## A Hard Legacy

John also preached eight sermons in Antioch against Christians who joined in Jewish festivals. Their language against Jews is harsh, and later writers used it to justify hatred. Honest readers should face that record alongside his many strengths.

## How to Read Chrysostom Today

Read Homily 50 on Matthew. It takes about 30 minutes.

Read On the Priesthood if you serve in ministry. It has six books.

The Homilies on Matthew are free in the Nicene and Post‑Nicene Fathers, first series, volume 10. John is in volume 14 and Acts is in volume 11.

Pick one of his homilies on a passage you plan to study and read it before you open a modern commentary.

## About the Author

CK Quarterman is a USAF veteran, independent author, and publisher at CKQbooks. He writes the Malaterrestrials nonfiction series, which examines evil earthbound non‑human intelligences through Scripture and history, along with the Watchers’ Universe and Sons of the Flood fiction series. Find his books at ckqbooks.com.