Thursday, November 17, 2022

Transformative Justification in John Chrysostom, Homily VIII on Romans

In Homily VIII of Romans (on Romans 4), John Chrysostom wrote that:

 

. . . for he who is a believer glorieth again, not only because he loveth God in sincerity, but also because he hath enjoyed great honor and love from him. For as he shows his love to Him by having great thoughts about Him, (for this is a proof of love), so doth God also love him, though deserving to suffer for countless sins, not in freeing him from punishment only, but even by making him righteous. He then hath whereof to glory, as having been counted worthy of mighty love.

 

In PG 60:455, the phrase "but even by making him righteous" is ἀλλὰ καὶ δίκαιον ἐργασάμενος:




Further Reading:


Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Alexandria, and John Chrysostom as pre-400 AD witnesses Against Forensic Justification


Refuting Christina Darlington on the Nature of "Justification"