John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood

A priest must not only be blameless, as befits one chosen for so high a ministry, but also very discreet and widely experienced. 

A Patristic Treasury: Early Church Wisdom for Today, edited by James R. Payton, Jr

On the Priesthood is John Chrysostom’s defense of why he betrayed Basil in tricking him into getting ordained, while Chrysostom hid.  Sounds a bit underhanded… With that said, there is much fruit here.

More billows toss the priest’s soul than the gales which trouble the sea.

The priest’s shortcomings simply cannot be concealed.  On the contrary, even the most trivial soon get known.

The sins of ordinary people are committed in the dark, so to speak, and ruin only those who commit them.  But when a man becomes famous and is known to many, his misdeeds inflict a common injury on all.

Everyone wants to judge the priest, now as one clothed in flesh, nor as one possessing a human nature, but as an angel, exempt from the frailty of others.

The priest [is] assailed with as many accusations as there are persons under his rule. 

I think about this often, every time a priest or pastor publicly falls.  Yes, the expectations of such men rightly are higher than they are for laymen.  But, still, they are human, just like the rest of us.

He [the priest] must be dignified yet modest, impressive yet kindly, masterful yet approachable, impartial yet courteous, humble but not servile, vehement yet gentle.

It is clearly difficult to find such men.  Again, maybe a little patience regarding the reality that the priest is also human.

Most of those who are under authority refuse to treat preachers as their instructors.

Most people usually listen to a preacher for pleasure, not profit, like adjudicators of a play or concert.

We take that with which we agree and ignore that with which we don’t.  In many ways it is easier today than in Chrysostom’s time.  Most of us have dozens of churches of every denomination from which to choose, all within a few miles of our home. If we don’t like what we hear, we go elsewhere.

Tell me, where do you think all the disorders in the churches originate?  I think their only origin is in the careless and random way in which the clergy are chosen and appointed.

Or, sometimes, purposefully malign way in which they are chosen (or discarded).  I have lived this.

Other Comments

I cannot myself believe it possible that anyone to be saved who never works for the salvation of his neighbor.

We must not mind insulting human beings, if by respecting them we offend God.

In different ways, two very strong statements.  However, together, I can only conclude that there are times to insult my neighbor!

Biographies / Sources

John Chrysostom (347 – 407) was a preacher.  His epithet means “golden-tongued,” so he must have been an excellent preacher.  He served in Antioch and Constantinople, in the latter as its bishop.  He boldly denounced the wayward morals of the imperial court, earning the hostility of the queen, and, thereafter, exile.

He would produce many commentaries on Scripture, as well as write on the responsibilities and tensions in the life of the clergy.