ACC ~ Matthew 10 v33

WHOEVER DENIES ME

CHRYSOSTOM: The Son does not here speak soothing words but rather speaks of the consequences of denial. Note carefully: It is not by some power within yourself that you make your confession but by the help of grace from above. But if you deny me, the Son, he is saying, then I will deny you in the presence of the Father. Someone may then object: “How then am I to be blamed if God, forsaking me, denies me?” The answer is, Your being forsaken is the fault of you yourself, the forsaken person, not of God.

“But why,” you object, “should I need to confess faith with my mouth if I confess faith in my mind?” No, we must confess with our mouths in order that we may be steadily trained to speak boldly. It is only through this more abundant love and determination that we will be raised on high.

In this way Jesus addresses himself to each one of us personally. He is not here addressing his original disciples only but every one of us who follows after his disciples in accord with their witness to him. One who learns this lesson will teach it in boldness to others, prepared to suffer all things easily and with a ready mind. This is why so many have come to have faith in the witness of the apostles to this Word. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 34.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:401-2; NPNF 1 10:229**.

FAITH OF THE HEART AND CONFESSION OF THE LIPS

ANONYMOUS: He does not say, “Every one who acknowledges me in his own heart” but “before others.” [1] If one does not acknowledge him before others, it does one no good to believe in Christ in one’s heart. For it is impossible that one who denies with one’s lips can believe in one’s heart. For the root of confession is the heart’s faith. Confession is thus the fruit of faith. As long as a root is living, it must produce either branches or leaves, and if the plant does not produce these, we know beyond a doubt that its root is withered in the ground. In the same way, as long as the faith of the heart is healthy, it always sows the seeds of confession with the lips. But if there is no acknowledgment with the lips, you should know beyond a doubt that the faith of the heart has already withered away. For the apostle says, “For one believes with one’s heart and so is justified, and one confesses with one’s lips and so is saved.” [2] And so confession by the lips is worth nothing without faith of the heart, and faith of the heart is worth nothing without confession by the lips. If it benefits you to believe with the heart without confessing before others, does it also benefit an infidel to confess Christ deceitfully, even though he does not believe in his heart? If it results in no benefit to an unbeliever to confess without faith in the same way, it will not benefit you to believe without confessing. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 25. [3]

[1] Mt 10:32.

[2] Rom 10:10.

[3] PG 56:766.