ACC ~ Matthew 5 v11

FALSELY ON CHRIST’S ACCOUNT

CHRYSOSTOM: But to keep you from supposing that being slandered of itself makes people blessed, he has added two qualifications: first, that it happens for Christ’s sake, and second, that what is said be false. Do not expect to be blessed if you are being reviled for something evil, and what is being said is true. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 15.4. [1]

[1] PG 57:228; NPNF 1 10:95.

WHEN PEOPLE REVILE YOU

ANONYMOUS: He has just been speaking about enduring persecution. Now it is as if someone were asking God: God, what if we are not enduring persecution for your sake or for the sake of justice? What if we are facing the reproach and the evil talk of wicked people? You will be blessed, Jesus says, “not only if you endure persecution but also if others utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Many people become our enemies because of our belief in God, but they do not persecute us openly. Maybe they do not have the power to persecute. [1] Nevertheless they go all about and slander us and say deplorable things about us. The Scripture says, “You will be blessed when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” So your reward does not end the moment you have given a glass of water compassionately. If somebody wrongs us, even with a single, slight word, your soul will not be lacking a reward. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 9. [2]

[1] The author writes at a time when Christianity has become the state religion. Consequently, by persecution he means the hostility still shown by pagans toward the Christian religion, which only in exceptional cases exhibited itself in acts of open violence.

[2] PG 56:683-84.