THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Can you perceive the courage of the righteous individual and the clarity of his conscience? Had he not held such unwavering confidence, he would not have subjected himself to such grave misfortunes. His words convey this sentiment: Should I have acted wrongly or sought vengeance, let these consequences befall me. He self-imposes judgment, requesting to be punished not merely in line with justice, but far beyond what he deserves, condemning himself to a penalty that the law did not even decree for him. Observe the nature of this penalty: “let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake me, let him trample my life into the ground, and let him cast my glory into the dust.” In other words, allow him to bring me to ruin and dishonor, obliterating my honor along with my existence.
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What does it signify for his glory to be thrown into the dirt? It indicates a complete humiliation and subjugation to the will of his adversary, a state of being laid low by those who oppose him. Who could embody more wickedness than Absalom, a brazen and unrestrained wrongdoer, who sought to harm his father, such a gentle and humble father? Yet, did David repay evil for evil? Did he harbor a grudge? Never. By considering the account of Saul, this truth will be made increasingly apparent. Indeed, Saul, despite receiving countless kindnesses, accolades, and victories from David, conspired against him and daily sought his life. Yet David, finding him in vulnerable positions, twice or more while he slept and defenseless, chose to spare him, despite the advice to eliminate him, restraining his wrath even knowing that by allowing Saul to escape, he would retain a relentless foe. However, neither past grievances nor future fears swayed him towards murder. He exercised wisdom, controlled his hands, tempered his anger, and preferred the perils and intrigues of life to the act of striking down an adversary who bore no legitimate enmity toward him, a man who threatened him after receiving unfathomable kindness. His wisdom is revealed through various circumstances, illustrating why he resigned himself to multiple severe disasters: to endure failure, suffer defeats at the hands of enemies, face a dishonorable death, and endure that death delivered by those very enemies. Thus, he endeavored diligently to leave a commendable legacy after his passing. Contemplate the trials he accepted: to work without reward, to grant his foes victory over him, to perish, and not in an ordinary manner, but in a way that would tarnish his memory, experiencing death laden with disgrace. Without doubt, he would not have accepted all this unless he were entirely certain within himself. If he had opponents, it was no fault of his; he had not provoked animosity. What cause had he given for hostility from his son? What cause had he provided to Saul? When his son acted deserving of punishment, did he not accept it and offer a remedy? And Saul, who plotted against him—did he not spare him repeatedly? Therefore, consider not just whether he faced adversaries, but whether he himself fostered those adversities. Christ instructed that we may not be free of enemies—that is beyond our control—but that we should not harbor hatred toward them; this we can govern, where concerns of others’ hatred lie beyond our influence. Indeed, wicked individuals often despise the righteous without just cause. Likewise, Christ faced unwarranted hatred, as He stated: “They hated Me in vain.” The apostles too experienced enmity from false apostles, as did the prophets from deceitful prophets. Our focus should not be on avoiding enemies, but rather on ensuring that we do not draw them to ourselves unjustly. Hence, even when faced with hostility thousands of times over, we must not permit hatred or disdain to take root in our hearts, for true enmity manifests in such feelings. When I find myself despised yet do not reciprocate that hatred, then I stand as the victim, not he who opposes me. If I pray for him and wish him well, how can I regard him as an adversary? Thus, Paul teaches us, “if it is possible on your part, be at peace with all men.” Therefore, let us act in accordance with our duty and attain the praise which follows. What is this duty? Take this example: If you harbor hatred or abuse toward someone, respond with love and kindness. If he reviles you, return blessings and praise. If his hostility continues despite your goodwill, he brings upon you great reward. Truly, the more relentless those who do evil continue in their wrath despite our kindness, the greater our glory becomes, while they weaken themselves in spirit. Those who hate and do not cease their enmity suffer torment, exhausting themselves in ceaseless conflict. Yet, the one who rises above such barbs remains untroubled, deriving benefit not from the enemy, instead striving for reconciliation. Therefore, let us seek to eradicate enmity from our hearts, rejecting the roots of vanity and greed, for all hostility springs from such obsessions. If we can overcome these weaknesses, we shall rise above hostility. If someone insults you, endure it with strength; the insult affects him more than you. Should someone strike you, do not retaliate; as he harms you, he simultaneously harms himself and earns a poor reputation. If this notion is challenging, consider this: if a person in rage tears your clothing, who suffers more—the one subjected to the offense or the one committing it? The answer is clear. Though your garment is torn, the one inflicting the damage endures a far greater calamity. Similarly, do not allow your heart to be torn by anger; it is he who remains afflicted. Just as a disease like jaundice reveals itself when bile spills over, uncontrolled anger manifests when the heart is torn. Thus, when you encounter someone afflicted by their anger, even if they have wronged you greatly, abstain from adopting their illness. Avoid mimicking their wrath; instead, feel compassion for one who cannot keep this beast contained, for it is their own self that they truly harm. Indeed, it is often heard that those attempting to diminish enmity will advise their adversaries: spare yourself, for you inflict harm upon yourself. Such is the true nature of evil—it harms only those who nurture it and distorts all around it. In seeking revenge, let us not jeopardize our own safe haven. If a shipwrecked person, struggling in the water, were to hurl insults at you from dry land, surely you would not let offense take hold and risk drowning alongside him. Reason in this way: the one who reviles you is himself battling a storm, drowning in a turbulent sea of anger; yet you may remain steady and untroubled on the shore. Should you choose to mirror his actions, you do not drown him, but rather yourself.