THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
See how often Paul uses the word "called," saying, "called an Apostle," "among whom you also are called," and "to all who are in Rome, called."
He does this not out of verbosity, but because he wishes again to remind the Romans of God's benefaction.
Since among the believers there were probably prefects, consuls, the poor, and common people, he lays aside the inequality of ranks and sends one greeting to all.
If both slaves and free have complete communion in all the most necessary and spiritual things, such as the love of God, calling, the gospel, adoption, grace, peace, sanctification, and everything else, then it would be utter madness to distinguish by earthly deeds those whom God has united.
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God has made them of equal honor in the most important things. Therefore, at the very beginning, the Apostle rejects this fierce disease and directs the Romans toward humility of mind, which is the mother of all good things.
Humility of mind made slaves better, teaching them that slavery will not harm them if they possess true freedom. It also turned masters toward moderation.
It instructed them that there is no profit in freedom if there is no perfection in the works of faith.
So that you may understand that Paul did not do this with the intention of blending and confusing everything, but knew the better way to distinguish, notice that he did not simply write, "to all who are in Rome."
He added the limitation, "beloved of God." This is the best distinction, and it clearly shows whence sanctification comes.
From where, then, does sanctification come? From love. After saying "beloved," he immediately added, "called saints," showing that love is the source of all good things for us.
He calls all believers saints.
"Grace to you and peace." O greeting that brings countless blessings! This is the very greeting Christ commanded the Apostles to speak as their first word when entering a house.
Therefore Paul also always begins with the same words: "grace and peace." Christ did not end a small enmity, but a heavy, varied, and long-lasting one.
He destroyed it not by our labors, but by His grace. Since love granted grace, and grace granted peace, the Apostle arranged them in precisely this order in his greeting.
He prays for the continual and unbroken abiding of love, grace, and peace, so that another warfare may not again be kindled. He asks the Giver to preserve them unaltered, saying, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Here the preposition "from," ἀπὸ, applies to the Father and the Son. This is equivalent to the expression "from Him," ἐξ αὐτοῦ.
The Apostle did not say, "Grace to you and peace from God the Father through, διὰ, our Lord Jesus Christ." Rather he says, "from, ἀπὸ, God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ."
O what power the love of God has! Enemies and outcasts suddenly became saints and sons.
By calling God Father, the Apostle showed them to be sons. When he named them sons, he opened the whole treasury of blessings.
Therefore let us not cease to show a life worthy of the gift, keeping peace and holiness.
Other honors are temporary. They cease with the present life and are sold for money. Therefore one may say that they are not honors, but only names of honors.
They receive their significance from splendid garments and from the flattery of the surrounding retinue. But the gift of sanctification and adoption, since it is given by God, is not destroyed together with death.
It makes us renowned even here and accompanies us into the life to come. The one who preserves adoption and carefully guards the gift of holiness is far more glorious and blessed than one crowned with a diadem and clothed in purple.
Even in the present life he enjoys perfect calm, is filled with good hopes, has no cause for fear or anxiety, and possesses unceasing joy.
For gladness and joy are usually given not by greatness of authority, abundance of money, fullness of power, bodily strength, sumptuous food, splendid clothing, or any other human advantage.
They are given only by spiritual perfection and a good conscience. Therefore one who has a clean conscience, even if clothed in rags and wrestling with hunger, is more cheerful than those who live in luxury.
Likewise, one conscious of evil within himself is more miserable than all, even if he possesses every wealth.
So Paul, though he lived in constant hunger and nakedness and was subjected to blows every day, rejoiced and was glad more than the kings of his time.
But Ahab, though he reigned and enjoyed many kinds of luxury, groaned and sorrowed when he committed his sin. His face fell both before the sin and after the sin.
Therefore, if we desire to enjoy joy, let us avoid vice more than everything else and follow virtue. Otherwise it is impossible to attain joy, even if we ascend to a kingly throne.
For this reason Paul also said, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace" (Gal 5:22).
Let us cultivate this fruit within ourselves, so that we may enjoy joy here and attain the kingdom to come, by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With Him be glory to the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O greeting that brings countless blessings! Christ commanded the Apostles to pronounce precisely this as their first word when entering a house (cf. Lk 10:5).
Therefore Paul also always begins with the same thing, with grace and peace. Christ did not end a small enmity, but a heavy, many-sided, and long-lasting one.
Moreover, He destroyed it not by our labors, but by His own grace. Since love granted grace, and grace granted peace, the Apostle arranged them in precisely this order in his greeting.
He prays that the Romans may abide in them continually and immovably, so that they not allow another enmity to be kindled. He asks the Giver to preserve this foundation for them.