THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
After teaching the Romans how they should be disposed toward one another, and after closely joining together the members of the body of Christ, the Apostle finally leads them out to external combat. He has made it easier by his preceding instructions. Just as it is very difficult for one who has not set his own household in order to arrange the affairs of others, so one who has gained experience in governing his own affairs can very easily manage those outside. Therefore Paul follows the same path. After duties toward one’s own, he sets forth duties toward outsiders and says, “Bless those who persecute you.” He did not say, “do not remember wrongs,” or “do not avenge yourselves,” but demanded something far greater.
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The former belongs even to a philosophic man, but the latter belongs only to an angel. Having said, “bless,” he added, “and do not curse,” so that we may not do both, but only bless. Persecutors become the cause of rewards for us. If you are watchful, then beyond this reward you will prepare another for yourself. He will give you a reward for the persecution, and you yourself will gain one for blessing the persecutor. By this you give the surest proof of your love for Christ. Just as one who curses his persecutor shows that he does not endure persecution for Christ with great joy, so one who blesses reveals strong love. Therefore do not reproach your persecutor, so that you may receive a greater reward, and so that you may teach him that this is a matter of desire, not necessity. It is triumph and gladness for you, not calamity and humiliation. Therefore Christ also said, “Rejoice when they say every evil word against you falsely” (Mt 5:11-12). Therefore the apostles returned rejoicing that they had not only heard evil words, but had also suffered scourging. Beyond this, you will gain another benefit, no small one. You will astonish your opponents and instruct them by your deeds that you are preparing for another life. As soon as your persecutor notices that you bear evil gladly and willingly, he will clearly understand from your deeds that you have other hopes, higher than all present things. But if you behave otherwise, weeping and grieving, how can he know that you expect another life? Together with this, you will also correct another man. When your persecutor sees that you are not offended by insults, but even bless the one who offended you, he will stop persecuting you. See, then, how many good things come from this. Your reward is increased, the temptation is diminished, the persecutor ceases his persecution, God is glorified, and your philosophy becomes a lesson to the erring, guiding him toward piety. Therefore the Apostle commanded us to repay opposites not only to those who insult us, but also to persecutors and oppressors. Here he commands us to bless them, and earlier he urged us to do them good.