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Nothing is more miserable than those people who never failed to attack their own salvation. When there was need to observe the Law, they trampled it under foot. : On this account Stephen said: 'You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart, you always resist the Holy Spirit', not only by transgressing the Law but also by wishing to observe it at the wrong time.

John Chrysostom#4

ReligionChristianityWarMoralityLawTheology

About this quote

What does it mean?
The text argues that some people are miserable because they resist spiritual guidance and misapply religious laws.
In plain terms
People who resist the holy spirit and misinterpret laws are described as miserable.
What can you take from it?
Misapplying religious rules can lead to spiritual distress.

Where it applies

  • religious debate
  • moral critique
  • theological study

Putting it to work

  • study religious misinterpretation
  • examine moral failures

Questions to consider

  • What causes spiritual misery?
  • How do laws become burdens?

Another view

The passage assumes a single correct way to follow spiritual law.

More from John Chrysostom

  1. The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession :

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  2. You [Jews] did slay Christ, you did lift violent hands against the Master, you did spill his precious blood. This is why you have no chance for atonement, excu…

    Permalink to quote #5
  3. Before they committed the crime of crimes, before they killed their Master, before the cross, before the slaying of Christ, [Jewish sacrifices were] an abomina…

    Permalink to quote #2

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