Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Read Chapter 12
John Chrysostom
AD 407
What he also said above, Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together Hebrews 10:25, he hints at in this place also. For nothing so especially makes persons easily vanquished and subdued in temptations, as isolation. For, tell me, scatter a phalanx in war, and the enemy will need no trouble, but will take them prisoners, coming on them separately, and thereby the more helpless.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness (he says). Therefore with the evil-doers as well? If it be possible, he says, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18 For your part (he means) live peaceably, doing no harm to religion: but in whatever you are ill-treated, bear it nobly. For the bearing with evil is a great weapon in trials. Thus Christ also made His disciples strong by saying, Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, Matthew 10:16 What dost Thou say? Are we among wolves, and dost Thou bid us to be ...
There are many things characteristic of Christianity: but more than all, and better than all, Love towards one another, and Peace. Therefore Christ also says, My peace I give unto you. John 14:27 And again, By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 Therefore Paul too says, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, that is, purity, without which no man shall see the Lord .
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God. As if they were traveling together on some long journey, in a large company, he says, Take heed that no man be left behind: I do not seek this only, that you should arrive yourselves, but also that you should look diligently after the others.
Lest any man (he says) fail of the grace of God. (He means the good things to come, the faith of the gospel, the best course of life: for they all are of the Grace of God.) Do not tell me, It is [but] one that perishes. Even for one Christ died. Have you no care for him ...
