PAUL AND THE RHETORIC OF REVERSAL: KERYGMATIC ...

What then should we do? Know the shabbiness of these things, and that wealth
is a senseless runaway slave, surrounding those who have it with innumerable
evils. 35
The link between exposition and application may thus seem to be something of a stretch.
But a closer look reveals that from the preacher’s perspective, the denial of God as Judge
lies at the heart of both sections. Those who make self-deceived judgements (whether in
Corinth or in Antioch) are exhibiting a serious disease:
Consider how greatly humans are deceived in the judgements that they make!...
Whatever sin you like, first let us examine it; and you will see that it arises in this
very way. 36
The Corinthian problem of proud self-deceit is shown to find Antiochene expression
particularly in the luxurious pursuit of present riches. So Chrysostom sensitively applies
the lesson that God is the true Judge to his own hearers by urging them to recall that they
cannot deceive God, the true Judge, and thus should purge their unfitting passion for
present wealth. Thus, having come alongside his hearers in the exposition section, he
directly confronts them in the application.
That the exposition and application are consciously linked in this way is indicated by
Chrysostom’s closing words, in which he returns to the theme of his exposition:
And on that day we will have God’s praise, just as Paul also says: “And then each
one’s praise will come from God”. For that which comes from humans is
fleeting. 37
35 Homily 11; PG 61.94.
36 Homily 11; PG 61.92.
37 Homily 11; PG 61.96.
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