—John Chrysostom (c. 349 – 407)

John the “Golden-mouth” (Chrysostom) was known as an eloquent and insightful preacher who was greatly loved by his congregations in Antioch. When he became Bishop of Constantinople, the new capital of the Roman Empire, in 398 A.D., John used his position to encourage godly behavior by Christians, not least in their marriages. In an exposition of Genesis 16:1ff, he counsels husbands to show gentleness and unselfish love towards their wives and thus bring peace to the household. Such a marriage, based on mutual respect and Christian devotion, glorifies God and as a result will be “stronger than steel,” able to withstand the storms of life.

Let us learn to be reasonable and gentle toward all, especially our wives, and to be very diligent so that if they rebuke us—whether rightly or wrongly—we may not be too exacting but may make our sole concern the removal of the cause of sadness and establish deep peace in the home. Then the wife may turn her attention toward her husband, and the husband may take refuge in his wife and find consolation at home, as in a harbor sheltered from external difficulties and troubles. The wife was given as a helper in order that the husband, strengthened by her encouragement, might be able to withstand whatever comes his way…. Those who are thus bound together will have no grief in this life nor will their pleasure suffer any harm. Wherever harmony, peace, and the bond of love exist between a wife and husband, all good things will flow together, and they will become impregnable to every assault, being fortified by the great and unassailable wall of divine harmony. This will make them stronger than steel, harder than iron, and supply them with more benefits than all wealth and possessions; this will lead them to the highest distinction and recommend them to God’s abundant favor.

I urge you therefore that we not prize anything more than this, but that we labor and do everything we can to bring about calm and peace in marriage. Then the children who are born will follow the virtue of their parents, the servants will imitate them, and in every respect the affairs of the household will contribute toward virtue, and there will be much happiness in our affairs. When we honor first the things of God, then all other things will come to us smoothly and we will experience no distress, for the goodness of God supplies us with all things in abundance.¹

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