Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew

What Are Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew?

John Chrysostom wrote Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew around c. AD 390, during the formative centuries of Christianity when the Church was defining its theology, worship, and identity in the face of persecution and heresy. The gold standard of patristic biblical exposition from the 'Golden Mouth,' combining exegesis with moral exhortation.

John Chrysostom demonstrates the power of the spoken and written word in service of the gospel. These writings combine careful biblical exposition with urgent application, showing that the truths of Scripture are not merely historical curiosities but living words that address every generation.

The work remains essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Christian intellectual tradition and the ideas that have shaped Western civilization.

Why Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew Still Matters

Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew endures because it addresses questions that never go away:

• Shaping how we live. Christianity is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life. This work connects doctrine to daily practice with clarity and conviction.
• Roots of the faith. The Church Fathers established the theological foundations that all subsequent Christian thought builds upon. Their voices are not optional — they are essential.
• The power of the Word. This work demonstrates that faithful exposition of Scripture is one of the most powerful forces in history.

In a world of disposable content, works like this endure because they speak to what is permanent in human experience.

Why Classical Schools Teach It

At Saints Classical Academy, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew is part of our commitment to reading the greatest works of the Christian tradition in the logic and rhetoric stage(s). Reading John Chrysostom teaches students to:

• Engage with primary sources from the Christian intellectual tradition rather than relying on secondhand summaries
• Develop the ability to follow and evaluate sustained arguments — a critical skill for the rhetoric stage
• Practice analytical thinking by examining the logical structure of the author's arguments
• Connect theological and philosophical ideas to their historical context
• Join the "Great Conversation" — the ongoing dialogue between the greatest minds in Christian history

This is education as it was meant to be — not just learning about great ideas, but being formed by them.