Tractates on Matthew

Contents

Reading pages: 1.1–3.9 · 4.1–7.3 · 8.1–9.3 · 10.1–13.2 · 14.1–17.4

1. 1.1Chromatius explains why Christ, who had no sin, was baptized by John: to fulfil all righteousness, give an example, and sanctify the waters of baptism.
2. 1.2Chromatius explains, from Galatians and Romans, that baptism washes away sins and gives new life in Christ.
3. 1.3Chromatius explains that John was really baptized by Christ, and that Israel's crossing of the Jordan under Joshua foreshadowed baptism.
4. 2.1Chromatius describes the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Spirit and the Father's voice at Christ's baptism, foretold in Psalm 29.
5. 2.2Chromatius argues against the heretics that Christ's baptism reveals the Trinity, with the Son a true Son by nature, not by adoption: three persons, one divinity and substance.
6. 2.3Chromatius explains that the events of Christ's baptism signify the opening of heaven to the baptized, who become sons of God and receive the Spirit.
7. 3.1Chromatius introduces the Sermon on the Mount: the Lord who gave the law on Sinai gives blessings on the mountain, the new covenant of grace.
8. 3.2Chromatius explains that the blessed poor are those who renounce worldly riches for God, like the apostles, or who keep humility of spirit.
9. 3.3Chromatius explains that the blessed mourners are those who weep for their own sins or for the sins of others, like David, Samuel, Jeremiah, Daniel and Paul.
10. 3.4Chromatius explains the blessing of the meek, following Christ and Moses, who will inherit the land of the future life, and especially their own glorified bodies.
11. 3.5Chromatius explains that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is faith in Christ and Christ himself, will be filled, unlike those who hunger for wealth.
12. 3.6Chromatius explains the blessings of the merciful, who will receive mercy, and of the pure in heart, who will see God face to face in the kingdom.
13. 3.7Chromatius explains that peacemakers are those who keep the peace and unity of the Catholic Church and seek to restore those who dissent.
14. 3.8Chromatius explains that those persecuted for righteousness are above all the martyrs, led by the apostles, to whom the kingdom is promised.
15. 3.9Chromatius urges Christians to endure persecution with joy, since a great reward is laid up in heaven.
16. 4.1Chromatius explains that the apostles are the salt of the earth, formed like salt by water, sun and wind, that is, baptism, Christ and the Spirit, and seasoning the earth of our bodies with wisdom.
17. 4.2Chromatius compares the power of salt, which prevents corruption and worms, with heavenly grace, which preserves the whole person from sin, citing the salted sacrifices.
18. 4.3Chromatius interprets Elisha's healing of the waters of Jericho with salt in a new vessel as the Wisdom of God taking a body to heal the nations.
19. 4.4Chromatius explains that salt loses its savour in those who abandon the faith for heresy or paganism, like Judas, and are cast out of the church.
20. 5.1Chromatius explains that the apostles are the light of the world, rays of Christ the sun of righteousness, who have made believers children of light.
21. 5.2Chromatius interprets the city on a mountain as the church, the city of God of the Psalms and Isaiah, set on faith in Christ.
22. 5.3Chromatius explains that Christians, lit by faith, must shine by good works to enlighten others, not hide their light like the servant who buried his talent.
23. 5.4Chromatius identifies the lamp with God's commandment and grace, to be set in the church like the golden lampstand of Zechariah and the tabernacle, a type of the Holy Spirit.
24. 5.5Chromatius explains that Christians glorify God by good works, and that the lamp may also be Christ in his humble incarnation, set on the lampstand of the cross.
25. 6.1Chromatius explains how Christ, the author of the Law, fulfilled it by completing its prophecies and figures and confirming its precepts, and sees the cross in the iota and stroke.
26. 6.2Chromatius teaches that no commandment is to be set aside and that teachers must practise what they teach, as Christ did.
27. 6.3Chromatius explains that the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees sought human praise, and that Christians must surpass it with true righteousness and faith.
28. 7.1Chromatius explains that Christ fulfilled the Law by forbidding even anger, the root of murder.
29. 7.2Chromatius explains the sayings on 'Raca' and 'Fool': Christians must guard their tongues, since they will give account for every idle word.
30. 7.3Chromatius explains that a gift at the altar is acceptable only after reconciliation, as the offerings of Abel and Cain show.
31. 8.1Chromatius reports the view that the 'adversary' is a personal enemy to be reconciled before death, and objects that one may not agree with an adversary of the faith.
32. 8.2Chromatius discusses the view that the adversary is the devil, accepting it only in the sense that a Christian should consent to martyrdom rather than be accused by the devil of denying the faith.
33. 8.3Chromatius prefers the view that the adversary is the Holy Spirit, who opposes the flesh, and whom we must obey in this life to escape the prison of Gehenna.
34. 9.1Chromatius explains that Christ forbids not only adultery but the lust that is its root, citing Sirach, Proverbs, Job and James.
35. 9.2Chromatius explains that the eye and hand to be cut off are the evil desires of the heart, or, as some think, kin who lead one from the faith.
36. 9.3Chromatius interprets the eye as the bishop and the hand as the presbyter, who are to be removed from the church if they cause it to stumble by false faith or bad life.
37. 10.1Chromatius explains Matt 5:31–32: Christ removed the Mosaic licence of divorce and restored the indissoluble law of marriage, condemning those who put away chaste wives to remarry, while permitting a husband to put away an adulterous wife.
38. 10.2Chromatius explains that Christ forbids all swearing, since a Christian's every word must be true, and that God swears only for the sake of unbelievers.
39. 10.3Chromatius gives two meanings of the prohibition of swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem and one's head: to avoid venerating creatures, and because such oaths are oaths by God.
40. 11.1Chromatius explains that Christ replaces the law of retaliation with patience, which trains Christians for martyrdom.
41. 11.2Chromatius teaches that Christians should give up even more than a litigant demands, training them to despise possessions in persecution.
42. 11.3Chromatius explains that going the second mile shows love beyond what is required, and spiritually means leading someone from belief in the Father to faith in the Son and the Spirit.
43. 11.4Chromatius urges generous giving and lending to the poor and to brothers in need, citing Tobit, the Psalms and Job.
44. 12.1Chromatius explains Christ's command to love enemies, foreshadowed in Isaiah, the Psalms, Job and the law about an enemy's fallen ox.
45. 12.2Chromatius teaches that Christian love must go beyond loving those who love us, imitating the Father's goodness.
46. 12.3Chromatius teaches that righteous deeds must be done to please God alone, not to win human praise.
47. 12.4Chromatius explains that almsgiving must not be publicised to win praise, or its reward is lost.
48. 12.5Chromatius interprets the left and right hands as sinners and the just: good works should not be paraded before unbelievers.
49. 13.1Chromatius teaches that prayer should be made in the secret of the heart, as Hannah, Daniel, Cornelius and Jonah prayed and were heard.
50. 13.2Chromatius teaches that prayer is heard for faith and humility, not many words, as in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
51. 14.1Chromatius begins his exposition of the Lord's Prayer: by calling God 'Father', believers reborn in baptism are made sons of God and must live accordingly.
52. 14.2Chromatius explains that in praying 'hallowed be your name' we ask that God's name be made holy in us.
53. 14.3Chromatius explains that in praying 'your kingdom come' we ask for the coming of the heavenly kingdom promised to us, for which we must make ourselves worthy.
54. 14.4Chromatius explains that in praying 'your will be done' we ask that God's will be done in us as by the angels, or that unbelievers may come to faith.
55. 14.5Chromatius explains 'daily bread' as the food needed for today and, spiritually, the Eucharistic bread of the Lord's body, received daily.
56. 14.6Chromatius explains that we must forgive others as we ask God to forgive us, or our own prayer condemns us, as in the parable of the unforgiving servant.
57. 14.7Chromatius explains the petitions against temptation and evil, sums up the Lord's Prayer, and stresses that forgiveness depends on forgiving others.
58. 15.1Chromatius teaches that fasting, like prayer, must be done for God alone and not for human praise, or its reward is lost.
59. 15.2Chromatius gives Judith, Esther, Daniel and the three young men as examples of fasting concealed by a cheerful face.
60. 15.3Chromatius interprets anointing the head as mercy to the poor, done to Christ the head, and washing the face as purity of conscience.
61. 16.1Chromatius warns against storing up earthly treasure, recalling the rich fool and the rich young man.
62. 16.2Chromatius explains that treasure is laid up in heaven by works of mercy and giving to the poor, as Christ told the rich young man.
63. 16.3Chromatius explains that those who store treasure in heaven keep their hearts there, and cites Paul's instruction to the rich.
64. 17.1Chromatius interprets the eye as the lamp of the body, meaning faith, which lights the Christian's way; the heretic, having lost it, lives in great darkness.
65. 17.2Chromatius interprets the eye also as the bishop, whose faith and life give light or darkness to the whole church.
66. 17.3Chromatius explains that no one can serve two masters, God and the devil, and that mammon is the avarice the devil inspires.
67. 17.4Chromatius concludes that one cannot love both God and the devil, the author of avarice, and must obey the one who calls to life.