Law and grace in St John Chrysostom's commentary on St Paul's epistle to the Galatians

Abstract

In this dissertation an attempt is made to analyse John Chrysostom's interpretation of the crucial theme of Pauline theology: Law and Grace. Following a general introduction on Chrysostom's exegetical work, which also provides a comperehensive list of all the references to Galatians in Chrysostom's works, the theme is treated under six chapters corresponding exactly to those of the Epistle and of Chrysostom's Commentary, The particular topics emerging from this analysis include, the divine origin of both Law and Grace, the preparatory character of Law and the superiority of Grace, the explanation of the early attitude of the Jerusalem Apostles and of Paul himself to the relation of Law and Grace in contast to that of the false-brethren of Galatia, the examination of the limits and carnal character of the Law in contrast to the potency and spiritual character of Grace, the precise meaning of the superiority of Grace over the Law and, finally the connections between freedom and love with Grace. Chrysostom's doctrine is marked by richness of doctrinal nuances and on several points, as for example on "oeconomy" as a key to understanding the Apostolic approach to the theme of Law and Grace, by original insight. The overall interpretation of Chrysostom, though not radically different from the common interpretation of this Pauline theme in modern scholarship, presents certain features which are typical of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and which could be taken up with profit, not least in the contemporary ecumenical dialogue.