But not so Paul; rather both soul and body did he use to give up, that they who stoned and beat him with rods, might obtain the kingdom. "For thus," saith he, "Hath Christ taught me to love;" who left behind Him the new commandment concerning love, which also Himself fulfilled in deed. For being Lord of all, and of that Blessed Nature; from men, whom He created out of nothing and on whom He had bestowed innumerable benefits, from these, insulting and spitting on Him, He turned not away, but even became man for their sakes, and conversed with harlots and publicans, and healed the demoniacs, and promised heaven. And after all these things they apprehended and beat him with rods, bound, scourged, mocked, and at last crucified Him. And not even so did He turn away, but even when He was high upon the cross, He saith, "Father, forgive them their sin."
John Chrysostom, 347-407 AD, Homilies on First Corinthians, Homily XXXII, 14 (The Oxford Translation, revised by Rev. Talbot W. Chambers, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Philip Schaff, Henderickson Publishers, 2012, First Series, 12, p. 194).
How can Christ's example help us to love others? How can we build this into our lives?
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