Chrysostom: Homilies on Colossians: Illustrated

by John Chrysostom

In the 4th-century, St. John Chrysostom (347 - 407), the great preacher of Byzantine Constantinople, delivered these twelve sermons on St. Paul's letter to the Colossians, providing a detailed verse-by-verse study of one of the most important letters in the New Testament. The homilies capture the fiery style of preaching characteristic of the early church in Asia Minor. Originally composed and delivered in ancient Greek this English translation is taken from the larger "The homilies of S. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the epistles of S. Paul the Apostle to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians." J. Parker; Rivingtons, 1879. by St. John Chrysostom, translated by John Albert Broadus (1827-1895). The original footnotes and Bible references have been preserved. This version includes illustrations of the Biblical figures mentioned in the epistle.

78 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2026

About the author

John Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death in 407 (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.

The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).

John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.

Reviews

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What zeal! The most earnest of the Church Fathers. He focuses on application. The milieu he's writing in is ancient, but nevertheless familiar. Golden words . . .

[Henry]

Great sermons.

[Adonis McReynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always a fantastic, convicting, and illuminating series of sermons by the golden mouth on a divine letter that gives us essential instruction for life and Godliness.