Good thing Quote by Joseph Pohle
““following passage from St. Chrysostom (+ 407) has become a veritable classic : " The dispensation of the things that are in heaven God hath not given to angels or to archangels ; for not to these was it said : ' Whatsoever you shall bind/ etc. (Matth. XVIII, 18). They that rule on earth have indeed also power to bind, but the bodies only ; 17 whereas this bond reaches to the soul itself, and transcends the heavens. 18 And what the priests do be low, the same does God ratify above, and the Lord con firms the sentence of His servants. 19 What then has He given them but all heavenly power? For, He saith, ' Whose sins ye shall remit,' etc. (John XX, 23). What power could be greater than this ? ... It would be mani fest folly to contemn such a great power, without which we could obtain neither salvation nor the good things promised. . . . For not only when they regenerate us [in Baptism], but they [the priests] have also the power to forgive the sins committed after regenera tion." 20 The extent of this power is described as follows by Timothy, the second successor of St. Athanasius in the see of Alexandria (+ 384 ) 21 : " Which sins have no for giveness? None; everything confessed before God " will be forgiven.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Commentary on St. Chrysostom, 407 AD
The passage argues that earthly authorities, especially priests, possess divine authority to bind and forgive sins, a power surpassing that of angels and essential for salvation.
In simple terms: Priests have God‑granted power to forgive sins.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect the spiritual authority of ordained ministers.
Themes
authority
spirituality
forgiveness
hierarchy
Mood
reverent
reflective
Type
theological
historical
didactic
When to use this quote
- Baptism
- confession
- church discipline
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
Divine authority
sacramental theology
ecclesiology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this authority affect personal responsibility?
- Can spiritual authority be misused?
A Different Perspective
The claim may conflict with modern views on individual conscience and institutional power.
![“St. Bruno of Asti, who says: " The first tabernacle, therefore, is the Synagogue; the second, the Church; the third, Heaven. . . . The first was in a shadow and an image, the second is in an image and in truth, and the third [will be] in the truth alone. In the first, life is foreshadowed; in the…” quote by Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7d8/joseph-pohle-3769_life_st-bruno-of-asti-who-says-the-first-tabe_36723.jpg)
