Annotation CCCXV

”Let the word of Christ dwell in you.” — Colossians 3:16

The common [vernacular] Bibles are to be read by all.

Chrysostom, [in] the ninth homily on the epistle to the Colossians, says: “HEAR, I beseech [you], all ye seculars [laity]: procure for yourselves Bibles, the medicines [pharmaka] of the soul; if you wish nothing else, at least acquire the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles, the gospels. Pore over these — nay, not only pore over [them], but take up all, and retain them with the mind.” The Lutherans object this passage to the Catholic bishops, who do not grant to all the reading of the vernacular Bibles, which Chrysostom admonishes to be bought by all the laity. See above, Annotation 152 of this volume.