One of the most famous expositors of the early church; so highly regarded was he they nicknamed him chrysostom, i.e., "the golden mouth." A hermit of the Antiochian school, John was appointed a deacon of the church in Antioch, Syria, in 381, and then priest five years later.
He made his mark as an expositor, first on Genesis, and then on various NT books, in the church in Antioch. He was strongly opposed towards allegorical exposition, insisting that the text of Scriptures must be understood literally. His exposition is marked by insights into the spiritual significance of the texts as well as practical relevance.
He was made bishop of Constantinople in 398. His plain speaking, however, brushed up the wrong side of the Empress, Eudoxia, as well as Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria; banished from the city, he was, however, recalled, only to be exiled again. He died in exile in Pontus.
Further Readings:
J. N. D. Kelly, Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1995.
Wendy Mayer and Paul Allen, John Chrysostom. London: Routledge, 2000.
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