The identity of the author of the Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum is one of the great mysteries of early Christian literature. While the work was attributed to St. John Chrysostom for over a thousand years, modern scholarship has confirmed that he did not write it.
Here is what we currently know about the “real” author:
The “Pseudo-Chrysostom” Profile
Scholars refer to the author as Pseudo-Chrysostom. From the text itself, we can build a profile of who he likely was:
- Language: He wrote in Latin, not Greek. This is the biggest clue that it wasn’t Chrysostom (who wrote exclusively in Greek).
- Date: He lived in the 5th century (likely between 400–450 AD).
- Location: He was probably located in Illyricum (the Balkans) or perhaps Constantinople, as he shows familiarity with both Latin and Greek cultures but writes primarily for a Latin-speaking audience.
Leading Candidates for Authorship
While the work remains technically anonymous, scholars have proposed a few specific names:
| Candidate | Description |
| Maximinus | An Arian bishop who traveled with the Goths. Some scholars see strong stylistic and theological similarities between his known works and the Opus. |
| Anianus of Celeda | A Latin deacon and supporter of Pelagius. He translated many of Chrysostom’s actual works into Latin, which might explain how his own work got mixed up with Chrysostom’s name. |
| Timothy the Arian | A priest in Constantinople. Some older theories point to him because of the author’s specific knowledge of that city. |
Source:
Introduction to the translation of Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum into English by James A. Kellerman
Thomas C. Oden – Editor
InterVarsity Press, 28 Jul 2010