Commentary on 1 Peter

Cyril of Alexandria (376–444)

Unbelief is a horrible and wicked thing, but faith is the highest good, for it is the harbinger of our entire salvation.

Peter calls our Lord Jesus Christ a chosen and precious stone, fashioned by the glory and splendor of divinity. He calls it the cornerstone, because through one faith it binds together in unity the two peoples, Israel and the Gentiles.

Since human flesh became that of the Word of God, its subjection to corruption has come to an end. He put an end to the sickness of loving pleasure. The only-begotten Word of God has not done this for himself, for his motive is not his own pleasure, but obviously he has done it for us.

James also said: "If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." It is a great thing to be able to control the tongue, for failure to do so is the greatest of evils.

The one who decides to do this is not doing anything new, nor is he making up some new explanation. Rather he is making clear to those who ask him what his faith in Christ is all about.

See also

• More works by Cyril of Alexandria

Enable JavaScript to read the full text and search the library.