Commentary on the Gospel according to S. John, Volume 1
Overview
Cyril of Alexandria was a theologian, bishop, Church Father, and Doctor of the Church. Although his reputation is marked with controversy, Cyril is most remembered for his intelligent writing, his strong condemnation of heresy, and the Nestorian Schism. The dispute between Cyril and Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, over different Christological views was decided in favor of Cyril at the First Council of Ephesus in 431 and the Council of Chalcedon in 451. Churches supporting Nestorius’ teachings split from the Orthodox church, forming their own denominations. Cyril’s Commentary on the Gospel of S. John is a powerful demonstration of Cyril’s views on Christ and the person and nature of Christ, and is a major exegetical accomplishment of fifth-century biblical interpretation.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Interested in more? Be sure to check out Works of St. Cyril of Alexandria (6 vols.).
Top Highlights
“I die (He says) for all, that I may quicken all by Myself, and I made My Flesh a Ransom for the flesh of all. For death shall die in My Death, and with Me shall rise again (He says) the fallen nature of man. For for this became I like to you, Man (that is) and of the seed of Abraham, that I might be made like in all things unto My brethren.” (Page 409)
“It needed therefore that that in us which was specially imperilled, should with the greater zeal9 be restored, and by intertwining again with Life That is by Nature be recalled to immortality: it needed that at length the sentence, Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return should be relaxed, the fallen body being united ineffably to the Word That quickeneth all things. For it needed that becoming His Flesh, it should partake of the immortality that is from Him.” (Page 109)
“But wine failed the feasters; for the law perfected nothing, the Mosaic writing sufficed not for perfect enjoyment, but neither did the measure of implanted sobriety9 reach forth so as to be able to save us. It was therefore true to say of us too, They have no wine. But the Bounteous1 God doth not overlook our nature worn out with want of good things. He set forth wine better than the first,* for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. And the law hath no perfection in good things, but the Divine instructions of Gospel teaching bring in fullest blessing.” (Page 158)
“But the Son is in the Father, and of the Father, not as made externally, nor in time, but being in the Essence of the Father and flashing forth from Him, as from the sun its radiance, or as from fire its innate heat. For in such examples, one may see one thing generated of another, but yet ever co-existing and inseparable, so that one cannot exist of itself apart from the other, and yet preserve the true condition of its own nature.” (Page 13)
- Title: Commentary on the Gospel according to S. John: Volume 1
- Author: Cyril of Alexandria
- Pages: 1,492
- Christian Group: Anglican/Episcopalian
- Resource Type: Commentaries
- Topic: Biblical Studies
Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. His uncle, Pope Theophilus of Alexandria, was Patriarch of Alexandria from 385 to 412. Cyril was well educated, wrote extensively, and was a leading figure in the First Council of Ephesus in 431, the third ecumenical council of the early Christian Church. The council convened amid disputes over the teachings of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, and Cyril led the charges of heresy against Nestorius. Nestorius' teachings were condemned by the council, leading to the formation of separate denominations that broke from the Orthodox church.
Cyril of Alexandria is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, and Lutheran Church.