Cyril of Alexandria — Commentary on Scripture

Jeremiah 23:21

We must, however, examine such things carefully. For there assuredly are people who have not been counted worthy of Christ's grace but make the reputation of being saints and honorable an opportunity for gain. Of such one may say that they are bold and shameless hypocrites, who seize honors for themselves, even though God has not called them to it. They praise themselves and imitate the bold doings of the false prophets of old, of whom God said, "I have not sent the prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." And so, too, may he say of these, "I have not sanctified them, but they falsely assume the gift for themselves. They have not been counted worthy of my grace, but they wickedly seize those things that I bestow only on those who are worthy to receive them." These, making a show of fasting, walk sadly with downcast looks, while full of fraud and baseness. And often they pride themselves on letting their nails grow long. They are especially fond of their jaundiced complexion. Though no one compels them, they delight in enduring such misery as people hav…

We must, however, examine such things carefully. For there assuredly are people who have not been counted worthy of Christ's grace but make the reputation of being saints and honorable an opportunity for gain. Of such one may say that they are bold and shameless hypocrites, who seize honors for themselves, even though God has not called them to it. They praise themselves and imitate the bold doings of the false prophets of old, of whom God said, "I have not sent the prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." And so, too, may he say of these, "I have not sanctified them, but they falsely assume the gift for themselves. They have not been counted worthy of my grace, but they wickedly seize those things that I bestow only on those who are worthy to receive them." These, making a show of fasting, walk sadly with downcast looks, while full of fraud and baseness. And often they pride themselves on letting their nails grow long. They are especially fond of their jaundiced complexion. Though no one compels them, they delight in enduring such misery as people have to bear in prison, hanging collars on their necks and even putting shackles on their hands and feet. The Savior has commanded us to avoid such persons, saying, "Beware of those who come to you in sheep's clothing but within are ravening wolves."

COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 55

Jeremiah 23:29

“Fire” is called “the Gospel” and “salvation” is called “preaching,” or “fire” could also refer to participation in the Holy Spirit, which is similar to experiencing fire. And indeed, this is also why the most wise John the Baptist concerning himself and all of us said, “I baptize you with water for repentance” etc., [looking ahead] to our Savior Jesus Christ [who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire]. Rightly, therefore, did Christ say, “I have come to bring fire upon the earth, and I wish that it were already kindled.”

FRAGMENTS ON JEREMIAH IN CATENA

Jeremiah 31:33

It was probable, however, that the holy apostles would perhaps think these things difficult to put into practice. Therefore he who knows all things takes the natural law of self-love as the arbiter of what any one would wish to obtain from another. Treat others, he says, such as you wish them to treat you. If you would have them harsh and unfeeling, fierce and wrathful, revengeful and ill-disposed, treat them this way. But if, on the contrary, you would have them kind and forgiving, do not think it a thing intolerable to be so yourselves. And in the case of those so disposed, the law is perhaps unnecessary, because God writes on our hearts the knowledge of his will. “For in those days,” says the Lord, “I will surely give my laws into their minds and will write them on their hearts.”

COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 29

Jeremiah 44:14

When God inflicts the punishment, no one can save those in harm’s way. Wherever they go, his wrath will follow.

FRAGMENTS ON JEREMIAH IN CATENA

Jeremiah 46:3

Therefore as the prophet Jeremiah has said, Take up arms and shields. Especially as the right hand of God our Savior is invincible in the battle, and as most wise Paul has said, he does not permit people to be tried more than they can bear, but with the trial he will make also the way out, that they may be able to endure patiently.

COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 41

Jeremiah 49:10

Jeremiah refers to these angels as a fortification, although Symmachus interprets this [word] as a message, but one could also consider it in the sense of a “siege.” Taking it this way, God calls together many nations for war as a sign against Idumea and the angels are set in motion by him. And, having been set in motion by God for war, they incite others to fight [with them], as Obadiah says. For the surrounding nations were allied with Israel against Idumea. Therefore, turning to the Idumeans, he says, “See I have made you small among the nations and utterly contemptible. You will fall into calamities, ignorant of what is happening to you because you exalted yourself high above your station. Thus it is true that “Idumea will be deserted” and also what follows, which is said in a similar way by Obadiah: “And the house of Esau will be stubble and [Israel] shall descend on him, and there will be no torch bearer in the house of Esau.” This is similar to the adage we find in the profane books, “No torch bearer was spared by them” referring to those who were cut down and utterly destroye…

Jeremiah refers to these angels as a fortification, although Symmachus interprets this [word] as a message, but one could also consider it in the sense of a “siege.” Taking it this way, God calls together many nations for war as a sign against Idumea and the angels are set in motion by him. And, having been set in motion by God for war, they incite others to fight [with them], as Obadiah says. For the surrounding nations were allied with Israel against Idumea. Therefore, turning to the Idumeans, he says, “See I have made you small among the nations and utterly contemptible. You will fall into calamities, ignorant of what is happening to you because you exalted yourself high above your station. Thus it is true that “Idumea will be deserted” and also what follows, which is said in a similar way by Obadiah: “And the house of Esau will be stubble and [Israel] shall descend on him, and there will be no torch bearer in the house of Esau.” This is similar to the adage we find in the profane books, “No torch bearer was spared by them” referring to those who were cut down and utterly destroyed. For the one who held the torch would go out in front of the fighting army to lead them into battle—and there was no one to carry the law against the hand of this enemy [i.e., the angels].

FRAGMENTS ON JEREMIAH IN CATENA

Jeremiah 50:23

Let us trample Satan under foot. Let us raise the shout of victory over him now that he is thrown and fallen. Let us exult over the crafty reptile, caught in an inextricable snare. Let us, too, say of him in the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! You are found and also caught because you have stood against the Lord.” Long ago, that is, before the time of the advent of Christ the Savior of all, the universal enemy had somewhat grand and terrible notions about himself.… Therefore, as I said, human nature, as victorious in him, wins the crown. And this in ancient times the Son proclaimed, where, by one of the holy prophets, he thus addresses Satan, “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, says the Lord, that destroys all the earth.”

COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12

Jeremiah 50:24

Now had you been truly desirous of learning, you would have heard from him the things that lead on to eternal life; but as you wickedly tempted him, you will hear nothing more than those commands only that were given to them of old time by Moses. For “what,” said he, “is written in the law? How do you read it?” And on the lawyer’s repeating what is enacted in the law, as if to punish his wickedness and reprove his malicious purpose, Christ, as knowing all things, said, “You have answered rightly; do this, and you shall live.” The lawyer has missed his prey; he has shot wide of the mark, his wickedness is unsuccessful, the sting of envy has ceased, the net of deceit is torn asunder, his sowing bears no fruit, his toil gains no profit; and like some ship that misfortune has overwhelmed, he has suffered a bitter wreck. Let us, therefore, cry out against him in the words of Jeremiah, “You are found and caught, because you have stood up against the Lord.”

COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 68

Jeremiah 51:9

Jerusalem here is called Babylon, noted among the surrounding countries as the one who worked the hardest at imitating Babylon, and in no way lagging behind these other countries. Indeed, having arrived at almost a state of perfection in this regard, it tolerated no respect for the law or benefit from prophetic instruction.

FRAGMENTS ON JEREMIAH IN CATENA