THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
They who have outgrown their infancy and have been separated from dependence shall experience sorrow for sorrow and hope for hope, yet in small measure, as evidenced by the frailty of their speech, reflected in another tongue. Our earlier examination centered on interpreting the question: To whom shall we declare the calamity, and to whom shall we convey the news? We explained that this emphasizes the holy prophets as if holding the descendants of Israel accountable for their neglect of the truth delivered to them, which failed to bring them any personal improvement, despite the warnings of impending disasters and the promises of comfort shared with them.
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The term calamity refers to the punishments intended for habitual sinners, while the news signifies the honors tied to a hopeful future. Thus, when the Israelites proved unresponsive to the divine messages relayed by the prophets—consisting of forewarnings of judgment and assurances of future grace—the question arose: whom shall we report the calamity to, and whom shall we tell the news? When the sacred prophets appeared to be mute, the Almighty Himself proclaimed His message alongside theirs, stating: Those who have outgrown their infancy and those released from dependency; expect sorrow for sorrow, hope for hope. For He declares that those who disregard divine warnings and indulge in grave disobedience have justly faced rejection, resulting in their separation from salvation in Christ, ultimately leading them to destruction. However, you who, through faith, have attained the understanding of the truth, like those weaned from the nourishment of infancy, having moved beyond tutelage by the law, who once partook of the sustenance meant for babies, but have now matured into a perfect man, reaching the full measure of Christ's stature, are prepared to embrace the fresh proclamation of the gospel of life, aligned with the teachings of Christ. And if you find yourselves facing numerous trials, enduring successive temptations, and experiencing aggression from persecutors, bear them momentarily so that you may be enriched with a hope that exceeds human comprehension; for the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9).
Next, the narrative identifies the first challenge they would encounter. He remarks about their feeble speech and a different language. The prophecy's meaning is clarified through the account in the Acts of the Holy Apostles, where it is described that on the day of Pentecost, all were gathered in unity, and suddenly, a sound arose from heaven like a rushing mighty wind (Acts 2:1, 2). Furthermore, the Gentiles appeared as divided among them like flames, settling upon each. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues as the Spirit prompted them (Acts 2:3, 4). Christ commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to await the promise of the Father until they were empowered from on high (Acts 1:4). They then began to speak to the Israelites and those from foreign nations in the languages bestowed upon them by God. The audience was amazed, asking, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that we hear, each of us in our native language?’, and some accused them of being drunk (Acts 2:7, 13). This aligns with the earlier mention of speaking with feeble voices in varied tongues, as God had proclaimed, saying, I will speak to this people with stammering lips and another tongue, and they will not heed Me (1 Cor. 14:21). Despite being cognizant of this divine sign, they rejected it, remaining steadfast in their disobedience. God expressed His discontent with the stubbornness of their hearts, declaring: I will send not famine of bread, nor thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord, and they shall wander from sea to sea, seeking the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Am. 8:11, 12). Hence, a spiritual famine descended upon the Israelites; having not accepted by faith the true bread of life that came down from heaven and brings life to the world, they were rightfully deprived of the sustenance provided by God; for man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). They committed a grave transgression against the Savior and Redeemer of all. However, in His goodness, He called the exceedingly sinful (Israel) to repent through the holy apostles. The blessed Peter passionately urged them, proclaiming their denial of the Holy and Righteous One and the execution of the Author of life, while also beseeching God to grant them a murderer instead (Acts 3:14, 15). He continued, And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers (Acts 3:17); therefore repent, each of you, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children (Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38, 39). Thus, he asserted that those who have matured from spiritual infancy and have been ordained to minister the new teachings will clearly communicate what rest awaits the greedy and what destruction lies ahead, but they did not listen. Consequently, one of the saints, filled with righteous anger, rebuked them: O stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). See how, despite their immense ungodliness, they had the holy Apostles leading them toward repentance and revealing beneficial knowledge, yet they displayed arrogance and profound insensitivity, persistently inclined toward stubbornness and rebellion.