THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
For those who turn wholeheartedly to God, they completely distance themselves from bowing to unclean spirits and from referring to them as deities; their oaths are sworn solely by God. Upon recognizing the one true and living God, they humble themselves under His authority and petition in worship, remembering Him alone in their lawful oaths, saying: All righteousness and glory belong to Him alone, as He alone is worthy; for all virtuous deeds and all that can be done through His Word for His glory, we must attribute solely to Him. Those who are excommunicated shall be left in disgrace. They shall find justification in the Lord, and through Him, the offspring of Israel will receive honor.
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This statement holds true in every aspect, for the divine message is infallible; those who attempt to sever their spiritual communion with God will inevitably face shame, while those who genuinely love Him are glorified in Him and celebrated for their righteousness. This group encompasses not merely physical Israel but the true descendants of Israel’s promise.
To clarify this passage further, we recognize that the only begotten Word of God appeared on earth in a form similar to ours, as Scripture indicates. He proclaimed freedom to the captives, sight to the blind, healed the brokenhearted, and announced the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18, 19). Although the Jews, having the law as a guide and the holy prophets as secret leaders, ought to have believed in Him, they rejected Him and became engulfed in shame, bearing an irreparable sin that brings disgrace. Hence, it is indeed true that all who turn away from the Lord will be put to shame, for they have heard His declaration: ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins’ (John 8:24). In contrast, those who acknowledged His manifestation were justified by faith and received great and everlasting glory, partaking in the Holy Spirit and being enriched with the honor of divine sonship, as He granted them the right to become children of God (John 1:12); furthermore, possessing a worthy and confident hope of eternal acceptance, they will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
This seed can refer to the children of Israel, with the holy apostles and evangelists recognized as the sons of Israel, being Jewish by lineage, while their spiritual offspring are those who, through them, were led to the knowledge of Christ. Thus, the Apostle Paul stated to those who came to faith through him, ‘For though you may have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 4:15). Furthermore, in various other passages, it is evident that others, who were brought to salvation in Christ through the ministry of the holy apostles, are also recognized as their children.