THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
However, it also contaminates anyone affected by it, whether through involuntary or arbitrary means, stemming from an inherent impulse. I refer to involuntary actions as those that occur during marital intimacy, following the principles of marriage, while involuntary actions can also happen in dreams during the night. As it is noted, “If any man shall have an outpouring of seed, he shall wash his whole body with water, and he shall be unclean until evening; if a man lie with a woman, and shall have an outpouring of seed, they shall wash themselves with water, and they shall be unclean until evening”: both circumstances bear the same weight of guilt, as there is no distinction between them.
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Thus, in the act of seed being poured out, we observe what could be seen as a continuous and enduring condition; in the context we are discussing, the purpose of the law appears to indicate that one who is not entirely corrupt but only partially impure is still considered defiled. This point was highlighted by the disciple of the Lord: “Whoever,” he states, “keeps the whole law, and sins in one thing, becomes guilty of all things. For the same One who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, also said, Thou shalt not kill; therefore if thou shalt not commit adultery, but kill, thou art also a transgressor of the law” (James 2:10-11). Therefore, as soon as someone sins, whether they have violated the entire law or just one aspect, they are culpable in all matters. Thus, one is regarded as unclean under the law if they participate in defilement, even if it is just partially. However, they are not completely cast aside but can be cleansed through the water in Christ; for it is evident that the coming of Christ is signified by the fact that the defiled individual remains unclean until evening, as the end and near culmination of this age is when Christ appeared. Through Him, we are purified from all unrighteousness, and despite being burdened by transgressions, we receive deliverance from both minor and serious sins. It was previously impossible to be cleansed from impurity before the Lord's arrival, as no one was justified by the law according to Scriptures, as evidenced by the phrase, “he shall not be clean until the evening.” Palladius replied, I comprehend your statement, and your assertion is indeed accurate.