THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
However, it also contaminates anyone affected, whether through involuntary means or deliberate actions, arising from an intrinsic impulse. The expression involuntary applies to interactions with one's spouse, in accordance with the marital covenant, as well as to occurrences during dreams at night. For it is stated, “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 cases carry equal weight in their implications of guilt, presenting no distinction. Thus, within the outpouring of seed, we face what may be perceived as a continuous and persistent affliction.
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Yet in this specific instance, the law appears to illustrate that a person, who may not be entirely unclean but is only partially so, is still considered defiled. This concept is affirmed by the disciple of the Lord who states, “Whoever 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). Thus, the moment a person sins, whether by breaking the entire law or transgressing in any one aspect, they are found guilty of all. Consequently, one is rendered unclean under the law not only when reaching the fullest measure of defilement but even when falling short, though partially. Nevertheless, such an individual is not wholly cast off; they find purification through the water offered by Christ. It is evident that the coming of Christ is foreshadowed in that the one who is declared unclean by the law remains so until evening. At the culmination, and nearly at the conclusion of this age, Christ has appeared, in whom and through whom we are cleansed from all unrighteousness of sin, and while burdened by transgressions, we are liberated from both minor and significant sins. Furthermore, prior to the arrival of the Savior, cleansing from impurity was unattainable, as it is written that “he shall not be clean until the evening.” I understand your words, and they resonate with truth.