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Theodoret of Cyrus

5th century · AD 458 · Eastern & Byzantine · 1,394 passages

Background on Theodoret of Cyrus

In his own words on 1 Corinthians

  • 1 Corinthians 1:1

    Paul is saying in effect: "You Corinthians have been called by men, but I have been called by God." I think that Sosthenes was a Corinthian. He is mentioned in Acts [18:17], where Luke says that in the time of Gallio the Greeks arrested him and beat him.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 165

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    Everything Paul mentions here is meant to be a remedy for the disease of schism. They are meant to heal division and display the church's unity.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 165

  • 1 Corinthians 1:3

    Paul says that Christ is their benefactor as well as the Father, demonstrating that the two are one.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 166

  • 1 Corinthians 1:4

    Paul takes care to sweeten their ears before starting to admonish them. What he says is true, however: He gives thanks to God because of the gifts which have been given to them.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 166

  • 1 Corinthians 1:8

    By saying that he hopes that they will be guiltless in the day of Christ Jesus, Paul is indicating that right now they are guilty.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 167

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Paul was right to add the name of Christ here, because that is what the Corinthians were really rejecting.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 167

  • 1 Corinthians 1:11

    Perhaps there was a family at Corinth called Chloe, but Paul does not give any details so as not to reveal their identity and start more quarreling.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 168

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    In reality the Corinthians called themselves after other teachers, but Paul uses his own name and that of Apollos and Peter in order to make his point. By adding the name of Christ to the rest, he showed them how ridiculous the whole conflict was.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 168

  • 1 Corinthians 1:17

    Anyone can baptize if he is a priest, but preaching is a gift given to few, and it must not be confused with mere eloquence, which is purely superficial.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 169

  • 1 Corinthians 1:19

    Paul speaks about the wisdom of this world and not merely the eloquence, for God has given it also. It was God who divided the languages and gave each one its own character. It was he who gave the Greek language its splendor. But those who abuse these gifts have prepared food for deception and have preached false tales. What Paul objects to is not their eloquence as such but the false teaching which lies behind it.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 170-71

  • 1 Corinthians 1:21

    Paul enumerates two or even three different kinds of wisdom here. First there is what the world calls folly, wisdom greater than the others. Then there is the wisdom given to human beings by which we reason and act, by which we develop and invent things and by which we can know God. Finally, there is a third kind of wisdom, which is found in the contemplation of the creation. The wisdom which is folly to the world is given to us by the Savior, so that people who know God by natural wisdom and who are led to him by contemplating the created order may attain the salvation which neither of these kinds of wisdom can provide and be delivered from error.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 171

  • 1 Corinthians 1:26

    Paul did not say that there was nobody like this in the church, only that there were not many.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 173

  • 1 Corinthians 1:29

    If Paul had chosen only the most eloquent and gifted people as preachers they would have gloried in their own abilities and been damned for it, whether they preached the truth or not.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 173

  • 1 Corinthians 2:7

    Paul does not mean that he is now communicating in secrets and riddles but that the message he preaches was once hidden.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 175

  • 1 Corinthians 2:8

    God forgave Pilate, Herod, Annas, Caiaphas and the rest for their ignorance at the time of the crucifixion, but after Christ had risen and ascended into heaven, and the Holy Spirit had come, and the apostles had performed many miracles, he handed them over for punishment, because they persisted in their unbelief.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 176

  • 1 Corinthians 2:10

    Whoever has received the revelation of the Spirit has also received the Spirit's understanding.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 177

  • 1 Corinthians 2:12

    Paul shows by saying this that the Holy Spirit is not a creature but has his own divine nature.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 178

  • 1 Corinthians 2:13

    This does not mean that Paul did not have any human wisdom but that he preached in the wisdom of the Spirit.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 178

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    The unspiritual man is one who is happy enough with his own ideas and who neither accepts nor understands the teaching of the Spirit.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 178

  • 1 Corinthians 2:15

    The person who has received the Spirit's gift is equipped to teach others. Otherwise what he says is of no value at all.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 179

  • 1 Corinthians 2:16

    Paul demonstrates with sufficient clarity that there is nothing lacking in God's teaching. It is not simply that it contains the sum of all knowledge, but God also imparts wisdom so that we may understand it properly.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 179

  • 1 Corinthians 3:2

    Paul is saying that he adjusted the level of his teaching to their lack of understanding.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 179

  • 1 Corinthians 3:7

    Our labor is in vain without the help of God.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 180

  • 1 Corinthians 3:10

    We need to build on the foundation, not overthrow it.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 181

  • 1 Corinthians 3:12

    Some people think that this refers to the development of Christian doctrine, but a glance at the context will show that Paul is talking about morals and behavior here.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 182

  • 1 Corinthians 3:15

    The teacher teaches what is right. Some follow him; others do not. Those who follow will be like gold and silver—purified by the fire and shining when they emerge from it. The others will be burned up. But the teacher will not lose anything by this. If he has been faithful, he will receive his reward regardless.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 183

  • 1 Corinthians 3:19

    The wisdom of this world is that which lacks the grace of God. It is purely human in character.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 184

  • 1 Corinthians 4:2

    No banker plays fast and loose with other people's deposits. Rather he looks after them in order to keep them safe for the one who has entrusted them to him.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 188

  • 1 Corinthians 4:3

    Paul accuses the Corinthians of two things. First, they exaggerate their praise, and second, they condemn others when they have no right to judge.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 186

  • 1 Corinthians 4:4

    If I am unable to judge myself, how shall I presume to judge others?

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 187

  • 1 Corinthians 4:9

    The angels marvel at the apostles' fortitude. As for human beings, some rejoice in the apostles' afflictions, while others are moved to pity but have no help to offer.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 189

  • 1 Corinthians 4:16

    By this Paul meant that if he was humble, they should also be humble. What he was prepared to suffer, they should be prepared to suffer. They were to glory in their hardships, not in their blessings.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 190

  • 1 Corinthians 4:20

    It is not enough to preach the kingdom of God in order to be saved; one must also behave in a way which is worthy of the kingdom.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 191

  • 1 Corinthians 5:3

    None would expect anything else, implies Paul, once again showing how important the matter was.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 192

  • 1 Corinthians 5:5

    We are taught by this that the devil invades those who are separated from the body of the church because he finds them deprived of grace.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 193

  • 1 Corinthians 5:9

    Paul is not referring to another letter but to this one, for he has just said that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 193

  • 1 Corinthians 5:11

    Obviously if we are not to eat ordinary food with such people, we are not to admit them to the Lord's table either.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 194

  • 1 Corinthians 6:3

    By "angels" here, Paul means demons who once were angels.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 195

  • 1 Corinthians 6:6

    This in no way contradicts Romans [13], where Paul tells people to respect the magistrates. He is not telling us to resist secular authorities, but rather we should not appeal to them.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 195

  • 1 Corinthians 6:7

    By saying all this Paul is showing that the Corinthians were doing the exact opposite.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 196

  • 1 Corinthians 6:12

    Now that we are no longer under the law, we have the freedom to make choices, but we need to realize that some choices are right and others wrong.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 19.7

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18

    Note that Paul did not say that we should hate immorality, but that we should shun it as people who are aware of the perniciousness of evil.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 198

  • 1 Corinthians 7:1

    The Corinthians were asking Paul whether it was right for lawfully married Christians, once they were baptized, to enjoy sexual relations with each other. Paul answered by praising chastity, condemning fornication and allowing conjugal relations.

    Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians 200

  • 1 Corinthians 7:3

    Human laws demand that women be chaste and if they are not they are punished for it, but they do not demand the same from men. Since it was men who made the laws, they did not make themselves equal with woman but allowed themselves extra indulgence. The holy apostle, however, inspired by divine grace, was the first one who made the law of chastity apply to men as well.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 201

  • 1 Corinthians 7:5

    If a woman stays away from her husband, she will make him angry, and vice versa. That is why Paul insists that it must be by mutual consent.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 201

  • 1 Corinthians 7:7

    Paul comforts those who are married by saying that marriage is a gift of God.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 202

  • 1 Corinthians 7:10

    Here Paul recalls the words of the Lord [in Matthew 5:32]: "Whoever puts away his wife, except for fornication, makes her an adulteress."

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 204

  • 1 Corinthians 7:15

    The believing partner is not to be the cause of the divorce. But if the unbelieving partner wants to separate, the believing partner is innocent and free from any accusation.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 205

  • 1 Corinthians 7:21

    Paul is saying that no slave should run away, using religion as his excuse.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 207

  • 1 Corinthians 7:40

    Note that Paul does not say that a woman who contracts a second marriage will be unhappy. Rather he says that she will be happier if she remains single. It is all a matter of degree.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 212

  • 1 Corinthians 8:2

    Paul shows not only that they have no love but that they have no knowledge either.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 215

  • 1 Corinthians 8:6

    Note once more the apostle's wisdom. For having first demonstrated that the words Lord and God are synonymous, he then splits them up, calling the Father one and the Son the other.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 215

  • 1 Corinthians 8:11

    Paul magnifies the accusation in order to prevent people from committing the crime.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 217

  • 1 Corinthians 9:3

    Paul says that if anyone wants to examine his works, let him look at the Corinthians, for they are a sufficient witness to his labors.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 219

  • 1 Corinthians 10:1

    The cloud is the grace of the Holy Spirit, while the sea represents baptism.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 226

  • 1 Corinthians 10:10

    Some of the Corinthians were grumbling that they had only received the lesser spiritual gifts, when they wanted them all.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 227

  • 1 Corinthians 10:19

    Paul does not want anyone to think that sacrifices as such have any power or that they can corrupt the one who eats them afterward.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 229

  • 1 Corinthians 11:8

    Man has the first place because of the order of creation.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 234

  • 1 Corinthians 11:9

    This is all that is needed to demonstrate the primacy of the man, for the woman was created to serve him, not the other way round.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 234

  • 1 Corinthians 11:20

    The Lord's Supper is the sacrament of the Lord. Everyone participates equally in it, whether they are poor or rich, slaves or lords, rulers or ruled. Common tables must at all costs be truly common so as to imitate the table of the Lord, which is open to all equally.

    COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 236-37

Quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations of the fathers — Aquinas's Catena Aurea, the Ante-Nicene and Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, and related editions. Each quotation links to its source.