Fragments on Matthew · §74 · Cyril of Alexandria

Matthew 7:11

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He calls “good gifts” (Matthew 7:11) the spiritual gifts. Luke said “Holy Spirit” (Luke 11:13) instead of “goods,” and there is no difference: the Holy Spirit is what is good by nature. That is why he also gives goods to those who share in him.

But for those who are very wicked, because they sin without yielding, badness becomes in a way a nature for them — as with Satan and the demons. One may even call these bad by nature, though they were not created bad by nature, but hardened from self-chosen badness.

Greek

∆όματα δὲ ἀγαθὰ καλεῖ τὰς πνευματικὰς δωρεάς, ὁ δὲ Λουκᾶς "πνεῦμα ἅγιον" εἶπεν ἀντὶ τοῦ εἰπεῖν ἀγαθά. καὶ οὐδὲν τὸ διάφορον· τὸ γὰρ "ἅγιον πνεῦμα" αὐτό ἐστι τὸ φύσει ἀγαθόν. διὸ καὶ τοῖς μετό χοις δίδωσιν ἀγαθά. τοῖς δὲ ἄγαν πονηροῖς διὰ τὸ ἀνενδότως ἁμαρ τάνειν τρόπον τινὰ φύσις αὐτοῖς ἡ κακία γίνεται, οἷός ἐστιν ὁ σατανᾶς καὶ οἱ δαίμονες· δύναται γάρ τις καὶ τούτους φύσει κακοὺς εἰπεῖν, καίπερ μὴ φύσει κακοὺς δημιουργηθέντας, ἀλλ' ἐξ αὐτοπροαιρέτου κακίας ἀπε σκληκότας.

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