Cyril of Alexandria: Fragments on Matthew · §166

Matthew 16:18

Just as those who, by adding fuel to what is already burning, raise the flame higher, so also those who hastened to destroy Christ’s church, through the persecution, led it forward into greater glory and power. And if, he says, they do not prevail over the church — then he also names another honor.

Greek

Τὸ εἰπεῖν μήποτε ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτοὺς ἐπιτετα μένην ἐμφαίνει δυστροπίαν, πλὴν καὶ ἐπισπωμένου ἐστὶν καὶ ἐρεθίζοντος· δείκνυσι γάρ, ὅτι ἐὰν ἐπιστρέψωσιν, ἰᾶται αὐτούς· διὰ γὰρ τὸ σωθῆναι αὐτοὺς οὕτως λαλεῖ, ἐπεὶ ἔδει αὐτὸν ὅλως μηδὲν λαλῆσαι, ἀλλὰ σιωπᾶν, πλὴν οὐ διὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δόξαν, ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν αὐτῶν σωτηρίαν πάντα ποιεῖ.

About this text

Catena fragments on Matthew (CPG 5206). Contents follow Matthew chapter and verse. Edition fragment numbers stay in About this text and under each passage.

English follows the named copy-text (Aegean/khazarzar Migne PG 72 extract). Other prints were checked as noted; no silent merge of recensions.

Witnesses

English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.