To Florus 4.85

For the apostle Peter says: “Christ died for us, leaving you an example, so that you might follow his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21–22). The apostle’s statement certainly agrees with the Lord’s voice. The Lord says in the Gospel, “The ruler of this world is coming, and he finds nothing in me” (John 14:30). The teacher of the Church commends the same point, saying there was no offense in Christ. But by truthful testimony he explains why Christ had no sin: “Because,” he says, “he committed no sin.” He did not say, “Because he received no sin,” but, “Because he committed no sin.”