Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 1 · Cyril of Alexandria

013 - Chapter 10 That the Only-begotten is alone by Nature the Son from the Father as being of Him and in

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Cyril of Alexandria argues that “the only begotten God” is “in the bosom of the Father” and not a creature.

1. Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 1, Chapter 10 focuses on John 1:18–26 and Cyril of Alexandria’s reading of “the only begotten God.” 2. Cyril of Alexandria is the main author, and Rev. Philip Edward Pusey is named as translator, which matters because the chapter is presented as a translated patristic text. 3. The episode asks what “the only begotten is alone by nature, the Son from the Father as being of Him and in Him” means in John 1:18. 4. Cyril says the evangelist anticipates objections by comparing John’s language with Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1. 5. He quotes Isaiah’s “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” and Ezekiel’s “likeness of the glory of the Lord” to separate divine essence from visible glory. 6. Cyril argues that “No man hath seen God at any time” means the Father’s essence is not seen by creatures. 7. He says the Son alone is “in the bosom of the Father” and that this language points to essence, generation, and natural Sonship. 8. He rejects the claim that “bosom” simply means love by using Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom and Moses putting his hand into his bosom. 9. Cyril brings in Paul’s phrase “one God the Father” and “one Lord Jesus Christ” to argue that the Son is not among adopted sons or gods by grace. 10. He also cites John’s own words, “the Father loveth the Son,” to keep the discussion tied to the Gospel text. 11. Cyril says the prophetic visions show “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord,” not the divine essence itself. 12. He treats corporal images as a pedagogical bridge, saying visible things are “types of things spiritual.” 13. The chapter then turns to the Jews sending priests and Levites from Jerusalem to question John the Baptist. 14. John answers plainly, “I am not the Christ,” and Cyril treats that confession as a model of truthfulness. 15. When asked, “Art thou Elias?” and “Art thou that prophet?” John answers “I am not” and “No.” 16. Cyril says those questions reveal that the Jews misunderstand Moses, Isaiah, Joel, and the forerunner’s role. 17. He describes the Pharisees as questioning from “conceit of wisdom” and as failing to recognize the Baptist’s prophetic witness. 18. The tone is highly argumentative, with long chains of biblical quotation and repeated rebuttals of rival interpretations. 19. Readers interested in John 1, patristic theology, and Old Testament prooftexts would likely follow this chapter closely. 20. Readers wanting a short, modern-language explanation of the Gospel passage would probably skip it.

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A careful defense of the Son's divine generation, grounded in the Gospel phrase and argued with steady precision.

This chapter argues that the Gospel phrase about the Son in the Father's bosom points to divine generation, not just closeness or affection. It answers the opposing reading by setting it beside Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, showing why the phrase cannot be flattened into love…

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You want one Gospel phrase turned into a careful defense of the Son's relation to the Father.

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