For even in their time, although there were countless wicked men, only
eight, who believed what was proclaimed through the preparation of the ark,
were saved (1 Peter 3:20). And because salvation was through water, he immediately
applies this to the sacred baptism, and says that water prefigured our baptism,
since it also drowns and submerges unbelieving demons and saves the faithful
who come to the ark of the Church. At the same time, he says: Just as water
washes away filth, so does baptism. But it does not effect the removal of
bodily dirt, rather, through a symbol, it demonstrates the washing away of the
stains of the soul. It is, moreover, as it were, a pledge and guarantee of a
good conscience towards God. For those who are well aware of themselves, that
is, who embrace a blameless life and earnestly seek and, as it were, inquire
after it (for those who seek something are accustomed to inquire), these also
hasten to the sacred baptism. And who, he says, provides that divine baptism
should be sought and requested? The resurrection of Christ. For before His
resurrection and passion it is show: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit;”
(Jn. 3:5) but after the resurrection: “Baptizing all nations who come, in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19-20) (Commentary
on the Catholic Epistles by Oecumenius (6th Century) [trans. John Litteral;
2025], 88-89)
“In
which also.” Here, εν ω is taken causally, for “therefore.” For
when Peter had said that he died for us, the unjust, and from this had shown
that he endured death for the salvation of all men, he now says that for this
reason also he preached to those who were held in Hades. “Ο αντιτυπον, etc.” (the context of the Greek words
here is obscure, and therefore rendered in Latin with more words; yet by
rendering the Greek expressions literally, it would be arranged thus:) that
baptism, corresponding to the figures, now also saves you, which is now
not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the επερωτημα of a good conscience,
which is toward God, or according to God. Furthermore, επερωτημα , that is, to the angels, evidently to the united man. (Commentary
on the Catholic Epistles by Oecumenius (6th Century) [trans. John Litteral;
2025], 89-90)
