Augustine of Hippo : Without the cornerstone which is Christ, I do not see how men can be built into a house of God, to contain God dwelling in them, without being born again, which cannot happen before they are born the first time. — LETTERS 187.31 Bede : For this reason, Scripture says: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, etc. He cites this testimony from Isaiah to confirm what he had previously stated: To whom coming as to a living stone, establishing and affirming that the Lord Savior is called a stone by the prophets because of his firmness. And he added: — Commentary on the Catholic Epistles Bede : And everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. Because of this, he states what he said: And you, as living stones, are being built up. It fittingly agrees with the apostle's words: coming to a living stone or believing in him, you will not be put to shame; and with the verse from the psalm, where it is said: Draw near to him and be enlightened (Psalms 34), immediately followed by, And your faces shall not be ashamed (Ibid.). Similar to what John says: And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2). — Commentary on the Catholic Epistles Bede : This is made the cornerstone. Because just as a cornerstone joins two walls, the Lord united the Jewish people and the Gentiles in one society of faith. And immediately he adds about the unbelievers: — Commentary on the Catholic Epistles Cyril of Alexandria : Peter calls our Lord Jesus Christ a chosen and precious stone, fashioned by the glory and splendor of divinity. He calls it the cornerstone, because through one faith it binds together in unity the two peoples, Israel and the Gentiles. — CATENA Hilary of Arles : Everything in this prophecy is written about Christ. There are many living stones in God's temple, but here we are contemplating only the One. — INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER Methodius of Olympus : Thou art He who, for our salvation, was made the head stone of the corner, precious and honourable, declared before to Sion. — Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Philoxenus of Mabbug : And it is seemly for us first of all to uproot wickedness, and then to lay in ourselves the foundation of the edifice of virtues, in order that the rock may receive our foundation, as it is written, and that on a sure stone may be our building, even as it is said. And in this respect we should be like unto the physicians of our nature who, until they have removed and cleansed the matter from the sore, do not lay upon it the plaster which buildeth up and maketh to grow the living flesh; and so must it be with us also when we have uprooted the matter of the lust of the belly, and have made accusations against its filthy and loathsome forms. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence