To Florus 1.87

It is now time to discuss the Gospel's statement. The evangelist John says: “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31–32). That is, our Lord Jesus was telling those who believed in him not to rejoice in worldly nobility or claim glory from Abraham's descent, but to strive and labor for virtue and, after recognizing Christ, to serve no sins. They would thereby retain true freedom with a joyful conscience and, through hope in things that are certain, that is, eternal, be freed from desire for everything else, which because of its fragility is frequently called empty and false.

Then the Jews, not understanding what freedom Jesus meant, answered him: “We are Abraham's offspring and have never been anyone's slaves. How can you say, ‘You will be free’?” (John 8:33). “Freedom” is commonly used in many senses. Here it means holiness. In the apostle it means resurrection, when he says that creation is to be freed from slavery to corruption into the glorious freedom of God's children (Romans 8:21). In its better-known sense it is spoken of in contrast to slavery. The same name is also used for freedom of choice. Let us therefore distinguish the cases, so that things far apart are not confused because they share a name. Here the Lord does not say that freedom of choice needs to be set free. Rather, while it remains intact, he calls on the Jews to receive forgiveness and be freed from guilt, obtaining the freedom that is greatest in God's sight: to begin to owe no debt for crimes.

The evangelist continues: “Jesus answered them, ‘Amen, amen, I tell you: everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. If, then, the Son sets you free, you will be truly free’” (John 8:34–36).