Letter 825: Scripture speaks with precision to those who read carefully.

To Paul. On the passage, "No one snatches them out of his hand." Since you have written: If it is written, "No one snatches them out of my Father's hand," how do many perish? I say that no one is able to snatch from that invincible and unconquered right hand those who through right faith and the most excellent conduct have made themselves its own. But one may be able to deceive them. That is, no one can tear them away by force and tyranny. To Peter. Better than the man who has lived shamefully but is exceedingly capable in speech, is the one who is not naturally gifted in speaking but is brilliant in life, and excels in righteousness and self-control. But if someone shines both in word and in life, this one is beyond compare, acknowledging through deeds that the judgment is real, and refuting those who, from having relaxed in fulfilling the commandments, suppose that the things which will absolutely come to pass have been spoken hyperbolically.