Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 5
Gregory of Nyssa — Dogmatic Treatises
SECTION 121
But if he should still answer with regard to this opposition (of the Divine names), that it is only the term Father, and the term Creator, t
But if he should still answer with regard to this opposition (of the Divine names), that it is only the term Father, and the term Creator, that are applied to God as expressing production, both words being so applied, as he says, because of an operation, then he will cut short our long discussion of this subject, by thus concedi…
2,340 wordsSECTION 122Such are the clever discoveries of Eunomius against the truth. For what need is there to go through all his argument with trifling prolixity
Such are the clever discoveries of Eunomius against the truth. For what need is there to go through all his argument with trifling prolixity? For in every instance you may see an attempt to establish the same futility. For instance, by an implication such as that above, what is true and what is just will be found opposed to each…
2,274 wordsSECTION 123But let us leave this, and along with it the usual foul deluge of calumny in his words; and let us go on to his subsequent quotations (of Ba
But let us leave this, and along with it the usual foul deluge of calumny in his words; and let us go on to his subsequent quotations (of Basil). But I think it would perhaps be well to pass without examination over most of these subsequent words. For in all of them he shows himself the same, not grappling with that which we hav…
2,258 wordsSECTION 124When, then, he is on the point of introducing this treatment of terms of "privation," he takes upon himself to show "the incurable absurdity
When, then, he is on the point of introducing this treatment of terms of "privation," he takes upon himself to show "the incurable absurdity," as he calls it, of our teaching, and its "simulated and culpable caution [1201] ." Such is his promise; but the proof of these accusations is, what? "Some have said that the Deity is unge…
2,223 wordsSECTION 125Thus much, then, is known to us about the names uttered in any form whatever in reference to the Deity. We have given a simple explanation o
Thus much, then, is known to us about the names uttered in any form whatever in reference to the Deity. We have given a simple explanation of them, unencumbered with argument, for the benefit of our candid hearers; as for Eunomius' nerveless contentions about these names, we judge it a thing disgraceful and unbecoming to us seri…
2,434 wordsSECTION 126But it is time now to expose that angry accusation which he brings against us at the close of his treatise, saying that we affirm the Father
But it is time now to expose that angry accusation which he brings against us at the close of his treatise, saying that we affirm the Father to be from what is absolutely non-existent. Stealing an expression from its context, from which he drags it, as from its surrounding body, into a naked isolation, he tries to carp at it by …
2,276 wordsSECTION 127[1074] i.e.who hold the Father and the Son to be one and the same Person, i.e. Sabellians. "He here overthrows the heresy of Sabellius, by m
[1074] i.e.who hold the Father and the Son to be one and the same Person, i.e. Sabellians. "He here overthrows the heresy of Sabellius, by marking the persons of the Father and the Son: for the Church does not imagine a Son-Fatherhood (uiopatorian), such as the figment of that African" (Ammonius caten. ad Joh. I. i. p. 14). [10…
2,300 wordsSECTION 128[1131] Job xxvi. 7.
[1131] Job xxvi. 7. [1132] Exod. ii. 10. [1133] Gen. xxv. 26. [1134] Gen. xxxviii. 29. [1135] Gen. xxix. 32-35 [1136] Gen. i. 26. [1137] Job xiv. 1. brotos gar gennetos gunaikos, oligobios kai pleres orges. [1138] Gal. iii. 13. [1139] Heb. ix. 13. [1140] Gen. xlix. 9. [1141] Hosea xiii. 3. [1142] Hosea xiii. 7. [1143…
2,289 wordsSECTION 129[1212] This cannot have been written earlier than 384. The preceding twelve books, of which an instalment only was read to Gregory the Nazia
[1212] This cannot have been written earlier than 384. The preceding twelve books, of which an instalment only was read to Gregory the Nazianzene and others during the Council of Constantinople, 381, must have occupied him a considerable time: and there may have been an interval after that before this essay was composed. [1213]…
2,384 wordsSECTION 130Since, then, it has been affirmed, and truly affirmed, that the Spirit is of the Divine Essence, and since in that one word "Divine" every i
Since, then, it has been affirmed, and truly affirmed, that the Spirit is of the Divine Essence, and since in that one word "Divine" every idea of greatness, as we have said, is involved, it follows that he who grants that Divinity has potentially granted [1234] all the rest;--the gloriousness, the omnipotence, everything indica…
2,541 wordsSECTION 131This is the view we take, after the unprofessional way usual with us; and we reject all these elaborate sophistries of our adversaries, beli
This is the view we take, after the unprofessional way usual with us; and we reject all these elaborate sophistries of our adversaries, believing and confessing as we do, that in every deed and thought, whether in this world, or beyond this world, whether in time or in eternity, the Holy Spirit is to be apprehended as joined to …
2,538 wordsSECTION 132So that if these despisers and impugners of their very own life conceive of the gift as a little one, and decree accordingly to slight the B
So that if these despisers and impugners of their very own life conceive of the gift as a little one, and decree accordingly to slight the Being who imparts the gift, let them be made aware that they cannot limit to one Person only their ingratitude, but must extend its profanity beyond the Holy Spirit to the Holy Trinity Itself…
2,484 wordsSECTION 133[1221] Macedonius had been a very eminent Semi-Arian doctor. He was deposed from the See of Constantinople, A.D. 360: and it was actually th
[1221] Macedonius had been a very eminent Semi-Arian doctor. He was deposed from the See of Constantinople, A.D. 360: and it was actually the influence of the Eunomians that brought this about. He went into exile and formed his sect. He considered the Holy Spirit as "a divine energy diffused throughout the universe: and not a pe…
2,384 wordsSECTION 134Well, what is their charge? There are two brought forward together in the accusation against us; one, that we divide the Persons; the other,
Well, what is their charge? There are two brought forward together in the accusation against us; one, that we divide the Persons; the other, that we do not employ any of the names which belong to God in the plural number, but (as I said already) speak of the goodness as one, and of the power, and the Godhead, and all such attrib…
2,388 wordsSECTION 135But if any one were to call this appellation indicative of dignity, I cannot tell by what reasoning he drags the word to this significance.
But if any one were to call this appellation indicative of dignity, I cannot tell by what reasoning he drags the word to this significance. Since however one may hear many saying things of this kind, in order that the zeal of its opponents may not find a ground for attacking the truth, we go out of our way with those who take th…
2,314 wordsSECTION 136Most men think that the word "Godhead" is used in a peculiar degree in respect of nature: and just as the heaven, or the sun, or any other o
Most men think that the word "Godhead" is used in a peculiar degree in respect of nature: and just as the heaven, or the sun, or any other of the constituent parts of the universe are denoted by proper names which are significant of the subjects, so they say that in the case of the Supreme and Divine nature, the word "Godhead" i…
2,411 wordsSECTION 137If, then, every good thing and every good name, depending on that power and purpose which is without beginning, is brought to perfection in
If, then, every good thing and every good name, depending on that power and purpose which is without beginning, is brought to perfection in the power of the Spirit through the Only-begotten God, without mark of time or distinction (since there is no delay, existent or conceived, in the motion of the Divine will from the Father, …
1,945 wordsSECTION 138God commands us by His prophet not to esteem any new God to be God, and not to worship any strange God [1323] . Now it is clear that that is
God commands us by His prophet not to esteem any new God to be God, and not to worship any strange God [1323] . Now it is clear that that is called new which is not from everlasting, and on the contrary, that is called everlasting which is not new. He, then, who does not believe that the Only-begotten God is from everlasting of …
2,201 wordsSECTION 139Preface.
[1340] 1 Cor. xii. 11. [1341] Cf. Amos iv. 13 (LXX.). [1342] S. John iii. 6 [1343] 1 Cor. xii. 3. II.--Ascetic and Moral. Preface. ------------------------ A few words are necessary to explain the scope and aim of this remarkable treatise. It is not the work of one who held a brief for monasticism. Gregory deals with the …
700 wordsSECTION 140Introduction.
Introduction. The object of this treatise is to create in its readers a passion for the life according to excellence. There are many distractions [1344] , to use the word of the Divine Apostle, incident to the secular life; and so this treatise would suggest, as a necessary door of entrance to the holier life, the calling of Vi…
1,232 wordsSECTION 141Chapter II.
Chapter II. Deep indeed will be the thought necessary to understand the surpassing excellence of this grace. It is comprehended in the idea of the Father incorrupt; and here at the outset is a paradox, viz. that virginity is found in Him, Who has a Son and yet without passion has begotten Him. It is included too in the nature o…
807 wordsSECTION 142Chapter III.
Chapter III. Would indeed that some profit might come to myself from this effort! I should have undertaken this labour with the greater readiness, if I could have hope of sharing, according to the Scripture, in the fruits of the plough and the threshing-floor; the toil would then have been a pleasure. As it is, this my knowledg…
3,026 wordsSECTION 143Chapter IV.
[1351] epistrephomeno ten halona. This word is used for "walking over," in Hesiod, Theogon. 753, gaian epistrephetai [1352] heteron, following Cod. Reg., for hekateron. [1353] huper tou allou (a late use of allos). This was Livineius' conjecture for ton allon: the interchange of u and n is a common mistake. [1354] There is a …
2,709 wordsSECTION 144Chapter V.
[1360] en tois prolabousin. Galesinius' Latin seems wrong here, "rebus iis quas supra meminimus," though the words often have that force in Gregory. [1361] Ps. xxiv. 1; xlvii. 7. [1362] Ps. xxiv. 1; xlvii. 7. [1363] Eccles. i. 4. [1364] 1 Pet. i. 24. [1365] S. Matt. xxiv. 35. [1366] 2 Cor. v. 4. [1367] Ps. cxx. 5, 6 (LXX.…
935 wordsSECTION 145Chapter VII.
Chapter VII. An illustration will make our teaching on this subject clearer. Imagine a stream flowing from a spring and dividing itself off into a number of accidental channels. As long as it proceeds so, it will be useless for any purpose of agriculture, the dissipation of its waters making each particular current small and fe…
1,775 wordsSECTION 146Chapter IX.
Chapter IX. Custom is indeed in everything hard to resist. It possesses an enormous power of attracting and seducing the soul. In the cases where a man has got into a fixed state of sentiment, a certain imagination of the good is created in him by this habit; and nothing is so naturally vile but it may come to be thought both d…
1,584 wordsSECTION 147Chapter XI.
Chapter XI. Now those who take a superficial and unreflecting view of things observe the outward appearance of anything they meet, e.g. of a man, and then trouble themselves no more about him. The view they have taken of the bulk of his body is enough to make them think that they know all about him. But the penetrating and scie…
1,961 wordsSECTION 148Chapter XII.
Chapter XII. This reasoning and intelligent creature, man, at once the work and the likeness of the Divine and Imperishable Mind (for so in the Creation it is written of him that "God made man in His image [1410] "), this creature, I say, did not in the course of his first production have united to the very essence of his natur…
2,058 wordsSECTION 149Chapter XIII.
Chapter XIII. But seeing that Paradise is the home of living spirits, and will not admit those who are dead in sin, and that we on the other hand are fleshly, subject to death, and sold under sin [1430] , how is it possible that one who is a subject of death's empire should ever dwell in this land where all is life? What method…
1,545 wordsSECTION 150Chapter XIV.
Chapter XIV. But if we apprehend at last the perfection of this grace, we must understand as well what necessarily follows from it; namely that it is not a single achievement, ending in the subjugation of the body, but that in intention it reaches to and pervades everything that is, or is considered, a right condition of the so…
1,287 wordsSECTION 151Chapter XVI.
Chapter XVI. There is only one right path. It is narrow and contracted. It has no turnings either on the one side or the other. No matter how we leave it, there is the same danger of straying hopelessly away. This being so, the habit which many have got into must be as far as possible corrected; those, I mean, who while they fi…
719 wordsSECTION 152Chapter XVII.
Chapter XVII. Let that which was then said by our Lord be the general maxim for every life; especially let it be the maxim for those who are coming nearer God through the gateway of virginity, that they should never in watching for a perfection in one direction present an unguarded side in another and contrary one; but should i…
2,132 wordsSECTION 153Chapter XIX.
Chapter XIX. But besides other things the action of Miriam the prophetess also gives rise to these surmisings of ours. Directly the sea was crossed she took in her hand a dry and sounding timbrel and conducted the women's dance [1474] . By this timbrel the story may mean to imply virginity, as first perfected by Miriam; whom in…
778 wordsSECTION 154Chapter XX.
Chapter XX. Now it is impossible, as far as manual exercise goes, to ply two arts at once; for instance, husbandry and sailing, or tinkering and carpentering. If one is to be honestly taken in hand, the other must be left alone. Just so, there are these two marriages for our choice, the one effected in the flesh, the other in t…
1,026 wordsSECTION 155Chapter XXI.
Chapter XXI. It is perfectly clear that no one can come near the purity of the Divine Being who has not first himself become such; he must therefore place between himself and the pleasures of the senses a high strong wall of separation, so that in this his approach to the Deity the purity of his own heart may not become soiled …
1,561 wordsSECTION 156Chapter XXIII.
Chapter XXIII. Now the details of the life of him who has chosen to live in such a philosophy as this, the things to be avoided, the exercises to be engaged in, the rules of temperance, the whole method of the training, and all the daily regimen which contributes towards this great end, has been dealt with in certain written ma…
1,580 wordsSECTION 157Chapter XXIV.
Chapter XXIV. It would therefore be to their profit, for the young to refrain from laying down [1519] for themselves their future course in this profession; and indeed, examples of holy lives for them to follow are not wanting in the living generation [1520] . Now, if ever before, saintliness abounds and penetrates our world; b…
1,737 wordsSECTION 158Chapter XXIV.
Every essayist and every pamphleteer will have you, most Excellent, to display his eloquence upon; your wondrous qualities will be a broad race-course wherein he may expatiate. A noble and suggestive subject in able hands has indeed a way of making a grander style, lifting it to the height of the great reality. We, however, like…
2,352 wordsSECTION 159For my part, in view of the difficulties of the subject proposed, I think the exclamation of the Apostle very suitable to the present case,
For my part, in view of the difficulties of the subject proposed, I think the exclamation of the Apostle very suitable to the present case, just as he uttered it over unfathomable questions: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For …
2,782 wordsSECTION 160Having, then, all these considerations in our view, we hold that the soul of him who has reached every virtue in his course, and the soul of
Having, then, all these considerations in our view, we hold that the soul of him who has reached every virtue in his course, and the soul of him whose portion of life has been simply nothing, are equally out of the reach of those sufferings which flow from wickedness. Nevertheless we do not conceive of the employment of their li…
2,375 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.