{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/103/1030018.htm","path":"chr/ecf/103/1030018.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/103/1030018.htm","text":"Chapter 11.\u2014By What Rule in the Scriptures It is Understood that the Son is Now Equal and Now Less.\n22. Wherefore, having mastered this rule for interpreting the Scriptures concerning the Son of God, that we are to distinguish in them what relates to the form of God, in which He is equal to the Father, and what to the form of a servant which He took, in which He is less than the Father; we shall not be disquieted by apparently contrary and mutually repugnant sayings of the sacred books. For both the Son and the Holy Spirit, according to the form of God, are equal to the Father, because neither of them is a creature, as we have already shown: but according to the form of a servant He is less than the Father, because He Himself has said, \u201cMy Father is greater than I;\u201d 120 and He is less than Himself, because it is said of Him, He emptied Himself;\u201d 121 and He is less than the Holy Spirit, because He Himself says, \u201cWhosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven Him.\u201d 122 And in the Spirit too He wrought miracles, saying: \u201cBut if I with the Spirit of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.\u201d 123 And in Isaiah He says,\u2014in the lesson which He Himself read in the synagogue, and showed without a scruple of doubt to be fulfilled concerning Himself,\u2014\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord God,\u201d He says, \u201cis upon me: because He hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek He hath sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives,\u201d 124 etc.: for the doing of which things He therefore declares Himself to be \u201csent,\u201d because the Spirit of God is upon Him. According to the form of God, all things were made by Him; 125 according to the form of a servant, He was Himself made of a woman, made under the law. 126 According to the form of God, He and the Father are one; 127 according to the form of a servant, He came not to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent Him. 128 According to the form of God, \u201cAs the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself;\u201d 129 according to the form of a servant, His \u201csoul is sorrowful even unto death;\u201d and, \u201cO my Father,\u201d He says, \u201cif it be possible, let this cup pass from me.\u201d 130 According to the form of God, \u201cHe is the True God, and eternal life;\u201d 131 according to the form of a servant, \u201cHe became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.\u201d 132 \u201423. According to the form of God, all things that the Father hath are His, 133 and \u201cAll mine,\u201d He says, \u201care Thine, and Thine are mine;\u201d 134 according to the form of a servant, the doctrine is not His own, but His that sent Him. 135\nIsa. 61:1, Luke 4:18, 19Isa. lxi. 1; Luke 4:18, 19\n30:125 30:126 30:127 30:128 30:129\nJohn 5.26John v. 26. [In communicating the Divine Essence to the Son, in eternal generation, the essence is communicated with all its attributes. Self existence is one of these attributes. In this way, the Father \u201cgives to the Son to have life in himself,\u201d when he makes common (\u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd), between Himself and the Son, the one Divine Essence.\u2014W.G.T.S.]\n30:130 30:131 30:132 30:133 30:134 30:135","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. III: Doctrinal Treat...","type":"page"}