An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 55

1 BOOK III — CHAPTER 11: Concerning the Nature as viewed in Species and in Individual, and concerning the difference between Union and Incarnation.

2 Nature is regarded either abstractly as a matter of pure thought: or commonly in all subsistences of the same species as their bond of union, and is then spoken of as nature viewed in species: or universally as the same, but with the addition of accidents, in one subsistence, and is spoken of as nature viewed in the individual, this being identical with nature viewed in species. God the Word Incarnate, therefore, did not assume the nature that is regarded as an abstraction in pure thought, nor the nature viewed in species (for He did not assume all the subsistences): but the nature viewed in the individual, which is identical with that viewed in species.

3 Union, then, is one thing, and incarnation is something quite different. For union signifies only the conjunction, but not at all that with which union is effected. But incarnation signifies that the conjunction is with flesh, that is to say, with man, just as the heating of iron implies its union with fire.

4 Besides all this, notice that the Father and the Holy Spirit take no part at all in the incarnation of the Word except in connection with the miracles, and in respect of good will and purpose.