An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 91

1 BOOK IV — CHAPTER 18: Regarding the things said concerning Christ.

2 The things said concerning Christ fall into four generic modes. For some fit Him even before the incarnation, others in the union, others after the union, and others after the resurrection. Some declare the union of nature and the identity in essence with the Father, as this, I and My Father are one: also this, He that has seen Me has seen the Father. Others declare the perfection of subsistence, as these, Son of God, and the Express Image of His person. Others make known the fact of His origin from the Father as cause, for instance My Father is greater than I. For from Him He derives both His being and all that He has.

3 Those that refer to the time of the union have three modes. For when our discourse deals with the higher aspect, we speak of the deification of the flesh, and His assumption of the Word and exceeding exaltation. And when our discourse deals with the lower aspect, we speak of the incarnation of God the Word, His becoming man, His emptying of Himself, His poverty, His humility. When again we keep both sides in view at the same time, we speak of union, community, anointing, natural conjunction, conformation and the like.

4 Those then that are sublime must be assigned to the divine nature, which is superior to passion and body: and those that are humble must be ascribed to the human nature; and those that are common must be attributed to the compound, that is, the one Christ, Who is God and man. And it should be understood that both belong to one and the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. For if we know what is proper to each, and perceive that both are performed by one and the same, we shall have the true faith and shall not go astray.