When(theFather)WillSubjectAllThingsto(theSon),Then(theSon)HimselfWillBeSubjectedtoHim(the

Father)WhoSubjectsAllThingstoHim(theSon)
AtreatiseonFirstCorinthians15.28
by
GregoryofNyssa

"Andwhenallthingshavebeensubjectedtohim(theSon),thenshalltheSonalsohimselfbesubjectedtohim(theFather)
whosubjectedallthingstohim,thatGodmaybeallinall."SucharethewordsfromSaintPaul'sFirstEpistletothe
Corinthians(15.28)whichSaintGregoryofNyssacommentsuponinatreatiselespeciallydevotedtothisverse.This
relativelyshorttreatise,bearingmoreorlessthesameheadingastheabovequotedversefromFirstCorinthians,maybe
groupedtogetherwithGregory'sotherworkswhichbasicallycenteraroundtheconsecrationofmankindinChrist's
IncarnationandResurrectionthe'CommentaryontheSongofSongs,''OnPerfection,''OnEcclesiastes,'andthe'Great
Catechesis.'WemightsaythattheseworksstandapartfromthosewritingsofGregorydealingwithtrinitarianand
Christologicaltopics.AlthoughGregoryofNyssa'streatiseontheSon'ssubjectionisbrief,itneverthelessdemandsattention
becauseoftheratherthornyproblemSaintPaul'sabovequotedversetotheCorinthianshascausedeversinceits
composition.WemightobservethattheChristianlife,conceivedanddevelopedinGregory'streatise'OnVirginity'andthe
'LifeofMoses,'isapracticalapplicationoftherealitycontainedinChrist'smysticalbody,theChurch.The'Commentaryon
theSongofSongs2centersaroundthedevelopmentofthebodyofChristinindividualsoulsasopposedtoOrigen'svision
oftheChurchasthebrideofChristGregorydoesnotneglectthis,butherelegatesittoaplaceoflessimportance.
Whenweheartheword'subjection'(hupotage)intheearlydevelopmentoftheChurch'sdogma,theArianheresyusually
comestoourminds.Arios(256336)andhislaterfollowersheldakindoftheologicalrationalismwheretheGodheadisnot
onlyuncreated,butunbegotten(agennetos).AlogicalsequenceofsuchadoctrineisthattheSonofGod,theLogos,cannot
trulybeGod.Heisthefirstofallcreaturesand,likethem,wasbroughtoutofnothing,notfromthedivinesubstance.
Hence,HeisessentiallydifferentfromtheFather.HeistheSonofGodnotmetaphysically,butinthemoralsenseofthe
word.TheLogos,whosesonshipisbyadoption,lacksrealparticipationinthedivinityandhasakindofmiddleposition
betweenGodandtheworld.Suchasuperficialrationalismwasappealingsinceitgaveasimpleanswertothedifficult
questionoftherelationshipbetweenGodtheFatherandGodtheSon.Arios'theorywasnotnew,butthetheoryof
subordinationism3hadbeenfashionablebeforehistimeAriossimplytookupthethemeandaddedhisownnotions.
ThetreatiseontheSon'ssubjectionbyGregoryofNyssahassomenoticeablepolemicalovertones,andGregoryindeed
intendedtodefendthecatholictraditionfromsuch'evilfrauds'inthetrinitariancontroversiesoftheday4.Nevertheless,
whenreadingthetreatise,onemightgettheimpressionthatGregoryistalkingaboutsomethingmoreprofound,namelyhis
teachingontheChurchasdeeplyembeddedineschatology.DuetothefactthattheSon'ssubjectionarisesfromtrinitarian
controversies,HbnermaintainsthatGregory'streatiserestsbothupontheteachingsofMarcellusofAnkyraandSaint
Athanasios.Gregory'scontactwithMarcellus'followersaroseoutofconcernforhisbrother,Basil(theGreat),whowas
engagedinadisputeoverthelawfulbishopofAntioch6.GregoryattendedtheSynodofAntiochin379whichinturnsent
himtothedioceseofPontosasavisitor.ItwasinthetownofSebastethatGregorydefendedhimself(380)againstcharges
ofArianismor,resembledMarcellusofAnkyra'spointofview.ThiscompelledGregorytocomposeastatementonthe
topic,andhetherebycorrectedMarcellus'excesses.
Aftergivinganexplanationoftheterm'subjection'(hupotage)(130508)withregardtoexamplesfromtheanimaland
humanspheres,GregorygoesontosaythatsubjectionproperlyunderstoodisworthyofGodhimself(1309)andispresent
inboththe"SonwhoissubjectedandintheFatherwhoreceivestheSon'ssubjection."Nevertheless,suchagoodis
presentlylackingasPaulsays,"TheSon'ssubjectionliesinthefuture."Hereiswherewefindroomforhereticaldoctrines
pertainingtosuchateachingtheyattempttoreconciletheunchangeablenatureofGodwiththepresentstateofhuman
existencewhichChristassumedinhisIncarnation.AsGregoryasksrhetoricallyin1309,"Howdoesthis(subjectionofthe
SontotheFatheratthefulfillmentoftime)relatetowhatisunchangeable?"Hethenanswers,"Thatwhichwillexist
afterwardsbutnotnowreferstoourmutablehumannature."Thethoughtoflinkinghumannaturewithsubjectionnaturally
leadsGregorytoconsiderthecentralfactoftheResurrection,"Thegoalforwhichallmenhope(prostoperaston
elpizomenon)andforwhichtheydirecttheirprayers"(1312).Withtheimportanttermperas(goal)Gregorydescribesthe
consummationofsalvationhistory,namelyapokatastasis,whichis"theobjectofourtreatise"(1313).Itisinthesection
from1313to1316thatGregorypresentshisreaderswithhisowninterpretationofPaul'stext(1Cor15.28).

ItisespeciallyinhiseschatologicalviewsthatGregoryproveshimselfadiscipleofOrigen.HedoesnotshareOrigen'sideas
regardingthepreexistenceofsouls,andheespeciallyisatpainstorejectthedoctrinethattheyhave'fallen'intomaterial
bodiesasapunishmentforsinscommittedinaprecedingworld7.However,GregoryagreeswithOrigeninholdingthatthe
painsofhellarenoteternalbuttemporaryduetotheirmedicinalnature.Detachmentorapatheiainthisliferepresentsa
foretasteoftheblessedlifetocome.Thisispracticallycarriedoutbydespoilingour"garmentsofskin"(cf.Gen3.21)which
composeouranimallifeorpsuche.Gregoryequatesthe'man'firstcreatedbyGodinGen1.27notwithanhistoricalfigure,
butwiththatofChristtocome"ThereisneithermalenorfemaleforyouarealloneinChristJesus"(Gal3.28}.Gregory's
conceptionofaskesiswhichhelpsrestoreoureikon,ortheoriginalmanspokenofabove,iscommandedbyapatheia
freedomfrompassion.Thusapatheiaisahabitualstateofgrace.
TheuseofGregory'sPaulineexegesisisavisionoftheChurchasChrist'sbody.Creation'sgoalisnoneotherthanthereturn
ofallthingstofellowship(koinonia)inthegoodsubjection(1308)whichtheyhadatthebeginning.Hence,itiseasytosee
howthisdoctrinetiesinwiththeabovementioneddoctrineofmancreatedintheimageofGod."NothingmadebyGodis
excludedfromhiskingdom....SuchthingshadtheirorigininGodwhatwasmadeinthebeginning(arche)didnotreceive
evil"(1313).WefindevidenceoftheessentialgoodnessofallthingsinGregory'sotherwritings8evilcomesinthrough
man'smisuseofhisfreedom"Decreaseofthegoodalwaysresultsbystrayingfromitsprinciple,whilethegoodisfound
closertousinsofarasithasineachone'sdignityandpower"(1313).BecausemanisGod'simage,heisnaturallygoodby
nature9.ThispointcannotbestressedenoughforaproperappreciationofGregory'sentireanthropologyandtheology.
Gregory'sparableofthelostsheep,whichisbaseduponMt18.1214,pertainstotheoriginalunityofallthings.Wefindit
expoundedinhissecondandtwelfthhomiliesonthe'SongofSongs.'SuchadoctrineinturnrestsuponIrenaios10.Man
participatesintheangelicnature(eisphuseostonaggelon).Gregory'streatise'OntheMakingofMan'(PG44.188),inline
withhistreatiseontheSon'ssubjection,saysthatthegraceoftheResurrectionisnoneotherthantherestorationoffallen
natureinitsoriginalunity.Therefore,inlightofthiswemustviewhisOkonomielehre11orthegrandmysteryofChrist's
incarnationdeathresurrectionascension.AsDaniloupointsout12,allsoulsarerestoredtotheunityofthekosmosnoetos
inwhichtheangelsdwell.However,thisunityisnotamerereturntotheprimitivestateofparadise,sincethehumandrama
hascausedtheappearanceofanewreality,thatoftheGodMan,JesusChrist.
TheimmediategoalofChrist'sIncarnationisthedestructionofevil"Whenweareremovedfromevilinimitationofthe
firstfruits(aparche),ourentirenatureismixedwiththisselfsamefruits.Onebodyhasbeenformedwiththegoodas
predominantourbody'sentirenatureisunitedtothedivine,purenature.ThisiswhatwemeanbytheSon'ssubjection,
wheninhisbodyChristrightlyhasthesubjectionbroughttohimandeffectsinusthegraceofsubjection"(1316).Inthis
wayGregoryinterpretsthesubjectionoftheSontohisFatherastheremovalofevil.
TheindividualmembersofChrist'sbodyare'physically'joinedtohishumannature.Thus,thebodytheChurchgrowsas
awholeunity."Unitythenmeanstobeonebodywithhim...forallwhoarejoinedtotheonebodyofChristbyparticipation
areonebodywithhim.Whenthegoodpervadeseverything,thentheentiretyofChrist'sbodywillbesubjectedtoGod's
vivifyingpower.Thus,thesubjectionofthisbodywillbesaidtobethesubjectionoftheSonhimselfasunitedtohisown
body,theChurch"(1317).Also,therestofcreationismeanttoparticipateinthisunityfoundinsubjectionas1320states.It
isbaseduponPaul'sstatementinPhil2.10,"Wheneverythinginheaven,onearth,andundertheearthbendsthekneeto
him....ThenwheneverycreaturehasbecomeonebodyandisjoinedinChristthroughobediencetooneanother,hewill
bringintosubjectionhisownbodytotheFather."
Thephrasein1317,"propermeasure"(idionmetron)13,callsforsomecommentforitbringstomindthebodyofChristas
acollectiveunityintheprocessofgrowththroughtheearlierconceptof'firstfruits.'Thisphrase,itshouldberemembered,
referstothematerialsideofhumannature.Christ,asthisfirstfruits,ispresentinmankindasawhole,afactGregory
stressesasopposedtoChrist'spresenceinindividualmembers.The'propermeasure'thenimpliesthatfullrealizationof
eachpersonwhohasattained"themeasureofthestatureofthefullnessofChrist,"aquotefromEph2.13whichGregory
usesin1317.Inordertounderstandthisbetter,refertohistreatise'OntheMakingofMan,'chaptersixteen,akeydoctrine
ofthe"doublecreation"ofman14."Allofnature,beginningfromthefirsttothelastman,is,sotospeak,oneimageofhim
whois"(PG44.185).Thisoughtnottobeidentifiedwiththeapokatastasisassuchwhichispurelyspiritual,butthisis
mankindtakenasanentirerace.
Comparethisstatementfrom'OntheMakingofMan'withthetreatiseonsubjection(1320):"Christ'sbodyconsistsof
humannatureinitsentiretytowhichhehasbeenunited."Theapokatastasisofmankind,whichpartakesoftheangelicrealm
asstatedabove,refers,however,totheChurchasthebodyofChristthroughtheIncarnation.Thus,apokatastasisrefersto
therestorationofmankindthroughtheIncarnation.Itisofthisoriginalunityofmankindinitsentiretythatchaptersixteen
of'OntheMakingofMan'speaks.ItshouldbenotedthatinthischapterGregorydoesnotmentionthetermapokatastasisor
restorationofman'simageoneshouldreaditbeforehistreatiseontheSon'ssubjectiontoappreciateitbetter.Thereisno
ontologicalrelationshipofmankindwithregardtoGodintherealityofapokatastasismankindisan"imageofhimwho

is."AllofGregory'smysticism,asdevelopedinthe'LifeofMoses'andthe'CommentaryontheSongofSongs,'centers
aroundthetranscendenceofGod'sbeing(ousia).Duetothisinaccessibleousia,individualsoulswillbeeternallyincreasing
inthedepthsofGod'sinscrutabledarkness.ThedarknessGregorypresentstousisabsolute.Noamountofhumaneffortcan
comprehendGod15.
WefindtwoconceptionsofthesubjectionofChrist'sbodyinthetreatisewhichshouldbenoted:"Thesubjectionofthis
body(thatis,thosejoinedtogetherinChrist)willbesaidtobethesubjectionoftheSonhimselfasunitedtohisownbody,
thatis,theChurch"(1317).And"subjectiontoGodiscompletealienationfromevil"(1316).Thefirstmodeldependsupon
MarcellusofAnkyra,asHbnerhasshown(P.53),whichGregoryobtainedfromPeritesEnsarkouEpiphaneiastouTheou
LogoukataHareianonattributedtoSaintAthanasios.MarcellusofAnkyratakes1Cor15.28asthesubjectionofChrist's
manhood16.ComparethisnowwithGregory'ssubjectionofthebodyofChrist,theChurch,in1320:"Christ'sbodyconsists
ofhumannatureinitsentiretytowhichHehasbeenunited"(katamichte).
ThesecondmodelcomesfromOrigen'sunderstandingofChrist'ssubjectiontohisFatherasthatofeveryrationalcreature.
CompareboththeuseofPs61.2inGregoryandOrigen,"ShallnotmysoulbesubjectedtoGod?"ForGregorythisverse
(1305)developsthepsalmquotebysaying,"ThemarkofsubmissiontoGodissalvationaswehavelearned"(1305),and
laterin1308,"Withregardtosalvation'sgoalitissaidthattheOnlyBegotten[Son]ofGodissubjectedtotheFatherinthe
samewaysalvationfromGodisprocuredformankind."Thephrase"wehavelearned"mostlikelyrestsuponthegreat
Alexandrian'scommentsinDePrincipiis,vi.1:
Whatthenisthe"subjection"bywhich"allthingsmustbe
madesubject"toChrist?Inmyopinionitisthesamesubjec
tionbywhichwetoodesiretobesubjectedtohim,andby
whichtheapostlesandallthesaintswhohavefollowedChrist
weresubjecttohim.Forthewordsubjection,whenusedfor
oursubjectiontoChrist,impliesthesalvationproceeding
fromChristofthosewhoaresubjected.
Heresalvationequalssubjection,athemeweseeinGregory'streatisebothauthorsseeitasalordshipofthegood.Gregory
fillsoutOrigenbysaying,"Oursubjection,however,consistsofakingdom,incorruptibility,andblessednesslivinginus
thisisPaul'smeaningofbeingsubjectedtoGod"(1325).
Christ'sbodyforbothGregoryandOrigenencompassesnotonlyallmankind,buteveryrationalcreaturewithfreewill.
Parallel1320,whichusesPhil2.10,withOrigen'sDePrincipiis,i.6,2:
SubjectiontoGodisourchiefgoodwhenallcreationresounds
asonevoicewheneverythinginheaven,onearth,andunderthe
earthbendsthekneetohim,andwheneverytonguewillconfess
thatJesusChristisLord.Thenwheneverycreaturehasbecome
onebodyandisjoinedinChristthroughobediencetooneanoth
er,hewillbringintosubjectionhisownbodytotheFather.
AndOrigen:
Fortheendisalwayslikethebeginningasthereforethereisone
endofallthings,sowemustunderstandthatthereisonebegin

ningofallthings,andasthereisoneendofmanythings,sofrom
onebeginningarisemanydifferencesandvarieties,whichin
theirturnarerestoredthroughGod'sgoodness,throughtheir
subjectiontoChristandtheirunitywiththeHolySpirit,to
oneend,whichislikethebeginning.Irefertoallthosewho,by
'bendingthekneeinthenameofJesus,'havethroughthisvery
factdisplayedthesignoftheirsubjection.Thesearetheywho
dwell'inheavenandonearthandundertheearth,'thethree
termsindicatingtheentireuniverse,thatis,allthosebeingswho
startedfromonebeginningbutweredrawninvariousdirections.
Inordertoshowtheconcretematerialityofhumannature,Gregoryemploystheterm"firstfruitsofthecommondough"
(oionaparchetistoukoinouphuramatos)intowhichthedivineLogoswasincarnated.Origensaysinasimilarvein,"So
everysoulinGod'shandsisonenatureandallrationalbeingscome,ifImaysayso,fromonelump"(Deprincipiis,iii.l,
22).WegatherfromthisthattheprincipleofunityofthespiritualbodyofChristisnotmankind,buttheGodheadofthe
LogosandGregorysimplytookthisconceptover.OriginallyallcreaturesweresubjectedtoGodinonenature,andtheend
equalsthebeginningwithnodistinctions(cf.DePrincipiis,i.6,2above).
AlthoughGregory,likeOrigen,sees1Corinthians15.28asastatementforevil'sdestructionandreturnofallspiritual
naturestoGod'slordship,Gregory,asHbnerpointsout(p.60),bringsinMarcellusof4Ankyra'smodelorequationof
mankindandChrist'sbody:"Christ'sbody...consistsofhumannatureinitsentiretytowhichhehasbeenunited"(1320).
Marcellus'goalistoseeapokatastasisastheupbuildingofChrist'sbodyoftheIncarnation("Christassumedfromdeath
boththebeginningofevil'sdestructionandthedissolutionofdeaththen...acertainorderwasconsequentlyadded"1313).
Inthisreferencenohintofthebody'spreexistenceispresent,areasonwhyAthanasiosstoodbyMarcellushedidnot
advocatetheOrigenisticconceptofthepreexistenceofspiritualbodies.ItisinlinewithGregory'santhropologyand
soteriologywhichlacksOrigen'sconceptofthebody.GregorythushasawhollypositivesenseofChrist'sIncarnation.
ForGregoryofNyssathegoaloftheChristianlifeissimilaritytoGodastheNinthHomilyontheSongsays:"Theendofa
virtuouslifeislikenesstoGodandpurityofsoul."TheprincipleofsuchalikenessorunitywithGodliesinhisgoodness.
Compare1317ofthesubjectiontreatisewiththeFifteenthHomily:"Whenthegoodpervadeseverything,thentheentirety
ofChrist'sbodywillbesubjectedtoGod'svivifyingpower."And"thedisciples...shouldallbeoneandgrowtogetherinto
onegoodthroughtheunityoftheHolySpirit"17.Unityoflikenessisasum,notanorganismasinthePaulineconceptof
Christ'sbodyanorganiccommunityandsolidarityofChrist'sbodyisherewithoutsignificanceforsalvation.Christ's
Incarnationas"firstfruitsofthecommondough"hasrathertheviewoffinalpenetrationofthedivinegoodness,i.e.,
salvationsafeguardsthebody'scompositionofitsfreemembersfortheprincipleofapokatastasisisGod'sgoodness,not
mankind'sunity.
ThecontentsofChrist'sbody,asbaseduponthetraditionoflrenaios,Athanasios,MarcellusofAnkyraandOrigen,are
basedupontheStoicarcheakolouthiaperas(beginningconsequencegoal).ItgivestothegrandviewofChrist'sbody,the
Church,acertainwholenessandconsistency.WithGregory,theimportanceofakolouthiadesignatesnotonlythenecessary
bodybetweentwopropositions,buttheconsequencebywhichapropositionisconnectedtoitsfirstprinciples(archai).Itis
onlywhenthissequenceisestablishedandlacksnoconnectionthatonepossessescertitude.Thisuseofthetermakolouthia
canbeseenintheFifteenthHomilyoftheSong:
Weholdthatthebride'spraisesareasteachingswhichphiloso
phizeaboutmorerefinedmatters.Theseteachingssaythat
beingsarecreatedandrenewednotinaccordwiththesameorder
orsystem(akolouthia).Becausethenatureofcreationsubsists
fromitsverybeginningbythedivinepower,theendofeachcre

atedbeingissimultaneouslylinkedwithitsbeginning.
ConflictbetweenGregory'sconceptofapokatastasisorsubjectionand"firstfruitsofthecommondough"isbrought
togetherinacombinationofOrigen'sandAthanasios'ideaspertainingtosoteriology.Wemustkeepinmindthistension
whenreadingGregoryofNyssa,fortheimportanceofGregory'sbodyoftheologyhingesuponhistheologyoftheimageof
GodinmanforChrist'sbodyisfinallyperfectedinanoriginallikenesstoGod.TheFifteenthHomilyontheSongcontains
Gregory'seschatologicalformofthebodyoftheredeemed,hishighpointonthissubject.Itisherethatperfectionis
symbolizedbyadove,thatis,theHolySpiritwhoisseenastheprincipleofunity.Thisisincontrasttothetreatiseon
subjectionwhoseprincipleisChrist.Regardingglory,theFifteenthHomilysays:
IthinkitisbettertostatethedivinewordsoftheGospel:"That
theymaybealloneevenasyou,Father,areinme,andIinyou,
thattheyalsomaybeinus"(Jn17.21).Gloryisthebondofthis
unitytheHolySpiritissaidtobethisglorywhichcannotbe
deniedbyanyoneprudentlyexaminingourLord'swords.He
says,"Theglorywhichyouhavegivenme,Ihavegivento
them."IndeedChristgavethisglorytohisdiscipleswhenhesaid,
"ReceivetheHolySpirit."Hereceivedthisglorywhichhealready
hadbeforetheworld'sbeginningwhenheclothedhimselfwith
humannaturewhichwasglorifiedbytheSpirit.Sucharelation
shipinthegloryoftheSpiritisdistributedtoeveryoneunited
withChrist,beginningwiththedisciples.
Nowread1320ofthetreatiseontheSon'ssubjectionwheretheprocessofChristbecomingpresentinhisbody,theChurch,
isidentifiedwiththeHolySpirit.Itisherethattheseparationbetweenthehumananddivinebeingsisbridgedandcan
becomeaunitywithoutmixtureintheHolySpirit:
1thinkthatChrist'sowngloryismeanttobetheHolySpiritwhich
hehasgiventohisdisciplesbybreathinguponthem,forwhatis
scatteredcannototherwisebeunitedunlessjoinedtogetherby
theHolySpirit'sunity....TheSpiritisglory,asChristsaysofthe
Father:"GlorifymewiththeglorywhichIhadwithyoubefore
theworldwasmade"(Jn17.5).TheWordisGodwhohasthe
Father'sglory,andbecamefleshduringtheselastdays.Itis
necessaryforthefleshtobecomewhattheWordis(thatis,
divine)byunitingitselftohimthisiseffectedwhentheflesh
receivesthatwhichtheWordhadbeforetheworldwasmade.
ThisisnoneotherthantheHolySpirit.

NotestotheIntroduction
l.ThetextmaybefoundinMigne,PG44.130426.J.K.Downinghasacriticaltext,TheTreatiseofGregoryofNyssa.In
Illud:TuncetIpseFilius.ACriticalTextwithProlegomena(Cambridge,Ma.,1947).PartofMigne'stext(131324)maybe
foundintheGermantranslationbyReinhardM.Hbner,DieEinheitdesLeibesChristibeiGregorvonNyssa(Leiden,
1974)pp.3540.HbnergivesahighlydetailedstudyofGregory'stextinhisfirstchapter,"DieEinheitundGemeinshaft
desLeibesChristiInnerhaldderTheologieGregors,"pp.2766.Tothebestofmyknowledge,Gregory'streatiseonthe
Son'ssubjectionisnotfullytranslatedintoamodernlanguage.
2.The'CommentaryontheSongofSongs'consistsoffifteenhomiliesonSong1.16.8.haverecentlytranslatedthistext
[PG44.7561120andthecriticaledition,GregoriiNysseniinCanticumCanticorum,editedbyH.Langerbeckunderthe
directionofWernerJaeger(Leiden,1960)]withanintroduction.Itwillbepublishedlaterthisyear(1983)bytheHolyCross
OrthodoxPress,Brookline,Ma.Myinterestinthesehomilies,withtheirinfluencebyOrigen,hasleadmetoconsider
Gregory'streatmentontheSon'ssubjectionwhichmoreorlesstakesupthesamethemebeguninthefifteenth(andlast)
homilyandstressesGregory'seschatologicalreflections.AnyquotesfromtheSongCommentaryarefrommyown
translation.
3.ThisdoctrineattributedtoaGodwhowaslessthanGod,andthusreallyunabletoeffectman'ssalvation.Sucha
differenceisperhapsunderstandable,foritrestedonanattemptamongbothChurchFathersandhereticsaliketobuilda
theologyontheliteraltextsofScripture,1Cor.15.28beingaprimeexample.Infact,Scriptureattemptstoconveyahighly
complexquestionregardingtherelationshipbetweenFatherandSon.Prestigeremarksonthispoint."Solongasthe
ultimatedeitywasregardedasaunitarybeing,thisdeficiencyledtonoseriousconsequences,becauseeveryobjecttowhich
anorigincouldbeascribedwasalsoacreature.Itwasonlywhenthedeitycametoberegardedasatriad,andasecondand
thirdpersoncametobedistinguishedwithinthedivinebeingitself,thatanyproblemofderivation,asdistinctfromcreation,
couldpossiblyarise.Thisproblem,therefore,isspecificallyaproblemofChristiantheology."G.L.Prestige,GodinPatristic
Thought(London,1964)p.135.
4.Cf.col.1304,"Evilfrauds...layhandsonthedivinesilvertomakeitbasebymixingthemwithhereticalandadulterated
conceptionswhichobscuretheWord'sbrightness....SuchpersonssaythatthegloryoftheOnlyBegotten(Son)ofGodmust
bedegraded."Andcol.1325,"TheApostle'spurposewasnotsomuchtoexposehereticalteachingswhichiswhatyou
wouldgatherfromthetext(1Cor.15.28)beingtreated."
5.MarcellusofAnkyra,wasatthebeginningofthefourthcentury,astaunchupholderofNikaia.Hewrote"DeSubjectione
Domini,"arejectionofstrictsubordinationism.TheAriansaccusedhimofleaningtowardsSabellianmodalismand
adoptionism.MarcellusheldthattheLogoswasGodfromalleternity,butnotSonfromalleternitytheLogosbecameSon
onlyattheIncarnation.MarcelluswasdeposedbytheArianCouncilofConstantinople(336)andwasdefendedbyPope
Julius1towhomhegaveanorthodoxprofessionoffaith.SaintAthanasiosstoodbyhimuntilMarcelluswasdiscreditedby
theerrorsofhisdisciplePhotinos.MarcelluspublishedaworkagainstAsteriostheSophist(c.330)inwhichheattacked
EusebiosofNikomediaandEusebiosofCaesarea,layinghimselfopentotheaccusationofSabellianism,thusbecominga
targetoftheantiNikaianparty.Marcellus'tractagainstAsteriosisnolongerextant,butnumerouscitationsinEusebios
provehisdoctrineunorthodoxandrelatedtoMonarchism.Attheconsummationoftheworld,SonandSpiritwillreenterthe
Godheadandwillbecomeanabsolutemonadagain.
6.InBasil'sconcernforchurchunityintheAriancontroversy,heenlistedAthanasios'helpinhisattempttoestablishbetter
relationsbetweenRomeandtheEast.OnesuchobstacleinthepathtosuchchurchunitywasthetroubleoverPaulinosand
Melitos.Basil'sappealtoAthanasiosandtoRomeforthehealingofthisschismwasrejected,mainlybecauseRomewas
opposedtoMelitoswhomBasilfavored.
7AbasicthemeofPeriPsucheskaiAnastaseoshoLogoshoLegomenostaMakrineia,PG46.113.Origenheldthatspirits,
oncehavingfallenintomaterialbodies,mustdespoilthemselvesofsuchbodiesinordertoreturntoGod.Gregorydevelops

therelationshipofsoultobodyin'OntheCreationofMan,''OntheHolyPascha,'and'DialogueontheSoulandthe
Resurrection.'
8.PeriPsucheskaiAnastaseos,PG46.81'CommentaryontheSongofSongs,TwelfthHomily.'
9.Becausethenatureofcreationsubsistsfromitsverybeginningbythedivinepower,theendofeachcreatedbeingis
simultaneouslylinkedwithitsbeginningeachthingascreatedfromnothingpassesintoexistence,withitsperfection
followingassimultaneouswithitsbeginning.Humannatureisalsocreatedbutdoesnot,likeothercreatedbeings,advance
towardsitsperfectionrightfromtheverybeginningitiscreatedinperfection.'Letusmakemanaccordingtoourimageand
likeness'(Gen1.26).Hereisshowntheverysummitandperfectionofgoodness....Thusinthefirstcreationofmanitsendis
simultaneouswithitsbeginning,andhumannatureoriginatedinperfection,"SaintGregoryofNyssa,'Commentaryonthe
SongofSongs,FifteenthHomily.'
10.Inoppositiontognosticdualism,IrenaiosteachesthatthereisonlyoneGod,creatoroftheworldandFatherofJesus
Christ.HedevelopsthePaulinedoctrineofanakephalaiosis,orrecapitulationofallthingsinChristChristasthenew
Adamrenewsallcreationandleadsitbacktoitsauthorthroughtheincarnationandredemption.
11.ReinhardHbner,DieEinheitdesLeibesChristibeiGregorvonNyssa(Leiden,1974)p.44,n.51.
12.JeanDanilou,PlatonismeetThologieMystique(Paris,1944)p.181.
13.Metronwemaytakeitasidenticaltopleroma,meaningthesumofallmankind.
14.'Insayingthat'Godcreatedman,'thetextindicates,bytheindefinitecharacteroftheterm,allmankindforwasnot
Adamherenamedtogetherwiththecreation,asthehistorytellsusinwhatfollows?Yetthenamegiventothemancreated
isnottheparticular,butthegeneralname.Thus,weareledbytheemploymentofthegeneralnameofournaturetosome
suchviewasthisthatinthedivineforeknowledgeandpowerailhumanityisincludedinthefirstcreation."PG44.185.
15,.God'smanifestationtothegreatMosesbeganwithlightafterwardsGodspoketohimthroughacloud.Thenhaving
risenhigherandhavingbecomemoreperfection,MosessawGodindarkness,"'CommentaryontheSongofSongs,
EleventhHomily.'
16.PeritesAnthropotetosAutou,EstiPasaheEkklesia,PG26.1021.
17.HbnersumsupthisunityofChrist'sbodybysaying:"DieTragweitederLeibChristiTheologieGregorshngtabvon
derTragweitederTheologiederGottebenenhildlichkeitdesMenschen,dennderLeibChristiderEndzeitistdieVollzahlder
inihrerursprnglichenGotthnlichkeitWiderhergestellten,dasEndstadiumderRckfhrungallerausderEntfremdungin
ihrenatrlicheerkenntnismhigeundwillentlicheVerhaftungimalleinSeiendenundGuten,dasihrSeinsgrundist,die
ZentrierungdesBlickesalleraufdaseineZiel,"DieEinheitdesLeibesChristibeiGregorvonNyssa,p.231.

TheTreatise
[M.1304]AlltheutterancesoftheLordareholyandpureastheprophetsays[cf.Ps33.45].Whenthemind(nous)has
beenpurifiedassilverinfireandcleansedofeveryhereticalnotion,ithasthecapacityofnobleutterancesandasplendor
whichisinaccordwithtruth.Beforethis,however,IthinkitisnecessarytoattesttothebrillianceandpurityofSaintPaul's
teachingsforinparadisehewasinitiatedintotheknowledgeofunintelligiblethings.HavingChristspeakingwithin
himself,Paulutteredsuchthingswhich,indeed,anyonewouldutterwhowastaughtbysuchateacher,guideandmasteras
theWord.Sinceevilfraudslayhandsonthedivinesilvertomakeitbasebymixingitwithhereticalandadulterated
conceptionswhichobscuretheWord'sbrightnessandtheapostle'smysticalperceptions,theyeitherdonotunderstandthese
perceptionsorelsetheyresolvewickedlytochooseselectivelyamongtheminordertodefendtheirownwickedbehavior,
havingappropriatedthemfortheirownwickedpurposes.Suchpersonsclaim,inordertodiminishthegloryoftheOnly
Begotten[Son]ofGod,thattheapostle'swordsagreewiththemwhenhesays,"ThentheSonwillbesubjected
(hupotagestetai)tohimwhohassubjectedallthingstohimself"[1Cor15.28].Thus,theywouldsaysuchastyleof
speakingrevealsacertainservilesubjectionoftheSontotheFather].Forthisreasonitseemednecessarytodiligently
examinewhatisbeingsaidhere,thatwemayshowthattheapostolicsilveristrulypure,separatedandunmixedfromevery
kindofsordidandhereticalconcept.We,forourpart,knowthatsuchasayingorword[thatis,hupotasso]hasmany
meaningsinHolyScriptureandisnotalwayssuitedtothesamepurposes:nowitsignifiesonething,andatanothertime
somethingelse...forinstance[M.1305]slavesaretobesubjectedtotheirmasters.
Man'sirrationalnatureistobesubjectedtoGod,ofwhichtheprophetsays,"Heputallthingsunderhisfeet"[Ps8.8].As
forthosetakencaptiveinbattle,itsays,"Hesubjectedpeoplesunderusandnationsunderourfeet"[Ps46.4].Yet,again,
mentioningthosewhohavebeensavedthroughknowledge,theprophetsaysinthepersonofGod,"Hesubjectedother
peoplesunderme"[Ps59.10].Thus,itisfittingforustoseehowwhatwasexaminedinthispsalmversecanbeappliedto
Psalm61:"WillnotmysoulbesubjectedtoGod?"[Ps61.2].Thatwhichisbroughttoourattentionbyourenemiesfromall
theseexamplesistakenfromtheEpistletotheCorinthians,namely,"thentheSonhimselfwillbesubjectedtotheOnewho
subjectsallthingstohimself."Becausethistextcanbeunderstoodinmanyways,itwouldbehelpfulifeachuseoftheword
[subjection]isexaminedsothatwemayknowthepropermeaningtheapostlehadinmindbytheterm'subjection.'

Wesaythatthosevanquishedinbattleunwillinglyandforcefullysubmitthemselvestotheirvictorsthisisasignof
subjection.Ifanyopportunityariseswhichmayofferhopeofovercomingtheirmasters,thecaptiveswhoconsideritbadand
disgracefultobeinsuchastateonceagainriseupinrebellion.Irrational(alogos)beastsaresubjecttomenendowedwith
reason(logikos)suchistheorderofthings.Hownecessaryitisforthatwhichisinferiortobesubjectedtothatwhich
enjoysasuperiorlotbynature!Thoseundertheyokeofservitudeassomeconsequenceofthelaweveniftheyareequalin
nature(totheirmasters),butareunabletoresistthelawhearthestateofsubjection,havinginevitablybeenbroughttothis
stateoutofnecessity.
Ontheotherhand,themarkofsubmissiontoGodis,aswehavelearnedbytheprophecy,"ToGodbesubjected,mysoul,
forfromhimismysalvation"[Ps61.2].Therefore,whentheapostle'stextisbroughtforwardbyouradversaries,thatis,the
SonmustbesubjectedtotheFather,itfollowsthatonceitsmeaninghasbeenclarified,wemustaskthosewhoare
accustomedtoattributePaul'stexttotheOnlyBegotten[Son]ofGodwhattheymeanbysubjection.Butitisclearthatthe
Son'ssubjectionshouldnotbeunderstoodaccordingtoanymodeofhumanspeech.Forneitherdoesanenemyvanquished
inbattleriseupasecondtimeagainsthisvictorsoutofhopeandeagerness[forovercomingthem].Neitherthroughalackof
thegooddoesanirrationalbeasthaveanatural,necessarysubjection,asinthecaseofsheepandcattlewhicharesubjected
toman.Similarly,neitherdoesaboughtor[M.1308]homebornslaveeverexpecttobecomefreeofslavery'syokebylaw
eitherthroughkindnessorclemency.Withregardtosalvation'sgoalitissaidthattheOnlyBegotten[Son]ofGodis
subjectedtotheFatherinthesamewaysalvationfromGodisprocuredformankind.
Asformutable[human]nature'sparticipation(metousia)inthegood,itisnecessaryforsuchanaturetobesubjectedtoGod
bymeansofwhichwehavefellowship(koinonia)inthisgood.SubjectionhasnoplaceinGod'simmutableandunchanging
powerinitiscontemplatedeverygoodname,intelligence,incorruptibilityandblessedness.Thispoweralwaysremainsasit
isneitherdoesithavethecapacitytobecomebetternorworse.Also,neitherdoesGod'spowerreceiveincreaseinthegood,
noradownwardinclinationtoaworsecondition.Rather,God'spowermakessalvationspringupforotherswhilehavingno
otherfunctionthanbestowingsalvation.
Whatthencanreasonablybesaidastothemeaningofsubjection?Everythingwhichhasbeenexaminedisfoundquite
remotefromaproperunderstandinganddiscussionabouttheOnlyBegotten[Son]ofGod.Ifitisnecessarytoattributethe
kindofsubjectionspokenofinLuke'sGospeltoChrist"TheLordwasobedient[subjected]tohisparentsuntilhereached
twelveyearsofage"[2.51].NeitheristhemeaningofthistextproperfortheGodwhoexistedbeforeallages,nortruewhen
appliedtohisrealFather.Christwastemptedinourhumannature[literally,'there,'ekei]ineverythingaccordingtoour
likenessexceptsin[Heb4.15]andadvancedthroughthestagespropertoourhumanexistence.Justasalittlechild,Christ
receivedanewborninfant'snourishment,thatis,butterandmilk.Thus,whileadvancingintoadolescence,Christdidnot
avoidanythingrelatedorpertainingtothatparticularstageoflife,butwasanexample(tupos)ofgoodconduct(eutaxia)for
thatparticularage.
Sincetheunderstandingofsomepersonsisimperfectregardingthesematters,thefunctionofChrist'syouthistoleadtoa
betterstatebywhatismoreperfect.Becauseofthis,thetwelveyearoldchild[Jesus]wassubjecttohismotherChrist
showedusthatwhichisperfectedthroughadvancement,althoughhewasperfectbeforehand.Rightlydidhetakesubjection
asameanstothegood.Hewhoisperfectineverygoodandwasneithercapableofassuminganykindofdiminution
becausehisnatureisselfsufficientandcannotbelessenedissubjectedforareasonwhichthoughtlesspersonscannot
express.
Christassociatedhimself(sunanastrepho)withourhumannatureandexperiencedthestageofchildhoodthroughwhichhe
effectedtheobedience[subjection]propertothistimeofyouth.ItisclearthatChristprogressedfromthatstatetoaperfect
agewhenhenolongerrelieduponamother'sauthority.HismotherurgedhimtomanifesthispowerinCannaofGalilee
whentherewasalackofwineattheweddingfeast,andwinewasneededforthecelebration.Hedidnotrefusethosein
need,butrejectedhismother'srequestasnolongerbeingappropriateforhispresentage(kairos)oflife.Hesaid,"Whatdo
youhavetodowithme,woman?"[Jn2.4]."Doyouwishtohavepowerovermenowatthisstageofmylife?Hasnot
[M.1309]myhourcomewhichshowsthatIhaveamindandfreewillofmyown?"If,then,thejustmeasureofourparents'
subjectioninthislifeaccordingtothefleshisshakenoffforithasaplaceinourpresentexistencenooneisableto
commandChristwhoselordshipisforever.Forthedivineandblessedlifeishisownwhichalwaysabidesinhim,never
admittingoftransformationduetochange.
SincetheWord,theOnlyBegotten[Son]ofGodfromthebeginning,isalienfromeveryaberrationandchange,howcan
whatnowisnotarealityexistafterwards?FortheapostledoesnotsaythattheSonisalwayssubjected,butthathewillbe
subjectedatthefinalconsummationofallthings.IfsubjectionissaidtobegoodandworthyofGod,howcanthisgoodbe
apartfromGod?ThegoodisequallyinbothpersonsintheSonwhoissubjectedandintheFatherwhoreceiveshisSon's
subjection.SuchagoodislackingtobothFatherandSonatthepresent.WhattheFatherdoesnothavebeforeallages,
neitherdoestheSonhaveatthefulfillmentoftimethisgoodwillbepresentintoFather].Ontheotherhand,therewillbe

acertainadditionandincreaseinGod'sownglory,whichatpresenthedoesnothave.Howdoesthisrelatetowhatis
unchangeable?Thatwhichwillexistafterwards,butnotnow,referstoourmutablehumannature.Ifsubjectionisgood,the
goodnowconsistsofbelievinginGodifsuchagoodisunworthyofGod,neithercanitexistnownorinthefuture.
However,theapostleclaimsthattheSonistobesubjectedHeisnotsoatthepresent.
Doestheterm'subjection'haveanothersignificancewhichisfarremovedfromanykindofhereticalperversity?Whatthen
isit?PerhapsbyconnectingwhathasalsobeenwritteninthispartofFirstCorinthians]tothetextatlarge,wemayobtain
anideaofPaul'smeaning.WhenPaulwroteagainsttheCorinthianswhohadreceivedtheirfaithintheLord,theyheldthe
teachingoftheResurrectionasamyth,saying,"Howcanthedeadrise?Andwhatkindofbodywilltheyhave?"[1Cor
15.35].Bywhatdiverseandvariedwaysdobodiesreturntoexistenceafterdeathanddisintegration,afterbeingdestroyed
eitherbycarnivorousanimals,reptilesoranimalswhichswim,flyorarefourfootedbeasts?Paulthereforesetsbeforethe
Corinthiansmanyarguments,entreatingthemnottocompareGod'spowertotheirownhumancapacity,nortoestimate
anythingasbeingimpossibleregardingmanaswellasGod.However,onemayconsiderGod'sgreatnessfromexamples
wellknowntous.Thus,Godplacedinmanthemarvelousexampleofseedsintheirbodieswhicharealwaysrenewedby
hispower[1Cor15.37].God'swisdomisnotexhausted.Itisfoundinmyriadbodilyformsofalldescriptionsthosewhich
arerational,irrational,airborneandontheearth,aswellasthosewhichweseeintheheavens,suchasthesunandother
stars.EachonehavingbeenbegottenbythedivinepowerisacertainproofthatGodwillresurrectourbodies.
[M.1312]Allthingsarebroughttomanifestationnotfromanyunderlyingmatter(hule)butfromthedivinewillactingas
matterandsubstanceforsuchcreatedthingsitiseasiertomoldthatwhichalreadyexistsintoitspropershape(schema)
thantobringintobeingthatwhichhadnosubstanceandessencerightfromthebeginning.Therefore,inthetext[cf.1Cor
15]Paulshowedthatthefirstmanwasdissolvedintotheearththroughsinandwasthereforeregardedasbeingoftheearth.
Itfollowedthatallwhotooktheiroriginfromthisfirstmanbecameearthlyandmortal.Anotherconsequencenecessarily
resultedbywhichmanisrenewedonceagainfrommortalityintoimmortality.Similarly,thegoodbegotteninhumannature
wasbestoweduponeverypersonasoneentity,justasevilwaspouredintoamultitudeofpersonsbyonemanthrough
succeedinggenerations.ThesewordsthencanbeusedforconfirmingPaul'steaching."Thefirstman,"hesays,"wasfrom
theearththesecondmanisfromheaven.Asitwaswiththemanofdust,soitiswiththoseofthedustasitiswiththeman
ofheaven,soarethosewhoareofheaven"[lCor15.4748].Therefore,theseandsimilarreflectionsconfirmthefactofthe
Resurrection.
Bymanyotherarguments,Paulentangledhereticswithsyllogisms.Heshowedthatthepersonnotbelievinginthe
resurrectionofthedeaddoesnotadmitofChrist'sResurrection.Throughthewebofmutualconnectionstherecomesthe
inevitableconclusion"Ifthereisnoresurrectionofthedead,neitherhasChristrisen.IfChristhasnotrisen,ourfaithinhim
isvain"[1Cor15.16].Ifthepropositionistrue,namelythatChristisrisenfromthedead,thenitisnecessarilytruethatthis
connectionspokenofistrue,thatthereisaresurrectionofthedead.Forbyaparticulardemonstrationtheuniversalis
presentedatthesametime.Onthecontrary,ifanyonesaystheuniversalisfalse,thatis,theresurrectionofthedead,neither
isthetruthfoundinanindividualexample,thatis,Christ'sResurrectionfromthedead.Paulthereforecompelsthe
CorinthiansbysyllogismstoaccepthisteachingontheResurrection.FromitheclaimsthatiftheResurrectiondoesnot
exist,itsuniversalconfirmationisconcluded.Forwithaspecificproofthegeneralprincipleisalsorevealed.And,onthe
contrary,ifanyoneweretosaythatthegeneralprincipleisfalse(thatthereisaresurrectionofthedead),thenneitherwould
thespecificbefoundtrue(thatChristwasraisedfromthedead).PauladdstothisfactthatasallhavediedinAdam,allwill
berestoredtolifeinChrist.ClearlydoesPaulhererevealthemysteryoftheResurrection.Anyonewholooksatwhatresults
fromtheResurrectionreadilyseesitsconsequence,thatis,thegoalforwhichallmenhopeandforwhichtheydirecttheir
prayers.
[M.1313]Herethenistheobjectofourtreatise.Iwillfirstsetforth,however,myownunderstandingofthetext,andwill
thenaddtheApostlePaul'swordsasappliedtomyunderstanding.WhatthereforedoesPaulteachus?Itconsistsinsaying
thatevilwillcometonoughtandwillbecompletelydestroyed.Thedivine,puregoodnesswillcontaininitselfeverynature
endowedwithreasonnothingmadebyGodisexcludedfromhiskingdomonceeverythingmixedwithsomeelementsof
basematerialhasbeenconsumedbyrefinementinfire.SuchthingshadtheirorigininGodwhatwasmadeinthebeginning
didnotreceiveevil.Paulsaysthisisso.HesaidthatthepureandundefileddivinityoftheOnlyBegotten[Son]assumed
man'smortalandperishablenature.However,fromtheentiretyofhumannaturetowhichthedivinityismixed,theman
constitutedaccordingtoChristisakindoffirstfruitsofthecommondough(oionaparchetistoukoinouphuramatos).Itis
throughthis[divinized]manthatallmankindisjoinedtothedivinity.
SinceeveryevilwasobliteratedinChristforhedidnotmakesintheprophetsays,"Nodeceitwasfoundinhismouth"
[Is53.9].Evilwasdestroyedalongwithsin,aswellasthedeathwhichresultedfordeathissimplytheresultofsin.Christ
assumedfromdeathboththebeginningofevil'sdestructionandthedissolutionofdeaththen,asitwere,acertainorderwas
consequentlyadded.Decreaseofthegoodalwaysresultsbystrayingfromitsprinciple,whilethegoodisfoundclosertous
insofarasitliesineachone'sdignityandpowerthus,aresultfollowsfromtheactionprecedingit.Therefore,aftertheman

inChrist,whobecamethefirstfruitsofourhumannature,receivedinhimselfthedivinity,Hebecamethefirstfruitsof
thosewhohavefallenasleepandthefirsthornfromthedeadoncethepangsofdeathhavebeenloosened.Sothen,afterthis
personhascompletelyseparatedhimselffromsinandhasutterlydeniedinhimselfthepowerofdeathanddestroyedits
lordshipandauthorityandmight...ifanyonelikePaulmaybefoundwhobecameamightyimitatorofChristinhisrejection
ofevil...suchapersonwillfallinbehindthefirstfruitsatChrist'scoming(parousia).
And,ontheotherhandIsaythisasanexamplethereisTimothy,whoasmuchashecould,wasalsoimitatinghis
teacherbutthereareotherpersonsnotquitelikehimwho,oneafteranother,sufferlittlebylittlealossofgoodnessandare
foundtofollowbehindcertainpeoplewhoarealwaysreadytoanticipateandleaduntilthefollowers,bycontinual
imitations,resemble(reach)theirleadersinwhomthereislittlegoodbecauseevilabounds.Inthesameway,thereisa
conformitythatcomesfromthosewhoarelessflawedand,asaconsequence,turnfromthosewhoexcelinevilbyfollowing
theirowninclinationsandwhoaredrivenbackfrombetterthingsuntilatthelastgaspofevil,growthingoodnessachieves
thedestructionofevil.Similarly,byagrowingresemblancetolessevilpersons,thosewhoexcelledindoingevilenterthe
wayofpersonsbeingledintowhatisbetteruntilthroughprogressinthegoodtheyputanendtotheirevilwaysbythe
destruction[M.1316]ofwickedness.Thegoalofourhopeisthatnothingcontrarytothegoodisleft,butthedivinelife
permeateseverything.Itcompletelydestroysdeath,havingearlierremovedsinwhich,asitissaid,helddominionoverall
mankind.Therefore,everywickedauthorityanddominationhasbeendestroyedinus.Nolongerdoanyofourpassionsrule
our[human]nature,sinceitisnecessarythatnoneofthemdominateallaresubjectedtotheonewhorulesoverall.
SubjectiontoGodiscompletealienationfromevil.Whenweareremovedfromevilinimitationofthefirstfruits[Christ],
ourentirenatureismixedwiththisselfsamefruits.Onebodyhasbeenformedwiththegoodaspredominantourbody's
entirenatureisunitedtothedivine,purenature.ThisiswhatwemeanbytheSon'ssubjectionwhen,inhisbody,Christ
rightlyhasthesubjectionwhen,inhisbody,Christrightlyhasthesubjectionbroughttohim,andheeffectsinusthegrace
ofsubjection.
SuchistheunderstandingoftheseteachingswhichwehaveacceptedfromthegreatSaintPaul.Itistimenowtoquotethe
apostlehimselfonthesematters."ForasinAdamalldie,soalsoinChristshallallbemadealive.Buteachinhisownorder:
Christthefirstfruits,thenathiscomingthosewhobelongtoChrist.Thencomestheendwhenhedeliversthekingdomto
GodtheFatherafterdestroyingeveryruleandeveryauthorityandpower.Forhemustreignuntilhehasputallhisenemies
underhisfeet.Thelastenemytobedestroyedisdeath.'ForGodhasputallthingsinsubjectionunderhisfeet'[areference
toPs8.6].Butwhenitsays,'Allthingsareputinsubjectionunderhim,'itisplainthatheisacceptedwhoputallthings
underhim.Whenallthingsaresubjectedtohim,thentheSonhimselfwillalsobesubjectedtohimwhoputsallthings
underhim,thatGodmaybeeverythingtoeveryone"[1Cor15.2228].
Inthelastofhiswords[above],Paulplainlyspeaksofthenonexistence(anuparktos)ofevilbystatingthatGodisinall
thingsandpresenttoeachoneofthem.ItisclearthatGodwilltrulybeinallthingswhennoevilwillbefound.Itisnot
properforGodtobepresentinevilthus,hewillnotbeineverythingaslongassomeevilremains.Ifitcompelsustotruly
believethatGodisineverything,thenevilcannotbeseenasexistingalongwithfaithforGodcannotbepresentinevil.
However,forGodtobepresentinallthings,Paulshowsthathe,thehopeofourlife,issimpleanduniform.Nolongercan
ournewexistencebenowcomparedothemanyandvariedexamplesofthispresentlife.Paulshows,bythewordsquoted
above,thatGodbecomesallthingsforus.Heappearsasthenecessitiesofourpresentlife,orasexamplesforpartakingin
thedivinity.Thus,forGodtobeourfood,itis[.1317]propertounderstandhimasbeingeatenthesameappliestodrink,
clothing,shelter,air,location,wealth,enjoyment,beauty,health,strength,prudence,glory,blessednessandanythingelse
judgedgoodwhichourhumannatureneeds.WordssuchasthesesignifywhatispropertoGod.
WethereforelearnbytheexamplesmentionedabovethatthepersoninGodhaseverythingwhichGodhimselfhas.Tohave
Godmeansnothingelsethantobeunitedwithhim.UnitythenmeanstobeonebodywithhimasPaulstates,forallwhoare
joinedtotheonebodyofChristbyparticipationareonebodywithhim.Whenthegoodpervadeseverything,thenthe
entiretyofChrist'sbodywillbesubjectedtoGod'svivifyingpower.Thus,thesubjectionofthisbodywillbesaidtobethe
subjectionofChurch.Regardingthispoint,PaulsaystotheColossians,"NowIrejoiceinmysufferingsforyoursake,and
inmyfleshIcompletewhatislackinginChrist'safflictionsforthesakeofhisbody,thatis,theChurchofwhich1became
aministeraccordingtohisdispensation"[Col1.24].TotheChurchatCorinthPaulsays,"YouarethebodyofChristandhis
members"[1Cor12.27].TotheEphesiansPaulmoreclearlyputsthisteachingwhensaying,"Rather,speakingthetruthin
love,wearetogrowupineverywayintohimwhoisthehead,intoChrist,fromwhomthewholebody,joinedandknit
togetherbyeveryjointwithwhichitissupplied,wheneachpartisworkingproperly,makesbodilygrowthandbuildsitself
upinlove"[Eph4.1516].
Christeternallybuildshimselfupbythosewhojointhemselvestohiminfaith.Apersonceasestobuildhimselfupwhen
thegrowthandcompletionofhisbodyattainsitspropermeasure.Nolongerdoeshelackanythingaddedtohisbodyby
building,sinceheiswhollyconstructeduponthefoundationofprophetsandapostles.Whenfaithisadded,theapostlesays,
"LetusattaintotheunityofthefaithandoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,tomaturemanhood,tothemeasureofthe

statureofthefullnessofChrist"[Eph2.13].
Ifthehead,inturn,buildsupthebody,itjoins,connectsandbringstogethereverythingelseforwhichitwasbornaccording
tothemeasureofitsfunction,suchasthehand,foot,eye,earoranyotherpartcompletingthebodyinproportiontoeach
person'sfaith.Bysocarryingoutthesefunctions,thebodybuildsitselfupasPaulsaysabove.Itisclearthatwhenthisis
accomplished,Christreceivesinhimselfallwhoarejoinedtohimthroughthefellowshipofhisbody.Christmakes
everyoneaslimbsofhisownbodyeveniftherearemanysuchlimbs,thebodyisone.Therefore,byunitingustohimself,
Christisourunityandhavingbecomeonebodywithusthroughall[M.1320]things,helooksafterusall.Subjectionto
Godisourchiefgoodwhenallcreationresoundsasonevoice,wheneverythinginheaven,onearthandundertheearth
bendsthekneetohim,andwheneverytonguewillconfessthathasbecomeonebodyandisjoinedinChristthrough
obediencetooneanother,hewillbringintosubjectionhisownbodytotheFather.
Letnotwhatissaidheresoundstrangetoanyone,forweascribetothesoulacertainmeansofexpressiontakenfromthe
body.Thatwhichisreadaspertainingtothefruitfulnessofthelandmayalsobeappliedtoone'sownsoul:"Eat,drink,and
bemerry"[Lk11.19].Thissentencemaybereferredtothefullnessofthesoul.Thus,thesubjectionoftheChurch'sbodyis
broughttohimwhodwellsinthesoul.SinceeverythingisexplainedthroughsubjectionasthebookofPsalmssuggests.As
aresult,welearnthatfaithmeansnotbeingapartfromthosewhoaresaved.ThiswelearnfromtheApostlePaul.
Paulsignifies,bytheSon'ssubjection,thedestructionofdeath.Therefore,thesetwoelementsconcur,thatis,whendeath
willbenomore,andeverythingwillbecompletelychangedintolife.TheLordislife.Accordingtotheapostle,Christwill
haveaccesstotheFatherwithhisentirebodywhenhewillhandoverthekingdomtoourGodandFather.Christ'sbody,asit
isoftensaid,consistsofhumannatureinitsentiretytowhichhehasbeenunited.Becauseofthis,ChristisnamedLordby
Paul,asmediatorbetweenGodandman[1Tim2.5].HewhoisintheFatherandhaslivedwithmenaccomplishes
intercession.Christunitesallmankindtohimself,andtotheFatherthroughhimself,astheLordsaysintheGospel,"As
you,Father,areinme,andIaminyou,thattheymaybeoneinus"[Jn17.21].Thisclearlyshowsthathavingunitedhimself
tous,hewhoisintheFathereffectsourunion(sunapheia)withthisverysameFather.
ThewordscontainedintheGospelthenadd,"TheglorywhichyouhavegiventomeIhavegiventothem"[vs.22].Ithink
thatChrist'sowngloryismeanttobetheHolySpiritwhichhehasgiventohisdisciplesbybreathinguponthem,forwhatis
scatteredcannototherwisebeunitedunlessjoinedtogetherbytheHolySpirit'sunity."AnyonewhodoesnothavetheSpirit
ofChristdoesnotbelongtohim"[Rom8.91.TheSpiritisglory,asChristsaysoftheFather:"Glorifymewiththeglory
whichIhadwithyoubeforetheworldwasmade"[Jn17.5].TheWordisGodwhohastheFather'sgloryandbecameflesh
duringtheselastdays.ItisnecessaryforthefleshtobecomewhattheWordis(thatis,tobecomedivine)byunitingitselfto
himthisiseffectedwhenthefleshreceivesthatwhichtheWordhadbeforetheworldwasmade.Thisisnoneotherthanthe
HolySpirit,thatsameHolySpiritexistingbeforetheagestogetherwiththeFatherandtheSon.Hence,thetextsays,"The
glorywhichyouhavegivenme,Ihavegiventothem"[M.1321]inorderthat"theunitygiventhroughtheHolySpirittome
mightbegiventoyouthroughme."
LetuslookatthewordsfollowingthosequotedabovefromtheGospel:"Thattheymaybeoneasweareone.Youinme
andIinthem,becauseIandyouareone,inorderthattheymaybeperfectlyone"[Jn17.2123].1thinkthatthereisno
needforexegesisofthesewordswhichagreewithwhatwehavealreadyexplainedabove,forthetextitselfclearlysetsforth
theteachingonunity."Inorderthattheymaybeoneasweareone."Foritcannotbeotherwise"thatallmaybeoneaswe
areone"unlessthedisciples,beingseparatedfromeverythingdividingthemfromeachother,areunitedtogether"asweare
one,"that"theymightbeone,asweareone."Howcanitbethat"Iaminthem?"For"Ialonecannotbeinthemunlessyou
alsoareinthem,sincebothIandyouareone.Thus,theymightbeperfectlyone,havingbeenperfectedinus,forweare
one."
Suchgraceismoreclearlyshownbythefollowingwords:"Ihavelovedthemasyouhavelovedme"[Jn17.23].Ifthe
FatherlovestheSon,allofushavebecomeChrist'sbodythroughfaithinhim.Thus,theFatherwholoveshisownSon
lovestheSon'sbodyjustastheSonhimself.WearetheSon'sbody.Therefore,thesenseofPaul'swordsbecomesclearthe
Son'ssubjectiontohisFathersignifiesthatheknowsourentirehumannatureandhasbecomeitssalvation.ThetextPaulis
referringtomightbecomeclearertousfromhisotherinsights.Iespeciallyrecalloneofhismanyreverenttestimonies
withoutquotingitatlength.Paulsaysofhimselfthat"withChristIamcrucified.ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristwho
livesinme"[Gal2.20].IfPaulnolongerlives,butChristlivesinhim,everythingwhichPauldoesandsaysisreferredto
Christlivinginhim.Paul'swordsarespokenbyChristwhenhesays,"DoyoudesireproofthatChristisspeakinginme?"
[2Cor13.3].PaulclaimsthatthegoodworksoftheGospelarenothisrather,heattributesthemtothegraceofChrist
dwellingwithinhim.IfChristlivinginPaulworksandspeaksthosethingsasaresultofthisindwelling,Paulhas
relinquishedeverythingwhichformerlydominatedhimwhenhewasablasphemer,persecutorandbehavedarrogantly.Paul
lookedtothetruegoodalone,andbyitmadehimselfsubmissiveandobedient.

OncePaulhasbeensubjectedtoGod,heisbroughttotheOnewholives,speaksandeffectsgoodthings.Thesupremegood
issubjectiontoGod.Thisfactwhichoccurredinoneperson[Paul]willbeharmoniouslyapplied[M.1324]toeveryhuman
being"when,"astheLordsays,"theGospelwillbepreachedthroughouttheworld"[Mk16.15].Allwhohaverejectedthe
oldmanwithitsdeedsanddesireshavereceivedtheLordwho,ofcourse,effectsthegooddonebythem.Thehighestofall
goodthingsissalvationeffectedinusthroughestrangementfromevil.However,weareseparatedfromevilfornoother
reasonthanforbeingunitedtoGodthroughsubjection.SubjectiontoGodthenreferstoChristdwellinginus.Whatis
beautifulishiswhatisgoodisfromhim,whichGodexpressesthroughtheprophets.Becausesubjectionisbothbeautiful
andgoodforChristhimselfdemonstratedthistousthegoodisentirelyfromhimwhoisgoodbynature,astheprophet
says.
Noonewholooksattheterm'subjection'asgenerallyusedspurnsit.ThegreatPaul'swisdomknewhowtousetheoutward
appearanceofwords.Heknewhowtoadaptsuchappearancesbyjoiningthemtogetherinhisownmindtoseeifthe
commonusageofwordsmaybeemployedforothermeanings.Onesuchoccurrenceofthisreadsasfollows:"Heemptied
himself"[Phil2.3]and"Noonewillmakevoidmyboasting"[lCor9.15]and"faithismadevoid"[Rom4.14]and"In
orderthatthecrossofChristmaynotbewithouteffect."Whatusearetheseexpressionstotheirauthor?Whocanjudgehim
saying,"Iamdesirousofyou"[1Th2.8]?Suchwordsastheseshowalovingattitude.
FromwheredoesPaul'slackofarrogance,whichislove,come?Itisrevealedthroughhisstatementthatlovedoesnotboast
[1Cor13.4].Strifeisfullofdisputesandisvengefulasthetermeritheiasignifies[selfishorfactiousambition].Itisclear
thaterithos[aworkerinwool]isderivedfromthetermeritheia,andweareaccustomedtosignifyingdiligentworkwith
regardstowool(eria)bythetermeritheia.Paul,however,findspleasureinsuchcoldetymologies,andbythemhedesiresto
showthesenseintendedbythesewords.Manyotherexamplesmaybeexaminedcloselyinwhichtheapostle'swordsare
found.Theydonotservethecommonuseofspeech,butPaulfreelybringshisownpeculiarunderstandingtothemwhile
avoidingthecommonusage.Hence,anothermeaningofsubjectionisunderstoodbyPaulasoppositetothecommonone.
Theexpositionoftheterm'subjection'asusedheredoesnotmeantheforceful,necessarysubjectionofenemiesasis
commonlymeantwhileontheotherhand,salvationisclearlyinterpretedbysubjection.However,clearproofoftheformer
meaningisdefinitelymadewhenPaulmakesatwofolddistinctionoftheterm'enemy.'Hesaysthatenemiesaretobe
subjectedindeed,theyaretobedestroyed.Therefore,theenemytobeblottedoutfromhumannatureisdeath,whose
principleissinalongwithits[M.1325]dominationandpower.Inanothersense,theenemiesofGodwhicharetobe
subjectedtohimattachthemselvestosinafterdesertingGod'skingdom.PaulmentionsthisinhisEpistletotheRomans:
"Forifwehavebeenenemies,wehavebeenreconciledtoGod"[Rom5.10].HerePaulcallssubjectionreconciliation,one
termindicatingsalvationbyanotherword.Forassalvationisbroughtneartousbysubjection,Paulsaysinanotherplace,
"Beingreconciled,weshallbesavedinthislife"[Rom5.10].Therefore,Paulsaysthatsuchenemiesaretobesubjectedto
GodandtheFatherdeathnolongeristohaveauthority.ThisisshownbyPaulsaying,"Deathwillbedestroyed,"aclear
statementthatthepowerofevilwillbeutterlyremoved:personsarecalledenemiesofGodbydisobedience,while'sewho
havebecometheLord'sfriendsarepersuadedbyPaulsaying,"WeareambassadorsforChrist,asthoughGoddidbeseech
youbyus:'BereconciledtoGod[2Cor6.20].
AccordingtothepromisemadeintheGospel,wearenolongerslavesoftheLordbutoncereconciled,wearenumbered
amonghisfriends.However,"itisnecessaryforhimloreign,untilheplaceshisenemiesunderhisfeel."Wereverentlytake
this,Ibelieve,asChristvaliantlyholdingswayinhispower.Thenthestrongman'sabilityinbattlewillceasewhenall
oppositiontothegoodwillbedestroyed.Oncetheentirekingdomisgatheredtohimself,ChristhandsitovertoGodandthe
Fatherwhouniteseverythingtohimself.ForthekingdomwillbehandedovertotheFather,thatis,allpersonswillyieldto
God[Christ],throughwhomwehaveaccesstotheFather.
WhenallenemieshavebecomeGod'sfootstool,theywillreceiveatraceofdivinityinthemselves.Oncedeathhasbeen
destroyedforiftherearenopersonswhowilldie,notevendeathwouldexistthenwewillbesubjectedtohimbutthisis
notunderstoodbysomesortofservilehumility.Oursubjection,however,consistsofakingdom,incorruptibilityand
blessednesslivinginusthisisPaul'smeaningofbeingsubjectedtoGod.Christperfectshisgoodinusbyhimself,and
effectsinuswhatispleasingtohim.AccordingtoourlimitedunderstandingofPaul'sgreatwisdomwhichwereceived,we
haveonlyunderstoodpartofit.Theapostle'spurposewasnottoexposehereticalteachings,whichiswhatyouwouldgather
fromthetextbeingtreated.Ifwhatwassaidbyourinquiryhasbeensufficientforyou,itmustbeattributedtoGod'sgrace.
Shouldourinquiryappearinsufficient,wewilleagerlyofferitscompletion,ifindeedyoumakeitknowntousbywriting
andifthroughourprayerswhatishiddenhasbeenmanifestedbytheHolySpirit.
TheEnd