On Faith and the Creed · §25 · Augustine of Hippo

The purpose of the creed's few words

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Augustine is concluding the treatise by explaining why the creed is given to new Christians in few words.

This is the faith that is given to new Christians in a few words to be held in the creed. These few words are known to the faithful, so that by believing they may be subjected to God, by being subjected they may live rightly, by living rightly they may cleanse the heart, and with the heart cleansed they may understand what they believe.

Latin

Haec est fides, quae paucis uerbis tenenda in symbolo nouellis christianis datur. quae pauca uerba fidelibus nota sunt, ut credendo subiugentur deo, subiugati recte uiuant, recte uiuendo cor mundent, corde mundato quod credunt intellegant.

About this text

The text does not explicitly state the occasion.

Augustine of Hippo (354–430) delivered this treatise as a presbyter, at the request of the bishops assembled for a council of the whole North African episcopate at Hippo-Regius. He later issued it as a book at the desire of friends. The work offers a fuller treatment of the brief creed memorized by new Christians, to protect it against heretics.

Augustine explains the articles of the creed in order, beginning with God the Father almighty as creator of all things from nothing. He then treats the eternal generation of the Son, the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and future judgment. He defends the full divinity and co-equality of the Holy Spirit within the one divine substance, and finally expounds the church, forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body, urging that faith must be held before it can be understood.

Augustine quotes Scripture throughout and reports the claims of heretics, Gentiles, and philosophers. Augustine uses Old Latin versions of the Bible, with Psalms numbered according to the Septuagint.

New English from the Latin base text; no published English used as wording.

Printed text used

Translated from CSEL 41 (1900) (Latin)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.