On Faith and the Creed · §3 · Augustine of Hippo

The Word through whom all things were made

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Augustine is explaining the first article of the creed about God the Father almighty, and now moves to the second article about the Son, the Word through whom all things were made.

Therefore, since we believe in God the Father almighty, we must hold that no creature exists that was not created by the Almighty. And because he created all things through the Word—the Word who is also called the truth and the power and the wisdom of God, and who is commended to our faith under many other names as Jesus Christ our Lord, that is, our liberator and ruler, the Son of God—for that Word through whom all things were made could be begotten by none except the one who made all things through him—we believe also in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God the Father, that is, his unique one, our Lord.

But we must not understand that Word as we understand our own words, which are produced by voice and mouth, strike the air, and pass away, lasting no longer than their sound. That Word remains unchangeably. For it was said of him when Scripture spoke of wisdom: “Remaining in herself, she renews all things” (Wisdom of Solomon 7:27). He is called the Word of the Father because through him the Father becomes known. Just as when we speak true words, we act so that our mind becomes known to the hearer, and whatever secret we carry in our heart is brought to another's knowledge through signs of this kind, so wisdom whom God the Father begot is most fittingly named his Word, because through her the most hidden Father becomes known to worthy souls.

Latin

Credentes itaque in deum patrem omnipotentem nullam creaturam esse, quae ab omnipotente non creata sit, existimare debemus. et quia omnia per uerbum creauit, quod uerbum et ueritas dicitur et uirtus et sapientia dei multisque aliis insinuatur uocabulis qui nostrae fidei Iesus Christus dominus commendatur, liberator scilicet noster et rector filius dei — non enim uerbum illud, per quod sunt omnia condita, generare potuit nisi ille, qui per ipsum condidit omnia -

credimus etiam in Iesum Christum filium dei patris unigenitum, id est unicum, dominum nostrum. quod tamen uerbum non sicut uerba nostra debemus accipere, quae uoce atque ore prolata uerberato aere transeunt nec diutius manent quam sonant; manet enim illud uerbum incommutabiliter. nam de ipso dictum est, cum de sapientia diceretur: in se ipsa manens innouat omnia. uerbum enim patris ideo dictum est, quia per ipsum innotescit pater. sicut enim uerbis nostris id agimus, cum uerum loquimur, ut noster animus innotescat audienti et quidquid secretum in corde gerimus per signa huius modi ad cognitionem alterius proferatur: sic illa sapientia, quam deus pater genuit, quoniam per ipsam innotescit dignis animis secretissimus pater, uerbum eius 'conuenientissime nominatur.

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.