Fragments Against Theodore, Book 3
The depth of the mystery: divinity and flesh distinct yet one§1
Cyril opens his third book against Theodore by urging him to grasp the depth of the mystery of Christ, insisting that divinity and flesh are distinct in their natural properties yet must be confessed as one Son.
1Listen, then, to what I also have to say to you. Understand, my friend, the depth of the mystery, and go straight toward the goal of the sacred writings. For divinity and flesh, that is, humanity, are different realities, at least as far as concerns the accounts that apply to the properties present in both. For how, I ask, did he become as we are, when the Word, being God, had remained what he was?
Greek · §1
The Greek is on each section page: §1
Give back his flesh in inseparable union§2
Cyril is addressing Theodore directly, urging him to confess the one Son in an inseparable union of divinity and flesh.
2But give back to him his flesh in an inseparable union, and do not strip him of the veil. For in this way you will worship one Son, consubstantial with the Father divinely, and the same one consubstantial with us humanly. To those who have chosen to think thus, Christ will reveal the knowledge of the mystery concerning himself.
For the nature of humanity in Christ was being honored and sanctified. As to what pertains to being, he would not have needed baptism, nor to share in the Holy Spirit. Most of all it will suffice for full assurance that he himself is the giver of the Spirit.
Greek · §2
The Greek is on each section page: §2
The humanity in Christ was honored and sanctified§3
Cyril is addressing Theodore of Mopsuestia, arguing that the same Christ is consubstantial with the Father divinely and with us humanly, and that those who think rightly will have Christ reveal the mystery to them.
3Divinely, consubstantial with the Father; and with us, the same one humanly. To those chosen to think thus Christ will reveal the knowledge of his own mystery. For the humanity in Christ was being honored and sanctified. For as far as his own being is concerned, he would not have needed baptism, nor indeed to share in the Holy Spirit. Most of all it will suffice for full assurance that he himself is the giver of the Spirit.
Greek · §3
The Greek is on each section page: §3
Christ reveals the mystery to those who think rightly§4
Cyril is closing his argument, stating that Christ will reveal the knowledge of his own mystery to those who have chosen to think rightly about him.
4Divinely, consubstantial, and also to us the same humanly. To those who think thus Christ will reveal the knowledge of his own mystery. For the humanity in Christ was being honored and sanctified. For as far as his own being is concerned, he would not have needed baptism, nor indeed to share in the Holy Spirit. Most of all it will suffice for full assurance that he himself is the giver of the Spirit.
Greek · §4
The Greek is on each section page: §4