Philippians kenosis: same one God and human; unchanged Word; economy needs human lowliness
For even so he has remained Master of all. These things we have been taught by the saints.
Their words convey wise commands to us: we must hunt what most seems to belong to the holy writings, and scrutinize the truth in the divine doctrines, applying a fine mind to what is said about Christ, tearing down reasonings and every height raised against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to his obedience (2 Corinthians 10:5).
For it is firmly held and confessed by all that the Word from him by nature, existing in the form and equality of God the Father, “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of humans; and being found in fashion as a human he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6–8)
So the mind that aims to discern well the force of what is written about him must somehow be filled with God-loving skill — so that the same one may be recognized as God and human together, and may have his being God without falsification. For the Word’s nature is unchangeable, and he does not refuse the measure of the emptying: the one who economically endured voluntary emptying for us does not blush at his own designs.
He must therefore be seen as distinguished in the dignities of the deity, and yet not wholly freed from our smallness because of the human — for the economy demands this. For if the Word, being God, has become flesh — that is, human…
Greek
μένηκε yàp kai οὕτω τῶν ὅλων δεσποτης. ταῦτα pow δεδιδαγμεθα.
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About this text
Cyril’s court treatise on right faith for Pulcheria and Eudocia (CPG 5220). One Son who suffers in flesh yet remains impassible as God. English from Pusey’s Greek.
English follows Pusey’s 1877 Greek of De recta fide ad Pulcheriam et Eudociam. This is a reading translation for study, not a new critical edition.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Pusey, De recta fide ad reginas (Oxford, 1877) (Greek · CPG 5220 §§1–48)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.