On Theology
De theologia
The work distinguishes the theology of the Trinity from the economy of the Incarnation, likely for instruction or clarification.
Theology of the Trinity: one God in three persons§1
The author opens his treatise by distinguishing the theology of the Trinity from the economy of the Incarnation, beginning with the Trinity.
1In the theology of the Trinity, one God is glorified and worshipped in three persons: one divinity, one nature, one essence, one power and authority, one will. Yet there are three persons and three hypostases, each with its own property. For the Father's property is to be unbegotten; the Son's property is to be begotten; and the Holy Spirit's property is to be proceeding.
Greek · §1
The Greek is on each section page: §1
The three persons are one God, each with a distinct origin§2
John of Damascus is summarizing the theology of the Trinity, having just listed the three persons and their properties; now he states that each person is God and describes their relations of origin.
2God the Father is without beginning. God the Son is co-without-beginning, even though He is from the Father. God the Holy Spirit is co-eternal and co-without-beginning, proceeding from the Father—not begotten in a filial way as the Son is, but proceeding. The three are one in divinity, even though they are in three persons.
Greek · §2
The Greek is on each section page: §2
Two Natures in the Economy§3
John of Damascus turns from the Trinity to the economy of the incarnate Word, confessing two natures in one person.
3But in the economy of God and the Word of God, who was made flesh by the good pleasure of the Father and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, we confess two natures and one person: one Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, God together with man, and one person. We confess also two wills and two activities, each nature keeping its property, without division and without confusion.
Greek · §3
The Greek is on each section page: §3
The properties of each nature in Christ§4
John of Damascus is explaining what belongs to each of the two natures of Christ, and then how the incarnate Word ascended, sits at the Father's right hand, and will come to judge.
4For it is proper to the divinity to raise the dead and to perform divine signs, while it is proper to the humanity to hunger and thirst and grow weary, and to endure sufferings. The Word was united to the flesh without confusion and without division, and with that flesh he was taken up and sat at the right hand of the Father. He will come with glory at the consummation of the ages to judge the living and the dead, God enfleshed.
Greek · §4
The Greek is on each section page: §4