Modes of union: juxtaposition, coalescence, substance, relation

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John of Damascus is listing the twelve modes of union with examples, and here he gives the examples for union according to juxtaposition, coalescence, substance, and relation.

Union according to juxtaposition occurs with planks. Union according to coalescence occurs with a torch that proceeds from fire and is then united again. Union according to substance occurs with individuals, such as Peter and Paul, or certain horses, or oxen, or other animals. Union according to relation occurs with friends and opinions coming together into one will.

Greek

Κατὰ

παράθεσιν, ὡς ἐπὶ σανίδων. Κατὰ συναλοιφὴν, ὡς ἐπὶ λαμπάδος ἐκ πυρὸς προερχομένης

καὶ αὖθις ἑνουμένης. Κατὰ οὐσίαν, ὡς ἐπὶ ἀτόμων, Πέτρου καὶ Παύλου, ἤ τινων ἵππων,

ἢ βοῶν, ἢ ἑτέρων ζώων.

Κατὰ σχέσιν, ὡς ἐπὶ φίλων καὶ γνωμῶν εἰς ἓν θέ λημα συνερχομένων.

About this text

John of Damascus lists twelve kinds of union, from wine mixed with water to union in one person, to show how Christ's two natures are joined.

John of Damascus, an Eastern Christian monk and theologian, wrote this treatise in Greek. He had served as a financial official under the Syrian caliph before entering the monastery of Mar Saba. The work is a doctrinal explanation of the concept of union, written to clarify how the divine and human natures come together in Christ.

The treatise responds to errors about Christ's person. John argues against Nestorius, who divided Christ into two persons, and also against Eutyches and Dioscorus, who confused or mixed the natures. The reader will meet Peter and Paul as examples of individuals who share one substance, and will hear the teaching of Nestorius quoted only as the 'nonsense' that John rejects.

A reader should know that 'person' here translates the Greek term hypostasis, meaning an individual concrete reality, while 'nature' means the essential character of a thing and 'substance' means what a thing is. 'Union according to substance' means that individuals such as Peter and Paul share the same humanity but remain separate persons. 'Union according to person' applies only to Christ, in whom the divine and human natures are united in one person without confusion or change, each nature keeping its own natural property.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 94-96; De unione (Greek)

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 Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.