To Florus 2.212
Grace, however, is not conferred in the same way, repeatedly applied to each sin individually. Instead, poured in once, it wipes away many different crimes in a single concentrated action of its power. That is why he says, ‘From many offenses to justification’ (Romans 5:16): it leads human beings freed from many offenses to the glory of justification bestowed on them. Therefore he does not here mean Adam’s single sin, as you suppose. He uses the numbers one and many solely to praise grace: grace need not be repeated as often as each mortal person has sinned, as though individual baptisms could heal only individual sins.
Latin
Gratia autem non eodem confertur modo, ut peccatis aeque admota singulis crebro repetatur; sed infusa semel uno virtutis suae impetu atque compendio diversa et plurima delet crimina. Ideo ait: Ex multis delictis in iustificationem [n340] , id est ex multis delictis liberatos homines ad gloriam perducit iustificationis indultae. Non ergo hic unum Adae peccatum, ut suspicaris, intellegit, sed ad hoc solum numerum admovit unius et plurium, ut ad laudem gratiae respiceret, quia non quoties peccatum ab unoquoque mortalium fuerat, totiens etiam frequentaretur gratia, quasi baptismata singula nisi peccatis singulis non possint mederi.
About this text
Julian’s six preserved books to Florus, quoted section by section in Augustine’s unfinished reply. Augustine’s refutations are omitted. Latin of Julian’s words is on each section.
Julian’s own books do not survive as a separate manuscript. English follows his words as Augustine quotes them in the Unfinished Work Against Julian. Augustine’s replies are omitted. We do not restore a Julian text independent of Augustine.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Augustine, Unfinished Work Against Julian (Latin · Julian’s words as quoted, Books 1–6)
- Checked print Augustinus.it Latin of the Unfinished Work (Latin · Same work)
- Checked print Migne PL 45 (Latin · Hard cases)
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.