To Florus 2.59
Let us leave that aside and crush, by reason’s strength, the argument it seems you could offer at this point. You may say that Scripture describes this union by saying that the two become one flesh, and that in this sense the apostle said ‘through one man’ to indicate the joined bodies of those who beget (Romans 5:12). I will answer that this too counts against your impiety. For it does not say, ‘The two human beings will become one human being,’ but, ‘The two will become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24). The language of union teaches that this pleasure of those coupling, this desire which affects their sensation and stirs their organs—which, as that wise man understood, strives to make one flesh—was instituted by God and implanted in their bodies before sin.
Latin
Verum haec omissa faciamus, et illud, quod a vobis apparet posse in hoc loco referri, rationis viribus deteramus. Si ergo dixeris, scriptum esse de hac commixtione, quod fiant duo in carne una, et secundum hunc modum, Apostolum per unum hominem [n78] dixisse, ut adhaerentia sibi generantium membra signaret; respondebo hoc quoque contra vestram impietatem valere. Non enim dictum est: Erunt duo homines in uno homine; sed: Erunt duo in carne una [n79] ; quo unitionis nomine voluptas illa coeuntium et libido, quae sensum afficiens membra consternat ac, sicut ille prudens intellexit, unam carnem gestit efficere, a Deo instituta et corporibus ante peccatum doceretur inserta.
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.