To Florus 4.85
For the apostle Peter says: “Christ died for us, leaving you an example, so that you might follow his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21–22). The apostle’s statement certainly agrees with the Lord’s voice. The Lord says in the Gospel, “The ruler of this world is coming, and he finds nothing in me” (John 14:30). The teacher of the Church commends the same point, saying there was no offense in Christ. But by truthful testimony he explains why Christ had no sin: “Because,” he says, “he committed no sin.” He did not say, “Because he received no sin,” but, “Because he committed no sin.”
Latin
Petrus namque apostolus ait: Christus pro nobis mortuus est, vobis relinquens exemplum, ut sequamini vestigia eius; qui peccatum non fecit, nec inventus est dolus in ore eius [n122] . Certe Apostoli sententia cum Dominica voce concordat. Dicit ille in Evangelio: Venit princeps mundi huius, et in me nihil invenit [n123] . Hoc idem commendat magister Ecclesiae, dicitque in Christo nullum fuisse delictum; sed per quid non habuerit peccatum veraci attestatione commendat. Quia, inquit, peccatum non fecit. Non dixit: Quia peccatum non suscepit, sed: Quia peccatum non fecit.
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.