ACC ~ John 1 v14b

THE WORD IS EMMANUEL

AMBROSE: It is written, they say, “The Word was made flesh.” It is written. I do not deny it. But consider what follows, for there follows: “And dwelt among us,” that is, that word that took on flesh, this Word dwelt among us, that is, dwelt in human flesh, and so he is called Emmanuel, that is, “God with us.” [1] So this statement, “The Word was made flesh,” stands for that which took place. He became man even as he said in Joel: “I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh,” for the future pouring out of spiritual grace is promised not for irrational flesh but for humanity. ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE INCARNATION OF OUR LORD 6.59. [2]

[1] Mt 1:23.

[2] FC 44:241-42*.See also Bede Homily 1.5 On the Gospels.

THE WORD TABERNACLED IN OUR NATURE

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: In order to explain the word was, the Evangelist added kai eskēnōsen en hēmin, and “tabernacled in us,” that is, in this sense he became flesh: he lived in our nature. Evidently the words stand for “lived among us,” as also the apostle said about us human beings, “We who are still in this tabernacle [1] groan,” [2] where he called our body a tabernacle. He also writes elsewhere, “We know that if the earthly tabernacle we live in is destroyed.” [3] It is well known that in Scripture usually the whole person is indicated by “flesh,” as in, “To you all flesh shall come.” [4] COMMENTARY ON JOHN 1.1.14. [5]

[1] Syriac armwu.

[2] 2 Cor 5:4.

[3] 2 Cor 5:4.

[4] Ps 65:2 (64:3 LXX).

[5] CSCO 4 3:33-34. See also Theodoret Eranistes (FC 106:254).

ENRICHING OUR COMMON NATURE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The assertion that the Word dwelt in us is a useful one because it also reveals to us a very deep mystery. For we were all in Christ. The common element of humanity is summed up in his person, which is also why he was called the last Adam: he enriched our common nature with everything conducive to joy and glory just as the first Adam impoverished it with everything bringing corruption and gloom. This is precisely why the Word dwelt in all of us by dwelling in a single human being, so that through that one being who was “designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness” [1] the whole of humanity might be raised up to his status so that the verse, “I said, you are gods and all of you sons of the Most High” [2] might through applying to one of us come to apply to us all. Therefore, that which is enslaved is liberated in a real sense and ascends to a mystical union with him who put on the form of a servant, while “in us” it is liberated by an imitation of the union with the One through our kinship according to the flesh. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.9. [3]

[1] Rom 1:4.

[2] Ps 82:6 (81:6 LXX).

[3] COA 106-7.