ACC ~ John 5 v23

THE “AS” OF EQUAL HONOR

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: [Our opponents] say that the word as does not altogether always introduce equality of acts in those things to which it is affixed but often marks out a kind of likeness, as in, “Be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful.” Does this, they say, imply that we are just as merciful as the Father because of the word as?… What then is our answer to this?… When “as” is applied to things unlike in their nature, it does not wholly introduce absolute equality but rather likeness and resemblance. But when it is applied to things in all respects alike, it shows equality in all things and similitude. So, for instance when speaking of the brightness of the sun in heaven and the brightness of silver here on earth, their natures are diverse…. In this case, we rightly say that earthly matter cannot attain to equal brightness with the sun but only to a certain likeness and resemblance, even though the word as is used. But take the example of the holy disciples Peter and John, who, both in respect to nature and piety toward God, do not fail as accurate likenesses of one another. And then say, “Let John be honored by all, even as Peter.” Is the “as” here powerless so that equal honor should not be paid to both?… According to this analogy then, when the “as” is applied to the Father and the Son, why should we shrink from crowning both with equal honors? COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.8. [1]

[1] LF 43:262-63**.

YOU CANNOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FATHER IF THE SON IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED

LACTANTIUS: He who has not acknowledged the Son is unable to acknowledge the Father. This is wisdom, and this is the mystery of the supreme God. God willed that he should be acknowledged and worshiped through him. On this account he sent the prophets beforehand to announce his coming so that when the things that had been foretold were fulfilled in him, then he might be believed by people to be both the Son of God and God. Nor, however, must the opinion be entertained that there are two gods, for the Father and the Son are one. EPITOME OF THE DIVINE INSTITUTES 49. [1]

[1] ANF 7:242*.

THE HONOR OF CHRIST INSEPARABLE FROM THE HONOR OF GOD

HILARY OF POITIERS: It is only things of the same nature that are equal in honor. Equality of honor denotes that there is no separation between the honored. But the demand for equality of honor is combined with the revelation of Christ’s birth. Since the Son is to be honored as the Father, and since they do not seek the Son’s honor, even though he is the only God, he is not excluded from the honor of the only God. For his honor is one and the same as that of God…. He who does not seek the honor of the only God does not seek the honor of Christ also. Accordingly the honor of Christ is inseparable from the honor of God. ON THE TRINITY 9.23. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 9:162-63*. See also Athanasius Against the Arians 1.18, 33; 3.7.