ACC ~ John 6 v27b

THE SON IS THE ENTIRE IMPRINT OF THE FATHER

HILARY OF POITIERS: It is the nature of a seal to exhibit the whole form of the figure graven on it and that an impression taken from it reproduces it in every respect. And since it receives the whole of that which is impressed, it displays also in itself entirely whatever has been impressed on it. Yet this comparison is not adequate to exemplify the divine birth, because seals presuppose matter, difference of nature and an act of impression where the likeness of stronger natures is impressed on things of a more yielding nature…. What God had sealed should display in itself none other than the form of the God who sealed it…. As far as his being in the form of God by virtue of God’s seal on him, he still remained God. But inasmuch as he was to take the form of a servant and become obedient unto death, not grasping at his equality with God, he emptied himself through obedience to take the form of a slave. And he emptied himself of the form of God, that is, of that in which he was equal with God—not that he regarded his equality with God as any encroachment—although he was in the form of God and equal with God and sealed by God as God. [1] ON THE TRINITY 8.44-45. [2]

[1] See Phil 2:5-11.

[2] NPNF 2 9:150-51*.

THROUGH CHRIST WE CAN RECEIVE THE DIVINE SEAL

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The countenance of God the Father is the Son who is the imprint of God. But the light of God is the grace that passes into creation through the Spirit, by which we are refashioned to God through faith. We receive through God, as with a seal, the being conformed to his Son. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 3.5. [1]

[1] LF 43:350**. Gregory of Nazianzus refers to Christ as the Father’s”most unerring impress”; see Oration 30.20 (NPNF 2 7:316-17).

THE MARK OF PERFECTION AND LOVE

AMBROSE: [Christ] is our seal, which is the mark of perfection and of love because the Father, loving the Son, set his seal on him. ISAAC, OR THE SOUL 8.75. [1]

[1] FC 65:59.