ACC ~ John 8 v58

DIVINITY HAS NO PAST OR FUTURE

GREGORY THE GREAT: Our Redeemer graciously turns their gaze away from his body and draws it to contemplation of his divinity. He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” “Before” indicates past time, “I am” present time. Because divinity does not have past and future time but always is, he did not say, “I was before Abraham” but “Before Abraham was, I am.” And so it was said to Moses, “I am who I am,” and “You will say to the children of Israel, ‘He who is has sent me to you.’” [1] Therefore he who could draw near by manifesting his presence and depart after completing his life existed both before and after Abraham. Truth always exists, because nothing begins before it in time or comes to an end after it. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 16. [2]

[1] Ex 3:14.

[2] CS 123:116-17**.

Jn