Marcellus Fragment 74
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Fragment number | Vinzent 74 Klostermann 73 Rettb. 64 |
Ancient source used | Eusebius, Against Marcellus 2.2. On Ecclesiastical Theology 2.4. |
Modern edition | M. Vinzent, Markell von Ankyra: Die Fragmente (Leiden, 1997). |
So if he says “I have gone out from the Father and have come” (Jn 8:42), and again, “And the Word which you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me” (Jn 14:24), and, “All the things which the Father has are mine” (Jn 16:15), then it is clear that he also is right to say, “The Father is in me and I am in the Father,” so that the Word who says this is in God and the Father is in the Word, for the Word is the power of the Father. For a credible witness has said that he is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24).
The Savior does not say, “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30), “because of their exact agreement in all words and deeds,” as Asterius said, but because it is impossible to divide either the Word from God or God from his Word. If Asterius thinks that “the Savior has said this because of their exact agreement in all” and is unwilling to learn the truth because of his focus the second dispensation, then it is necessary to remind him how sometimes an apparent lack of agreement can be seen, for the Scriptures teach us this. For what kind of agreement was there at the time of his passion when he said, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass,” but then continued, “But not as I will, but as you will”? (Mt 26:39) For first of all, “Let this cup pass,” are the words of one who is not in agreement, and also with how he continued he seems to be in no agreement at all, for he says, “Not my will but your will be done, Father” (Lk 22:42). You hear how the literal words show an apparent lack of agreement since only one is willing. For it is clear that the Father wanted it from the fact that what he wanted happened, but it is clear that the Son did not want it from things he asked. And furthermore he says, “I seek not my will but the will of him who sent me” (Jn 5:30). So how does he say about “I and the Father are one” that “the Savior has said this because of their exact agreement in all.”
Translated by AMJ
Last updated: 8-29-2012
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