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Translated by W. Moore and H. A. Wilson
St Gregory of Nyssa Resources Online and in Print
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This Part: 128 Pages
Page 93
ยง42. Explanation of Ungenerate,' and a study' of Eternity.
The eternity of God's life, to sketch it in mere outline, is on this wise. He is always to be apprehended as in existence; He admits not a time when He was not, and when He will not be. Those who draw a circular figure in plane geometry from a centre to the distance of the line of circumference tell us there is no definite beginning to their figure; and that the line is interrupted by no ascertained end any more than by any visible commencement: they say that, as it forms a single whole in itself with equal radii on all sides, it avoids giving any indication of beginning or ending. When, then, we compare the Infinite being to such a figure, circumscribed though it be, let none find fault with this account; for it is not on the circumference, but on the similarity which the figure bears to the Life which in every direction eludes the grasp, that we fix our attention when we affirm that such is our intuition of the Eternal. From the present instant, as from a centre and a "point," we extend thought in all directions, to the immensity of that Life. We find that we are drawn round uninterruptedly and evenly, and that we are always following a circumference where there is nothing to grasp; we find the divine life returning upon itself in an unbroken continuity, where no end and no parts can be recognized. Of God's eternity we say that which we have heard from prophecy [227] ; viz.. that God is a king "of old," and rules for ages, and for ever, and beyond. Therefore we define Him to be earlier than any beginning, and exceeding any end. Entertaining, then, this idea of the Almighty, as one that is adequate, we express it by two titles; i.e., Ungenerate' and Endless' represent this infinitude and continuity and ever-lastingness of the Deity. If we adopted only one of them for our idea, and if the remaining one was dropped, our meaning would be marred by this omission; for it is impossible with either one of them singly [228] to express the notion residing in each of the two; but when one speaks of the endless,' only the absence as regards an end has been indicated, and it does not follow that any hint has been given about a beginning; while, when one speaks of the Unoriginate [229] ,' the fact of being beyond a beginning has been expressed, but the case as regards an end has been left quite doubtful.
[227] from prophecy. Psalm x. 16. Basileusei Kurios eis ton ai& 242;na, kai eis ton ai& 242;na tou ai& 242;nos; Psalm xxix. 10. kathieitai Kurios basileus eis ton ai& 242;na; Psalm lxxiv. 12. O de theos basileus hemon pro ai& 242;nos.
[228] henos tinos touton.
[229] anarchon.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/nyssa/against-eunomius.asp?pg=93
