born [only[1]] in appearance, was crucified in appearance, and died in appearance; others that He is not the Son of the Creator, and others that He is Himself God over all.[2] Others, again, hold that He is a mere man, and others that this flesh is not to rise again, so that our proper course is to live and partake of a life of pleasure, for that this is the chief good to beings who are in a little while to perish. A swarm of such evils has burst in upon us.[3] But ye have not "given place by subjection to them, no, not for one hour."[4] For ye are the fellow-citizens as well as the disciples of Paul, who "fully preached the gospel from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum,"[5] and bare about "the marks of Christ" in his flesh.[6]
Chap. III.—The true doctrine respecting Christ.
Mindful of him, do ye by all means know that Jesus the Lord was truly born of Mary, being made of a woman; and was as truly crucified. For, says he, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus." [7] And He really suffered, and died, and rose again. For says [Paul], "If Christ should become passible, and should be the first to rise again from the dead."[8] And again, "In that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God."[9] Otherwise, what advantage would there be in [becoming subject to] bonds, if Christ has not died? what advantage in patience? what advantage in [enduring] stripes? And why such facts as the following: Peter was crucified; Paul and James were slain with the sword; John was banished to Patmos; Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews who killed the Lord? But, [in truth,] none of these sufferings were in vain; for the Lord was really crucified by the ungodly.
- ↑ Some omit this.
- ↑ That is, as appears afterwards from chapter v., so as to have no personality distinct from the Father.
- ↑ The translation here is somewhat doubtful.
- ↑ Gal. ii. 5.
- ↑ Rom. xv. 19.
- ↑ Gal. vi. 17.
- ↑ [[Bible (King James)/Galatians#6:14|Gal. vi. 14.}}
- ↑ Acts xxiv. 23 (somewhat inaccurately rendered in English version).
- ↑ Rom. vi. 10.
