Orations against the Arians
Orationes contra Arianos
The Paradoxes of Arius§1
1But the paradoxical opinions of the Arian faction assert that Christ has been made a sinner. As for the fact that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19), they neither hold it in memory nor declare it with the organs of the tongue.
Instead, like terrible informers and accusers who have mutilated the field, they conduct the contest of the accusation. It is necessary, however, to include all the lawful combatants without fail, but not toward deceit, by keeping one part in silence and bringing forward the other part.
For if he is a creature, then he is not begotten; but if he is begotten, then he is not a creature; since it is not possible for the race to turn toward either regarding the same nature. Everything having a beginning receives an end, and everything receiving an end is subject to corruption.
Greek · §1
Orationes contra Arianos (fragmenta) ΟΙ ΛΟΓΟΙ ΚΑΤΑ ΑΡΕΙΑΝΩΝ 54 Ἀλλ' οἱ παράδοξοι τῆς Ἀρείου θυμέλης μεσόχοροι τὸ μὲν ἁμαρτίαν πεποιηκέναι τὸν Χριστὸν φράζουσι· 55 Τὸ δὲ ὅτι Θεὸς ἦν ἐν Χριστῷ κόσμον καταλλάσσων ἑαυτῷ, οὔτε ἐν μνήμῃ φέρουσιν οὔτε τοῖς τῆς γλώττης ὀργάνοις ἐκφωνοῦσιν. Ἀλλὰ ὥσπερ δεινοὶ συκοφάνται καὶ κατήγοροι ἀκρωτηριάσαντες τὸ χωρίον, τὸν ἀγῶνα τῆς κατηγορίας ποιοῦνται. 56 ∆εῖ δὲ φιλαλήθως τοὺς ἐννόμους ἀγωνιστὰς πάντα συμπεριλαβόντας ἀπαραλείπτως, ἀλλὰ μὴ πρὸς ἀπάτην μέρος μὲν ἀποσιωπᾶν, μέρος δὲ ἀποσπῶντας προφέρειν. 57 Εἰ γὰρ κτιστὸς οὐκ ἄρα γεννητός· εἰ δὲ γεννητὸς, οὐ κτιστός· ἐπεὶ μηδὲ οἷόν τε περὶ τὴν αὐτὴν φύσιν ἑκάτερον στρέφεσθαι τὸ γένος. 58 Πᾶν τὸ ἀρχὴν ἔχον καὶ τέλος ἐπιδέχεται, πᾶν τὸ τέλος ἐπιδεχόμενον φθορᾶς ἐστιν δεκτικόν.
Arian Paradoxes and Omissions§2
2But the paradoxical partisans of Arius declare that Christ has been made to commit sin.
As for the fact that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ (2 Cor 5:19), they neither carry it in their memory nor with the organs of speech.
Greek · §2
Orationes contra Arianos (fragmenta) ΟΙ ΛΟΓΟΙ ΚΑΤΑ ΑΡΕΙΑΝΩΝ 54 Ἀλλ' οἱ παράδοξοι τῆς Ἀρείου θυμέλης μεσόχοροι τὸ μὲν ἁμαρτίαν πεποιηκέναι τὸν Χριστὸν φράζουσι· 55 Τὸ δὲ ὅτι Θεὸς ἦν ἐν Χριστῷ κόσμον καταλλάσσων ἑαυτῷ, οὔτε ἐν μνήμῃ φέρουσιν οὔτε τοῖς τῆς γλώττης ὀργάνοις
The Malice of Accusers§3
3They shout out. But just as wicked informers and accusers, having distorted the field, perform the contest of accusation, it is necessary to include all the lawful combatants without fail in a love of truth, but not toward deceit, some being silenced and others being torn away.
Greek · §3
ἐκφωνοῦσιν. Ἀλλὰ ὥσπερ δεινοὶ συκοφάνται καὶ κατήγοροι ἀκρωτηριάσαντες τὸ χωρίον, τὸν ἀγῶνα τῆς κατηγορίας ποιοῦνται. 56 ∆εῖ δὲ φιλαλήθως τοὺς ἐννόμους ἀγωνιστὰς πάντα συμπεριλαβόντας ἀπαραλείπτως, ἀλλὰ μὴ πρὸς ἀπάτην μέρος μὲν ἀποσιωπᾶν, μέρος δὲ ἀποσπῶντας
Distinction between Created and Begotten§4
4To bring forth. For if it is a creature, then it is not begotten; but if it is begotten, it is not a creature; since neither can the nature turn toward the same thing in either way. Everything having a beginning receives an end, and everything receiving an end is subject to decay.
Greek · §4
προφέρειν. 57 Εἰ γὰρ κτιστὸς οὐκ ἄρα γεννητός· εἰ δὲ γεννητὸς, οὐ κτιστός· ἐπεὶ μηδὲ οἷόν τε περὶ τὴν αὐτὴν φύσιν ἑκάτερον στρέφεσθαι τὸ γένος. 58 Πᾶν τὸ ἀρχὴν ἔχον καὶ τέλος ἐπιδέχεται, πᾶν τὸ τέλος ἐπιδεχόμενον φθορᾶς ἐστιν δεκτικόν.