To Florus 1.132
For Esau, profane and sexually immoral, sold his birthright for a single meal. He sought the blessing he had despised and did not obtain it, although he begged for it with tears (Hebrews 12:16–17; Genesis 25:29–34; Genesis 27:34–38). Jacob, however, quiet and gentle, obedient to his parents' instructions and most eager for holy blessings, advanced so far that among the holy people God was called the God of Jacob as well as of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 25:27; Genesis 27:8; Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32).
All examples therefore establish that by a just judgment God does not withhold his mercy from good minds in any nation, while allowing no nobility of ancestry to defend evil minds. The Jews should understand that they must not despise the nations' faith. Just as Israelite ancestry does not defend crimes, so Gentile descent is no obstacle to virtues. The apostle pursues all this in that debate. In some passages, however, to bow down the pride of the circumcised, he settles the issue on God's power alone under the name of grace (Genesis 25:29–34) (Genesis 27:34–38) (Genesis 25:27) (Genesis 27:8).
Latin
Esau enim profanus et fornicator, propter unam escam vendens primitiva sua, quaesivit benedictionem quam spreverat, nec adeptus est, quamquam eam cum lacrymis poposcisset. Iacob autem quietus et mitis, oboediens parentum praeceptis, et sanctificationum appetentissimus, ad hoc usque provectus est, ut sicut Abrahae et Isaac, ita etiam et Iacob Deus in sancto populo diceretur [n344] . Cum igitur omnibus constaret exemplis, Deum iusto iudicio bonis mentibus in quacumque gente suam misericordiam non negare, malas vero mentes nulla sinere stirpis nobilitate defendi; intellegerent Iudaei Gentium fidem a se despici non debere; quia sicut non patrocinatur Israelitarum stemma criminibus, ita etiam nullo impedimento est Gentium origo virtutibus. Hoc ergo totum agens conflictu illo Apostolus; in quibusdam tamen locis, ad incurvandam circumcisorum arrogantiam, sub nomine gratiae de sola Dei praeiudicat potestate.
About this text
Julian’s six preserved books to Florus, quoted section by section in Augustine’s unfinished reply. Augustine’s refutations are omitted. Latin of Julian’s words is on each section.
Julian’s own books do not survive as a separate manuscript. English follows his words as Augustine quotes them in the Unfinished Work Against Julian. Augustine’s replies are omitted. We do not restore a Julian text independent of Augustine.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Augustine, Unfinished Work Against Julian (Latin · Julian’s words as quoted, Books 1–6)
- Checked print Augustinus.it Latin of the Unfinished Work (Latin · Same work)
- Checked print Migne PL 45 (Latin · Hard cases)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.