To Florus 2.157
‘For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is emptied and the promise destroyed’ (Romans 4:14). Unless this statement is understood, it introduces a very great difficulty. Undoubtedly by ‘those who are of the law’ he means those whom he had earlier called ‘of the circumcision.’ He knew they claimed so much for themselves that they thought no one besides themselves could be admitted to the dignity of Abraham’s offspring. Yet his argument had established that not only the circumcised, but also those of the uncircumcised who chose to follow the footsteps of Abraham’s faith, should rightly be reckoned Abraham’s children.
Latin
Si enim qui sunt ex lege, haeredes sunt, evacuata est fides, destructa est repromissio [n220] . Qui sermo nisi intellegatur, ingerit maximam quaestionem; dubio enim procul dicit eos esse ex lege, quos supra dixerat ex circumcisione, quos sibi tantum noverat arrogare, ut putarent praeter se neminem assumi ad Abrahae seminis dignitatem; atque hoc disputatione collegerat, ut quia non solum hi, qui ex circumcisione, sed et illi, qui ex praeputio sectari voluissent vestigia fidei Abrahae, non immerito Abrahae filii censerentur.
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.