Chapter XLVIII.—Before the divinity of Christ is proved, he [Trypho] demands
that it be settled that He is Christ.
And Trypho said, “We have heard what you think of these matters. Resume the discourse
where you left off, and bring it to an end. For some of it appears to me to be paradoxical,
and wholly incapable of proof. For when you say that this Christ existed as God before the
ages, then that He submitted to be born and become man, yet that He is not man of man,
this [assertion] appears to me to be not merely paradoxical, but also foolish.”
And I replied to this, “I know that the statement does appear to be paradoxical, especially
to those of your race, who are ever unwilling to understand or to perform the [requirements]
of God, but [ready to perform] those of your teachers, as God Himself declares.331 Now
assuredly, Trypho,"I continued,"[the proof] that this man332 is the Christ of God does not
fail, though I be unable to prove that He existed formerly as Son of the Maker of all things,
being God, and was born a man by the Virgin. But since I have certainly proved that this
man is the Christ of God, whoever He be, even if I do not prove that He pre-existed, and
submitted to be born a man of like passions with us, having a body, according to the Father’s
will; in this last matter alone is it just to say that I have erred, and not to deny that He is the
Christ, though it should appear that He was born man of men, and [nothing more] is proved
[than this], that He has become Christ by election. For there are some, my friends,” I said,
“of our race,333 who admit that He is Christ, while holding Him to be man of men; with
whom I do not agree, nor would I,334 even though most of those who have [now] the same
opinions as myself should say so; since we were enjoined by Christ Himself to put no faith
in human doctrines,335 but in those proclaimed by the blessed prophets and taught by
Himself.”
331 Comp. Isa. xxix. 13.
332 Or, “such a man.”
333 Some read, “of your race,” referring to the Ebionites. Maranus believes the reference is to the Ebionites,
and supports in a long note the reading “our,” inasmuch as Justin would be more likely to associate these
Ebionites with Christians than with Jews, even though they were heretics.
334 Langus translates: “Nor would, indeed, many who are of the same opinion as myself say so.”
335 [Note this emphatic testimony of primitive faith.]
Chapter XLVIII.—Before the divinity of Christ is proved, he [Trypho] demands that it be settled that He is Christ.
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Chapter XLVIII.—Before the divinity of Christ is proved, he [Trypho] demands…