Chapter V.—Their dangerous errors.
Some ignorantly522 deny Him, or rather have been denied by Him, being the advocates
of death rather than of the truth. These persons neither have the prophets persuaded, nor
the law of Moses, nor the Gospel even to this day, nor the sufferings we have individually
endured. For they think also the same thing regarding us.523 For what does any one profit
me, if he commends me, but blasphemes my Lord, not confessing that He was [truly] pos-
sessed of a body?524 But he who does not acknowledge this, has in fact altogether denied
Him, being enveloped in death.525 I have not, however, thought good to write the names
of such persons, inasmuch as they are unbelievers. Yea, far be it from me to make any
mention of them, until they repent and return to [a true belief in] Christ’s passion, which
is our resurrection.
Some have ignorantly denied Him, and advocate falsehood rather than the truth. These
persons neither have the prophecies persuaded, nor the law of Moses, nor the Gospel even
to this day, nor the sufferings we have individually endured. For they think also the same
thing regarding us. For what does it profit, if any one commends me, but blasphemes my
Lord, not owning Him to be God incarnate?526 He that does not confess this, has in fact
altogether denied Him, being enveloped in death. I have not, however, thought good to
write the names of such persons, inasmuch as they are unbelievers; and far be it from me
to make any mention of them, until they repent.
522 Or, “foolishly.”
523 i.e., As they imagine Christ to have suffered only in appearance, so they believe that we suffer in vain.
524 Literally, “a flesh-bearer.”
525 Literally, “a death-bearer.”
526 Literally, “a flesh-bearer.”
Chapter V.—Their dangerous errors.
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Chapter V.—Their dangerous errors.