{"author":null,"backreferences":[{"context_html":"<p class=\"c006\">5. But let us see whether we can find in holy Scripture any\r\nindications properly applicable to these heavenly existences.\r\nThe following is the statement of the Apostle Paul: “The\r\ncreature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by\r\nreason of Him who subjected the same in hope, because the\r\ncreature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of\r\ncorruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”<a id=\"r138\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f138\"><sup>[138]</sup></a>\r\nTo what vanity, pray, was the creature made subject, or what\r\ncreature is referred to, or how is it said “not willingly,” or\r\n“in hope of what?” And in what way is the creature itself\r\nto be delivered from the bondage of corruption? Elsewhere,\r\nalso, the same apostle says: “For the expectation of the\r\ncreature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”<a id=\"r139\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f139\"><sup>[139]</sup></a>\r\nAnd again in another passage, “And not only we, but the\r\ncreation itself groaneth together, and is in pain until now.”<a id=\"r140\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f140\"><sup>[140]</sup></a>\r\nAnd hence we have to inquire what are the groanings, and\r\nwhat are the pains. Let us see then, in the first place, what\r\n<span class=\"pageno\" id=\"Page_64\">64</span>is the vanity to which the creature is subject. I apprehend\r\nthat it is nothing else than the body; for although the body\r\nof the stars is ethereal, it is nevertheless material. Whence\r\nalso Solomon appears to characterize the whole of corporeal\r\nnature as a kind of burden which enfeebles the vigour of the\r\nsoul in the following language: “Vanity of vanities, saith the\r\nPreacher; all is vanity. I have looked, and seen all the works\r\nthat are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity.”<a id=\"r141\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f141\"><sup>[141]</sup></a> To\r\nthis vanity, then, is the creature subject, that creature especially\r\nwhich, being assuredly the greatest in this world, holds\r\nalso a distinguished principality of labour, <i>i.e.</i> the sun, and\r\nmoon, and stars, are said to be subject to vanity, because they\r\nare clothed with bodies, and set apart to the office of giving\r\nlight to the human race. “And this creature,” he remarks,\r\n“was subjected to vanity not willingly.” For it did not\r\nundertake a voluntary service to vanity, but because it was\r\nthe will of Him who made it subject, and because of the\r\npromise of the Subjector to those who were reduced to this\r\nunwilling obedience, that when the ministry of their great\r\nwork was performed, they were to be freed from this bondage\r\nof corruption and vanity when the time of the glorious redemption\r\nof God’s children should have arrived. And the\r\nwhole of creation, receiving this hope, and looking for the\r\nfulfilment of this promise now, in the meantime, as having an\r\naffection for those whom it serves, groans along with them,\r\nand patiently suffers with them, hoping for the fulfilment of\r\nthe promises. See also whether the following words of Paul\r\ncan apply to those who, although not willingly, yet in accordance\r\nwith the will of Him who subjected them, and in hope\r\nof the promises, were made subject to vanity, when he says,\r\n“For I could wish to be dissolved,” or “to return and be\r\nwith Christ, which is far better.”<a id=\"r142\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f142\"><sup>[142]</sup></a> For I think that the sun\r\nmight say in like manner, “I would desire to be dissolved,”\r\nor “to return and be with Christ, which is far better.” Paul\r\nindeed adds, “Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more\r\nneedful for you;” while the sun may say, “To abide in this\r\nbright and heavenly body is more necessary, on account of\r\n<span class=\"pageno\" id=\"Page_65\">65</span>the manifestation of the sons of God.” The same views are\r\nto be believed and expressed regarding the moon and stars.</p>","headings":["The Writings of Origen, Vol. 1 of 2","ORIGEN DE PRINCIPIIS.","BOOK I.","CHAPTER VII. ON INCORPOREAL AND CORPOREAL BEINGS."],"marker_anchor":null,"paragraph_id":"pg70561-paragraph-117"}],"canonical_references":[],"date_end":null,"date_start":null,"deduplication_fingerprint":"b4819e0a6b685b765e248113c36d7f92d9d71c8331563d67ae449d4988cc13a2","edition_title":"The writings of Origen, Vol. 1 (of 2)","edition_translators":["Frederick Crombie"],"edition_year":1869,"explicit_reference_candidates":[{"book":"ROM","chapter":8,"kind":"unreviewed","source_notation":"Rom. viii. 22","verse":22,"verse_end":22}],"headings":[],"id":"pg70561-f140","license_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html","public_import_allowed":false,"record_kind":"original-editor-translator-note","review_required":["work and recension attribution","original-work chronology","Bible reference numbering and citation kind","English edition rights and attribution"],"review_status":"needs_review","rights_evidence":"Project Gutenberg metadata: Public domain in the USA. Existing 1869 English translation; translator died 1889. Electronic transcription subject to Project Gutenberg reuse terms.","source_anchor":"f140","source_ebook":70561,"source_html":"<div class=\"footnote\" id=\"f140\">\n<p class=\"c006\"><span class=\"label\"><a class=\"pginternal\" href=\"#r140\">140</a>. </span><abbr title=\"Romans\">Rom.</abbr> <abbr title=\"eight\">viii.</abbr> 22, <abbr class=\"spell\">cf.</abbr> 23.</p>\n</div>","source_sha256":"de125e213d16053354f22b34a1c8d477ac23f201e660e4f4841b2ed7e05bb367","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/70561/pg70561-images.html#f140","text_sha256":"7f2a5f75019f6b521a3091ac53b3e56ef53c25f5d1bca7275408e22b4b384914","verified":false,"work_id":null}