---
title: "Select Works and Letters"
author: "Athanasius"
translator: "Archibald Robertson"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Church Fathers"
section: 113 of 146
url: https://scriptura.si/works/athanasius-select-works-and-letters/113/
cite: "Athanasius, tr. Archibald Robertson, Select Works and Letters, section 113. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/athanasius-select-works-and-letters/113/"
---

# Select Works and Letters

*Athanasius, tr. Archibald Robertson*

Athanasius defends the Nicene faith: the Orations against the Arians, his letters and more.

## 113. Introduction · 2 of 2

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/athanasius-select-works-and-letters/113/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/athanasius-select-works-and-letters/113/#p-N

[¶0] §33. The terms objected to give offence only because misunderstood.

[¶1] §34. The true Divinity of Christ implies ‘Coessential.’

[¶2] §35. To reject the term implies that Christ is a creature.

[¶3] §36. The objection to ‘unscriptural’ language condemns the Arians.

[¶4] §37, 38. If the Son is truly ‘Like’ the Father, he is ‘Coessential.’

[¶5] §39. The sense, not the occurrence of the terms in Scripture, must be attended to.

[¶6] §40. Alleged obscurity of the Nicene formula.

[¶7] b. §§41–54. Semi-Arians conciliated.

[¶8] §41. The party of Basil of Ancyra are with us on the main question.

[¶9] §42. ‘Coessential’ conveys a meaning which they would adopt.

[¶10] §43, 44. Alleged rejection of the term by the 70 bishops at Antioch, subsequent to its recognition by Dionysius of Alexandria.

[¶11] §45. We must not hastily assume contradictions between the Fathers.

[¶12] §46, 47. Parallel of the word ‘Unoriginate.’

[¶13] §48. ‘Coessential’ guards the acknowledged attributes of the Son.

[¶14] §49. The Son is all that the Father is, except Father.

[¶15] §50. If the Son is not Coessential, the Unity of the Godhead is lost.

[¶16] §51. The Son cannot impart to man what is not His own; The oneness of Essence does not imply a common or prior essence.

[¶17] §52. The Son not an independent God.

[¶18] §53. ‘Coessential’ why preferable to ‘Like in Essence.’

[¶19] §54. Appeal for union among those who are really agreed.

[¶20] Postscript (supplementing Part I.)

[¶21] §55. Reply of Constantius to the Council of Ariminum, and remonstrance of the bishops upon receipt of it.