Monday, August 21, 2006

Q39 A3: Whether essential names should be predicated in the singular of the three persons?

Yes. Names which signify the divine essence in a substantive manner are predicated of the three persons in the singular, and not in the plural because in God the divine essence is signified by way of a form which, indeed, is simple and supremely one.

Some essential names signify the essence after the manner of substantives; while others signify it after the manner of adjectives. Those which signify it as substantives are predicated of the three persons in the singular only, and not in the plural. Those which signify the essence as adjectives are predicated of the three persons in the plural.

We say that Socrates, Plato and Cicero are "three men"; whereas we do not say the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are "three Gods," but "one God"; forasmuch as in the three "supposita" of human nature there are three humanities, whereas in the three divine Persons there is but one divine essence.

On the other hand, the names which signify essence in an adjectival manner are predicated of the three persons plurally, by reason of the plurality of "supposita." For we say there are three "existent" or three "wise" beings, or three "eternal," "uncreated," and "immense" beings, if these terms are understood in an adjectival sense.

But if taken in a substantive sense, we say "one uncreated, immense, eternal being," as Athanasius declares.