Against those who introduce natures
We would ask those who introduce natures how those who are children of the devil by nature are blamed as able to live otherwise.
If they are such by nature, they are rebuked in vain; if they are rebuked, they are such not by nature but by choice.
Greek
Πυνθανόμεθα δ᾽ ἂν τῶν τὰς φύσεις εἰσαγόντων, πῶς οἱ ἐκ φύσεως τέκνα τοῦ διαβόλου ὄντες αἰτιῶνται ὡς δυνάμενοι ἄλλως βιοῦν.
εἰ γὰρ φύσει τοιοῦτοί εἰσιν, μάτην ἐπιτιμῶνται· εἰ δὲ ἐπιτιμῶνται, οὐ φύσει ἀλλὰ προαιρέσει τοιοῦτοί εἰσιν.
About this text
Origen’s Commentary on John, Book 20 (later tomoi). Complete on this page: §§1–44.
English follows Preuschen, Origenes Werke IV (GCS 10, 1903). Heine FOTC was not used as wording. This page is Book 20 §§1–44 of the later books (13, 19, 20, 28, 32).
Witnesses
- Copy-text Preuschen, Origenes Werke IV = GCS 10 (1903) (Greek · Book 20 §§1–44)
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.