SAMPLES OF JUSTIN MARTYRS CHRISTOLOGY
CHARLES SEMISCH COMENTS ON - JUSTIN MARTYR (c. 110 to 160 C.E.): “...This relation of ( sub-ordination ) is expressed by Justin distinctly, and under various aspects. He briefly indicates it when, as on several occasions, he assigns to the Logos the ( second ) place ( after ) God. Thus when he says,[3] “...we shall exhibit Jesus Christ, in whom we acknowledge the Son of the True God, and to whom we assign ( THE SECOND PLACE ), and with reason honour the prophetic spirit in ( THE THIRD RANK )...” and[4] “...we adore and love ( AFTER ) GOD, the Logos that is from the Un-Begotten and Un-Utterable God...” and[5] “...( THE FIRST POWER ) and Son ( AFTER ) the Father of all, and Lord God, is the Logos...” and[6] “...the Logos, than whom we know no ruler more royal, and more just, ( AFTER ) GOD who begat him...” The sense in which Justin believed that the Logos was ( sub-ordinate ) to the Father, is twofold – that of complete dependence, and of ( A QUANTITATIVE IN-EQUALITY OF BEING ). Justin considers the Logos as dependent on God, in respect of his existence, his rank, and his power, his worship, and his agency. All that the Logos has, is a gift of the Father.[Page 192 1] He is God, because it was the will of the Father[2] ; he is powerful, yea, Lord of the heavenly hosts, because God made him so[3]; he recieves divine honours because God has ordained it.[4] In all things he stands below the Creator of the world[5]; to him he is sub-ordinate, not merely as Father, but also as Lord[6]; he is the instrument of a higher will. Justin expressly terms the Logos a servant of the Creator[7] of the universe, not so much in relation to creation, and universal enlightening of the world, as in the reference to the Old Testament Theophonies, in which he appeared in God's stead, to teach and to act, to bless and to punish.[8]...” - (Page 191-192. Justin Martyr His Life, Writings, and Opinions by the Rev. Charles Semisch translated from German by J. E. Ryland. Vol II. 1843.)
[FOOTNOTE 3]: 1st Apol. Chapter 13.
[FOOTNOTE 4]: 2nd Apol. Chapter 13.
[FOOTNOTE 5]: 1st Apol Chapter 32.
[FOOTNOTE 6]: 1st Apol. Chapter 12.
[FOOTNOTE Page 192 1]: Dial. Chapter 86.
GREEK TEXT: “...ὃν τρόπον καὶ αὐτὸς ἀπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς ἔλαβε τὸ βασιλεὺς καὶ Χριστὸς καὶ ἱερεὺς καὶ ἄγγελος ( εἶναι ), καὶ ὅσα ἄλλα τοιαῦτα ἔχει ἢ ἔσχε...” - (Dial. Chapter 86.)
[PERSONAL NOTE]: Varriant = εἶναι = “...being...”
[FOOTNOTE 2]: Dial. Chapters 127, 129;
GREEK TEXT: “...οὔτε [4.] οὖν Ἀβραὰμ οὔτε Ἰσαὰκ οὔτε Ἰακὼβ οὔτε ἄλλος ἀνθρώπων εἶδε τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἄρρητον κύριον τῶν πάντων ἁπλῶς καὶ αὐτοῦ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἀλλ' ἐκεῖνον τὸν κατὰ βουλὴν τὴν ἐκείνου καὶ θεὸν ὄντα, υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἄγγελον ἐκ τοῦ ὑπηρετεῖν τῇ γνώμῃ αὐτοῦ...” - (Dial 127:4)
