Commentary on Ephesians

Gregory of Nyssa (335–394)

When [Scripture] speaks of "sons of men" or "sons of rams," it indicates an essential relation between the one begotten and the source of his begetting. But when it speaks of "sons of power" [as at 1 Sam 14:52] or "children of wrath," it asserts a connection made by choice.

Taking up the enmity that had come between us and God on account of sins, "slaying it in himself," as the apostle says (and sin is enmity), and becoming what we are, he joined the human to God again through himself.

The divine mind of the apostle did not imagine this fourfold figure of the cross to no purpose. He knew that this figure, which is divided into four segments from the common center, represents the power and providence of the one displayed upon it. This dimensionality runs through all things. For this reason he calls each of four projections by its own name. By the height he means what is above, by the depth the underworld, by the length and breadth the intermediate domain which is under the control of his all-governing power. Hence the worship of the cross is viewed in relation to the fourfold figure of the cross. The heavenly order is symbolically paying its devotion to the Lord in the upper part…

See also

• More works by Gregory of Nyssa

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