Commentary on Romans

Gregory of Nyssa (335–394)

Christ, being an "expiation by his blood," teaches each one thinking of this to become himself a propitiation, sanctifying his soul by the mortification of his members.

As long as the flesh lives … it is not possible for the pleasing and perfect will of God to be done expeditiously in the life of the believer.

For when the Arians say that the "only begotten" God, the Creator of all, … is the work and creation and product of God and therefore interpret the phrase "firstborn of every creature" to mean that he is the brother of every creature, taking precedence because of the rights of primogeniture, as Reuben did over his brothers, and that he is placed first not because of his nature but because of the rights of the eldest, this must be said to them first of all—it is not possible for the same person to be the only begotten and the firstborn as well.

Paul examined … the unclear and hidden aspects of the divine mysteries and through suggestive phrases revealed the illuminations which came to him from God concerning the understanding of what is incomprehensible and unsearchable.

See also

• More works by Gregory of Nyssa

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