On Man's Perfection in Righteousness

Augustine of Hippo, On Man's Perfection in Righteousness. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 5 (Schaff, 1887), public domain.

Passages · 45

On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Introduction — Introduction. Augustin to his holy brethren and fellow-bishops Eutropius and Paulus. Your love, which in both of you is so great and so holy that it is a delight to obey its commands, has laid me under an obligation…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 2 — The First Breviate of Cœlestius. I. “First of all,” says he, “he must be asked who denies man’s ability to live without sin, what every sort of sin is,—is it such as can be avoided? or is it unavoidable? If it is…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 3 — The Second Breviate. II. “We must next ask,” he says, “whether sin comes from will, or from necessity? If from necessity, it is not sin; if from will, it can be avoided.” We answer as before; and in order that we may…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 4 — The Third Breviate. III. “Again we must ask,” he says, “what sin is,—natural? or accidental? If natural, it is not sin; if accidental, it is separable; and if it is separable, it can be avoided; and because it can be…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 5 — The Fourth Breviate. IV. “We must ask, again,” he says, “What is sin,—an act, or a thing? If it is a thing, it must have an author; and if it be said to have an author, then another besides God will seem to be…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 6 — The Fifth Breviate. V. “We must again,” he says, “inquire whether a man ought to be without sin. Beyond doubt he ought. If he ought, he is able; if he is not able, then he ought not. Now if a man ought not to be…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 7 — The Sixth Breviate. VI. “Again,” he says, “we have to inquire whether man is commanded to be without sin; for either he is not able, and then he is not commanded; or else because he is commanded, he is able. For why…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 8 — The Seventh Breviate. VII. “The next question we shall have to propose,” he says, “is, whether God wishes that man be without sin. Beyond doubt God wishes it; and no doubt he has the ability. For who is so foolhardy…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 9 — The Eighth Breviate. VIII. “Again, this question must be asked,” he says, “how God wishes man to be,—with sin, or without sin? Beyond doubt, He does not wish him to be with sin. We must reflect how great would be the…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 10 — The Ninth Breviate. IX. “The next question we shall require to be solved,” says he, “is this: By what means is it brought about that man is with sin?—by the necessity of nature, or by the freedom of choice? If it is…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 11 — The Tenth Breviate. X. “Since God made man good,” he says, “and, besides making him good, further commanded him to do good, how impious it is for us to hold that man is evil, when he was neither made so, nor so…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 12 — The Eleventh Breviate. XI. “The next question which must be put,” he says, “is, in how many ways all sin is manifested? In two, if I mistake not: if either those things are done which are forbidden, or those things…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 13 — The Twelfth Breviate. XII. “Again the question arises,” he says, “how it is that man is unable to be without sin,—by his will, or by nature? If by nature, it is not sin; if by his will, then will can very easily be…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 14 — The Thirteenth Breviate. XIII. “The next question we have to ask,” says he, “is this: If man cannot be without sin, whose fault is it,—man’s own, or some one’s else? If man’s own, in what way is it his fault if he is…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 15 — The Fourteenth Breviate. XIV. “Again the question must be asked,” he says, “If man’s nature is good, as nobody but Marcion or Manichæus will venture to deny, in what way is it good if it is impossible for it to be…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 16 — The Fifteenth Breviate. XV. “And this, moreover, has to be said,” he says: “God is certainly righteous; this cannot be denied. But God imputes every sin to man. This too, I suppose, must be allowed, that whatever…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 17 — The Sixteenth Breviate. XVI. After all these disputations, their author introduces himself in person as arguing with another, and represents himself as under examination, and as being addressed by his examiner: “Show…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 18 — It is One Thing to Depart from the Body, Another Thing to Be Liberated from the Body of This Death. Chapter VIII.—(17.) It is One Thing to Depart from the Body, Another Thing to Be Liberated from the Body of This…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 19 — The Righteousness of This Life Comprehended in Three Parts,—Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer. (18.) The Righteousness of This Life Comprehended in Three Parts,—Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer. As long, then, as we are…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 20 — The Commandment of Love Shall Be Perfectly Fulfilled in the Life to Come. (19.) The Commandment of Love Shall Be Perfectly Fulfilled in the Life to Come. And in this prayer, unless we choose to be contentious, there…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 21 — Who May Be Said to Walk Without Spot; Damnable and Venial Sins. Chapter IX.—(20.) Who May Be Said to Walk Without Spot; Damnable and Venial Sins. Having premised these remarks, let us carefully attend to the passages…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 22 — Chapter X.—(21.) To Whom God’s Commandments are Grievous; And to Whom, Not. Why Scripture Says that God’s Commandments are Not Grievous; A Commandment is a Proof of the Freedom Of Man’s Will; Prayer is a Proof of…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 23 — Passages to Show that God’s Commandments are Not Grievous. (22.) Passages to Show that God’s Commandments are Not Grievous. He afterwards adduces those passages which represent God as recommending His own…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 24 — Passages of Scripture Which, When Objected Against Him by the Catholics, Cœlestius Endeavours to Elude by Other Passages: the First Passage. Chapter XI.—(23.) Passages of Scripture Which, When Objected Against Him by…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 25 — To Be Without Sin, and to Be Without Blame—How Differing. (24.) To Be Without Sin, and to Be Without Blame—How Differing. The same thing is affirmed in another passage, which he has quoted immediately afterwards, as…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 26 — (25.) Hence the force of the statement: “There was no injustice in my hands, but my prayer was pure.” For the purity of his prayer arose from this circumstance, that it was not improper for him to ask forgiveness in…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 27 — Why Job Was So Great a Sufferer. And when he says concerning the Lord, “For many bruises hath He inflicted upon me without a cause,” observe that his words are not, He hath inflicted none with a cause; but, “many…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 28 — Who May Be Said to Keep the Ways of the Lord; What It is to Decline and Depart from the Ways of the Lord. (27.) Who May Be Said to Keep the Ways of the Lord; What It is to Decline and Depart from the Ways of the…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 29 — When Our Heart May Be Said Not to Reproach Us; When Good is to Be Perfected. (28.) When Our Heart May Be Said Not to Reproach Us; When Good is to Be Perfected. Furthermore, concerning these words of Job, “My heart…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 30 — The Second Passage. Who May Be Said to Abstain from Every Evil Thing. Chapter XII.—(29.) The Second Passage. Who May Be Said to Abstain from Every Evil Thing. “They are in the habit of next quoting,” says he, “the…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 31 — 'Every Man is a Liar,' Owing to Himself Alone; But 'Every Man is True,' By Help Only of the Grace of God. (30.) “Every Man is a Liar,” Owing to Himself Alone; But “Every Man is True,” By Help Only of the Grace of…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 32 — Chapter XIII.—(31.) The Third Passage. It is One Thing to Depart, and Another Thing to Have Departed, from All Sin. “There is None that Doeth Good,”—Of Whom This is to Be Understood. He has likewise propounded…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 33 — The Fourth Passage. In What Sense God Only is Good. With God to Be Good and to Be Himself are the Same Thing. Chapter XIV.—(32.) The Fourth Passage. In What Sense God Only is Good. With God to Be Good and to Be…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 34 — The Fifth Passage. “This,” says he, “is another text of theirs: ‘Who will boast that he has a pure heart?’” And then he answered this with several passages, wishing to show that there can be in man a pure heart. But…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 35 — The Opposing Passages. And yet the passages are true which he goes on to adduce by way of answer, saying: “The Saviour in the gospel declares, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.’ David also says,…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 36 — The Church Will Be Without Spot and Wrinkle After the Resurrection. Then shall the Church realize, fully and perfectly, the condition of “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing,” because then also will it in…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 37 — The Difference Between the Upright in Heart and the Clean in Heart. I suppose, too, that there is a difference between one who is upright in heart and one who is clean in heart. A man is upright in heart when he…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 38 — The Sixth Passage. He has also adduced this passage of Scripture, which is very commonly quoted against his party: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” And he makes a pretence…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 39 — The Seventh Passage. Who May Be Called Immaculate. How It is that in God’s Sight No Man is Justified. Chapter XVII.—(38.) The Seventh Passage. Who May Be Called Immaculate. How It is that in God’s Sight No Man is…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 40 — The Eighth Passage. In What Sense He is Said Not to Sin Who is Born of God. In What Way He Who Sins Shall Not See Nor Know God. Chapter XVIII.—(39.) The Eighth Passage. In What Sense He is Said Not to Sin Who is Born…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 41 — The Ninth Passage. “This passage, too,” says he, “is quoted by them: ‘It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.’” And he observes that the answer to be given to them is…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 42 — Specimens of Pelagian Exegesis. But I beg of you to see what kind of objection, after all, he makes, that to him who “willeth and runneth” there is no necessity for God’s mercy, which actually anticipates him in…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 43 — God’s Promises Conditional. Saints of the Old Testament Were Saved by the Grace of Christ. (42.) God’s Promises Conditional. Saints of the Old Testament Were Saved by the Grace of Christ. He, however, thought he had…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 44 — No Man is Assisted Unless He Does Himself Also Work. Our Course is a Constant Progress. Chapter XX.—(43.) No Man is Assisted Unless He Does Himself Also Work. Our Course is a Constant Progress. But what is the import…vatican.va
On Man's Perfection in Righteousness Chapter 44 — Conclusion of the Work. In the Regenerate It is Not Concupiscence, But Consent, Which is Sin. Chapter XXI.—(44.) Conclusion of the Work. In the Regenerate It is Not Concupiscence, But Consent, Which is Sin.…vatican.va

Scripture cited · 201 verses

Exodus 3:14 · Exodus 20:17 · Leviticus 19:2 · Numbers 24:3 · Numbers 24:15 · Deuteronomy 6:5 · Deuteronomy 18:13 · Deuteronomy 23:17 · Deuteronomy 30:9 · Deuteronomy 30:10 · Deuteronomy 30:11 · Deuteronomy 30:12 · Deuteronomy 30:13 · Deuteronomy 30:14 · Deuteronomy 30:15 · Deuteronomy 30:19 · Tobit 4:21 · Job 1:1 · Job 1:8 · Job 6:2 · Job 6:3 · Job 9:17 · Job 12:4 · Job 13:18 · Job 14:4 · Job 14:5 · Job 14:16 · Job 14:17 · Job 16:18 · Job 17:8 · Job 23:11 · Job 23:12 · Job 27:6 · Job 29:14 · Psalm 14:2 · Psalm 14:3 · Psalm 15:1 · Psalm 15:2 · Psalm 16:4 · Psalm 18:23 · Psalm 19:1 · Psalm 19:12 · Psalm 24:3 · Psalm 24:4 · Psalm 25:4 · Psalm 25:17 · Psalm 27:9 · Psalm 30:5 · Psalm 31:7 · Psalm 32:2 · Psalm 37:3 · Psalm 43:2 · Psalm 77:2 · Proverbs 2:21 · Proverbs 11:20 · Proverbs 18:17 · Proverbs 20:8 · Proverbs 20:9 · Ecclesiastes 7:20 · Song of Songs 4:8 · Wisdom 8:21 · Wisdom 9:15 · Sirach 13:24 · Sirach 15:8 · Sirach 15:14 · Sirach 15:15 · Sirach 15:16 · Sirach 15:17 · Sirach 18:30 · Sirach 38:10 · Sirach 39:25 · Isaiah 1:19 · Isaiah 1:20 · Habakkuk 2:4 · Matthew 5:6 · Matthew 5:8 · Matthew 5:14 · Matthew 5:15 · Matthew 5:45 · Matthew 5:48 · Matthew 6:1 · Matthew 6:10 · Matthew 6:12 · Matthew 6:13 · Matthew 7:2 · Matthew 7:11 · Matthew 9:12 · Matthew 9:13 · Matthew 11:28 · Matthew 11:29 · Matthew 11:30 · Matthew 12:35 · Matthew 13:43 · Matthew 19:16 · Matthew 22:37 · Matthew 22:39 · Matthew 22:40 · Matthew 25:35 · Luke 1:6 · Luke 10:27 · Luke 10:28 · Luke 11:9 · Luke 11:41 · Luke 13:32 · Luke 18:19 · John 1:8 · John 1:9 · John 5:35 · John 6:44 · John 6:62 · John 6:63 · John 6:64 · John 6:65 · John 7:39 · John 8:38 · Romans 5:5 · Romans 5:12 · Romans 5:20 · Romans 6:12 · Romans 6:13 · Romans 7:15 · Romans 7:16 · Romans 7:23 · Romans 8:24 · Romans 8:25 · Romans 8:26 · Romans 8:28 · Romans 8:29 · Romans 8:30 · Romans 9:16 · Romans 9:28 · Romans 10:3 · Romans 10:10 · Romans 12:2 · Romans 12:3 · Romans 12:12 · Romans 13:10 · 1 Corinthians 1:31 · 1 Corinthians 7:36 · 1 Corinthians 9:23 · 1 Corinthians 9:24 · 1 Corinthians 9:27 · 1 Corinthians 13:10 · 1 Corinthians 15:26 · 1 Corinthians 15:34 · 1 Corinthians 15:35 · 1 Corinthians 15:36 · 2 Corinthians 4:16 · 2 Corinthians 5:6 · 2 Corinthians 9:7 · 2 Corinthians 13:11 · Galatians 3:19 · Galatians 3:24 · Galatians 5:17 · Ephesians 1:3 · Ephesians 1:4 · Ephesians 1:22 · Ephesians 1:23 · Ephesians 2:3 · Ephesians 5:8 · and 41 more

On Man's Perfection in Righteousness

Passages · 45

Scripture cited · 201 verses

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Fathers and saints · 46