[K:NWTS 21/3 (Dec 2006) 74]

Augustine on Christ's Incarnation1

They are born of God (Jn. 1:13). Whereby is it brought to pass that they should be born of God, who were first born of men? Whereby is it brought to pass, whereby? "And the Word was made Flesh, that it might dwell among us" (Jn 1:14). Wondrous exchange; He made Flesh, they spirit. What is this? What condescension is here, my brethren! . . . for your sakes the Word was made Flesh; for your sakes He who was the Son of God, was made the Son of man: that ye who were the sons of men, might be made the sons of God. What was He, what was He made? What were ye, what were ye made? He was the Son of God. What was He made? The Son of man. Ye were the sons of men. What were ye made? The sons of God. He shared with us our evil things, to give us his good things. But even in that He was made the Son of man, He is different much from us. . . . He came to us, but from Himself departed not far; yea from Himself as God He departed never; but added what He was to our nature. For he came to that which He was not, He did not lose what He was. He was made the Son of man; but did not cease to be the Son of God.

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1 Sermon LXXI. Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, 6:470.