← §2 Read continuously §4 → On Creation in Genesis · §3 · Eustathius of Antioch
The second ruler and the plural 'let us make'
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Eustathius is answering the philosopher, having just identified humanity's ruling over the earth as the chief point of being made in God's image; he now states this as his own conclusion and turns to the plural 'let us make' in Genesis 1:26.
Since God rules all the earth and everything in it, and in the same way appointed the human being as a second ruler over all the earth and everything in it, I say that this is what it means for the human being to be made in God's image and in God's likeness. And God said, “Let us make a human being in our image and in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26 ). But to whom did he say it? Let us investigate, philosopher.
Greek Ἐπείπερ, ὡς ἄρχει ὁ Θεὸς ἁπάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ τῶν ἐν αὐτῇ πάντων, οὕτω καὶ τὸν ἄνθρωπον δεύτερον ἄρχοντα πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ τῶν ἐν αὐτῇ κατέστησε, τοῦτο εἶναι τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα Θεοῦ καὶ καθ' ὁμοίωσιν γενέσθαι τὸν ἄνθρωπόν φημι. 87 Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεός· ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατ' εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ' ὁμοίωσιν. Ἀλλὰ πρὸς τίνα ἔφη· ζητήσωμεν, φιλόσοφε;
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About this text Eustathius on the creation account in Genesis.
Eustathius of Antioch (fl. c. 320–337) is named in the manuscripts as the author of this treatise, which answers a philosopher who had raised questions about the creation of animals and humanity in Genesis. The work defends the Church's reading of the opening chapters of the Bible, especially the distinct creation of humanity in God's image and likeness and the co-creative role of the Son.
The philosopher's questions prompt Eustathius to explain the difference between the animals and birds formed from the earth in Genesis 2 and those created earlier from the waters. He argues that only the earth-formed creatures are said to be formed by God's own hand, and he offers both a literal reading and an interpretation of them as the nations gathered into the Church. He also addresses the plural words 'let us make' in Genesis 1:26, arguing that they introduce a co-creating person and reveal the shared deity of the Father and the Son.
A reader should know that 'formed' refers to God's direct, hands-on making of humanity and the later animals, as opposed to creation by command. 'In God's image' and 'in God's likeness' describe humanity's role as ruler over the earth. The plural 'let us make' is read as evidence of a co-creator, and the Son is identified as the simple, uncompounded image of God. Bible citations follow modern conventions, with Genesis 1:26–27 and Genesis 2 as the main passages.
This work has passed our source check. We made this study translation with AI help. No scholar has yet certified it as faithful and complete. Open Greek on any section to see the source text. It is not a critical edition.
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