From knowledge of the Son one ascends to the Father
I ask whether “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” is equivalent to the converse, “If you knew my Father, you would know me,” or not.
I think they are not equivalent. One ascends from knowledge of the Son to knowledge of the Father: “Whoever has seen me has seen the one who sent me.” It is impossible to behold God except by way of the Word.
Greek
Ζητῶ πότερον ἴσον δύναται τῷ Εἰ ἐμὲ ᾔδειτε καὶ τὸν πατέρα μου ἂν ᾔδειτε τὸ Εἰ τὸν πατέρα μου ᾔδειτε καὶ ἐμὲ ἂν ᾔδειτε, ἢ οὔ.
ἡγοῦμαι μὴ ἴσον ταῦτα δύνασθαι· ἀναβαίνειν γὰρ ἀπὸ τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γνῶσιν τοῦ πατρός· Ὁ ἑωρακὼς ἐμὲ ἑώρακε τὸν πέμψαντά με· ἀμήχανον δὲ μὴ ἀπὸ τοῦ λόγου θεωρῆσαι τὸν θεόν.
About this text
Origen’s Commentary on John, Book 19 (later tomoi). Complete on this page: §§1–23.
English follows Preuschen, Origenes Werke IV (GCS 10, 1903). Heine FOTC was not used as wording. This page is Book 19 §§1–23 of the later books (13, 19, 20, 28, 32).
Witnesses
- Copy-text Preuschen, Origenes Werke IV = GCS 10 (1903) (Greek · Book 19 §§1–23)
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.