Irenæus

Footnotes

Introductory Note to Irenæus Against Heresies

^[3071] The text is here doubtful: Harvey proposes to read “qui” instead of “quæ,” but we prefer “quod” with Grabe. The meaning is, that three hundred and sixty-five is more than forty-five Ogdoads (45 х 8 = 360).

^[3072] “Operositatem.” corresponding to πραγματείαν, lit. manufacture.

Chapter XVII.—Inquiry into the production of the Æons: whatever its supposed nature, it is in every respect inconsistent; and on the hypothesis of the heretics, even Nous and the Father Himself would be stained with ignorance.

^[3073] Efficabiliter in the Latin text is thought to correspond to ἐνεργῶς in the original Greek.

^[3074] Si is inserted by most of the editors; and although Harvey argues for its omission, we agree with Massuet in deeming it indispensable.

^[3075] 1 Cor. xv. 41.

^[3076] Comp. i. 2, 2.

^[3077] It seems needless to insert an “et” before this word, as Harvey suggests, or, as an alternative, to strike out the first “Nun Propatoris.”

^[3078] Some read “cæcutientes” instead of “circumeuntes,” as above.

^[3079] John ix. 1, etc.

^[3080] 1 Pet. i. 12.

^[3081] “Postgenitum quidem reliquis,” the representative, according to Grabe, of ἀπόγονον μὲν λοιποῖς in the Greek. Harvey remarks that τῶν λοιπῶν would have been better, and proposes to read “progenitum” in the Latin; but we do not see any necessity for change.

^[3082] “Incapabilis et incomprehensibilis,” corresponding to ἀχώρητος καὶ ἀκατάληπτος in the Greek.

^[3083] Literally, “to these knowing,” “his scientibus.”

Chapter XVIII.—Sophia was never really in ignorance or passion; her Enthymesis could not have been separated from herself, or exhibited special tendencies of its own.

^[3084] Matt. vii. 7.

^[3085] It seems necessary to read “se quidem” instead of “si quidem,” as in the mss.

^[3086] Although Sophia was a feminine Æon, she was regarded as being the father of Enthymesis, who again was the mother of the Valentinians.

^[3087] Stieren refers for this allusion to Meineke’s edition of the Reliquiæ Menan. et Philem., p. 116.

Chapter XIX.—Absurdities of the heretics as to their own origin: their opinions respecting the Demiurge shown to be equally untenable and ridiculous.

^[3088] Matt. xii. 36. [The serious spirit of this remark lends force to it as exposition.]

^[3089] Comp. i. 6, 1.

^[3090] “Parvum emissum”—a small emission.

^[3091] That is, there could be no need for its descending into them that it might increase, receive form, and thus be prepared for the reception of perfect reason.

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