Глава XIX
Machine translation from the original · Show original
The Pelagians want our love to come from ourselves.
40. But why be surprised, because the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not embrace it 217. In the Epistle of John, the Light says: This is the kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God 218 . And among the Pelagians, darkness says: “We have love from ourselves.” If they had true Christian love, they would know and where they got it from, as the apostle knew when he said: But we received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know what was given to us from God 219 . John says: God is love 220. But the Pelagians say that they even have God Himself not from God, but from themselves, and although they admit that our knowledge of the law comes from God, they consider love to come from ourselves. And they do not listen to the apostle, who says: Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies 221. What could be more absurd, or rather, more insane, what could be more alien to the holiness of love itself, than to admit that knowledge, which puffs up without love, is from God, and love, which makes it so that knowledge cannot puff up, is from ourselves?
Also, when the apostle says: The love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, 222 what could be more foolish than to suppose that knowledge, which must be overcome by love, is from God, and love that surpasses knowledge is from ourselves? But true faith and sound doctrine say that both are from God, since it is written: From His presence comes knowledge and understanding 223, [and in another place] it is written: Love is from God 224. We read [in Scripture]: Spirit of knowledge and piety 225 ; and we also read: Spirit of power and love and chastity 226. But love is a greater gift than knowledge, because if a person has knowledge, he needs love so that he does not become arrogant, while love itself does not envy, does not exalt itself, is not proud 227 .
De gratia et libero arbitrio (CPL 352). Translation based on the publication: Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Series Latina. Accurante J.-P. Migne. Paris, 1845. T. 44, Col. 881–912.