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Against Heresies
Irenaeus of Lyons
Book 1 · Chapter 6 About this work A five-book account and refutation of competing Christian movements that also develops Irenaeus’s positive theology of creation, Scripture, apostolic tradition, incarnation, salvation, and recapitulation in Christ.
Author Irenaeus of Lyons
Date c. AD 175–185
Origin Lyons, Gaul
Genre Heresiology The threefold kind of man feigned by these heretics: good works needless for them, though necessary to others: their abandoned morals. Section 1 1 . There being thus three kinds of substances
‹ Book 1 · Chapter 5 Book 1 · Chapter 7 ›,
they
declare
of
all
that
is
material
(
which
they
also
describe
as
being
“
on
the
left
hand
”
)
that
it
must
of
necessity
perish
,
inasmuch
as
it
is
incapable
of
receiving
any
afflatus
of
incorruption
.
As
to
every
animal
existence
(
which
they
also
denominate
“
on
the
right
hand
”
)
,
they
hold
that
,
inasmuch
as
it
is
a
mean
between
the
spiritual
and
the
material
,
it
passes
to
the
side
to
which
inclination
draws
it
.
Spiritual
substance
,
again
,
they
describe
as
having
been
sent
forth
for
this
end
,
that
,
being
here
united
with
that
which
is
animal
,
it
might
assume
shape
,
the
two
elements
being
simultaneously
subjected
to
the
same
discipline
.
And
this
they
declare
to
be
“
the
salt
”
and
“
the
light
of
the
world
.
”
For
the
animal
substance
had
need
of
training
by
means
of
the
outward
senses
;
and
on
this
account
they
affirm
that
the
world
was
created
,
as
well
as
that
the
Saviour
came
to
the
animal
substance
(
which
was
possessed
of
free
-
will
)
,
that
He
might
secure
for
it
salvation
.
For
they
affirm
that
He
received
the
first
-
fruits
of
those
whom
He
was
to
save
[
as
follows
]
,
from
Achamoth
that
which
was
spiritual
,
while
He
was
invested
by
the
Demiurge
with
the
animal
Christ
,
but
was
begirt
by
a
[
special
]
dispensation
with
a
body
endowed
with
an
animal
nature
,
yet
constructed
with
unspeakable
skill
,
so
that
it
might
be
visible
and
tangible
,
and
capable
of
enduring
suffering
.
At
the
same
time
,
they
deny
that
He
assumed
anything
material
[
into
His
nature
]
,
since
indeed
matter
is
incapable
of
salvation
.
They
further
hold
that
the
consummation
of
all
things
will
take
place
when
all
that
is
spiritual
has
been
formed
and
perfected
by
Gnosis
(
knowledge
)
;
and
by
this
they
mean
spiritual
men
who
have
attained
to
the
perfect
knowledge
of
God
,
and
been
initiated
into
these
mysteries
by
Achamoth
.
And
they
represent
themselves
to
be
these
persons
.
Section 2 2 . Animal men , again , are instructed in animal things ; such men , namely , as are established by their works , and by a mere faith , while they have not perfect knowledge . We of the Church , they say , are these persons . Wherefore also they maintain that good works are necessary to us , for that otherwise it is impossible we should be saved . But as to themselves , they hold that they shall be entirely and undoubtedly saved , not by means of conduct , but because they are spiritual by nature . For , just as it is impossible that material substance should partake of salvation ( since , indeed , they maintain that it is incapable of receiving it ) , so again it is impossible that spiritual substance ( by which they mean themselves ) should ever come under the power of corruption , whatever the sort of actions in which they indulged . For even as gold , when submersed in filth , loses not on that account its beauty , but retains its own native qualities , the filth having no power to injure the gold , so they affirm that they cannot in any measure suffer hurt , or lose their spiritual substance , whatever the material actions in which they may be involved .
Section 3 3 . Wherefore also it comes to pass , that the “ most perfect ” among them addict themselves without fear to all those kinds of forbidden deeds of which the Scriptures assure us that “ they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God . ” For instance , they make no scruple about eating meats offered in sacrifice to idols , imagining that they can in this way contract no defilement . Then , again , at every heathen festival celebrated in honour of the idols , these men are the first to assemble ; and to such a pitch do they go , that some of them do not even keep away from that bloody spectacle hateful both to God and men , in which gladiators either fight with wild beasts , or singly encounter one another . Others of them yield themselves up to the lusts of the flesh with the utmost greediness , maintaining that carnal things should be allowed to the carnal nature , while spiritual things are provided for the spiritual . Some of them , moreover , are in the habit of defiling those women to whom they have taught the above doctrine , as has frequently been confessed by those women who have been led astray by certain of them , on their returning to the Church of God , and acknowledging this along with the rest of their errors . Others of them , too , openly and without a blush , having become passionately attached to certain women , seduce them away from their husbands , and contract marriages of their own with them . Others of them , again , who pretend at first to live in all modesty with them as with sisters , have in course of time been revealed in their true colours , when the sister has been found with child by her [ pretended ] brother .
Section 4 4 . And committing many other abominations and impieties , they run us down ( who from the fear of God guard against sinning even in thought or word ) as utterly contemptible and ignorant persons , while they highly exalt themselves , and claim to be perfect , and the elect seed . For they declare that we simply receive grace for use , wherefore also it will again be taken away from us ; but that they themselves have grace as their own special possession , which has descended from above by means of an unspeakable and indescribable conjunction ; and on this account more will be given them . They maintain , therefore , that in every way it is always necessary for them to practise the mystery of conjunction . And that they may persuade the thoughtless to believe this , they are in the habit of using these very words , “ Whosoever being in this world does not so love a woman as to obtain possession of her , is not of the truth , nor shall attain to the truth . But whosoever being of this world has intercourse with woman , shall not attain to the truth , because he has so acted under the power of concupiscence . ” On this account , they tell us that it is necessary for us whom they call animal men , and describe as being of the world , to practise continence and good works , that by this means we may attain at length to the intermediate habitation , but that to them who are called “ the spiritual and perfect ” such a course of conduct is not at all necessary . For it is not conduct of any kind which leads into the Pleroma , but the seed sent forth thence in a feeble , immature state , and here brought to perfection .
Notes 80 Matt. v. 13, 14.
81 “The doctrine of Valentinus, therefore,” says Harvey, “as regards the human nature of Christ, was essentially Docetic. His body was animal, but not material, and only visible and tangible as having been formed κατ᾽ οἰκονομίαν and κατεσκευασμένον ἀῤῥήτῳ τέχνῃ.”
82 [That is, carnal; men of the carnal mind, psychic instead of pneumatic. Rom. viii. 6. ]
83 On account of what they had received from Achamoth.
84 Gal. v. 21.
85 Comp. Luke xix. 26.
86 Comp. John xvii. 16. The Valentinians, while in the world, claimed to be not of the world, as animal men were.
