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Translated from the Greek original by Frederick Crombie.
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This Part: 128 Pages
Page 48
And we know that in this way the angels are superior to men; so that men, when made perfect, become like the angels. "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but the righteous are as the angels in heaven," [3800] and also become "equal to the angels." [3801] We know, too, that in the arrangement of the universe there are certain beings termed "thrones," and others "dominions," and others "powers," and others "principalities;" and we see that we men, who are far inferior to these, may entertain the hope that by a virtuous life, and by acting in all things agreeably to reason, we may rise to a likeness with all these. And, lastly, because "it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like God, and shall see Him as He is." [3802] And if any one were to maintain what is asserted by some (either by those who possess intelligence or who do not, but have misconceived sound reason), that "God exists, and we are next to Him," I would interpret the word "we," by using in its stead, "We who act according to reason," or rather, "We virtuous, who act according to reason." [3803] For, in our opinion, the same virtue belongs to all the blessed, so that the virtue of man and of God is identical. [3804] And therefore we are taught to become "perfect," as our Father in heaven is perfect. [3805] No good and virtuous man, then, is a "worm rolling in filth," nor is a pious man an "ant," nor a righteous man a "frog;" nor could one whose soul is enlightened with the bright light of truth be reasonably likened to a "bird of the night."
[3800] Cf. Matt. xxii. 30.
[3801] Cf. Luke xx. 36.
[3802] Cf. 1 John iii. 2.
[3803] kai touto g' an hermeneuoimi, to "hemeis" legon anti tou hoi logikoi, kai eti mallon, hoi spoudaioi logikoi.
[3804] hoste kai he aute anthropou kai Theou. Cf. Cicero, de Leg., i.: "Jam vero virtus eadem in homine ac deo est, neque ullo alio in genio praeterea. Est autem virtus nihil aliud, quam in se perfecta, et ad summum perducta natura. Est igitur homini cum Deo similitudo." Cf. also Clemens Alex., Stromata, vii. c. 14: Ou gar, kathaper hoi Stoikoi, hatheos, panu ten auten areten anthropou legomen kai Theou. Cf. Theodoret, Serm., xi.--Spencer.
[3805] Cf. Matt. v. 48.
Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/contra-celsum-2.asp?pg=48
