The City of God · Character
Paul
The apostle to the Gentiles whose letters Augustine leans on to show that the city of God grows by grace, not by the observances of the old law.
supporting
Also known as the Corinthians the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Paul, the Corinthians
First appearance: part i book i
As a supporting figure in The City of God, Paul is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Quoted as the apostle who warns against despising God's goodness and long-suffering, and speaks of the righteous judgment of God.
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Paul is Augustine's most quoted authority for the argument that the promise to Abraham about all nations is fulfilled not by the old law but by the advent of Christ and the faith of the gospel. He is the counterweight…
Paul is Augustine's most quoted authority for the argument that the promise to Abraham about all nations is fulfilled not by the old law but by the advent of Christ and the faith of the gospel. He is the counterweight to Moses in the book's scheme: the law was given through Moses, but the land of promise and the gathering of the nations come through Joshua and through Christ. For the early-middle arc, Paul supplies the theological engine that keeps the two cities distinct.
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- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the irreversible psychological and spiritual turning poin…
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Paul appears across 111 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Of the advantages and disadvantages which often indiscriminately accrue to good and wicked men
- X
- Of the limits which must be put to the necessity of replying to an adversary
- Of the falsity of the augury by which the strength and stability of the Roman empire was considered to be indicated
- By What Virtues the Ancient Romans Merited That the True God, Although They Did Not Worship Him, Should Enlarge Their Empire
- Chapter XVIII
- Chapter X
- XXIII
- +103 more
Of the advantages and disadvantages which often indiscriminately accrue to good and wicked men
Quoted as the apostle who warns against despising God's goodness and long-suffering, and speaks of the righteous judgment of God.
X
Quoted extensively on contentment, the love of money, and laying up treasure in heaven.
Of the limits which must be put to the necessity of replying to an adversary
Quoted by Augustine regarding those who are 'always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.'
Of the falsity of the augury by which the strength and stability of the Roman empire was considered to be indicated
Apostle quoted by Augustine: 'serving the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forevermore.'
By What Virtues the Ancient Romans Merited That the True God, Although They Did Not Worship Him, Should Enlarge Their Empire
Apostle quoted on glory of conscience, contrasting human praise.
Chapter XVIII
Quoted regarding the sufferings of the present time not being worthy of future glory.
Chapter X
Apostle whose warnings against philosophy and teachings about God are cited.
XXIII
The apostle whose words about those who knew God but became vain in their imaginations are quoted by Augustine.
Chapter XXIV: Hermes' Confession of the Error of Making Gods
Quoted regarding the warning against fellowship with demons and that idols are nothing.
XXVII
Mentioned as a martyr to whom no sacrifice is offered.
Book IX: The Mediation of Demons and the Unique Mediation of Christ
Quoted for the saying 'Knowledge puffeth up, but charity buildeth up' (1 Corinthians 8:1), used to contrast demonic knowledge without charity.
Chapter I
Quoted regarding those who 'became vain in their imaginations.'
Of the true and perfect sacrifice
Apostle whose exhortations on presenting bodies as a living sacrifice are quoted.
X
Quoted regarding Satan transforming into an angel of light.
On the reasonableness of offering, as the true religion teaches, a visible sacrifice to the one true and invisible God
Refused sacrifice from the Lycaonians after a miracle, directing them to God.
XXV
Quoted regarding hope: 'For that which is seen is not hope. For what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?'
XXVIII
Quoted for his teaching on Christ crucified as the power and wisdom of God.
Book XI: The Origin of the Two Cities
Quoted for his teaching on the beauty of contraries and the armour of righteousness.
Of the nature of the first days, which are said to have had morning and evening, before there was a sun
Quoted by Augustine: 'Jerusalem which is above is our eternal mother in heaven' and 'Ye are all the children of the light.'
Of the Beauty of the Universe, Which Becomes, by God's Ordinance, More Brilliant by the Opposition of Contraries
Quoted for his use of antithesis in 2 Corinthians 6:7-10.
Of the two different and dissimilar communities of angels, which are not inappropriately signified by the names light and darkness
Quoted for calling believers 'children of light' and 'children of the day.'
Of the revolution of the ages, which some philosophers believe will bring all things round again, after a certain fixed cycle, to the same order and form as at first.
Quoted regarding Christ's resurrection: 'Death hath no more dominion over Him' (Romans 6:9).
XVI
Apostle quoted regarding eternal life promised before eternal times.
Chapter XVII: On God's Unchangeable Counsel and Will Against the Theory of Eternal Cycles
Quoted by Augustine: 'comparing themselves with themselves, they do not understand.'
Book XIII: Of the Good of Death, the Resurrection of the Flesh, and the Paradise of the First Parents
Quoted on the law, sin, and death: 'The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.'
Chapter V
Quoted for his teachings on the law, sin, and death in 1 Corinthians and Romans.
Of Paradise, that it can be understood in a spiritual sense without sacrificing the historic truth of the narrative regarding the real place.
Apostle who taught that the rock was Christ and that Sarah and Hagar prefigure the two covenants.
XXIII
Apostle whose writings (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15) are cited to support the distinction between the animal and spiritual body.
Chapter XXIV
Apostle whose teachings on the natural and spiritual body are cited.
Book XIV: The Sin of the First Man and the Two Cities
Cited as the apostle who desires to depart and be with Christ, and who experiences various emotions for the sake of others.
Of Carnal Life
Quoted for his list of the works of the flesh in Galatians, which includes both bodily and spiritual vices.
III
Quoted regarding the corruptible body and the desire for immortality.
Chapter IV: What it is to live according to man, and what to live according to God
Quoted extensively for his teachings on living according to the flesh versus the spirit, and for his rebuke of the Corinthians.
VII
Quoted regarding desire to depart and be with Christ, and regarding fear and trembling.
IX
Cited as the 'athlete of Christ' who experienced emotions like rejoicing, weeping, and longing, and as an example of right affections.
Of the evil of lust
Quoted regarding possessing one's vessel in sanctification and honor.
XXII
Referenced as admonishing husbands to love their wives based on the original example of marriage.
Chapter XXIII
Referenced for his censure of women who changed the natural use into that which is against nature.
Of the nature of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly
Referenced indirectly through the citation of Romans 1:21-25 on the folly of idolatry.
Book XV: The Progress of the Two Cities
Apostle whose writings (e.g., to the Galatians) are cited to interpret the allegory of Abraham's sons and the two covenants.
Of the children of the flesh and the children of the promise
Quoted by Augustine regarding the allegory of Abraham's two sons and the two covenants.
Chapter VI
Quoted on bearing burdens, warning the unruly, and not letting the sun go down on wrath.
Chapter VII: Of the Cause of Cain's Crime and His Obstinacy
Quoted regarding the flesh lusting against the spirit and the command not to yield members to sin.
XXVI
Paul is referenced for his teaching on Jews and Gentiles, and for the three graces of faith, hope, and charity.
Of God’s coming down to confound the languages of the builders of the city
Quoted by Augustine: 'For we are fellow-labourers with God.'
Of the order and nature of the promises of God which were made to Abraham
Apostle referenced for his mention of the promise to Abraham.
Of Abraham’s overcoming the enemies of Sodom, when he delivered Lot from captivity and was blessed by Melchizedek the priest.
Attributed as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, which discusses Melchizedek.
XXIII
The apostle quotes the verse 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness' to commend grace.
Of Sarah's handmaid, Hagar, whom she herself wished to be Abraham's concubine.
The apostle Paul is cited regarding the marital law that the husband has not power of his own body, but the wife.
XXVII
Quoted regarding the relationship between law and prevarication.
Of the change of name in Abraham and Sarah, who received the gift of fecundity when they were incapable of regeneration owing to the barrenness of one, and the old age of both.
Referenced as the apostle who noted Abraham's body was 'now dead' and Sarah's faith.
Chapter XXXV
Apostle who interprets the story of Jacob and Esau as an instance of grace.
Chapter IV: The Prophecy of Hannah and the City of God
Quoted regarding dying with Christ, seeking things above, and counting former gains as dung.
Chapter V
Paul is cited regarding the remnant saved by grace and the 'consummating and shortening word' of faith.
VII
Apostle who names churches from Israel, showing that some Israelites turned to Christ.
IX
Referenced indirectly through the quote 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' from Acts, showing Christ identifies with His body the Church.
Of the substance of the people of God, which through His assumption of flesh is in Christ, who alone had power to deliver His own soul from hell.
Quoted regarding Christ's resurrection: 'rising from the dead He now dieth not, and death shall no more have dominion over Him.'
Chapter XVI
Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'faith is by hearing' (Romans 10:17).
XVIII
Referenced indirectly through the concept of the body of Christ and the resurrection of the dead.
Of David's reign and merit; and of his son Solomon, and that prophecy relating to Christ which is found either in those books which are joined to those written by him, or in those which are indubitably his.
Apostle quoted regarding hope that does not shame.
Chapter X
The Apostle Paul disputed with the Athenians at the Areopagus.
Chapter XI: The Exodus and the Law Given at Sinai
Quoted regarding the natural before the spiritual, and the earthly man before the heavenly.
XXVIII
Quoted as saying Christ is of the seed of David according to the flesh, and exhorting believers to seek things above.
Of the prophecy that is contained in the prayer and song of Habakkuk
Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'glory in the Lord' (1 Corinthians 1:31).
What Jeremiah and Zephaniah have, by the prophetic Spirit, spoken before concerning Christ and the calling of the nations
Quoted by Augustine regarding the remnant of Israel that would be saved.
Of the prophecy of the three prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
Referenced indirectly through the discussion of the new testament and the priesthood of Melchizedek.
Of the birth of our Saviour, whereby the Word was made flesh; and of the dispersion of the Jews among all nations, as had been prophesied.
Quoted by Augustine regarding the salvation of the Gentiles through the Jews' offence.
XLVIII
Quoted regarding the election of believers before the foundation of the world and the rock that was Christ.
LI
Quoted for teachings on rejoicing in hope, patience in tribulation, and the Lord knowing His own.
LII
Former persecutor of the Church who later suffered persecution after his conversion.
LIV
Apostle; quoted regarding the definition of faith through Christ's resurrection.
Book XIX: The Ends of the Two Cities
Quoted regarding the verse 'The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vain' and the statement 'We know in part.'
Chapter IV: The Christian View of Supreme Good and Evil
Quoted regarding the just living by faith and being saved by hope.
Of the happiness of the eternal peace, which constitutes the end or true perfection of the saints
Quoted regarding being freed from sin and having fruit unto holiness and the end of eternal life.
XIV
Quoted by Augustine regarding the duty to provide for one's own household.
Of the liberty proper to man’s nature, and the servitude introduced by sin
Admonishes slaves to be subject to their masters and serve with goodwill.
How different the uncertainty of the New Academy is from the certainty of the Christian faith
Quoted as the apostle who said 'We know in part.'
Of the dress and habits of the Christian people
Quoted regarding the episcopate: 'He that desireth the episcopate desireth a good work.'
Of the peace which is enjoyed by the people that are alienated from God, and the use made of it by the people of God in the time of its pilgrimage.
Apostle who admonished the Church to pray for kings and authorities for a quiet and tranquil life.
Book XX: The Last Judgment and the Resurrection
Apostle cited regarding the death of sin and the hope of the resurrection.
Chapter IV: Proofs of the Last Judgment from the New and Old Testaments
Cited for the statement that righteousness of God is manifested through faith in Jesus Christ, witnessed by the law and prophets.
Chapter V: The Passages in Which the Saviour Declares That There Shall Be a Divine Judgment in the End of the World
The Apostle Paul is referenced as considering himself included among the judges, saying 'Know ye not that we shall judge angels?'
What is the first resurrection, and what the second
Quoted on the death of all in sin and Christ's death for all.
What is written in the Revelation of John regarding the two resurrections, and the thousand years, and what may reasonably be held on these points
Referenced for the phrase 'as having nothing, yet possessing all things' and for the concept of being translated into the kingdom of God's Son.
Chapter IX: The Reign of the Saints with Christ
Apostle Paul, whose teachings on judging within the Church and rising with Christ are referenced.
Chapter X
Quoted for passages on rising with Christ and walking in newness of life.
XV
Paul's epistles are cited regarding the deadness of the body and the life of the spirit.
Of the endless glory of the Church
Apostle cited as a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem who experienced heaviness and sorrow for his brethren.
XIX
Augustine examines Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians concerning Antichrist and the day of the Lord.
Chapter XX: The Resurrection of the Dead at Christ's Coming
Apostle whose epistles to the Thessalonians and Corinthians are cited regarding the resurrection.
Chapter XXI: Utterances of the Prophet Isaiah Regarding the Resurrection of the Dead and the Retributive Judgment
Quoted regarding all having sinned and being in want of the glory of God, and regarding the carnal mind.
IX
Referenced for the verse 'Who is offended, and I burn not?' and 'For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.'
Chapter XVI: The Laws of Grace Across the Ages of the Regenerate
Referenced implicitly through the concept of the law and grace, and the struggle against sin.
Of those who promise this indulgence not to all, but only to those who have been baptized as catholics, though afterwards they have broken out into many crimes and heresies.
Quoted by Augustine regarding the unity of believers as one body in Christ.
Chapter XXI: Of those who assert that all catholics who continue in the faith, even though by the depravity of their lives they have merited hell fire, shall be saved on account of the “foundation” of their faith.
Quoted as the apostle who wrote about the foundation of Christ and the testing of works by fire.
Of those who fancy that the sins which are intermingled with alms-deeds shall not be charged at the day of judgment
Referenced indirectly through the citation of the Apostle James (James 2:13) and the Lord's Prayer.
XXIV
Quoted regarding repentance and the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:25-26).
Chapter XXV
Quoted on the works of the flesh and that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What it is to have Christ for a foundation, and who they are to whom salvation as by fire is promised
Apostle whose writings (1 Corinthians 3) provide the key text about building on the foundation and being saved as by fire.
XXVII
Referenced indirectly through the Apostle James and the teaching on charity.
Of the eternal and unchangeable will of God
Quoted regarding God working in believers to will and do His good pleasure.
Chapter VIII: Miracles of the Martyr Stephen and the Power of Faith
Implicitly referenced through the context of Christian teaching and the faith of the martyrs.
XII
Quoted regarding the 'measure of the age of the fullness of Christ' and predestination to be conformed to Christ's image.
Whether the bodies of all the dead shall rise the same size as the Lord’s body
His phrase 'the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ' is interpreted by Augustine.
Whether the Bodies of Women Shall Retain Their Own Sex in the Resurrection
Referenced regarding the 'edification' of the body of Christ, which is the Church.
Of the perfect Man, that is, Christ; and of His body, that is, the Church, which is His fullness.
Apostle whose letter to the Ephesians is quoted and interpreted by Augustine.
Of the new spiritual body into which the flesh of the saints shall be transformed
Quoted by Augustine regarding the distinction between carnal and spiritual, and the resurrection of the body.
Of the miseries of this life which attach peculiarly to the toil of good men, irrespective of those which are common to the good and bad.
Quoted by Augustine: 'Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ' and 'In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.'
XXIV
Quoted regarding the role of God in giving increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).
Of the Beatific Vision
Quoted extensively on knowing in part, seeing through a glass darkly, and the peace that passes understanding.
Endnotes
Scriptural citations from his epistles are used to support theological arguments.
Chapter companion notes
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