Dist. 5, Divisio Textus
Book I: On the Mystery of the Trinity · Distinction 5
## Commentarius in Distinctionem V
De comparatione generationis ad terminum essentialem abstractum, qui est essentia.
«Post haec quaeritur, utrum concedendum sit» etc.
Divisio Textus
In praecedenti distinctione movit Magister quaestionem de comparatione generationis ad terminum essentialem concretum1, qualis est hoc nomen Deus. In praesenti movet quaestionem de comparatione generationis ad terminum essentialem abstractum, qui est essentia. Et dividitur haec pars in duas partes.
In prima parte movet quaestionem ex comparatione generationis ad essentiam in ratione termini, videlicet utrum essentia generetur; in secunda in ratione principii, utrum essentia generet etc., ibi: Ita etiam non est dicendum, quod divina essentia genuit Filium.
Item prima pars habet quatuor partes. In prima proponit problemata, videlicet utrum essentia generet vel generetur. In secunda adducit rationes tres probantes, quod essentia non generatur a Patre, ibi: Ideo non est dicendum, quod Pater genuit etc. In tertia adducit rationes in contrarium, ibi: Huic autem videtur contrarium etc. In quarta et ultima solvit et exponit, ibi: Ad quod respondemus.
Tractatio Quaestionum
In parte ista ad intelligentiam duarum principalium partium huius distinctionis duo principaliter quaeruntur.
Primo quaeritur de comparatione generationis ad substantiam sive essentiam in ratione principii.
Secundo quaeritur de comparatione eiusdem in ratione termini2.
Et duo quaeruntur quantum ad primum, duo vero quantum ad secundum.
Quantum ad primum quaeritur:
Primo, utrum substantia vel essentia generet.
Secundo, utrum de substantia generetur aliquis.
Quantum ad secundum quaeritur:
Primo, utrum essentia sit genita.
Secundo, utrum essentia genuerit essentiam.
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## Commentary on Distinction V
On the comparison of generation to the abstract essential term — which is essence.
"After these things it is asked whether it must be conceded" etc.
Division of the Text
In the preceding distinction the Master raised the question of the comparison of generation to the concrete essential term1 — such as the name God. In the present distinction he raises the question of the comparison of generation to the abstract essential term — which is essence. This part is divided into two sub-parts.
In the first he raises the question from the comparison of generation to essence in the account of term — namely, whether essence is begotten. In the second, in the account of principle — whether essence begets — at: "Similarly it must not be said that the divine essence begot the Son."
Likewise, the first sub-part has four sections. In the first he proposes the problems — namely, whether essence begets or is begotten. In the second he brings forward three arguments proving that essence is not begotten by the Father, at: "Therefore it must not be said that the Father begot..." etc. In the third he brings forward arguments to the contrary, at: "But this seems contrary..." etc. In the fourth and last he resolves and explains, at: "To this we respond."
Treatment of the Questions
In this part, for the understanding of the two principal sub-parts of this distinction, two principal questions are asked.
First concerns the comparison of generation to substance or essence in the account of principle.
Second concerns the comparison of the same in the account of term2.
Two questions are asked under the first, and two under the second.
Under the first:
First: whether substance or essence begets.
Second: whether anyone is begotten from the substance.
Under the second:
First: whether the essence is begotten.
Second: whether essence begot essence.
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- Cfr. supra d. 4, Divisio textus, ubi similis distinctio concreti et abstracti circa terminos essentiales datur.Cf. above d. 4, Divisio textus, where a similar distinction of concrete and abstract with respect to essential terms is given.
- Quaestio de essentia in ratione termini infra tractatur a S. Doctore in a. 2 huius distinctionis (q. 1 utrum essentia sit genita, q. 2 utrum essentia genuerit essentiam).The question on essence in the account of term is treated below by the Holy Doctor in a. 2 of this distinction (q. 1, whether the essence is begotten; q. 2, whether essence has begotten essence).