Gregory of Nazianzus — Overview

Not to every one, my friends, does it belong to philosophize about God; not to every one; the Subject is not so cheap and low; and I will add, not before every audience, nor at all times, nor on all points; but on certain occasions, and before certain persons, and within certain limits.

Theological Oration I (Or. 27.3), NPNF 2.7 (Job 38:4; Isa. 55:8–9)

It is difficult to conceive God, but to define Him in words is an impossibility...It is impossible to express Him, and yet more impossible to conceive Him...For what God is in nature and essence, no man has ever yet discovered or can discover. Whether it will ever be discovered is a question which he may examine who will; as for myself, my opinion is that it will not.

Theological Oration II (Or. 28.4–5), NPNF 2.7 (Exod. 33:20; Rom. 11:33–34)

The Father is Father, and is Unoriginate, for He is of no one; the Son is Son, and is not unoriginate, for He is of the Father...The Father has generation, and has it from eternity; the Son is begotten, and from eternity; the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father, and is not generated.

Theological Oration III (Or. 29.2), NPNF 2.7 (John 1:14; John 15:26; Prov. 8:22–25)

The Old Testament proclaimed the Father openly, and the Son more obscurely. The New manifested the Son, and suggested the deity of the Spirit. Now the Spirit Himself dwells among us, and supplies us with a clearer demonstration of Himself.

Theological Oration V (Or. 31.26), NPNF 2.7 (Heb. 1:1–2; John 14:26; John 16:13)

What then? Is the Spirit God? Most certainly. Well then, is He Consubstantial? Yes, if He is God...For He has all that the Father has, except Unbegottenness; and all that the Son has, except Generation; and these matters I leave for your examination.

Theological Oration V (Or. 31.10), NPNF 2.7 (Acts 5:3–4; 1 Cor. 2:10–11; John 16:13–15)

Come and unite with me in celebrating the all-holy day of Pentecost...You have heard what He [Christ] said about the Comforter, and how He called Him another Comforter, so that you might acknowledge the other Paraclete, and not wrong the Spirit by limiting Him...for He is not a different God.

Oration 41.9 (On Pentecost), NPNF 2.7 (John 14:16; Acts 2:1–4)

He was baptized as Man — but He remitted sins as God — but not because He needed purification Himself, only to sanctify the water...He was tempted as Man, but He conquered as God; yea, He bids us be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.

Theological Oration IV (Or. 30.21), NPNF 2.7 (Matt. 3:13–15; Heb. 4:15; John 16:33)

Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him; yesterday I died with Him; today I am quickened with Him; yesterday I was buried with Him; today I rise with Him. Let us offer to Him Who suffered and rose again for us — you will think perhaps that I am going to say gold, or silver, or woven works or transparent and costly stones...Offer your own selves.

First Oration on Easter (Or. 1.4–5), NPNF 2.7 (Rom. 6:4–8; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 12:1)

That which He has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved. If only half Adam fell, then that which Christ assumes and saves may be half also; but if the whole of his nature fell, it must be united to the whole nature of Him that was born, and so be saved as a whole.

Letter 101 (To Cledonius), NPNF 2.7 (John 1:14; Rom. 5:12–19; Heb. 2:14–17)