Orthodox Study
Irenaeus of Lyons

XLIX.

Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus — translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson / ANF editors

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¶1

Now therefore, by means of this which has been already brought forth a long time since, the Word has assigned an interpretation. We are convinced that there exist [so to speak] two men in each one of us. The one is confessedly a hidden thing, while the other stands apparent; one is corporeal, the other spiritual; although the generation of both may be compared to that of twins. For both are revealed to the world as but one, for the soul was not anterior to the body in its essence; nor, in regard to its formation, did the body precede the soul: but both these were produced at one time; and their nourishment consists in purity and sweetness.

Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson / ANF editors. Edition opa.patristics.irenaeus-of-lyons.fragments-from-lost-writings.en.

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