Origen Quotes

A collection of quotes by Origen.

Origen (185-254 AD) was an influential early Christian theologian and scholar who significantly contributed to the development of Christian doctrine and biblical interpretation. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, he came from a Christian family, and his father, Leonides, was martyred during the persecution of Christians under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus.

As a prolific writer and teacher, Origen played a crucial role in preserving and defending Christian faith during a time of religious persecution. He was known for his erudite approach to Biblical exegesis, combining rational inquiry with spiritual interpretation. Origen's most renowned work, "Hexapla," was a comparative edition of the Old Testament, providing multiple translations and interpretations side by side. This immense scholarly accomplishment greatly influenced subsequent theologians and translators of the Bible.

Although highly regarded for his contributions, Origen also faced controversy due to some of his unorthodox theological ideas. Certain teachings, such as the pre-existence of souls and the eventual salvation of all beings, were seen as heretical by later church authorities. Consequently, some of his works were condemned and destroyed by the Church.

Despite these controversies, Origen's legacy endured, and his thought continued to shape early Christianity. His emphasis on scriptural interpretation influenced later theologians, while his commitment to intellectual rigor and spiritual contemplation embodies the pursuit of truth and understanding within Christian tradition.

Now our whole activity is devoted to God, and our whole life

Now our whole activity is devoted to God, and our whole life, since we are bent on progress in divine things.

Origen


As the eye naturally seeks the light and vision, and our bod

As the eye naturally seeks the light and vision, and our body naturally desires food and drink, so our mind is possessed with a becoming and natural desire to become acquainted with the truth of God and the causes of things.

Origen

Food Truth Vision Mind Light Foodanddrink

We are obliged, therefore, to say that whoever speaks that w

We are obliged, therefore, to say that whoever speaks that which is foreign to religion is using many words, while he who speaks the words of truth, even should he go over the whole field and omit nothing, is always speaking the one word.

Origen

Truth Religion

Having refuted, then, as well as we could, every notion whic

Having refuted, then, as well as we could, every notion which might suggest that we were to think of God as in any degree corporeal, we go on to say that, according to strict truth, God is incomprehensible, and incapable of being measured.

Origen

Truth

Now the true soldiers of Christ must always be prepared to d

Now the true soldiers of Christ must always be prepared to do battle for the truth, and must never, so far as lies with them, allow false convictions to creep in.

Origen

Truth

To him who, though by no means near the end, is yet advancin

To him who, though by no means near the end, is yet advancing, He is the way; to him who has put off all that is dead He is the life.

Origen

Life Theend

The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of a

The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all.

Origen

Power

Conscience is the chamber of justice.

Conscience is the chamber of justice.

Origen

Conscience

But the Wisdom of God, which is His only-begotten Son, being

But the Wisdom of God, which is His only-begotten Son, being in all respects incapable of change or alteration, and every good quality in Him being essential, and such as cannot be changed and converted, His glory is therefore declared to be pure and sincere.

Origen

Wisdom

For whatever be the knowledge which we are able to obtain of

For whatever be the knowledge which we are able to obtain of God, either by perception or reflection, we must of necessity believe that He is by many degrees far better than what we perceive Him to be.

Origen

Knowledge