13. Concerning the signs of divine essence.

D. In how many ways is the divine essence indicated? M. In two, primarily and secondarily.

[2] D. With what words primarily? M. Eight. For he is called either God, or Lord, or together Lord God, or Adonai, or Sabaoth, or Eli, or Elohim, or He Is. D. Do these words indicate nothing other than God? M. Two only are sometimes improperly said about others, God and Lord, with Paul the Apostle as witness: "Because there are many gods and many lords" (1 Cor 8:5). And, "You are gods and all sons of the Most High" (Ps 81[82]:6). But the remaining six are never said except about God. D. What do these words indicate about God? M. Not what he is, but that he is, for what God is cannot be comprehended.

[3] D. In what ways is God indicated secondarily? M. When Scripture sets forth Persons, or operation, or comparison of him to his creatures. For even when it names the Father, although a first hearing indicates "one engendering," secondarily nevertheless we understand "God"; likewise, too, when it names the Son or the Holy Spirit. And when it says, "almighty," although the term first intimates his operation, secondarily nevertheless we understand "God." And when it says, "invisible," although it primarily means "him who cannot be seen by mortals," and from comparison with us assigns that which we are not to him who made us, secondarily nevertheless we understand "God."