16. In how many ways is the Son indicated?

D. In how many ways does Scripture speak about the Son? M. Five. Now for instance, (1) sometimes his godhead alone is indicated, and the assumption of flesh is secondarily understood, e.g., "The only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father" (Jn 1:18). But (2) sometimes human nature alone has been taken up by him and, secondarily, godhead, e.g., "In the final age he has spoken to us by his Son" (Heb 1:2). Sometimes (3) both together, e.g., "Have this in mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was by form God, did not think that to be equal to God a thing to be grasped at, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave" (Phil 2:5-7). Sometimes (4) even with respect to the body there seem to be sayings which must be referred primarily to godhead, e.g., "the Son of Man, who is in heaven" (Jn 3:13). Again (5), sometimes there seem to be things ascribed to divinity which are specifically traced back to the flesh, e.g., "For if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Cor 2:8).

[2] D. Why does Scripture speak about the Son in these five ways? M. On the one hand, separately it speaks then in keeping with his natures, in order that it may show unconfused their peculiar properties; both alike then, in order that it may assert unity. On the other hand, it alternates human things with divine and divine with human, in order that both may be shown as belonging to one Person and as indivisible.

[3] D. In how many ways is the Person of the Son usually indicated? M. In two: even he, primarily and secondarily. On the one hand, he is indicated primarily when he is called the Anointed One absolutely. For when others are called anointed ones, something else is added, e.g., "the anointed of the Lord" (1 Sm 24:7,11), or "my anointed" (Ps 104[105]:15). But only God's Son by nature is absolutely said to be the Anointed One, whence even this is declared to be characteristic of him alone. Secondarily, on the other hand, the Person of the Son is understood both from those three things by which even the Father is, and from the very term 'Father,' and from that of 'Holy Spirit,' because the Spirit, too, is said to belong to the Father and of the Son.