Irenaeus Quotes

Quotes and insights from Irenaeus of Lyons posted twice a week. Bring this insightful church father into your regular routine.

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We continually give thanks to God, who by his great and unsearchable wisdom delivered us and proclaimed the salvation from heaven.

On the Apostolic Preaching, pg. 97.

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The trespass which came by the tree was undone by the tree of obedience.

Apostolic Preaching 34

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God delivered Israel by the tenth plague, 'revealing in a mystery the sufferings of Christ by the sacrifice of a lamb without spot.'

On the Apostolic Preaching 2.25

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The Spirit of God gives us knowledge of the truth and sets forth the Father and the Son.

Against Heresies 4.33.7

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Every word of the Scriptures will seem consistent to him if he diligently reads them in the company of the presbyters of the Church. The apostolic doctrine is among them.

Against Heresies 4.32.1

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We are required to be all the more watchful in our walk of life. We are directed not merely to abstain from evil actions, but even from evil thoughts, idle words, and insulting language.

Against Heresies 4.28.2

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All people come short of the glory of God and are not justified in themselves, but by the advent of our Lord.

Against Heresies 4.27.2

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Those who break apart the unity of the Church will receive from God the same punishment that Jeroboam received (1 Kings 14:10).

Against Heresies 4.26.2

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Fellowship with God is to know God and to enjoy his goodness.

Against Heresies 4.20.5

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As those who see light are in the light and partake of its radiance; so too, those who see God are in God and receive of his splendor.

Against Heresies 4.20.5

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Humanity does not see God by their own power. God is seen when he pleases, by whom he wills, when he wills, as he wills.

Against Heresies 4.20.5

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This is his Word – our Lord Jesus Christ. In the last times, he was made human among humanity, that he might join the end to the beginning, that is, humanity to God.

Against Heresies 4.20.4

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On the Two Hands of God:

There is one God, who created and arranged all things by the Word and Wisdom. 

Against Heresies 4.20.4

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The Word – who is the Son – was always with the Father. So too Wisdom, which is the Spirit, was present with him before all creation.

Against Heresies 4.20.3

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The bread is produced from the earth. When it receives the invocation of God, it is no longer common bread. It is the Eucharist, consisting of two realities – earthly and heavenly. So too our bodies, when they receive the Eucharist, are no longer corruptible. We have the hope of the resurrection to eternity.

Against Heresies 4.28.5

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In the beginning, God formed Adam, not as if he stood in need of humanity, but so that he would have someone to confer his benefits upon.

Against Heresies 4.14.1

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It is better to belong to the simple and unlettered class and by means of love to attain to nearness to God, than, by imagining ourselves learned and skilful, to be found among those who are blasphemous against their own God by conjuring up another God as the Father.

Against Heresies 2.26.1