CHAPTER 7. Against those who say that it is not suitable for
ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
CHAPTER 7. Against those who say that it is not suitable for "with whom' to be used in the Doxology concerning the Son, but that the proper phrase is "through whom."
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Our opponents say that the use of the phrase "with him" is completely alien and unknown, while "through him" occurs frequently in Scripture and is constantly used by the brethren. What can we say to this?
Blessed are the ears that have not heard you, and the hearts that have been guarded against the poison of your words. But to you who love Christ I have this to say: the Church recognizes both usages, dismissing neither as excluding the other. Whenever we reflect on the majesty of the nature of the Only-Begotten, and the excellence of His dignity, we ascribe glory to Him with the Father. On the other hand, when we consider the abundant blessings
He has given us, and how He has admitted us as co-heirs into God's household, we acknowledge that this grace works for us through Him and in Him. Therefore the best phrase when giving Him glory is with whom and the most appropriate for giving thanks is through whom. It is not true that the phrase with whom is alien to the usage of the faithful. Everyone who steadfastly values the old ways above these novelties, and who has preserved unchanged the tradition of the fathers both in the city and in the country, is familiar with this phrase. Rather, it is those never content with accepted ways who despise the old as being stale, constantly welcoming innovation, like worldlings who are always chasing after the latest fashion. Observe that country people cling to ancient patterns of speech, while the adroit language of these cunning disput-