Tractates on the Gospel of John
48 ST. AUGUSTINE said words when we spoke. Was the Word with God such a word? These words which we said sounded forth and passed away, did they not? Therefore did the Word of God also sound forth and come to an end? How were all things made through it^^ and without it was made nothing? How is that which was created by it governed by it if it sounded forth and passed away? What kind of Word is it, then, which is both spoken and does not pass away? May I have your attention, my beloved people? This is an important matter. From daily use words have been cheapened by us; for words, by sounding forth and passing away, have been cheapened and seem to be nothing other than words. There is also in man himself a word which remains within; for it is sound which goes out of the mouth. There is a word which is said truly in the spirit — that which you understand from the sound, but is not the sound itself.
Notice, I say a word when I say "God." How short is what I have just said, three letters and one syllable! Is this actually the whole reality that God is, three letters and one syllable? Or is this as trifling as what is understood in this is precious?
(2) What happened in your heart when you had heard "God"? What happened in my heart w hen I said "God"? A certain great and perfect substance was in our thoughts, which transcends every changeable creature of flesh and soul. And if I should say to you, "Is God subject to change or is he immutable?" you will immediately answer, "Far be it from me either to believe or to imagine that God is subject to change.
God is immutable." Your soul, although small, although perhaps still carnal, could only reply to me that God is immutable. But every created being is changeable. How were you able, therefore, to have a spark of understanding of that which is above every created being so that you, with certainty, reply to me that God is immutable? What, then, is in your heart when you think of a certain substance that is living, eternal, om-
25. Retention ot the neuter gender of the Latin Verbum seems more appropriate to Augustine's reasoning in this passage since he has not yet asserted the personal nature of the Word, although total consistency is found neither in the Latin text nor in this translation.
26. The Latin word is Deus, four letters and two syllables.