Μετοχῇ Θεότητος: Partakers of Divinity in Origen's Contra Celsum

Abstract:

Origen employs the words μετοχῇ θεότητος in Contra Celsum 3.37, which could be translated as “participating in divine nature.” There are two academic perspectives on this phrase. One sees this phrase to be a deification reference to 2 Peter 1.4, and Origen is said to be the first author to use the verse’s wording to refer to followers of Christ as “partakers of the divine nature.” The other view considers this phrase a simple comment on the divine realm, reflecting the understanding of Origen regarding the divinity of angels. The paper at hand provides clarification for the phrase μετοχῇ θεότητος, positioning it in Origen’s overall understanding of deification, and challenging the two scholarly stances on this phrase. First, this paper shows that Contra Celsum 3.37 does not intend to reference 2 Peter 1.4, but likely signals completely different biblical references. Second, the paper examines the language and context of Origen’s statement to show that this phrase is not only a comment on the divinity of angels, but also reflects Origen’s thoughts on human deification. In doing so, this paper analyzes Origen’s terminology and his philosophical approach towards human theosis in order to propose an answer to the questions of who is deified, who is not deified, and what it means to share in divinity. Overall, it becomes clear that in addition to commenting on angels, the phrase μετοχῇ θεότητος summarizes Origen’s understanding of human deification, even if not as a reference to 2 Peter 1.4. It reflects a human-angel continuum and posits a direct human participation in God.