II Sentences, Distinction 43, Question 1

Concerning the Sin against the Holy Spirit

[Proemium] postquam diversa genera
[Introduction] Having designated the different kinds
peccatorum assignavit, in parte ista
of sin, in this section (Peter Lombard) describes a
determinat de quodam genere peccati quod certain kind of sin which is found to be more grave
ceteris aliis gravius invenitur, scilicet de
than the others, namely the sin against the Holy
peccato in spiritum sanctum; et dividitur in Spirit. This section is divided into two parts. In the
partes duas: in prima ostendit gravitatem
first, he shows the gravity of this sin. In the second,
hujus peccati; in secunda quaerit quid sit he asks about its nature at "But it is asked, what is
istud peccatum, ibi: sed quaeritur, quid sit that sin against the Holy Spirit?" And this (latter) is
illud peccatum in spiritum sanctum. et
divided into three parts, according to the three
dividitur in partes tres, secundum tres
attributions he makes concerning this sin; the
assignationes hujus peccati quas facit;
second at "there is another attribution of this sin";
secunda ibi: est et alia hujus peccati
the third at "concerning this sin against the Holy
assignatio; tertia ibi: de hoc quoque
Spirit, there is also Ambrose (who...) treats of (its)
peccato in spiritum sanctum ambrosius...
precise attribution." The first is divided into two
definitam assignationem tradit. prima
parts. In the first, he determines a particular
dividitur in duas: in prima ponit
attribution of the sin against the Holy Spirit (at)
assignationem quamdam peccati in
"Belonging to the teacher"; in the second, he puts
spiritum sanctum, magistralem; in secunda forth a question and solves it, at "But it is asked,
movet quamdam quaestionem, et solvit, ibi: whether every obstinacy of mind firmly fixed in
sed quaeritur, utrum omnis obstinatio
malice, and all despair, is a sin against the Holy
mentis in malitia obduratae, omnisque
Spirit." At "And there is another attribution of this
desperatio, sit peccatum in spiritum
sin", he sets down the second attribution, drawn
sanctum. est et alia hujus peccati
from the words of St. Augustine. First, he sets (these
assignatio. hic ponit secundam
words) down, second, he shows how they are to be
assignationem, ex verbis augustini
understood, at "However, Augustine, calling to mind
sumptam; et primo ponit eam; secundo ex that definition in his book The Reconsiderations,
verbis ejusdem ostendit, quomodo sit
does not appear to be asserting that he said
accipienda, ibi: illam tamen definitionem
something about to be added there." Ambrose also
augustinus in lib. retract. rememorans,
treats of this sin in his book De Spiritu Sancto,
aliquid adjiciendum ibi fore, nec asserendo discussing (in this work this) definite attribution.
se dixisse aperit. de hoc quoque peccato Here (the Lombard) sets down the third attribution in
ambrosius in lib. de spiritu sancto
accordance with Ambrose. He first offers
disserens definitam assignationem tradit. (Ambrose's) attribution, and second, eliminates a
hic ponit tertiam assignationem secundum doubt which can arise, at "Therefore, that distinction
ambrosium: et primo ponit eam; secundo
(found in those) words is not to be so understood..."
removet quoddam dubium quod potest
Six questions are asked here (in this distinction):
esse, ibi: non itaque distinctio illa verborum
sic accipienda est. hic sex quaeruntur:
1 an sit peccatum in spiritum sanctum, et
quid sit; 2 utrum sit distinctum ab aliis
peccatis; 3 de speciebus ejus; 4 de
irremissibilitate ipsius; 5 utrum peccatum in
spiritum sanctum praeexigat alia peccata, 6

1. Whether there is a sin against the Holy Spirit, and

what is its nature;
2. Whether it is distinct from other sins;
3. (A question) concerning its species;
4. (A question) concerning its unpardonable nature;

quibus conveniat in spiritum sanctum

peccare.

5. Whether the sin against the Holy Spirit

presupposes other sins, and
6. In what (ways) does one sin against the Holy
Spirit.

Stephen Loughlin
(sjl1@desales.edu)

The Aquinas Translation Project

(http://www4.desales.edu/~philtheo/loughlin/ATP/index.html)