God Quote by Irenaeus of Lyons
“God became man, that we might be gods.”
About This Quote
Source Theology: Against Heresies, c. 180 AD
Divine incarnation aims to restore humanity to divine potential.
In simple terms: God became human to elevate us.
Key Takeaway
Seek divine purpose.
Themes
theology
spirituality
humanity
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious study
- personal growth
- ethical living
Key Concepts
incarnation
divine nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What does divinity mean to you?
- How can we embody higher purpose?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations vary across traditions.
![“[Peter] testified to [the Jews in Acts 2] that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Judge of the living and dead, into whom he did also command them to be baptized for the remission of sins.” quote by Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d43/irenaeus-of-lyons-18423_baptism_peter-testified-to-the-jews-in-acts-2-th_376225.jpg)
![“And when we come to refute them, we shall show in its fitting place that this class of men [i.e., the gnostics] has been instigated by satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God, and thus to a denial of the whole faith [by denying all physical aspects of spirituality, including…” quote by Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52f/irenaeus-of-lyons-18423_aspect_and-when-we-come-to-refute-them-we-shall_392161.jpg)
![“[Naaman] dipped himself," it says, "seven times in Jordan." It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean by means of the sacred water and the invocation of…” quote by Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9eb/irenaeus-of-lyons-18423_babe_naaman-dipped-himself-it-says-seven-time_627335.jpg)
![“He [Jesus] fought and conquered. On the one hand, he was man who struggled for his fathers and through his obedience cancelled their disobedience. On the other hand, he bound the strong one and freed the weak and bestowed salvation on his handiwork by abolishing sin. For he is our compassionate…” quote by Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68a/irenaeus-of-lyons-18423_adversaries_he-jesus-fought-and-conquered-on-the-one_1409679.jpg)
![“It is not necessary to seek the truth among others which it is easy to obtain from the Church; since the apostles, like a rich man [depositing his money] in a bank, lodged in her hands most copiously all things pertaining to the truth.” quote by Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fd9/irenaeus-of-lyons-18423_all-things_it-is-not-necessary-to-seek-the-truth-am_1540367.jpg)
