# To Constantius

- Author: [Hilary of Poitiers](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/hilary-of-poitiers/)
- Latin title: *Liber ad Constantium imperatorem*
- Date: 360 (probable)
- Source: A. Feder, ed., S. Hilarii episcopi Pictaviensis opera, pars 4, CSEL 65 (Vienna: Tempsky, 1916) (Latin text: Vienna CSEL, digitized by Open Greek and Latin (csel-dev, University of Leipzig), CC BY-SA 4.0)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Editions and translations: A. Feder, ed., CSEL 65 (1916); A. Rocher, ed., Hilaire de Poitiers, Contre Constance, SC 334 (Paris: Cerf, 1987), for the later work Against Constantius.
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/
- Passages: 25

## To Constantius 1.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-1-1
- Source: CSEL 65:197
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary notes that what is said is usually judged by who says it.

### Latin text

Non sum nescius, piissime imperator, ea, quae de nonnullis negotiis ad conscientiae publicae audientiam proferantur, pro dignitate eorum, qui eloquuntur, uel grauia existimari solere uel leuia, dum distantis opinionis ambiguam sententiam ad studium intellegentiae permouet hominis; contemtus aut gratia.

### English translation (Claude)

I am not unaware, most devout emperor, that things brought before the hearing of the public conscience about certain matters are usually thought weighty or light according to the dignity of those who speak them, since contempt or favor moves a man's mind to understand, by the uncertain judgment of a differing opinion.

### Translation notes

- This is Hilary's second petition to the emperor Constantius II, written at Constantinople in 359–360. The last clause of the sentence is obscure in the Latin and is translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 1.1 (CSEL 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-1-1).

## To Constantius 1.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-1-2
- Source: CSEL 65:197
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary trusts the emperor to judge his words by their piety and not by the speaker.

### Latin text

sed mihi apud te de diuina re pia dicturo nullus uulgatae consuetudinis metus est, quia, cum sis bonus ac religiosus, nec uitium iudicii apud prudentes religionum, quid a quo audiat, sed an, quae audiat,sint religiosa, diiudicet. et quia mihi a deo [de] praesentia tuae opportunitas praestita est, nec erga haec quidem conscientiae meae cessauit officium, ut in eum, quem apud te habeo de religione sermonem, indignitas forte aliqua tecum loquentis offendat.

### English translation (Claude)

But since I am about to speak to you devoutly on a divine matter, I have no fear of the common custom; for, since you are good and religious, there is no fault of judgment among those wise in religion: they judge not what they hear and from whom, but whether what they hear is religious. And since an opportunity of your presence has been given me by God, the duty of my conscience has not failed even in this, lest some unworthiness of the one speaking with you should perhaps give offense in the discourse on religion that I hold before you.

### Translation notes

- The editor deletes "de" before "praesentia"; it is left out.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 1.2 (CSEL 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-1-2).

## To Constantius 2.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-2-1
- Source: CSEL 65:197–198
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary declares he is a bishop in communion with Gaul, exiled through faction and false reports, with Julian as witness.

### Latin text

Episcopus ego sum in omnium Galliarum ecclesiarum atque, episcoporum communione, licet exilio, permanens et ecclesiae adhuc per presbyteros meos communionem distribuens. exulo autem non crimine, sed factione et falsis nuntiis synodi ad te imperatorem pium, non ob aliquam criminum meorum conscientiam per impios homines delatus. nec leuem habeo querellae meae testem dominum meum religiosum Caesarem tuum Iulianum, qui plus in exilio meo contumeliae a malis, quam ego iniuriae, pertulit;

### English translation (Claude)

I am a bishop, remaining in the communion of all the churches and bishops of Gaul, though in exile, and still distributing communion to the church through my presbyters. And I am an exile not for a crime but through faction, and through false reports of a synod to you, the devout emperor, denounced by impious men, not from any consciousness of crimes of mine. Nor have I a slight witness of my complaint in my lord, your religious Caesar Julian, who suffered more insult from wicked men in my exile than I suffered injury.

### Translation notes

- Julian was then Caesar in Gaul (355–360). The synod is that of Béziers (356).

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 2.1 (CSEL 65:197–198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-2-1).

## To Constantius 2.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-2-2
- Source: CSEL 65:198
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary offers to prove the emperor was deceived, accepting lay penance if he is found guilty.

### Latin text

in promtu enim sunt pietatis uestrae litterae. falsa autem eorum omnia, qui in exilium meum procurauerunt, non in obscuro sunt. ipse quoque uel minister uel auctor gestorum omnium intra hanc urbem est. circumuentum te Augustum inlusumque Caesarem tuum ea confidens conscientiae meae condicione patefaciam, ut, si indignum aliquid non modo episcopi sanctitate, sed etiam laici integritate gessisse docear, non iam sacerdotium per ueniam expectem, sed intra paenitentiam laici consenescam.

### English translation (Claude)

For the letters of Your Piety are at hand. And all the falsehoods of those who procured my exile are not in the dark. He himself too, either the agent or the author of all that was done, is within this city. Trusting in my conscience, I will make plain that you, the Augustus, were deceived and your Caesar mocked, on this condition: that if I am shown to have done anything unworthy not only of a bishop's holiness but even of a layman's integrity, I will no longer expect the priesthood by pardon but will grow old in the penance of a layman.

### Translation notes

- The man meant is Saturninus of Arles, then at Constantinople. "Penance of a layman": lifelong exclusion from clerical office.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 2.2 (CSEL 65:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-2-2).

## To Constantius 3.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-3-1
- Source: CSEL 65:198
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary leaves his own case to the emperor's discretion and asks to confront his accuser.

### Latin text

Haec autem nunc, dignantissime imperator, arbitrio tuo derelinquo, quatenus et quomodo me iubes loqui, et ea, quae maxime tecum in tempore hoc agenda sunt, prosequor. dabis quidem id in praesens instructionis ad causam, ut praesentem eum, cuius

### English translation (Claude)

These things, however, most gracious emperor, I now leave to your judgment, how far and in what way you bid me speak, and I go on to what most needs to be done with you at this time. You will indeed grant this for the present as instruction for the case: that I may bring him, by whose

### Translation notes

- The sentence runs on into 3.2.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 3.1 (CSEL 65:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-3-1).

## To Constantius 3.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-3-2
- Source: CSEL 65:198–199
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary speaks out of fear for the world's danger and concern for the emperor's salvation.

### Latin text

ministerio exulo, usque ad confessionem falsorum, quae gessit, adducam. sed nihil de eo, nisi cum iusseris, loquar. nunc autem, quia mihi metus est de mundi periculo, de silentii mei reatu, de iudicio dei, cura autem est de spe, de uita, de immortalitate non tam mea, quam tua uniuersorumque. quae quia mihi cum plurimis communis est, haec a me communis spei expectatio est.

### English translation (Claude)

agency I am an exile, in his presence, to confess the falsehoods he has committed. But I will say nothing of him unless you command it. Now, however, since I fear for the danger of the world, for the guilt of my silence, for the judgment of God, and my concern is for hope, for life, for immortality, not so much my own as yours and everyone's; and since this is common to me with very many, this expectation of a common hope is mine.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 3.2 (CSEL 65:198–199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-3-2).

## To Constantius 4.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-4-1
- Source: CSEL 65:199
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: The bishops offer the emperor their own creeds instead of the faith confessed in baptism.

### Latin text

Recognosce fidem, quam olim, optime ac religiosissime imperator, ab episcopis optas audire et non audis. dum enim, a quibus ea requiritur, sua scribunt et non deum praedicant, orbem aeternum erroris et redeuntis in se semper certaminis circumtulerunt. oportuerat humanae infirmitatis modestia omne cognitionis diuinae sacramentum illis tantum conscientiae suae finibus contineri, quibus credidit, neque post confessam et iuratam in baptismo fidem in nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti quicquam aliud uel ambigere uel innouare.

### English translation (Claude)

Recognize the faith, best and most religious emperor, which you have long wished to hear from the bishops and do not hear. For while those from whom it is sought write their own things and do not proclaim God, they have carried round an endless circle of error and of a conflict always returning on itself. The modesty of human weakness ought to have kept the whole mystery of divine knowledge only within those bounds of its conscience in which it believed, and, after the faith confessed and sworn in baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, neither to doubt nor to innovate anything else.

### Scripture references

- Matt 28:19: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- "Mystery" renders sacramentum. Baptismal formula: Matt 28:19.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 4.1 (CSEL 65:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-4-1).

## To Constantius 4.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-4-2
- Source: CSEL 65:199
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Some confess the baptismal names while emptying them of their real meaning.

### Latin text

sed quorundam aut praesumtio aut facultas aut error apostolicae doctrinae indemutabilem constitutionem partim fraudulenter confessa est et partim audacter egressa, dum in confessione patris et filii et spiritus sancti ueritatem naturalis significationis eludit, ne quid maneret in sensu, quod in regenerationis sacramento est confitendum. ob hoc penes quorundam conscientiam nec pater pater nec filius filius nec spiritus sanctus spiritus sanctus est.

### English translation (Claude)

But the presumption, or the facility, or the error of some has partly confessed deceitfully and partly overstepped boldly the unchangeable constitution of the apostolic teaching, while in confessing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit it evades the truth of their natural meaning, so that nothing should remain in the mind of what is to be confessed in the mystery of rebirth. For this reason, in the conscience of some, neither is the Father Father, nor the Son Son, nor the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 4.2 (CSEL 65:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-4-2).

## To Constantius 4.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-4-3
- Source: CSEL 65:199–200
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: The habit of writing new creeds has produced as many faiths as wills, and so no faith at all.

### Latin text

sub cuius necessitatis tamquam improbabili occasione scribendae atque innouandae fidei exinde usus inoleuit. qui postquam noua potius coepit condere, quam accepta retinere, nec ueterata defendit nec innouata firmauit et facta est fides temporum potius quam euangeliorum, dum et secundum annos scribitur et secundum confessionem baptismi non tenetur. periculosum nobis ammodum atque etiam miserabile est tot nunc fides exsistere, quot uoluntates, et tot nobis doctrinas esse, quot mores, et tot causas blasphemiarum pullulare, quot uitia sunt, dum aut ita fides scribuntur, ut uolumus, aut ita, ut nolumus, intelleguntur. et cum secundum unum deum et unum dominum et unum baptisma etiam fides una sit, excedimus ab ea fide, quae sola est. et dum plures, ad id coeperunt esse, ne ulla sit.

### English translation (Claude)

Under the pretext of this necessity, as an unacceptable occasion, the practice of writing and renewing the faith has since grown up. And once it began to compose new things rather than keep what was received, it neither defended the old nor confirmed the new, and the faith has become one of the times rather than of the Gospels, since it is written according to the years and not held according to the confession of baptism. It is very dangerous and indeed pitiable for us that there now exist as many creeds as wills, and as many doctrines as habits, and that as many causes of blasphemies sprout as there are vices, while creeds are either written as we wish or understood as we do not wish. And since, according to one God and one Lord and one baptism, there is also one faith, we depart from that faith which alone is; and while they have begun to be many, they have come to this, that there is none.

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:5: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- One Lord, one faith, one baptism: Eph 4:5.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 4.3 (CSEL 65:199–200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-4-3).

## To Constantius 5.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-1
- Source: CSEL 65:200
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Since Nicaea the churches have done nothing but write creeds and quarrel, so that almost no one belongs to Christ.

### Latin text

Conscii enim nobis inuicem sumus post Niceni conuentus synodum nihil aliud quam fidem scribi. dum in uerbis pugna est, dum de nouitatibus quaestio est, dum de ambiguis occasio est, dum de auctoribus querella est, dum de studiis certamen est, dum in consensu difficultas est, dum alter alteri anathema esse coepit, prope iam nemo Christi est. incerto enim doctrinarum

### English translation (Claude)

For we are conscious, each of us with the other, that since the synod of the council of Nicaea nothing has been done but writing creeds. While there is fighting over words, while there is questioning about novelties, while there is occasion from ambiguities, while there is complaint about authors, while there is contention about factions, while there is difficulty in agreement, while one has begun to be anathema to another, almost no one now is Christ's. For by the uncertain

### Translation notes

- The sentence runs on into 5.2.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 5.1 (CSEL 65:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-1).

## To Constantius 5.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-2
- Source: CSEL 65:200–201
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary lists the shifting creeds of the past year, from silence about the terms to outright condemnation of ousia.

### Latin text

uento uagamur et aut, dum docemus, perturbamus aut, dum docemur, erramus. iam uero proximi anni fides quid iam de immutatione in se habet? prima, quae omousion decernit taceri; sequens rursum, quae omousion discernit et praedicat; tertia deinceps, quae usiam simpliciter a patribus praesumtam per indulgentiam excusat; postremum quarta, quae non excusat, sed condemnat.

### English translation (Claude)

wind of doctrines we wander, and either, while we teach, we confuse, or, while we are taught, we err. And now, what change does last year's faith not have in it? The first, which decrees that homoousion be passed over in silence; the next, again, which distinguishes and proclaims homoousion; the third in turn, which excuses by indulgence the word ousia as simply taken up by the fathers; and finally the fourth, which does not excuse but condemns.

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:14: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The "wind of doctrines": Eph 4:14.
- The four are probably Sirmium 357 (silence), Ancyra 358 ("like in essence"), the Dated Creed of Sirmium 359 (ousia excused as used by the fathers in simplicity), and the creed of Ariminum–Nicé–Constantinople 359–360 (ousia forbidden). The second, as printed, reads "omousion"; by the history it should be homoeusion ("like in essence"), and the printed word may be a slip (uncertain).

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 5.2 (CSEL 65:200–201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-2).

## To Constantius 5.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-3
- Source: CSEL 65:201
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Bishops now dispute whether the Son is wholly or partly like the Father, as if they could judge heavenly mysteries.

### Latin text

et quo tandem processum est? ut neque penes nos neque penes quemquam ante nos sanctum exinde aliquid atque inuiolabile perseueret, de similitudine autem dei filii ad deum patrem quodsi miserabilis nostri temporis fides est, ne non aut ex toto aut tantum ex portione sit similis, egregii scilicet arbitri caelestium sacramentorum, conquisitores inuisibilium mysteriorum professionibus de fide dei calumniamur.

### English translation (Claude)

And where at last has it come to? That neither with us nor with anyone before us does anything since remain holy and inviolable. And about the likeness of the Son of God to God the Father, which is the faith of our pitiable time, whether he is like wholly or only in part: we, excellent judges, no doubt, of heavenly mysteries, investigators of invisible secrets, slander one another with professions about the faith of God.

### Translation notes

- The Latin of this sentence is broken in the transmitted text; it is translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 5.3 (CSEL 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-3).

## To Constantius 5.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-4
- Source: CSEL 65:201
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: The bishops make and unmake creeds month by month and devour one another.

### Latin text

annuas atque menstruas de deo fides decernimus, decretis paenitemur. paenitentes defendimus, defensos anathematizamus aut in nostris aliena aut in alienis nostra damnamus et, cum mordemus inuicem, iam absumti sumus ab inuicem.

### English translation (Claude)

We decree yearly and monthly creeds about God; we repent of our decrees; we defend those who repent; we anathematize those we have defended; we condemn either others' views in ours or ours in others'; and while we bite one another, we are already consumed by one another.

### Scripture references

- Gal 5:15: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Allusion: Gal 5:15.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 5.4 (CSEL 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-5-4).

## To Constantius 6.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-6-1
- Source: CSEL 65:201
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Writing new creeds implies that the faith of baptism was no faith at all.

### Latin text

Fides deinde quaeritur, quasi fides nulla sit. fides scribenda est, quasi in corde non sit. regenerati per fidem nunc ad fidem docemur, quasi regeneratio illa sine fide sit. Christum post baptisma discimus. quasi baptisma aliquod esse possit sine Christi fide.

### English translation (Claude)

Then a faith is sought, as though there were no faith. A faith must be written, as though it were not in the heart. Reborn through faith, we are now taught toward faith, as though that rebirth were without faith. We learn Christ after baptism, as though there could be any baptism without faith in Christ.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 6.1 (CSEL 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-6-1).

## To Constantius 6.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-6-2
- Source: CSEL 65:201–202
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: The bishops multiply creeds while refusing the gospel faith, using the name of peace and Scripture to cover unbelief.

### Latin text

emendamus, quasi in spiritum sanctum peccasse sit uenia. sed impietatis ipsius hinc uel praecipue causa perpetua est, quod fidem apostolicam septuplo proferentes ipsi tamen fidem euangelicam nolumus confiteri, dum impietates nostras nobis in populis multiloquiis defendimus et magniloquentiae uanitate aures simplicum uerbis fallentibus inludimus. dum euitamus de domino Christo ea credere, quae de se docuit credenda, et per speciosum pacis nomen in unitatem perfidiae subrepimus et sub reiciendis nouitatibus rursum ipsi nouis ad deum uocibus rebellamus et sub scripturarum uocabulo non scripta mentimur: uagi, prodigi, impii, dum et manentia demutamus et accepta perdimus et inreligiosa praesumimus.

### English translation (Claude)

We correct, as though there were pardon for having sinned against the Holy Spirit. But the perpetual cause of this very impiety lies chiefly here: that while we put forward the apostolic faith sevenfold, we ourselves will not confess the gospel faith, defending our impieties before the people with much talk and mocking the ears of the simple with the vanity of grand speech and deceiving words; while we avoid believing about the Lord Christ what he taught must be believed about himself, and under the fair name of peace creep into a unity of unbelief, and under the pretext of rejecting novelties ourselves rebel against God again with new words, and under the name of the Scriptures lie about things not written: wandering, prodigal, impious, while we change what abides, lose what was received, and presume irreligious things.

### Scripture references

- Matt 12:32: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Sin against the Holy Spirit: Matt 12:31–32. "Sevenfold" seems to refer to the many recent creeds (number uncertain).
- "Under the name of the Scriptures" alludes to the Dated Creed's claim to use only scriptural words.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 6.2 (CSEL 65:201–202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-6-2).

## To Constantius 7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-7-1
- Source: CSEL 65:202
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: As sailors return to port in a storm, the church should return to the one gospel faith of baptism.

### Latin text

Quod hieme undoso mari obseruari a nauigantibus maxime tutum est, ut naufragio desaeuiente in portum, ex quo soluerant, reuertantur, uel incautis adulescentibus conuenit, ut, cum in tuenda domo sua mores paternae obseruantiae transgressi profusa libertate sua usi sunt, iam sub ipso amittendi patrimonii metu solus illis ad paternam consuetudinem necessarius et tutus recursus sit, ita inter haec fidei naufragia caelestis patrimonii iam paene profligata hereditate tutissimum nobis est primam et solam euangelicam fidem confessam in baptismo intellectamque retinere nec demutare, quod solum acceptum atque auditum habeo, bene credere, non ut ea, quae synodo patrum nostrorum continentur, tamquam inreligiose et impie scripta damnanda sint, sed quia per temeritatem humanam usurpantur ad contradictionem, quod ob hoc sub nomine

### English translation (Claude)

In winter, on a stormy sea, it is safest for sailors, when shipwreck rages, to return to the harbor from which they set out; or it befits careless young men who, in keeping their house, have transgressed the ways of their father's discipline and used their liberty lavishly, when they now fear losing their inheritance, that their only necessary and safe recourse is to their father's way of life. So, amid these shipwrecks of the faith, when the inheritance of the heavenly patrimony is already almost squandered, it is safest for us to keep the first and only gospel faith confessed and understood in baptism, and not to change it; to believe well what alone I have received and heard. Not that what is contained in the synod of our fathers should be condemned as irreligiously and impiously written, but because it is usurped by human rashness for contradiction, so that for this reason, under the name

### Translation notes

- "The synod of our fathers" is Nicaea. The sentence runs on into 7.2.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 7.1 (CSEL 65:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-7-1).

## To Constantius 7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-7-2
- Source: CSEL 65:202–203
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Endless corrections of the creed end in condemnation of the faith itself.

### Latin text

nouitatis euangelium negaretur, ut periculose tamquam sub emendatione innouetur. quod emendatum est, semper proficit, ut, dum omnis emendatio displicet, emendationem omnem emendatio consecuta condemnet, ac si iam, quidquid illud est, non emendatio aliqua sit emendationis, sed coeperit esse damnatio.

### English translation (Claude)

of novelty, the gospel is denied, so that it is dangerously renewed under the guise of correction. What has been corrected always goes further, so that, while every correction displeases, correction following on correction condemns every correction; as if now, whatever it is, it is no longer some correction of a correction but has begun to be condemnation.

### Translation notes

- The Latin of 7.1–7.2 is involved; translated closely by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 7.2 (CSEL 65:202–203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-7-2).

## To Constantius 8.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-8-1
- Source: CSEL 65:203
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary asks to speak to the emperor before the synod from the Gospels alone.

### Latin text

In quantum ego nunc beatae religiosaeque unigeniti uirum te, domine Constanti imperator, ammiror, fidem tantum secundum ea, quae scripta sunt, desiderantem — et merito plane ad illa ipsa unigeniti dei eloquia festinas, ut imperatoriae sollicitudinis capax pectus etiam diuinorum dictorum conscientia plenum sit; hoc qui repudiat, antichristus est et, qui simulat, anathema est —, sed unum hoc ego per hanc dignationis tuae sinceram audientiam rogo, ut praesente synodo, quae nunc de fide litigat, pauca me de scripturis euangelicis digneris audire et loquar tecum uerbis domini mei Iesu Christi, cuius uel exsul sum uel sacerdos. habent enim uasa testea non ignobiles thesauros et infirmiora corporum magis reuerenda sunt et apud nos modo deum indocti piscatores loquuti sunt. super humilem et trementem uerba sua secundum prophetam deus respicit.

### English translation (Claude)

How much I now admire you, lord emperor Constantius, as a man of the blessed and religious faith of the Only-begotten, desiring a faith only according to what is written! And rightly indeed you hasten to those very words of the only-begotten God, so that a breast capable of imperial concern may also be full of the knowledge of the divine sayings; he who rejects this is antichrist, and he who feigns it is anathema. But this one thing I ask, by this sincere hearing that your graciousness grants: that, in the presence of the synod which is now disputing about the faith, you would deign to hear a few things from me out of the gospel Scriptures, and that I may speak with you in the words of my Lord Jesus Christ, whose exile or priest I am. For earthen vessels hold no mean treasures, and the weaker members of the body are the more to be honored, and among us unlearned fishermen once spoke of God. According to the prophet, God looks upon the humble and trembling at his words.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 4:7: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 12:23: allusion, medium confidence
- Isa 66:2: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The synod is that of Constantinople (360).
- Allusions: 2 Cor 4:7; 1 Cor 12:22–23; Isa 66:2.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 8.1 (CSEL 65:203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-8-1).

## To Constantius 8.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-8-2
- Source: CSEL 65:203–204
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary offers the faith from Scripture, which he already holds, not from new documents.

### Latin text

fidem, imperator, quaeris: audi eam, non de nouis cartulis, sed de dei libris. scito eam posse etiam in occidente donari, unde uenientes in regno dei cum Abraham et Isaac et Iacob recumbent. memento eam non in quaestione philosophiae esse, sed in euangelii doctrina. non tam mihi autem rogo audientiam, quam tibi atque ecclesiis dei. ego enim penes me habeo fidem, exteriore non egeo: quod accepi, teneo nec demuto, quod dei est.

### English translation (Claude)

You seek the faith, emperor: hear it, not from new sheets of paper, but from God's books. Know that it can be given even in the West, from which those who come will recline in the kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember that it lies not in a question of philosophy but in the teaching of the Gospel. And I ask a hearing not so much for myself as for you and the churches of God. For I have the faith within me; I need none from outside. What I have received I hold, and I do not change what is God's.

### Scripture references

- Matt 8:11: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Allusion: Matt 8:11.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 8.2 (CSEL 65:203–204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-8-2).

## To Constantius 9.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-9-1
- Source: CSEL 65:204
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Every heretic claims Scripture: Marcellus, Photinus, and Sabellius misread it.

### Latin text

Sed memento tamen neminem hereticorum esse, qui se nunc non secundum scripturas praedicare ea, quibus blasphemat, mentiatur. hinc enim Marcellus uerbum dei cum legit, nescit. hinc Fotinus hominem Iesum Christum cum loquitur, ignorat. hinc et Sabellius, dum quod e t ego et pater unum sumus non intellegit, sine deo patre et sine deo filio est.

### English translation (Claude)

But remember nevertheless that there is no heretic who does not now falsely claim to preach according to the Scriptures the things by which he blasphemes. For this reason Marcellus, when he reads "the Word of God", does not know it. For this reason Photinus, when he speaks of "the man Jesus Christ", does not know it. For this reason Sabellius too, while he does not understand "I and the Father are one", is without God the Father and without God the Son.

### Scripture references

- John 1:1: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Tim 2:5: allusion, high confidence
- John 10:30: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- "Quod e t" in the digital text is a slip; translated by sense.
- Allusions: John 1:1; 1 Tim 2:5; John 10:30.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 9.1 (CSEL 65:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-9-1).

## To Constantius 9.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-9-2
- Source: CSEL 65:204
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Montanists, Manichaeans, and Marcionites likewise use Scripture without its sense.

### Latin text

hinc et Montanus per insanas feminas suas praedicare alium defendit. hinc et Manicheus et Marcion legem odit, quia littera occidit et mundi princeps diabolus est. omnes scripturas sine scripturae sensu loquuntur et fidem sine fide praetendunt. scripturae enim non in legendo sunt, sed in intellegendo neque in praeuaricatione sunt, sed in caritate.

### English translation (Claude)

For this reason Montanus too, through his mad women, defends the preaching of another Paraclete. For this reason Manichaeus and Marcion hate the law, because the letter kills and the devil is the prince of the world. They all speak the Scriptures without the sense of Scripture and put forward faith without faith. For the Scriptures lie not in reading but in understanding, and not in transgression but in love.

### Scripture references

- John 14:16: allusion, medium confidence
- 2 Cor 3:6: allusion, high confidence
- John 12:31: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- "Another" (alium) refers to the Montanist claim of a further Paraclete (John 14:16). Allusions: 2 Cor 3:6; John 12:31.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 9.2 (CSEL 65:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-9-2).

## To Constantius 10.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-10-1
- Source: CSEL 65:204
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary asks the emperor to hear what Scripture says of Christ.

### Latin text

Audi, rogo, ea, quae de Christo sunt scripta, ne sub (eis) ea, quae non scripta sunt, praedicentur. summitte ad ea, quae de libris loquuturus sum, aures tuas.

### English translation (Claude)

Hear, I beg, the things that are written about Christ, lest under cover of them things that are not written be preached. Lend your ears to what I am about to say from the books.

### Translation notes

- "Eis" in round brackets is the editor's supplement; translated.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 10.1 (CSEL 65:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-10-1).

## To Constantius 10.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-10-2
- Source: CSEL 65:204
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary promises to speak for the peace of East and West before the divided synod.

### Latin text

fidem tuam ad deum erigas. audi, quod proficit ad fidem, ad unitatem, ad aeternitatem. loquuturus tecum sum cum honore regni et fidei tuae omnia ad Orientis et Occidentis pacem proficientia, sub publica conscientia, sub synodo dissidenti, sub lite famosa.

### English translation (Claude)

Raise your faith to God. Hear what profits faith, unity, and eternity. I am going to speak with you, with honor for your rule and your faith, of all that profits the peace of East and West, in the public conscience, before a divided synod, amid a notorious dispute.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 10.2 (CSEL 65:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-10-2).

## To Constantius 11.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-11-1
- Source: CSEL 65:204–205
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary gives a scriptural confession of faith in Father and Son as a pledge of what he will defend.

### Latin text

Praemitto interim pignus futuri apud te sermonis mei. non aliqua ad scandalum neque, quae extra euangelium sunt, defendam; sed intelleges a me in sacramentorum solius dei ueri et quem misit Iesum Christum, praedicari unum deum patrem, ex quo omnia, et unum dominum Iesum Christum, per quem omnia, natum ex deo, qui est ante tempora aeterna et erat in principio apud deum, deus uerbum, qui est imago dei inuisibilis, in quo habitat omnis plenitudo diuinitatis corporaliter, qui, cum in forma dei esset, humilians se salutis nostrae causa formam serui ex conceptu spiritus sancti de uirgine accepit, factus oboediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis et post resurrectionem mortis deinde in caelestibus sedens aderit iudex uiuorum et mortuorum et rex omnium aeternorum saeculorum. est enim unigenitus deus et deus uerus et deus magnus, super omnia deus et omnis lingua confitebitur, quia dominus Iesus Christus in gloria dei patris est.

### English translation (Claude)

Meanwhile I send ahead a pledge of my coming discourse before you. I will not defend anything to cause scandal, nor anything outside the Gospel; but you will understand that in the mysteries of the only true God and of Jesus Christ whom he sent, I proclaim one God the Father, from whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, born from God, who is before eternal times and was in the beginning with God, God the Word; who is the image of the invisible God, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; who, being in the form of God, humbling himself for our salvation, took the form of a servant from the Virgin by the conception of the Holy Spirit, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross; and after the resurrection from death, sitting thereafter in the heavens, he will come as judge of the living and the dead and king of all eternal ages. For he is the only-begotten God, and true God, and great God, God over all, and every tongue will confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

### Scripture references

- John 17:3: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 8:6: quotation, high confidence
- John 1:1: allusion, high confidence
- Col 1:15: quotation, high confidence
- Col 2:9: quotation, high confidence
- Phil 2:6: allusion, high confidence
- Phil 2:8: quotation, high confidence
- Phil 2:11: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 1:20: allusion, medium confidence
- 2 Tim 4:1: allusion, medium confidence
- John 1:18: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 John 5:20: allusion, medium confidence
- Titus 2:13: allusion, medium confidence
- Rom 9:5: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- A confession woven from Scripture: John 17:3; 1 Cor 8:6; 2 Tim 1:9; John 1:1–2; Col 1:15; Col 2:9; Phil 2:6–11; Matt 1:20; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Tim 1:17; John 1:18; 1 John 5:20; Titus 2:13; Rom 9:5.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 11.1 (CSEL 65:204–205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-11-1).

## To Constantius 11.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-11-2
- Source: CSEL 65:205–207
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-09

Summary: Hilary will hold no faith beyond this baptismal confession, which agrees with the fathers' faith.

### Latin text

haec ego in spiritu sancto ita credidi, ut ultra hanc de domino Iesu Christo fidem non possim doceri, non per haec adimens patrum fidei religionem, sed secundum regenerationis meae symbolum et doctrinae euangelicae scientiam ab ea iuxta ista non dissonans.

### English translation (Claude)

These things I have so believed in the Holy Spirit that I cannot be taught any faith about the Lord Jesus Christ beyond this; not taking away by this the reverence of the fathers' faith, but, according to the creed of my rebirth and the knowledge of the gospel teaching, not dissonant from it in these points.

### Translation notes

- "Creed of my rebirth" (symbolum regenerationis) is the baptismal creed.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary, Const. 11.2 (CSEL 65:205–207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-ad-constantium/1-1/#p-11-2).