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Hypostasis

A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.

Term later used for distinguishing Father, Son and Spirit within one divinity.

Modern illustrated glossary of later technical usage. Meanings changed between authors; modern psychological person is no automatic equivalent of ancient hypostasis. The diagram does not depict the divine being
Modern illustrated glossary of later technical usage. Meanings changed between authors; modern psychological person is no automatic equivalent of ancient hypostasis. The diagram does not depict the divine beingIL Archive · original diagram · CC BYImage source

Text

Hypostasis changes meaning between authors and periods. Later Cappadocian usage identifies particularity with shared essenceOusia — essenceGreek term for essence or nature, with meanings changing between authors.Glossary · Click to read the explanation. It is neither a temporary role nor an automatic equivalent of the modern psychological individual. [1][2]

The modern image explains later usage; every text first needs reading in its own vocabulary.

References and notes

  1. Basil of Caesarea, Letter 236.6, translated in NPNF 8. Distinguishes general ousia from particular hypostasis, one divinity with Father/Son/Spirit properties. Section 6 only read. Return to the text ↑
  2. Paul S. Fiddes, Spirit, Cambridge Elements in Religion and Monotheism (2026), sections 3.1–3.2. Selected passages in 3.1–3.2 on theological vocabulary, Spirit and Cappadocians read, not the whole book. Modern person is not an automatic synonym of ancient hypostasis. Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 2 · 11 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

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IL Archive, «Hypostasis», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/hypostasis