Homily 1:
(14) “Male and female he made them, and God blessed
them saying: ‘Increase and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over
it.’”
It seems to be worth inquiring in this passage,
according to the letter, how, when the woman was not yet made, the Scripture
says, “Male and female he made them.” Perhaps, as I think, it is because of the
blessing with which he blessed them, saying, “Increase and multiply and fill
the earth.” Anticipating what was to be, the text says, “Male and female he
made them,” since, indeed, man could not otherwise increase and multiply except
with the female. Therefore, that there might be no doubt about his blessing that
is to come, the text says, “Male and female he made them.” For in this manner
man, seeing the consequence of increasing and multiplying to be from the fact
that the female was joined to him, could cherish a more certain hope in the
divine blessing. For if the Scripture had said: “Increase and multiply and fill
the earth and have dominion over it,” not adding this, “Male and female he
made them,” doubtless he would have disbelieved the divine blessing, as also
Mary said in response to that blessing which was pronounced by the angel, “How
shall I know this, since I know not a man?” (Origen, Homilies on Genesis
and Exodus [trans. Ronald E. Heine; The Fathers of the Church 71;
Washington, D.C.: 1982], 67)
Homily 3:
First, therefore, let my word be to those outside the
Church who arrogantly clamor around us, saying that it is not appropriate for
that most exalted and invisible and incorporeal God to experience human
affections. (Origen, Homilies on Genesis and Exodus [trans. Ronald E.
Heine; The Fathers of the Church 71; Washington, D.C.: 1982], 89) I highlight this as it shows Origen did not believe God, in
essence, did not have a corporeal form. This adds to the
significance of his interpretation of John 4:24 and how it is not teaching that
God the Father is incorporeal. For more, see Lynn Wilder vs. Latter-day Saint (and Biblical)
Theology on Divine Embodiment
Homily 3:
For if we should confess the Lord Jesus with the voice
alone and now show “his covenant to be in our flesh” according to these things
which we have set forth above, we ourselves also will appear to do something similar
to the Jews who think they confess God with the mark of circumcision alone but
deny him with their deeds. But may the Lord grant us “to believe in the heart,
to confess with the mouth,” to confirm with works that the covenant of God is
in our flesh, that “men seeing our good works, might magnify our Father who is
in heaven,” through Jesus Christ our Lord, “to whom is glory forever and ever.
Amen.” (Origen, Homilies on Genesis and Exodus [trans. Ronald E. Heine;
The Fathers of the Church 71; Washington, D.C.: 1982], 102)
