Il “seno del Padre” (Gv 1,18) nella patristica precalcedonese

The article examines the patristic interpretation of the Johannine expression “bosom of the Father”. Most rich and interesting in the examination are the viewpoints of the pre-Nicaean authors. Taken into consideration are the thoughts of the Judeo-Christians in arriving at a Gnostic point of view. These considerations move onward to the position of Origen and the polemics of the Third Century forum. After the fourth Century, it is most generally recognized as being a theological finality in the exegesis of John 1:18. There are subsequently no new models of interpretation. The positions of the various Greek and Latin Church writers come together completely on this point. John 1:18 constitutes the clear and definitive reference to a consubstantiality of the Father and of the Son. At every point of the discussion in the Greek tradition is found a greater richness and significance of the term “bosom of the Father”, which insists on the coeternal and consubstantial Word inhabiting in God. In contrast, the Latins restrain this significantly more to the underlying identity of the Son with the Father according to substance. This is explained by use of the concept of immanence.