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Glite Dictionary
hypostasis of Christ

hypostasis of Christ

9.9
The union of God's nature and human nature in the one person of Jesus Christ
  • noun
  • /haɪˈpɒstəsɪs əv kraɪst/
  • Formal
translation icon : hipóstasis de Cristo
  • Understanding the hypostasis of Christ helps explain the relationship between Christ's divinity and humanity.

Examples

  • The doctrine of the hypostasis of Christ is central to many theological debates.

  • Early church councils sought to clarify the nature of the hypostasis of Christ.

  • The hypostasis of Christ is a central doctrine in Christianity.

  • Many theologians debate the nature of the hypostasis of Christ.

  • Understanding the hypostasis of Christ helps explain the relationship between Christ's divinity and humanity.

  • The doctrine of the hypostasis of Christ is central to many theological debates.

  • The hypostasis of Christ is a central doctrine in Christianity.

Synonyms

hypostatic union
vshypostasis of Christ
  • Formal
9.9

The joining of the human and divine natures in Jesus as one person

is the broader term that also names persons within the Trinity
hypostasis
vshypostasis of Christ
  • Formal
9.9

One person of the Christian Trinity, for example Christ who is both God and human

focuses on the union of divine and human natures in a single person

Surface Forms

hypostasis of Christ singular
hypostases of Christ plural

Morphology

hypostasis + of + Christ

The noun phrase is a straightforward compositional construction: 'hypostasis' (a distinct personhood) + 'of Christ' indicates the hypostasis belonging to Christ, so the meaning ('the personhood/union of natures in Christ') follows directly from the constituents. Although the term is theologically specialized, a B1 learner who already knows the given definitions of both words can reliably infer this meaning.

Etymology

Hypostasis of Christ comes from an old Greek word hypostasis that meant 'person' or 'true being'. Early Christians used that idea to say Jesus is one person who is both God and human, so today hypostasis of Christ means the 'one person' who has both God and human sides.