|
Objection 1: It would seem that all will be equally impassible.
For a gloss on 1 Cor. 15:42, "It is sown in corruption,"
says that "all have equal immunity from suffering." Now the gift of
impassibility consists in immunity from suffering. Therefore all will
be equally impassible.
Objection 2: Further, negations are not subject to be more or
less. Now impassibility is a negation or privation of passibility.
Therefore it cannot be greater in one subject than in another.
Objection 3: Further, a thing is more white if it have less
admixture of black. But there will be no admixture of passibility in
any of the saints' bodies. Therefore they will all be equally
impassible.
On the contrary, Reward should be proportionate to merit. Now some
of the saints were greater in merit than others. Therefore, since
impassibility is a reward, it would seem to be greater in some than in
others.
Further, impassibility is condivided with the gift of clarity. Now
the latter will not be equal in all, according to 1 Cor.
15:41. Therefore neither will impassibility be equal in all.
I answer that, Impassibility may be considered in two ways, either
in itself, or in respect of its cause. If it be considered in
itself, since it denotes a mere negation or privation, it is not
subject to be more or less, but will be equal in all the blessed. on
the other hand, if we consider it in relation to its cause, thus it
will be greater in one person than in another. Now its cause is the
dominion of the soul over the body, and this dominion is caused by the
soul's unchangeable enjoyment of God. Consequently in one who enjoys
God more perfectly, there is a greater cause of impassibility.
Reply to Objection 1: This gloss is speaking of impassibility in
itself and not in relation to its cause.
Reply to Objection 2: Although negations and privations considered
in themselves are not increased nor diminished, yet they are subject to
increase and diminution in relation to their causes. Thus a place is
said to be more darksome from having more and greater obstacles to
light.
Reply to Objection 3: Some things increase not only by receding
from their contrary, but also by approach to a term: thus light
increases. Consequently impassibility also is greater in one subject
than in another, although there is no passibility remaining in any
one.
|
|