The City of God · Chapter
Of the sons of the church who are hidden among the wicked, and of false Christians within the church explained
Augustine discusses the intermingling of the two cities—the city of God and the earthly city—in the present world, noting that some who are enemies now will become fellow-citizens, and some who share the sacraments will not ultimately dwell
What happens
Augustine discusses the intermingling of the two cities—the city of God and the earthly city—in the present world, noting that some who are enemies now will become fellow-citizens, and some who share the sacraments will not ultimately dwell with the saints. He emphasizes that the separation of the two cities will only occur at the last judgment, and he prepares to speak of their rise, progress, and end.
Themes in this chapter
The Two Cities
Augustine contrasts the pilgrim city of God with the earthly city, emphasizing their entanglement until the last judgment.
Eschatology and the Last Things
The final separation of the two cities is deferred to the last judgment, a key eschatological event.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and speaker, addressing the redeemed family of Christ and the pilgrim city.
- Jesus Christ
Referred to as the Lord Christ and King Christ, whose family and city are the subject of the chapter.
Key passages
“Let these and similar answers (if any fuller and fitter answers can be found) be given to their enemies by the redeemed family of the Lord Christ, and by the pilgrim city of King Christ.”
Augustine urges the redeemed community of Christ to offer these and other suitable replies to their adversaries.
The pilgrim city is called to defend itself against its enemies.
“But let this city bear in mind, that among her enemies lie hid those who are destined to be fellow-citizens, that she may not think it a fruitless labour to bear what they inflict as enemies until they become confessors of the faith.”
The city of God should remember that some enemies will later become fellow citizens, so their persecution is not in vain.
Augustine encourages patience and hope for the conversion of enemies.
“In truth, these two cities are entangled together in this world, and intermixed until the last judgment effect their separation.”
The two cities are intertwined in the present age and will only be separated at the final judgment.
This summarizes the central theme of the chapter.