# XIII explained — The City of God

> Chapter companion for The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

## What happens

Augustine explores the state of the angels before the fall, arguing that the good angels were assured of their eternal blessedness after the fall of the evil angels, while the fallen angels never enjoyed such certainty. He refutes the Manichean heresy by affirming that the devil was created good but fell from the truth by his own will.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sin, Grace, and Redemption

Discusses the fall of the angels and the devil's sin from the beginning, emphasizing free will and the loss of blessedness.

### True Worship and the One God

Contrasts the pious submission to God with the devil's proud refusal, affirming the sole dominion of the Almighty.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author of the chapter, arguing about the state of angels and refuting Manichean heresy.

### John

Quoted regarding the devil sinning from the beginning.

### Jesus Christ

Referenced as the Lord who spoke about the devil not abiding in the truth.

## Key lines

> He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth

The devil was a murderer from the start of humanity and did not remain in the truth.

_Augustine interprets this to mean the devil fell from truth, not that he was created evil._

> The devil sinneth from the beginning

The devil has been sinning since his creation.

_Augustine explains this as the devil's refusal of righteousness from the moment he was created._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters