# XV explained — The City of God

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

## What happens

Augustine clarifies the meaning of John's statement that 'the devil sinneth from the beginning,' arguing that it refers to the beginning of the devil's sin, not his creation. He cites prophetic passages from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Job to show that the devil was originally created without sin and fell through pride, and that his nature remains God's good handiwork.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sin, Grace, and Redemption

Explores the origin of sin in the devil's pride and the distinction between created nature and sinful choice.

### True Worship and the One God

Emphasizes that all natures, including the devil's, are created by God and are good in their original state.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author and interpreter of scripture, explaining the nature of the devil's sin.

### John

Apostle whose words 'The devil sinneth from the beginning' are being interpreted.

### Isaiah

Prophet whose words about the king of Babylon are applied to the devil.

### Ezekiel

Prophet whose description of the king of Tyre is used to show the devil's original perfection.

### Job

Subject of the book where the devil is described as the beginning of God's creation made a sport to angels.

## Key lines

> The devil sinneth from the beginning.

The devil has been sinning since the start of his sin.

_Augustine clarifies that 'from the beginning' refers to the onset of the devil's sin, not his creation._

> Thou wast perfect in thy ways?

You were blameless in your conduct.

_Quoted from Ezekiel to show the devil was originally without sin._

> This is the beginning of the creation of God, which He made to be a sport to His angels.

This creature is the first of God's works, made to be an object of amusement for the angels.

_Augustine interprets this as referring to the devil's punishment after sin, not his original purpose._

## Links

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