The City of God · Chapter
Of the two different and dissimilar communities of angels, which are not inappropriately signified by the names light and darkness explained
Augustine interprets the biblical separation of light and darkness in Genesis as an allegory for the two distinct societies of angels: the good angels who enjoy God and are called 'light,' and the fallen angels who sinned, were cast down, a
What happens
Augustine interprets the biblical separation of light and darkness in Genesis as an allegory for the two distinct societies of angels: the good angels who enjoy God and are called 'light,' and the fallen angels who sinned, were cast down, and are called 'darkness.' He cites the Apostle Peter's declaration that God cast the sinful angels into chains of darkness until judgment, and draws parallels to the pride and humility that distinguish these communities. Augustine acknowledges that the literal text may refer to material creation, but argues that the spiritual meaning aligns with the rule of faith and other scriptural passages.
Themes in this chapter
The Two Cities
The two angelic communities—one of light, one of darkness—prefigure the two cities of God and of man.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The fall of the proud angels and their reservation for judgment illustrates the nature of sin and divine justice.
True Worship and the One God
The good angels serve God in humility, while the fallen seek self-advancement, contrasting true worship with pride.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and interpreter of the Genesis account, explaining the two angelic communities as light and darkness.
- Peter
Quoted as declaring that God cast the sinning angels into chains of darkness until judgment.
- Paul
Quoted for calling believers 'children of light' and 'children of the day.'
- Jesus Christ
Referred to as the only-begotten Word in whom the angels were made.
Key passages
“God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment.”
God did not spare the angels who sinned; He threw them into hell and bound them in darkness until the day of judgment.
Augustine cites Peter to affirm the punishment of fallen angels.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.”
You were once darkness, but now you are light because of your union with the Lord.
Paul's words are used to show that believers are called 'light' even now.
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
This scriptural principle distinguishes the two angelic communities.