Primary source · Latin (Rufinus’ version; the Greek is largely lost)

On First Principles (De Principiis / Peri Archōn)

Origen of Alexandria · c. AD 220–230

What this text is

The first systematic theology in Christian history — God, creation, freedom, scripture, and the last things. Condemned in its bolder speculations centuries later, the Greek original mostly perished; it survives chiefly in Rufinus’ Latin translation of c. 397.

Profile of Origen of Alexandria →

Interlinear passages

Word-for-word glosses of the original; the complete public-domain translation is linked below.

Preface 4 (Rufinus’ Latin)
OmnesAllquiwhocreduntbelieveetandcertiassuredsuntarequodthatgratiagraceetandveritastruthperthroughIesumJesusChristumChristfactacamesit.to be

Public-domain translations

F. Crombie (ANF, 1885)

All who believe and are assured that grace and truth were obtained through Jesus Christ, and who know Christ to be the truth… derive the knowledge which incites men to a good and happy life from no other source than from the very words and teaching of Christ.

Manuscript witnesses

Rufinus's Latin version (Carolingian codices)

Latin c. 398; 9th-c. copies

The four books survive whole only in Rufinus's apologetically smoothed Latin.

COMPLETE VERSION

Greek fragments (Philocalia & Justinian's excerpts)

4th–6th c. carriers

The Cappadocians' anthology and the hostile imperial florilegium check Rufinus at key points.

CONTROL TEXTS

Provenance

Alexandria, c. AD 220–230; the Greek mostly lost, Rufinus's Latin complete

Editions & scholarship

Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.

Figures named in this text (1)

Complete public-domain text ↗