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Bible Dictionaries
Hypostasis
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary
or A term literally signifying substance or subsistence, or that which is put and stands under another thing, and supports it, being its base, ground, or foundation. Thus faith is the substantial foundation of things hoped for, Hebrews 11:1 . The word is Greek, compounded of sub, under; and "sto, " I stand, I exist, q.d. "subsistentia." It likewise signifies confidence, stability, firmness, 2 Corinthians 9:4 . It is also used for person, Hebrews 1:3 . Thus we hold that there is but one nature or essence in God, but three hypostases or persons. The word has occasioned great dissensions in the ancient church, first among the Greeks, and afterwards among the Latins; but an end was put to them by a synod held at Alexandria about the year 362, at which St. Athanasius assisted; from which time the Latins made no great scruple of saying three hypostases, nor the Greek of three persons. The hypostatical union is the union of the human nature of Christ with the divine: constituting two natures in one person, and not two persons in one nature, as the Nestorians believe.
See JESUS CHRIST.
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Buck, Charles. Entry for 'Hypostasis'. Charles Buck Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/cbd/h/hypostasis.html. 1802.
