It is easy to forget that “Trinity” was once a puppy, a neologism. But it was. It was born some time in the second half of the second century. We don’t know who coined it, but the earliest surviving mention of it is by Theophilus, bishop of Antioch (d. c. 185). Commenting on the Genesis days of creation, in his remarks on the fourth day, he says that
…the three days which were before the luminaries [i.e. the stars], are types of the Trinity [Greek: triados, a form of trias], of God, and His Word, and His wisdom. (“Theophilus to Autolycus,” Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. II, p. 101)
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: Dale Tuggy
Keywords: trias, trinitas, trinity, triune, triad, three in one, threesome, holy trinity, Logos, Divine Logos, Father Son and Holy Spirit, Father Son and Holy Ghost
Bible reference(s): Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 5:7
Source: “The Ambiguity of the Word ‘Trinity’,” trinities.org, April 25, 2013.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.