Dist. 42, Divisio Textus
by St. Bonaventure
Source text: Public Domain Mark 1.0. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://bonaventure.wrootpress.com/browse/1/d/42/q/bon-sent-I-d42-divisio
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## Commentary on Distinction XLII.

#### *On the power of God in relation to the possibles which he can [effect].*

> *"Now we must treat of the omnipotence of God."*

### Division of the text.

Above the Master treated of the divine knowledge; here he treats of [the divine] power. And since power can be considered in three ways — namely, as to the quiddity of the possibles, as to the quantity, and as to the mode of operating — therefore this part contains three sub-parts or three distinctions. In the first the Master determines concerning the power in relation to the possibles which it can [effect]. In the second he determines concerning the power as to its quantity, showing its immensity, below in distinction forty-three: *"Some, however, glorying in their own [private] judgement."* In the third he determines concerning the same as to [its] mode, there in distinction forty-four: *"Now it remains to be discussed whether [it would have been] better,"* etc.

The first part, which contains the present distinction, has four parts. In the *first* the Master shows that the power of God is omnipotence, because it is in respect of all possibles, *which [their being able] is [a function] of the power*. In the *second* he removes those possibles which to-be-able is not [a function] of the power, there in the second chapter: *"But it is asked how all things are said to be possible."* In the third he sets forth signs which attest the divine power, there: *"Thus, to those who consider diligently, his omnipotence,"* etc. In the fourth the Master teaches to reduce the other accounts of omnipotence to the aforesaid [one], there: *"Yet from certain authorities it is handed down, therefore,"* etc. And there he first sets forth the authorities, then teaches to expound them, and this there: *"But to this it can be said that Augustine,"* etc.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of this distinction, four [matters] are asked.

First it is asked, whether God can [effect] something other than himself.

Second, granted that he can, it is asked whether he can [effect] every [thing] which is possible to any other agent.

Third, whether the divine power extends to every [thing] which is impossible to any other agent.

Fourth it is asked, whether something is said to be possible without qualification according to the higher causes — i.e., the divine power — or according to the lower [causes] — i.e., the created power.

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