Dist. 43, 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/43/q/bon-sent-I-d43-divisio
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## Commentary on Distinction XLIII.

#### *On the divine power as to its immensity.*

> *"Some however, glorying in their own sense."*

### Division of the text.

Above the Master showed *what* God can [do]; in this part he intends to show *how much* he can [do]. And since certain men have limited the power of God, the Master accordingly intends to show the falsity of this opinion; and once the falsity of this position has been shown, God's power is found to be infinite. And this part has three parts.

In the *first* he sets forth or narrates their erroneous opinion. In the *second* he dissolves their manifold reasoning, there: *"Yet this their opinion with verisi-"* *"milar arguments."* In the *third* he concludes and confirms the assertion of the truth, which lies in the position contrary to this opinion, there: *"Let us therefore confess that God can do many things,"* etc.

The *first* and last parts remaining undivided, the middle part is divided according to the number of reasons which he adduces. The *first* is taken from the account of the good and the just. And this he forms in two modes, and it is set there: *"God cannot [do anything] except what is good and just."* The *second* is taken from the account of what is due, and this he places there: *"They add also other [things] to be said, if he can,"* etc. The *third* is taken from the account of doing and omitting, and this he forms in two modes, there: *"Those men also add, saying,"* etc. The *fourth* is taken from the account of God's foreknowledge, and this is set there: *"Likewise they adjoin another, saying,"* etc. The *fifth* is taken from the authority of Augustine, and this from a twofold authority, and it is set there: *"To these things however those searchers."* And in each of these parts the Master first sets forth the objections, second he sets forth the solution; and the parts are manifest.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of the present distinction, [the question] is asked concerning the quantity of the divine power, or concerning its infinity. And on this point four [questions] are asked.

First, it is asked whether the power of God is infinite.

Second, granted that it is so, it is asked whether the divine essence itself is infinite, as is the power.

Third, it is asked whether God can produce an infinite work.

Fourth, whether the ground of operating is infinite.

The first question regards infinity in *being-able*, the second in *being*, the third in *operating*, the fourth in the *ground of operating*.

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