Dist. 20, 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/3/d/20/q/bon-sent-III-d20-divisio
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## COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XX.
### *On the fittingness of Christ's passion.*

*But if it is asked, whether in another way etc.*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above the Master treated of the efficacy of the passion. But in this part he treats of the fittingness of the passion. Now this part is divided into two parts. In the first of these he compares the passion of Christ to the cause on account of which he suffered. But in the second he compares it to the cause from which the passion was in him, there: *Christ therefore a priest, and the same a victim* etc.

The first part is divided into two parts, in the first of which he shows that this mode of redeeming, namely through the passion, was exceedingly fitting and reasonable, showing why he willed to redeem the human race in this mode, namely through the passion. In the second part he shows that in another way, had he willed, he could have redeemed, there: *For if those three should come into the cause* etc.

Likewise the second part is divided into two parts. In the first of these he inquires from whom the passion of Christ is, showing that he was handed over by the Father, by himself, by Judas, and by the Jews. But in the second he inquires whether it was good or evil, there: *And the act of Judas and of the Jews was evil, but the act of Christ and of the Father was good.* Or, as it may be better put, he inquires into the difference of those causes with respect to goodness and malice. But the subdivisions of the parts are manifest in the text.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of this part there arises here a question concerning the fittingness of our redemption brought about through the passion of Christ. And concerning this six matters can be inquired into.

First, then, it is asked whether it was fitting that human nature be repaired.

Second, it is asked whether it was more fitting that human nature be repaired through satisfaction than through another way.

Third, it is asked whether any creature could have made satisfaction to God for the human race.

Fourth, it is asked whether a mere man can make satisfaction for himself.

Fifth, it is asked whether God ought to have accepted satisfaction through the death of Christ.

Sixth and last, it is asked whether he could have freed the human race in another way.

### SINGLE ARTICLE.
*On the fittingness of our redemption brought about through the passion of Christ.*