Chalcidius's Commentary on Plato's Timaeus

He is also well acquainted with the Old Testament original: "A. T.", even if he interprets it somewhat strangely at times. In chapter 172, he mentions the prophets original: "Vel cum prophetae a consceleratis unus membratim sectus, alter obrutus saxis. c. 172.". Alongside this, there are passages that also reveal a knowledge of the New Testament, notably the story of the Star of the Magi (c. 126) and the words "servants of the adverse power" original: "adversae potestatis satellites" in c. 133, which, as Fabricius notes, seem to refer to 2 Corinthians 12:7. Incidentally, Fabricius—and after him, Wrobel—considers this very section (c. 132 ff.), in which Chalcidius discusses demons and angels, to be particularly decisive proof of our author's Christian character original: "Ex hoc autem loco clarissime opinor patere Christianum esse Chalcidium.", and it does indeed appear convincing. From it, one recognizes that the term "demons" for good spirits was unusual for the author and for "Osius," whereas it was quite common for the pagan Greeks and Romans.

This is, however, not the only passage that can be cited as decisive here. While I cannot, with Fabricius and Wrobel, find the Holy Scripture's teaching on providence hinted at in c. 176, since "divine law" original: "divina lex" in that context—given it is not mentioned by a single syllable there—can only mean fate original: "fatum" itself. On the other hand, his account of the Star of the Magi, which, however brief, reveals a faithful spirit, is unquestionably a testimony to the Christian character of Chalcidius. Finally, it seems that no one but a Christian could have appealed to the authority of Origen (276) without any introductory remark. A pagan or a Jew would have added at least a brief comment regarding the person of Origen. Since Chalcidius did not do so, he shows precisely that Origen was a well-known figure and an acknowledged authority for him and Osius. All