Φίλος θεοῦ: understanding of friendship with God in Gregory of Nyssa’s De Vita Moysis in comparison to Philo

This paper examines the content of the term φίλος θεοῦ in Gregory’s work De Vita Moysis in comparison to Philo’s account. In Gregory, the notions friend of God (φίλος θεοῦ), servant of God (οἰκέτης θεοῦ), and image of God (κατʹ εἰκόνα θεοῦ) are mutually explanatory notions, identifying the very essence of the life of virtue (ἐναρέτη πολιτεία). The combination of the two terms – friend and household servant – presumes that the one whom God calls His friend shares all things with Him who also remains his Lord. The sharing is further specified in Gregory’s work by the term κατʹ εἰκόνα, which presumes reflecting God’s ineffable qualities as a piece of glass reflects the light of the sun. Thus, for Gregory, to become φίλος θεοῦ no longer means to be initiated into divine mysteries inaccessible to other people. To be God’s friend is to be a recipient of Christ’s gifts and of His life, and to offer your own life in return.