The Chalcedonian Definition
Quick answer: The chalcedonian definition is a historic statement issued in 451 that clarifies how the divine and human natures unite in the single person of Jesus Christ, affirming that he is fully God and fully human without confusion or separation.
What it says
The text was written to resolve deep divisions within the church regarding the person of Christ. It affirms that Jesus Christ is one and the same Son, perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity. He is truly God and truly human, consisting of a reasonable soul and a body. The statement affirms that his two natures exist without confusion, without change, without division, and without separation. The distinct properties of each nature are preserved while being joined together in one single person and subsistence.
The document was shaped by the need to find precise language that satisfied different regional theological schools in the ancient church. Writers chose specific Greek terms to block two opposite errors: collapsing the two natures into a mixed third thing, or splitting them into two separate agents. Modern readers can view this text as an architectural blueprint of early Christian Christology, designed to hold paradoxes in balance rather than explain every mystery of the incarnation away.
Where it comes from
Issued in 451 at the Council of Chalcedon in Bithynia, this formal definition was produced by hundreds of bishops gathered under imperial authority to heal rifts caused by earlier councils. It built upon the Nicene Creed while addressing subsequent disputes over Christology. The definition became a cornerstone of theology for Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and many Protestant traditions. It stands as one of the definitive formulations of classical Christian orthodoxy regarding the person of Jesus.
Issued by the council of Chalcedon in 451 to answer a dispute over how Christ could be both God and man. It is not a creed in the baptismal sense but a formal definition; a large family of churches — Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and most Protestant — still hold to it, and the churches that rejected it are usually called Oriental Orthodox.
Four things to notice
- It defines Jesus Christ as one single person subsisting in two distinct natures.
- It uses four negative adverbs to guard the boundary between the divine and human aspects of Christ.
- It insists that the divine nature and human nature suffer no loss or mixture through their union.
- It builds directly upon the foundational authority of earlier creeds while addressing new controversies.
The text
The definition's central paragraph on the two natures of Christ.
Following the holy Fathers, therefore, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin.
As regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.
The distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ.
Public domain. Read the full document at the source edition.
Scriptures behind it
Verses on Christ being truly God and truly man — printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible. These are the passages the wording rests on, not the document's own proof-text list.
- John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
- Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
- Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the chalcedonian definition?
Does this page print the full text?
Is this website free and does it need an account?
More more creeds
1646 · Read the historic text of the westminster confession of faith from 1646, presented in full public domain English without ads or account walls.
1647 · Explore the westminster shorter catechism from 1647, featuring traditional questions and answers in clear public domain English without ads.
1563 · Read the heidelberg catechism online for free, with historical background, key points, and related scripture passages from our database.