Stephen Bagby - The "Two Ways" Tradition in Origen's Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans

Scattered references to the “two ways” teaching in Origen’s Commentary on Romans offer clues to his unique appropriation of this tradition. Origen inherits familiar “two ways” themes from the second century (baptismal catechesis, angels and demons, virtue and vice lists), but situates them firmly within his trichotomous anthropology. This gives him the structure to show the soul’s choice in adjudicating between spirit and flesh. His appropriation is in response to a (perceived) Gnostic anthropology that precludes the freedom of choice. Origen’s approach therefore allows the “two ways” teaching to have a proper theological basis while still retaining its basic characteristics. This paper isolates only the most relevant passages to show one of the sources behind Origen’s anthropology.