Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Hypostatic union

The union of full deity and full humanity in the one person (hypostasis) of the Son.

'Union at the level of hypostasis (person)', as opposed to a union of natures into a third thing or a mere moral association.

Implied wherever one subject is spoken of as both divine and human — 'the Lord of glory' crucified (1 Cor 2:8); 'God … purchased with his own blood' (Acts 20:28); 'the Word became flesh'.

The Chalcedonian settlement (451), sharpened at Constantinople 553 and 680.

There is one 'who' — the eternal Son — now living through two complete natures, each keeping its own properties 'without confusion, without change, without division, without separation'.

Miaphysite Christology speaks of 'one incarnate nature of the Word' rather than 'two natures', a difference now seen as largely verbal.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.