No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
All Commentaries on John 1:18 Go To John 1
Gregory The Dialogist
AD 604
It is plainly given us to understand here, that while we are in this mortal state, we see God only through the medium of certain images, not, in the reality of His own nature. A soul influenced by the grace of the Spirit may see God through certain figures, but cannot penetrate into his absolute essence. And hence it is that Jacob, who testifies that he saw God, saw nothing butan Angel: and that Moses, who talked with God face to face, says, Show me Your way, that Imay know You: meaning that he ardently desired to see in the brightness of His own infinite Nature, Him Whom he had only as yet seen reflected in images.
If however any, while inhabiting this corruptible flesh, can advance to such an immeasurable height of virtue, as to be able to discern by the contemplative vision, the eternal brightness of God, their case affects not what we say. For whoever sees wisdom, that is, God, is dead wholly to this life, being no longer occupied bythe love of it.
Some hold that in the place of bliss, Godis visible in His brightness, but not in His nature. This is to indulge in over much subtlety. Forin that simple and unchangeable essence, no division can be made between the nature and the brightness.
Some however there are who conceive that not even the Angels see God.
