For there are different appearances, as it were, of the Word, according
as He shows Himself to each one of those who come to His doctrine; and
this in a manner corresponding to the condition of him who is just
becoming a disciple, or of him who has made a little progress, or of him
who has advanced further, or of him who has already _nearly_ attained to
virtue, or who has even _already_ attained it. And hence it is not the
case, as Celsus and those like him would have it, that our God was
transformed, and ascending the lofty mountain, showed that His real
appearance was something different, and far more excellent than what
those who remained below, and were unable to follow Him on high, beheld.
For those below did not possess eyes capable of seeing the
transformation of the Word into His glorious and more divine condition.
But with difficulty were they able to receive Him as He was; so that it
might be said of Him by those who were unable to behold His more
excellent nature: “We saw Him, and He had no form nor comeliness; but
His form was mean,[536] and inferior to that of the sons of men.”[537]
And let these remarks be an answer to the suppositions of Celsus, who
does not understand the changes or transformations of Jesus, as related
in the histories, nor His mortal and immortal nature.
Footnote 536:
ἄτιμον.
Footnote 537:
ἐκλεῖπον.