Chapter 029 - Of Person

Person is the individual substance of rational nature; that is to say, it is found in a special manner in rational substances, particular and undivided; and because substance is individuated by itself, and accidents by their subject, which is substance, undivided substances are called by the special name of Hypostases or First Substances. These are found in a special manner, particular and undivided, in rational beings who have dominion over their actions; therefore these alone among substances have received this name of "Person," which is peculiar to the rational nature.

In the genus of rational substances. Person signifies that which is conveyed generally in regard to all kinds of substance by the three expressions: Subsistence, a thing of the natural order; and Hypostasis or Substance. And this term Person may be applied to God in a more excellent manner than to creatures; for whatever belongs to perfection is to be attributed to Him, and personality signifies what is most perfect in all nature, subsistence in a rational nature.

Now although this word Person signifies usually the undivided substance of the rational nature, in the Divinity there is no distinction except that which arises from Relation; which Relation is not that of accidents inherent in their subject, but is the Divine Essence Itself. It subsists, therefore, as the Divine Essence subsists; and as the Divinity is God, so the Divine Paternity is God the Father, Who is a Divine Person. Hence "Divine Person" signifies Relation in Subsistence, which is to be understood as Relation by mode of Substance.