B[18].

Accordingly, all the Latin copies, and therefore all the Latin Fathers[19], translate,-- 'Pater [meus] quod dedit mihi, majus omnibus est[20].' The Westerns resolutely extracted a meaning from whatever they presumed to be genuine Scripture: and one can but admire the piety which insists on finding sound Divinity in what proves after all to be nothing else but a sorry blunder.

What, asks Augustine, was 'the thing, greater than all,' which the Father gave to the Son?
To be the Word of the Father (he answers), His only-begotten Son and the brightness of His glory[21].

The Greeks knew better.

Basil[22], Chrysostom[23], Cyril on nine occasions[24], Theodoret[25]--as many as quote the place--invariably exhibit the _textus receptus_ [Greek: os ...