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Council of Constantinople III

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The Third Council of Constantinople (AD 680–681), also called the Sixth Ecumenical Council, affirmed that Jesus Christ has two wills—divine and human—consistent with His full deity and full humanity.

At a Glance

A sixth-century church council that defended orthodox Christology by teaching that Christ has two wills, corresponding to His two natures.

Key Points

Description

The Third Council of Constantinople, held in AD 680–681, is remembered for rejecting monothelitism, the view that Christ has only one will. In line with the church’s confession that Jesus Christ is one person in two natures, fully God and fully human, the council taught that He possesses both a divine will and a human will. This did not mean two competing persons or divided actions, but rather the full and undiminished reality of both natures in the one incarnate Son. The council’s decision was intended to preserve the biblical witness that Christ truly became human while remaining truly divine, and that His human obedience was real and voluntary. For a Bible dictionary, the term is historical-theological rather than a direct biblical headword, but it is important because it summarizes a major orthodox defense of the person of Christ.

Biblical Context

The New Testament presents Jesus as both truly divine and truly human: the Word became flesh (John 1:14), He humbled Himself in obedience (Phil. 2:6–8), He shared in human flesh and blood (Heb. 2:14–17), and in Gethsemane He expressed a real human submission to the Father’s will (Luke 22:42; cf. Mark 14:36). The council’s teaching was an attempt to guard these biblical truths against distortion.

Historical Context

By the seventh century, the church was dealing with christological debates that followed earlier councils such as Nicaea and Chalcedon. Monothelitism tried to preserve Christ’s unity by denying a distinct human will, but the Third Council of Constantinople concluded that such a denial weakened the reality of the incarnation. The council became recognized as the Sixth Ecumenical Council in the mainstream conciliar tradition.

Jewish and Ancient Context

There is no direct Jewish background to the council itself. Its significance lies in the way the early church, drawing on Scripture and the language of its time, clarified how the Messiah’s true humanity and true deity should be confessed.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The council addressed Greek christological language, especially discussions about will (thelēma) and nature (physis). The doctrinal point is that Christ’s human will and divine will belong to the one person of the Son without division or contradiction.

Theological Significance

The council protects the confession that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. If Christ lacked a true human will, His humanity would be incomplete. If His wills were opposed, His person would be divided. The council’s teaching helps preserve both the unity of Christ’s person and the integrity of His two natures.

Philosophical Explanation

The issue concerns whether a complete human nature includes a real human will. The council answered yes, while maintaining that the Son’s divine will and human will are never in moral conflict. This is a doctrinal clarification about person and nature, not a claim that Christ is two persons.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not treat the council as adding authority equal to Scripture. Its value is as a historical safeguard of biblical Christology. Also avoid implying that ‘two wills’ means internal conflict in Christ; orthodox teaching affirms perfect harmony between His divine and human willing.

Major Views

Orthodox Christianity received dyothelitism, the teaching that Christ has two wills. Monothelitism was rejected as inadequate to the biblical doctrine of the incarnation.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should not be used to speculate beyond Scripture about the mechanics of Christ’s inner life. The safe doctrinal boundary is that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures and, therefore, two wills, divine and human, without sin or contradiction.

Practical Significance

The council strengthens confidence that Jesus truly obeyed the Father as a real man and truly reveals God as the eternal Son. It also reassures believers that salvation rests on a Savior who is fully qualified to represent humanity and fully able to save.

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