k to sit on the Father's right
hand or left, but on Christ's.
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QUESTION 59

OF CHRIST'S JUDICIARY POWER
(In Six Articles)

We have now to consider Christ's judiciary power. Under this head
there are six points of inquiry:

(1) Whether judiciary power is to be attributed to Christ?

(2) Whether it belongs to Him as man?

(3) Whether He acquired it by merits?

(4) Whether His judiciary power is universal with regard to all men?

(5) Whether besides the judgment that takes place now in time, we are
to expect Him in the future general judgment?

(6) Whether His judiciary power extends likewise to the angels?

It will be more suitable to consider the execution of the Last
Judgment when we treat of things pertaining to the end of the world
[*See Suppl., QQ. 88, seqq.]. For the present it will be enough to
touch on those points that concern Christ's dignity.
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FIRST ARTICLE [III, Q. 59, Art. 1]

Whether Judiciary Power Is to Be Specially Attributed to Christ?

Objection 1: It would seem that judiciary power is not to be
specially attributed to Christ. For judgment of others seems to
belong to their lord; hence it is written (Rom. 14:4): "Who art thou
that judgest another man's servant?" But, it belongs to the entire
Trinity to be Lord over creatures. Therefore judiciary power ought
not to be attributed specially to Christ.

Obj. 2: Further, it is written (Dan. 7:9): "The Ancient of days sat";
and further on (Dan. 7:10), "the judgment sat, and the books were
opened." But the Ancient of days is understood to be the Father,
because as Hilary says (De Trin. ii): "Eternity is in the Father."
Consequently, judiciary power ought rather to be attributed to the
Father than to Christ.

Obj. 3: Further, it seems to belong to the same person to judge as it
does to convince. But it belongs to the Holy Ghost to convince: for
our Lord says (John 16:8): "And when He is come," i.e. the Holy
Ghost, "He will convince the world of sin, and of justice, and of
judgment." Therefore judiciary power ought to be attributed to the
Holy Ghost rather than to Christ.

_On the contrary,_ It is said of Christ (Acts 10:42): "It is He who
was appointed by God, to be judge of the living end of the dead."

_I answer that,_ Three things are required for passing judgment:
first, the power of coercing subjects; hence it is written (Ecclus.
7:6): "Seek not to be made a judge unless thou have stre