The First Use of The Word Trinity in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

When was the word Trinity first used? It has been claimed that Tertullian coined the term in the late 2nd or early 3rd century. It has been claimed that Tertullian was a Roman Catholic and that the Roman Catholics defined the Trinity at the Council of Nicea in AD325. The Roman Catholic Church cannot truly be said to have existed until AD325 or later, so Tertullian could not have been a Roman Catholic. Tertullian also did not originate the term Trinity.

The first instance we find in the Ante-Nicene Fathers is from Theophilus of Antioch, who said,

“In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries, are types of the Trinity,2 of God, and His Word, and His wisdom. ” [A.D. 115–168–181.] (Editor’s Note: “Τριάδος. [The earliest use of this word “Trinity.” It seems to have been used by this writer in his lost works, also; and, as a learned friends suggests, the use he makes of it is familiar. He does not lug it in as something novel: “types of the Trinity,” he says, illustrating an accepted word, not introducing a new one.]” ) Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, eds., Fathers of the Second Century: Hermas, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, and Clement of Alexandria (Entire), vol. 2, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885).

Notice how the editors show us that Theophilus’ use of the word Trinity was a familiar usage and not novel. After all, he did not have to define his term here. Why? Because it could be assumed he and his audience were already familiar with it.

There was also Clement of Alexandria [A.D. 153–193–217.], who said,

“I understand nothing else than the Holy Trinity to be meant; for the third is the Holy Spirit, and the Son is the second, by whom all things were made according to the will of the Father.” Clement of Alexandria, “The Stromata, or Miscellanies,” in Fathers of the Second Century: Hermas, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, and Clement of Alexandria (Entire), ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 2, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 468.

I realize this will not serve to convince folks whose minds are already settled about what they believe. Historical accuracy is a must, however, and honesty demands we be historically accurate.