The Elements of Thomas Aquinas’ Theology of the Church in his Commentary on Letter to Ephesians

Theological heritage of Thomas Aquinas isn’t based merely on systematical considerations of Christian doctrine, but also on many biblical commentaries. The biblical proclamation, which was subjected to proper medieval hermeneutic, is primary inspiration and necessary element of Thomas’ theology in all their branches, including likewise ecclesiology. Based on the text of commentary on Epistle to Ephesians in this paper is presented an outline of Aquinas’ theology of the Church. Due to analysis of crucial theological notions like: unity, Mystical Body of Christ, house, city-state, it is revealed an image of ecclesial community, which Thomas Aquinas draws from St. Paul’s exhortation and features as part of theological consideration. In this approach the unity of Christian represents ontological aspect, that means the way of community’s existence and goal of this existence, which isn’t an ultimate aim for the members but source to it. The unity is this an element in Aquinas ecclesiology, which binds all images of Church with themselves. Through the organic bound of peace in relationships and spiritual bound of faith the ecclesial community comprises the Mystical Body of Christ. The members in Mystical Body are united by the power of Head, namely Christ’s grace in the actual or possible way and different levels of personal union. The soul of Mystical Body is Holy Spirit, who fills up members by spiritual gifts, virtues and charisms coming from Christ and showing in concrete fellows, with concrete dispositions and abilities. So, if the Church exists in these christened people also express its second human nature, which has social and political aspects represented by visions of house (as family) and city-state. These ecclesiological perspectives, which also pay attention to particular aspects of Christ’s community, isn’t merely interesting, but up-to-date too and important for deeper understanding of Thomas Aquinas theological thoughts.