ABSTRACT

Epistula 177 (written in autumn 416 AD⁷³) was sent to the Roman bishop Innocent 1^st to convince him of condemning pelagian heresy. Epistula 177,16-18, which are devoted to the topic of impeccantia, show signs of a exegetical duel which then opposed Augustine and Pelagius concerning an excerpt from the ambrosial commentary of Saint Luke's (Ambrosius, Expositio euangelii secundum Lucam I 17). The contemporary writings of both opponents quite reflect the topicality and vehemence of this debate, which is incidentally mentioned in an excursus, in Epistula 177. Why such a discretion? We shall work upon a personal translation of the text mentioned above. After refocusing the debate on impeccantia, in the broader context of the pelagian controversy, we shall study the issues of the dispute around the ambrosial authority; we shall then try to understand why the signatories of Epistula 177 thought appropriate of toning down this conflict of interpretation in a letter to Rome.