hypostatic
hypostatic
Pronunciation
Hypostatic: /ˌhaɪpəˈstætɪk/
hy- /ˌhaɪ/
po- /pə/
stat- /stæt/
ic /ɪk/
Word Form Variations
Noun: hypostasis (singular), hypostases (plural)
Adjective: hypostatic
Adverb: hypostatically
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Hypostatic (Theological/Philosophical): Referring to the essential underlying reality or substance of something, particularly in theology to describe the distinct personal realities within the Trinity (e.g., the hypostatic union of Christ's two natures).
Synonyms: substantive, essential, inherent, ontological, actual
Antonyms: superficial, accidental, phenomenal, apparent, nominal
Hypostatic (Medical): Relating to or caused by the settling of blood or other fluids in the lower parts of the body, often due to poor circulation or prolonged inactivity.
Synonyms: dependent, pooling, stagnant
Antonyms: dynamic, circulating, active
Noun
Hypostasis (Theological/Philosophical): The underlying reality, substance, or fundamental nature of something; in Christian theology, one of the three persons of the Trinity.
Synonyms: essence, substance, substratum, reality, being
Antonyms: appearance, phenomenon, accident, superficiality, illusion
Hypostasis (Medical): The accumulation of fluid or blood in a dependent part of the body, typically due to gravity and impaired circulation.
Synonyms: pooling, congestion, stasis, edema (if fluid), lividity (if blood after death)
Antonyms: circulation, flow, movement, perfusion
Examples of Use
Theological Text (Book): "The doctrine of the hypostatic union, affirming the complete divinity and complete humanity of Christ in one person, remains a cornerstone of Christology." (From a scholarly theological text on early church doctrines, likely a university press publication, e.g., Christology: The Study of Christ by Gerald O'Collins, October 2009).
Medical Journal (Online Publication): "Patients with prolonged immobility are at increased risk for developing hypostatic pneumonia due, in part, to the pooling of secretions in the lower lobes of the lungs." (From an article in a medical journal, e.g., American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, March 2023).
Philosophy Blog (Online Publication): "Many philosophical debates hinge on understanding the hypostatic nature of abstract concepts – do they exist independently, or are they merely constructs of the mind?" (From a post on a philosophy blog, e.g., Daily Nous, November 2024).
Literary Criticism (Book): "Within the novel, the protagonist's struggle with identity explores the hypostasis of self, questioning what constitutes the true, underlying essence of a person beyond their actions or perceptions." (From a work of literary criticism analyzing a philosophical novel, e.g., Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton, September 2008).
Art History Lecture (General Public Discourse/Educational Platform): "In certain Renaissance paintings, the depiction of light and shadow was intended to convey not just visual reality, but also the hypostatic presence of the divine." (Heard in a university art history lecture, October 2024).
Newspaper Editorial (Newspaper): "The editorial argued that the proposed legislation failed to address the hypostatic issues of social inequality, focusing instead on superficial remedies." (From an opinion piece in a major national newspaper, e.g., The New York Times, January 2025).
Theological Discussion Forum (Online Platform): "A user in an online forum might ask, 'What is the difference between the divine essence and the three hypostases in the Trinity?'" (From an online theological discussion forum, e.g., Catholic Answers Forum, April 2023).
Fiction (Book): "He felt a strange, almost hypostatic connection to the ancient land, as if its very being resonated within his own." (From a work of fantasy fiction, e.g., The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, March 2007).
10 Famous Quotes Using Hypostatic
"I didn't need to understand the hypostatic unity of the Trinity; I just needed to turn my life over to whoever came up with redwood trees." (Anne Lamott)
"The hypostatic union, or the union of the divine and human natures in the One Person of the Word, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, was not only a truth of the greatest, most revolutionary, and most existential actuality, but it was the central truth of all being and all history." (Thomas Merton)
"Therefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being by no means destroyed because of the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Hypostasis." (The Chalcedonian Definition, 451 AD)
"The great truth is known as the hypostatic union, that is, the union of two perfect natures in one Person." (William Hoste)
"In simplest terms, the hypostatic union is a reference to Jesus Christ as both God and man, fully divine and fully human." (Kevin DeYoung)
"The concept of Hypostasis in Christianity denotes the underlying reality or substance of personhood, particularly related to Christ's dual nature as both divine and human." (Wisdomlib, a compilation of religious texts and concepts)
"This is the familiar one person (hypostasis) - two natures doctrine." (Maverick Philosopher blog, February 2022)
"The divine nature does not lose its attributes while taking on human nature. The key is to recognize that the union is a profound mystery that may go beyond human logic. The Hypostatic Union teaches that Christ's two natures—divine and human—exist without confusion, change, division, or separation." (Reddit r/OrthodoxChristianity, February 2025)
"He who was made what he was not before transmutatively, is changed; but not forthwith, he who is only made what he was not assumptively. Therefore, the change (if there were any here) is in the human nature (which in an extraordinary and special manner is sustained by the Logos), not in the person of the Logos (who, always existing the same, united it to himself)." (Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 2) [Note: While not explicitly using "hypostatic," this passage from a foundational theological text directly discusses the concept of the hypostatic union in a highly influential way, making it relevant for demonstrating the term's context.]
"God is known and understood in everything in three hypostases. He holds all things and provides for all things through His Son in the Holy Spirit; and no one of Them, wherever He is invoked, is named or thought of as existing apart or separately from the two others." (St. Gregory of Sinai, Philokalia)
Etymology
The word "hypostatic" comes from the Greek word "hypostatikós" (ὑποστατικός), which means "pertaining to substance" or "substantial." This, in turn, comes from "hypostasis" (ὑπόστασις), meaning "that which stands under," "foundation," or "substance."
Think of it like this: "hypo" means "under" or "beneath," and "stasis" means "a standing" or "a fixed position." So, "hypostasis" literally means "a standing under" or "that which stands beneath."
Initially, in ancient Greek philosophy, "hypostasis" referred to the underlying reality or true nature of something, as opposed to its outward appearance. It was about the fundamental essence or concrete existence of a thing.
The first known use of the adjective "hypostatic" in English, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was in 1678 in the writings of the philosopher and theologian Ralph Cudworth. In this context, it was primarily used in theology, specifically to describe the "hypostatic union" in Christian doctrine. This refers to the belief that in Jesus Christ, the divine nature and the human nature are truly and completely united in one single "person" or "hypostasis," without being mixed up or losing their individual characteristics.
While the medical sense of "hypostatic" (referring to the settling of fluids due to gravity) is common today, it's interesting to note that this specific meaning isn't found in the original Greek use of the term. It's a later development in English.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hypostatic
Phrases and Idioms using "Hypostatic" (Lesser-Known & Original):
Hypostatic union: (Theological) Refers to the union of divine and human natures in the single person of Jesus Christ. (This is the most common and almost exclusive "phrase" it's found in).
Hypostatic reality: (Philosophical/Theological) Emphasizing the fundamental, underlying truth or essence.
Hypostatic distinction: (Theological) Highlighting the distinct persons within the Trinity while maintaining one divine essence.
Hypostatic cause: (Philosophical/Formal) An underlying, essential cause.
To address the hypostatic issues: (Original/Formal) To get to the root, fundamental problems, rather than superficial ones.
Suffering from hypostatic effects: (Medical) Experiencing symptoms related to the pooling of fluids (e.g., in hypostatic pneumonia).
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect (Conceptual):
These idioms use synonyms of "hypostatic" (like "fundamental," "essential," "root," "substance") to convey the idea of an underlying, foundational reality.
Get to the root of the matter: (Similar to addressing hypostatic issues) To find the real, basic cause of something.
At the heart of it: (Similar to hypostatic reality) Referring to the most important or central part of something.
The nitty-gritty: (Similar to hypostatic reality/details) The most important aspects or practical details of a matter.
The nuts and bolts: (Similar to hypostatic components) The basic, practical details of a subject or task.
Down to brass tacks: (Similar to getting to the hypostatic truth) To start discussing the most important or basic facts of a situation.
The long and short of it: (Similar to summarizing the hypostatic truth) The main points or essential facts of something.
The bare bones: (Similar to hypostatic essence) The most basic and essential parts of something.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hypostatic from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
