The "Place of God": Biblical Exegesis and Spirituality in Evagrius Ponticus

Abstract

This article examines Evagrius Ponticus’s spirituality, centering on the metaphor of “the place of God” (τόπος Θεοῦ). It argues that Evagrius defines this “place” not as a geographical location but as the “formless state” of the intellect (νοῦς), attainable through practices such as “pure prayer” and the acquisition of impassibility (ἀπάθεια). The analysis employs close textual and biblical exegesis (Exod 24:10–11; Ezek 1:26; 10:1) to demonstrate how Evagrius’s thought highlights the inner transfor­mation of the intellect. This purification, in turn, facilitates a direct, contemplative encounter with God, il­lustrating the profound integration of lived spiritual experience with his method of interpreting Scripture.