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cf., ST.I-II.Q93.A1.Rep2, ST.I.Q37.A2.Rep3, Sent.I.D27.Q2.A3, QDeVer.Q4.A5, QIV.Q4.A1
In this third question, we reach some of the most difficult grounds in the theology of the Angelic Doctor. It is clear enough that the Word has His origination as a certain "self-understanding" that the Father has of Himself. We can think of the Word as the "mirror" of the Father. Yet, is he merely a mirror of the Father? Is he also a mirror of the Divinity, of the Son and Spirit, of all possible creation, of all actual creation? Here, we seek to inquire into what the Word represents as Word.
There have been a multitude of opinions on this question, everywhere from Scotus who strictly stated that the Word is a reflection of the Divinity, even excluding the relations, to Ruiz de Montoya who stated that the Word is a proper and per se reflection of not only possible creatures, but also those creatures that, in the wisdom of God, He actually created.
In order to determine this question, we must remember back to what was said about Divine Knowledge. For, God understands all things by understanding Himself as the medium quo. For, all things are virtually and eminently contained in God. Thus, when the Father "speaks Himself" in the Word, he also speaks all those things that He is representative of. It is in this way that not only is the Deity spoken, but also all creatures. Thus, St. Thomas states