Abstract
The purpose of this article is to explore possible reasons for Palamas’ use of Augustinian notions through detailed analysis of the argumentative structure of the chapters into which they are integrated. It will be argued that Palamas was primarily interested in Augustine not as a Trinitarian theologian but because he could find in the treatise On the Trinity conceptual frameworks that permitted him to rebut Barlaam’s attacks against the hesychastic way of life in a more effective way than in his earlier treatises.