Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 1
The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr & Irenaeus
SECTION 161
Chapter XXV.--The Jews boast in vain that they are sons of Abraham.
Chapter XXV.--The Jews boast in vain that they are sons of Abraham. "Those who justify themselves, and say they are sons of Abraham, shall be desirous even in a small degree to receive the inheritance along with you; [2009] as the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Isaiah, cries, speaking thus while he personates them: Return from he…
941 wordsSECTION 162Chapter XXVII.--Why God taught the same things by the prophets as by Moses.
Chapter XXVII.--Why God taught the same things by the prophets as by Moses. And Trypho said, "Why do you select and quote whatever you wish from the prophetic writings, but do not refer to those which expressly command the Sabbath to be observed? For Isaiah thus speaks: If thou shalt turn away thy foot from the Sabbaths, so as …
1,066 wordsSECTION 163Chapter XXIX.--Christ is useless to those who observe the law.
Chapter XXIX.--Christ is useless to those who observe the law. "Let us glorify God, all nations gathered together; for He has also visited us. Let us glorify Him by the King of glory, by the Lord of hosts. For He has been gracious towards the Gentiles also; and our sacrifices He esteems more grateful than yours. What need, then…
1,321 wordsSECTION 164Chapter XXXII.--Trypho objecting that Christ is described as glorious by Daniel, Justin distinguishes two advents.
Chapter XXXII.--Trypho objecting that Christ is described as glorious by Daniel, Justin distinguishes two advents. And when I had ceased, Trypho said, "These and such like Scriptures, sir, compel us to wait for Him who, as Son of man, receives from the Ancient of days the everlasting kingdom. But this so-called Christ of yours …
717 wordsSECTION 165Chapter XXXIII.--Ps. cx. is not spoken of Hezekiah. He proves that Christ was first humble, then shall be glorious.
Chapter XXXIII.--Ps. cx. is not spoken of Hezekiah. He proves that Christ was first humble, then shall be glorious. "And," I continued, "I am not ignorant that you venture to expound this psalm as if it referred to king Hezekiah; but that you are mistaken, I shall prove to you from these very words forthwith. The Lord hath swor…
1,070 wordsSECTION 166Chapter XXXV.--Heretics confirm the Catholics in the faith.
Chapter XXXV.--Heretics confirm the Catholics in the faith. And Trypho said, "I believe, however, that many of those who say that they confess Jesus, and are called Christians, eat meats offered to idols, and declare that they are by no means injured in consequence." And I replied, "The fact that there are such men confessing t…
1,168 wordsSECTION 167Chapter XXXVII.--The same is proved from other Psalms.
Chapter XXXVII.--The same is proved from other Psalms. "Moreover, in the diapsalm of the forty-sixth Psalm, reference is thus made to Christ: God went up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing ye to our God, sing ye: sing to our King, sing ye; for God is King of all the earth: sing with understanding. God has …
963 wordsSECTION 168Chapter XXXIX.--The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both!
Chapter XXXIX.--The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both! "Now it is not surprising," I continued, "that you hate us who hold these opinions, and convict you of a continual hardness of heart. [2048] For indeed Elijah, conversing with God concerning you, speaks thus: Lord, they hav…
1,013 wordsSECTION 169Chapter XLI.--The oblation of fine flour was a figure of the Eucharist.
Chapter XLI.--The oblation of fine flour was a figure of the Eucharist. "And the offering of fine flour, sirs," I said, "which was prescribed to be presented on behalf of those purified from leprosy, was a type of the bread of the Eucharist, the celebration of which our Lord Jesus Christ prescribed, in remembrance of the suffer…
776 wordsSECTION 170Chapter XLIII.--He concludes that the law had an end in Christ, who was born of the Virgin.
Chapter XLIII.--He concludes that the law had an end in Christ, who was born of the Virgin. "As, then, circumcision began with Abraham, and the Sabbath and sacrifices and offerings and feasts with Moses, and it has been proved they were enjoined on account of the hardness of your people's heart, so it was necessary, in accordan…
757 wordsSECTION 171Chapter XLIV.--The Jews in vain promise themselves salvation, which cannot be obtained except through Christ.
Chapter XLIV.--The Jews in vain promise themselves salvation, which cannot be obtained except through Christ. "For thus, so far as you are concerned, I shall be found in all respects innocent, if I strive earnestly to persuade you by bringing forward demonstrations. But if you remain hard-hearted, or weak in [forming] a resolut…
905 wordsSECTION 172Chapter XLVI.--Trypho asks whether a man who keeps the law even now will be saved. Justin proves that it contributes nothing to righteousness.
Chapter XLVI.--Trypho asks whether a man who keeps the law even now will be saved. Justin proves that it contributes nothing to righteousness. "But if some, even now, wish to live in the observance of the institutions given by Moses, and yet believe in this Jesus who was crucified, recognising Him to be the Christ of God, and t…
1,309 wordsSECTION 173Chapter XLVIII.--Before the divinity of Christ is proved, he [Trypho] demands that it be settled that He is Christ.
Chapter XLVIII.--Before the divinity of Christ is proved, he [Trypho] demands that it be settled that He is Christ. And Trypho said, "We have heard what you think of these matters. Resume the discourse where you left off, and bring it to an end. For some of it appears to me to be paradoxical, and wholly incapable of proof. For …
1,308 wordsSECTION 174Chapter L.--It is proved from Isaiah that John is the precursor of Christ.
Chapter L.--It is proved from Isaiah that John is the precursor of Christ. And Trypho said, "You seem to me to have come out of a great conflict with many persons about all the points we have been searching into, and therefore quite ready to return answers to all questions put to you. Answer me then, first, how you can show tha…
856 wordsSECTION 175Chapter LII.--Jacob predicted two advents of Christ.
Chapter LII.--Jacob predicted two advents of Christ. "And it was prophesied by Jacob the patriarch [2112] that there would be two advents of Christ, and that in the first He would suffer, and that after He came there would be neither prophet nor king in your nation (I proceeded), and that the nations who believed in the sufferi…
1,044 wordsSECTION 176Chapter LIV.--What the blood of the grape signifies.
Chapter LIV.--What the blood of the grape signifies. "And that expression which was committed to writing [2118] by Moses, and prophesied by the patriarch Jacob, namely, He shall wash His garments with wine, and His vesture with the blood of the grape,' signified that He would wash those that believe in Him with His own blood. F…
2,618 wordsSECTION 177Chapter LVII.--The Jew objects, why is He said to have eaten, if He be God? Answer of Justin.
[2125] Gen. xviii. 1, 2. [2126] Gen. xix. 27, 28; "and so on" inserted probably not by Justin, but by some copyist, as is evident from succeeding words. [2127] Some, "besides;" but probably as above. [2128] Or, "going away, departed." [2129] Gen. xviii. 10. [2130] Gen. xxi. 9-12. [2131] Or, "Messenger." [The "Jehovah-angel…
1,835 wordsSECTION 178Chapter LIX.--God distinct from the Father conversed with Moses.
Chapter LIX.--God distinct from the Father conversed with Moses. When I had spoken these words, I continued: "Permit me, further, to show you from the book of Exodus how this same One, who is both Angel, and God, and Lord, and man, and who appeared in human form to Abraham and Isaac, [2161] appeared in a flame of fire from the …
861 wordsSECTION 179Chapter LXI--Wisdom is begotten of the Father, as fire from fire.
Chapter LXI--Wisdom is begotten of the Father, as fire from fire. "I shall give you another testimony, my friends," said I, "from the Scriptures, that God begat before all creatures a Beginning, [2167] [who was] a certain rational power [proceeding] from Himself, who is called by the Holy Spirit, now the Glory of the Lord, now …
1,410 wordsSECTION 180Chapter LXIII.--It is proved that this God was incarnate.
Chapter LXIII.--It is proved that this God was incarnate. And Trypho said, "This point has been proved to me forcibly, and by many arguments, my friend. It remains, then, to prove that He submitted to become man by the Virgin, according to the will of His Father; and to be crucified, and to die. Prove also clearly, that after t…
1,445 wordsSECTION 181Chapter LXV.--The Jew objects that God does not give His glory to another. Justin explains the passage.
Chapter LXV.--The Jew objects that God does not give His glory to another. Justin explains the passage. And Trypho said, "Being shaken [2194] by so many Scriptures, I know not what to say about the Scripture which Isaiah writes, in which God says that He gives not His glory to another, speaking thus I am the Lord God; this is m…
1,831 wordsSECTION 182Chapter LXVIII.--He complains of the obstinacy of Trypho; he answers his objection; he convicts the Jews of bad faith.
Chapter LXVIII.--He complains of the obstinacy of Trypho; he answers his objection; he convicts the Jews of bad faith. And Trypho said, "You endeavour to prove an incredible and well-nigh impossible thing; [namely], that God endured to be born and become man." "If I undertook," said I, "to prove this by doctrines or arguments …
886 wordsSECTION 183Chapter LXIX.--The devil, since he emulates the truth, has invented fables about Bacchus, Hercules, and Æsculapius.
Chapter LXIX.--The devil, since he emulates the truth, has invented fables about Bacchus, Hercules, and Æsculapius. "Be well assured, then, Trypho," I continued, "that I am established in the knowledge of and faith in the Scriptures by those counterfeits which he who is called the devil is said to have performed among the Greek…
1,386 wordsSECTION 184Chapter LXXI.--The Jews reject the interpretation of the LXX., from which, moreover, they have taken away some passages.
Chapter LXXI.--The Jews reject the interpretation of the LXX., from which, moreover, they have taken away some passages. "But I am far from putting reliance in your teachers, who refuse to admit that the interpretation made by the seventy elders who were with Ptolemy [king] of the Egyptians is a correct one; and they attempt to…
1,149 wordsSECTION 185Chapter LXXIV.--The beginning of Ps. xcvi. is attributed to the Father [by Trypho]. But [it refers] to Christ by these words: "Tell ye among the nations that the Lord," etc.
Chapter LXXIV.--The beginning of Ps. xcvi. is attributed to the Father [by Trypho]. But [it refers] to Christ by these words: "Tell ye among the nations that the Lord," etc. Then Trypho said, "We know that you quoted these because we asked you. But it does not appear to me that this Psalm which you quoted last from the words of…
820 wordsSECTION 186Chapter LXXVI.--From other passages the same majesty and government of Christ are proved.
Chapter LXXVI.--From other passages the same majesty and government of Christ are proved. "For when Daniel speaks of one like unto the Son of man' who received the everlasting kingdom, does he not hint at this very thing? For he declares that, in saying like unto the Son of man,' He appeared, and was man, but not of human seed.…
1,063 wordsSECTION 187Chapter LXXVIII.--He proves that this prophecy harmonizes with Christ alone, from what is afterwards written.
Chapter LXXVIII.--He proves that this prophecy harmonizes with Christ alone, from what is afterwards written. "Now this king Herod, at the time when the Magi came to him from Arabia, and said they knew from a star which appeared in the heavens that a King had been born in your country, and that they had come to worship Him, lea…
957 wordsSECTION 188Chapter LXXIX.--He proves against Trypho that the wicked angels have revolted from God.
Chapter LXXIX.--He proves against Trypho that the wicked angels have revolted from God. On this, Trypho, who was somewhat angry, but respected the Scriptures, as was manifest from his countenance, said to me, "The utterances of God are holy, but your expositions are mere contrivances, as is plain from what has been explained by…
1,193 wordsSECTION 189Chapter LXXXI.--He endeavours to prove this opinion from Isaiah and the Apocalypse.
Chapter LXXXI.--He endeavours to prove this opinion from Isaiah and the Apocalypse. "For Isaiah spake thus concerning this space of a thousand years: For there shall be the new heaven and the new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, or come into their heart; but they shall find joy and gladness in it, which things I c…
972 wordsSECTION 190Chapter LXXXIII.--It is proved that the Psalm, "The Lord said to My Lord," etc., does not suit Hezekiah.
Chapter LXXXIII.--It is proved that the Psalm, "The Lord said to My Lord," etc., does not suit Hezekiah. "For your teachers have ventured to refer the passage, The Lord says to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool,' to Hezekiah; as if he were requested to sit on the right side of the temple, wh…
825 wordsSECTION 191Chapter LXXXV.--He proves that Christ is the Lord of Hosts from Ps. xxiv., and from his authority over demons.
Chapter LXXXV.--He proves that Christ is the Lord of Hosts from Ps. xxiv., and from his authority over demons. "Moreover, some of you venture to expound the prophecy which runs, Lift up your gates, ye rulers; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of glory may enter,' [2280] as if it referred likewise to Hezekia…
992 wordsSECTION 192Chapter LXXXVI.--There are various figures in the Old Testament of the wood of the cross by which Christ reigned.
Chapter LXXXVI.--There are various figures in the Old Testament of the wood of the cross by which Christ reigned. And when I had quoted this, I added, "Hear, then, how this Man, of whom the Scriptures declare that He will come again in glory after His crucifixion, was symbolized both by the tree of life, which was said to have …
1,207 wordsSECTION 193Chapter LXXXVIII.--Christ has not received the Holy Spirit on account of poverty.
Chapter LXXXVIII.--Christ has not received the Holy Spirit on account of poverty. "Now, it is possible to see amongst us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God; so that it was prophesied that the powers enumerated by Isaiah would come upon Him, not because He needed power, but because these would not continue afte…
761 wordsSECTION 194Chapter LXXXIX.--The cross alone is offensive to Trypho on account of the curse, yet it proves that Jesus is Christ.
Chapter LXXXIX.--The cross alone is offensive to Trypho on account of the curse, yet it proves that Jesus is Christ. Then Trypho remarked, "Be assured that all our nation waits for Christ; and we admit that all the Scriptures which you have quoted refer to Him. Moreover, I do also admit that the name of Jesus, by which the the …
1,261 wordsSECTION 195Chapter XCII.--Unless the scriptures be understood through God's great grace, God will not appear to have taught always the same righteousness.
Chapter XCII.--Unless the scriptures be understood through God's great grace, God will not appear to have taught always the same righteousness. "Unless, therefore, a man by God's great grace receives the power to understand what has been said and done by the prophets, the appearance of being able to repeat the words or the deed…
1,133 wordsSECTION 196Chapter XCIV.--In what sense he who hangs on a tree is cursed.
Chapter XCIV.--In what sense he who hangs on a tree is cursed. "For tell me, was it not God who commanded by Moses that no image or likeness of anything which was in heaven above or which was on the earth should be made, and yet who caused the brazen serpent to be made by Moses in the wilderness, and set it up for a sign by whi…
996 wordsSECTION 197Chapter XCVII.--Other predictions of the cross of Christ.
Chapter XCVII.--Other predictions of the cross of Christ. "For it was not without design that the prophet Moses, when Hur and Aaron upheld his hands, remained in this form until evening. For indeed the Lord remained upon the tree almost until evening, and they buried Him at eventide; then on the third day He rose again. This wa…
815 wordsSECTION 198Chapter XCIX.--In the commencement of the Psalm are Christ's dying words.
Chapter XCIX.--In the commencement of the Psalm are Christ's dying words. And when I had said these words, I continued: "Now I will demonstrate to you that the whole Psalm refers thus to Christ, by the words which I shall again explain. What is said at first--O God, my God, attend to me: why hast Thou forsaken me?'--announced f…
1,076 wordsSECTION 199Chapter CI.--Christ refers all things to the Father
Chapter CI.--Christ refers all things to the Father "Then what follows of the Psalm is this, in which He says: Our fathers trusted in Thee; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. They cried unto Thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people;' which show that He adm…
1,068 wordsSECTION 200Chapter CIII.--The Pharisees are the bulls: the roaring lion is Herod or the devil.
Chapter CIII.--The Pharisees are the bulls: the roaring lion is Herod or the devil. "Then what is next said in the Psalm--For trouble is near, for there is none to help me. Many calves have compassed me; fat bulls have beset me round. They opened their mouth upon me as a ravening and roaring lion. All my bones are poured out an…
942 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.