Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 1
The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr & Irenaeus
SECTION 321
Chapter XI--Proofs in continuation, extracted from St. John's Gospel. The Gospels are four in number, neither more nor less. Mystic reasons for this.
[3394] Luke i. 6. [3395] Literally, "that he should place the incense." The next clause is most likely an interpolation for the sake of explanation. [3396] Luke i. 8, etc. [3397] Luke i. 15, etc. [3398] Matt. xi. 9, 11. [3399] Ps. lviii. 3. [3400] Luke i. 26, etc. [3401] Luke i. 32, 33. [3402] Luke i. 46, 47. [3403] Luk…
2,320 wordsSECTION 3228. It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are. For, since there are four zones of the world in
8. It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are. For, since there are four zones of the world in which we live, and four principal winds, [3449] while the Church is scattered throughout all the world, and the "pillar and ground" [3450] of the Church is the Gospel and the spirit of life;…
1,720 wordsSECTION 323Chapter XII.--Doctrine of the rest of the apostles.
Chapter XII.--Doctrine of the rest of the apostles. 1. The Apostle Peter, therefore, after the resurrection of the Lord, and His assumption into the heavens, being desirous of filling up the number of the twelve apostles, and in electing into the place of Judas any substitute who should be chosen by God, thus addressed those wh…
2,425 wordsSECTION 3247. From the words of Peter, therefore, which he addressed in Cæsarea to Cornelius the centurion, and those Gentiles with him, to whom the wo
7. From the words of Peter, therefore, which he addressed in Cæsarea to Cornelius the centurion, and those Gentiles with him, to whom the word of God was first preached, we can understand what the apostles used to preach, the nature of their preaching, and their idea with regard to God. For this Cornelius was, it is said, "a dev…
2,212 wordsSECTION 32512. For all those who are of a perverse mind, having been set against the Mosaic legislation, judging it to be dissimilar and contrary to th
12. For all those who are of a perverse mind, having been set against the Mosaic legislation, judging it to be dissimilar and contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel, have not applied themselves to investigate the causes of the difference of each covenant. Since, therefore, they have been deserted by the paternal love, and puffed…
2,240 wordsSECTION 326Chapter XIII--Refutation of the opinion, that Paul was the only apostle who had knowledge of the truth.
[3520] Amos ix. 11, 12. [3521] This addition is also found in Codex Bezæ, and in Cyprian and others. [3522] Acts xv. 14, etc. [3523] Another addition, also found in the Codex Bezæ, and in Tertullian. [3524] Acts x. 28, 29. [3525] Acts x. 47. [3526] Gal. ii. 12, 13. Chapter XIII--Refutation of the opinion, that Paul was th…
2,303 wordsSECTION 3274. It follows then, as of course, that these men must either receive the rest of his narrative, or else reject these parts also. For no pers
4. It follows then, as of course, that these men must either receive the rest of his narrative, or else reject these parts also. For no persons of common sense can permit them to receive some things recounted by Luke as being true, and to set others aside, as if he had not known the truth. And if indeed Marcion's followers rejec…
1,349 wordsSECTION 328Chapter XVI.--Proofs from the apostolic writings, that Jesus Christ was one and the same, the only begotten Son of God, perfect God and perfect man.
Chapter XVI.--Proofs from the apostolic writings, that Jesus Christ was one and the same, the only begotten Son of God, perfect God and perfect man. 1. But [3569] there are some who say that Jesus was merely a receptacle of Christ, upon whom the Christ, as a dove, descended from above, and that when He had declared the unnameab…
2,447 wordsSECTION 3297. With Him is nothing incomplete or out of due season, just as with the Father there is nothing incongruous. For all these things were fore
7. With Him is nothing incomplete or out of due season, just as with the Father there is nothing incongruous. For all these things were foreknown by the Father; but the Son works them out at the proper time in perfect order and sequence. This was the reason why, when Mary was urging [Him] on to [perform] the wonderful miracle of…
1,809 wordsSECTION 330Chapter XVII.--The apostles teach that it was neither Christ nor the Saviour, but the Holy Spirit, who did descend upon Jesus. The reason for this descent.
Chapter XVII.--The apostles teach that it was neither Christ nor the Saviour, but the Holy Spirit, who did descend upon Jesus. The reason for this descent. 1. It certainly was in the power of the apostles to declare that Christ descended upon Jesus, or that the so-called superior Saviour [came down] upon the dispensational one,…
2,227 wordsSECTION 3314. The Lord Himself, too, makes it evident who it was that suffered; for when He asked the disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of man
4. The Lord Himself, too, makes it evident who it was that suffered; for when He asked the disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" [3648] and when Peter had replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;" and when he had been commended by Him [in these words], "That flesh and blood had not revealed it …
2,483 wordsSECTION 3323. For as He became man in order to undergo temptation, so also was He the Word that He might be glorified; the Word remaining quiescent, th
3. For as He became man in order to undergo temptation, so also was He the Word that He might be glorified; the Word remaining quiescent, that He might be capable of being tempted, dishonoured, crucified, and of suffering death, but the human nature being swallowed up in it (the divine), when it conquered, and endured [without y…
2,203 wordsSECTION 333[3703] Mic. vii. 9.
[3703] Mic. vii. 9. [3704] Joel iii. 16; Amos i. 2. [3705] As Massuet observes, we must either expunge "sciut" altogether, or read "sic" as above. [3706] Hab. iii. 3, 5. [3707] This quotation from Habakkuk, here commented on by Irenæus, differs both from the Hebrew and the LXX., and comes nearest to the old Italic version of…
2,450 wordsSECTION 334Chapter XXII.--Christ assumed actual flesh, conceived and born of the Virgin.
10. For as by one man's disobedience sin entered, and death obtained [a place] through sin; so also by the obedience of one man, righteousness having been introduced, shall cause life to fructify in those persons who in times past were dead. [3736] And as the protoplast himself Adam, had his substance from untilled and as yet vi…
2,307 wordsSECTION 3352. But this is Adam, if the truth should be told, the first formed man, of whom the Scripture says that the Lord spake, "Let Us make man aft
2. But this is Adam, if the truth should be told, the first formed man, of whom the Scripture says that the Lord spake, "Let Us make man after Our own image and likeness;" [3758] and we are all from him: and as we are from him, therefore have we all inherited his title. But inasmuch as man is saved, it is fitting that he who was…
2,225 wordsSECTION 3361. Thus, then, have all these men been exposed, who bring in impious doctrines regarding our Maker and Framer, who also formed this world, a
1. Thus, then, have all these men been exposed, who bring in impious doctrines regarding our Maker and Framer, who also formed this world, and above whom there is no other God; and those have been overthrown by their own arguments who teach falsehoods regarding the substance of our Lord, and the dispensation which He fulfilled f…
2,234 wordsSECTION 337Now, the authors of the Latin translation [3794] may have designed the ambiguity which gives the Ultramontane party an apparent advantage; b
Now, the authors of the Latin translation [3794] may have designed the ambiguity which gives the Ultramontane party an apparent advantage; but it is an advantage which disappears as soon as it is examined, and hence I am content to take it as it stands. Various conjectures have been made as to the original Greek of Irenæus; but …
946 wordsSECTION 338Preface.
Preface. 1. By transmitting to thee, my very dear friend, this fourth book of the work which is [entitled] The Detection and Refutation of False Knowledge, I shall, as I have promised, add weight, by means of the words of the Lord, to what I have already advanced; so that thou also, as thou hast requested, mayest obtain from me…
911 wordsSECTION 339Chapter I.--The Lord acknowledged but one God and Father.
Chapter I.--The Lord acknowledged but one God and Father. 1. Since, therefore, this is sure and stedfast, that no other God or Lord was announced by the Spirit, except Him who, as God, rules over all, together with His Word, and those who receive the Spirit of adoption, [3805] that is, those who believe in the one and true God,…
2,362 wordsSECTION 340[3830] 1 Cor. vii. 31.
[3830] 1 Cor. vii. 31. [3831] Ps. cii. 25-28. The cause of the difference in the numbering of the Psalms is that the Septuagint embraces in one psalm--the ninth--the two which form the ninth and tenth in the Hebrew text. [3832] Isa. li. 6. Chapter IV.--Answer to another objection, showing that the destruction of Jerusalem, wh…
2,217 wordsSECTION 3411. For the Lord, revealing Himself to His disciples, that He Himself is the Word, who imparts knowledge of the Father, and reproving the Jew
1. For the Lord, revealing Himself to His disciples, that He Himself is the Word, who imparts knowledge of the Father, and reproving the Jews, who imagined that they, had [the knowledge of] God, while they nevertheless rejected His Word, through whom God is made known, declared, "No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither k…
2,274 wordsSECTION 3422. For not alone upon Abraham's account did He say these things, but also that He might point out how all who have known God from the beginn
2. For not alone upon Abraham's account did He say these things, but also that He might point out how all who have known God from the beginning, and have foretold the advent of Christ, have received the revelation from the Son Himself; who also in the last times was made visible and passible, and spake with the human race, that …
1,860 wordsSECTION 343Chapter IX.--There is but one author, and one end to both covenants.
Chapter IX.--There is but one author, and one end to both covenants. 1. All things therefore are of one and the same substance, that is, from one and the same God; as also the Lord says to the disciples "Therefore every scribe, which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is an householder, which brin…
2,202 wordsSECTION 344[3920] Feuardent infers with great probability from this passage, that Irenæus, like Tertullian and others of the Fathers, connected the wor
[3920] Feuardent infers with great probability from this passage, that Irenæus, like Tertullian and others of the Fathers, connected the word Pascha with paschein, to suffer. [The LXX. constantly giving colour to early Christian ideas in this manner, they concluded, perhaps, that such coincidences were designed. The LXX. were cr…
2,428 wordsSECTION 3455. Now, that the law did beforehand teach mankind the necessity of following Christ, He does Himself make manifest, when He replied as follo
5. Now, that the law did beforehand teach mankind the necessity of following Christ, He does Himself make manifest, when He replied as follows to him who asked Him what he should do that he might inherit eternal life: "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." [3945] But upon the other asking "Which?" again the Lord …
2,410 wordsSECTION 3462. Thus it was, too, that God formed man at the first, because of His munificence; but chose the patriarchs for the sake of their salvation;
2. Thus it was, too, that God formed man at the first, because of His munificence; but chose the patriarchs for the sake of their salvation; and prepared a people beforehand, teaching the headstrong to follow God; and raised up prophets upon earth, accustoming man to bear His Spirit [within him], and to hold communion with God: …
2,209 wordsSECTION 3473. Why, then, did the Lord not form the covenant for the fathers? Because "the law was not established for righteous men." [3994] But the ri
3. Why, then, did the Lord not form the covenant for the fathers? Because "the law was not established for righteous men." [3994] But the righteous fathers had the meaning of the Decalogue written in their hearts and souls, [3995] that is, they loved the God who made them, and did no injury to their neighbour. There was therefor…
1,080 wordsSECTION 348Chapter XVII.--Proof that God did not appoint the Levitical dispensation for His own sake, or as requiring such service; for He does, in fact, need nothing from men.
Chapter XVII.--Proof that God did not appoint the Levitical dispensation for His own sake, or as requiring such service; for He does, in fact, need nothing from men. 1. Moreover, the prophets indicate in the fullest manner that God stood in no need of their slavish obedience, but that it was upon their own account that He enjoi…
2,201 wordsSECTION 349Chapter XVIII.--Concerning sacrifices and oblations, and those who truly offer them.
[4023] Isa. lviii. 6, etc. [4024] Zech. vii. 9, 10. [4025] Zech. viii. 16, 17. [4026] Ps. xxxiv. 13, 14. [4027] Hos. vi. 6. [4028] Matt. xii. 7. [4029] Grabe has a long and important note on this passage and what follows, which may be seen in Harvey, in loc. See, on the other side, and in connection with the whole of the f…
2,209 wordsSECTION 350[4053] See Harvey's long note on this passage, and what immediately follows. [But, note, we are only asking what Irenæus teaches. Could word
[4053] See Harvey's long note on this passage, and what immediately follows. [But, note, we are only asking what Irenæus teaches. Could words be plainer,--"two realities,"--(i.) bread, (ii.) spiritual food? Bread-- but not "common bread;" matter and grace, flesh and Spirit. In the Eucharist, an earthly and a heavenly part.] [40…
2,557 wordsSECTION 3516. Men therefore shall see God, that they may live, being made immortal by that sight, and attaining even unto God; which, as I have already
6. Men therefore shall see God, that they may live, being made immortal by that sight, and attaining even unto God; which, as I have already said, was declared figuratively by the prophets, that God should be seen by men who bear His Spirit [in them], and do always wait patiently for His coming. As also Moses says in Deuteronomy…
2,504 wordsSECTION 35212. However, it was not by means of visions alone which were seen, and words which were proclaimed, but also in actual works, that He was be
12. However, it was not by means of visions alone which were seen, and words which were proclaimed, but also in actual works, that He was beheld by the prophets, in order that through them He might prefigure and show forth future events beforehand. For this reason did Hosea the prophet take "a wife of whoredoms," prophesying by …
953 wordsSECTION 353Chapter XXI.--Abraham's faith was identical with ours; this faith was prefigured by the words and actions of the old patriarchs.
Chapter XXI.--Abraham's faith was identical with ours; this faith was prefigured by the words and actions of the old patriarchs. 1. But that our faith was also prefigured in Abraham, and that he was the patriarch of our faith, and, as it were, the prophet of it, the apostle has very fully taught, when he says in the Epistle to …
2,432 wordsSECTION 354Chapter XXV.--Both covenants were prefigured in Abraham, and in the labour of Tamar; there was, however, but one and the same God to each covenant.
[4131] John iv. 35, etc. [4132] Matt. i. 20, etc. [4133] Luke iv. 18. [4134] Isa. lxi. 1. [4135] Acts viii. 27; Isa. liii. 7. [4136] Acts ii. 41, Acts iv. 4. Chapter XXIV.--The conversion of the Gentiles was more difficult than that of the Jews; the labours of those apostles, therefore who engaged in the former task, were …
1,449 wordsSECTION 355Chapter XXVI.--The treasure hid in the Scriptures is Christ; the true exposition of the Scriptures is to be found in the Church alone.
Chapter XXVI.--The treasure hid in the Scriptures is Christ; the true exposition of the Scriptures is to be found in the Church alone. 1. If any one, therefore, reads the Scriptures with attention, he will find in them an account of Christ, and a foreshadowing of the new calling (vocationis). For Christ is the treasure which wa…
2,736 wordsSECTION 3562. It was for this reason, too, that the Lord descended into the regions beneath the earth, preaching His advent there also, and [declaring]
2. It was for this reason, too, that the Lord descended into the regions beneath the earth, preaching His advent there also, and [declaring] the remission of sins received by those who believe in Him. [4182] Now all those believed in Him who had hope towards Him, that is, those who proclaimed His advent, and submitted to His dis…
2,268 wordsSECTION 357Chapter XXIX.--Refutation of the arguments of the Marcionites, who attempted to show that God was the author of sin, because He blinded Pharaoh and his servants.
3. For the self-same heretics already mentioned by us have fallen away from themselves, by accusing the Lord, in whom they say that they believe. For those points to which they call attention with regard to the God who then awarded temporal punishments to the unbelieving, and smote the Egyptians, while He saved those that were o…
1,192 wordsSECTION 358Chapter XXX.--Refutation of another argument adduced by the Marcionites, that God directed the Hebrews to spoil the Egyptians.
Chapter XXX.--Refutation of another argument adduced by the Marcionites, that God directed the Hebrews to spoil the Egyptians. 1. Those, again, who cavil and find fault because the people did, by God's command, upon the eve of their departure, take vessels of all kinds and raiment from the Egyptians, [4214] and so went away, fr…
2,367 wordsSECTION 3592. Thus, after their simplicity and innocence, did these daughters [of Lot] so speak, imagining that all mankind had perished, even as the S
2. Thus, after their simplicity and innocence, did these daughters [of Lot] so speak, imagining that all mankind had perished, even as the Sodomites had done, and that the anger of God had come down upon the whole earth. Wherefore also they are to be held excusable, since they supposed that they only, along with their father, we…
710 wordsSECTION 360Chapter XXXII.--That one God was the author of both Testaments, is confirmed by the authority of a presbyter who had been taught by the apostles.
Chapter XXXII.--That one God was the author of both Testaments, is confirmed by the authority of a presbyter who had been taught by the apostles. 1. After this fashion also did a presbyter, [4242] a disciple of the apostles, reason with respect to the two testaments, proving that both were truly from one and the same God. For […
2,427 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.