( PART 2 ) DID THE EARLIEST POST-BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN WRITERS TEACH CHRISTENDOM'S OFFICIAL DOCTRINE OF THE TRI{3}NITY? = CLEMENT OF ROME – LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS - PROLOGUE



CLEMENT OF ROME TOWARD THE CORINTHIANS

INTRODUCTION or PROLOGUE:

GREEK TEXT: “...Ἡ ἐκκλησία τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ παροικοῦσα Ῥώμην τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῇ παροικούσῃ Κόρινθον, κλητοῖς ἡγιασμένοις ἐν θελήματι Θεοῦ διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Παντοκράτορος Θεοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ πληθυνθείη...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians,” Clemens Romanus (Κλήμεντος πρὸς Κορινθίους) Epistula i ad Corinthios, ed. A. Jaubert, Clément de Rome. Épìtre aux Corinthiens // Sources chrétiennes 167. Paris: Cerf, 1971, 98–204.)

GREEK TEXT: “...ΚΛΗΜΕΝΤΟΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Α, Ἡ ἐκκλησία τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ παροικοῦσα ῾Ρώμην τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῇ παροικούσῃ Κόρινθον, κλητοῖς ἡγιασμένοις ἐν θελήματι Θεοῦ διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ παντοκράτορος Θεοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ πληθυνθείη...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS, I CLEMENT, II CLEMENT Based on the Krissop Lake text of the Loeb Classical Library First published 1913.)

GREEK TEXT: “...EPISTULA I AD CORINTHIOS, Τοῦ ἁγίου Κλήμεντος τοῦ Ῥώμης ἐπισκόπου ἐπιστολὴ πρὸς Κορινθίους Α’. Ἐκ προσώπου τῆς Ῥωμαίων Ἐκκλησίας γραφεῖσα. ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟΝ Α’. Ἡ ἐκκλησία τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ παροικοῦσα Ῥώμην τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῇ παροικούσῃ Κόρινθον, κλητοῖς ἡγιασμένοις ἐν θελήματι Θεοῦ διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ παντοκράτορος Θεοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ πληθυνθείη...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” MPG.)

LATIN TEXT: “...INCIPIT EPISTOLA CLEMENTIS AD CORINTIOS, Aeclesia Dei consistens Romae aeclesiae Dei consistenti Chorinthum, uocatis santis in uoluntate Dei per Dominum nostrum Ihesum Xpistum. Gratia uobis et pax ab Omni-Potente Deo per Xpistum Ihesum abundet...” - (Page 31, Latin translation circa 2nd-3rd Century C.E., preserved in 11th Century C.E., MSS G. Morin Sancti Clementis Romani ad Corinthios Epistulae version latina antiquissima (Anecdota Maredsolana 2 ; Maredsosus, Belgium, 1894.)

LATIN TEXT: “...SANCTI CLEMENTIS EPISCOPI ROMANI, EPISTOLA AD CORINTHIOS PRIMA. SCRIPTA EX ROMANAE ECCLESIAE PERSONA. EX VERSIONE RUFINI. Ecclesia Dei quae incolit Romam, Ecclesiae Dei quae incolit Corinthum, vocatis sanctificatis in voluntate Dei, per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum : gratia vobis et pax ab Omnipotente Deo per Jesum Christum multiplicetur, in vobis peculiariter et continue...” - (Page 54, Introduction, AD CORINTHIOS EPISTOLA PRIMA. SANCTI CLEMENTIS EPISCOPI ROMANI, ( EX VERSIONE RUFINI ) Tomus Primus [Book I], Patres Apostolici, COLLECTIO SELECTA SS. ECCLESIAE PATRUM, Complectens Exquisitissima Opera. By D. M. N. S. Guuillon. M. DCCC. XXIX.)
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( in vobis peculiariter et continue ) is an addition to the traditional text by Rufinus.

A COMPARISON OF TRANSLATIONS OLD & NEW:

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...THE Church of God which is at Rome to the Church which is at Corinth, called, santified by the will of God, ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ ; grace to you and peace ( from ) AL-MIGHTY GOD, ( through ) Jesus Christ, be multiplied...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” by Temple Chevallier, edited by W. R. Whittingham 1834.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...THE EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS, The church of God which sojourneth in Rome to the church of God which sojourneth in Corinth, to them which are called and sanctified by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ be multiplied...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” By George A. Jackson. The Apostolic fathers ; and, The Fathers of the third century. 1882.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...The Church of God which sojourneth at Rome, to the Church of God which sojourneth at Corinth, to them that are called and sanctified in the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ...” - (Prologue, THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS translated by Charles H. Hoole, 1885.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...The Church of God which is at Rome to the Church of God which is at Corinth, elect, sanctified, by the will of God, [Gk., ( διὰ )] ( through ) Jesus Christ our Lord : grace and peace ( from ) the Al-Mighty God, [Gk., ( διὰ )] ( by ){*} Jesus Christ, be multiplied unto you...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS, Ancient & Modern Library of Theological Literature by Dr. Burton 1888.)
[FOOTNOTE *]: A thing or two has to be said about this translator. He is what I would describe as a hyper-tri{3}nitarian. He along with George Bull wrote extensive and detailed works on defending the Nicene Creed, the Tri{3}nity, and on the so-called 'deity' of Christ. So I am not surprised to see Gk., ( διὰ ) translated as “...by...” instead of the more accurate meaning of “...through...”. The real word for “...by...” in Greek is: ( ὐπό ) denoting the direct agent in contrast to Gk., ( διὰ ) the intermediate agent. There is a difference between getting a letter written and sent “...by...” your Father and it coming “...through...” the National Post Service. It is the difference between the source, author, direct-cause and the inter-mediate channel or means through which an act is done or something is sent. Compare also 1st Corinthians 8:6; and Eph. 1:17.

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...The Church of God which sojourneth in Rome to the Church of God which sojourneth in Corinth, to them which are called and sanctified by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ be multiplied...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated by J. B. Lightfoot.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...THE Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ, be multiplied...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” The Anti-Nicene Fathers Volume One; Edited by A. Roberts and J. Donaldson.)
 
CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...THE Church of God sojourning in Rome to the Chrurch of God sojourning in Corinth, to them{*} that are called and sanctified by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ be multiplied...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” An English Translation.)
[FOOTNOTE *]: Compare NT, 1st Corinthians 1:2 “...to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints...”

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...The Church of God which resides as a stranger at Rome to the Church of God which is a stranger at Corinth; to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace ( from ) Al-Mighty God flow to you in rich profusion ( through ) Jesus Christ!...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians,” THE EPISTLES OF. ST. CLEMENT OF ROME AND ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH NEWLY TRANSLATED AND ANNOTATED BY JAMES A. KLEIST, S.J., Ph.D. Professor of Classical Languages St. Louis University St. Louis, Mo. THE NEWMAN BOOKSHOP WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND 1946.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...THE CHURCH OF GOD which dwells as a pilgrim in Rome to the Church of God in pilgrimage at Corinth – to you who have been called and made holy by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. May you be filled with grace and peace ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH, A New Translation Vol. 1, Ludwig Schopp 1962.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...The Church of God sojourning at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, those called and made holy ( through ) the will of God, ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you be multiplied ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ." - (1.1, Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated by Kevin P. Edgecomb.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...The church of God which sojourns in Rome to the church of God which sojourns in Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace ( from ) Al-Mighty God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ be yours in abundance...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated by Michael Holmes 3rd edition 2003.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...FIRST LETTER OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS, The church of God that temporarily resides in Rome, to the church of God that temporarily resides in Corinth, to those who have been called and made holy by the will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be increased among you, ( from ) the All-Powerful God, ( through ) Jesus Christ...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” “The Apostolic Fathers: I Clement, II Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Didache,” By Bart D. Ehrman 2003.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...THE LETTER OF THE CHURCH OF ROME TO THE CHURCH OF CORINTH, COMMONLY CALLED CLEMENT'S FIRST LETTER, The church of God, living in exile{*} in Rome, to the church of God, exiled in Corinth – to you who are called and sanctified by God's will ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. Abundant grace and peace be yours ( from ) God Al-Mighty ( through ) Jesus Christ...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” The Apostolic Fathers, the Moody Classics 2009.)
[FOOTNOTE *]: The Greek word implies a colony of aliens without full civic rights. Christians are strangers and pilgrims on earth. Cf. I Peter 2:11; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:9.

MY TRANSLATIONS OF THE GREEK:

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...CLEMENT TOWARD [THE] CORINTHIANS A, The congregation of God which dwell as a temporary resident at Rome, to the congregation of God which dwell as a temporary resident at Corinth, to those that are called and sanctified in [the] will of God [Gk., ( διὰ )] ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. To you may there be multiplied undeserved kindness and peace [Gk., ( ἀπὸ )] ( from ) All-Mighty God [Gk., ( διὰ )] ( through ) Jesus Christ...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated from the Greek by Matt13weedhacker 18/12/2011.)

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...CLEMENT TOWARD [THE] CORINTHIANS A, The congregation of God which is sojouning as an alien resident at Rome, to the congregation of God which is sojouning as an alien resident at Corinth, to those that are called and sanctified in [the] will of God ( through ) our Lord Jesus Christ. To you be multiplied undeserved kindness and tranquility ( from )All-Mighty God ( through ) Jesus Christ...” - (Prologue, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated from the Greek by Matt13weedhacker 2010 revised 18/12/2011.)

MY TRANSLATIONS OF THE LATIN:

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...HERE BEGINS THE EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TOWARD THE CORINTHIANS: The Ecclesia of God who have taken their stand{^} at Rome, [to] the Ecclesia of God who have taken their stand at Corinth, the holy ones summoned [Ltn., ( in )] in the will of God [Ltn., ( per )] through our Lord Jesus Christ. To you may there be grace and peace in abundance [Ltn., ( ab )] by{*} the All-Powerful God [Ltn., ( per )] through Jesus Christ...” - (Introduction, translated by Matt13weedhacker 18/12/2011 [Revised 21/01/2012] according to the Latin text on Page 31, G. Morin “Of St. Clement to the Corinthians, the most ancient Latin version of the Letter,” (Maredsolana Anecdota 2 ; Maredsosus, Belgium, 1894.)
[FOOTNOTE ^]: Ltn., ( consistens ) “...to stand, to take a stand, etc...”
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( ab ) is the equivellant of Gk., ( ὐπό ) “...by...” denoting the direct agent in contrast to Ltn., ( per ) the intermediate agent which is the Latin equivelant of Gk., ( διὰ ). SEE PERSUS DEFINITION (B. 2a) “To denote an agent from whom an action proceeds.” http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=ab&la=la#lexicon
[FOOTNOTE]: A Latin translation preserved in a 11th Century C.E. MSS known as ( L ) stored at Namur: Grand Seminaire. The manuscript formerly belonged to the Monastery of Florennes. This is thought by some (Quasten and Lake) to be taken from a 2nd or 3rd Century C.E., prototype. The Namur Latin translation reveals its early date in several ways. Its early date is attested to by not being combined with the pseudepigraphic later Second Epistle of Clement, as all the other translations are found, and by showing no knowledge of the church terminology that became current later — for example, translating Greek presbyteroi as seniores rather than transliterating to presbyteri.

CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...OF ST. CLEMENT, OVER-SEER OF ROME, THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. WRITTEN BY A PERSON FROM THE ROMAN CONGREGATION. OUT OF THE VERSION OF RUFINUS. The congregation of God who dwell{^} in Rome, to the congregation of God who inhabit{^} Corinth, [those] called to be sanctified [Ltn., ( in )] in the will of God, [Ltn., ( per )] through our Lord Jesus Christ. To you, in{*} a special way may grace and peace continue to be multiplied [Ltn., ( ab )] by the All-Powerful God, [Ltn., ( per )] through Jesus Christ...” - (Introduction, “The first Epistle to the Corinthians. St. Clement, Bishop of Rome, (FROM THE VERSION OF RUFINUS) the First Edition [Book 1], Translated by Matt13weedhacker 18/12/2011 according to the Latin text on Page 54, “The Apostolic Fathers, Collected Selections, SS. Including the most exquisite works [of] the Fathers of the Church,” DMNS By Guuillon, 1829.)
[FOOTNOTE ^]: Ltn., ( incolit ) “...to dwell, inhabit...”
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( in vobis peculiariter et continue ) an addition to the text by Rufinus.

COMPARE HIS CLOSE CONTEMPORARIES:

GREEK TEXT: “...ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΠΟΛΥΚΑΡΠΟΥ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΣΜΥΡΝΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΙΕΡΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΗΣΙΟΥΣ ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗ, Πολύκαρπος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῳ πρεσβύτεροι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῇ παροικούσῃ Φιλίππους· ἔλεος ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη παρὰ Θεοῦ Παντοκράτορος καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν πληθυνθείη...” - (MPG.)

POLYCARP OF SMYRNA (circa. 69-160 C.E.): “...Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the Church of God sojourning at Philippi: Mercy to you, and peace from God Almighty, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, be multiplied...” - (Introduction - The Epistle of Polycarp to the Phillipians:American Edition translated by A. Cleveland Coxe, D.D.)

MY TRANSLATION:

POLYCARP OF SMYRNA (circa. 69-160 C.E.): “...THE HOLY OVERSEER OF SMYRNA POLYCARP AND SACRED-MARTYR'S EPISTLE TOWARD [THE] PHILLIPIANS, Polycarp and those together with him of the elders of the congregation of God of those dwelling as alien [and] temporary residents at Phillipi. Mercy to you and peace [Gk., ( παρὰ )] [given] from God All-Mighty and of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of us, be multiplied...” - (Prologue, The letter of Polycarp to the Phillipians,” translated by Matt13weedhacker 16/12/2011 [Revised 21/01/2012].)

VINCENT'S WORD STUDIES [1ST JOHN 1:5]: “...We have heard of Him (ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ) A form of expression not found elsewhere in John, who commonly uses παρ' αὐτοῦ. See on John 6:46. The phrase here points to the ultimate and not necessarily the immediate source of the message. Not only John, but others in earlier times had heard this message. Compare 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:11. Ἁπό points to the source παρά to the giver. Thus, John 5:41, " I receive not honor from (παρά) men." They are not the bestowers of honor upon me." John 5:44, "How can ye believe which receive honor from (παρά) one another;" the honor which men have to give, "and seek not the honor that cometh from (παρά) God;" the honor which God alone bestows. On the other hand, 1 John 3:22, "Whatsoever we ask we receive from (ἀπό) Him," the ultimate source of our gifts. So Matthew 17:25 : "Of (ἀπό) whom do the kings of the earth take custom - of (ἀπό) their own children or of (ἀπό) strangers?" What is the legitimate and ultimate source of revenue in states?...”

VINCENT'S WORD STUDIES [JOHN 6:46]: “...Hath seen. As contrasted with hearing and learning (John 6:45). The Father is not seen immediately, but through the Son. Compare John 1:18; John 14:9; 1 John 3:2, Matthew 11:27. Of God (παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ). More correctly, as Rev., from, with an idea of association with: from with God. Παρά is used of procession from a personal object, indicating it generally as the starting-point...”

GREEK TEXT: “...ΜΑΡΤΥΡΙΟΝ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΠΟΛΥΚΑΡΠΟΥ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΣΜΥΡΝΗΣ, Ἡ ἐκκλησία τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ παροικοῦσα Σμύρναν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ παροικούσῃ ἐν Φιλομηλίῳ καὶ πάσιας ταῖς κατὰ πάντα τόπον τῆς ἁγίας καὶ καθολικῆς ἐκκλησίας παροικίαις· ἔλεος, εἰρήνη καὶ ἀγάπη θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησου Χριστοῦ πληθυνθείη...” - (MPG.)

CONTEMPORARIES OF POLYCARP (circa. 160-200 C.E.): “...The church of God which sojourneth at Smyrna to the Church of God which sojourneth in Philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal Church sojourning in every place; mercy and peace and love from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied...” - (Polycarp prologue, The letter of the Smyrnaeans or the Martyrdom of Polycarp Translated by J.B. Lightfoot.)

MY TRANSLATION:

CONTEMPORARIES OF POLYCARP (circa. 160-200 C.E.): “...MARTYRDOM OF THE HOLY OVER-SEER POLYCARP OF SMYRNA, The congregation of God, dwelling as a temporary resident [in] Smyrna, to the congregation of God dwelling as a temporary resident in Philomelium, even to all those belonging to [the] universal congregation [in] every place that dwell as temporary residents [in the region of] Asia. Mercy, peace and love ( of ) God [the] Father and ( of ) our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied...” - (Prologue, The letter of the Smyrnaeans or the Martyrdom of Polycarp,” translated by Matt13weedhacker 16/12/2011 [Revised 21/01/2012].)

LONG GREEK TEXT: “...ΑΙ ΑΥΤΑΙ ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΑΙ ΕΠΙΔΙΩΡΘΩΜΕΝΑΙ ΠΡOΣ EΦEΣIOΥΣ. Ἰγνάτιος, ὁ καὶ Θεοφόρος, τῇ εὐλογημένῃ ἐν μεγέθει θεοῦ πατρὸς πληρώματι, τῇ καὶ προωρισμένῃ πρὸ αἰώνων εἶναι διὰ παντὸς εἰς δόξαν παράμονον, ἄτρεπτον ἡνωμένην καὶ ἐκλελεγμένην ἐν πάθει ἀληθινῷ, ἐν θελήματι θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν,τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τῇ ἀξιομακαρίστῳ, τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Ἐφέσῳ τῆς Ἀσίας, πλεῖσταἐν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ καὶ ἐν ἀμώμῳ χαρᾷ χαίρειν...” - (To The Ephesians: Introduction, MPG.)

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (circa. 30-107-110-117 ? C.E.): “...Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed [Gk., ( ἐν )] ( by ) the Greatness and Fulness of God the Father, and pre-destined [Gk., ( πρὸ αἰώνων )] before the world began, that it should be always for an enduring and un-changeable glory ; being also united and chosen [Gk., ( ἐν )] ( through ) the true passion, [Gk., ( ἐν )] ( by ) the Will of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. All happiness [Gk., ( ἐν )] ( in ) Jesus Christ, and [Gk., ( ἐν )] ( in ) his undefiled joy...” - (LONG RESCENSION - To The Ephesians: Introduction. Page 103, Vol 1 “PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY REVIVED” By William Whiston 1717.)

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (circa. 30-107-110-117 ? C.E.): “...Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed [Gk., ( ἐν )] in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated [Gk., ( πρὸ αἰώνων )] before the beginning[487] of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united[488] and elected [Gk., ( ἐν )] through the true passion [Gk., ( ἐν )] by the will of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour: Abundant happiness [Gk., ( ἐν )] through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled joy.[489]...” - (Long Recension To the Ephesians Introduction. Roberts & Donaaldson ANF.)
[FOOTNOTE 487]: Literally, “before the ages.”
[FOOTNOTE 488]: These words may agree with “glory,” but are better applied to the “Church.”
[FOOTNOTE 489]: Some read, as in the shorter recension, “grace.”

MY TRANSLATION:

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (circa. 30-107-110-117 ? C.E.): “...Thee Ignatius, even Theophorus, to those being blessed in the fullness [and] greateness of God [the] Father, to those predetermined before the ages, that it should through this always result in an abiding glory,{*} unmoved, united in [your] calling and suffering for [the] truth, in [the] will of God [the] Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of us, – to [the] congregation of those [who are] most deservedly happy, to those being in Ephesus of Asia, [may you have the] abundant happiness that belongs to Jesus Christ, and rejoice in [the] joy that belongs to a blameless [way of life]...” - (Introduction, “To the Ephesians,” LONG RECENSION, Greek Version, translated by Matt13weedhacker 15/12/2011)
[FOOTNOTE *]: Gk., ( εἶναι διὰ παντὸς εἰς δόξαν παράμονον )

LONG LATIN TEXT: “...AD EPHESIOS, DE UNITAE, SCRIPTA EX SMYRNA. Ignatius, qui et Theophorus, benedictae, magnitudine Dei Patris, et praedestinatae ante saecula, ut sit semper in singulari gloria, inconvertibilis, et adunata, et electa, in passione vera, in voluntate Dei Patris et Domini nostri Jesu Christi Salvatoris ; ecclesiae beatitudine dignae, quae est Ephesiae Asiae, plurimam in Jesu Christo et immaculato gaudio salutem...” - (To The Ephesians: Introduction, Page 137, “CORPUS IGNATIANUM” By William Cureton 1849.)

MY TRANSLATION:

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (circa. 30-107-110-117 ? C.E.): “...TOWARD [THE] EPHESIANS, [FOR] THEIR UNITY, WRITTEN FROM SMYRNA. Ignatius, who is also Theophorus, of [you who are] blessed, [in] the greatness of God the Father, and predestinated before the ages, with the result that you are always in un-matched{*} glory, un-convertable, and united, and elected, in true suffering, in the will of God the Father and of our Lord [and] Saviour Jesus Christ ; to the congregation which is at Ephesus of Asia, [most] worthy of happiness, [may there] be the greatest, the purest, inward joy along-with{*} salvation in Jesus Christ...” - (“To the Ephesians,” Introduction, LONG RECENSION, Old Latin Version, translated by Matt13weedhacker 18/12/2011.)
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( singulari ) literally: “...singular, unique etc...”
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( et ) literally: “...and...”

DOCTRINAL EXAMINATION:
Note that neither Christ himself or the holy spirit is directly and un-mistakenly called “...God...” in this prologue to Clements letter.

Note that Jesus Christ is twice seperated, not just from: “...GOD...” but someone else who is “...ALL-MIGHTY GOD...”

1.) Gk., ( ἐν θελήματι Θεοῦ διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ) literally: “...in will - ( of God ) - through of the Lord of us Jesus Christ...”

2.) Gk., ( ἀπὸ Παντοκράτορος Θεοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ) literally: “...from of All-Powerful - ( God ) - through of Jesus Christ...”

He is a distinct and seperate entity altogether in addition to THE TOTALITY OF ANOTHER - who in his own right is:

Παντοκράτορος Θεοῦ
“...GOD ALL-MIGHTY...”

In no way can this be construed as an identification with one with the other without pre-concieved and alien ideas being forced into or upon the more ( natrual sense ) of the text.

There is nothing at all in this text that clearly and distinctly shows Jesus is to understood as being one and the same being or substance as “...GOD ALL-MIGHTY...”

Nor as being a part of or a member of a party group triple God.

His discription fits his role as the “...middle-( person ) between God and man...”

HELPS DEFINITION ( 3316 ): "...mesítēs (from 3319 /mésos, "in the middle") – properly, an arbitrator ("mediator"), guaranteeing the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement). 3316 /mesítēs (a "mediator") intervenes to restore peace between two parties, especially as it fulfills a compact or ratifies a covenant..."

ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΝ Α΄ 2:5 Greek NT: Westcott/Hort with Diacritics
εἷς γὰρ Θεός, εἷς καὶ μεσίτης Θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἄνθρωπος Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς,

Latin: Biblia Sacra Vulgata
unus enim Deus unus et mediator Dei et hominum homo Christus Iesus

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible “...And one mediator - The word μεσιτης, mediator, signifies, literally, a middle person, one whose office it is to reconcile two parties at enmity...”

Jesus is the “...inter-mediate agent...” or “...agency...” used ( by ) God.

Thus he mediates God's undeserved kindness to mankind, for it comes Gk., ( διὰ ) “...through...” Jesus Christ and not Gk., ( ὑπὸ ) “...by...” him as the direct and unmitigated agent.

Also it is God's Gk., ( θελήματι ) “...will...” that predominates over and above Jesus Christ in this passage, even as it does in the NT itself.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist, let alone able to understand the Greek language in this text, it is all there in the natrual, simple, or obvious understanding of the English.

No mention of "THREE persons within ONE God-head" or any such language at all is to be found in Clements introduction.

More to come slowly over next few weeks and months.

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