( PART 9 ) DID THE EARLIEST POST-BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN WRITERS TEACH CHRISTENDOM'S OFFICIAL DOCTRINE OF THE TRI{3}NITY? = CLEMENT OF ROME – LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS – CHAPTER 2(B)
ΚΛΗΜΕΝΤΟΣ
ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Α
1ST
CLEMENT TOWARD [THE] CORINTHIANS
LATIN
TEXT: “...Sic [2.]
alta pax et inpinguis dabatur omnibus, et insatiabilis amor ad
benefaciendum, et plenitudo{13}
Spiritus sancti largior erat in omnibus [3.]
et eratis pleni sanctae mentis bono proposito, cum pia confidentia
expandentes manus uestras ad Deum Omni-Potentem, rogantes eum ut
propicius esset uobis, si quid ignorantes peccaretis...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3, 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.)
[FOOTNOTE
13]: Ltn., ( plenitudo … largior )] Gr. “pleno...effusio.”
LATIN
TEXT: “...Sic [2.]
pax alta et praeclara omnibus dabatur, insatiabile benefaciendi
desiderium et plena Spiritus sancti super omnes effusio erat [3.]
atque referti sancte voluntatis, bona alacritate cum pia confidentia
extendebatis manus vestras ad Omni-Potentem Deum ; supplicantes illi,
ut propitius esset, si quid inviti peccassetis...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3, 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.)
GREEK
TEXT: “...οὕτως
[2.]
εἰρήνη βαθεῖα καὶ λιπαρὰ ἐδέδοτο
πᾶσιν καὶ ἀκόρεστος πόθος εἰς
ἀγαθοποιΐαν, καὶ πλήρης πνεύματος
ἁγίου ἔκχυσις ἐπὶ πάντας ἐγίνετο·
[3.]
μεστοί τε ὁσίας
βουλῆς, ἐν ἀγαθῆ προθυμίᾳ μετ’
εὐσεβεοῦς πεποιθήσεως ἐξετείνετε
τὰς χεῖρας ὑμῶν πρὸς τὸν Παντοκράτορα
Θεόν, ἱκετεύοντες αὐτὸν ἱλέως
γενέσθαι, εἴ τι ἄκοντες ἡμείρτετε...”
- (Chapter 2:2-3,
“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: “...οὕτως
[2.]
εἰρήνη βαθεῖα καὶ λιπαρὰ ἐδέδοτο
πᾶσι καὶ ἀκόρεστος πόθος εἰς
ἀγαθοποιΐαν, καὶ πλήρης πνεύματος
ἁγίου ἔκχυσις ἐπὶ πάντας ἐγίνετο·
[3.]
μεστοί τε θείὰς
βουλῆς ἐν ἀγαθῆ προθυμίᾳ μετ’
εὐσεβεοῦς πεποιθήσεως ἐξετείνετε
τὰς χεῖρας ὑμῶν πρὸς τὸν Παντοκράτορα
Θεόν, ἱκετεύοντες αὐτὸν ἱλέως
γενέσθαι, εἴ τι ἄκοντες ἡμείρτετε...”
- (Chapter 2:2-3,
CLEMENTIS ROMANI EPISTULAE, Edidit. Commentario Critico et
Adnotationibus Instruxit, by Adolphus Hilgenfeld 1876.)
A
COMPARISON OF TRANSLATIONS OLD AND NEW
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus [2.] a deep and fruitful peace{d} was given to you all, and an
insatiable desire of doing good ; and a plentiful effusion of the
holy ghost was upon all of you. [3.] And, being full of holy counsel, ye
did, with great readiness of mind, and religious confidence, stretch
forth your hands to AL-MIGHTY GOD, beseeching him to be merciful, if
in any thing ye had unwillingly sinned...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3,
, “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.):
“...Thus [2.] a profound and rich peace was given to all, and an
insatiable desire of doing good. An abundant outpouring also of the
Holy Spirit fell upon all; [3.] and, being full of holy counsel, in
excellent zeal and with a pious confidence ye stretched out your
hands to Almighty God, supplicating Him to be propitious, if
unwillingly ye had committed any sin...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3,
“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.):
“...Thus [2.] a deep and rich peace was given
to all, and an insatiable longing for doing good, and a plentiful
outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon all of you. [3.] And ye,
being filled with a holy desire, with excellent zeal and pious
confidence, stretched out your arms to Almighty God, beseeching him
to be merciful unto you, if ye had in anything unwillingly done
amiss...” - (Chapter 2:2-3, THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE
CORINTHIANS translated by Charles H. Hoole, 1885.)
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus [2.] a firm, and blessed, and profitable peace was given unto
you ; and an insatiable desire for doing good, and a plentiful
effusion of the Holy Ghost, was upon all of you. [3.] And, being full of
good designs, ye did, with great readiness of mind, and with a
religious confidence, stretch forth your hands to God Al-Mighty,
beseeching Him to be merciful unto you, if in anything ye had
unwittingly sinned against Him...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3, “1st
Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” THE APOSTOLIC
FATHERS, Ancient & Modern Library of Theological Literature by
Dr.
Burton
1888.)
CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...Thus [2.] a profound and rich peace was given to all, and an insatiable desire of doing good. An abundant outpouring also of the Holy Spirit fell upon all; [3.] and, being full of holy counsel, in excellent zeal and with a pious confidence ye stretched out your hands to Almighty God, supplicating Him to be propitious, if unwillingly ye had committed any sin...” - (Chapter 2:2-3, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated by J. B. Lightfoot.)
CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...Thus [2.] a profound and abundant peace was given to you all, and ye had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. [3.] Full of holy designs, ye did, with true earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, stretch forth your hands ( to ) God Almighty, beseeching Him to be merciful unto you, if ye had been guilty of any involuntary transgression...” - (Chapter 2:2-3, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” The Anti-Nicene Fathers Volume One; Edited by A. Roberts and J. Donaldson.) http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus
[2.]
a profound and rich peace was given to all, you had an insatiable
desire to do good, and the Holy Spirit was poured out in abundance on
you all. [3.] You were full of holy plans, and with pious confidence
you stretched out your hands to Al-Mighty God in a passion of
goodness beseeching him to be merciful towards any unwilling sin...”
-
(Chapter 2:2-3, “1st
Epistle
to the Corinthians, Krissop Lake 1912.)
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus [2.] was there granted to all a deep and rich peace, and a
fervent desire to do good ; and the Holy Spirit was shed forth upon
you all in abundant measure. [3.] So, being full of holy counsel, with a
noble zeal and pious confidence ye stretched forth your hands unto
Al-Mighty God, intreating Him to be propitious, if ye had unwittingly
fallen into sin...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3, “1st
Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” An
English Translation.)
CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...Thus [2.] all were blessed with a profound and radiant peace of soul, and there was an insatiable longing to do good, as well as a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the whole community. [3.] Filled, moreover, with a desire for holiness, you stretched out your hands, with ready goodwill and devout confidence, to Almighty God, imploring Him to show mercy in case you had inadvertently failed in any way. [4.] Day and night you vied with one another in behalf of the entire brotherhood, to further the salvation of the full number of His elect by your compassion and con-scientiousness...” - (Chapter 2:2-4, “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.)
http://saints.sqpn.com/pope-saint-clement-i-the-first-epistle-to-the-corinthians/
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus [2.] to all were granted a deep and radiant peace and an
untiring longing to do good, and there came upon all an ubundant
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. [3.] You were filled with holy counsel
and in pious zeal and reverent confidence you stretched forth your
hands to Al-Mighty God, beseeching Him to be merciful to your
involuntary shortcomings...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3, “1st
Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” THE FATHERS OF THE
CHURCH, A New Translation Vol. 1, Ludwig
Schopp
1962.)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/53598582/The-Fathers-of-the-Church-A-new-translation-Volume-01
http://www.scribd.com/doc/53598582/The-Fathers-of-the-Church-A-new-translation-Volume-01
CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...Thus [2.] a deep and abundant peace was given to you all, and you had an insatiable desire to do good, and a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. [3.] Full of holy counsel, in great goodwill with godliness, you stretched out your hands to the Almighty God, beseeching him to be merciful if you had unknowingly sinned...” - (Chapter 2:2-3, “1st Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,” translated by Kevin P. Edgecomb.)
CLEMENT OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.): “...Thus [2.] a profound and rich peace was given to all, together with an insatiable desire to do good, and an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit fell upon everyone as well. [3.] Being full of holy counsel, with excellent zeal and a devout confidence you stretched out your hands to almighty God, imploring
him
to be merciful if you had inadvertently committed any sin...”
-
(Chapter 2:2-3,
“1st
Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,”
translated by Michael
Holmes
3rd
edition 2003.)
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...For [2.] this reason a deep and rich peace was given to all,
along with an insatiable desire for doing good ; and a full
outpouring of the Holy Spirit came upon everyone. [3.] And being
filled with his holy will, you used to stretch out your hands to the
All-Powerful God, zealous for the good, with pious confidence begging
him to be gracious if you inadvertantly committed any sin...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3,
“1st
Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,”
“The
Apostolic Fathers: I Clement, II Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp,
Didache,” By Bart
D. Ehrman
2003.)
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=7nPPmqAu4RwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+apostolic+fathers&hl=en&ei=cN9ATZHDD4L3gAecmZjfAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false&safe=high
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=7nPPmqAu4RwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+apostolic+fathers&hl=en&ei=cN9ATZHDD4L3gAecmZjfAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false&safe=high
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...In [2.]
consequence, you were all granted a profound and rich peace and an
insatiable longing to do good, while the Holy Spirit was abundantly
poured out on you all. [3.]
You were full of holy councels, and, with zeal for the good and
devout confidence, you stretched out your hands to Al-Mighty God,
beseeching him to have mercy should you involuntarily have fallen
into any sin...” -
(Chapter 2:2-3,
“1st
Epistle to the Corinthians, by Clement of Rome,”
The Apostolic Fathers, the
Moody Classics 2009.)
MY
TRANSLATIONS OF THE LATIN VERSIONS:
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...and
an abundance of the spirit of holiness is at the present being
imparted to me in rich measure, which certainly continues in you
[also]...” -
(Chapter 2:2(C), Translated
by
Matt13weedhacker
26/03/2012
according to the Latin text in “Of St. Clement to the Corinthians, the most ancient
Latin version of the Letter,” By G. Morin, (Maredsolana Anecdota 2 ; Maredsosus,
Belgium, 1894.)
[FOOTNOTE
^]: Ltn., (
largior ) = 1st person singular present passive indicative
[FOOTNOTE
*]:
Ltn., ( erat ) = 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...and
a full out-pouring of the holy spirit over us all certainly
continues...” -
(Chapter 2:2(C), “The
first Epistle to the Corinthians. St. Clement, Bishop of Rome, (FROM
THE VERSION OF RUFINUS) the First Edition [Book 1], Translated
by
Matt13weedhacker
26/03/2012
according to the Latin text in
“The Apostolic Fathers, Collected Selections, SS. Including the
most exquisite works [of] the Fathers of the Church,” DMNS By
Guuillon, 1829.)
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( erat ) = 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative
[FOOTNOTE *]: Ltn., ( erat ) = 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative
MY
TRANSLATIONS OF THE GREEK VERSIONS:
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus,
[2.]
peace, deep and richly abundant, was given to you all, also an
unquenchable yearning [Gk.,
( εἰς )] that results in good deeds, even an abundance
of [the] spirit of holiness that continues to be sluiced{+} out [all] over every one
of you. [3.] [Moreover] You, being full also of holy
counsel,{#} in an eagerness [for His] goodwill [and] with
reverencing [Him] aright,{^} boldly stretch out your hands
toward THEE ALL-POWERFUL GOD, begging Him to be graciously [and
kindly]{*} inclined [to favour],{*} if you have
inadvertently fallen short [some how]...” - (Chapter
2:2-3, Translation of the Greek text by Matt13weedhacker 26/03/12 [Revised 29/03/12].)
[FOOTNOTE
*]: Expanded renderings.
[FOOTNOTE +]: Gk., ( ἔκχυσις ἐπὶ πάντας ) lit., “...an
( ἔκ )
out-pour-ing upon all...” but
I have translated “...sluiced out [all] over every one...” using
the word “...sluic[ing]...” to convey the vivid word picture
Clement uses to describe God giving his active force to humans and
it's Gk., ( πλήρης
) “...abundan[t]...” and Gk.,
( ἐγίνετο ) “...continuing...”
(imperfect, middle
person), effects on humans, or
“...fruit...” as the New Testament calls them at Galatians 5:22,
some of which are shown in the preceding and following context.
[FOOTNOTE
#]: Alexandrian MSS, and
Syriac read Gk., ( ὁσίας ) “...holy/sacred...” Coptic
Gk., ( θείὰς )
“...divine...”
[FOOTNOTE
^]: Gk., ( εὐσεβεοῦς
) = See Trench's Synonyms: “...At
the same time εὐσέβεια, explained in […] and not
therefore every reverencing of the gods, but a reverencing of them
aright
(εὖ), is the standing word to express this piety...” -
(Section: xlviii. θεοσεβής, εὐσεβής, εὐλαβής,
θρῆσκος, δεισιδαίμων.Synonyms of the New
Testament By Richard Chenevix Trench, D.D. London: Kegan Paul,
Trench, Trübner & Co. Ltd. 1915.)
CLEMENT
OF ROME (circa. 30-100 C.E.):
“...Thus,
[2.]
peace, deep and richly
abundant, was given to you all, also an unquenchable yearning [Gk.,
( εἰς )] for
doing good deeds, and [the] spirit of holiness that continues to be
poured out over all of you in abundance.
[3.] [Moreover] You, being full also of holy
counsel,{#} in an eagerness [for His] goodwill [and] with
[wanting to] reverence [Him] aright,{^} boldly stretch out
your hands to ALL-MIGHTY GOD, begging Him to be kindly inclined [in
your favour],{*} if in fact you have inadvertantly fallen
short [some how]...” - (Chapter
2:2-3, Translation of the Greek text by Matt13weedhacker 26/03/12.)
[FOOTNOTE
*]: Expanded renderings.
[FOOTNOTE
#]: Alexandrian MSS and
Syriac read Gk., ( ὁσίας ) “...holy/sacred...” Coptic
Gk., ( θείὰς )
“...divine...”
[FOOTNOTE
^]: Gk., ( εὐσεβεοῦς
) = See Trench's Synonyms: “...At
the same time εὐσέβεια, explained in […] and not
therefore every reverencing of the gods, but a reverencing of them
aright
(εὖ), is the standing word to express this piety...” -
(Section: xlviii. θεοσεβής, εὐσεβής, εὐλαβής,
θρῆσκος, δεισιδαίμων.Synonyms of the New
Testament By Richard Chenevix Trench, D.D. London: Kegan Paul,
Trench, Trübner & Co. Ltd. 1915.)
COMPARE:
ΠΡΟΣ
ΓΑΛΑΤΑΣ 5:22 Greek NT: Westcott/Hort with Diacritics
“...ὁ δὲ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεὐματος ἐστιν ἀγάπη χαρὰ εἰρήνη, μακροθυμία χρηστότης ἀγαθωσύνη, πίστις...”
“...ὁ δὲ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεὐματος ἐστιν ἀγάπη χαρὰ εἰρήνη, μακροθυμία χρηστότης ἀγαθωσύνη, πίστις...”
(GALATIANS
5:22-23 NWT): “...On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, [23.]
mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law...”
(GALATIANS
5:22-23 GNB): “...But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...”
(GALATIANS
5:22-23 PHILLIPS NT): “...The Spirit however, produces in human
life fruits such as these: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, fidelity, [23.] tolerance and self-control - and no law
exists against any of them...”
VARIANT READINGS
MORIN
LATIN “...et plenitudo Spiritus sancti largior erat in omnibus...”
RUFINUS
LATIN: “...et plena Spiritus sancti super omnes effusio erat...”
LAKE
GREEK: “...καὶ πλήρης πνεύματος ἁγίου
ἔκχυσις ἐπὶ πάντας ἐγίνετο...”
HILGENFELD
GREEK:
“...καὶ πλήρης πνεύματος ἁγίου ἔκχυσις
ἐπὶ πάντας ἐγίνετο...”
LAKE:
Gk., ( τὸν
Παντοκράτορα Θεόν )
HILGENFELD:
Gk., ( τὸν
Παντοκράτορα Θεόν )
MORIN:
Ltn., ( Deum Omni-Potentem )
RUFINUS:
Ltn., ( Omni-Potentem Deum )
DOCTRINAL
EXAMINATION
This is the first mention of the Gk.,
( πνεύματος ἁγίου ) or Ltn., ( spiritus
sancti ) "...spirit of holiness..." by Clement.
There is no mention of the holy spirit being “...God...” or “...of the same substance...” etc in chapter 2.
Both “...the Christ...” (vs 1.) and “...spirit of holiness...” here in (vs 2), are mentioned distinctly and seperate to Gk., ( τὸν Παντοκράτορα Θεόν ) “...thee Almighty God...” in verse three.
There are no connecting or defining words to indicate any sort of “...three in one Divinity...”.
There is no mention of the holy spirit being “...God...” or “...of the same substance...” etc in chapter 2.
Both “...the Christ...” (vs 1.) and “...spirit of holiness...” here in (vs 2), are mentioned distinctly and seperate to Gk., ( τὸν Παντοκράτορα Θεόν ) “...thee Almighty God...” in verse three.
There are no connecting or defining words to indicate any sort of “...three in one Divinity...”.
And
that's all there is to it.
A NOTE TO SINCERE AND HONEST TRI{3}NITARIANS:
Let
us not force an interpretation into Clements letter,
but take it on
it's face value and read it in it's natrual sense.
Clement also mentions:
Chapter
2:4: Gk., ( πάσης τῆς ἀδελφότητος ) “...the
entire association of brothers...” or
“...of all the brotherhood...”
Chapter
2:4: Gk., ( τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτοῦ
) literally: “...the number of the elect of his...” or “...the
number of his chosen ones...”
CONCLUDING
REMARKS
A
few quotes to finish off for today:
While
it is true that Edmund Fortman thinks the divinity of Christ and the
Holy Spirit are “...implied...” in Clement of Romes Epistle and
also that there is a “...clear trace of trinitarian belief...”,
he concludes nonetheless:
EDMUND FORTMAN: “...There is, however, no stress on the three. The stress is on Christ, and only rarely are the three mentioned together. There is obviously no doctrine of the Trinity, no explicit affirmation of the divinity of the Son and Holy Spirit but only an echo of the data of Scripture...” - (Page 38, “The Triune God,” by Edmund Fortman.)
EDMUND FORTMAN: “...There is, however, no stress on the three. The stress is on Christ, and only rarely are the three mentioned together. There is obviously no doctrine of the Trinity, no explicit affirmation of the divinity of the Son and Holy Spirit but only an echo of the data of Scripture...” - (Page 38, “The Triune God,” by Edmund Fortman.)
EDMUND FORTMAN: “...The Holy Spirit Clement regarded as
inspiring God's prophets in all ages, as much the Old Testament
writers as himself. But of the problem of the relation of the Three
to each other he seems to have been oblivious...” - (Page 91,
JND Kelly Early Christian Doctrines.)
ALVAN
LAMSON (circa. 1792-1864 C.E.):
“...What traces, then, does it contain of the modern doctrine of
the Trinity? It contains not the faintest trace of the supreme
divinity of the Son or the Spirit...” -
(Page 5, Preliminary Chapter, 'Writings Ascribed To The Apostolical
Fathers So Called' THE CHURCH FIRST THREE CENTURIES: OR, NOTICES OF
THE LIVES AND OPINIONS OF SOME OF THE EARLY FATHERS, WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY; ILLUSTRATING ITS LATE
ORIGIN AND GRADUAL FORMATION. BY ALVAN LAMSON. 1875.)
