41 Let each of you, brothers, give thanks to God with your own group, maintaining a good conscience, not overstepping the designated rule of his ministry, but acting with reverence. 2 Not just anywhere, brothers, are the continual daily sacrifices offered, or the freewill offerings, or the offerings for sin and trespasses, but only in Jerusalem. And even there the offering is not made in any place, but in front of the sanctuary at the altar, the offering having been first inspected for blemishes by the high priest and the previously mentioned ministers. 3 Those, therefore, who do any thing contrary to the duty imposed by his will receive death as the penalty. 4 You see, brothers, as we have been considered worthy of greater knowledge, so much the more are we exposed to danger.
Proper Order: From Apostles to Bishops and Deacons
42 The apostles received the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus the Christ was sent forth from God. 2 So then Christ is from God, and the apostles are from Christ. Both, therefore, came of the will of God in good order. 3 Having therefore received their orders and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and full of faith in the word of God, they went forth with the firm assurance that the Holy Spirit gives, preaching the good news that the kingdom of God was about to come. 4 So, preaching both in the country and in the towns, they appointed their first fruits, when they had tested them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons for the future believers. 5 And this was no new thing they did, for indeed something had been written about bishops and deacons many years ago; for somewhere thus says the scripture: “I will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith.”
43 And is it any wonder that those who in Christ were entrusted by God with such a work appointed the leaders just mentioned? After all, the blessed Moses, who was a faithful servant in all his house, recorded in the sacred books all the injunctions given to him, and the rest of the prophets followed him, bearing witness with him to the laws that he enacted. 2 For when jealousy arose concerning the priesthood, and the tribes were quarreling about which of them was to be decorated with the glorious title, he commanded the leaders of the twelve tribes to bring him rods inscribed with the name of each tribe. And taking them he tied and sealed them with the signet rings of the leaders of the tribes, and deposited them on the table of God in the tent of the testimony. 3 Then, having shut the tent, he sealed the keys as well as the doors 4 and said to them, “Brothers, the tribe whose rod blossoms is the one God has chosen to be priests and to minister to him.” 5 Now when morning came, he called all Israel together, all six hundred thousand men, showed the seals to the leaders of the tribes, opened the tent of testimony, and brought out the rods. And the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed but also to be bearing fruit. 6 What do you think, dear friends? Did not Moses know beforehand that this would happen? Of course he knew. But in order that disorder might not arise in Israel, he did it anyway, so that the name of the true and only God might be glorified, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
43.1 faithful . . . house Num. 12:7; Heb. 3:5. 43.2–5 Cf. Num. 17. 43.3 doors Some ancient authorities read rods. 43.4 Brothers Gk andres adelphoi. 43.5 God Some ancient authorities read Lord or One.
The Revolt against Order at Corinth
44 Our apostles likewise knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife over the bishop’s office. 2 For this reason, therefore, having received complete foreknowledge, they appointed the leaders mentioned earlier and afterwards they gave the offices a permanent character; that is, if they should die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry. 3 These, therefore, who were appointed by them or, later on, by other reputable men with the consent of the whole church, and who have ministered to the flock of Christ blamelessly, humbly, peaceably, and unselfishly, and for a long time have been well-spoken of by all—these we consider to be unjustly removed from their ministry. 4 For it will be no small sin for us if we depose from the bishop’s office those who have offered the gifts blamelessly and in holiness. 5 Blessed are those presbyters who have gone on ahead, who took their departure at a mature and fruitful age, for they need no longer fear that someone may remove them from their established place. 6 For we see that you have removed certain people, their good conduct notwithstanding, from the ministry that had been held in honor by them blamelessly.
44.2 gave the offices a permanent character Gk text uncertain. The translation here given represents an editor’s emendation of Gk epinomen (the most likely of the various readings in the mss.) to epimonen. It is difficult to make sense of epinomen unless one either assumes the existence of a secondary meaning such as “injunction” (a meaning otherwise unattested) or gives it the same meaning as the cognate word epinomis, a “codicil” or “supplement.” The translation would then run something like added a codicil or made a decree. • that is . . . ministry The translation of this sentence attempts to preserve the ambiguity of the Gk. This and the following sentence may be interpreted at least three different ways: (1) they = the apostles: if the apostles themselves die, other approved men succeed to the apostolic office and the right to appoint local officials, and thus are the other reputable men of the following sentence; (2) they = those first appointed by the apostles: if these initial appointees should die, they are to be succeeded in office by others appointed by the apostles and, later on, by the other reputable men with apostolic status, such as Titus or Timothy; (3) they = the initial appointees, and other reputable men = the officials mentioned earlier. On this view, those appointed initially are responsible as a group for appointing their own successors; that is, upon the death of one of their number, the survivors appoint an “approved man” to fill the vacancy. 44.6 that had been held in honor by them Some editors emend to that they had preserved.
Good and Bad Responses to God’s Order
45 Be competitive and zealous, brothers, but about the things that relate to salvation. 2 You have searched the holy scriptures, which are true, which were given by the Holy Spirit; 3 you know that nothing unrighteous or counterfeit is written in them. You will not find that righteous people have ever been thrust out by holy men. 4 The righteous were persecuted, but it was by the lawless; they were imprisoned, but it was by the unholy. They were stoned by transgressors; they were killed by those who had conceived a detestable and unrighteous jealousy. 5 Despite suffering these things, they endured nobly. 6 For what shall we say, brothers? Was Daniel cast into the lions’ den by those who feared God? 7 Or were Ananias, Azarias, and Mishael shut up in the fiery furnace by those devoted to the magnificent and glorious worship of the Most High? Of course not! Who, then, were the people who did these things? Abominable people, full of all wickedness, who were stirred up to such a pitch of wrath that they tortured cruelly those who served God with a holy and blameless resolve; they did not realize that the Most High is the champion and protector of those who with a pure conscience worship his excellent name. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 8 But those who patiently endured with confidence inherited glory and honor; they were exalted and had their names recorded by God as their memorial for ever and ever. Amen.
45.1 Be competitive Or You are competitive. 45.6 Was Daniel . . . den Cf. Dan. 6:16. 45.7 Or were Ananias . . . furnace Cf. Dan. 3:19–21. 45.8 and had their names . . . memorial Some ancient authorities read and were inscribed by God in his memory.
Senseless Schism in Corinth
46 Therefore we too, brothers, must follow examples such as these. 2 For it is written: “Follow the saints, for those who follow them will be sanctified.” 3 And again it says in another place: “With the innocent one you will be innocent, and with the elect you will be elect, and with the perverse you will deal perversely.” 4 Let us, therefore, join with the innocent and righteous, for these are the elect of God. 5 Why is there strife and angry outbursts and dissension and schisms and conflict among you? 6 Do we not have one God and one Christ and one Spirit of grace that was poured out upon us? And is there not one calling in
Christ? 7 Why do we tear and rip apart the members of Christ, and rebel against our own body, and reach such a level of insanity that we forget that we are members of one another? Remember the words of Jesus our Lord, 8 for he said: “Woe to that person! Rather than cause one of my elect to sin, it would have been good for that one not to have been born. It would have been better for that person to have been tied to a millstone and cast into the sea, rather than pervert one of my elect.” 9 Your schism has perverted many; it has brought many to despair, plunged many into doubt, and caused all of us to sorrow. And yet your rebellion still continues!
46.2 Source unknown. 46.3 Ps. 18:25–26 (LXX 17:26–27). 46.6 Cf. Eph. 4:4. 46.8 Cf. Matt. 26:24; Luke 17:1, 2; and parallels.
47 Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the apostle. 2 What did he first write to you in the beginning of the gospel? 3 Truly he wrote to you in the Spirit about himself and Cephas and Apollos, because even then you had split into factions. 4 Yet that splitting into factions brought less sin upon you, for you were partisans of highly reputed apostles and of a man approved by them. 5 In contrast now think about those who have perverted you and diminished the respect due your renowned love for others. 6 It is disgraceful, dear friends, yes, utterly disgraceful and unworthy of your conduct in Christ, that it should be reported that the well-established and ancient church of the Corinthians, because of one or two persons, is rebelling against its presbyters. 7 And this report has reached not only us but also those who differ from us, with the result that you heap blasphemies upon the name of the Lord because of your stupidity, and create danger for yourselves as well.
47.2 beginning of the gospel Phil. 4:15. 47.3 Cf. 1 Cor. 1:12.
Schism Not the Christian Way
48 Let us therefore root this out quickly, and let us fall down before the Master and pray to him with tears, so that he may be merciful and be reconciled to us, and restore us to the honorable and pure conduct that characterizes our love for others. 2 For this is an open gate of righteousness leading to life, as it is written: “Open to me the gates of righteousness, so that I may enter through them and praise the Lord. 3 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.” 4 Although many gates are open, this righteous gate is the Christian gate; blessed are all those who have entered through it and who direct their path in holiness and righteousness, doing everything without confusion. 5 Let one be faithful, let one be able to expound knowledge, let one be wise in the interpretation of discourses, let one be energetic in deeds, let one be pure; 6 for the greater one seems to be, the more one ought to be humble, and the more one ought to seek the common advantage of all, and not of oneself.
48.2–3 Ps. 118(LXX 117):19–20. 48.5 energetic . . . pure Some ancient authorities read pure in deeds.
Love Unites, Not Divides
49 Let the one who has love in Christ fulfill the commandments of Christ. 2 Who can describe the bond of God’s love? 3 Who is able to explain the majesty of its beauty? 4 The height to which love leads is indescribable. 5 Love unites us with God; love covers a multitude of sins; love endures all things, is patient in all things. There is nothing coarse, nothing arrogant in love. Love knows nothing of schisms, love leads no rebellions, love does everything in harmony. In love all the elect of God were made perfect; without love nothing is pleasing to God. 6 In love the Master received us. Because of the love that he had for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, in accordance with God’s will, gave his blood for us, and his flesh for our flesh, and his life for our lives.
49.1 Cf. John 14:15; 14:21; 15:10; 1 John 5:2–3; 2 John 1:6. 49.5 love covers . . . sins 1 Pet. 4:8; cf. Prov. 10:12. • love endures . . . harmony Cf. 1 Cor. 13:4–7.
50 You see, dear friends, how great and wonderful love is; its perfection is beyond description. 2 Who is worthy to be found in it, except those whom God considers worthy? Let us therefore ask and petition his mercy, so that we may be found blameless in love, standing apart from any human factiousness. 3 All the generations from Adam to this day have passed away, but those who by God’s grace were perfected in love have a place among the godly, who will be revealed when the kingdom of Christ visits us. 4 For it is written: “Enter into the innermost rooms for a very little while, until my anger and wrath shall pass away, and I will remember a good day and will raise you from your graves.” 5 Blessed are we, dear friends, if we continue to keep God’s commandments in the harmony of love, so that our sins may be forgiven us through love. 6 For it is written: “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord will reckon no sin, and in whose mouth there is no deceit.” 7 This declaration of blessedness was pronounced upon those who have been chosen by God through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
50.3 have a place among Or live in the abode of. • Christ Some ancient authorities read God. • visits Or comes to (cf. 1 Pet. 2:12; Luke 19:44). 50.4 Isa. 26:20; Ezek. 37:12. 50.6 Ps. 32(LXX 31):1–2; Rom. 4:7–8, 9.
A Call to Repentance and for the End of Schism
51 So, then, for whatever sins we have committed and whatever we have done through any of the tricks of the adversary, let us ask that we may be forgiven. And those, too, who set themselves up as leaders of rebellion and dissension ought to look to the common ground of hope. 2 For those who walk in fear and love prefer that they themselves, rather than their neighbors, should fall into suffering, and they would rather bring condemnation upon themselves than upon the harmony that has been so nobly and righteously handed down to us. 3 For it is good for a person to confess his transgressions rather than to harden his heart, as the heart of those who rebelled against Moses the servant of God was hardened. Their condemnation was made very clear, 4 for they went down to Hades alive, and death will be their shepherd. 5 Pharaoh and his army and all the rulers of Egypt, the chariots and their riders, were plunged into the Red Sea and perished, for no other reason than that their foolish hearts were hardened after the signs and the wonders had been accomplished in the land of Egypt by Moses, the servant of God.
51.4 went down . . . alive Cf. Num. 16:33. • death . . . shepherd Ps. 49:14 (LXX 48:15). 51.5 the chariots . . . riders Exod. 14:23; Ps. 136(LXX 135):15. • the land of Egypt Some ancient authorities read Egypt.
52 The Master, brothers, has no need of anything at all. He requires nothing of anyone except to make a confession to him. 2 For David, the chosen one, says: “I will confess to the Lord, and it will please him more than a young calf with horns and hoofs. Let the poor see this and rejoice.” 3 And again he says: “Sacrifice to God a sacrifice of praise, and pay your vows to the Most High; call upon me in the day of your affliction, and I will deliver you, and you will glorify me. 4 For the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.”
52.2 Ps. 69:30–32 (LXX 68:31–33). 52.3–4 Ps. 50(LXX 49):14–15; 51:17 (LXX 50:19).
53 For you know, and know well, the sacred scriptures, dear friends, and you have searched into the oracles of God. We write these things, therefore, merely as a reminder. 2 When Moses went up to the mountain and had spent forty days and forty nights in fasting and humiliation, God said to him: “Moses, Moses, go down quickly from here, for your people, whom you led out of the land of Egypt, have broken the law. They have quickly turned away from the path that you established for them: they have cast for themselves some idols.” 3 And the Lord said to him: “I have spoken to you time and again, saying, I have seen this people, and they are stiff-necked indeed! Let me destroy them completely, and I will wipe out their name from under heaven, and I will make you into a great and wonderful nation, far more numerous than this one.” 4 And Moses said: “May it not be so, Lord. Forgive this people their sin, or else wipe me also out of the book of the living.” 5 What mighty love! What unsurpassable perfection! The servant speaks boldly to the Lord: he asks forgiveness for the multitude, or demands that he himself also be wiped out with them.
53.2 Deut. 9:12 (Exod. 32:7–8). • Moses, Moses Some ancient authorities omit th
ese words. 53.3 Deut. 9:13–14 (Exod. 32:9–10). 53.4 Exod. 32:32.
Taking the Blame for the Common Good
54 Now, then, who among you is noble? Who is compassionate? Who is filled with love? 2 Let that one say: “If it is my fault that there are rebellion and strife and schisms, I retire; I will go wherever you wish, and will do whatever is ordered by the people. Only let the flock of Christ be at peace with its duly appointed presbyters.” 3 The one who does this will win great fame in Christ, and every place will welcome that person, for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.” 4 These are the things that those who live as citizens of the commonwealth of God—something not to be regretted—have done and will continue to do.
54.3 Ps. 24(LXX 23):1.
55 Let us, moreover, bring forward some examples of Gentiles as well: in times of pestilence, many kings and rulers, being prompted by some oracle, have given themselves over to death, so that they might rescue their subjects through their own blood. Many have left their own cities, so that there might be no more rebellions. 2 We know that many among us have had themselves imprisoned, so that they might ransom others. Many have sold themselves into slavery, and with the price received for themselves have fed others. 3 Many women, being strengthened by the grace of God, have performed many manly deeds. 4 The blessed Judith, when the city was under siege, asked the elders to permit her to go to the enemy’s camp. 5 So she exposed herself to peril and went out for love of her country and of her besieged people, and the Lord delivered Holophernes into the hand of a woman. 6 To no less danger did Esther, who was perfect in faith, expose herself, in order that she might deliver the twelve tribes of Israel when they were about to be destroyed. For through her fasting and her humiliation she entreated the all-seeing Master, the God of the ages, and he, seeing the humility of her soul, rescued the people for whose sake she had faced the danger.
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