๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐.๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฆ
Here, I present a passage within the 6th chapter of Clementโs letter to the Corinthian Church. Here, Clement is speaking swiftly about how jealousy can corrupt many individuals and how it has even brought division between husbands and wives. In the midst of this exhortation, Clement makes a remarkably simple statement in 6.3 of this quotation below:
By reason of jealousy women being persecuted, after that they had suffered cruel and unholy insults as Danaids and Dircae, safely reached the goal in the race of faith, and received a noble reward, weak though they were in body. Jealousy hath estranged wives from their husbands and changed the saying of our father Adam, This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted great nations. These things, dearly beloved, we write, not only as admonishing you, but also as putting ourselves in remembrance. For we are in the same lists, and the same contest awaiteth us. For this cause let us cleave to those who live in holiness and righteousness: for these are the elect of God.
โ Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians 6.2โ6.5, trans. J. B. Lightfoot
Though Adam is mentioned as โour fatherโ within Clementโs immediate context, Clement does not end the passage merely by appealing to ancestry. He immediately turns toward conduct and obedience, identifying those who do the Fatherโs will with the elect. Christ even made this designation to his own country men when his mother and brothers were seeking him out.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
โ Jesus Christ, Gospel according to Matthew 12:50, c. AD 30
Clement therefore holds two ideas together, โour father Adamโ and the necessity of walking in holiness and righteousness. The familial designation isn't without significance because Clement places the community within the relationship of โour father,โ yet he simultaneously makes clear that being counted among the elect is demonstrated through obedience; those who belong to the Father must do the Fatherโs will. In other words, the familial relationship establishes who can be numbered within the Father's elect, while obedience identifies those who are numbered among His elect.
Ad fontes.
V.2
