THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS [CHAPTER 1]

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS

Chapter I.

Chapter I.

He commends them for their excellent order and piety in Christ, before their schism broke out.

1 THE Church of God which  [note: Sojourneth.] is at Rome, to the Church of God which is at Corinth,  [note: Called. See Hammond on Matt. xx.] elect, sanctified  [note: Gr. in. See Bp. Pearson's note on this place.] by the will of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord: grace and peace from the Almighty God, by Jesus Christ be multiplied unto you. [note: Ed. Colomesii. p. 2.]

2 ¶ Brethren, the  [note: Ibid.] sudden and unexpected dangers and calamities that have fallen upon us, have, we fear, made us the more slow in our consideration of those things which you inquired of us:

3  [note: And.] As also of that wicked and detestable sedition, so  [note: Gr. Strange to.] unbecoming the elect of God, which a few heady and self-willed men have fomented to such a degree of madness, that your venerable and renowned name, so worthy of all men to be beloved, is greatly blasphemed thereby.

4 For who that has  [note: Gr. Lodged as a stranger.] ever been among you has not experimented the firmness of your faith,  [note: Adorned with all manner of virtues.] and its fruitfulness in all good works; and admired the temper and moderation of your religion in Christ; and published abroad the magnificence of your hospitality, and thought you happy in your perfect and certain knowledge of the Gospel?

5 For ye did all things without respect of persons and walked  [note: In.] according to the laws of God; being subject to those who had the rule over you, and giving the honour that was fitting to the  [note: Presbyters.] aged among you.

6 Ye commanded the young men to think those things that were modest and grave.

7 The women ye exhorted to do all things with an unblameable and seemly, and pure conscience; loving their own husbands, as was fitting: and that keeping themselves within the  [note: Canon, rule.] bounds of a due obedience, they should [note: Themselves do their own business. Vid. Not. Junii in loc.] order their houses gravely, with all  [note: Temperance, sobriety.] discretion.

8.  [note: 1 Pet. v. 5.] Ye were all of you humble minded, not  [note: Proud.] boasting of any thing: desiring rather to be subject than to govern; to  [note: Acts, xx. 35.] give than to receive; being  [note: 1 Tim. vi. 8.] content with the portion God hath dispensed to you;

9 And hearkening diligently to his word, ye  [note: Embraced it in your very bowels.] were enlarged in your bowels, having his  [note: παθηματα. See Dr. Grabe's Addit. to Bp. Bull's Def. fid. Nic. p. 60, 61.] suffering always before your eyes.

10 Thus a firm, and  [note: Gr. λιπαρα.] blessed and profitable peace was given unto you; and an unsatiable desire of doing good; and a plentiful effusion of the Holy Ghost was upon all of you.

11 And being full of [note: Holy counsel, or purpose, or will.] good designs, ye did with  [note: Gr. good.] great readiness of mind, and with a religious confidence stretch forth your hands to God Almighty; beseeching him to be merciful unto you, if in any thing ye had unwillingly sinned against him.

12 Ye contended day and night for the whole brotherhood; that  [note: With mercy and conscience.] with compassion and a good conscience, the number of his elect might be saved.

13 Ye were sincere, and without offence towards each other; not mindful of injuries; all sedition and schism was an abomination unto you.

14 Ye bewailed every one his neighbour's sins, esteeming their defects your own.

15 Ye [note: Ye were without repentance in all well-doing. Titus iii. 1.] were kind one to another without grudging; being ready to every good work. And being adorned with a conversation altogether virtuous and religious, ye did all things in the fear of God; whose  [note: Prov. vii. 3.]commandments were written upon the tables of your heart.