THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS (CHAPTER III)

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS (CHAPTER III) 

Chapter III.

Envy and emulation the original of all strife and disorder. Examples of the mischiefs they have occasioned.

1 FOR thus it is written,  [note: Gen. iv. 3 &c.] And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof:

2 And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering. But unto Cain and unto his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very sorrowful, and his countenance fell.

3 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou sorrowful? And why is thy countenance fallen?  [note: This is according to the LXX.] If thou shalt offer aright, but not divide aright, hast thou not sinned? Hold thy peace: unto thee shall be his  [note: Ἀποστροφη, conversion.] desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

4 And Cain said unto Abel his brother, Let us go down into the field. And it came to pass, as they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

5 Ye see, brethren, how envy and emulation wrought  [note: Fratricide.] the death of a brother. For  [note: Envy.] this our father  [note: Gen. xxviii.] Jacob fled from the face of his brother Esau.

6 It was this that caused  [note: Gen. xxxvii.] Joseph to be persecuted even unto death, and to come into bondage. Envy forced  [note: Exodus ii. 15.] Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard his own countrymen ask him,  [note: Exod. ii. 14.] Who made thee a Judge, and a ruler over us? Wilt thou kill me as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?

7 Through envy Aaron and Miriam were  [note: Made to lodge out.] shut out of the camp, from the rest of the congregation seven days.

8  [note: Num. xii. 14, 15.] Emulation  [note: Brought.] sent Dathan and Abiram quick into the  [note: Hades.] grave because they raised up a sedition against Moses the servant of God.

9 For this David  [note: Had, or underwent the hatred, not only, &c.] was not only hated of strangers, but was persecuted even by Saul the king of Israel.

10 But  [note: To cease from.] not to insist upon antient examples, let us come to those  [note: Combatants, wrestlers.] worthies that have been nearest to us; and take the brave examples of our own age.

11 Through zeal and envy,  [note: The faithful and most righteous.] the most faithful and righteous  [note: Good.] pillars of the church have been persecuted even to the most grievous deaths.

12 Let us set before our eyes the holy Apostles; Peter by unjust envy underwent not one or

two, but many  [note: Labours.] sufferings;  [note: And so.] til at last being martyred, he went to the place of glory that was due unto him.

13  [note: By envy.] For the same cause did Paul in like manner receive the reward of his patience. Seven times  [note: Having borne seven times bonds, &c.] he was in bonds; he was whipped, was stoned; he preached both in the East and in the West;  [note: He received the, &c.] leaving behind him the glorious report of his faith:

14 And so having taught the whole world righteousness, and for that end travelled even to the utmost bounds of the West; he at last suffered martyrdom  [note: Vid. Pearson de Success, c. viii. 9.] by the command of the governors,

15 And departed out of the world, and went unto his holy place; being become a most eminent pattern of patience unto all ages.

16 To these  [note: Men who have lived godly, is gathered together.] Holy Apostles were joined a very great number of others, who having through envy undergone in like manner many pains and torments, have  [note: Become an excellent example among us.] left a glorious example to us.

17 For  [note: Envy.] this not only men but women have been persecuted:  [note: The names of Danae and Dirce I omit.—See Junius Annot. in loc.] and having suffered very grievous and  [note: Cursed afflictions or torments.] cruel punishments, have finished the course of their faith with firmness; and though weak in body, yet received a glorious reward.

18  [note: Envy or emulation.] This has alienated the minds even of women from their husbands; and changed what was once said by our father Adam;  [note: Gen. ii. 23.] This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh.

19 In a word, envy and strife, have overturned  [note: Great.] whole cities, and rooted out great nations from off the earth.