Apostolic Constitutions 2.43.1–2.57.14

Anonymous · Apostolic Constitutions · ca. 380 · Antioch (probably) · 69 passages

Pseudonymous: Presented as the teaching of the apostles, handed down by Clement of Rome; the compiler is anonymous (often linked with the interpolator of the long recension of Ignatius).

Greek text: Funk 1905.English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).

Apostolic 2, chapter 43

2.43.1Funk 1:135

Ποιήσεις οὖν αὐτὸν ἀποσυνάγωγον ὡς φονέα ἀδελφοῦ. ἔπειτα χρόνου διαστάντος, ἐὰν λέγῃ μετανοεῖν, στιβώσατε αὐτὸν νηστείαις, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα χειροθετήσαντες αὐτὸν προσδέξασθε, ἀσφαλισάμενοι μέντοι αὐτόν, μή τινα ταράξῃ πάλιν.

Poiēseis oun auton aposynagōgon hōs phonea adelphou. epeita chronou diastantos, ean legę̄ metanoein, stibōsate auton nēsteiais, kai meta tauta cheirothetēsantes auton prosdexasthe, asphalisamenoi mentoi auton, mē tina taraxę̄ palin.

You shall, then, put him out of the congregation as the murderer of his brother. Then, after an interval of time, if he says he repents, afflict him with fasts, and after that lay hands on him and receive him, but take precautions that he does not trouble anyone again.

Notes and citation

Summary: The false accuser is excluded, and may be restored after fasting if he repents, under watch.

Topics: Church office, Fasting

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.43.1 (Funk 1:135; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-43-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of Funk, Didascalia et Constitutiones Apostolorum (1905; OCR made for this site, slips corrected as logged corrections) and compared afterwards with ANF 7.

2.43.2Funk 1:135–137

εἰ δὲ πάλιν εἰσελθών ὁμοίως στασιάζει, οὐ παυόμενος τοῦ ταράσσειν καὶ κατακερτομεῖν τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ἐκ φιλονεικίας μώμους ἐπιτηδεύων, ἐκβάλετε αὐτὸν ὡς λοιμόν, ἵνα μὴ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν λυμαίνηται τοῦ θεοῦ· ὁ τοιοῦτος γὰρ ταραχὰς συνίστησι πόλεσιν" οὗτος γὰρ κἂν ἔσω ᾖ, μὴ πρέπων τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, περισσὸς καὶ μάταιος τυγχάνει, σπιλῶν ὅσον τὸ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

ei de palin eiselthōn homoiōs stasiazei, ou pauomenos tou tarassein kai katakertomein tōn adelphōn, ek philoneikias mōmous epitēdeuōn, ekbalete auton hōs loimon, hina mē tēn ekklēsian lymainētai tou theou; ho toioutos gar tarachas synistēsi polesin" houtos gar kan esō ę̄, mē prepōn tę̄ ekklēsią, perissos kai mataios tynchanei, spilōn hoson to ep᾿ autǭ to sōma tou Christou.

But if, after coming back in, he again stirs up strife in the same way, not ceasing to trouble and mock the brothers, contriving faults out of contentiousness, cast him out as a pestilent man, so that he may not ravage the church of God; for such a one stirs up disturbances in cities. For even if he is inside, he is not fit for the church, but is superfluous and useless, staining the body of Christ as far as lies in him.

Notes and citation

Summary: A repeat troublemaker is to be expelled permanently, since he stains the body of Christ.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): λυμαίQgte τοῦ $:00' → λυμαίνηται τοῦ θεοῦ·; ἔσω ἡ, → ἔσω ᾖ,.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.43.2 (Funk 1:135–137; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-43-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.43.3Funk 1:137

εἰ γάρ τινες τῶν ἀνθρώπων, γεννώμενοι καὶ περισσὰ τῶν σωμάτων μέλη προσηρτημένα ἔχοντες, οἷον δακτύλους ἢ ὑπερσαρκώματα, περικόπτουσιν ἀφ᾿ ἑαυτῶν ταῦτα διὰ τὴν ἀπρέπειαν, καὶ οὐδεμία προσγίνεται ἀπρέπεια, ἀπολαβόντος τοῦ ἀνθρώπου διὰ τοῦ τεχνίτου τὴν φυσικὴν εὐκοσμίαν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὑμεῖς, οἱ ποιμένες, τῆς ἐκκλησίας ὑπαρχούσης σώματος ἀρτίου καὶ μελῶν ὑγιεινῶν τῶν εἰς θεὸν πιστευόντων ἐν φόβῳ κυρίου καὶ ἀγάπῃ, ὅταν εὑρεθῇ ἕν μέλος περισσόν, πονηρὰ φρονοῦν καὶ τῷ λοιπῷ σώματι ἀπρέπειαν ἐμποιοῦν καὶ χειμάζον αὐτὸ στάσει καὶ μάχῃ καὶ καταλαλιᾷ, παρέχον αὐτῷ ψόγους, πράγματα, μώμους, καταλαλιάς, ἐγκλήματα, ἀκαταστασίας, καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα τοῦ διαβόλου ἐνεργήματα ἐκτελῶν ὡς ἂν κεχειροτονημένος ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου σκυβαλίζειν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν διὰ βλασφημιῶν καὶ πολλῆς ἀκαταστασίας καὶ ἔριδος καὶ διχοστασίας;

ei gar tines tōn anthrōpōn, gennōmenoi kai perissa tōn sōmatōn melē prosērtēmena echontes, hoion daktylous ē hypersarkōmata, perikoptousin aph᾿ heautōn tauta dia tēn aprepeian, kai oudemia prosginetai aprepeia, apolabontos tou anthrōpou dia tou technitou tēn physikēn eukosmian, posǭ mallon hymeis, hoi poimenes, tēs ekklēsias hyparchousēs sōmatos artiou kai melōn hygieinōn tōn eis theon pisteuontōn en phobǭ kyriou kai agapę̄, hotan heurethę̄ hen melos perisson, ponēra phronoun kai tǭ loipǭ sōmati aprepeian empoioun kai cheimazon auto stasei kai machę̄ kai katalalią, parechon autǭ psogous, pragmata, mōmous, katalalias, enklēmata, akatastasias, kai ta toiauta tou diabolou energēmata ektelōn hōs an kecheirotonēmenos hypo tou diabolou skybalizein tēn ekklēsian dia blasphēmiōn kai pollēs akatastasias kai eridos kai dichostasias?

For if some people, born with superfluous members attached to their bodies, such as fingers or fleshy growths, cut them off because they are unsightly, and no unsightliness results, the person recovering his natural comeliness through the surgeon, how much more should you shepherds do so? For the church is a sound body with healthy members, those who believe in God in the fear of the Lord and in love; so when a superfluous member is found, thinking evil, making the rest of the body unsightly and tossing it with strife and fighting and slander, bringing on it reproaches, troubles, blemishes, slanders, charges and disorders, and carrying out such works of the devil as if appointed by the devil to befoul the church with blasphemies and much disorder and strife and division —

Notes and citation

Summary: As surgeons remove superfluous limbs, shepherds must remove a member who disrupts the church.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὑπερσαρχώματα → ὑπερσαρκώματα; τῶν ixi θεὸν → τῶν εἰς θεὸν; ἐχτελῶν → ἐκτελῶν; σχυβαλίζειν → σκυβαλίζειν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.43.3 (Funk 1:137; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-43-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.43.4Funk 1:137–139

οὗτος οὖν, δεύτερον ἔξω τῆς ἐκκλησίας βληθείς, ἀξίως ἀπετμήθη τῆς τοῦ κυρίου συναγωγῆς᾽ καὶ μᾶλλον νῦν κεκόσμηται ἡ τοῦ κυρίου ἐκκλησία ἢ τὸ πρῶτον, ὅτε τὸ περιττὸν ἐκέκτητο καὶ ἑαυτῇ ἀνοίκειον μέλος" διὸ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀβλασφήμητός ἐστιν καὶ ἀσκυβάλιστος, πονηρῶν ἀπαλλαγεῖσα, δολίων, λοιδόρων, ἀνημέρων, προδοτῶν, μισοκάλων, φιληδόνων, κενοδόξων, ἀπατηλῶν, δοξοσόφων, ἔργον θεμένων διασπείρειν, μᾶλλον δὲ διασκορπίζειν τὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἀρνία.

houtos oun, deuteron exō tēs ekklēsias blētheis, axiōs apetmēthē tēs tou kyriou synagōgēs᾽ kai mallon nyn kekosmētai hē tou kyriou ekklēsia ē to prōton, hote to peritton ekektēto kai heautę̄ anoikeion melos" dio apo tou nyn ablasphēmētos estin kai askybalistos, ponērōn apallageisa, doliōn, loidorōn, anēmerōn, prodotōn, misokalōn, philēdonōn, kenodoxōn, apatēlōn, doxosophōn, ergon themenōn diaspeirein, mallon de diaskorpizein ta tou kyriou arnia.

such a one, then, cast out of the church a second time, has been justly cut off from the congregation of the Lord; and the church of the Lord is now more beautiful than at first, when it had a superfluous member foreign to itself. Therefore from now on it is free of blasphemy and defilement, rid of the wicked, the deceitful, the abusive, the savage, traitors, haters of good, lovers of pleasure, the vainglorious, deceivers, the wise in their own conceit, who make it their business to scatter, or rather to disperse, the lambs of the Lord.

2 Tim 3:3–4 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The church is more beautiful once the disruptive member is cut off.

Cf. 2 Tim 3:3–4.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): κεκόσμηται ἢ τοῦ κυρίου → κεκόσμηται ἡ τοῦ κυρίου; ἐκέχτητο → ἐκέκτητο.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.43.4 (Funk 1:137–139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-43-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 44

2.44.1Funk 1:139

Σὺ οὖν, ὦ ἐπίσκοπε, σπούδαζε ἅμα τῷ ὑπὸ σὲ κλήρῳ ,,ὀρθοτομεῖν τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας“,, ὅτι λέγει κύριος" ,,Ἐὰν πλάγιοι πορεύησθε, κἀγὼ πρὸς ὑμᾶς πλαγίως πορεύσομαι", καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ. ,, Μετὰ ὁσίου ὁσιωθήσῃ, καὶ μετὰ ἀθώου ἀθῶος ἔσῃ, καὶ μετὰ στρεβλοῦ διαστρέψεις“. ὁσίως οὖν πορεύεσθε, ἵνα μᾶλλον ἐπαίνου καταξιωθῆτε ὑπὸ τοῦ κυρίου ἢ μέμψεως ἐκ τοῦ ἐναντίου.

Sy oun, ō episkope, spoudaze hama tǭ hypo se klērǭ ,,orthotomein ton logon tēs alētheias“,, hoti legei kyrios" ,,Ean plagioi poreuēsthe, kagō pros hymas plagiōs poreusomai", kai allachou. ,, Meta hosiou hosiōthēsę̄, kai meta athōou athōos esę̄, kai meta streblou diastrepseis“. hosiōs oun poreuesthe, hina mallon epainou kataxiōthēte hypo tou kyriou ē mempseōs ek tou enantiou.

You, then, O bishop, together with the clergy under you, be diligent “to handle rightly the word of truth,” for the Lord says: “If you walk crookedly, I too will walk crookedly toward you,” and elsewhere: “With the holy you will be holy, and with the innocent you will be innocent, and with the crooked you will be perverse.” Walk, then, in holiness, so that you may be counted worthy of praise from the Lord rather than of blame from the adversary.

2 Tim 2:15 (quotation, high confidence) · Lev 26:23–24 (quotation, medium confidence) · Ps 18:25–26 (17:26-Ps LXX) (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Bishop and clergy must teach rightly and walk in holiness.

2 Tim 2:15; Lev 26:23–24; Ps 18:25–26 (LXX 17:26–27).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὑπὸ ob κλήρῳ οὐρθοτομεῖν → ὑπὸ σὲ κλήρῳ ,,ὀρθοτομεῖν; ,,( Ἐὰν πλάγιοι → ,,Ἐὰν πλάγιοι; Μετὰ óoíov → Μετὰ ὁσίου; xol μετὰ στρεβλοῦ → καὶ μετὰ στρεβλοῦ.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.44.1 (Funk 1:139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-44-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.44.2Funk 1:139

ὁμόφρονες οὖν ὄντες πρὸς ἀλλήλους, ὦ ἐπίσκοποι, εἰρηνεύετε μετ᾽ ἀλλήλων, συμπαθεῖς, φιλάδελφοι, μετὰ ἀκριβείας ποιμαίνετε τὸν λαόν, ὁμοφρόνως διδάσκοντες τοὺς ὑφ᾽ ὑμᾶς ὁμογνωμονεῖν καὶ ,,τὸ αὐτὸ περὶ τῶν αὐτῶν δοξάζειν, ὅπως μὴ ᾖ ἐν ὑμῖν σχίσματα, ἦτε δὲ ἕν σῶμα καὶ ἕν πνεῦμα, κατηρτισμένοι τῷ αὐτῷ νοὶ καὶ τῇ αὐτῇ γνώμῃ“ κατὰ τὴν κυριακὴν θέσιν.

homophrones oun ontes pros allēlous, ō episkopoi, eirēneuete met᾽ allēlōn, sympatheis, philadelphoi, meta akribeias poimainete ton laon, homophronōs didaskontes tous hyph᾽ hymas homognōmonein kai ,,to auto peri tōn autōn doxazein, hopōs mē ę̄ en hymin schismata, ēte de hen sōma kai hen pneuma, katērtismenoi tǭ autǭ noi kai tę̄ autę̄ gnōmę̄“ kata tēn kyriakēn thesin.

Being of one mind with one another, then, O bishops, be at peace with one another, sympathetic, loving the brothers; shepherd the people with care, teaching those under you with one accord to agree and “to think the same about the same things, so that there may be no divisions among you, but that you may be one body and one spirit, perfected in the same mind and the same judgment,” according to the Lord’s ordinance.

1 Cor 1:10 (quotation, high confidence) · Eph 4:4 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Bishops must be united and teach their people to be of one mind.

1 Cor 1:10; Eph 4:4.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἐπίσχοποι → ἐπίσκοποι; ἀχριβείας → ἀκριβείας; ὑφ ὑμᾶς → ὑφ᾽ ὑμᾶς; ,τὸ αὐτὸ περὶ τῶν αὐτῶν ὀοξάζειν, ὅπως μὴ ἡ ἐν → ,,τὸ αὐτὸ περὶ τῶν αὐτῶν δοξάζειν, ὅπως μὴ ᾖ ἐν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.44.2 (Funk 1:139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-44-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.44.3Funk 1:139

καὶ πάντα μὲν ὁ διάκονος τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ ἀναφερέτω, ὡς ὃ Χριστὸς τῷ πατρίʼ ἀλλ᾽ ὅσα δύναται, εὐθυνέτω δι᾿ ἑαυτοῦ, λαβὼν παρὰ τοῦ ἐπισκόπου τὴν ἐξουσίαν, ὡς ὁ Χριστὸς παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς τὸ ngovot τὰ δὲ ὑπέρογκα ὁ ἐπίσκοπος κρινέτω.

kai panta men ho diakonos tǭ episkopǭ anapheretō, hōs ho Christos tǭ patriʼ all᾽ hosa dynatai, euthynetō di᾿ heautou, labōn para tou episkopou tēn exousian, hōs ho Christos para tou patros to ngovot ta de hyperonka ho episkopos krinetō.

And let the deacon refer everything to the bishop, as Christ does to the Father; but whatever he can, let him set right by himself, having received the authority from the bishop, as Christ received from the Father the power of providence; but let the bishop judge the weightier matters.

Notes and citation

Summary: The deacon settles what he can by the bishop’s authority and refers weightier matters to him.

“The power of providence” renders a word garbled in the digital text (“ngovot”, probably τὸ προνοεῖν); uncertain. The comparison with Christ and the Father is translated as written.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): διάχονος τῷ ἐπισχόπῳ → διάκονος τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ; εὐθθυνέτω → εὐθυνέτω; τὰ δὲ ὑπέρογκα 0 ἐπίσκοπος → τὰ δὲ ὑπέρογκα ὁ ἐπίσκοπος.

Topics: Church office, Christology

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.44.3 (Funk 1:139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-44-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.44.4Funk 1:139

πλὴν ἔστω ὃ διάκονος τοῦ ἐπισκόπου ἀκοὴ καὶ ὀφθαλμὸς καὶ στόμα, καρδία τε καὶ ψυχή, ἵνα μὴ ᾖ τὰ πολλὰ μεριμνῶν ὁ ἐπίσκοπος, ἀλλὰ μόνα τὰ κυριώτερα, ὥσπερ καὶ ὃ Ἰοθὼρ τῷ Μωϋσῇ διετάξατο, καὶ ἀπεδέχθη αὐτοῦ ἡ συμβουλία.

plēn estō ho diakonos tou episkopou akoē kai ophthalmos kai stoma, kardia te kai psychē, hina mē ę̄ ta polla merimnōn ho episkopos, alla mona ta kyriōtera, hōsper kai ho Iothōr tǭ Mōÿsę̄ dietaxato, kai apedechthē autou hē symboulia.

Yet let the deacon be the bishop’s ear and eye and mouth, heart and soul, so that the bishop may not be anxious about many things, but only about the more important, as Jethro too advised Moses, and his counsel was accepted.

Exod 18:17–24 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The deacon relieves the bishop of lesser cares, as Jethro advised Moses.

Exod 18:17–24.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἵνα μὴ ἢ τὰ πολλὰ → ἵνα μὴ ᾖ τὰ πολλὰ; ἐπίσχοπος, ἀλλὰ → ἐπίσκοπος, ἀλλὰ; Ἰοδὼρ τῷ Μωῦύσῇ → Ἰοθὼρ τῷ Μωϋσῇ; συμβουλία. ᾿ → συμβουλία..

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.44.4 (Funk 1:139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-44-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 45

2.45.1Funk 1:139–141

Καλὸν μὲν οὖν ἐστι τῷ Χριστιανῷ ἐγκώμιον πρὸς μηδένα ἔχειν πράγματα· εἰ δὲ ἔκ τινος ἐνεργείας ἢ πειρασμοῦ ἐπισυμβῇ τινι πρᾶγμα, σπουδαζέτω διαλύεσθαι αὐτό, κἂν δέῃ βλαβῆναί τι, καὶ μὴ ἐρχέσθω ἐπὶ κριτήριον ἐθνικόν.

Kalon men oun esti tǭ Christianǭ enkōmion pros mēdena echein pragmata; ei de ek tinos energeias ē peirasmou episymbę̄ tini pragma, spoudazetō dialyesthai auto, kan deę̄ blabēnai ti, kai mē erchesthō epi kritērion ethnikon.

It is a fine commendation for a Christian to have no lawsuit with anyone; but if through some agency or temptation a dispute arises for someone, let him strive to settle it, even if he must suffer some loss, and let him not go before a heathen tribunal.

1 Cor 6:1 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Cor 6:7 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christians should avoid lawsuits and never go before pagan courts.

1 Cor 6:1, 7.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): moáyuava: → πράγματα·.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.45.1 (Funk 1:139–141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-45-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.45.2Funk 1:141

ἀλλὰ μὴν μηδὲ ἀνέχεσθε κοσμικοὺς ἄρχοντας κατὰ τῶν ἡμετέρων δικάζειν" διὰ γὰρ αὐτῶν ὃ διάβολος ἐπιτηδεύει τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ ὄνειδος ἐπεγείρει ὡς μὴ ἐχόντων ἡμῶν ἕνα σοφὸν τὸν δυνάμενον μεταξὺ βραβεῦσαι τὸ δίκαιον ἢ τὰς ἀντιλογίας διαλῦσαι.

alla mēn mēde anechesthe kosmikous archontas kata tōn hēmeterōn dikazein" dia gar autōn ho diabolos epitēdeuei tois doulois tou theou, kai oneidos epegeirei hōs mē echontōn hēmōn hena sophon ton dynamenon metaxy brabeusai to dikaion ē tas antilogias dialysai.

Moreover, do not allow worldly rulers to judge our people; for through them the devil plots against the servants of God and raises reproach, as though we had not one wise man able to decide what is just between us or to settle our disputes.

1 Cor 6:5 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Disputes among Christians must not be judged by secular rulers.

1 Cor 6:5.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.45.2 (Funk 1:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-45-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 46

2.46.1Funk 1:141

Μὴ οὖν γινωσκέτωσαν τὰ ἔθνη τὰς πρὸς ἀλλήλους ὑμῶν διαφοράς, μήτε καθʼ ἑαυτῶν μαρτυρίαν παραδέχεσθε τοὺς ἀπίστους, μήτε κρίνεσθε ἐξ αὐτῶν, μήτε ὀφείλετέ τι τούτοις πρὸς συντέλειαν ἢ φόρον, ἀλλὰ ,,ἀπόδοτε τὰ καίσαρος καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ“, οἷον φόρον ἢ κῆνσον ἢ δίδραχμον, ὡς καὶ ὃ κύριος ἡμῶν δοὺς τὸν στατῆρα ἀπηλλάγη πραγμάτων.

Mē oun ginōsketōsan ta ethnē tas pros allēlous hymōn diaphoras, mēte kathʼ heautōn martyrian paradechesthe tous apistous, mēte krinesthe ex autōn, mēte opheilete ti toutois pros synteleian ē phoron, alla ,,apodote ta kaisaros kaisari kai ta tou theou tǭ theǭ“, hoion phoron ē kēnson ē didrachmon, hōs kai ho kyrios hēmōn dous ton statēra apēllagē pragmatōn.

Let not the Gentiles, then, know of your disputes with one another; do not accept unbelievers as witnesses against yourselves, nor be judged by them; and owe them nothing in contributions or tax, but “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s,” such as tax or poll tax or the didrachm, as our Lord too paid the stater and was rid of trouble.

Matt 22:21 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 17:24–27 (allusion, high confidence) · Rom 13:7–8 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christians must keep their disputes from pagans, while paying their taxes as Christ did.

Matt 22:21; Matt 17:24–27; cf. Rom 13:7–8.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): κρίνεσθε ix αὐτῶν → κρίνεσθε ἐξ αὐτῶν; ἀλλὰ (ἀπόδοτε → ἀλλὰ ,,ἀπόδοτε.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.46.1 (Funk 1:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-46-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.46.2Funk 1:141

αἱροῦ οὖν μᾶλλον βλάπτεσθαι καὶ τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην σπουδάζειν, οὐ μόνον πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἀπίστους" βλαβεὶς γὰρ τῶν βιωτικῶν τι τὰ πρὸς θεὸν οὐ ζημιωθήσῃ, ἅτε θεοσεβὴς ὑπάρχων καὶ κατ᾽ ἐντολὴν Χριστοῦ ζῶν.

hairou oun mallon blaptesthai kai ta pros eirēnēn spoudazein, ou monon pros tous adelphous, alla kai pros tous apistous" blabeis gar tōn biōtikōn ti ta pros theon ou zēmiōthēsę̄, hate theosebēs hyparchōn kai kat᾽ entolēn Christou zōn.

Choose, then, rather to suffer loss, and pursue the things that make for peace, not only with the brothers but also with unbelievers; for if you suffer loss in some matter of this life, you will lose nothing in what concerns God, since you are God-fearing and live according to the command of Christ.

1 Cor 6:7 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Better to suffer loss than to quarrel, with believers or unbelievers.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): σπουόάξειν → σπουδάζειν.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.46.2 (Funk 1:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-46-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.46.3Funk 1:141

εἰ δὲ ἀδελφοὶ εἰς ἀλλήλους ἔχουσιν, ὃ μὴ γένοιτο, αὐτόθεν νοεῖν ὀφείλετε οἱ προηγούμενοι, ὅτι οἱ τοιοῦτοι οὐκ ἀδελφῶν ἐν κυρίῳ ἔργον ἐπιτελοῦσιν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἐχθρῶν πολεμίων. 4. καὶ εἷς μὲν αὐτῶν εὑρεθήσεται ἤπιος, ἐπιεικής, φωτὸς τέκνον“,, ἕτερος δὲ ἀνήμερος, αὐθάδης, πλεονέκτης" ὃ οὖν καταγινωσκόμενος ἐπιτιμάσθω, ἀφοριζέσθω, δίκην τῆς μισαδελφίας τιννύτω, εἶτα μεταμελόμενος προσλαμβανέσθω" καὶ οὕτω σωφρονιζόμενοι, ἐπικουφίσουσιν ὑμῖν τὰ κριτήρια.

ei de adelphoi eis allēlous echousin, ho mē genoito, autothen noein opheilete hoi proēgoumenoi, hoti hoi toioutoi ouk adelphōn en kyriǭ ergon epitelousin, alla mallon echthrōn polemiōn. 4. kai heis men autōn heurethēsetai ēpios, epieikēs, phōtos teknon“,, heteros de anēmeros, authadēs, pleonektēs" ho oun kataginōskomenos epitimasthō, aphorizesthō, dikēn tēs misadelphias tinnytō, eita metamelomenos proslambanesthō" kai houtō sōphronizomenoi, epikouphisousin hymin ta kritēria.

But if brothers have a dispute with one another — may it not happen — you who preside must understand at once that such people are not doing the work of brothers in the Lord, but rather of hostile enemies. [4] And one of them will be found gentle, reasonable, a “child of light,” and the other savage, self-willed and grasping. Let the one who is found guilty be rebuked and excluded, and pay the penalty for his hatred of his brother; then, when he repents, let him be received. And being disciplined in this way, they will lighten the burden of your tribunals.

Eph 5:8 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: In disputes between brothers the guilty party is rebuked and excluded until he repents.

Funk’s section 4 sits inside this staged ref (numeral misread); marked [4]. “Child of light”: Eph 5:8; 1 Thess 5:5.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; section numeral misread): oi προηγούμενοι → οἱ προηγούμενοι; πολεμίων. u καὶ → πολεμίων. 4. καὶ; τέχνον“, → τέκνον“,; πλεονέχτης → πλεονέκτης; καταγινωσχόμενος → καταγινωσκόμενος.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.46.3 (Funk 1:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-46-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.46.5Funk 1:141–143

χρὴ δὲ καὶ συγχωρεῖν τὰ εἰς ἀλλήλους ἀδικήματα, οὐ τοὺς κρίνοντας, ἀλλὰ τοὺς ἔχοντας εἰς ἑαυτούς, καθὼς ὃ κύριος ἀπεφήνατο ἐμοῦ Πέτρου ἐρωτήσαντος αὐτόν· ,,Ποσάκις ἁμαρτήσει εἰς ἐμὲ ὃ ἀδελφός μου, καὶ ἀφήσω αὐτῷ; ἕως ἑπτάκις“; καὶ εἰπόντος᾽,,Οὐ λέγω σοι ἕως ἑπτάκις, ἀλλ᾿ ἕως ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά“.

chrē de kai synchōrein ta eis allēlous adikēmata, ou tous krinontas, alla tous echontas eis heautous, kathōs ho kyrios apephēnato emou Petrou erōtēsantos auton; ,,Posakis hamartēsei eis eme ho adelphos mou, kai aphēsō autǭ? heōs heptakis“? kai eipontos᾽,,Ou legō soi heōs heptakis, all᾿ heōs hebdomēkontakis hepta“.

And one must also forgive the wrongs done to one another — not those who judge, but those who have grievances against each other — as the Lord declared when I, Peter, asked him: “How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” and he said: “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Matt 18:21–22 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The parties must forgive each other without limit, as Christ told Peter.

The work speaks in the voice of Peter here. Matt 18:21–22. A fragment of Funk’s apparatus inside the quotation is removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; apparatus removed): ἐρωτήσαντος αὐτόνʼ,. Ποσάκις → ἐρωτήσαντος αὐτόν· ,,Ποσάκις; ἑβδομηκοντάκις 26 Mt. 18, 21. 22. t^. ἑπτά“ → ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά“.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.46.5 (Funk 1:141–143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-46-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.46.6Funk 1:143

οὕτως γὰρ θέλει ὁ κύριος ἀληθῶς εἶναι αὐτοῦ μαθητὰς καὶ μηδὲν ἔχειν κατὰ μηδενὸς πώποτε, οἷον ὀργὴν ἄμετρον ἢ θυμὸν ἀνήμερον ἢ ἐπιθυμίαν ἄδικον ἢ μῖσος doxovóor.

houtōs gar thelei ho kyrios alēthōs einai autou mathētas kai mēden echein kata mēdenos pōpote, hoion orgēn ametron ē thymon anēmeron ē epithymian adikon ē misos doxovoor.

For so the Lord wishes his disciples truly to be, and never to have anything against anyone, such as immoderate anger, or savage rage, or unjust desire, or senseless hatred.

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ’s disciples must harbour no anger or hatred against anyone.

“Senseless” renders a word garbled in the digital text, by sense.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.46.6 (Funk 1:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-46-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.46.7Funk 1:143

τοὺς οὖν ὀργιζομένους συμβιβάζετε εἰς φιλίαν, τοὺς ἐχθραίνοντας εἰς ὁμόνοιαν, ὅτι λέγει κύριος" ,, Μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί, ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ θεοῦ κληθήσονται“.

tous oun orgizomenous symbibazete eis philian, tous echthrainontas eis homonoian, hoti legei kyrios" ,, Makarioi hoi eirēnopoioi, hoti autoi huioi theou klēthēsontai“.

Bring the angry, then, together into friendship, and those at enmity into concord; for the Lord says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Matt 5:9 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The clergy must reconcile those who quarrel.

Matt 5:9.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): συμβιβάξετε → συμβιβάζετε; κληθησονται → κληθήσονται.

Topics: Ethics, Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.46.7 (Funk 1:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-46-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 47

2.47.1Funk 1:143

Τὰ δικαστήρια ὑμῶν γινέσθω δευτέρᾳ σαββάτων, ὅπως, ἐὰν ἀντιλογία τῇ ἀποφάσει ὑμῶν γένηται, ἕως σαββάτου ἔχοντες ἄδειαν δυνηθείητε εὐθῦναι τὴν ἀντιλογίαν καὶ εἰρηνεῦσαι εἰς τὴν κυριακὴν τοὺς διαφερομένους πρὸς ἀλλήλους. συμπαρέστωσαν δὲ τῷ δικαστηρίῳ καὶ οἱ διάκονοι καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι, ἀπροσωπολήπτως κρίνοντες ὡς ,,θεοῦ ἄνθρωποι“ μετὰ δικαιοσύνης.

Ta dikastēria hymōn ginesthō deuterą sabbatōn, hopōs, ean antilogia tę̄ apophasei hymōn genētai, heōs sabbatou echontes adeian dynētheiēte euthynai tēn antilogian kai eirēneusai eis tēn kyriakēn tous diapheromenous pros allēlous. symparestōsan de tǭ dikastēriǭ kai hoi diakonoi kai hoi presbyteroi, aprosōpolēptōs krinontes hōs ,,theou anthrōpoi“ meta dikaiosynēs.

Let your court sessions be held on the second day of the week, so that if there is any objection to your sentence, you may have time until the sabbath to set the objection right and to reconcile those at variance with one another by the Lord’s day. And let the deacons and the presbyters also be present at the court, judging impartially, as “men of God,” with righteousness.

Notes and citation

Summary: Church courts meet on Mondays so that disputes can be settled before Sunday.

The “second day of the week” is Monday; the “Lord’s day” is Sunday.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὀεύτίρα σαββάτω» → δευτέρᾳ σαββάτων; ,θεοῦ ἀἄνθρωποι“ → ,,θεοῦ ἄνθρωποι“.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.47.1 (Funk 1:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-47-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.47.2Funk 1:143

παραγενομένων οὖν ἑκατέρων τῶν προσώπων, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Νόμος λέγει· ,,Στήσονται ἑκάτεροι ἐν μέσῳ τῷ κριτηρίῳ, οἷς ἔστιν ἡ ἀντιλογία“· καὶ ἀκούσαντες αὐτῶν, ὁσίως ἀνενέγκατε τὰς ψήφους, σπουδάζοντες φίλους αὐτοὺς ἀμφοτέρους ποιῆσαι πρὶν ἀποφάσεως τῆς τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, ὅπως μὴ ἐξέλθοι ἐπὶ γῆς κρίσις κατὰ τοῦ ἁμαρτήσαντος, καθότι καὶ ἐν τῷ δικαστηρίῳ σύμψηφον ἔχει καὶ συνίστορα τῆς δίκης τὸν Χριστὸν τοῦ θεοῦ.

paragenomenōn oun hekaterōn tōn prosōpōn, kathōs kai ho Nomos legei; ,,Stēsontai hekateroi en mesǭ tǭ kritēriǭ, hois estin hē antilogia“; kai akousantes autōn, hosiōs anenenkate tas psēphous, spoudazontes philous autous amphoterous poiēsai prin apophaseōs tēs tou episkopou, hopōs mē exelthoi epi gēs krisis kata tou hamartēsantos, kathoti kai en tǭ dikastēriǭ sympsēphon echei kai synistora tēs dikēs ton Christon tou theou.

When, then, both parties are present, as the Law too says, “Both, between whom the dispute is, shall stand in the midst of the court,” having heard them, cast your votes in holiness, striving to make them both friends before the bishop’s sentence, so that judgment may not go forth on earth against the one who has sinned, since in the court too the bishop has Christ of God as fellow-voter and witness of the case.

Deut 19:17 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Both parties are heard and the court tries to reconcile them before the bishop gives sentence.

Deut 19:17.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ó Νόμος λέγει", Στήσονται → ὁ Νόμος λέγει· ,,Στήσονται; κριτηρίο», οἷς ἔστιν ἡ ἀντιλογία““" → κριτηρίῳ, οἷς ἔστιν ἡ ἀντιλογία“·; κρίσις. κατὰ → κρίσις κατὰ; χαθότι → καθότι.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.47.2 (Funk 1:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-47-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.47.3Funk 1:143

εἰ δέ τινες ἐν βλασφημίαις τοῦ μὴ καλῶς ὁδεύειν ἐν κυρίῳ ἐλέγχοιντο ὑπό τινος, ὁμοίως ἀκούσαντες ἑκατέρων τῶν προσώπων, τοῦ τε κατηγοροῦντος καὶ τοῦ κατηγορουμένου, ἀλλὰ μὴ προλήψει μηδὲ μονομερῶς, ἀλλὰ μετὰ δικαιοσύνης, ὡς ὑπὲρ ζωῆς αἰωνίου ἢ θανάτου διδόντες ἀπόφασιν· ,,Δικαίως“ γάρ, φησὶν ὁ θεός, ,,διώξει τὸ δίκαιον“· ὃ γὰρ δικαίως τιμωρηθεὶς καὶ ἀφορισθεὶς παρ᾽ ὑμῶν αἰωνίου ζωῆς καὶ δόξης ἀπόβλητος γέγονεν καὶ παρὰ ἀνθρώποις ὁσίοις ἄτιμος καὶ παρὰ θεῷ κατάδικος.

ei de tines en blasphēmiais tou mē kalōs hodeuein en kyriǭ elenchointo hypo tinos, homoiōs akousantes hekaterōn tōn prosōpōn, tou te katēgorountos kai tou katēgoroumenou, alla mē prolēpsei mēde monomerōs, alla meta dikaiosynēs, hōs hyper zōēs aiōniou ē thanatou didontes apophasin; ,,Dikaiōs“ gar, phēsin ho theos, ,,diōxei to dikaion“; ho gar dikaiōs timōrētheis kai aphoristheis par᾽ hymōn aiōniou zōēs kai doxēs apoblētos gegonen kai para anthrōpois hosiois atimos kai para theǭ katadikos.

And if any are charged by someone with the reproach of not walking rightly in the Lord, likewise hear both parties, the accuser and the accused, not with prejudice nor one-sidedly, but with righteousness, giving sentence as in a matter of eternal life or death; for “you shall pursue justly,” says God, “what is just.” For the one who is justly punished and excluded by you has been cast out of eternal life and glory, and is dishonoured among holy men and condemned before God.

Deut 16:20 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Charges of misconduct must be judged fairly, since exclusion has eternal consequences.

Deut 16:20.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἀπόφασιν", Δικαίως“ γάρ, φησὶν ὃ θεός,,, διὥξει τὸ Óixatov'** → ἀπόφασιν· ,,Δικαίως“ γάρ, φησὶν ὁ θεός, ,,διώξει τὸ δίκαιον“·; dvθρώποις → ἀνθρώποις.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.47.3 (Funk 1:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-47-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 48

2.48.1Funk 1:143–145

Μὴ πάσης δὲ ἁμαρτίας τὴν αὐτὴν ποιεῖσθε ἀπόφασιν, ἀλλ᾿ ἑκάστης ἰδίαν, μετὰ πολλῆς φρονήσεως κρίνοντες ἕκαστα τῶν πλημμελουμένων, τά τε σμικρὰ καὶ τὰ μεγάλα, καὶ ἄλλως ἔργου, καὶ λόγου πάλιν ἑτέρως, καὶ προθέσεως ἢ λοιδορίας ἢ ὑπολήψεως διαφόρως" καὶ τοὺς μὲν ὑποβαλεῖς μόναις ἀπειλαῖς, τοὺς δὲ πενήτων χορηγίαις, ἄλλους δὲ νηστείαις στιβώσεις, καὶ ἑτέρους ἀφορίσεις ἕκαστον πρὸς τὸ μέγεθος τοῦ ἐγκλήματος αὐτοῦ.

Mē pasēs de hamartias tēn autēn poieisthe apophasin, all᾿ hekastēs idian, meta pollēs phronēseōs krinontes hekasta tōn plēmmeloumenōn, ta te smikra kai ta megala, kai allōs ergou, kai logou palin heterōs, kai protheseōs ē loidorias ē hypolēpseōs diaphorōs" kai tous men hypobaleis monais apeilais, tous de penētōn chorēgiais, allous de nēsteiais stibōseis, kai heterous aphoriseis hekaston pros to megethos tou enklēmatos autou.

Do not pass the same sentence for every sin, but a proper one for each, judging each of the offences with much prudence, both the small and the great — a deed one way, a word another, and intention or abuse or suspicion differently. Some you will subject to threats only, others to giving to the poor, others you will afflict with fasts, and others you will exclude, each according to the size of his offence.

Notes and citation

Summary: Penalties must fit the offence: threats, almsgiving, fasting or exclusion.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἕχαστα → ἕκαστα; td τε σμικρὰ → τά τε σμικρὰ; ἕχαστον → ἕκαστον.

Topics: Church office, Fasting

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.48.1 (Funk 1:143–145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-48-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.48.2Funk 1:145

καὶ γὰρ καὶ ὁ νόμος οὐ παντὸς ἁμαρτήματος τὴν αὐτὴν ἐποιεῖτο τιμωρίαν, ἀλλὰ ἄλλως μὲν τὰ εἰς θεὸν καὶ εἰς ἱερέα καὶ εἰς ἱερὸν καὶ εἰς ἱερεῖον, ἑτέρως δὲ τὰ εἰς βασιλέα καὶ ἄρχοντα καὶ στρατιώτην καὶ ὑπήκοον, ὁμότιμον ἢ οἰκέτην, ἢ εἰς κτῆμα ἢ εἰς ἄλογον, καὶ πάλιν παρηλλαγμένως τὰ εἰς γονεῖς καὶ συγγενεῖς, ἄλλως τὰ ἐξ ἐφόδου, καὶ τὰ ἀκουσίως ἑτέρως᾽ καὶ τοῖς μὲν θάνατον ἢ διὰ σταυροῦ ἢ τὸν διὰ λίθων, τοῖς δὲ ζημίαν ἢ μάστιγας ἢ τὸ τὰ ὅμοια παθεῖν οἷς ἔδρασαν.

kai gar kai ho nomos ou pantos hamartēmatos tēn autēn epoieito timōrian, alla allōs men ta eis theon kai eis hierea kai eis hieron kai eis hiereion, heterōs de ta eis basilea kai archonta kai stratiōtēn kai hypēkoon, homotimon ē oiketēn, ē eis ktēma ē eis alogon, kai palin parēllagmenōs ta eis goneis kai syngeneis, allōs ta ex ephodou, kai ta akousiōs heterōs᾽ kai tois men thanaton ē dia staurou ē ton dia lithōn, tois de zēmian ē mastigas ē to ta homoia pathein hois edrasan.

For the Law too did not impose the same punishment for every sin. It treated offences against God, a priest, the temple or a sacrifice one way; those against a king, a ruler, a soldier or a subject, an equal or a servant, or against property or an animal, another way; and again differently those against parents and relatives; deliberate acts one way and involuntary acts another. To some it assigned death, either by the cross or by stoning; to others a fine or scourging or suffering the like of what they had done.

Deut 21:22 (allusion, low confidence) · Exod 21:23–25 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The Law itself graded punishments by the kind of offence.

“By the cross” probably refers to hanging on a tree (Deut 21:22–23).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἐποιεἴτο → ἐποιεῖτο.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.48.2 (Funk 1:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-48-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.48.3Funk 1:145

οὐκοῦν καὶ ὑμεῖς τῶν διαφόρων ἁμαρτημάτων διαφόρους ποιεῖσθε καὶ τὰς τιμωρίας, ἵνα μή τις ἀδικία παρεμπεσοῦσα κινήσῃ τὸν θεὸν πρὸς ἀγανάκτησιν" ἧς γὰρ ἂν ἀδίκου κρίσεως μεσῖται γένησθε, ταύτης καὶ τὸν ἀπὸ θεοῦ λήψεσθε μισθόν· ,,ᾯ“ γὰρ ,,κρίματι κρίνετε, κριθήσεσθε“.

oukoun kai hymeis tōn diaphorōn hamartēmatōn diaphorous poieisthe kai tas timōrias, hina mē tis adikia parempesousa kinēsę̄ ton theon pros aganaktēsin" hēs gar an adikou kriseōs mesitai genēsthe, tautēs kai ton apo theou lēpsesthe misthon; ,,Hǭ“ gar ,,krimati krinete, krithēsesthe“.

So you too impose different punishments for different sins, lest some injustice slip in and move God to indignation; for whatever unjust judgment you become the agents of, of that you will receive the wages from God; for “with the judgment with which you judge, you will be judged.”

Matt 7:2 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Unjust judgments will be repaid by God.

Matt 7:2.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): λήψεσθέ μισθόν᾽ ,0' γὰρ ,,κρίματι → λήψεσθε μισθόν· ,,ᾯ“ γὰρ ,,κρίματι.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.48.3 (Funk 1:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-48-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 49

2.49.1Funk 1:145

Καθίσαντες οὖν ἐπὶ τὸ κριτήριον, παρόντων ἑκατέρων τῶν προσώπων, οὐ γὰρ ἐροῦμεν ἀδελφῶν, μέχρις οὗ ἑαυτοὺς ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἀπολάβωσιν, ἐρευνᾶτε ἀκριβῶς περὶ τῶν ἐνεχομένων᾽ καὶ πρῶτον περὶ τοῦ κατηγοροῦντος, εἰ πρώτου τούτου κατηγορεῖ ἢ καὶ ἑτέροις τισὶν ἐγκλήματα κατενήνοχεν, καὶ εἰ μὴ ἐκ μέμψεως αὐτῶν ἢ φιλονεικίας καὶ τὸ ἔγκλημα ὑπόκειται, καὶ ὁποία τις ἡ ἀναστροφὴ αὐτοῦ ὑπάρχει.

Kathisantes oun epi to kritērion, parontōn hekaterōn tōn prosōpōn, ou gar eroumen adelphōn, mechris hou heautous en eirēnę̄ apolabōsin, ereunate akribōs peri tōn enechomenōn᾽ kai prōton peri tou katēgorountos, ei prōtou toutou katēgorei ē kai heterois tisin enklēmata katenēnochen, kai ei mē ek mempseōs autōn ē philoneikias kai to enklēma hypokeitai, kai hopoia tis hē anastrophē autou hyparchei.

Sitting, then, at the tribunal, with both parties present — we will not call them brothers until they receive each other in peace — inquire carefully about those involved; and first about the accuser: whether this is the first man he has accused or whether he has brought charges against others too; whether the charge does not arise from some grudge or contentiousness; and what kind of life he leads.

Notes and citation

Summary: The court must first examine the accuser’s motives and conduct.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ov γὰρ ἐροῦμεν → οὐ γὰρ ἐροῦμεν; μέχρις οὐ ἑαυτοὺς → μέχρις οὗ ἑαυτοὺς; ἢ xal ἑτέροις → ἢ καὶ ἑτέροις; αὐτῶν ἡ φιλονεικίας → αὐτῶν ἢ φιλονεικίας; ὑπόκχειται → ὑπόκειται.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.49.1 (Funk 1:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-49-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.49.2Funk 1:145

καὶ τοιοῦτος δὲ ὢν εὐσυνείδητος, μὴ πιστευέσθω μόνος, παράνομον γὰρ τὸ τοιοῦτον, ἀλλ᾽ ἐχέτω καὶ ἑτέρους μάρτυρας ὁμοίους αὐτῷ τὸν τρόπον, καθὼς ὁ Νόμος λέγει· ,, Ἐπὶ στόματος δύο καὶ τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα“.

kai toioutos de ōn eusyneidētos, mē pisteuesthō monos, paranomon gar to toiouton, all᾽ echetō kai heterous martyras homoious autǭ ton tropon, kathōs ho Nomos legei; ,, Epi stomatos dyo kai triōn martyrōn stathēsetai pan rhēma“.

And even if such a man is of good conscience, let him not be believed alone, for that is against the law; but let him have other witnesses too, like himself in character, as the Law says: “On the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

Deut 19:15 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: No one may be convicted on a single witness.

Deut 19:15.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): τοιοῦτος ὁὲ ὧν → τοιοῦτος δὲ ὢν; ó Νόμος λέγει:,, → ὁ Νόμος λέγει· ,,.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.49.2 (Funk 1:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-49-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.49.3Funk 1:145–147

διατί δὲ εἴπομεν τὸν τρόπον αὐτῶν ἐπιζητεῖσθαι ὁποῖός τις τυγχάνει; ἐπειδὴ πολλάκις ἐγχωρεῖ καὶ τοὺς δύο καὶ τοὺς πλείονας ἐπὶ κακῷ μαρτυρῆσαι καὶ συμφώνως προστῆναι τοῦ ψεύδους, ὡς τοὺς δύο πρεσβυτέρους κατὰ Σωσάννης ἐν Βαβυλῶνι, καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν παρανόμων κατὰ τοῦ Ναβουθὲ ἐν Σαμαρείᾳ, καὶ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν Ἰουδαίων κατὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ κατὰ Στεφάνου τοῦ πρωτομάρτυρος αὐτοῦ.

diati de eipomen ton tropon autōn epizēteisthai hopoios tis tynchanei? epeidē pollakis enchōrei kai tous dyo kai tous pleionas epi kakǭ martyrēsai kai symphōnōs prostēnai tou pseudous, hōs tous dyo presbyterous kata Sōsannēs en Babylōni, kai tous huious tōn paranomōn kata tou Nabouthe en Samareią, kai to plēthos tōn Ioudaiōn kata tou kyriou en Hierousalēm kai kata Stephanou tou prōtomartyros autou.

And why did we say that their character must be inquired into? Because it often happens that two or more bear witness to an evil end and agree in supporting a lie, like the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and the sons of lawless men against Naboth in Samaria, and the multitude of the Jews against the Lord in Jerusalem, and against Stephen his first martyr.

1 Kgs 21:10–13 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 26:59–61 (allusion, high confidence) · Acts 6:13 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Even several witnesses may conspire in a lie, as against Susanna, Naboth, Christ and Stephen.

Susanna; 1 Kgs 21:10–13; Matt 26:59–61; Acts 6:13. The reference to the Jews is the author’s own.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): διατί ὁὲ → διατί δὲ; καχῷ → κακῷ; iv Baβυλῶνι → ἐν Βαβυλῶνι; “Σαμαρείᾳ → Σαμαρείᾳ.

Extrabiblical texts: Sus (Susanna [in RC, EO, ETH canons]; allusion)

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.49.3 (Funk 1:145–147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-49-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.49.4Funk 1:147

ἔστωσαν οὖν οἱ μάρτυρες πραεῖς, ἀόργητοι, ἐπιεικεῖς, ἀγαπητικοί, σώφρονες, ἐγκρατεῖς, ἀπόνηροι, πιστοί, θεοσεβεῖς· ἡ γὰρ τῶν τοιούτων μαρτυρία καὶ διὰ τοῦ τρόπου αὐτῶν βεβαία καὶ διὰ τῆς ἀναστροφῆς αὐτῶν ἀληθὴς ὑπάρχει.

estōsan oun hoi martyres praeis, aorgētoi, epieikeis, agapētikoi, sōphrones, enkrateis, aponēroi, pistoi, theosebeis; hē gar tōn toioutōn martyria kai dia tou tropou autōn bebaia kai dia tēs anastrophēs autōn alēthēs hyparchei.

Let the witnesses, then, be gentle, free from anger, reasonable, loving, sober, self-controlled, without malice, faithful, God-fearing; for the testimony of such people is firm because of their character and true because of their way of life.

Notes and citation

Summary: Witnesses must be of proven good character.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): θεοσεβεῖς᾽ ἢ γὰρ → θεοσεβεῖς· ἡ γὰρ.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.49.4 (Funk 1:147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-49-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.49.5Funk 1:147

τῶν δὲ μὴ τοιούτων μὴ παραδέχεσθε τὴν μαρτυρίαν, κἂν συμφωνεῖν δοκῶσιν ἐπὶ τῇ καταμαρτυρίᾳ᾽ προστέτακται γὰρ ἐν τοῖς Νόμοις" ,,Οὐκ ἔσῃ μετὰ πολλῶν ἐπὶ κακίᾳ, οὐ παραδέξῃ ἀκοὴν ματαίαν, οὐ συγκαταθήσῃ μετὰ πλήθους ἐκκλῖναι τὸ δίκαιον“.

tōn de mē toioutōn mē paradechesthe tēn martyrian, kan symphōnein dokōsin epi tę̄ katamartyrią᾽ prostetaktai gar en tois Nomois" ,,Ouk esę̄ meta pollōn epi kakią, ou paradexę̄ akoēn mataian, ou synkatathēsę̄ meta plēthous ekklinai to dikaion“.

But do not accept the testimony of those who are not such, even if they seem to agree in their testimony against someone; for it is commanded in the Laws: “You shall not be with the many for evil; you shall not accept an idle report; you shall not join with the multitude to pervert justice.”

Exod 23:1–2 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Witnesses of bad character must be rejected even if they agree.

Exod 23:1–2.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): τῶν ὁὲ → τῶν δὲ; ἐχκλῖναι → ἐκκλῖναι.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.49.5 (Funk 1:147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-49-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 50

2.50.1Funk 1:147

Ἐν μέρει δὲ καὶ τὸν κρινόμενον εἰδέναι ὀφείλετε, ὁποῖός ἐστιν τῇ τοῦ βίου συνηθείᾳ καὶ ἀναστροφῇ᾽ εἰ μεμαρτυρημένος τὸν βίον, εἰ ἀνέγκλητος, εἰ ὁσιότητα ἐζηλωκώς, εἰ φιλόχηρος καὶ φιλόξενος καὶ φιλόπτωχος καὶ φιλάδελφος, εἰ μὴ αἰσχροκερδὴς καὶ μὴ βρώτης καὶ χρηματολαίλαψ, εἰ σώφρων καὶ μὴ ἄσωτος ἢ μέθυσος ἢ ἀργοφάγος, εἰ εὔσπλαγχνος καὶ εὐμετάδοτος.

En merei de kai ton krinomenon eidenai opheilete, hopoios estin tę̄ tou biou synētheią kai anastrophę̄᾽ ei memartyrēmenos ton bion, ei anenklētos, ei hosiotēta ezēlōkōs, ei philochēros kai philoxenos kai philoptōchos kai philadelphos, ei mē aischrokerdēs kai mē brōtēs kai chrēmatolailaps, ei sōphrōn kai mē asōtos ē methysos ē argophagos, ei eusplanchnos kai eumetadotos.

You ought also, for your part, to know the one being judged — what he is like in the habit and conduct of his life: whether he is well attested in his life, whether blameless, whether he has been zealous for holiness, whether he is a lover of widows, strangers, the poor and the brothers; whether he is not greedy for gain, not a glutton or a grasping whirlwind for money; whether he is sober and not dissolute or a drunkard or an idle eater; whether he is compassionate and generous.

Notes and citation

Summary: The court must also examine the life and character of the accused.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): xol ἀναστροφῇ → καὶ ἀναστροφῇ; φιλόπτοχος → φιλόπτωχος.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.50.1 (Funk 1:147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-50-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.50.2Funk 1:147

εἰ γὰρ αὐτῷ προύποκειξαν ἔργα φαῦλα, ἤδη ἐκ μέρους ἀληθεῖς ἂν εἶεν καὶ αἱ νῦν αὐτῷ ἐπιφερόμεναι κατηγορίαι, εἰ μὴ ἂν αὐτῷ τὸ δίκαιον ἔχει συναγωνιζόμενον᾽ ἐγχωρεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν ἡμαρτηκέναι μέν ποτε, τούτου δὲ τοῦ ἐγκλήματος ἀθῶον ὑπάρχειν.

ei gar autǭ proupokeixan erga phaula, ēdē ek merous alētheis an eien kai hai nyn autǭ epipheromenai katēgoriai, ei mē an autǭ to dikaion echei synagōnizomenon᾽ enchōrei gar auton hēmartēkenai men pote, toutou de tou enklēmatos athōon hyparchein.

For if wicked deeds have been laid to his charge before, the accusations now brought against him might already in part be true, unless justice is fighting on his side; for it is possible that he once sinned, yet is innocent of this charge.

Notes and citation

Summary: A bad record makes a charge more credible, though the accused may still be innocent of it.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): εἶ μὴ ἂν αὐτῷ → εἰ μὴ ἂν αὐτῷ.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.50.2 (Funk 1:147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-50-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.50.3Funk 1:147

διὸ ἀκριβῶς περὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα νήφοντες, ἀσφαλεῖς καὶ βεβαίας ποιεῖσθε τὰς ἀποφάσεις κατὰ τοῦ ἐλεγχθέντος" καὶ ἐὰν μετὰ τὸν ἀφορισμὸν συγγνώμην αἰτῇ καὶ προσπέσῃ τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ καὶ ἡμαρτηκέναι ὁμολογῇ, προσδέξασθε αὐτόν.

dio akribōs peri ta toiauta nēphontes, asphaleis kai bebaias poieisthe tas apophaseis kata tou elenchthentos" kai ean meta ton aphorismon syngnōmēn aitę̄ kai prospesę̄ tǭ episkopǭ kai hēmartēkenai homologę̄, prosdexasthe auton.

Therefore, being carefully watchful in such matters, make your sentences against the one convicted safe and firm; and if after his exclusion he asks pardon, falls down before the bishop and confesses that he has sinned, receive him.

Notes and citation

Summary: Sentences must be sound, and the excluded who confess may be received back.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.50.3 (Funk 1:147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-50-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.50.4Funk 1:147–149

μήτε δὲ τὸν συκοφάντην ἀτιμώρητον ἐάσητε, ἵνα μὴ καὶ ἕτερόν τινα καλῶς βιοῦντα βλασφημήσῃ ἢ ἕτερον προτρέψηται τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ δρᾶσαι, μήτε μὴν τὸν ἐλεγχθέντα ἀνύβριστον, ὅπως μὴ καὶ ἕτερος τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἐνσχεθῇ. οὔτε γὰρ μάρτυς κακῶν ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, οὔθ᾽ ὁ πλημμελῶν δίκης ἐκτός.

mēte de ton sykophantēn atimōrēton easēte, hina mē kai heteron tina kalōs biounta blasphēmēsę̄ ē heteron protrepsētai ta homoia autǭ drasai, mēte mēn ton elenchthenta anybriston, hopōs mē kai heteros tois autois enschethę̄. oute gar martys kakōn atimōrētos estai, outh᾽ ho plēmmelōn dikēs ektos.

But do not let the slanderer go unpunished, lest he slander another who lives well or urge someone else to do as he did; nor indeed let the convicted man go unrebuked, lest another be caught in the same things. For neither shall a witness of evil go unpunished, nor the offender escape justice.

Prov 19:5 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Both false accusers and the guilty must be punished.

Cf. Prov 19:5.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): συχοφάντην → συκοφάντην; ὁρᾶσαι → δρᾶσαι; o09 ὃ πλημμελῶν → οὔθ᾽ ὁ πλημμελῶν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.50.4 (Funk 1:147–149; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-50-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 51

2.51.1Funk 1:149

Εἴπομεν δέ, ὅτι κρίσεις οὐ δίκαιον μονομερεῖς ποιεῖσθαι. ἐὰν γὰρ τοῦ ἑνὸς προσώπου ἀκούσητε, μὴ παρόντος τοῦ ἑτέρου μηδὲ ἀπολογησαμένου πρὸς τὸ ἐπιφερόμενον ἔγκλημα, καὶ προπετῶς ἐξενέγκητε ψῆφον κατακρίσεως, ἔνοχοι τῆς ἀναιρέσεως καὶ συμμερισταὶ τῷ συκοφάντῃ παρὰ θεῷ εὑρεθήσεσθε τῷ δικαίῳ κριτῇ· ,,ὡς“ γὰρ ,,ὁ κρατῶν κέρκου κυνός, οὕτως ὃ προεστὼς ἀλλοτρίας κρίσεως“.

Eipomen de, hoti kriseis ou dikaion monomereis poieisthai. ean gar tou henos prosōpou akousēte, mē parontos tou heterou mēde apologēsamenou pros to epipheromenon enklēma, kai propetōs exenenkēte psēphon katakriseōs, enochoi tēs anaireseōs kai symmeristai tǭ sykophantę̄ para theǭ heurethēsesthe tǭ dikaiǭ kritę̄; ,,hōs“ gar ,,ho kratōn kerkou kynos, houtōs ho proestōs allotrias kriseōs“.

We said that it is not just to give one-sided judgments. For if you hear one party when the other is not present and has made no defence against the charge brought, and rashly bring in a vote of condemnation, you will be found before God, the just judge, guilty of the man’s destruction and partners with the slanderer; for “as one who holds a dog by the tail, so is he who presides over another’s judgment.”

Prov 26:17 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Condemning without hearing the accused makes the judge a partner in the slander.

Prov 26:17 (LXX).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): συχοφάντῃ → συκοφάντῃ; κριτῇ ο,,ὧς yàg ,,0 χρατῶν → κριτῇ· ,,ὡς“ γὰρ ,,ὁ κρατῶν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.51.1 (Funk 1:149; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-51-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.51.2Funk 1:149

ἐὰν δὲ μιμηταὶ γένησθε τῶν ἐν Βαβυλῶνι πρεσβυτέρων, οἵτινες καταμαρτυρήσαντες τῆς Σωσάννης ἀδίκως κατεδίκασαν αὐτὴν εἰς θάνατον, ἔνοχοι τῆς ἐκείνων κρίσεως καὶ καταδίκης γενήσεσθε, ὅτι τὴν μὲν Σωσάνναν ὃ κύριος διὰ τοῦ Δανιὴλ ἐρρύσατο ἐκ χειρὸς παρανόμων, τοὺς δὲ ἐνόχους τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς πρεσβυτέρους ἐν πυρὶ κατεδίκασεν, ὑμᾶς δὲ δι᾽ αὐτοῦ ὠνείδισεν λέγων· ,,Οὕτως μωροὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ; οὐκ ἀνακρίναντες οὐδὲ τὸ ἀληθὲς ἐπιγνόντες κατεκρίνατε θυγατέρα Ἰσραήλ; ἀναστρέψατε οὖν εἰς τὸ κριτήριον᾽ ψευδῆ γὰρ οὗτοι κατεμαρτύρησαν αὐτῆς“.

ean de mimētai genēsthe tōn en Babylōni presbyterōn, hoitines katamartyrēsantes tēs Sōsannēs adikōs katedikasan autēn eis thanaton, enochoi tēs ekeinōn kriseōs kai katadikēs genēsesthe, hoti tēn men Sōsannan ho kyrios dia tou Daniēl errysato ek cheiros paranomōn, tous de enochous tou haimatos autēs presbyterous en pyri katedikasen, hymas de di᾽ autou ōneidisen legōn; ,,Houtōs mōroi hoi huioi Israēl? ouk anakrinantes oude to alēthes epignontes katekrinate thygatera Israēl? anastrepsate oun eis to kritērion᾽ pseudē gar houtoi katemartyrēsan autēs“.

But if you become imitators of the elders in Babylon, who bore witness against Susanna and unjustly condemned her to death, you will be liable to their judgment and condemnation; for the Lord rescued Susanna through Daniel from the hand of the lawless, but condemned to fire the elders guilty of her blood, and through him he reproached you, saying: “Are you such fools, sons of Israel? Without examining or learning the truth, have you condemned a daughter of Israel? Go back, then, to the court; for these men have borne false witness against her.”

Notes and citation

Summary: Judges who condemn unheard are like the elders who accused Susanna.

Sus 48–49, 61–62.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὑμᾶς δὲ δὲ αὐτοῦ → ὑμᾶς δὲ δι᾽ αὐτοῦ; λέγων᾽ (Οὕτως → λέγων· ,,Οὕτως; κατεχρίνατε θυγατέρα ἸΙσραήλ → κατεκρίνατε θυγατέρα Ἰσραήλ; ψευδῇ yàg → ψευδῆ γὰρ.

Extrabiblical texts: Sus 48-49 (Susanna [in RC, EO, ETH canons]; quotation)

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.51.2 (Funk 1:149; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-51-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 52

2.52.1Funk 1:149–151

Θεάσασθε δὲ καὶ τὰ κοσμικὰ δικαστήρια, ὧν τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ὁρῶμεν ἀγομένους φονεῖς, μοιχούς, φαρμακούς, τυμβωρύχους, λῃστάς" καὶ τὰς ἀνακρίσεις αὐτῶν λαβόντες οἱ ἡγούμενοι ὑπὸ τῶν προσαγόντων λέγουσιν τῷ κακούργῳ, εἰ ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχει· κἀκείνου συγκαταθεμένου οὐκ εὐθέως ἐπὶ τὴν κόλασιν αὐτὸν ἐκπέμπουσιν, ἀλλὰ πλείοσιν ἡμέραις ποιοῦνται αὐτοῦ τὴν ἐξέτασιν μετὰ συμβουλίου πολλοῦ καὶ παραπετάσματος κεδουὴ τελευταῖον ὅρον καὶ ψῆφον θανάτου ὃ μέλλων ἐκφέρειν κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ, πρὸς τὸν ἥλιον ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας, διαμαρτύρεται ἀθῶος ὑπάρχειν τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, καίτοι ὄντες ἐθνικοὶ καὶ οὐ γινώσκοντες θειότητα ἢ τὴν εἰς αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ θεοῦ ἄμυναν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀναιτίως κατακριθέντων.

Theasasthe de kai ta kosmika dikastēria, hōn tę̄ exousią horōmen agomenous phoneis, moichous, pharmakous, tymbōrychous, lę̄stas" kai tas anakriseis autōn labontes hoi hēgoumenoi hypo tōn prosagontōn legousin tǭ kakourgǭ, ei tauta houtōs echei; kakeinou synkatathemenou ouk eutheōs epi tēn kolasin auton ekpempousin, alla pleiosin hēmerais poiountai autou tēn exetasin meta symbouliou pollou kai parapetasmatos kedouē teleutaion horon kai psēphon thanatou ho mellōn ekpherein kat᾽ autou, pros ton hēlion eparas tas cheiras, diamartyretai athōos hyparchein tou haimatos tou anthrōpou, kaitoi ontes ethnikoi kai ou ginōskontes theiotēta ē tēn eis autous apo theou amynan hyper tōn anaitiōs katakrithentōn.

Look also at the worldly courts, by whose authority we see murderers, adulterers, sorcerers, tomb robbers and bandits led away. The governors, receiving the records of the investigation from those who bring them, ask the criminal whether these things are so; and even when he agrees, they do not at once send him to punishment, but examine him for several more days with much counsel and behind a curtain; and the one who is to pronounce the final verdict and the sentence of death against him lifts up his hands to the sun and protests that he is innocent of the man’s blood — although they are Gentiles and do not know the deity, or the vengeance that comes upon them from God for those condemned without cause.

Matt 27:24 (allusion, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Even pagan courts examine carefully before condemning, and judges protest their innocence of blood.

A word before “final verdict” is garbled in the digital text (“κεδουὴ”), and the sentence is translated by sense. Cf. Matt 27:24.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slips; stray line number removed): ἔχει" 20 κακχείνου → ἔχει· κἀκείνου; τὺ» χόλασιν αὐτὸν ἐχπέμπουσιν → τὴν κόλασιν αὐτὸν ἐκπέμπουσιν; καταχριθέντων → κατακριθέντων.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.52.1 (Funk 1:149–151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-52-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.52.2Funk 1:151

ὑμεῖς δέ, γινώσκοντες, τίς ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν καὶ ὁποῖα τὰ κρίματα αὐτοῦ, πῶς ἂν κατὰ ἐπήρειαν δυνήσεσθέ τινι ἀπόφασιν δοῦναι, τῆς κρίσεως ὑμῶν παραχρῆμα γινωσκομένης θεῷ;

hymeis de, ginōskontes, tis ho theos hēmōn kai hopoia ta krimata autou, pōs an kata epēreian dynēsesthe tini apophasin dounai, tēs kriseōs hymōn parachrēma ginōskomenēs theǭ?

But you, knowing who our God is and what his judgments are, how could you give sentence against anyone out of spite, when your judgment is immediately known to God?

Notes and citation

Summary: Christian judges, knowing God, must never judge out of spite.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): χρίματα → κρίματα; αρίσεως → κρίσεως; γινωσχομένης → γινωσκομένης.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.52.2 (Funk 1:151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-52-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.52.3Funk 1:151

καὶ εἰ μὲν δικαίως ἐκρίνατε, δικαίων ἀμοιβῶν καταξιωθήσεσθε καὶ νῦν καὶ εἰς αὖθις᾽ εἰ δὲ ἀδίκως, πάλιν τῶν ὁμοίων τεύξεσθε. ἡμεῖς μὲν οὖν, ἀδελφοί, συμβουλεύομεν ὑμῖν μᾶλλον ἐπαίνων ἀξιοῦσθαι παρὰ θεῷ ἢ ψόγων, ὅτι θεοῦ ἔπαινος ζωὴ αἰώνιος ἀνθρώποις, ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ ὃ ψόγος θάνατος ἀΐδιος.

kai ei men dikaiōs ekrinate, dikaiōn amoibōn kataxiōthēsesthe kai nyn kai eis authis᾽ ei de adikōs, palin tōn homoiōn teuxesthe. hēmeis men oun, adelphoi, symbouleuomen hymin mallon epainōn axiousthai para theǭ ē psogōn, hoti theou epainos zōē aiōnios anthrōpois, hōsper oun kai ho psogos thanatos aïdios.

And if you have judged justly, you will be counted worthy of just rewards both now and hereafter; but if unjustly, you will in turn receive the like. We, then, brothers, counsel you to be counted worthy of praise rather than of blame before God; for God’s praise is eternal life for men, as his blame is everlasting death.

Notes and citation

Summary: Just judges will be rewarded by God and unjust ones punished.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): εἰ Ób ἀδίκως → εἰ δὲ ἀδίκως; θεῷ 7 ψόγων → θεῷ ἢ ψόγων.

Topics: Church office, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.52.3 (Funk 1:151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-52-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 53

2.53.1Funk 1:151

Διὸ γίνεσθε δίκαιοι κριταί, εἰρηνοποιοί, ἀόργητοι· ,,ὁ ὀργιζόμενος“ γάρ ,,τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ εἰκῇ ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει“.

Dio ginesthe dikaioi kritai, eirēnopoioi, aorgētoi; ,,ho orgizomenos“ gar ,,tǭ adelphǭ autou eikę̄ enochos estai tę̄ krisei“.

Therefore be just judges, peacemakers, free from anger; for “whoever is angry with his brother without cause will be liable to judgment.”

Matt 5:22 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Judges must be free from anger.

Matt 5:22.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἀόργητοι",,ὃ ὀργιζόμενος“ γὰρ, τῷ → ἀόργητοι· ,,ὁ ὀργιζόμενος“ γάρ ,,τῷ; εἰκῆ → εἰκῇ.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.1 (Funk 1:151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.2Funk 1:151

εἰ δὲ καὶ συμβῇ ἐξ ἐνεργείας τινὸς ὀργισθῆναι ὑμᾶς κατά τινος, ,,ὁ ἥλιος μὴ ἐπιδυέτω ἐπὶ τῇ ὀργῇ ὑμῶν. ὀργίζεσθε“ γάρ, φησὶν ὁ Δαυίδ, ,,καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε“, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν ταχέως διαλλάσσεσθε, ὅπως μὴ ἡ ἐπίμονος ὀργὴ μνησικακία γένηται καὶ ἁμαρτίαν ἀπεργάσηται· ,,Ψυχαὶ γὰρ ,,μνησικάκων εἰς θάνατον“,, φησὶν ὁ Σολομών.

ei de kai symbę̄ ex energeias tinos orgisthēnai hymas kata tinos, ,,ho hēlios mē epidyetō epi tę̄ orgę̄ hymōn. orgizesthe“ gar, phēsin ho Dauid, ,,kai mē hamartanete“, tout᾽ estin tacheōs diallassesthe, hopōs mē hē epimonos orgē mnēsikakia genētai kai hamartian apergasētai; ,,Psychai gar ,,mnēsikakōn eis thanaton“,, phēsin ho Solomōn.

And if it happens through some agency that you become angry with someone, “let not the sun go down on your anger. Be angry,” says David, “and do not sin,” that is, be reconciled quickly, so that lasting anger may not turn into resentment and bring about sin; for “the souls of the resentful are bound for death,” says Solomon.

Eph 4:26 (quotation, high confidence) · Ps 4:4 (4:5 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · Prov 12:28 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anger must be settled quickly before it turns into resentment.

Eph 4:26; Ps 4:4 (LXX 4:5); Prov 12:28 (LXX).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): »9 ἥλιος → ,,ὁ ἥλιος; ὀργίξζεσθε““ γάρ, φησὶν ὃ Δαυίδ, ,καὶ → ὀργίζεσθε“ γάρ, φησὶν ὁ Δαυίδ, ,,καὶ; ἀπεργάσηται", Ψυχαὶ → ἀπεργάσηται· ,,Ψυχαὶ; φησὶν ὃ [1 “Σολομών. → φησὶν ὁ Σολομών..

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.2 (Funk 1:151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.3Funk 1:151–153

λέγει δὲ καὶ ὃ κύριος ἡμῶν καὶ σωτὴρ Ἰησοῦς ὁ Χριστὸς ἐν Εὐαγγελίοις· ,,Ἐὰν προσφέρῃς τὸ δῶρόν σου ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον καὶ ἐκεῖ μνησθῇς, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἔχει τι κατὰ σοῦ, ἄφες ἐκεῖ τὸ δῶρόν σου ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ ὕπαγε πρῶτον διαλλάγηθι τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, καὶ τότε ἐλθὼν πρόσφερε τὸ δῶρόν σου“.

legei de kai ho kyrios hēmōn kai sōtēr Iēsous ho Christos en Euangeliois; ,,Ean prospherę̄s to dōron sou epi to thysiastērion kai ekei mnēsthę̄s, hoti ho adelphos sou echei ti kata sou, aphes ekei to dōron sou emprosthen tou thysiastēriou kai hypage prōton diallagēthi tǭ adelphǭ sou, kai tote elthōn prosphere to dōron sou“.

And our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ also says in the Gospels: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Matt 5:23–24 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ commands reconciliation before offering one’s gift.

Matt 5:23–24.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): xci σωτὴρ → καὶ σωτὴρ; iv Εὐαγγελίοις", Ἐὰν → ἐν Εὐαγγελίοις· ,,Ἐὰν; μνησθῆῇς → μνησθῇς.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.3 (Funk 1:151–153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.4Funk 1:153

δῶρον δέ ἐστιν θεῷ ἡ ἑκάστου προσευχὴ καὶ εὐχαριστία" ἐὰν οὖν ἔχῃς τι κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου ἢ αὐτὸς ἔχῃ τι κατὰ σοῦ, οὔτε αἱ προσευχαί σου εἰσακουσθήσονται οὔτε αἱ εὐχαριστίαι σου προσδεχθήσονται διὰ τὴν ὑποκειμένην ὀργήν.

dōron de estin theǭ hē hekastou proseuchē kai eucharistia" ean oun echę̄s ti kata tou adelphou sou ē autos echę̄ ti kata sou, oute hai proseuchai sou eisakousthēsontai oute hai eucharistiai sou prosdechthēsontai dia tēn hypokeimenēn orgēn.

And the gift to God is each person’s prayer and thanksgiving. If, then, you have something against your brother, or he has something against you, neither will your prayers be heard nor your thanksgivings accepted, because of the anger that lies beneath.

Notes and citation

Summary: Prayer and thanksgiving are not accepted while anger remains.

The “gift” of Matt 5:23 is interpreted as prayer and thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): αἵ εὐχαριστίαι → αἱ εὐχαριστίαι.

Topics: Prayer, Eucharist

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.4 (Funk 1:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.5Funk 1:153

χρὴ δὲ συνεχῶς προσεύχεσθαι ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί" ἀλλ᾽ ἐπειδὴ τῶν ἐν ὀργαῖς ἀδίκως ἐχθραινόντων ἀδελφοῖς ὁ θεὸς οὐχ ἐπακούει, καὶ ἐὰν τρὶς τῆς ὥρας προσεύξωνται, χρὴ διαλύειν πᾶσαν ἔχθραν καὶ μικροψυχίαν, ἵνα δυνώμεθα προσεύχεσθαι καθαρᾷ τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ ἀρύπῳ.

chrē de synechōs proseuchesthai hymas, adelphoi" all᾽ epeidē tōn en orgais adikōs echthrainontōn adelphois ho theos ouch epakouei, kai ean tris tēs hōras proseuxōntai, chrē dialyein pasan echthran kai mikropsychian, hina dynōmetha proseuchesthai katharą tę̄ kardią kai arypǭ.

You must pray continually, brothers; but since God does not hear those who in anger are unjustly hostile to their brothers, even if they pray three times an hour, all enmity and pettiness must be dissolved, so that we may be able to pray with a pure and stainless heart.

1 Thess 5:17 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Enmity must be ended so that prayer may be pure and heard.

Cf. 1 Thess 5:17.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): xoi μιχροψυχίαν», → καὶ μικροψυχίαν,.

Topics: Prayer

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.5 (Funk 1:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.6Funk 1:153

καίτοιγε καὶ ἐχθροὺς ὁ κύριος ἀγαπᾶν προσέταξεν, οὐχὶ δὲ καὶ τοὺς φίλους μισεῖν, καὶ ὁ νομοθέτης φησίν᾽ ,,Οὐ μισήσεις πάντα ἄνθρωπον, οὐ μισήσεις τὸν ἀδελφὸν σου τῇ διανοίᾳ σου, ἐλεγμῷ ἐλέγξεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου καὶ οὐ λήψῃ δι᾽ αὐτὸν ἁμαρτίαν· οὐ μισήσεις Αἰγύπτιον, ὅτι πάροικος ἦσθα παρ᾽ αὐτῷ" οὐ μισήσεις ᾿Ιδουμαῖον, ὅτι ἀδελφός σου ἐστίν“, καὶ ὁ Δαυὶδ λέγει" ,, Εἰ ἀνταπέδωκα τοῖς ἀνταποδιδοῦσί μοι κακά“.

kaitoige kai echthrous ho kyrios agapan prosetaxen, ouchi de kai tous philous misein, kai ho nomothetēs phēsin᾽ ,,Ou misēseis panta anthrōpon, ou misēseis ton adelphon sou tę̄ dianoią sou, elegmǭ elenxeis ton adelphon sou kai ou lēpsę̄ di᾽ auton hamartian; ou misēseis Aigyption, hoti paroikos ēstha par᾽ autǭ" ou misēseis ᾿Idoumaion, hoti adelphos sou estin“, kai ho Dauid legei" ,, Ei antapedōka tois antapodidousi moi kaka“.

And indeed the Lord commanded us to love even our enemies, not to hate even our friends; and the lawgiver says: “You shall not hate any man; you shall not hate your brother in your mind; you shall surely reprove your brother, and not incur sin because of him; you shall not hate an Egyptian, because you were a sojourner with him; you shall not hate an Edomite, because he is your brother”; and David says: “If I have repaid those who repaid me with evil.”

Matt 5:44 (allusion, high confidence) · Lev 19:17 (quotation, high confidence) · Deut 23:7 (quotation, high confidence) · Ps 7:4 (7:5 LXX) (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The Law and David forbid hatred, as Christ commands love even of enemies.

Matt 5:44; Lev 19:17; Deut 23:7; Ps 7:4 (LXX 7:5).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): «(Οὐ μισήσεις πάντα ἀνθρωπον → ,,Οὐ μισήσεις πάντα ἄνθρωπον; λήψῃ δὲ αὐτὸν ἁμαρτίαν" → λήψῃ δι᾽ αὐτὸν ἁμαρτίαν·; ὅτε πάροικος → ὅτι πάροικος.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.6 (Funk 1:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.7Funk 1:153

ὅθεν εἰ Χριστιανὸς εἶναι θέλεις, ἐξακολούθει τῷ τοῦ κυρίου Νόμῳ· ,,Λῦε πάντα σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας“ ἐπὶ σοὶ γὰρ ὃ σωτὴρ ἐξουσίαν ἔθετο ,,ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας τῷ ἀδελφῷ τὰς εἰς σὲ γενομένας ἕως ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά“, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν τετρακοσίας ἐνενήκοντα.

hothen ei Christianos einai theleis, exakolouthei tǭ tou kyriou Nomǭ; ,,Lye panta syndesmon adikias“ epi soi gar ho sōtēr exousian etheto ,,aphienai hamartias tǭ adelphǭ tas eis se genomenas heōs hebdomēkontakis hepta“, tout᾽ estin tetrakosias enenēkonta.

So, if you wish to be a Christian, follow the law of the Lord: “Loose every bond of injustice”; for the Saviour has given you authority “to forgive your brother the sins committed against you up to seventy times seven,” that is, four hundred and ninety times.

Isa 58:6 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 18:22 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christians must forgive up to four hundred and ninety times.

Isa 58:6; Matt 18:22.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): Νόμφ᾽ ,Ait πάντα → Νόμῳ· ,,Λῦε πάντα.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.7 (Funk 1:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.8Funk 1:153

ποσάκις οὖν ἤδη ἀφῆκας τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, ἵνα μὴ θελήσῃς αὐτῷ ἀφιέναι καὶ νῦν; καίτοι ἀκούσας τοῦ Ἱερεμίου λέγοντος, ὅτι ,,ἕκαστος τὴν κακίαν τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ μὴ λογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν“. σὺ δὲ μνησικακεῖς καὶ συντηρεῖς ἔχθραν καὶ ἐπὶ κρίσιν ἔρχῃ καὶ μῆνιν ὑφορᾷς καὶ ἡ προσευχή σου ἐμποδίζεται.

posakis oun ēdē aphēkas tǭ adelphǭ sou, hina mē thelēsę̄s autǭ aphienai kai nyn? kaitoi akousas tou Hieremiou legontos, hoti ,,hekastos tēn kakian tou plēsion autou mē logizesthe en tais kardiais hymōn“. sy de mnēsikakeis kai syntēreis echthran kai epi krisin erchę̄ kai mēnin hyphorąs kai hē proseuchē sou empodizetai.

How many times, then, have you already forgiven your brother, that you should refuse to forgive him now as well? And this though you have heard Jeremiah say: “Let none of you reckon in your hearts the evil of his neighbour.” But you bear a grudge, keep up enmity, go to court, harbour wrath, and your prayer is hindered.

Zech 8:17 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: A grudge-bearer who will not forgive hinders his own prayer.

Zech 8:17 (cf. 7:10), attributed here to Jeremiah.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὅτι οἕχαστος τὴν xaxíav → ὅτι ,,ἕκαστος τὴν κακίαν; καὶ 7) προσευχή → καὶ ἡ προσευχή.

Topics: Prayer, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.8 (Funk 1:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.53.9Funk 1:153

ἀλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ τὰ τετρακόσια ἐνενήκοντα συνεχώρησας ἀφεὶς τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, πλεόνασον τὴν ἀοργησίαν ἐπὶ πλεῖον εἰς ἀγαθωσύνην δι᾽ ἑαυτόν· κἂν ἐκεῖνος μὴ ποιῇ, ἀλλάγε σὺ διὰ τὸν θεὸν σπούδαζε ἀφιέναι τῷ πλησίον, ὅπως γένῃ ,,υἱὸς τοῦ πατρός σου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς“ καὶ προσευχόμενος ὑπακούῃ ὡς φίλος θεοῦ.

all᾽ ei kai ta tetrakosia enenēkonta synechōrēsas apheis tǭ adelphǭ sou, pleonason tēn aorgēsian epi pleion eis agathōsynēn di᾽ heauton; kan ekeinos mē poię̄, allage sy dia ton theon spoudaze aphienai tǭ plēsion, hopōs genę̄ ,,huios tou patros sou tou en ouranois“ kai proseuchomenos hypakouę̄ hōs philos theou.

But even if you have already granted the four hundred and ninety times and forgiven your brother, increase your forbearance still further, for goodness’ sake and your own; and even if he does not do so, still you, for God’s sake, strive to forgive your neighbour, so that you may become “a son of your Father in heaven,” and when you pray be heard as a friend of God.

Matt 5:45 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Forgiveness should go beyond the number given, so that one becomes a child of God.

Matt 5:45.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἀγαθωσύνην δ ἑαυτόν" → ἀγαθωσύνην δι᾽ ἑαυτόν·; ὅπως γένῃ υἱὸς → ὅπως γένῃ ,,υἱὸς.

Topics: Ethics, Prayer

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.53.9 (Funk 1:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-53-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 54

2.54.1Funk 1:153–155

Διὰ τοῦτο, ὦ ἐπίσκοποι, μελλόντων ὑμῶν εἰς προσευχὴν ἀπαντᾶν μετὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν καὶ τὴν ψαλμῳδίαν καὶ τὴν ἐπὶ ταῖς γραφαῖς διδασκαλίαν, ὃ διάκονος ἑστὼς πλησίον ὑμῶν μετὰ ὑψηλῆς φωνῆς λεγέτω Μή τις κατά τινος, μή τις ἐν ὑποκρίσει, ἵνα, ἐὰν εὑρεθῇ ἐν τισὶν ἀντιλογία, συνειδήσει κρουσθέντες δεηθῶσιν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ διαλλαγῶσιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς.

Dia touto, ō episkopoi, mellontōn hymōn eis proseuchēn apantan meta tēn anagnōsin kai tēn psalmǭdian kai tēn epi tais graphais didaskalian, ho diakonos hestōs plēsion hymōn meta hypsēlēs phōnēs legetō Mē tis kata tinos, mē tis en hypokrisei, hina, ean heurethę̄ en tisin antilogia, syneidēsei krousthentes deēthōsin tou theou kai diallagōsin tois adelphois.

For this reason, O bishops, when you are about to go to the prayer, after the reading and the psalmody and the teaching on the Scriptures, let the deacon standing near you say with a loud voice, “Let no one have anything against anyone; let no one be in hypocrisy,” so that if a dispute is found among any, struck in conscience they may pray to God and be reconciled with their brothers.

Notes and citation

Summary: Before the prayers the deacon calls on all to be reconciled.

The deacon’s proclamation before the prayers of the faithful.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἐπίσχοποι → ἐπίσκοποι; ἀνάγνωσιν» καὶ τὴν ψαλμῳόδίαν → ἀνάγνωσιν καὶ τὴν ψαλμῳδίαν; Óenθῶσιν → δεηθῶσιν.

Topics: Prayer, Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.54.1 (Funk 1:153–155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-54-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.54.2Funk 1:155

εἰ γὰρ τοὺς ἐν οἰκίᾳ τινὸς εἰσερχομένους πρὸ πάντων δεῖ λέγειν· ,,Εἰρήνη τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ“, ὡς υἱοὺς εἰρήνης εἰρήνην χαριζομένους τοῖς ἀξίοις, καθὼς γέγραπται" ,,Τοῖς ἐγγὺς καὶ τοῖς μακράν, οὓς ἔγνω κύριος ὄντας αὐτοῦ“, πολὺ μᾶλλον τοὺς ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ θεοῦ εἰσερχομένους χρὴ πρὸ πάντων ἐπεύχεσθαι τῷ λαῷ τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰρήνην.

ei gar tous en oikią tinos eiserchomenous pro pantōn dei legein; ,,Eirēnē tǭ oikǭ toutǭ“, hōs huious eirēnēs eirēnēn charizomenous tois axiois, kathōs gegraptai" ,,Tois engys kai tois makran, hous egnō kyrios ontas autou“, poly mallon tous en ekklēsią theou eiserchomenous chrē pro pantōn epeuchesthai tǭ laǭ tēn tou theou eirēnēn.

For if those who enter anyone’s house must first of all say, “Peace to this house,” as sons of peace bestowing peace on the worthy, as it is written, “To those near and to those far off, whom the Lord knew to be his,” much more must those who enter the church of God first of all pray that the people may have the peace of God.

Luke 10:5–6 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 57:19 (quotation, medium confidence) · 2 Tim 2:19 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: As visitors greet a house with peace, the bishop must first pray peace on the people.

Luke 10:5–6; Isa 57:19 (Eph 2:17); 2 Tim 2:19.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): εἰ yàg τοὶς ἐν οἰκίᾳ → εἰ γὰρ τοὺς ἐν οἰκίᾳ; λέγειν", Εἰρήνη → λέγειν· ,,Εἰρήνη; καθῶὼς → καθὼς; oUc ἔγνω → οὓς ἔγνω.

Topics: Prayer, Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.54.2 (Funk 1:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-54-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.54.3Funk 1:155

εἰ δὲ ἄλλοις ταύτην ἐπεύχεται, πολὺ μᾶλλον αὐτὸς αὐτῆς ἐντὸς ὑπαρχέτω ὡς ,,τέκνον φωτός“ ὃ γὰρ μὴ ἔχων αὐτὴν ἐν ἑαυτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν ἀξιόπιστος ἄλλοις αὐτὴν χαρίζεσθαι.

ei de allois tautēn epeuchetai, poly mallon autos autēs entos hyparchetō hōs ,,teknon phōtos“ ho gar mē echōn autēn en heautǭ ouk estin axiopistos allois autēn charizesthai.

And if he prays it for others, much more let him himself be within it, as “a child of light”; for one who does not have it in himself is not trustworthy to bestow it on others.

Eph 5:8 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The one who gives peace must himself have it.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): αὐτὴν iv ἑαυτῷ → αὐτὴν ἐν ἑαυτῷ.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.54.3 (Funk 1:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-54-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.54.4Funk 1:155

διὸ πρὸ πάντων χρὴ εἰς ἑαυτὸν εἰρηνεύειν αὐτόν ὃ γὰρ πρὸς ἑαυτὸν μὴ στασιάζων οὐδ᾽ ἂν πρὸς ἄλλον διαμαχεσθήσεται, ἀλλ᾽ ἔσται εἰρηνικός, φιλικός, συνάγων τὰ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ συνεργὸς αὐτοῦ γινόμενος πρὸς τὸ πλεονάσαι αὐτῷ τοὺς σωζομένους ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ.

dio pro pantōn chrē eis heauton eirēneuein auton ho gar pros heauton mē stasiazōn oud᾽ an pros allon diamachesthēsetai, all᾽ estai eirēnikos, philikos, synagōn ta tou kyriou kai synergos autou ginomenos pros to pleonasai autǭ tous sōzomenous en homonoią.

Therefore above all he must be at peace within himself; for one who is not at strife with himself will not fight with another, but will be peaceable and friendly, gathering what is the Lord’s and becoming his fellow worker in increasing in concord the number of those being saved.

Notes and citation

Summary: Inner peace enables the bishop to gather the Lord’s flock in concord.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.54.4 (Funk 1:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-54-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.54.5Funk 1:155

οἱ γὰρ ἐπιψοοῦντες ἔχθρας καὶ μάχας, ἀντιλογίας καὶ κρίσεις πονηροὶ καὶ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλότριοι τυγχάνουσιν.

hoi gar epipsoountes echthras kai machas, antilogias kai kriseis ponēroi kai tou theou allotrioi tynchanousin.

For those who stir up enmities and fights, disputes and lawsuits are wicked and strangers to God.

Notes and citation

Summary: Those who stir up strife are strangers to God.

“Stir up” renders a word garbled in the digital text, by sense.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): oi yàg → οἱ γὰρ.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.54.5 (Funk 1:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-54-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 55

2.55.1Funk 1:155–157

Ὁ γὰρ θεός, θεὸς ὧν ἐλέους, ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς ἑκάστην γενεὰν ἐπὶ μετάνοιαν καλεῖ διὰ τῶν δικαίων καὶ τῶν προφητῶν᾽ καὶ τοὺς μὲν πρὸ τοῦ κατακλυσμοῦ διὰ τοῦ Ἄβελ καὶ Σὴμ καὶ Σήθ, ἔτι δὲ Ἐνὼς καὶ τοῦ μετατεθέντος Ἑνὼχ ἐσωφρόνιζεν, τοὺς δὲ ἐν τῷ κατακλυσμῷ διὰ τοῦ Νῶε, τοὺς ἐν Σοδόμοις διὰ τοῦ φιλοξένου Λώτ, τοὺς μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμὸν διὰ Μελχισεδὲκ καὶ τῶν πατριαρχῶν καὶ τοῦ θεοφιλοῦς Ἰώβ, τοὺς ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ διὰ Μωσέος, τοὺς Ἰσραηλίτας διʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ Ἰησοῦ καὶ Χαλὲβ καὶ Φινεὲς καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν, τοὺς μετὰ τὸν νόμον διʼ ἀγγέλων καὶ προφητῶν, τοὺς αὐτοὺς διὰ τῆς ἰδίας ἐνανθρωπήσεως τῆς ἐκ παρθένου γενομένης, τοὺς πρὸ μικροῦ τῆς ἀναδείξεως αὐτοῦ τῆς σωματικῆς διὰ Ἰωάννου τοῦ προδρόμου, τοὺς δ᾽ αὐτοὺς διὰ τοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ μετὰ τὴν γένεσιν αὐτοῦ λέγων· ,,Μετανοεῖτε, ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν“ τοὺς μετὰ τὸ πάθος αὐτοῦ δι᾿ ἡμῶν τῶν δώδεκα καὶ τοῦ τῆς ,,ἐκλογῆς σκεύους“ Παύλου.

Ho gar theos, theos hōn eleous, ap᾽ archēs hekastēn genean epi metanoian kalei dia tōn dikaiōn kai tōn prophētōn᾽ kai tous men pro tou kataklysmou dia tou Abel kai Sēm kai Sēth, eti de Enōs kai tou metatethentos Henōch esōphronizen, tous de en tǭ kataklysmǭ dia tou Nōe, tous en Sodomois dia tou philoxenou Lōt, tous meta ton kataklysmon dia Melchisedek kai tōn patriarchōn kai tou theophilous Iōb, tous en Aigyptǭ dia Mōseos, tous Israēlitas diʼ autou kai Iēsou kai Chaleb kai Phinees kai tōn loipōn, tous meta ton nomon diʼ angelōn kai prophētōn, tous autous dia tēs idias enanthrōpēseōs tēs ek parthenou genomenēs, tous pro mikrou tēs anadeixeōs autou tēs sōmatikēs dia Iōannou tou prodromou, tous d᾽ autous dia tou autou kai meta tēn genesin autou legōn; ,,Metanoeite, ēngiken gar hē basileia tōn ouranōn“ tous meta to pathos autou di᾿ hēmōn tōn dōdeka kai tou tēs ,,eklogēs skeuous“ Paulou.

For God, being a God of mercy, from the beginning calls each generation to repentance through the righteous and the prophets. Those before the flood he admonished through Abel and Shem and Seth, and also through Enosh and Enoch who was translated; those at the flood through Noah; those in Sodom through hospitable Lot; those after the flood through Melchizedek and the patriarchs and Job, beloved of God; those in Egypt through Moses; the Israelites through him and Joshua and Caleb and Phinehas and the rest; those after the law through angels and prophets; the same people through his own incarnation from a virgin; those shortly before his bodily manifestation through John the forerunner; and the same people through the same John even after his birth, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near”; and those after his passion through us the twelve and through Paul, “the vessel of election.”

Heb 11:5 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 3:2 (quotation, high confidence) · Acts 9:15 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: In every age God has called people to repentance, through righteous men, prophets, Christ, John and the apostles.

Shem is listed among those before the flood, as in the Greek. Matt 3:2; 4:17; Acts 9:15. “Through the same John even after his birth” renders an ambiguous phrase (“through the same, also after his birth”); it may mean John’s preaching after Christ’s birth.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): Óuà τοῦ 4βελ → διὰ τοῦ Ἄβελ; ὁιὰ τοῦ Νῶε → διὰ τοῦ Νῶε; λέγων", Λιιετανοεῖτε → λέγων· ,,Μετανοεῖτε; ,ixAoyüg σκεύους“ → ,,ἐκλογῆς σκεύους“.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.55.1 (Funk 1:155–157; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-55-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.55.2Funk 1:157

ἡμεῖς οὖν οἱ καταξιωθέντες εἶναι μάρτυρες τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ σὺν Ἰακώβῳ τῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἀδελφῷ καὶ ἑτέροις ἑβδομήκοντα δύο μαθηταῖς καὶ τοῖς ἑπτὰ διακόνοις αὐτοῦ ἐκ στόματος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἠκούσαμεν καὶ ἀκριβῶς εἰδότες λέγομεν, ,,τί ἐστιν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ εὐάρεστον καὶ τέλειον“ τὸ διὰ Ἰησοῦ γνωρισθὲν ἡμῖν, ,,ἵνα μηδεὶς ἀπόληται, ἀλλὰ πάντες ἄνθρωποι συμφώνως ,,πιστεύσαντες“ αὐτῷ αἶνον σύμφωνον ἀναπέμψαντες αὐτῷ ,,ζήσωσιν“ αἰωνίως.

hēmeis oun hoi kataxiōthentes einai martyres tēs parousias autou syn Iakōbǭ tǭ tou kyriou adelphǭ kai heterois hebdomēkonta dyo mathētais kai tois hepta diakonois autou ek stomatos tou kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou ēkousamen kai akribōs eidotes legomen, ,,ti estin to thelēma tou theou to agathon kai euareston kai teleion“ to dia Iēsou gnōristhen hēmin, ,,hina mēdeis apolētai, alla pantes anthrōpoi symphōnōs ,,pisteusantes“ autǭ ainon symphōnon anapempsantes autǭ ,,zēsōsin“ aiōniōs.

We, then, who were counted worthy to be witnesses of his coming, together with James the brother of the Lord and seventy-two other disciples and his seven deacons, heard it from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and knowing it exactly we declare “what is the will of God, the good and acceptable and perfect,” made known to us through Jesus: “that no one should perish,” but that all men, “believing” in him with one accord and sending up to him a harmonious hymn of praise, “should live” eternally.

Rom 12:2 (quotation, high confidence) · John 3:16 (allusion, high confidence) · 2 Pet 3:9 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles, with James, the seventy-two and the seven deacons, declare God’s will that all believe and live.

Rom 12:2; John 3:16; 2 Pet 3:9.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): xataξδιωθέντες → καταξιωθέντες; ,τί ἐστιν → ,,τί ἐστιν; τέλειον““ → τέλειον“; ο,ἵνα μηδεὶς → ,,ἵνα μηδεὶς; dvθρωποι → ἄνθρωποι; ,,ζήσωσιν““ → ,,ζήσωσιν“.

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.55.2 (Funk 1:157; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-55-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 56

2.56.1Funk 1:157

Τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν, ὃ ἐδίδαξεν ἡμᾶς ὃ κύριος προσευχομένους λέγειν τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ" ,,Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς“, ὅπως, ὡς αἱ ἐπουράνιοι φύσεις τῶν ἀσωμάτων δυνάμεων πᾶσαι δοξάζουσιν τὸν θεὸν συμφώνως, οὕτως καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς πάντες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐν ἑνὶ στόματι καὶ μιᾷ διαθέσει δοξάζωσιν τὸν μόνον θεὸν τὸν ἕνα καὶ ἀληθινὸν διὰ τοῦ μονογενοῦς Χριστοῦ.

Touto gar estin, ho edidaxen hēmas ho kyrios proseuchomenous legein tǭ patri autou" ,,Genēthētō to thelēma sou hōs en ouranǭ kai epi tēs gēs“, hopōs, hōs hai epouranioi physeis tōn asōmatōn dynameōn pasai doxazousin ton theon symphōnōs, houtōs kai epi gēs pantes hoi anthrōpoi en heni stomati kai mią diathesei doxazōsin ton monon theon ton hena kai alēthinon dia tou monogenous Christou.

For this is what the Lord taught us to say when we pray to his Father: “Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth,” so that, as the heavenly natures of the incorporeal powers all glorify God with one accord, so also on earth all men with one mouth and one disposition may glorify the only God, the one and true, through the only-begotten Christ.

Matt 6:10 (quotation, high confidence) · Rom 15:6 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The Lord’s Prayer asks that all on earth glorify God with one accord as the angels do.

Matt 6:10; Rom 15:6.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): oi ἄνθρωποι → οἱ ἄνθρωποι; “ἕνα καὶ → ἕνα καὶ.

Topics: Prayer

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.56.1 (Funk 1:157; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-56-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.56.2Funk 1:157

θέλημα οὖν αὐτοῦ ἐστιν αἰνεῖν αὐτὸν ὁμοφρόνως καὶ προσκυνεῖν αὐτὸν συμφώνως. τοῦτο γὰρ αὐτοῦ ἐστι θέλημα ἐν Χριστῷ, πολλοὺς εἶναι τοὺς σωζομένους ἐν αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ μὴ ζημιοῦν αὐτὸν μηδὲ ἐλαττονεῖν ὑμᾶς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν ἢ συστέλλειν τὸν ἀριθμὸν διὰ μιᾶς ψυχῆς ἀνθρώπου ἐφ᾽ ὑμῶν ἀναιρεθείσης, ἥτις ἠδύνατο σωθῆναι διὰ μετανοίας, ἀπώλετο δὲ οὐ μόνον ἐξ ἰδίας ὀργῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ἤδη καὶ ἐξ ὑμετέρας ἐπιβουλῆς, καὶ ἐπληρώσατε τὸ γεγραμμένον" ,,Ὁ μὴ συνάγων μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ σκορπίζει“.

thelēma oun autou estin ainein auton homophronōs kai proskynein auton symphōnōs. touto gar autou esti thelēma en Christǭ, pollous einai tous sōzomenous en autǭ, alla mē zēmioun auton mēde elattonein hymas tēn ekklēsian ē systellein ton arithmon dia mias psychēs anthrōpou eph᾽ hymōn anairetheisēs, hētis ēdynato sōthēnai dia metanoias, apōleto de ou monon ex idias orgēs, all᾽ ēdē kai ex hymeteras epiboulēs, kai eplērōsate to gegrammenon" ,,Ho mē synagōn met᾽ emou skorpizei“.

His will, then, is that we praise him with one mind and worship him with one accord. For this is his will in Christ: that many should be saved in him, and that you should not cause him loss, nor diminish the church, nor reduce its number by one human soul destroyed by you, which could have been saved through repentance but perished not only through its own anger but also through your scheming; and so you have fulfilled what is written: “He who does not gather with me scatters.”

Matt 12:30 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: God wills that many be saved, and those who drive souls away scatter the flock.

Matt 12:30.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): προσχυνεῖν → προσκυνεῖν; ἐφ ὑμῶν → ἐφ᾽ ὑμῶν; ἤόη → ἤδη; »Ὁ μὴ → ,,Ὁ μὴ.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.56.2 (Funk 1:157; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-56-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.56.3Funk 1:157–159

τοιοῦτος δέ, ὢν σκορπιστής, προβάτων ἀντίδικος, θεοῦ ἐχθρός, τῶν ἀρνίων φθορεύς, ὧν ὃ κύριος ποιμὴν ὑπῆρξεν καὶ ἡμεῖς συναγωγοὶ ἐκ διαφόρων ἐθνῶν καὶ γλωσσῶν ,,ἐν πολλῷ μόχθῳ καὶ κινδύνῳ καὶ κόπῳ, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἀσιτίαις, χαμευνίαις, διωγμοῖς, πληγαῖς, φυλακαῖς“, ἵνα τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ ποιήσαντες ,,πληρώσωμεν τὸν τρίκλιον τῶν ἀνακειμένων“, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν τὴν ἱερὰν καὶ καθολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν εὐφραινομένων τῶν κλητῶν καὶ ἀγαλλιωμένων, ὑμνούντων καὶ δοξαζόντων τὸν καλέσαντα αὐτοὺς δι᾽ ἡμῶν εἰς ζωὴν θεόν" ὑμεῖς ὅσον τὸ ἐφ᾽ ὑμῖν διεσκορπίσατε.

toioutos de, ōn skorpistēs, probatōn antidikos, theou echthros, tōn arniōn phthoreus, hōn ho kyrios poimēn hypērxen kai hēmeis synagōgoi ek diaphorōn ethnōn kai glōssōn ,,en pollǭ mochthǭ kai kindynǭ kai kopǭ, en agrypniais, asitiais, chameuniais, diōgmois, plēgais, phylakais“, hina to thelēma tou theou poiēsantes ,,plērōsōmen ton triklion tōn anakeimenōn“, tout᾽ estin tēn hieran kai katholikēn ekklēsian euphrainomenōn tōn klētōn kai agalliōmenōn, hymnountōn kai doxazontōn ton kalesanta autous di᾽ hēmōn eis zōēn theon" hymeis hoson to eph᾽ hymin dieskorpisate.

Such a one, being a scatterer, is an adversary of the sheep, an enemy of God, a destroyer of the lambs — the lambs of whom the Lord was the shepherd, and we the gatherers from various nations and tongues, “in much toil and danger and labour, in watchings, fastings, sleeping on the ground, persecutions, blows, prisons,” so that, having done the will of God, “we might fill the banquet hall with guests,” that is, the holy and catholic church, with the called rejoicing and exulting, hymning and glorifying God who called them through us to life. But you, as far as lay in you, have scattered them.

2 Cor 11:23–27 (quotation, medium confidence) · Matt 22:10 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Those who drive out the lambs undo the apostles’ labours in gathering the church.

2 Cor 11:23–27; Matt 22:10.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὧν σχορπιστής → ὢν σκορπιστής; ἐθνῶν: καὶ γλωσσῶν »ἐν → ἐθνῶν καὶ γλωσσῶν ,,ἐν; κόπῳ detect ἀγρυπνίαις → κόπῳ, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις; »πληρώσωμεν → ,,πληρώσωμεν; παθολικὴν ἐκχλησίαν → καθολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.56.3 (Funk 1:157–159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-56-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.56.4Funk 1:159

καὶ ὑμεῖς δέ, οἱ λαϊκοί, εἰρηνεύετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους, σπουδάζοντες ὡς φρόνιμοι τὴν ἐκκλησίαν αὔξειν καὶ τὰ νομιζόμενα ἄγρια ἐπιστρέφειν εἰς αὐτὴν καὶ ἐξημεροῦν καὶ ἀποκαθιστᾶν. καὶ τοῦτό ἐστιν ὃ μέγιστος ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας μισθὸς παρὰ θεοῦ· ,,Ἐὰν ἐξαγάγῃς ἐξ ἀναξίου τίμιον, ὡς στόμα μου ἔσῃ“.

kai hymeis de, hoi laïkoi, eirēneuete pros allēlous, spoudazontes hōs phronimoi tēn ekklēsian auxein kai ta nomizomena agria epistrephein eis autēn kai exēmeroun kai apokathistan. kai touto estin ho megistos ex epangelias misthos para theou; ,,Ean exagagę̄s ex anaxiou timion, hōs stoma mou esę̄“.

And you too, laity, be at peace with one another, eager, as wise people, to increase the church, to turn toward it those thought to be wild, to tame them and to restore them. And this is the greatest reward promised by God: “If you bring out the precious from the worthless, you shall be as my mouth.”

Jer 15:19 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The laity too must live in peace and win others to the church.

Jer 15:19.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ὑπουδείζονξες → σπουδάζοντες; τὴν dU σίαν → τὴν ἐκκλησίαν; rà νομιζόμενα → τὰ νομιζόμενα; ἀποχαθιοτᾶν → ἀποκαθιστᾶν; θεοῦ" , Ἐὰν → θεοῦ· ,,Ἐὰν.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.56.4 (Funk 1:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-56-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Apostolic 2, chapter 57

2.57.1Funk 1:159

Σὺ δέ, ὁ ἐπίσκοπος, ἔσο ἅγιος, ἄμωμος, μὴ πλήκτης, μὴ ὀργίλος, μὴ ἀπηνής, ἀλλ᾽ οἰκοδόμος, ἐπιστροφεύς, διδακτικός, ἀνεξίκακος, ἠπιόθυμος, πρᾶος, μακρόθυμος, παραινετικός, παρακλητικὸς ὡς ,,θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος“.

Sy de, ho episkopos, eso hagios, amōmos, mē plēktēs, mē orgilos, mē apēnēs, all᾽ oikodomos, epistropheus, didaktikos, anexikakos, ēpiothymos, praos, makrothymos, parainetikos, paraklētikos hōs ,,theou anthrōpos“.

And you, O bishop, be holy, blameless, not a striker, not quick-tempered, not harsh, but one who builds up, who turns people back, apt to teach, forbearing, mild in temper, gentle, long-suffering, ready to exhort and to comfort, as “a man of God.”

1 Tim 6:11 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The bishop must be holy, gentle and a builder-up of the church.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ó ἐπίσχοπος → ὁ ἐπίσκοπος; οἰκοδόμος, ἐπ ἐπιστροφεύς → οἰκοδόμος, ἐπιστροφεύς; μακχρόθυμος → μακρόθυμος; παραινετιχός → παραινετικός; εεθεοῦ ἄνθρωπος" → ,,θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος“.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.1 (Funk 1:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.2Funk 1:159

ὅταν δὲ συναθροίζῃς τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκκλησίαν, ὡς ἂν κυβερνήτης νηὸς μεγάλης μετ᾽ ἐπιστήμης πάσης κέλευε ποιεῖσθαι τὰς συνόδους, παραγγέλλων τοῖς διακόνοις ὡσανεὶ ναύταις τοὺς τόπους ἐκτάσσειν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς καθάπερ ἐπιβάταις μετὰ πάσης ἐπιμελείας καὶ σεμνότητος.

hotan de synathroizę̄s tēn tou theou ekklēsian, hōs an kybernētēs nēos megalēs met᾽ epistēmēs pasēs keleue poieisthai tas synodous, parangellōn tois diakonois hōsanei nautais tous topous ektassein tois adelphois kathaper epibatais meta pasēs epimeleias kai semnotētos.

When you assemble the church of God, like the pilot of a great ship, order the assemblies to be held with all skill, charging the deacons, as sailors, to assign places to the brothers as to passengers, with all care and dignity.

Notes and citation

Summary: The bishop orders the assembly like a pilot, with the deacons as crew.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): τὴν vot θεοῦ ἐχχλησίαν → τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκκλησίαν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.2 (Funk 1:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.3Funk 1:159–161

καὶ πρῶτον μὲν ὁ οἶκος ἔστω ἐπιμήκης, κατὰ ἀνατολὰς τετραμμένος, ἐξ ἑκατέρων τῶν μερῶν ἔχων τὰ παστοφόρια πρὸς ἀνατολήν, ὅστις ἔοικεν νηΐ.

kai prōton men ho oikos estō epimēkēs, kata anatolas tetrammenos, ex hekaterōn tōn merōn echōn ta pastophoria pros anatolēn, hostis eoiken nēï.

And first, let the building be long, turned toward the east, with the side chambers on both sides toward the east; so it is like a ship.

Notes and citation

Summary: The church building is oblong, facing east, like a ship.

“Side chambers” renders παστοφόρια, rooms flanking the sanctuary.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἐξ ixaτέρων → ἐξ ἑκατέρων.

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.3 (Funk 1:159–161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.4Funk 1:161

κείσθω δὲ μέσος ὃ τοῦ ἐπισκόπου θρόνος, παρ᾽ ἑκάτερα δὲ αὐτοῦ καθεζέσθω τὸ πρεσβυτέριον, καὶ οἱ διάκονοι παριστάσθωσαν εὐσταλεῖς τῆς πλείονος ἐσθῆτος᾽ ἐοίκασι γὰρ ναύταις καὶ τοιχάρχοις. προνοίᾳ δὲ τούτων εἰς τὸ ἕτερον μέρος οἱ λαϊκοὶ καθεζέσθωσαν μετὰ πάσης ἡσυχίας καὶ εὐταξίας, καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες κεχωρισμένως καὶ αὐταὶ καθεζέσθωσαν σιωπὴν ἄγουσαι.

keisthō de mesos ho tou episkopou thronos, par᾽ hekatera de autou kathezesthō to presbyterion, kai hoi diakonoi paristasthōsan eustaleis tēs pleionos esthētos᾽ eoikasi gar nautais kai toicharchois. pronoią de toutōn eis to heteron meros hoi laïkoi kathezesthōsan meta pasēs hēsychias kai eutaxias, kai hai gynaikes kechōrismenōs kai autai kathezesthōsan siōpēn agousai.

Let the bishop’s throne be placed in the middle, and on each side of him let the presbytery sit, and let the deacons stand by, lightly clad, without their outer garments; for they are like the sailors and the officers of the ship’s sides. Under their care let the laity sit in the other part with all quietness and good order, and let the women also sit apart, keeping silence.

1 Cor 14:34 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The bishop sits in the centre with the presbyters, the deacons stand by, and men and women sit separately.

Cf. 1 Cor 14:34.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): γναῦταις → ναύταις; αἱ γυναῖχες κεχωρισμένως → αἱ γυναῖκες κεχωρισμένως; σιώπην → σιωπὴν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.4 (Funk 1:161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.5Funk 1:161

μέσος δὲ ὃ ἀναγνώστης ἐφ᾽ ὑψηλοῦ τινος ἑστὼς ἀναγινωσκέτω τὰ Μωσέως καὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναυή, τὰ τῶν Κριτῶν καὶ τῶν Βασιλειῶν, τὰ τῶν Παραλειπομένων καὶ τὰ τῆς Ἐπανόδου, πρὸς τούτοις τὰ τοῦ Ἰὼβ καὶ τὰ Σολομῶνος καὶ τὰ τῶν ἑκκαίδεκα προφητῶν.

mesos de ho anagnōstēs eph᾽ hypsēlou tinos hestōs anaginōsketō ta Mōseōs kai Iēsou tou Nauē, ta tōn Kritōn kai tōn Basileiōn, ta tōn Paraleipomenōn kai ta tēs Epanodou, pros toutois ta tou Iōb kai ta Solomōnos kai ta tōn hekkaideka prophētōn.

In the middle let the reader, standing on some raised place, read the books of Moses and of Joshua the son of Nun, those of the Judges and of the Kingdoms, those of the Chronicles and of the Return, and besides these those of Job and of Solomon and of the sixteen prophets.

Notes and citation

Summary: The reader reads from the Old Testament books from a raised place.

“The Return” is Ezra–Nehemiah; the “sixteen prophets” are the four major and twelve minor prophets.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): Baσιλείων → Βασιλειῶν; E£xaló:xa → ἑκκαίδεκα.

Topics: Scripture and canon

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.5 (Funk 1:161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.6Funk 1:161

ἀνὰ δύο δὲ γενομένων ἀναγνωσμάτων, ἕτερός τις τοὺς τοῦ Δαυὶδ ψαλλέτω ὕμνους, καὶ ὁ λαὸς τὰ ἀκροστίχια ὑποψαλλέτω.

ana dyo de genomenōn anagnōsmatōn, heteros tis tous tou Dauid psalletō hymnous, kai ho laos ta akrostichia hypopsalletō.

After every two readings, let someone else sing the hymns of David, and let the people sing the refrains in response.

Notes and citation

Summary: Psalms are sung between the readings, with the people responding.

Topics: Prayer

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.6 (Funk 1:161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.7Funk 1:161–163

μετὰ τοῦτο αἱ Πράξεις αἱ ἡμέτεραι ἀναγινωσκέσθωσαν καὶ αἱ ἐπιστολαὶ Παύλου τοῦ συνεργοῦ ἡμῶν, ἃς ἐπέστειλε ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις καθ᾽ ὑφήγησιν τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος" καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα διάκονος ἢ πρεσβύτερος ἀναγινωσκέτω τὰ Εὐαγγέλια, ἃ ἐγὼ Ματθαῖος καὶ Ἰωάννης παρεδώκαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οἱ συνεργοὶ Παύλου παρειληφότες κατέλειψαν ὑμῖν Λουκᾶς καὶ Μάρκος.

meta touto hai Praxeis hai hēmeterai anaginōskesthōsan kai hai epistolai Paulou tou synergou hēmōn, has epesteile tais ekklēsiais kath᾽ hyphēgēsin tou hagiou pneumatos" kai meta tauta diakonos ē presbyteros anaginōsketō ta Euangelia, ha egō Matthaios kai Iōannēs paredōkamen hymin kai hoi synergoi Paulou pareilēphotes kateleipsan hymin Loukas kai Markos.

After this let our Acts be read, and the letters of Paul our fellow worker, which he sent to the churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and after these let a deacon or a presbyter read the Gospels, which I, Matthew, and John delivered to you, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow workers of Paul, received and left to you.

Notes and citation

Summary: Acts and Paul’s letters are read, then the four Gospels by a deacon or presbyter.

A long block of Funk’s apparatus (with parallel passages from later writers) that the OCR placed inside this section is removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; apparatus removed): αἵ ἡμέτεραι ἀναγινωσκέσθῶωσαν → αἱ ἡμέτεραι ἀναγινωσκέσθωσαν; ἀναγινωσχέτω → ἀναγινωσκέτω; l τῶν 2 b o ἔχων 7» a | παστοφόρεια p v | 2 ἔοιχεν : ἐπικείσθω h | δὲ T b "μέσος 0: εἰς μέσον b o | B ναύταις x. τ. : αὐταῖς καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις b o|6 ἡσυχίας .. εὐταξίας cobo p v|7 χεχωρισμέναις 0| αὗται ἃ h | 8 δ᾽ 4| ἑστὼς 7 bo| 11 τὰ vob . iv τὰ b o| τὰ Σολ. : τοῦ Σ. a | Σολομῶντος bo p v | é&xaióexa h p : ἕξ xal δέκα b o, δεκαὲξ v, τς a | 12 δὲ ante ὕμνους b o, ΣΙ p v ἀχρόστιχα a b o | 14 αἱ : ὃ (— oi) b, 7 0| 15 ἀπέστειλε b h | 16 ὑφήχησιν a , xal 2» 0 | 17 διάκονος ἢ noto. co b o | τὸ εὐαγγέλιον b ὁ c. 3 scribit: Kal νῦν μὲν διχῇ διανεμηθέντες ἀντιψάλλουσιν ἀλλήλοις, ἔπειτα πάλιν ἐπιτρέψαντες ἑνὶ κατἄρχειν τοῦ μέλους, οἱ λοιποὶ ὑπηἘξῆρχον δὲ τῶν ψαλμῶν τοῖς ἄλλοις οἱ τούτους ἀχριβοῦντες xal ξυνεπἤχει τὸ πλῆθος ἐν συμφωνίᾳ. Ps.- Ὃ uiv ἱεράρχης . . . ἀπάρχεται τῆς ἱερᾶς τῶν ψαλμῶν μελῳδίας συναδούσης αὐτῷ τὴν ψαλμιχὴν ἱερολογίαν ἁπάσης τῆς ἐχκλησιαστικχῆς διακοσμήσεως. C 5 → ; Aovxác → Λουκᾶς.

Topics: Scripture and canon, Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.7 (Funk 1:161–163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.8Funk 1:163

καὶ ὅταν ἀναγινωσκόμενον ᾖ τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον, πάντες οἱ πρεσβύτεροι καὶ οἱ διάκονοι καὶ πᾶς ὃ λαὸς στηκέτωσαν μετὰ πολλῆς ἡσυχίας" γέγραπται γάρʼ ,,Σιώπα καὶ ἄκουε ᾿Ισραήλ΄,, καὶ πάλιν" ,,Σὺ δὲ αὐτοῦ στῆθι καὶ ἀκούσῃ“.

kai hotan anaginōskomenon ę̄ to Euangelion, pantes hoi presbyteroi kai hoi diakonoi kai pas ho laos stēketōsan meta pollēs hēsychias" gegraptai garʼ ,,Siōpa kai akoue ᾿Israēl΄,, kai palin" ,,Sy de autou stēthi kai akousę̄“.

And when the Gospel is being read, let all the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great silence; for it is written: “Be silent and hear, O Israel,” and again: “But you, stand here and you shall hear.”

Deut 27:9 (quotation, high confidence) · Deut 5:31 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: All stand in silence for the Gospel.

Deut 27:9; Deut 5:31.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἀναγινωσκόμενον ἢ → ἀναγινωσκόμενον ᾖ.

Topics: Scripture and canon

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.8 (Funk 1:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.9Funk 1:163

καὶ ἑξῆς παρακαλείτωσαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τὸν λαόν, ὁ καθεῖς αὐτῶν, ἀλλὰ μὴ ἅπαντες, καὶ τελευταῖος πάντων ὃ ἐπίσκοπος, ὃς ἔοικε κυβερνήτῃ. 10. στηκέτωσαν δὲ οἱ μὲν πυλωροὶ εἰς τὰς εἰσόδους τῶν ἀνδρῶν φυλάσσοντες αὐτάς, αἱ δὲ διάκονοι εἰς τὰς τῶν γυναικῶν, δίκην ναυστολόγων᾽ καὶ γὰρ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ὃ αὐτὸς παρηκολούθει τύπος.

kai hexēs parakaleitōsan hoi presbyteroi ton laon, ho katheis autōn, alla mē hapantes, kai teleutaios pantōn ho episkopos, hos eoike kybernētę̄. 10. stēketōsan de hoi men pylōroi eis tas eisodous tōn andrōn phylassontes autas, hai de diakonoi eis tas tōn gynaikōn, dikēn naustologōn᾽ kai gar en tę̄ skēnę̄ tou martyriou ho autos parēkolouthei typos.

And next let the presbyters exhort the people, one at a time and not all at once, and last of all the bishop, who is like the pilot. [10] Let the doorkeepers stand at the men’s entrances, guarding them, and the deaconesses at the women’s, like the officers who receive passengers on board; for in the tabernacle of witness the same pattern was followed.

Notes and citation

Summary: Presbyters and then the bishop preach; doorkeepers and deaconesses guard the entrances.

Funk’s section 10 sits inside this staged ref (numeral misread); marked [10]. “Deaconesses” renders αἱ διάκονοι.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; section numeral misread): πρεῦσβύτεροι → πρεσβύτεροι; ὃ καθεῖς → ὁ καθεῖς; κυβερνήτῃ. το. στηκέτωσαν → κυβερνήτῃ. 10. στηκέτωσαν.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.9 (Funk 1:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.11Funk 1:163

εἰ δέ τις εὑρεθῇ παρὰ τόπον καθεζόμενος, ἐπιπλησσέσθω ὑπὸ τοῦ διακόνου ὡς πρωρέως καὶ εἰς τὸν καθήκοντα αὐτῷ τόπον μεταγέσθω.

ei de tis heurethę̄ para topon kathezomenos, epiplēssesthō hypo tou diakonou hōs prōreōs kai eis ton kathēkonta autǭ topon metagesthō.

And if anyone is found sitting out of his place, let him be rebuked by the deacon, as by the officer at the prow, and be moved to the place proper to him.

Notes and citation

Summary: The deacon moves those sitting out of place.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): εἶ δέ → εἰ δέ.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.11 (Funk 1:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-11). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.12Funk 1:163–165

οὐ μόνον γὰρ νηΐ, ἀλλὰ καὶ μάνδρῃ ὡμοίωται ἡ ἐκκλησία. ὡς γὰρ οἱ ποιμένες ἕκαστον τῶν ἀλόγων, αἰγῶν φημι καὶ προβάτων, κατὰ συγγένειαν καὶ ἡλικίαν ἱστῶσιν, καὶ ἕκαστον αὐτῶν τὸ ὅμοιον τῷ ὁμοίῳ συντρέχει, οὕτω καὶ ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ οἱ μὲν νεώτεροι ἰδίᾳ καθεζέσθωσαν, ἐὰν ᾖ τόπος, εἰ δὲ μή, στηκέτωσαν ὀρθοί᾽ οἱ δὲ τῇ ἡλικίᾳ ἤδη προβεβηκότες καθεζέσθωσαν ἐν τάξει, τὰ δὲ παιδία ἑστῶτα προσλαμβανέσθωσαν αὐτῶν οἱ πατέρες καὶ αἱ μητέρες, αἱ δέ νεώτεραι πάλιν ἰδίᾳ, ἐὰν ᾖ τόπος, εἰ δὲ μήγε, ὄπισθεν τῶν γυναικῶν ἱστάσθωσαν, αἱ δὲ ἤδη γεγαμηκυῖαι καὶ τὰ τέκνα ἔχουσαι ἰδίᾳ ἰστάσθωσαν, αἱ παρθένοι δὲ καὶ αἱ χῆραι καὶ αἱ πρεσβύτιδες πρῶται πασῶν στηκέτωσαν ἢ καθεζέσθωσαν.

ou monon gar nēï, alla kai mandrę̄ hōmoiōtai hē ekklēsia. hōs gar hoi poimenes hekaston tōn alogōn, aigōn phēmi kai probatōn, kata syngeneian kai hēlikian histōsin, kai hekaston autōn to homoion tǭ homoiǭ syntrechei, houtō kai en tę̄ ekklēsią hoi men neōteroi idią kathezesthōsan, ean ę̄ topos, ei de mē, stēketōsan orthoi᾽ hoi de tę̄ hēlikią ēdē probebēkotes kathezesthōsan en taxei, ta de paidia hestōta proslambanesthōsan autōn hoi pateres kai hai mēteres, hai de neōterai palin idią, ean ę̄ topos, ei de mēge, opisthen tōn gynaikōn histasthōsan, hai de ēdē gegamēkuiai kai ta tekna echousai idią istasthōsan, hai parthenoi de kai hai chērai kai hai presbytides prōtai pasōn stēketōsan ē kathezesthōsan.

For the church is likened not only to a ship but also to a sheepfold. For as shepherds place each of the animals — goats, I mean, and sheep — by kind and age, and each of them runs together, like with like, so in the church too let the younger sit by themselves, if there is room; if not, let them stand upright. Let those already advanced in age sit in order; let fathers and mothers take to themselves the children, who stand; let the younger women again be by themselves, if there is room, and if not, let them stand behind the women; let the women already married and having children stand by themselves; and let the virgins, the widows and the older women stand or sit first of all.

Notes and citation

Summary: The congregation is arranged by age and state of life, like a well-ordered flock.

Two Scripture references from Funk’s apparatus, placed by the OCR inside the text, are removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; apparatus removed): οὐ μόνον» γὰρ → οὐ μόνον γὰρ; ἐχκλησία. ὡς → ἐκκλησία. ὡς; καὶ Deut. 27, 9. — Deut. 5, 31. ἕχαστον → καὶ ἕκαστον; iv τῇ ἐχκλησίᾳ → ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ; ἐὰν ἡ τόπος, εἶ δὲ μή → ἐὰν ᾖ τόπος, εἰ δὲ μή; ἐὰν ἢ τόπος, εἰ δὲ μήγε → ἐὰν ᾖ τόπος, εἰ δὲ μήγε; αἱ ob ἤδη → αἱ δὲ ἤδη.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.12 (Funk 1:163–165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-12). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.13Funk 1:165

ἔστω δὲ τῶν τόπων προνοῶν ὃ διάκονος, ἵν᾽ ἕκαστος τῶν εἰσερχομένων εἰς τὸν ἴδιον τόπον ὁρμᾷ καὶ μὴ παρὰ τὸ ἰντρόϊτον καθέζωνται. ὁμοίως ὁ διάκονος ἐπισκοπείτω τὸν λαόν, ὅπως μήτις ψιθυρίσῃ ἢ νυστάξῃ ἢ γελάσῃ ἢ νεύσῃ" χρὴ γὰρ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐπιστημόνως καὶ νηφαλέως καὶ ἐγρηγορότως ἑστάναι, ἐκτεταμένην ἔχοντα τὴν ἀκοὴν εἰς τὸν τοῦ κυρίου λόγον.

estō de tōn topōn pronoōn ho diakonos, hin᾽ hekastos tōn eiserchomenōn eis ton idion topon hormą kai mē para to introïton kathezōntai. homoiōs ho diakonos episkopeitō ton laon, hopōs mētis psithyrisę̄ ē nystaxę̄ ē gelasę̄ ē neusę̄" chrē gar en ekklēsią epistēmonōs kai nēphaleōs kai egrēgorotōs hestanai, ektetamenēn echonta tēn akoēn eis ton tou kyriou logon.

Let the deacon take care of the places, so that each who comes in goes to his own place and they do not sit by the entrance. Likewise let the deacon oversee the people, so that no one whispers or dozes or laughs or nods; for in church one must stand with understanding, soberly and watchfully, with ear stretched out toward the word of the Lord.

Notes and citation

Summary: The deacon keeps order and attention in the assembly.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ἕχαστος → ἕκαστος; ἀκοὴ» εἰς → ἀκοὴν εἰς.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.13 (Funk 1:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-13). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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2.57.14Funk 1:165–167

καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο συμφώνως ἅπαντες ἐξαναστάντες καὶ ἐπ᾽ ἀνατολὰς κατανοήσαντες, μετὰ τὴν τῶν κατηχουμένων καὶ τὴν τῶν μετανοούντων ἔξοδον προσευξάσθωσαν τῷ θεῷ ,,τῷ ἐπιβεβηκότι ἐπὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατὰ ἀνατολάς“,, ὑπομιμνησκόμενοι καὶ τῆς ἀρχαίας νομῆς τοῦ κατὰ ἀνατολὰς παραδείσου, ὅθεν ὃ πρῶτος ἄνθρωπος, ἀθετήσας τὴν ἐντολὴν ὄφεως συμβουλίᾳ πεισθείς, ἀπεβλήθη. 15. οἱ δὲ διάκονοι μετὰ τὴν προσευχὴν οἱ μὲν τῇ προσφορᾷ τῆς εὐχαριστίας σχολαζέτωσαν ὑπηρετούμενοι τῷ τοῦ κυρίου σώματι μετὰ φόβου, οἱ δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους διασκοπείτωσαν καὶ ἡσυχίαν αὐτοῖς ἐμποιείτωσαν. 16. λεγέτω δὲ ὁ παρεστὼς τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ διάκονος τῷ λαῷ᾽ Μή τις κατά τινος, μή τις ἐν ὑποκρίσει. 17. εἶτα καὶ ἀσπαζέσθωσαν ἀλλήλους οἱ ἄνδρες καὶ ἀλλήλας αἱ γυναῖκες τὸ ἐν κυρίῳ φίλημα, ἀλλὰ μή τις δολίως, ὡς ὁ Ἰούδας τὸν κύριον φιλήματι παρέδωκεν. 18. καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο προσευχέσθω ὃ διάκονος ὑπὲρ τῆς ἐκκλησίας πάσης καὶ παντὸς τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τῶν ἐν αὐτῷ μερῶν καὶ ἐκφορίων, ὑπὲρ τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων, ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως καὶ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τῆς καθόλου εἰρήνης. 19. καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο ὃ ἀρχιερεὺς ἐπευχόμενος τῷ λαῷ εἰρήνην εὐλογείτω τοῦτον, ὡς καὶ Μωσῆς ἐνετείλατο τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν εὐλογεῖν τὸν λαὸν τούτοις τοῖς ῥήμασιν" ,, Εὐλογήσαι σε κύριος καὶ φυλάξαι σε, ἐπιφάναι κύριος τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ ἐλεήσαι σε, ἐπάραι κύριος τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ δῴη σοι εἰρήνην“. 20. ἐπευχέσθω οὖν καὶ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος καὶ λεγέτω· ,,Σῶσον τὸν λαόν σου, κύριε, καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου, ἣν ἐκτήσω καὶ περιεποιήσω τῷ τιμίῳ αἵματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου καὶ ἐκάλεσας βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα καὶ ἔθνος ἅγιον“. 21. μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα γινέσθω ἡ θυσία, ἑστῶτος παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ προσευχομένου ἡσύχως᾽ καὶ ὅταν ἀνενεχθῇ, μεταλαμβανέτω ἑκάστη τάξις καθʼ ἑαυτὴν τοῦ κυριακοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῦ τιμίου αἵματος, ἐν τάξει μετὰ αἰδοῦς καὶ εὐλαβείας ὡς βασιλέως προσερχόμενοι σώματι, καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες κατακεκαλυμμέναι τὴν κεφαλήν, ὡς ἁρμόζει γυναικῶν τάξει, προσερχέσθωσαν. φυλαττέσθωσαν δὲ αἱ θύραι, μή τις ἄπιστος εἰσέλθοι ἢ ἀμύητος.

kai meta touto symphōnōs hapantes exanastantes kai ep᾽ anatolas katanoēsantes, meta tēn tōn katēchoumenōn kai tēn tōn metanoountōn exodon proseuxasthōsan tǭ theǭ ,,tǭ epibebēkoti epi ton ouranon tou ouranou kata anatolas“,, hypomimnēskomenoi kai tēs archaias nomēs tou kata anatolas paradeisou, hothen ho prōtos anthrōpos, athetēsas tēn entolēn opheōs symboulią peistheis, apeblēthē. 15. hoi de diakonoi meta tēn proseuchēn hoi men tę̄ prosphorą tēs eucharistias scholazetōsan hypēretoumenoi tǭ tou kyriou sōmati meta phobou, hoi de tous ochlous diaskopeitōsan kai hēsychian autois empoieitōsan. 16. legetō de ho parestōs tǭ archierei diakonos tǭ laǭ᾽ Mē tis kata tinos, mē tis en hypokrisei. 17. eita kai aspazesthōsan allēlous hoi andres kai allēlas hai gynaikes to en kyriǭ philēma, alla mē tis doliōs, hōs ho Ioudas ton kyrion philēmati paredōken. 18. kai meta touto proseuchesthō ho diakonos hyper tēs ekklēsias pasēs kai pantos tou kosmou kai tōn en autǭ merōn kai ekphoriōn, hyper tōn hiereōn kai tōn archontōn, hyper tou archiereōs kai tou basileōs kai tēs katholou eirēnēs. 19. kai meta touto ho archiereus epeuchomenos tǭ laǭ eirēnēn eulogeitō touton, hōs kai Mōsēs eneteilato tois hiereusin eulogein ton laon toutois tois rhēmasin" ,, Eulogēsai se kyrios kai phylaxai se, epiphanai kyrios to prosōpon autou epi se kai eleēsai se, eparai kyrios to prosōpon autou epi se kai dǭē soi eirēnēn“. 20. epeuchesthō oun kai ho episkopos kai legetō; ,,Sōson ton laon sou, kyrie, kai eulogēson tēn klēronomian sou, hēn ektēsō kai periepoiēsō tǭ timiǭ haimati tou Christou sou kai ekalesas basileion hierateuma kai ethnos hagion“. 21. meta de tauta ginesthō hē thysia, hestōtos pantos tou laou kai proseuchomenou hēsychōs᾽ kai hotan anenechthę̄, metalambanetō hekastē taxis kathʼ heautēn tou kyriakou sōmatos kai tou timiou haimatos, en taxei meta aidous kai eulabeias hōs basileōs proserchomenoi sōmati, kai hai gynaikes katakekalymmenai tēn kephalēn, hōs harmozei gynaikōn taxei, proserchesthōsan. phylattesthōsan de hai thyrai, mē tis apistos eiselthoi ē amyētos.

And after this, when the catechumens and the penitents have gone out, let all rise together and, looking toward the east, pray to God “who rides on the heaven of heavens toward the east,” remembering also the ancient possession of paradise in the east, from which the first man was cast out when, persuaded by the counsel of the serpent, he set aside the commandment. [15] After the prayer let some of the deacons attend to the offering of the Eucharist, serving the Lord’s body with fear, and let others watch over the crowds and keep them quiet. [16] And let the deacon who stands beside the high priest say to the people: “Let no one have anything against anyone; let no one be in hypocrisy.” [17] Then let the men greet one another, and the women one another, with the kiss in the Lord; but let no one do it deceitfully, as Judas betrayed the Lord with a kiss. [18] And after this let the deacon pray for the whole church and the whole world and its regions and fruits, for the priests and the rulers, for the high priest and the king, and for universal peace. [19] And after this let the high priest, praying peace upon the people, bless them, as Moses also commanded the priests to bless the people with these words: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and have mercy on you; the Lord lift up his face upon you and give you peace.” [20] Let the bishop, then, also pray and say: “Save your people, O Lord, and bless your inheritance, which you acquired and purchased with the precious blood of your Christ and called a royal priesthood and a holy nation.” [21] After this let the sacrifice take place, all the people standing and praying silently; and when it has been offered, let each order partake by itself of the Lord’s body and the precious blood, coming up in order, with reverence and awe, as to the body of a king; and let the women come up with their heads covered, as befits the order of women. And let the doors be guarded, lest any unbeliever or uninitiated person come in.

Ps 68:33 (67:34 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 2:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 26:49 (allusion, high confidence) · Num 6:24–26 (quotation, high confidence) · Ps 28:9 (27:9 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · Acts 20:28 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Pet 2:9 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: After the dismissal of catechumens and penitents come the prayers facing east, the kiss of peace, the intercessions, the blessing and the Eucharist, received in order.

Funk’s sections 15–21 sit inside this staged ref (numerals misread); marked [15]–[21]. “High priest” is the bishop. Ps 68:33 (LXX 67:34); Gen 2:8; Matt 26:49; Num 6:24–26; Ps 28:9 (LXX 27:9); Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 2:9.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; section numeral misread): ἐπ ἀνατολὰς → ἐπ᾽ ἀνατολὰς; ἔξοδον ιπροσευξάσθωσαν τῷ θεῷ τῷ ἐπιβεβηκότι → ἔξοδον προσευξάσθωσαν τῷ θεῷ ,,τῷ ἐπιβεβηκότι; ὑπομιμνησχκόμενοι → ὑπομιμνησκόμενοι; ἀπεβλήθη. τς. οἱ δὲ → ἀπεβλήθη. 15. οἱ δὲ; σχολαξζέτωσαν → σχολαζέτωσαν; ἐμποιείτωσαν. τό. λεγέτω δὲ ὃ → ἐμποιείτωσαν. 16. λεγέτω δὲ ὁ; κατά turoc, μή τις ἐν ὑποχρίσει → κατά τινος, μή τις ἐν ὑποκρίσει; αἱ γυναῖχες τὸ ἐν → αἱ γυναῖκες τὸ ἐν; ἐχκλησίας πάσης → ἐκκλησίας πάσης; xol τῶν iv αὐτῷ μερῶν καὶ ἐχφορίων → καὶ τῶν ἐν αὐτῷ μερῶν καὶ ἐκφορίων; ὡς καὶ “Μωσῆς → ὡς καὶ Μωσῆς; ἐπίσχοπος καὶ λεγέτω" ,,Σὥῶσον → ἐπίσκοπος καὶ λεγέτω· ,,Σῶσον; ἐχάλεσας → ἐκάλεσας; λαοῦ xal προσευχομένου → λαοῦ καὶ προσευχομένου; καὶ oi γυναῖχες κατακεχαλυμμέναι τὴν κεφαλήν, - ὡς → καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες κατακεκαλυμμέναι τὴν κεφαλήν, ὡς; προῦερχέσθωσαν → προσερχέσθωσαν; φυλαττέσθωσαν 0b αἱ → φυλαττέσθωσαν δὲ αἱ.

Topics: Eucharist, Prayer, Church office

Cite (SBL): Const. ap. 2.57.14 (Funk 1:165–167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/constitutiones-apostolorum/2-43-1/#p-2-57-14). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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