Sophia Scriptura

Epistle of the Apostles 1–27

Anonymous · Epistle of the Apostles · ca. 140-170 · unknown · 27 passages

Pseudonymous: Anonymous; the author writes in the name of the eleven apostles (and Cephas). The ascription is a literary device.

Source: Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919 (German translation of the Ethiopic by I. Wajnberg, with Coptic readings in parentheses (TU 43, 1919); OCR from the Internet Archive).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Route 3: the Epistle survives complete only in Ethiopic (with a Coptic fragment of chapters 1-12 and a Latin fragment); none is a site language. The source in hand is the German translation of the Ethiopic by Wajnberg (with Coptic readings in parentheses), TU 43, 1919, translated here by Claude with a note; the German is never shown.

Chapter 1

1Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 1 (Guerrier 12)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

The book that Jesus Christ revealed to his disciples, and how Jesus Christ revealed the book for the sake of the company of the apostles, the disciples of Jesus Christ, the book for all. Simon and Cerinthus, the false apostles, concerning whom it was written, so that no one may attach himself to them; for there is in them a cunning with which they bring people to destruction. (The book has been written) so that you may be steadfast, not waver, not be thrown into confusion, and not turn away from the word of the gospel that you have heard. As we have heard it, kept it in memory, and written it down for the whole world, we commend to you our sons and daughters in joy, in the name of God the Father, the Ruler of the world, and of Jesus Christ. May grace be multiplied upon you.

Gal 1:6 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles introduce the book Christ revealed to them, written against the false apostles Simon and Cerinthus so that the churches may hold fast to the gospel.

  • Route 3: the Epistle of the Apostles (second century) survives complete only in Ethiopic, with a large Coptic and a small Latin fragment; it is translated here from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic (in C. Schmidt, Gespräche Jesu mit seinen Jüngern nach der Auferstehung, TU 43, 1919), with words in parentheses as the German has them; the German is not shown. Chapter numbers are Schmidt's. Footnote marks and stray apparatus in the OCR of the German are left out.
  • Simon (Simon Magus, Acts 8:9–24) and Cerinthus were early teachers opposed by the church; the work's polemic against them is translated as written.

Topics: Heresy

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 1 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 1 (Guerrier 12); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 2

2Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 2 (Guerrier 13)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

(We,) John, Thomas, Peter, Andrew, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Nathanael, Judas the Zealot, and Cephas, we have written to the churches of the east and west, of the north and south, proclaiming and imparting to you what concerns our Lord Jesus Christ: as we have written, how we heard and touched him after he had risen from the dead, and how he revealed to us things great, astonishing, and real.

1 John 1:1 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Eleven apostles, among them Peter and Cephas as two persons, address the churches of the four quarters of the world.

  • The list names Peter and Cephas as two different apostles; translated as written. "Heard and touched" echoes 1 John 1:1.

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 2 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 2 (Guerrier 13); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 3

3Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 3 (Guerrier 14)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

This we know: our Lord and our Redeemer is Jesus Christ, God, the Son of God, who was sent by God, the Ruler of the whole world, the Maker and Creator, who is called by every name, who stands high above all the powers, the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Mighty One of the mighty, the Heavenly One, who is enthroned above the cherubim and seraphim and sits at the right hand of the throne of the Father; who by his word commanded the heavens to be, created the earth and what is in it, and set bounds for the sea so that it should not pass over them; who made the deeps and the springs, so that they might flow trickling over the earth; who founded day and night, sun and moon, and the stars in the heaven; who separated light and darkness, called hell into being, and in a moment orders the rain in winter, mist and hail and ice, and the days in their seasons; who shakes the earth and makes it firm again; who created man after his image and likeness, and spoke with the fathers of old and the prophets in parables and in truth; of whom the apostles preached and whom the disciples touched. God the Lord, the Son of God: we believe that he is the Word made flesh, carried in the body of Mary, the holy virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, not by fleshly desire but by the will of God; wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem and made manifest, brought up and grown to maturity, as we saw.

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

Rev 19:16 (allusion, high confidence) · Eph 1:21 (allusion, medium confidence) · Heb 1:3 (allusion, medium confidence) · Ps 33:6 (32:6 LXX) (allusion, medium confidence) · Jer 5:22 (allusion, medium confidence) · Gen 1:4 (allusion, medium confidence) · Gen 1:16 (allusion, medium confidence) · Gen 1:26 (allusion, high confidence) · Heb 1:1 (allusion, medium confidence) · John 1:14 (allusion, high confidence) · John 1:13 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 1:35 (allusion, medium confidence) · Luke 2:7 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles confess Jesus Christ as God, the Son of God, the Creator enthroned at the Father's right hand, who became flesh of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit.

  • The German marks some words as supplied ("stands high", "is enthroned", "commanded … to be", "the earth") and gives a few grammatical variants in parentheses; these are translated as part of the sentence. The work ascribes creation itself to the Son, the Father's agent; translated as written.
  • Echoes: Rev 19:16; Eph 1:21; Heb 1:3; Ps 33:6; Job 38:8–11 and Jer 5:22; Gen 1:4, 16, 26–27; Heb 1:1; John 1:13–14; Luke 1:35; 2:7.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 3 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 3 (Guerrier 14); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 4

4Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 4 (Guerrier 15)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

This our Lord Jesus Christ did, who had been sent to school by Joseph and Mary his mother. And when the one who was teaching him said to him, "Say Alpha," he answered and said, "You tell me first what Beta is." This thing that happened is true and real.

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles recount that the child Jesus, sent to school, asked his teacher first to explain Beta.

  • The story of the child Jesus and his teacher also appears in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (6–7, 14).

Extrabiblical texts: Inf. Gos. Thom. 6–7, 14 (Infancy Gospel of Thomas (Greek A); echo)

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 4 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 4 (Guerrier 15); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 5

5Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 5 (Guerrier 16)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

After that there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and they invited him with his mother and his brothers; and he changed water into wine. He called the dead back to life, and commanded the lame to walk; he stretched out the hand of the man whose hand was withered; and the woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years touched the hem of his garment and was healed in the same hour. And while we were pondering and marvelling at the miracle he had done, he said, "Who touched me?" We said, "The throng of people has touched you, Lord." But he answered and said to us, "I perceive that a power has gone out from me." At that hour the woman came before him, answered him, and said, "Lord, I touched you." And he answered and said to her, "Go, your faith has healed you." After that he made the deaf hear and the blind see; from those tormented by spirits he drove out the demons that plagued them, and he cleansed the lepers. The spirit dwelling in a man, whose name was Legion, cried out to Jesus and said, "Before the time of our destruction has come, you have come to drive us out." But the Lord Jesus rebuked him and said, "Go out of this man without doing him harm." And he went into the swine and drowned them in the water, and they were choked. After that he once went upon the sea, and the winds were blowing; and he rebuked them, and the waves of the sea became calm. And when we his disciples had no money, we asked him, "What shall we do about the tax collector?" And he answered and said to us, "Let one of you cast the hook into the deep and bring up a fish, and he will find a denarius inside it; give that to the tax collector for me and for you." Then, when we had no bread but only five loaves and two fish, he commanded the people to sit down, and their number was five thousand besides children and women. We set pieces of bread before them, and they ate and were satisfied, and there was still some left over, and we carried away twelve full baskets of pieces, asking one another and saying, "What do these five loaves mean?" They are a figure of our faith concerning the great Christendom, that is, in the Father, the Ruler of the whole world, and in Jesus Christ our Redeemer, in the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, in the holy church, and in the forgiveness of sins.

John 2:1 (allusion, high confidence) · John 2:9 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 3:5 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 8:44 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 8:45 (quotation, high confidence) · Luke 8:46 (quotation, high confidence) · Luke 8:48 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 11:5 (allusion, medium confidence) · Mark 5:9 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 8:29 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 5:13 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 4:39 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 17:27 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 14:17 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 14:21 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 14:20 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles list Christ's miracles, from Cana to the feeding of the five thousand, and read the five loaves as the five articles of the faith.

  • The five loaves are read as a five-part creed (Father, Christ, Holy Spirit, holy church, forgiveness of sins), one of the earliest such formulas; translated as the German has it. "The great Christendom" renders Wajnberg's "das große Christentum"; the sense is uncertain.
  • Gospel parallels: John 2:1–11; Mark 5:25–34 and Luke 8:43–48; Mark 3:1–5; Mark 5:1–13 (Legion); Mark 4:35–41; Matt 17:24–27; Matt 14:15–21 and John 6:1–13.

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 5 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 5 (Guerrier 16); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 6

6Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 6 (Guerrier 17)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

This our Lord and Redeemer revealed to us and taught us. And we do as he did, so that you … .

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles say they pass on what the Lord revealed and taught them.

  • The rest of the chapter is lost in the OCR of the German, where the apparatus has displaced it; marked "…".

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 6 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 6 (Guerrier 17); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 7

7Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 7 (Guerrier 18)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

Cerinthus and Simon have come to travel through the world. They are the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in reality lead astray those who believe in the true word and in the deed, that is, in Jesus Christ. So take heed and beware of them; for pain and filth and death will be the end of destruction and of judgment.

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles warn that Cerinthus and Simon, enemies of Christ, are going through the world leading believers astray.

  • "The end": the word is garbled in the OCR of the German (πάρ) and is translated by sense. The polemic against Cerinthus and Simon is translated as written.

Topics: Heresy

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 7 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 7 (Guerrier 18); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 8

8Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 8 (Guerrier 19)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

We have therefore not held back from the true witness concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning what our Lord did, as we saw it, and how he always explained our thoughts to us … .

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles say they have not held back their witness to what the Lord did.

  • The chapter breaks off in the German, which marks a gap.

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 8 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 8 (Guerrier 19); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 9

9Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 9 (Guerrier 20)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

We bear witness, and this we know, that he was crucified in the days of Pontius Pilate and of Archelaus the prince; that he was crucified between the two robbers, and together with them he was taken down from the wood of the cross; and he was buried in a place whose name was Kranion. Thither three women went, Sarrha, Martha, and Mary, and took ointment with them to pour on the body of Christ, weeping and mourning over what had happened. But when they came near the tomb, they found the stone rolled away from the tomb; they opened the entrance and did not find his body.

Matt 27:38 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 23:33 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 16:1 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 16:4 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 24:3 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles testify that Christ was crucified under Pilate and buried, and that three women found his tomb empty.

  • The OCR inserts here part of Schmidt's German translation of the Coptic version, printed in parallel; it is not translated. The Coptic names the women as "Mary, the one belonging to Martha, and Mary Magdalene", where the Ethiopic has Sarrha, Martha, and Mary. "Kranion" (Greek "skull") is the place of the skull; "Archelaus the prince" is the work's own synchronism.
  • Gospel parallels: Matt 27:38; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:33; Mark 16:1–4; Luke 24:1–3.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 9 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 9 (Guerrier 20); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 10

10Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 10 (Guerrier 21)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

As they were lamenting and weeping, the Lord appeared to them and said to them: "Do not weep; it is I whom you seek. Let one of you go now to your brothers and say to them: Come, our Master has risen from the dead." Mary came to us and told us. But we said to her, "What have we to do with you, O woman? Can one who has died and been buried live again?" And we did not believe her, that our Redeemer had risen from the dead. Then she went back to our Lord and said to him, "None of them would believe me concerning your resurrection." And he said to her, "Let another of you go to tell them." And Sarrha came and brought us the same news, but we accused her of lying. And she went back to our Lord and told him, as Mary had.

John 20:15 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 28:10 (allusion, high confidence) · John 2:4 (allusion, medium confidence) · Mark 16:11 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 24:11 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The risen Lord appears to the women and sends them to the apostles, who twice refuse to believe them.

  • The OCR again inserts Schmidt's parallel German of the Coptic, which is not translated; in the Coptic it is Martha who first brings the news. Some words of the Ethiopic ("and said to him") are given in the German only in its note and are translated here.
  • Parallels: John 20:11–18; Matt 28:10; Mark 16:10–11; Luke 24:10–11; John 2:4 ("What have we to do with you, O woman?").

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 10 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 10 (Guerrier 21); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-10). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 11

11Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 11 (Guerrier 22)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

Then the Lord said to Mary and her sisters, "Let us go to them." And he came and found us sitting veiled. But we doubted and did not believe. He appeared to us like a ghost, and we did not believe that it was he. Yet it was he. And he said to us: "Come, and do not be afraid. I am your Master, whom you, Peter, denied three times before the cock crowed; and now do you deny me again?" And we went to him, pondering and doubting whether it was he. But he said to us: "Why do you doubt, and what are you saying? Do you not know that it is I who spoke to you of my body, my death, and my resurrection? But so that you may know that it is I, put your hand, Peter, into the nail-marks of my hands; and you, Thomas, into my side; and you, Andrew, see whether my foot touches the earth and whether a footprint remains. For it has been written in the prophet: The appearance of a ghost leaves no footprint on the earth."

Luke 24:37 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 24:39 (allusion, high confidence) · John 20:27 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 26:75 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The risen Lord comes to the doubting apostles and invites Peter, Thomas, and Andrew to test that he is no ghost.

  • The OCR inserts Schmidt's parallel German of the Coptic, which is not translated; the Coptic has "put your fingers" and "the lance-wounds of my side", and quotes the prophet as "the foot of a demon-phantom does not cling to the earth". The quotation "of the prophet" is unidentified.
  • Parallels: Luke 24:37–39; John 20:27; Matt 26:34, 75.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 11 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 11 (Guerrier 22); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-11). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 12

12Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 12 (Guerrier 23)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

So we touched him (and convinced ourselves) that he had truly risen in the flesh. Then we fell on our faces before him, worshipped him, and asked his pardon because we had not believed him. Then our Lord and Redeemer said to us: "Rise, and I will reveal to you what is on earth and above the heavens, and concerning your resurrection in the kingdom of heaven, for whose sake my Father sent me, so that I may lead up you and those who believe in me."

1 John 1:1 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 17:7 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles touch the risen Christ, are convinced that he rose in the flesh, and he promises to reveal to them the things of heaven and their resurrection.

  • In the Coptic (not translated) the apostles fall on their faces "confessing our sins, that we had been unbelieving". Parallels: 1 John 1:1; Matt 17:6–7.

Topics: Christology, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 12 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 12 (Guerrier 23); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-12). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 13

13Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 13 (Guerrier 24)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

This, then, is what he revealed to us, as he imparted it to us: "When I came from the Father of all and passed through the heavens, clothed in the wisdom of the Father and wrapped in his power, I was in the heavens; and I passed by the angels and archangels in their likeness, and was as one of them among the powers, dominions, and princes. I passed through them, possessing the measure of the wisdom of the Father who sent me. And the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel followed me as far as the fifth firmament of heaven, while I appeared to them as one of them. Such power was given me by the Father. Then I made the archangels tremble by my voice, so that they should go to the altar of the Father and serve the Father in their manner until I return to him. So I acted according to the manner of his wisdom; for I was in all things with them, so that, when I had fulfilled the merciful will of the Father and the glory of the one who sent me, I might return to him."

Eph 1:21 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ tells how he came down from the Father through the heavens, appearing to the angels as one of them.

  • The descent of the Redeemer through the heavens in the likeness of the angels is a theme the work shares with the Ascension of Isaiah (10–11); translated as written.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 13 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 13 (Guerrier 24); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-13). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 14

14Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 14 (Guerrier 26)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

"Do you know that the angel Gabriel came and brought the message to Mary?" And we said, "Yes, Lord." But he answered and said to us: "Do you not remember that I told you once that to the angels I became like an angel?" And we said to him, "Yes, O Lord." And he said to us: "At that time I appeared to the virgin Mary in the form of the archangel Gabriel and spoke with her; her heart received me, she believed and laughed. Then I, the Word, went into her and became flesh. So I was my own messenger, and in the form of an angel I did this. That is how I was accustomed to act. Then I went back to my Father."

Luke 1:26 (allusion, high confidence) · John 1:14 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ says that he himself, in Gabriel's form, announced his birth to Mary and then entered her and became flesh.

  • The teaching that the Word took the form of Gabriel at the annunciation is the work's own; translated as written. Parallels: Luke 1:26–38; John 1:14.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 14 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 14 (Guerrier 26); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-14). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 15

15Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 15 (Guerrier 26)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

"But you, keep the memorial of my death, that is, the Passover. Then one of you who stand before me will be thrown into prison for my name's sake; and he will grieve and lament bitterly, because while you are celebrating the Passover he will be in prison and will not share the feast with you. And I will send my power in the form of my angel, and the door of the prison will open, and he will come to you to keep the night watch with you and to rest. And when the cock crows and you have completed my agape and my memorial, they will take him away again and bring him back to prison for a testimony, until he goes free and continues to preach as I have commanded you." And we said to him: "O Lord, did you not yourself complete the cup of the Passover? Is it necessary that we complete it again?" He answered us: "Yes, until I come back from the Father with my wounds."

1 Cor 11:26 (allusion, high confidence) · Acts 12:4 (allusion, high confidence) · Acts 12:10 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 22:18 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ commands the apostles to keep the memorial of his death at the Passover and foretells an apostle's imprisonment and release by an angel during the feast.

  • "Agape" is the community meal; the Passover memorial with a night watch ending at cockcrow reflects the quartodeciman practice of keeping Easter at the Jewish Passover; translated as written. The imprisoned apostle recalls Peter (Acts 12:3–11). "Cup" renders the German "Trank" ("drink").
  • Parallels: 1 Cor 11:24–26; Acts 12:4–10; Luke 22:15–18.

Topics: Eucharist

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 15 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 15 (Guerrier 26); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-15). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 16

16Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 16 (Guerrier 27)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

Then we said to him: "O Lord, great is what you tell us and reveal to us. But with what power and in what form is it appointed for you to come?" And he said to us: "Truly I say to you, I will come as the sun at its rising; so I will shine out sevenfold in glory. Borne on the wings of the clouds in splendour, with my cross going before me, I will come to the earth to judge the living and the dead."

Matt 24:30 (allusion, high confidence) · Isa 30:26 (allusion, medium confidence) · 2 Tim 4:1 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ tells the apostles that he will return shining like the rising sun, borne on the clouds with his cross before him, to judge the living and the dead.

  • The Coptic (not translated) speaks of "the sign of the cross" going before him. Parallels: Matt 24:27, 30; Isa 30:26 (sevenfold light); 2 Tim 4:1.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 16 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 16 (Guerrier 27); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-16). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 17

17Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 17 (Guerrier 28)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

And we said to him: "O Lord, after how many years?" He said to us: "When the hundred and fiftieth year is past, in the days of the Passover and Pentecost, the coming of my Father will take place." We said to him: "O Lord, now you tell us, I will come; and yet you have told us repeatedly, He who sent me will come." And he answered us: "I am wholly in the Father, and the Father in me." Then we said to him: "Will you really leave us until your coming? Where shall we find a teacher?" But he answered us and said: "Do you not know that, as I have been here until now, so I was also there with him who sent me?" And we said to him: "O Lord, is it possible that you are here and there?" And he answered us: "I am wholly in the Father, and the Father in me; for I am of his likeness and form, of his power and perfection, and of his light. I am his perfect Word."

John 14:10 (quotation, high confidence) · Col 1:15 (allusion, medium confidence) · Heb 1:3 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ gives the time of the coming, and explains that he is wholly in the Father and the Father in him.

  • "The hundred and fiftieth year" is the Ethiopic reading as Wajnberg translates it; the Coptic is not legible in the OCR here. "Perfect" (Word): the German offers "or: become reality". The work's statements on the end are translated as written.
  • Parallels: John 14:10–11; John 10:30; Heb 1:3; Col 1:15.

Topics: Christology, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 17 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 17 (Guerrier 28); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-17). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 18

18Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 18 (Guerrier 29)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

It was after he had been crucified, had died and risen, when the work that was accomplished in the flesh was completed, and he was crucified, and the ascension took place at the end of the days, that he said this: "The wonders, the figures, and the whole fulfilment you will see in me (or: you will see everything exactly), because of the redemption that comes about through me, and as I go to my Father who is in heaven. But now I give you a new commandment, that you love one another and obey one another, so that there may always be peace among you. Love your enemies, and what you do not want done to you, do that to no one else …"

John 13:34 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 5:44 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 7:12 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ gives the apostles a new commandment to love and obey one another, to love their enemies, and to do to no one what they would not have done to them.

  • The end of the chapter is garbled in the OCR of the German and is marked "…". Parallels: John 13:34; Matt 5:44; Tob 4:15 and Did. 1.2 (the negative form of the golden rule); John 20:17.

Extrabiblical texts: Tob 4:15 (Tobit [in RC, EO, ETH canons]; allusion)

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 18 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 18 (Guerrier 29); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-18). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 19

19Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 19 (Guerrier 30)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

"And you too, preach this and teach those who believe in me, and preach the kingdom of heaven of my Father, and how my Father gave me authority, so that you may bring near the children of my heavenly Father. Preach, and they shall come to faith, that you … ." And he answered us: "You will see a light that shines brighter than light and is more perfect than perfection. And the Son will be made perfect through the Father, the light, for perfect is the Father, who accomplishes death and resurrection, a perfection more perfect than the perfect. And I am wholly the right hand of the Father, in him who makes perfect." And we twelve said to him: "O Lord, in all things you have become salvation and life to us, and you proclaim to us such a hope!" And he said to us: "Be of good courage and be strong. Truly I say to you, such a rest will be granted you, where there is neither eating nor drinking, neither mourning nor care, neither earthly garment nor perishing. And you will share, not in the earthly creation, but in that of my Father, which does not decay, so that you do not perish. As I am always in my Father, so also are you in me." And we asked him again: "In what form, then? In that of the angels, or perhaps in the flesh?" And he answered us about this and said: "I have put on your flesh, in which I was born, killed, buried, and raised through my heavenly Father, so that what was spoken by the prophet David about my death and resurrection might be fulfilled: O Lord, how many are those who oppress me! Many have risen up against me. Many say to my soul: There is no help for him with his God. … [so that the one who] sent [me may be glorified] by you and by those who believe in me."

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

Ps 3:1 (3:2 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · Ps 3:2 (3:3 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · John 14:20 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rom 14:17 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ promises the apostles a rest without food, grief, or decay, and says he put on their flesh and rose in it, as David foretold.

  • Part of the chapter (the question that leads to "You will see a light", and the rest of the psalm) is lost in the OCR, where the apparatus and the parallel Coptic have displaced it; gaps are marked "…", and the last clause is supplied in brackets from the Coptic, where the German prints it. The language of the Son being "made perfect through the Father" is the work's own; translated as written.
  • Quotation: Ps 3:1–2 (3:2–3 LXX). Echoes: Matt 22:30 and Rom 14:17 (no eating or drinking); John 14:20; John 17:21.

Topics: Christology, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 19 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 19 (Guerrier 30); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-19). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 20

20Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 20 (Guerrier 31)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

When he had said this to us, we said to him: "O Lord, you have been gracious to us in all things, and have redeemed us and revealed everything to us. But there is one more thing we would ask you, if you permit us." And he answered and said to us: "I know that you listen attentively and long to hear the things you wish to ask me about. Now ask me, keep it in memory, and listen, for it is a pleasure to me to speak with you."

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles ask leave to put a further question, and Christ gladly grants it.

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 20 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 20 (Guerrier 31); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-20). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 21

21Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 21 (Guerrier 32)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

"Truly I say to you: as the Father raised me from the dead, so you too will rise in the flesh, and he will lift you up above the heavens to the place of which I have already spoken to you before, which he who sent me has prepared. For this reason I have accomplished all grace: being unbegotten, I was born of a human being; being without flesh, I put on flesh and grew up like you, who are born in the flesh. And you will rise from the dead in your flesh in the second birth, a garment that will not decay, together with all who hope and believe in him who sent me; for so my Father wills, that I should give to you, and to those whom I please, the hope of the kingdom." Then we said to him: "Great is what you give us to hope for and tell us." And he answered and said: "Believe that everything I tell you will come to pass." We answered and said, "Yes, O Lord." He said to us: "Truly I say to you, I have received all authority from my Father, so that I may bring back into the light those who dwell in darkness, those who are in corruption into incorruption, those who are astray into righteousness, those who are in death into life, and so that those who are in bonds may be set free. For what is impossible with men is possible with the Father. I am the hope of the despairing, the helper of those who have no savior, the wealth of the poor, the health of the sick, and the resurrection of the dead."

John 14:2 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 28:18 (allusion, high confidence) · Isa 61:1 (allusion, medium confidence) · Mark 10:27 (quotation, high confidence) · John 11:25 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ promises that the apostles will rise in the flesh as he did, and says he has received from the Father all authority to bring the lost into light, life, and freedom.

  • The Coptic (not translated) has "so I shall accomplish all the dispensations" for "I have accomplished all grace". Echoes: John 14:2–3; Matt 28:18; Isa 61:1 and Luke 4:18; Mark 10:27; John 11:25.

Topics: Christology, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 21 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 21 (Guerrier 32); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-21). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 22

22Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 22 (Guerrier 33)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

When he had said this to us, we said to him: "O Lord, is it true that the flesh will be judged together with the soul and the spirit, and that one half will rest in the kingdom of heaven while the other half will be punished, alive, for ever?" And he said to us: "How long will you go on asking and brooding?"

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles ask whether the flesh will be judged with the soul and spirit, and Christ rebukes their questioning.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 22 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 22 (Guerrier 33); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-22). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 23

23Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 23 (Guerrier 34)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

We said to him again: "O Lord, this is necessary. For you have commanded us to preach, proclaim, and teach, so that, having heard it exactly from you, we may become good messengers and teach them to believe in you. That is why we are questioning you."

Notes and citation

Summary: The apostles explain that they must ask because they are commanded to teach others.

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 23 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 23 (Guerrier 34); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-23). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 24

24Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 24 (Guerrier 35)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

He answered and said: "Truly I say to you, the body of every man will rise alive together with a soul and spirit." And we said to him: "Can what has decayed and been scattered live? We ask, not because we deny it, but because we truly believe that as you say, so it was and so it will be." He answered us in anger: "O you of little faith, how long will you not believe, but keep questioning and searching? You want to understand without pain. Keep my commandments and do what I tell you, putting no one to shame and bringing no one to disgrace; and without respect of persons, serve on the narrow, straight, and strait way. And in this my Father will have all his joy in you."

Matt 7:14 (allusion, high confidence) · Jas 2:1 (echo, medium confidence) · John 14:15 (echo, medium confidence) · Matt 8:26 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ affirms that every body will rise with its soul and spirit, rebukes the apostles' doubt, and bids them keep his commandments on the narrow way.

  • The German marks "alive" as a doubtful word. The Coptic (not translated) adds: "do not turn your face from anyone, so that I may not turn my face from you". Echoes: Matt 7:13–14; Jas 2:1 (respect of persons); John 14:15.

Topics: Eschatology, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 24 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 24 (Guerrier 35); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-24). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 25

25Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 25 (Guerrier 36)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

We said to him again: "O Lord, see, we are troubling you with our many questions." He answered us: "I know that you ask me in faith and with your whole heart, and I rejoice in you. Truly I say to you, I am glad, and my Father will rejoice in me, that you inquire and ask in this way without being ashamed; it gives me joy, and to you it brings life." When he had said this to us, we were glad, for we had spoken in humility; and we said to him again: "O our Lord, in all things you have been gracious to us and given us life, for you have answered everything we asked you." Then he asked us: "Is it the flesh or the spirit that perishes?" And we said to him, "The flesh." He answered: "What has perished will rise, and what is sick will be healed, so that my Father may be praised in it. As he has done to me, so I too will do to you and to all who believe in me."

1 Cor 15:42 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ welcomes the apostles' questions and teaches that the flesh, which perishes, will rise and be healed.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 25 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 25 (Guerrier 36); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-25). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 26

26Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 26 (Guerrier 37)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

"Truly I say to you: the flesh will rise alive together with the soul, so that they may make confession and be judged with righteousness according to the deeds they have done, whether good or evil, so that there may be a selection and an example for those who have believed and have kept the commandment of my Father who sent me. Then the righteous judgment will take place, for so my Father wills. And he has said to me: My Son, on the day of judgment do not be ashamed before the rich, and do not spare the poor, but deliver each one to eternal judgment according to his sins. But to those who have loved me and love me and have kept my commandments I will grant rest and life in the kingdom of my heavenly Father. Now see what authority he has graciously granted and given me, so that I may do what I intend and what … ."

2 Cor 5:10 (allusion, high confidence) · Lev 19:15 (allusion, high confidence) · John 14:21 (allusion, medium confidence) · John 5:22 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ teaches that flesh and soul will rise together to be judged according to their deeds, without favour to rich or poor, and that those who love him will have rest in his Father's kingdom.

  • The chapter breaks off in the OCR of the German; the Coptic (not translated) reads "the judgment will take place in severity". Echoes: 2 Cor 5:10; Lev 19:15 and Exod 23:3 (no partiality to rich or poor); John 14:21; John 5:22.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 26 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 26 (Guerrier 37); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-26). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.

Chapter 27

27Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 27 (Guerrier 38)

Translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic)'s German translation (1919) of the Ethiopic and Coptic; neither is shown

"For this reason I went down and spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, your fathers, the prophets, that they should bring the rest from below into heaven; and I offered them the right hand, the baptism of life, and remission and forgiveness of all evil, as to you, so also from now on to all who will believe in me. But whoever believes in me and, in spite of his faith, does not keep my commandment in my name, to him it will be of no use at all. In vain has he chosen what seemed excellent to him. His end is destined for destruction, punishment, and great woe, for he has transgressed my commandment."

1 Pet 3:19 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Pet 4:6 (allusion, medium confidence) · Jas 2:14 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ tells how he went down to the patriarchs and prophets and gave them the baptism of life, and warns that faith without keeping his commandment is of no use.

  • The descent of Christ to the righteous dead and their baptism is the work's own teaching (cf. 1 Pet 3:19; 4:6; Herm. Sim. 9.16); translated as written. "From below": the German has "von unterhalb"; the sense is uncertain.

Extrabiblical texts: Herm. Sim. 9.16 (Shepherd of Hermas: Similitudes; echo)

Topics: Baptism, Christology

Cite (SBL): Ep. Apos. 27 (Schmidt-Wajnberg 1919, Cap. 27 (Guerrier 38); trans. Sophia Scriptura from the German of I. Wajnberg (Ethiopic), C. Schmidt (Coptic), 1919, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/epistula-apostolorum/1/#p-27). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Route 3: translated by Claude from I. Wajnberg's German translation of the Ethiopic, with Coptic readings in parentheses (C. Schmidt, TU 43, 1919); the German is not shown. No public-domain English exists; re-read against the German.