1clementapocrypha
1 Clement 1
Clement writes on behalf of the Roman assembly to Corinth, opening with a greeting of grace and peace through Jehovah and Jesus Christ, then rehearsing the former excellence of the Corinthian saints — their steadfast faith, ordered households, lowliness, hospitality, and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That ordered life was characterized by submission to God's ordinances, honor to elders, sobriety among the young, and prayer to the Almighty. The letter frames a sharp contrast: that wholeness has been broken by the sedition of a few self-willed persons, whose faction has turned what was once a revered name into a reproach.
1
The Church of God which sojourneth in Rome unto the Church of God which sojourneth in Corinth — even unto them which have been called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be unto you, and peace, from the Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
2
By reason of the sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which are befalling us, brethren, we consider that we have been somewhat tardy in giving heed unto the matters of dispute that have arisen among you, beloved — even unto the abominable and unholy sedition, so alien and strange unto the elect of God, which a few headstrong and self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that your name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men, hath been greatly reviled.
3
Who indeed having sojourned among you did not approve your most virtuous and steadfast faith? Who did not admire your sober and gentle piety in Christ? Who did not publish abroad your magnificent disposition of hospitality? Who did not bless your perfect and sound knowledge?
4
For ye did all things without respect of persons; and ye walked according to the ordinances of God — submitting yourselves unto your rulers, and rendering unto the elder men among you the honour which was their due. The young also ye charged to think such things as are sober and grave; the women ye instructed to perform all their duties with a blameless and seemly and pure conscience, loving their own husbands as is befitting; ye taught them too to be guided by the rule of obedience, to manage the affairs of their household with seemliness, in all temperance.
5
And ye were all lowly in mind, and free from arrogance, yielding rather than claiming submission, more glad to give than to receive, and content with the provisions which God supplied. Ye gave heed unto His words; ye laid them up diligently in your hearts; and His sufferings were before your eyes.
6
Thus a profound and rich peace was given unto all, and an insatiable longing for doing good; an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit also fell upon all. Being full of holy counsel, ye stretched forth your hands, in excellent zeal and pious confidence, unto Almighty God, beseeching Him to be merciful, if unwillingly ye had committed any sin.
7
Strife was unto you, day and night, on behalf of the whole brotherhood — that the number of His elect might be saved with fear and consciousness of His goodness. Ye were sincere and pure, bearing no malice one against another. Every sedition and every division was abominable unto you. Ye mourned over the transgressions of your neighbours; ye judged their shortcomings as your own.
8
Ye were never weary in well-doing; ye were ready unto every good work. Being adorned with a most virtuous and reverent way of life, ye performed all things in the fear of God. The commandments and the ordinances of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts.
