Clement of Alexandria: STROMATA (MISCELLANIES), Part III, Complete

Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson.

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Chapter XVII.--Passages from Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians on Martyrdom.

Moreover, in the Epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle [2833] Clement also, drawing a picture of the Gnostic, says: [2834] "For who that has sojourned among you has not proved your perfect and firm faith? and has not admired your sound and gentle piety? and has not celebrated the munificent style of your hospitality? and has not felicitated your complete and sure knowledge? For ye did all things impartially, and walked in the ordinances of God;" and so forth.

Then more clearly: "Let us fix our eyes on those who have yielded perfect service to His magnificent glory. Let us take Enoch, who, being by his obedience found righteous, was translated; and Noah, who, having believed, was saved; and Abraham, who for his faith and hospitality was called the friend of God, and was the father of Isaac." "For hospitality and piety, Lot was saved from Sodom." "For faith and hospitality, Rahab the harlot was saved." "From patience and faith they walked about in goat-skins, and sheep-skins, and folds of camels' hair, proclaiming the kingdom of Christ. We name His prophets Elias, and Eliseus, and Ezekiel, and John."

"For Abraham, who for his free faith was called 'the friend of God,' was not elated by glory, but modestly said, 'I am dust and ashes.' [2835] And of Job it is thus written: 'Job was just and blameless, true and pious, abstaining from all evil.'" [2836] He it was who overcame the tempter by patience, and at once testified and was testified to by God; who keeps hold of humility, and says, "No one is pure from defilement, not even if his life were but for one day." [2837]

[2833] [The use of this title is noticeable here, on many accounts, as historic.]

[2834] [See vol. i. p. 5-11, et seqq. S.]

[2835] Gen. xviii. 27.

[2836] Job i. 1.

[2837] Job xvi. 4, 5, Sept.

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