This is an English translation of the first epistle of Clemens Romanus to the Corinthians, generally considered genuine and dated towards the end of the first century.
Clemens calls the Corinthians to unity in the message of the Apostles. He makes extensive references to Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, which he considers authoritative "oracles of God".
Clement to the Corinthians is a fine example of the varied and extensive knowledge of Scripture and its recognition in very early Christianity.
This translation is dependent on the Ante Nicean Fathers series (Volume 9), but has been edited and a great number of scripture references have been added.
St. Clement of Rome ( - )
St. Clement was the bishop of Rome and third in succession from St. Peter. Around the year 95 AD, a letter was written by the Church of Rome to the Church at Corinth that is attributed to Saint Clement. This document is the earliest Christian writing besides the New Testament documents. In fact, the Gospel of John is likely written around the same time as this document. This "first letter of Clement" (a second letter was falsely attributed to him) was copied by the Corinthian Church and circulated all over the empire, rendering the very first papal "encyclical." It was so highly regarded by the universal church that for several centuries the Church in Egypt and elsewhere regarded it as one of the New Testatment scriptures.The Church of St. Clement is one of the most fascinating places in Rome. Excavations revealed that the medieval Church, built in the 12th century, actually was built on top of a 4th century Church which was in turn built over a house church going back to the first century. It is very possible that this was the house of St. Clement himself.
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