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PARALLEL HISTORY BIBLE - Genesis 24:50


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LXX- Greek Septuagint - Genesis 24:50

αποκριθεις 611 5679 δε 1161 λαβαν και 2532 βαθουηλ ειπαν παρα 3844 κυριου 2962 εξηλθεν 1831 5627 το 3588 προσταγμα τουτο 5124 ου 3739 3757 δυνησομεθα 1410 5695 ουν 3767 σοι 4671 4674 αντειπειν 471 5629 κακον 2556 καλω 2570

Douay Rheims Bible

And Laban and Bathuel answered: The word hath proceeded from the Lord, we cannot speak any other thing to thee but his pleasure.

King James Bible - Genesis 24:50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

World English Bible

Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can't speak to you bad or good.

World Wide Bible Resources


Genesis 24:50

Early Christian Commentary - (A.D. 100 - A.D. 325)

Anf-01 ii.ii.iv Pg 2
Gen. iv. 3–8. The writer here, as always, follows the reading of the Septuagint, which in this passage both alters and adds to the Hebrew text. We have given the rendering approved by the best critics; but some prefer to translate, as in our English version, “unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” See, for an ancient explanation of the passage, Irenæus, Adv. Hær., iv. 18, 3.

Ye see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother.19

19


Anf-01 vi.ii.vi Pg 34
Gen. i. 28.

Who then is able to govern the beasts, or the fishes, or the fowls of heaven? For we ought to perceive that to govern implies authority, so that one should command and rule. If, therefore, this does not exist at present, yet still He has promised it to us. When? When we ourselves also have been made perfect [so as] to become heirs of the covenant of the Lord.1526

1526 These are specimens of the “Gnosis,” or faculty of bringing out the hidden spiritual meaning of Scripture referred to before. Many more such interpretations follow.



Anf-01 ii.ii.xxxiii Pg 5
Gen. i. 28.

We see,138

138 Or, “let us consider.”

then, how all righteous men have been adorned with good works, and how the Lord Himself, adorning Himself with His works, rejoiced. Having therefore such an example, let us without delay accede to His will, and let us work the work of righteousness with our whole strength.


Anf-01 vi.ii.vi Pg 21
Gen. i. 28.

These things [were spoken] to the Son. Again, I will show thee how, in respect to us,1513

1513 Cod. Sin. inserts, “the Lord says.”

He has accomplished a second fashioning in these last days. The Lord says, “Behold, I will make1514

1514 Cod. Sin. has “I make.”

the last like the first.”1515

1515


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxii Pg 3
Gen. i. 26; 28.

And that you may not change the [force of the] words just quoted, and repeat what your teachers assert,—either that God said to Himself, ‘Let Us make,’ just as we, when about to do something, oftentimes say to ourselves, ‘Let us make;’ or that God spoke to the elements, to wit, the earth and other similar substances of which we believe man was formed, ‘Let Us make,’—I shall quote again the words narrated by Moses himself, from which we can indisputably learn that [God] conversed with some one who was numerically distinct from Himself, and also a rational Being. These are the words: ‘And God said, Behold, Adam has become as one of us, to know good and evil.’2175

2175


Anf-01 ix.vi.xii Pg 3
Gen. i. 28.


Anf-02 vi.iii.ii.x Pg 4.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.xxiii Pg 7.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii Pg 53.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii Pg 232.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 270.1


Anf-03 v.iv.ii.xxix Pg 10
Gen. i. 28.

but also, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife;”2681

2681


Anf-03 iv.xi.xxvii Pg 6
Gen. i. 28.

Excess, however, has He cursed, in adulteries, and wantonness, and chambering.1698

1698 Lupanaria.

Well, now, in this usual function of the sexes which brings together the male and the female in their common intercourse, we know that both the soul and the flesh discharge a duty together: the soul supplies desire, the flesh contributes the gratification of it; the soul furnishes the instigation, the flesh affords the realization. The entire man being excited by the one effort of both natures, his seminal substance is discharged, deriving its fluidity from the body, and its warmth from the soul. Now if the soul in Greek is a word which is synonymous with cold,1699

1699 See above, c. xxv. p. 206.

how does it come to pass that the body grows cold after the soul has quitted it? Indeed (if I run the risk of offending modesty even, in my desire to prove the truth), I cannot help asking, whether we do not, in that very heat of extreme gratification when the generative fluid is ejected, feel that somewhat of our soul has gone from us? And do we not experience a faintness and prostration along with a dimness of sight?  This, then, must be the soul-producing seed, which arises at once from the out-drip of the soul, just as that fluid is the body-producing seed which proceeds from the drainage of the flesh.  Most true are the examples of the first creation. Adam’s flesh was formed of clay. Now what is clay but an excellent moisture, whence should spring the generating fluid?  From the breath of God first came the soul. But what else is the breath of God than the vapour of the spirit, whence should spring that which we breathe out through the generative fluid? Forasmuch, therefore, as these two different and separate substances, the clay and the breath, combined at the first creation in forming the individual man, they then both amalgamated and mixed their proper seminal rudiments in one, and ever afterwards communicated to the human race the normal mode of its propagation, so that even now the two substances, although diverse from each other, flow forth simultaneously in a united channel; and finding their way together into their appointed seed-plot, they fertilize with their combined vigour the human fruit out of their respective natures.  And inherent in this human product is his own seed, according to the process which has been ordained for every creature endowed with the functions of generation. Accordingly from the one (primeval) man comes the entire outflow and redundance of men’s souls—nature proving herself true to the commandment of God, “Be fruitful, and multiply.”1700

1700


Anf-03 iv.xi.xxvii Pg 9
Gen. i. 28.

For in the very preamble of this one production, “Let us make man,”1701

1701


Anf-03 v.v.i Pg 15
Quoting Gen. i. 28, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Rigalt.).

and yet despises it in respect of his art.6137

6137 Disregarding the law when it forbids the representation of idols.  (Rigalt.).

He falsifies by a twofold process—with his cautery and his pen.6138

6138 Et cauterio et stilo. The former instrument was used by the encaustic painters for burning in the wax colours into the ground of their pictures (Westropp’s Handbook of Archæology, p. 219).  Tertullian charges Hermogenes with using his encaustic art to the injury of the scriptures, by practically violating their precepts in his artistic works; and with using his pen (stilus) in corrupting the doctrine thereof by his heresy.

He is a thorough adulterer, both doctrinally and carnally, since he is rank indeed with the contagion of your marriage-hacks,6139

6139 By the nubentium contagium, Tertullian, in his Montanist rigour, censures those who married more than once.

and has also failed in cleaving to the rule of faith as much as the apostle’s own Hermogenes.6140

6140


Anf-03 v.viii.xlv Pg 5
Gen. i. 28.

the flesh and the soul have had a simultaneous birth, without any calculable difference in time; so that the two have been even generated together in the womb, as we have shown in our Treatise on the Soul.7583

7583 See ch. xxvii.

Contemporaneous in the womb, they are also temporally identical in their birth. The two are no doubt produced by human parents7584

7584 We treat “homines” as a nominative, after Oehler.

of two substances, but not at two different periods; rather they are so entirely one, that neither is before the other in point of time. It is more correct (to say), that we are either entirely the old man or entirely the new, for we cannot tell how we can possibly be anything else. But the apostle mentions a very clear mark of the old man. For “put off,” says he, “concerning the former conversation, the old man;”7585

7585


Anf-03 vi.ii.ii Pg 3
Or, “while these things continue, those which respect the Lord rejoice in purity along with them—Wisdom,” etc.

For He hath revealed to us by all the prophets that He needs neither sacrifices, nor burnt-offerings, nor oblations, saying thus, “What is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me, saith the Lord? I am full of burnt-offerings, and desire not the fat of lambs, and the blood of bulls and goats, not when ye come to appear before Me: for who hath required these things at your hands? Tread no more My courts, not though ye bring with you fine flour. Incense is a vain abomination unto Me, and your new moons and sabbaths I cannot endure.”1458

1458


Anf-03 v.xi.ii Pg 23
Cf. Gen. ix. 1, 2, 7, 19.

Of Christ, moreover, their sentiments are such that they call Him merely Seth, and say that He was instead of the actual Seth.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 17.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 17


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-01 ii.ii.xxxii Pg 5
Gen. xxii. 17, Gen. xxviii. 4.

All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xx Pg 25
Gen. xxii. 17.

Therefore “one star differeth from another star in glory.”6119

6119


Anf-03 iv.ix.i Pg 11
See Gen. xxii. 18; and comp. Gal. iii. 16, and the reference in both places.

and that1130

1130


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 17.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 17


Anf-01 viii.iv.lvi Pg 31
Gen. xviii. 13, 14.

And after a little interval: ‘And the men rose up from thence, and looked towards Sodom and Gomorrah; and Abraham went with them, to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, I will not conceal from Abraham, my servant, what I do.’2140

2140


Anf-03 v.ix.x Pg 8
Gen. xviii. 14.

But if we choose to apply this principle so extravagantly and harshly in our capricious imaginations, we may then make out God to have done anything we please, on the ground that it was not impossible for Him to do it. We must not, however, because He is able to do all things suppose that He has actually done what He has not done. But we must inquire whether He has really done it. God could, if He had liked, have furnished man with wings to fly with, just as He gave wings to kites. We must not, however, run to the conclusion that He did this because He was able to do it.  He might also have extinguished Praxeas and all other heretics at once; it does not follow, however, that He did, simply because He was able. For it was necessary that there should be both kites and heretics; it was necessary also that the Father should be crucified.7874

7874 An ironical reference to a great paradox in the Praxean heresy.

In one sense there will be something difficult even for God—namely, that which He has not done—not because He could not, but because He would not, do it.  For with God, to be willing is to be able, and to be unwilling is to be unable; all that He has willed, however, He has both been able to accomplish, and has displayed His ability. Since, therefore, if God had wished to make Himself a Son to Himself, He had it in His power to do so; and since, if He had it in His power, He effected His purpose, you will then make good your proof of His power and His will (to do even this) when you shall have proved to us that He actually did it.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 17.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 17


Anf-03 iv.ix.xiii Pg 50
See Gen. xxii. 1–14.

Christ, on the other hand, in His times, carried His “wood” on His own shoulders, adhering to the horns of the cross, with a thorny crown encircling His head. For Him it behoved to be made a sacrifice on behalf of all Gentiles, who “was led as a sheep for a victim, and, like a lamb voiceless before his shearer, so opened not His mouth” (for He, when Pilate interrogated Him, spake nothing1427

1427


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxxix Pg 21
See Gen. xxxii. 28.

Now, one cannot wonder that He forbade “premeditation,” who actually Himself received from the Father the ability of uttering words in season: “The Lord hath given to me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season (to him that is weary);”5034

5034


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 24


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 17.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 17


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-01 ii.ii.x Pg 4
Gen. xiii. 14–16.

And again [the Scripture] saith, “God brought forth Abram, and spake unto him, Look up now to heaven, and count the stars if thou be able to number them; so shall thy seed be. And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”48

48


Anf-01 ii.ii.xxxii Pg 5
Gen. xxii. 17, Gen. xxviii. 4.

All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xx Pg 25
Gen. xxii. 17.

Therefore “one star differeth from another star in glory.”6119

6119


Anf-01 viii.iv.cxx Pg 2
Gen. xxvi. 4.

And to Jacob: ‘And in thee and in thy seed shall all families of the earth be blessed.’2407

2407


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 18.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 22.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 17.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 17


Anf-03 iv.ix.xiii Pg 50
See Gen. xxii. 1–14.

Christ, on the other hand, in His times, carried His “wood” on His own shoulders, adhering to the horns of the cross, with a thorny crown encircling His head. For Him it behoved to be made a sacrifice on behalf of all Gentiles, who “was led as a sheep for a victim, and, like a lamb voiceless before his shearer, so opened not His mouth” (for He, when Pilate interrogated Him, spake nothing1427

1427


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxxix Pg 21
See Gen. xxxii. 28.

Now, one cannot wonder that He forbade “premeditation,” who actually Himself received from the Father the ability of uttering words in season: “The Lord hath given to me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season (to him that is weary);”5034

5034


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 24


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 17.1


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 17


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 18.1


Anf-01 ix.vi.xi Pg 4
See Gen. xviii. 13 and Gen. xxxi. 11, etc. There is an allusion here to a favourite notion among the Fathers, derived from Philo the Jew, that the name Israel was compounded from the three Hebrew words אִישׁ רָאָה אֵל, i.e., “the man seeing God.”

and directs Jacob on his journey, and speaks with Moses from the bush.3919

3919


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 24


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 24


Anf-01 viii.iv.lviii Pg 9
Gen. xxxi. 10–13.

And again, in other words, speaking of the same Jacob, it thus says: ‘And having risen up that night, he took the two wives, and the two women-servants, and his eleven children, and passed over the ford Jabbok; and he took them and went over the brook, and sent over all his belongings. But Jacob was left behind alone, and an Angel2153

2153 Some read, “a man.”

wrestled with him until morning. And He saw that He is not prevailing against him, and He touched the broad part of his thigh; and the broad part of Jacob’s thigh grew stiff while he wrestled with Him. And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaketh. But he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. And He said to him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name; for thou hast prevailed with God, and with men shalt be powerful. And Jacob asked Him, and said, Tell me Thy name. But he said, Why dost thou ask after My name? And He blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of that place Peniel,2154

2154 Literally, “the face of God.”

for I saw God face to face, and my soul rejoiced.’2155

2155


Anf-01 v.xv.iii Pg 3
Isa. xliv. 6.

concerning the Father of the universe, do also speak of our Lord Jesus Christ. “A Son,” they say, has been given to us, on whose shoulder the government is from above; and His name is called the Angel of great counsel, Wonderful, Counsellor, the strong and mighty God.”1226

1226


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxi Pg 2
Isa. xliv. 6.

On this account, then, as I before said, God did not, when He sent Moses to the Hebrews, mention any name, but by a participle He mystically teaches them that He is the one and only God. “For,” says He; “I am the Being;” manifestly contrasting Himself, “the Being,” with those who are not,2549

2549 Literally, “with the not-beings.”

that those who had hitherto been deceived might see that they were attaching themselves, not to beings, but to those who had no being. Since, therefore, God knew that the first men remembered the old delusion of their forefathers, whereby the misanthropic demon contrived to deceive them when he said to them, “If ye obey me in transgressing the commandment of God, ye shall be as gods,” calling those gods which had no being, in order that men, supposing that there were other gods in existence, might believe that they themselves could become gods. On this account He said to Moses, “I am the Being,” that by the participle “being” He might teach the difference between God who is and those who are not.2550

2550 Literally, “between the God being and not-beings.”

Men, therefore, having been duped by the deceiving demon, and having dared to disobey God, were cast out of Paradise, remembering the name of gods, but no longer being taught by God that there are no other gods. For it was not just that they who did not keep the first commandment, which it was easy to keep, should any longer be taught, but should rather be driven to just punishment. Being therefore banished from Paradise, and thinking that they were expelled on account of their disobedience only, not knowing that it was also because they had believed in the existence of gods which did not exist, they gave the name of gods even to the men who were afterwards born of themselves. This first false fancy, therefore, concerning gods, had its origin with the father of lies. God, therefore, knowing that the false opinion about the plurality of gods was burdening the soul of man like some disease, and wishing to remove and eradicate it, appeared first to Moses, and said to him, “I am He who is.” For it was necessary, I think, that he who was to be the ruler and leader of the Hebrew people should first of all know the living God. Wherefore, having appeared to him first, as it was possible for God to appear to a man, He said to him, “I am He who is;” then, being about to send him to the Hebrews, He further orders him to say, “He who is hath sent me to you.”


Anf-02 v.ii.ix Pg 4.1


Anf-03 v.v.vi Pg 4
Matt. xvi. 26. Some omit this quotation.

Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This is the gain which is laid up for me. Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me from living, do not wish to keep me in a state of death;863

863 Literally, “to die.”

and while I desire to belong to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of my God. If any one has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am straitened.


Anf-03 v.ix.xviii Pg 5
Isa. xlv. 5, 18; xliv. 6.

who shows us that He is the only God, but in company with His Son, with whom “He stretcheth out the heavens alone.”7988

7988


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 9
Ex. iii. 6.

this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 5
Ex. iii. 6.

And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, “And the angel of God spake to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, “Israel doth not know Me, my people have not understood Me.”1902

1902


Anf-01 ix.vi.vi Pg 7
Matt. xxii. 29, etc.; Ex. iii. 6.

And He added, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.” By these arguments He unquestionably made it clear, that He who spake to Moses out of the bush, and declared Himself to be the God of the fathers, He is the God of the living. For who is the God of the living unless He who is God, and above whom there is no other God? Whom also Daniel the prophet, when Cyrus king of the Persians said to him, “Why dost thou not worship Bel?”3848

3848 In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, this story constitutes the fourteenth chapter of the book of Daniel. It is not extant in Hebrew, and has therefore been removed to the Apocrypha, in the Anglican canon [the Greek and St. Jerome’s] of Scripture, under the title of “Bel and the Dragon.”

did proclaim, saying, “Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established the heaven and the earth and has dominion over all flesh.” Again did he say, “I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God.” He, then, who was adored by the prophets as the living God, He is the God of the living; and His Word is He who also spake to Moses, who also put the Sadducees to silence, who also bestowed the gift of resurrection, thus revealing [both] truths to those who are blind, that is, the resurrection and God [in His true character]. For if He be not the God of the dead, but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers who were sleeping, they do indubitably live to God, and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is Himself the resurrection, as He does Himself declare, “I am the resurrection and the life.”3849

3849


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 35


Npnf-201 iii.xvi.iv Pg 17


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxix Pg 2
Ex. xxv.

And again: “And thou shalt erect the tabernacle according to the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shalt thou make it.”2575

2575


Anf-01 ix.viii.xxvi Pg 3
Lev. xxvi. 12.

such an one is not empty, but full.


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii.i Pg 32.3


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 70.2


Anf-01 ix.iii.xxi Pg 8
Ps. lxviii. 18; Eph. iv. 8.

and conferred on those that believe in Him the power “to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy,”3103

3103


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxvii Pg 6
Literally, “He said accordingly.” Ps. lxviii. 18.

‘He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, He gave gifts unto the sons of men.’ And again, in another prophecy it is said: ‘And it shall come to pass after this, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and on My servants, and on My handmaids, and they shall prophesy.’2296

2296


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.viii Pg 23
1 Cor. xii. 4–11; Eph. iv. 8, and Ps. lxviii. 18.

that is, the gratuities, which we call charismata. He says specifically “sons of men,”5550

5550 He argues from his own reading, filiis hominum.

and not men promiscuously; thus exhibiting to us those who were the children of men truly so called, choice men, apostles.  “For,” says he, “I have begotten you through the gospel;”5551

5551


Anf-01 viii.iv.cxv Pg 3
Zech. ii. 10–13, Zech. iii. 1, 2.


Anf-01 ii.ii.x Pg 3
Gen. xii. 1–3.

And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him. “Lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou now art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.”47

47


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 21


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 v.vii.iii Pg 15
Gen. xxxii.

Has it, then, been permitted to angels, which are inferior to God, after they have been changed into human bodily form,6983

6983 See below in chap. vi. and in the Anti-Marcion, iii. 9.

nevertheless to remain angels? and will you deprive God, their superior, of this faculty, as if Christ could not continue to be God, after His real assumption of the nature of man? Or else, did those angels appear as phantoms of flesh? You will not, however, have the courage to say this; for if it be so held in your belief, that the Creator’s angels are in the same condition as Christ, then Christ will belong to the same God as those angels do, who are like Christ in their condition. If you had not purposely rejected in some instances, and corrupted in others, the Scriptures which are opposed to your opinion, you would have been confuted in this matter by the Gospel of John, when it declares that the Spirit descended in the body6984

6984 Corpore.

of a dove, and sat upon the Lord.6985

6985


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxxix Pg 54
Hosea xii. 4. One reading of the LXX. is, ἐν τῳ οἴκῳ μου εὕρεσάν με.

“But at night He went out to the Mount of Olives.” For thus had Zechariah pointed out: “And His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives.”5066

5066


Anf-01 v.xv.iii Pg 3
Isa. xliv. 6.

concerning the Father of the universe, do also speak of our Lord Jesus Christ. “A Son,” they say, has been given to us, on whose shoulder the government is from above; and His name is called the Angel of great counsel, Wonderful, Counsellor, the strong and mighty God.”1226

1226


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxi Pg 2
Isa. xliv. 6.

On this account, then, as I before said, God did not, when He sent Moses to the Hebrews, mention any name, but by a participle He mystically teaches them that He is the one and only God. “For,” says He; “I am the Being;” manifestly contrasting Himself, “the Being,” with those who are not,2549

2549 Literally, “with the not-beings.”

that those who had hitherto been deceived might see that they were attaching themselves, not to beings, but to those who had no being. Since, therefore, God knew that the first men remembered the old delusion of their forefathers, whereby the misanthropic demon contrived to deceive them when he said to them, “If ye obey me in transgressing the commandment of God, ye shall be as gods,” calling those gods which had no being, in order that men, supposing that there were other gods in existence, might believe that they themselves could become gods. On this account He said to Moses, “I am the Being,” that by the participle “being” He might teach the difference between God who is and those who are not.2550

2550 Literally, “between the God being and not-beings.”

Men, therefore, having been duped by the deceiving demon, and having dared to disobey God, were cast out of Paradise, remembering the name of gods, but no longer being taught by God that there are no other gods. For it was not just that they who did not keep the first commandment, which it was easy to keep, should any longer be taught, but should rather be driven to just punishment. Being therefore banished from Paradise, and thinking that they were expelled on account of their disobedience only, not knowing that it was also because they had believed in the existence of gods which did not exist, they gave the name of gods even to the men who were afterwards born of themselves. This first false fancy, therefore, concerning gods, had its origin with the father of lies. God, therefore, knowing that the false opinion about the plurality of gods was burdening the soul of man like some disease, and wishing to remove and eradicate it, appeared first to Moses, and said to him, “I am He who is.” For it was necessary, I think, that he who was to be the ruler and leader of the Hebrew people should first of all know the living God. Wherefore, having appeared to him first, as it was possible for God to appear to a man, He said to him, “I am He who is;” then, being about to send him to the Hebrews, He further orders him to say, “He who is hath sent me to you.”


Anf-02 v.ii.ix Pg 4.1


Anf-03 v.v.vi Pg 4
Matt. xvi. 26. Some omit this quotation.

Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This is the gain which is laid up for me. Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me from living, do not wish to keep me in a state of death;863

863 Literally, “to die.”

and while I desire to belong to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of my God. If any one has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am straitened.


Anf-03 v.ix.xviii Pg 5
Isa. xlv. 5, 18; xliv. 6.

who shows us that He is the only God, but in company with His Son, with whom “He stretcheth out the heavens alone.”7988

7988


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 9
Ex. iii. 6.

this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 5
Ex. iii. 6.

And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, “And the angel of God spake to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, “Israel doth not know Me, my people have not understood Me.”1902

1902


Anf-01 ix.vi.vi Pg 7
Matt. xxii. 29, etc.; Ex. iii. 6.

And He added, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.” By these arguments He unquestionably made it clear, that He who spake to Moses out of the bush, and declared Himself to be the God of the fathers, He is the God of the living. For who is the God of the living unless He who is God, and above whom there is no other God? Whom also Daniel the prophet, when Cyrus king of the Persians said to him, “Why dost thou not worship Bel?”3848

3848 In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, this story constitutes the fourteenth chapter of the book of Daniel. It is not extant in Hebrew, and has therefore been removed to the Apocrypha, in the Anglican canon [the Greek and St. Jerome’s] of Scripture, under the title of “Bel and the Dragon.”

did proclaim, saying, “Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established the heaven and the earth and has dominion over all flesh.” Again did he say, “I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God.” He, then, who was adored by the prophets as the living God, He is the God of the living; and His Word is He who also spake to Moses, who also put the Sadducees to silence, who also bestowed the gift of resurrection, thus revealing [both] truths to those who are blind, that is, the resurrection and God [in His true character]. For if He be not the God of the dead, but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers who were sleeping, they do indubitably live to God, and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is Himself the resurrection, as He does Himself declare, “I am the resurrection and the life.”3849

3849


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 35


Npnf-201 iii.xvi.iv Pg 17


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxix Pg 2
Ex. xxv.

And again: “And thou shalt erect the tabernacle according to the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shalt thou make it.”2575

2575


Anf-01 ix.viii.xxvi Pg 3
Lev. xxvi. 12.

such an one is not empty, but full.


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii.i Pg 32.3


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 70.2


Anf-01 ix.iii.xxi Pg 8
Ps. lxviii. 18; Eph. iv. 8.

and conferred on those that believe in Him the power “to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy,”3103

3103


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxvii Pg 6
Literally, “He said accordingly.” Ps. lxviii. 18.

‘He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, He gave gifts unto the sons of men.’ And again, in another prophecy it is said: ‘And it shall come to pass after this, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and on My servants, and on My handmaids, and they shall prophesy.’2296

2296


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.viii Pg 23
1 Cor. xii. 4–11; Eph. iv. 8, and Ps. lxviii. 18.

that is, the gratuities, which we call charismata. He says specifically “sons of men,”5550

5550 He argues from his own reading, filiis hominum.

and not men promiscuously; thus exhibiting to us those who were the children of men truly so called, choice men, apostles.  “For,” says he, “I have begotten you through the gospel;”5551

5551


Anf-01 viii.iv.cxv Pg 3
Zech. ii. 10–13, Zech. iii. 1, 2.


Anf-01 ii.ii.x Pg 3
Gen. xii. 1–3.

And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him. “Lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou now art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.”47

47


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 21


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 v.vii.iii Pg 15
Gen. xxxii.

Has it, then, been permitted to angels, which are inferior to God, after they have been changed into human bodily form,6983

6983 See below in chap. vi. and in the Anti-Marcion, iii. 9.

nevertheless to remain angels? and will you deprive God, their superior, of this faculty, as if Christ could not continue to be God, after His real assumption of the nature of man? Or else, did those angels appear as phantoms of flesh? You will not, however, have the courage to say this; for if it be so held in your belief, that the Creator’s angels are in the same condition as Christ, then Christ will belong to the same God as those angels do, who are like Christ in their condition. If you had not purposely rejected in some instances, and corrupted in others, the Scriptures which are opposed to your opinion, you would have been confuted in this matter by the Gospel of John, when it declares that the Spirit descended in the body6984

6984 Corpore.

of a dove, and sat upon the Lord.6985

6985


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 9
Ex. iii. 6.

this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 5
Ex. iii. 6.

And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, “And the angel of God spake to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, “Israel doth not know Me, my people have not understood Me.”1902

1902


Anf-01 ix.vi.vi Pg 7
Matt. xxii. 29, etc.; Ex. iii. 6.

And He added, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.” By these arguments He unquestionably made it clear, that He who spake to Moses out of the bush, and declared Himself to be the God of the fathers, He is the God of the living. For who is the God of the living unless He who is God, and above whom there is no other God? Whom also Daniel the prophet, when Cyrus king of the Persians said to him, “Why dost thou not worship Bel?”3848

3848 In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, this story constitutes the fourteenth chapter of the book of Daniel. It is not extant in Hebrew, and has therefore been removed to the Apocrypha, in the Anglican canon [the Greek and St. Jerome’s] of Scripture, under the title of “Bel and the Dragon.”

did proclaim, saying, “Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established the heaven and the earth and has dominion over all flesh.” Again did he say, “I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God.” He, then, who was adored by the prophets as the living God, He is the God of the living; and His Word is He who also spake to Moses, who also put the Sadducees to silence, who also bestowed the gift of resurrection, thus revealing [both] truths to those who are blind, that is, the resurrection and God [in His true character]. For if He be not the God of the dead, but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers who were sleeping, they do indubitably live to God, and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is Himself the resurrection, as He does Himself declare, “I am the resurrection and the life.”3849

3849


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 35


Npnf-201 iii.xvi.iv Pg 17


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxv Pg 2
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

Now understand that He who led your fathers into the land is called by this name Jesus, and first called Auses2231

2231


Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 54
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

For Joshua was to introduce the people into the land of promise, not Moses. Now He called him an “angel,” on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future “angel,” through the prophet: “Behold, I send mine angel before Thy”—that is, Christ’s—“face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”1298

1298


Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xvi Pg 10
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

He called him an angel indeed, because of the greatness of the powers which he was to exercise, and because of his prophetic office,3321

3321 Officium prophetæ.

while announcing the will of God; but Joshua also (Jesus), because it was a type3322

3322 Sacramentum.

of His own future name. Often3323

3323 Identidem.

did He confirm that name of His which He had thus conferred upon (His servant); because it was not the name of angel, nor Oshea, but Joshua (Jesus), which He had commanded him to bear as his usual appellation for the time to come. Since, therefore, both these names are suitable to the Christ of the Creator, they are proportionately unsuitable to the non-Creator’s Christ; and so indeed is all the rest of (our Christ’s) destined course.3324

3324 Reliquus ordo.

In short, there must now for the future be made between us that certain and equitable rule, necessary to both sides, which shall determine that there ought to be absolutely nothing at all in common between the Christ of the other god and the Creator’s Christ. For you will have as great a necessity to maintain their diversity as we have to resist it, inasmuch as you will be as unable to show that the Christ of the other god has come, until you have proved him to be a far different being from the Creator’s Christ, as we, to claim Him (who has come) as the Creator’s, until we have shown Him to be such a one as the Creator has appointed. Now respecting their names, such is our conclusion against (Marcion).3325

3325 Obduximus.

I claim for myself Christ; I maintain for myself Jesus.


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxv Pg 2
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

Now understand that He who led your fathers into the land is called by this name Jesus, and first called Auses2231

2231


Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 54
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

For Joshua was to introduce the people into the land of promise, not Moses. Now He called him an “angel,” on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future “angel,” through the prophet: “Behold, I send mine angel before Thy”—that is, Christ’s—“face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”1298

1298


Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xvi Pg 10
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

He called him an angel indeed, because of the greatness of the powers which he was to exercise, and because of his prophetic office,3321

3321 Officium prophetæ.

while announcing the will of God; but Joshua also (Jesus), because it was a type3322

3322 Sacramentum.

of His own future name. Often3323

3323 Identidem.

did He confirm that name of His which He had thus conferred upon (His servant); because it was not the name of angel, nor Oshea, but Joshua (Jesus), which He had commanded him to bear as his usual appellation for the time to come. Since, therefore, both these names are suitable to the Christ of the Creator, they are proportionately unsuitable to the non-Creator’s Christ; and so indeed is all the rest of (our Christ’s) destined course.3324

3324 Reliquus ordo.

In short, there must now for the future be made between us that certain and equitable rule, necessary to both sides, which shall determine that there ought to be absolutely nothing at all in common between the Christ of the other god and the Creator’s Christ. For you will have as great a necessity to maintain their diversity as we have to resist it, inasmuch as you will be as unable to show that the Christ of the other god has come, until you have proved him to be a far different being from the Creator’s Christ, as we, to claim Him (who has come) as the Creator’s, until we have shown Him to be such a one as the Creator has appointed. Now respecting their names, such is our conclusion against (Marcion).3325

3325 Obduximus.

I claim for myself Christ; I maintain for myself Jesus.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 24.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 25.1


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-03 v.ix.xiv Pg 3
Ex. xxxiii. 13.

God said, “Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live:”7921

7921


Anf-03 v.ix.xiv Pg 14
Comp. ver. 13 with ver. 11 of Ex. xxxiii.

which he ought not to have desired, because he had already seen it? And how, in like manner, does the Lord also say that His face cannot be seen, because He had shown it, if indeed He really had, (as our opponents suppose). Or what is that face of God, the sight of which is refused, if there was one which was visible to man? “I have seen God,” says Jacob, “face to face, and my life is preserved.”7932

7932 Gen. xxii. 30.

There ought to be some other face which kills if it be only seen. Well, then, was the Son visible? (Certainly not,7933

7933 Involved in the nunquid.

) although He was the face of God, except only in vision and dream, and in a glass and enigma, because the Word and Spirit (of God) cannot be seen except in an imaginary form. But, (they say,) He calls the invisible Father His face. For who is the Father? Must He not be the face of the Son, by reason of that authority which He obtains as the begotten of the Father? For is there not a natural propriety in saying of some personage greater (than yourself), That man is my face; he gives me his countenance?  “My Father,” says Christ, “is greater than I.”7934

7934


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 53
See Ex. xxxiii. 13–23.

Not loins, or calves of the legs, did he want to behold, but the glory which was to be revealed in the latter days.4370

4370


Anf-02 ii.iv.vi Pg 21.1


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxv Pg 2
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

Now understand that He who led your fathers into the land is called by this name Jesus, and first called Auses2231

2231


Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 54
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

For Joshua was to introduce the people into the land of promise, not Moses. Now He called him an “angel,” on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future “angel,” through the prophet: “Behold, I send mine angel before Thy”—that is, Christ’s—“face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”1298

1298


Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xvi Pg 10
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

He called him an angel indeed, because of the greatness of the powers which he was to exercise, and because of his prophetic office,3321

3321 Officium prophetæ.

while announcing the will of God; but Joshua also (Jesus), because it was a type3322

3322 Sacramentum.

of His own future name. Often3323

3323 Identidem.

did He confirm that name of His which He had thus conferred upon (His servant); because it was not the name of angel, nor Oshea, but Joshua (Jesus), which He had commanded him to bear as his usual appellation for the time to come. Since, therefore, both these names are suitable to the Christ of the Creator, they are proportionately unsuitable to the non-Creator’s Christ; and so indeed is all the rest of (our Christ’s) destined course.3324

3324 Reliquus ordo.

In short, there must now for the future be made between us that certain and equitable rule, necessary to both sides, which shall determine that there ought to be absolutely nothing at all in common between the Christ of the other god and the Creator’s Christ. For you will have as great a necessity to maintain their diversity as we have to resist it, inasmuch as you will be as unable to show that the Christ of the other god has come, until you have proved him to be a far different being from the Creator’s Christ, as we, to claim Him (who has come) as the Creator’s, until we have shown Him to be such a one as the Creator has appointed. Now respecting their names, such is our conclusion against (Marcion).3325

3325 Obduximus.

I claim for myself Christ; I maintain for myself Jesus.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 24.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 25.1


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-01 viii.iv.lxii Pg 7
Josh. v. 13 ad fin., and Josh.vi. 1, 2.



Anf-02 iv.ii.ii.xxxi Pg 5.2


Anf-02 vi.ii.viii Pg 27.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.v.xiii Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 18.1


Anf-01 ix.vi.xi Pg 4
See Gen. xviii. 13 and Gen. xxxi. 11, etc. There is an allusion here to a favourite notion among the Fathers, derived from Philo the Jew, that the name Israel was compounded from the three Hebrew words אִישׁ רָאָה אֵל, i.e., “the man seeing God.”

and directs Jacob on his journey, and speaks with Moses from the bush.3919

3919


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 24


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 24


Anf-01 viii.iv.lviii Pg 9
Gen. xxxi. 10–13.

And again, in other words, speaking of the same Jacob, it thus says: ‘And having risen up that night, he took the two wives, and the two women-servants, and his eleven children, and passed over the ford Jabbok; and he took them and went over the brook, and sent over all his belongings. But Jacob was left behind alone, and an Angel2153

2153 Some read, “a man.”

wrestled with him until morning. And He saw that He is not prevailing against him, and He touched the broad part of his thigh; and the broad part of Jacob’s thigh grew stiff while he wrestled with Him. And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaketh. But he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. And He said to him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name; for thou hast prevailed with God, and with men shalt be powerful. And Jacob asked Him, and said, Tell me Thy name. But he said, Why dost thou ask after My name? And He blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of that place Peniel,2154

2154 Literally, “the face of God.”

for I saw God face to face, and my soul rejoiced.’2155

2155


Anf-01 v.xv.iii Pg 3
Isa. xliv. 6.

concerning the Father of the universe, do also speak of our Lord Jesus Christ. “A Son,” they say, has been given to us, on whose shoulder the government is from above; and His name is called the Angel of great counsel, Wonderful, Counsellor, the strong and mighty God.”1226

1226


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxi Pg 2
Isa. xliv. 6.

On this account, then, as I before said, God did not, when He sent Moses to the Hebrews, mention any name, but by a participle He mystically teaches them that He is the one and only God. “For,” says He; “I am the Being;” manifestly contrasting Himself, “the Being,” with those who are not,2549

2549 Literally, “with the not-beings.”

that those who had hitherto been deceived might see that they were attaching themselves, not to beings, but to those who had no being. Since, therefore, God knew that the first men remembered the old delusion of their forefathers, whereby the misanthropic demon contrived to deceive them when he said to them, “If ye obey me in transgressing the commandment of God, ye shall be as gods,” calling those gods which had no being, in order that men, supposing that there were other gods in existence, might believe that they themselves could become gods. On this account He said to Moses, “I am the Being,” that by the participle “being” He might teach the difference between God who is and those who are not.2550

2550 Literally, “between the God being and not-beings.”

Men, therefore, having been duped by the deceiving demon, and having dared to disobey God, were cast out of Paradise, remembering the name of gods, but no longer being taught by God that there are no other gods. For it was not just that they who did not keep the first commandment, which it was easy to keep, should any longer be taught, but should rather be driven to just punishment. Being therefore banished from Paradise, and thinking that they were expelled on account of their disobedience only, not knowing that it was also because they had believed in the existence of gods which did not exist, they gave the name of gods even to the men who were afterwards born of themselves. This first false fancy, therefore, concerning gods, had its origin with the father of lies. God, therefore, knowing that the false opinion about the plurality of gods was burdening the soul of man like some disease, and wishing to remove and eradicate it, appeared first to Moses, and said to him, “I am He who is.” For it was necessary, I think, that he who was to be the ruler and leader of the Hebrew people should first of all know the living God. Wherefore, having appeared to him first, as it was possible for God to appear to a man, He said to him, “I am He who is;” then, being about to send him to the Hebrews, He further orders him to say, “He who is hath sent me to you.”


Anf-02 v.ii.ix Pg 4.1


Anf-03 v.v.vi Pg 4
Matt. xvi. 26. Some omit this quotation.

Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This is the gain which is laid up for me. Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me from living, do not wish to keep me in a state of death;863

863 Literally, “to die.”

and while I desire to belong to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of my God. If any one has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am straitened.


Anf-03 v.ix.xviii Pg 5
Isa. xlv. 5, 18; xliv. 6.

who shows us that He is the only God, but in company with His Son, with whom “He stretcheth out the heavens alone.”7988

7988


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 9
Ex. iii. 6.

this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 5
Ex. iii. 6.

And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, “And the angel of God spake to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, “Israel doth not know Me, my people have not understood Me.”1902

1902


Anf-01 ix.vi.vi Pg 7
Matt. xxii. 29, etc.; Ex. iii. 6.

And He added, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.” By these arguments He unquestionably made it clear, that He who spake to Moses out of the bush, and declared Himself to be the God of the fathers, He is the God of the living. For who is the God of the living unless He who is God, and above whom there is no other God? Whom also Daniel the prophet, when Cyrus king of the Persians said to him, “Why dost thou not worship Bel?”3848

3848 In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, this story constitutes the fourteenth chapter of the book of Daniel. It is not extant in Hebrew, and has therefore been removed to the Apocrypha, in the Anglican canon [the Greek and St. Jerome’s] of Scripture, under the title of “Bel and the Dragon.”

did proclaim, saying, “Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established the heaven and the earth and has dominion over all flesh.” Again did he say, “I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God.” He, then, who was adored by the prophets as the living God, He is the God of the living; and His Word is He who also spake to Moses, who also put the Sadducees to silence, who also bestowed the gift of resurrection, thus revealing [both] truths to those who are blind, that is, the resurrection and God [in His true character]. For if He be not the God of the dead, but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers who were sleeping, they do indubitably live to God, and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is Himself the resurrection, as He does Himself declare, “I am the resurrection and the life.”3849

3849


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 35


Npnf-201 iii.xvi.iv Pg 17


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxix Pg 2
Ex. xxv.

And again: “And thou shalt erect the tabernacle according to the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shalt thou make it.”2575

2575


Anf-01 ix.viii.xxvi Pg 3
Lev. xxvi. 12.

such an one is not empty, but full.


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii.i Pg 32.3


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 70.2


Anf-01 ix.iii.xxi Pg 8
Ps. lxviii. 18; Eph. iv. 8.

and conferred on those that believe in Him the power “to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy,”3103

3103


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxvii Pg 6
Literally, “He said accordingly.” Ps. lxviii. 18.

‘He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, He gave gifts unto the sons of men.’ And again, in another prophecy it is said: ‘And it shall come to pass after this, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and on My servants, and on My handmaids, and they shall prophesy.’2296

2296


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.viii Pg 23
1 Cor. xii. 4–11; Eph. iv. 8, and Ps. lxviii. 18.

that is, the gratuities, which we call charismata. He says specifically “sons of men,”5550

5550 He argues from his own reading, filiis hominum.

and not men promiscuously; thus exhibiting to us those who were the children of men truly so called, choice men, apostles.  “For,” says he, “I have begotten you through the gospel;”5551

5551


Anf-01 viii.iv.cxv Pg 3
Zech. ii. 10–13, Zech. iii. 1, 2.


Anf-01 ii.ii.x Pg 3
Gen. xii. 1–3.

And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him. “Lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou now art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.”47

47


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 21


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 v.vii.iii Pg 15
Gen. xxxii.

Has it, then, been permitted to angels, which are inferior to God, after they have been changed into human bodily form,6983

6983 See below in chap. vi. and in the Anti-Marcion, iii. 9.

nevertheless to remain angels? and will you deprive God, their superior, of this faculty, as if Christ could not continue to be God, after His real assumption of the nature of man? Or else, did those angels appear as phantoms of flesh? You will not, however, have the courage to say this; for if it be so held in your belief, that the Creator’s angels are in the same condition as Christ, then Christ will belong to the same God as those angels do, who are like Christ in their condition. If you had not purposely rejected in some instances, and corrupted in others, the Scriptures which are opposed to your opinion, you would have been confuted in this matter by the Gospel of John, when it declares that the Spirit descended in the body6984

6984 Corpore.

of a dove, and sat upon the Lord.6985

6985


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxxix Pg 54
Hosea xii. 4. One reading of the LXX. is, ἐν τῳ οἴκῳ μου εὕρεσάν με.

“But at night He went out to the Mount of Olives.” For thus had Zechariah pointed out: “And His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives.”5066

5066


Anf-01 v.xv.iii Pg 3
Isa. xliv. 6.

concerning the Father of the universe, do also speak of our Lord Jesus Christ. “A Son,” they say, has been given to us, on whose shoulder the government is from above; and His name is called the Angel of great counsel, Wonderful, Counsellor, the strong and mighty God.”1226

1226


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxi Pg 2
Isa. xliv. 6.

On this account, then, as I before said, God did not, when He sent Moses to the Hebrews, mention any name, but by a participle He mystically teaches them that He is the one and only God. “For,” says He; “I am the Being;” manifestly contrasting Himself, “the Being,” with those who are not,2549

2549 Literally, “with the not-beings.”

that those who had hitherto been deceived might see that they were attaching themselves, not to beings, but to those who had no being. Since, therefore, God knew that the first men remembered the old delusion of their forefathers, whereby the misanthropic demon contrived to deceive them when he said to them, “If ye obey me in transgressing the commandment of God, ye shall be as gods,” calling those gods which had no being, in order that men, supposing that there were other gods in existence, might believe that they themselves could become gods. On this account He said to Moses, “I am the Being,” that by the participle “being” He might teach the difference between God who is and those who are not.2550

2550 Literally, “between the God being and not-beings.”

Men, therefore, having been duped by the deceiving demon, and having dared to disobey God, were cast out of Paradise, remembering the name of gods, but no longer being taught by God that there are no other gods. For it was not just that they who did not keep the first commandment, which it was easy to keep, should any longer be taught, but should rather be driven to just punishment. Being therefore banished from Paradise, and thinking that they were expelled on account of their disobedience only, not knowing that it was also because they had believed in the existence of gods which did not exist, they gave the name of gods even to the men who were afterwards born of themselves. This first false fancy, therefore, concerning gods, had its origin with the father of lies. God, therefore, knowing that the false opinion about the plurality of gods was burdening the soul of man like some disease, and wishing to remove and eradicate it, appeared first to Moses, and said to him, “I am He who is.” For it was necessary, I think, that he who was to be the ruler and leader of the Hebrew people should first of all know the living God. Wherefore, having appeared to him first, as it was possible for God to appear to a man, He said to him, “I am He who is;” then, being about to send him to the Hebrews, He further orders him to say, “He who is hath sent me to you.”


Anf-02 v.ii.ix Pg 4.1


Anf-03 v.v.vi Pg 4
Matt. xvi. 26. Some omit this quotation.

Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This is the gain which is laid up for me. Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me from living, do not wish to keep me in a state of death;863

863 Literally, “to die.”

and while I desire to belong to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of my God. If any one has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am straitened.


Anf-03 v.ix.xviii Pg 5
Isa. xlv. 5, 18; xliv. 6.

who shows us that He is the only God, but in company with His Son, with whom “He stretcheth out the heavens alone.”7988

7988


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 9
Ex. iii. 6.

this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 5
Ex. iii. 6.

And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, “And the angel of God spake to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, “Israel doth not know Me, my people have not understood Me.”1902

1902


Anf-01 ix.vi.vi Pg 7
Matt. xxii. 29, etc.; Ex. iii. 6.

And He added, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.” By these arguments He unquestionably made it clear, that He who spake to Moses out of the bush, and declared Himself to be the God of the fathers, He is the God of the living. For who is the God of the living unless He who is God, and above whom there is no other God? Whom also Daniel the prophet, when Cyrus king of the Persians said to him, “Why dost thou not worship Bel?”3848

3848 In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, this story constitutes the fourteenth chapter of the book of Daniel. It is not extant in Hebrew, and has therefore been removed to the Apocrypha, in the Anglican canon [the Greek and St. Jerome’s] of Scripture, under the title of “Bel and the Dragon.”

did proclaim, saying, “Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established the heaven and the earth and has dominion over all flesh.” Again did he say, “I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God.” He, then, who was adored by the prophets as the living God, He is the God of the living; and His Word is He who also spake to Moses, who also put the Sadducees to silence, who also bestowed the gift of resurrection, thus revealing [both] truths to those who are blind, that is, the resurrection and God [in His true character]. For if He be not the God of the dead, but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers who were sleeping, they do indubitably live to God, and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is Himself the resurrection, as He does Himself declare, “I am the resurrection and the life.”3849

3849


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 35


Npnf-201 iii.xvi.iv Pg 17


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 4
Ex. iv. 2–9.

denoted the threefold power of God: when it shall, first, in the appointed order, subdue to man the old serpent, the devil,7483

7483


Anf-03 v.viii.xxviii Pg 7
Comp. ver. 9.

On this subject we read in the writings of the same prophet, (how that) God says:  “For your blood of your lives will I require of all wild beasts; and I will require it of the hand of man, and of his brother’s hand.”7486

7486


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 8.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.iii.xii Pg 20.2


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 ix.vi.xxi Pg 33
Deut. iv. 24.

(igneum) to the people that transgressed the law, and threatened that God would bring upon them a day of fire; but to those who had the fear of God he said, “The Lord God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.”4088

4088


Anf-02 vi.iv.ix Pg 241.1


Anf-02 ii.ii.iii Pg 4.1
αὐτοῦ to God, in opposition to the translation given by Abp. Wake and others.

neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian,16

16


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.vi.xv Pg 9.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.iv.xx Pg 14.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.i.i Pg 23.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.ii.ii Pg 13.1


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xx Pg 38
Isa. vii. 9.

When Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her,4252

4252


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxv Pg 12
Isa. vii. 9.

); and He had offenders in those wise and prudent ones who would not seek after God, although He was to be discovered in His so many and mighty works,4475

4475


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.xi Pg 35
Isa. vii. 9, Sept.

and again, “I will take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nought5712

5712 Sept. κρὐψω, “will hide.”

the understanding of their prudent ones.”  But these words, of course, He did not pronounce against them for concealing the gospel of the unknown God.  At any rate, if there is a God of this world,5713

5713 Said concessively, in reference to M.’s position above mentioned.

He blinds the heart of the unbelievers of this world, because they have not of their own accord recognised His Christ, who ought to be understood from His Scriptures.5714

5714 Marcion’s “God of this world” being the God of the Old Testament.

Content with my advantage, I can willingly refrain from noticing to any greater length5715

5715 Hactenus: pro non amplius (Oehler) tractasse.

this point of ambiguous punctuation, so as not to give my adversary any advantage,5716

5716 “A fuller criticism on this slight matter might give his opponent the advantage, as apparently betraying a penury of weightier and more certain arguments” (Oehler).

indeed, I might have wholly omitted the discussion. A simpler answer I shall find ready to hand in interpreting “the god of this world” of the devil, who once said, as the prophet describes him: “I will be like the Most High; I will exalt my throne in the clouds.”5717

5717


Anf-01 viii.vi.xxix Pg 2
Ex. xxv.

And again: “And thou shalt erect the tabernacle according to the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shalt thou make it.”2575

2575


Anf-01 ix.viii.xxvi Pg 3
Lev. xxvi. 12.

such an one is not empty, but full.


Anf-02 vi.iv.iii.i Pg 32.3


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.ix Pg 70.2


Anf-01 ix.iii.xxi Pg 8
Ps. lxviii. 18; Eph. iv. 8.

and conferred on those that believe in Him the power “to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy,”3103

3103


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxxvii Pg 6
Literally, “He said accordingly.” Ps. lxviii. 18.

‘He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, He gave gifts unto the sons of men.’ And again, in another prophecy it is said: ‘And it shall come to pass after this, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and on My servants, and on My handmaids, and they shall prophesy.’2296

2296


Anf-03 v.iv.vi.viii Pg 23
1 Cor. xii. 4–11; Eph. iv. 8, and Ps. lxviii. 18.

that is, the gratuities, which we call charismata. He says specifically “sons of men,”5550

5550 He argues from his own reading, filiis hominum.

and not men promiscuously; thus exhibiting to us those who were the children of men truly so called, choice men, apostles.  “For,” says he, “I have begotten you through the gospel;”5551

5551


Anf-01 viii.iv.cxv Pg 3
Zech. ii. 10–13, Zech. iii. 1, 2.


Anf-01 ii.ii.x Pg 3
Gen. xii. 1–3.

And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him. “Lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou now art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.”47

47


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Npnf-201 iii.vii.xix Pg 21


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 3
See Gen. xii.–xv. compared with xvii. and Rom. iv.

nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”1163

1163


Anf-03 iv.ix.iii Pg 5
There is, if the text be genuine, some confusion here.  Melchizedek does not appear to have been, in any sense, “subsequent” to Abraham, for he probably was senior to him; and, moreover, Abraham does not appear to have been “already circumcised” carnally when Melchizedek met him. Comp. Gen. xiv. with Gen. xvii.

“But again,” (you say) “the son of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah,1165

1165


Anf-03 v.vii.iii Pg 15
Gen. xxxii.

Has it, then, been permitted to angels, which are inferior to God, after they have been changed into human bodily form,6983

6983 See below in chap. vi. and in the Anti-Marcion, iii. 9.

nevertheless to remain angels? and will you deprive God, their superior, of this faculty, as if Christ could not continue to be God, after His real assumption of the nature of man? Or else, did those angels appear as phantoms of flesh? You will not, however, have the courage to say this; for if it be so held in your belief, that the Creator’s angels are in the same condition as Christ, then Christ will belong to the same God as those angels do, who are like Christ in their condition. If you had not purposely rejected in some instances, and corrupted in others, the Scriptures which are opposed to your opinion, you would have been confuted in this matter by the Gospel of John, when it declares that the Spirit descended in the body6984

6984 Corpore.

of a dove, and sat upon the Lord.6985

6985


Anf-01 viii.iv.lx Pg 5
Ex. iii. 2–4.

In the same manner, therefore, in which the Scripture calls Him who appeared to Jacob in the dream an Angel, then [says] that the same Angel who appeared in the dream spoke to him,2165

2165


Anf-03 v.x.i Pg 12
Ex. iii. 2.

then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs.  Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls8220

8220 The opponents of martyrdoms are meant.—Tr.

know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats?8221

8221


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 9
Ex. iii. 6.

this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.


Anf-01 viii.ii.lxiii Pg 5
Ex. iii. 6.

And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, “And the angel of God spake to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, “Israel doth not know Me, my people have not understood Me.”1902

1902


Anf-01 ix.vi.vi Pg 7
Matt. xxii. 29, etc.; Ex. iii. 6.

And He added, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.” By these arguments He unquestionably made it clear, that He who spake to Moses out of the bush, and declared Himself to be the God of the fathers, He is the God of the living. For who is the God of the living unless He who is God, and above whom there is no other God? Whom also Daniel the prophet, when Cyrus king of the Persians said to him, “Why dost thou not worship Bel?”3848

3848 In the Septuagint and Vulgate versions, this story constitutes the fourteenth chapter of the book of Daniel. It is not extant in Hebrew, and has therefore been removed to the Apocrypha, in the Anglican canon [the Greek and St. Jerome’s] of Scripture, under the title of “Bel and the Dragon.”

did proclaim, saying, “Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established the heaven and the earth and has dominion over all flesh.” Again did he say, “I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God.” He, then, who was adored by the prophets as the living God, He is the God of the living; and His Word is He who also spake to Moses, who also put the Sadducees to silence, who also bestowed the gift of resurrection, thus revealing [both] truths to those who are blind, that is, the resurrection and God [in His true character]. For if He be not the God of the dead, but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers who were sleeping, they do indubitably live to God, and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is Himself the resurrection, as He does Himself declare, “I am the resurrection and the life.”3849

3849


Npnf-201 iii.vi.ii Pg 35


Npnf-201 iii.xvi.iv Pg 17


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxv Pg 2
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

Now understand that He who led your fathers into the land is called by this name Jesus, and first called Auses2231

2231


Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 54
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

For Joshua was to introduce the people into the land of promise, not Moses. Now He called him an “angel,” on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future “angel,” through the prophet: “Behold, I send mine angel before Thy”—that is, Christ’s—“face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”1298

1298


Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xvi Pg 10
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

He called him an angel indeed, because of the greatness of the powers which he was to exercise, and because of his prophetic office,3321

3321 Officium prophetæ.

while announcing the will of God; but Joshua also (Jesus), because it was a type3322

3322 Sacramentum.

of His own future name. Often3323

3323 Identidem.

did He confirm that name of His which He had thus conferred upon (His servant); because it was not the name of angel, nor Oshea, but Joshua (Jesus), which He had commanded him to bear as his usual appellation for the time to come. Since, therefore, both these names are suitable to the Christ of the Creator, they are proportionately unsuitable to the non-Creator’s Christ; and so indeed is all the rest of (our Christ’s) destined course.3324

3324 Reliquus ordo.

In short, there must now for the future be made between us that certain and equitable rule, necessary to both sides, which shall determine that there ought to be absolutely nothing at all in common between the Christ of the other god and the Creator’s Christ. For you will have as great a necessity to maintain their diversity as we have to resist it, inasmuch as you will be as unable to show that the Christ of the other god has come, until you have proved him to be a far different being from the Creator’s Christ, as we, to claim Him (who has come) as the Creator’s, until we have shown Him to be such a one as the Creator has appointed. Now respecting their names, such is our conclusion against (Marcion).3325

3325 Obduximus.

I claim for myself Christ; I maintain for myself Jesus.


Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxv Pg 2
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

Now understand that He who led your fathers into the land is called by this name Jesus, and first called Auses2231

2231


Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 54
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

For Joshua was to introduce the people into the land of promise, not Moses. Now He called him an “angel,” on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future “angel,” through the prophet: “Behold, I send mine angel before Thy”—that is, Christ’s—“face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”1298

1298


Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xvi Pg 10
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

He called him an angel indeed, because of the greatness of the powers which he was to exercise, and because of his prophetic office,3321

3321 Officium prophetæ.

while announcing the will of God; but Joshua also (Jesus), because it was a type3322

3322 Sacramentum.

of His own future name. Often3323

3323 Identidem.

did He confirm that name of His which He had thus conferred upon (His servant); because it was not the name of angel, nor Oshea, but Joshua (Jesus), which He had commanded him to bear as his usual appellation for the time to come. Since, therefore, both these names are suitable to the Christ of the Creator, they are proportionately unsuitable to the non-Creator’s Christ; and so indeed is all the rest of (our Christ’s) destined course.3324

3324 Reliquus ordo.

In short, there must now for the future be made between us that certain and equitable rule, necessary to both sides, which shall determine that there ought to be absolutely nothing at all in common between the Christ of the other god and the Creator’s Christ. For you will have as great a necessity to maintain their diversity as we have to resist it, inasmuch as you will be as unable to show that the Christ of the other god has come, until you have proved him to be a far different being from the Creator’s Christ, as we, to claim Him (who has come) as the Creator’s, until we have shown Him to be such a one as the Creator has appointed. Now respecting their names, such is our conclusion against (Marcion).3325

3325 Obduximus.

I claim for myself Christ; I maintain for myself Jesus.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 24.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 25.1


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-03 v.ix.xiv Pg 3
Ex. xxxiii. 13.

God said, “Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live:”7921

7921


Anf-03 v.ix.xiv Pg 14
Comp. ver. 13 with ver. 11 of Ex. xxxiii.

which he ought not to have desired, because he had already seen it? And how, in like manner, does the Lord also say that His face cannot be seen, because He had shown it, if indeed He really had, (as our opponents suppose). Or what is that face of God, the sight of which is refused, if there was one which was visible to man? “I have seen God,” says Jacob, “face to face, and my life is preserved.”7932

7932 Gen. xxii. 30.

There ought to be some other face which kills if it be only seen. Well, then, was the Son visible? (Certainly not,7933

7933 Involved in the nunquid.

) although He was the face of God, except only in vision and dream, and in a glass and enigma, because the Word and Spirit (of God) cannot be seen except in an imaginary form. But, (they say,) He calls the invisible Father His face. For who is the Father? Must He not be the face of the Son, by reason of that authority which He obtains as the begotten of the Father? For is there not a natural propriety in saying of some personage greater (than yourself), That man is my face; he gives me his countenance?  “My Father,” says Christ, “is greater than I.”7934

7934


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 53
See Ex. xxxiii. 13–23.

Not loins, or calves of the legs, did he want to behold, but the glory which was to be revealed in the latter days.4370

4370


Anf-02 ii.iv.vi Pg 21.1


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-01 viii.iv.lxxv Pg 2
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

Now understand that He who led your fathers into the land is called by this name Jesus, and first called Auses2231

2231


Anf-03 iv.ix.ix Pg 54
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

For Joshua was to introduce the people into the land of promise, not Moses. Now He called him an “angel,” on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future “angel,” through the prophet: “Behold, I send mine angel before Thy”—that is, Christ’s—“face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”1298

1298


Anf-03 v.iv.iv.xvi Pg 10
Ex. xxiii. 20, 21.

He called him an angel indeed, because of the greatness of the powers which he was to exercise, and because of his prophetic office,3321

3321 Officium prophetæ.

while announcing the will of God; but Joshua also (Jesus), because it was a type3322

3322 Sacramentum.

of His own future name. Often3323

3323 Identidem.

did He confirm that name of His which He had thus conferred upon (His servant); because it was not the name of angel, nor Oshea, but Joshua (Jesus), which He had commanded him to bear as his usual appellation for the time to come. Since, therefore, both these names are suitable to the Christ of the Creator, they are proportionately unsuitable to the non-Creator’s Christ; and so indeed is all the rest of (our Christ’s) destined course.3324

3324 Reliquus ordo.

In short, there must now for the future be made between us that certain and equitable rule, necessary to both sides, which shall determine that there ought to be absolutely nothing at all in common between the Christ of the other god and the Creator’s Christ. For you will have as great a necessity to maintain their diversity as we have to resist it, inasmuch as you will be as unable to show that the Christ of the other god has come, until you have proved him to be a far different being from the Creator’s Christ, as we, to claim Him (who has come) as the Creator’s, until we have shown Him to be such a one as the Creator has appointed. Now respecting their names, such is our conclusion against (Marcion).3325

3325 Obduximus.

I claim for myself Christ; I maintain for myself Jesus.


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 24.1


Anf-02 vi.iii.i.vii Pg 25.1


Anf-01 vi.ii.x Pg 3
Deut. iv. 1.

Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.1577

1577 Literally, “in spirit.”

For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”1578

1578 Cod. Sin. inserts, “and gaze about for some way of escape on account of their greediness, even as these birds alone do not procure food for themselves (by labour), but sitting idle, seek to devour the flesh of others.” The text as above seems preferable: Hilgenfeld, however, follows the Greek.

So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned1579

1579 Cod. Sin. has, “condemned already.”

to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”1580


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Npnf-201 iii.xiii.xiii Pg 9


Npnf-201 iv.vii.xviii Pg 37


Anf-01 ix.iv.xxi Pg 22
Isa. lxiii. 9.

And that He should Himself become very man, visible, when He should be the Word giving salvation, Isaiah again says: “Behold, city of Zion: thine eyes shall see our salvation.”3701

3701


Anf-03 v.iv.v.xxii Pg 45
Isa. lxiii. 9, according to the Septuagint; only he reads faciet for aorist ἔσωσεν.

for it is He Himself who is now declaring and fulfilling the law and the prophets. The Father gave to the Son new disciples,4362

4362 A Marcionite position.

after that Moses and Elias had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had then been dismissed as having fully discharged their duty and office, for the express purpose of affirming for Marcion’s information the fact that Moses and Elias had a share in even the glory of Christ. But we have the entire structure4363

4363 Habitum.

of this same vision in Habakkuk also, where the Spirit in the person of some4364

4364 Interdum.

of the apostles says, “O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid.” What speech was this, other than the words of the voice from heaven, This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him? “I considered thy works, and was astonished.” When could this have better happened than when Peter, on seeing His glory, knew not what he was saying? “In the midst of the two Thou shalt be known”—even Moses and Elias.4365

4365


Anf-03 v.vii.xiv Pg 13
Isa. lxiii. 9.



Anf-01 viii.iv.lxii Pg 7
Josh. v. 13 ad fin., and Josh.vi. 1, 2.



Anf-02 iv.ii.ii.xxxi Pg 5.2


Anf-02 vi.ii.viii Pg 27.1


Anf-02 vi.iv.v.xiii Pg 8.1


Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 24

VERSE 	(50) - 

:15,28,53,55,60


PARALLEL VERSE BIBLE

God Rules.NET