The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Clemens Romanus (Clement of Rome)

Clement of Rome. The Apostolic Fathers, Volume 1. Lake, Kirsopp, editor. London: William Heinemann Ltd.; New York: The Macmillan Company, 1912.

We are not only writing these things to you,[*](Instances of repentance) beloved, for your admonition, but also to remind ourselves; for we are in the same arena, and the same struggle is before us.

Wherefore let us put aside empty and vain cares, and let us come to the glorious and venerable rule of our tradition,

and let us see what is good and pleasing and acceptable in the sight of our Maker.

Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ, and let us

know that it is precious to his Father,[*](The Greek MSS. insert his God, but in different places, and the evidence of the versions confirms Lightfoot’s view that the words are interpolated.) because it was poured out for our salvation, and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.

Let us review all the generations, and let us learn that in generation after generation the Master has given a place of repentance to those who will turn to him.

Noah preached repentance and those who obeyed[*](Noah) were saved.

Jonah foretold destruction to the[*](Jonah and the Ninevites) men of Nineveh, but when they repented they received forgiveness of their sins from God in answer to their prayer, and gained salvation, though they were aliens to God.