The Shepherd of Hermas

Hermas

Hermas. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913

Not only, said he, is it adultery if a man defile his flesh, but whosoever acts as do the heathen is also guilty of adultery, so that if anyone continue in such practices, and repent not, depart from him and do not live with him, otherwise you are also a sharer in his sin.

For this reason it was enjoined on you to live by yourselves, whether husband or wife, for in such cases repentance is possible.

I, therefore, said he, am not giving an opportunity to laxity that this business be thus concluded, but in order that he who has sinned sin no more,[*](Hermas is guarding against the imputation that he is lowering the standard of morality. This accusation was actually brought against him later by Tertullian.) and for his former sin there is one who can give healing, for he it is who has the power over all.

And I asked him again, saying: If the Lord has thought me worthy for you always to live with me, suffer yet a few words of mine, since I have no understanding and my heart has been hardened by my former deeds; give me understanding, for I am very foolish and have absolutely no understanding.

He answered me and said, I am set over repentance, and I give understanding to all those

who repent. Or do you not think, said he, that this very repentance is itself understanding? To repent, said he, is great understanding. For the sinner understands that he has done wickedly before the Lord, and the deed which he wrought comes into his heart, and he repents and no longer does wickedly, but does good abundantly, and humbles his soul and punishes it because he sinned. You see, therefore, that repentance is great understanding.

For this reason then, sir, said I, I enquire accurately from you as to all things. First, because I am a sinner, that I may know what I must do to live, because my sins are many and manifold.

You shall live, he said, if you keep my commandments and walk in them, and whosoever shall hear and keep these commandments shall live to God.