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Clement of Rome

1 Clement

First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

About this book
Chapter 27

1 With this hope, therefore, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises and righteous in His judgments. 2 He who commanded us not to lie will much more not lie Himself; for nothing is impossible with God except to lie.⁠ 3 Therefore let our faith in Him be kindled within us, and let us understand that all things are near to Him. 4 By a word of His majesty He formed the universe; and by a word He can destroy it. 5 Who shall say to Him, “What have You done?” or who shall resist the might of His strength? When He wills, and as He wills, He will do all things; and none of the things He has decreed shall pass away.⁠ 6 All things are in His sight, and nothing escapes His counsel. 7 since “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day utters word to day, and night proclaims knowledge to night; and there are no words or speeches whose voices are not heard.”

Texts in conversation

Compare Hebrews 6:18 and Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 27:2

New Testament · Early Christian

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Summary

In 1 Clement, the author says the one thing impossible for God is to lie, the same claim Hebrews makes about the promise sworn to Abraham, one of several places where Clement repeats ideas found in Hebrews without ever naming that letter.

Passages

Hebrews 6:18

New Testament
13 Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendants abundantly.” 15 And so by persevering, Abraham inherited the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute. 17 In the same way God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise that his purpose was unchangeable, and so he intervened with an oath, 18 so that we who have found refuge in him may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie.
80–90 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Hebrews

Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 27:2

Early Christian · First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
1 With this hope, therefore, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises and righteous in His judgments. 2 He who commanded us not to lie will much more not lie Himself; for nothing is impossible with God except to lie. 3 Therefore let our faith in Him be kindled within us, and let us understand that all things are near to Him. 4 By a word of His majesty He formed the universe; and by a word He can destroy it. 5 Who shall say to Him, “What have You done?” or who shall resist the might of His strength? When He wills, and as He wills, He will do all things; and none of the things He has decreed shall pass away.
90–100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Clement of Rome, 1 Clement

References

“... The most important similarities are as follows: Jesus is one “who, being the reflection of [God’s] majesty is greater than angels to the extent that he has inherited a more excellent name” (1 Clem. 36:2 / Heb 1:2–4). [...] Both authors list examples of Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Rahab, and those who went about “in the skins of sheep and goats” (1 Clem. 9:3–10:1; 12:1–3; 17:1 / Heb 11). Both exhort listeners to hasten toward their goal with eyes fixed upon God (1 Clem. 19:2 / Heb 12:1), caution that God searches people (1 Clem. 21:9 / Heb 4:12), say that it is impossible for God to lie (1 Clem. 27:2 / Heb 6:18), recall that Moses was faithful in God’s house (1 Clem. 43:1 / Heb 3:5), quote Prov 3:12 (1 Clem. 56:4 / Heb 12:6), and identify God as the master or father of spirits (1 Clem. 64:1 / Heb 12:9). ...”
Craig R. Koester, Hebrews: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (New York: Doubleday, 2001), 22.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Hebrews 6:18 and Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 27:2

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