Texts in Conversation
In 1 Clement, the author closes the letter with a blessing that calls God the Master of spirits, close to the title Father of spirits in Hebrews 12, one of a series of expressions shared with Hebrews that suggest Clement knew that letter well.
Share:
2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Hebrews 12:9
New Testament
7 Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. 9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? 10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. 11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.
Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 64:1
First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
Early Christian
1 Finally may the All seeing God and Master of spirits and Lord of all flesh, who chose the Lord Jesus Christ, and us through Him for a people of His own, grant to every soul that is called after His excellent and holy Name faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, temperance, chastity and soberness, that they may be well pleasing to His Name through our High priest and Guardian Jesus Christ, through whom to Him be glory and majesty, might and honor, both now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Search:
Notes and 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). ...”
Koester, Craig R.
Hebrews: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
(p. 22) Doubleday, 2001
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.
User Comments
,