Three Insights we can take away from 1st Clement
Previously, we were introduced to Clement of Rome, and his epistle to the Corinthian church known as 1st Clement. Most likely written in the late 1st century, this epistle had a big impact on the early Church, with some even considering it to be canon with the New Testament. While I want to fairly examine 1st Clement, it’s also a long letter. The Shepherd of Hermas may be the longest writing in the Apostolic Fathers collection, but 1st Clement is the longest epistle, with English translations numbering it to 65 chapters.
There are plenty who have already written extensive commentaries and articles on this letter, so for now I just want to look at three key insights seen throughout 1st Clement. These aren’t the only themes to draw from, but they can be a good starting point for us. More importantly, they can help us see how Clement’s wisdom helps the Church today.
1. Scripture
“You understand, beloved, you understand well the sacred Scriptures, and you have looked very earnestly into the oracles of God. Call then these things to your remembrance.”
Clement draws from an extensive amount of the Old Testament when writing to the Corinthians. He does this in multiple ways while drawing from a diversity of different Old Testament books. Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Jeremiah, Isaiah, the Psalms, and others are quoted multiple times throughout the 65 chapters.
One example of how Clement uses Scripture to illustrate his point can be found in chapter 3. Clement spends the first two chapters detailing how fruitful the Corinthians were, but that over time they had drifted away. It is Clement’s conclusion that the church ultimately took the Holy Spirit’s abundance for granted, and quotes Deuteronomy 32:15:
“Every kind of honor and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, ‘My beloved ate and drank, and was enlarged and became fat, and kicked.’ Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity... For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and has become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world.”
This is one example of how Clement uses the failure and sin of individuals/groups in the Old Testament as a warning to the Corinthians. Mentioned throughout the epistle are people like Cain, Esau, Saul, Lot’s wife, and others. A main theme Clement draws from these individuals is jealousy and double-mindedness.
On the other hand, Clement also uses several examples in the Old Testament of who we should emulate in obeying God in faith. Examples of people Clement draw from range from Abraham and Moses to Rahab and Esther. It’s clear when reading 1st Clement that the early Church read and studied the Old Testament heavily and appropriately applied it to their own situations.
We also see in 1st Clement one of the earliest recordings of a New Testament book being referenced as inspired Scripture. In chapter 47, Clement reminds the Corinthians of Paul’s first letter to them. Quoting both Paul and Jesus (which we’ll look at in a moment), Clement does not see a disconnect between the teachings of Christ and His apostles:
“Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the gospel first began to be preached? Truly, under the inspiration of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, Cephas, and Apollos, because even then parties had been formed among you.”
2. Jesus
“Let him who has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told?
...In love has the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the love He bore us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and His soul for our souls.”
Another important insight is just how often Jesus is mentioned by Clement throughout the letter. Now this might seem obvious since it’s a Christian church writing to another Christian church, but I think this still deserves attention. Clement is clearly convicted that the Corinthians’ rebellion is rooted in loosing focus on Jesus, and that Jesus is the solution.
In his call to humility, Clement turns to the Savior’s words, quoting the teachings of Jesus which we today find in our Gospels (specifically Matthew and Luke). In Clement’s case, the quotes from Jesus found in 1st Clement can be found in the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke). However, they are not exact word for word citations. My belief is that Clement is likely citing oral traditions of Jesus’ teachings, which would still be widespread around this time (Dunn, 2013, Pg. 49).
“Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings... being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spoke teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spoke: ‘Be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as you do, so shall it be done unto you; as you judge, so shall you be judged; as you are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured to you.”
Clement goes on by insisting that those who profess Jesus as Lord must also practice what they preach, and live a holy life of fruitful humility. Once again, he looks to Jesus for inspiration, citing the Suffering Servant passage from Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 to show that Jesus served and suffered humbly.
It’s a bit bizarre and somewhat sad that this is even a controversy today in theological circles. But if we are to call ourselves Christians, we need to be humbly seeking Christ and obeying His commands. We also need to serve and be last, just as He did (Mark 10:43-45). It’s interesting that in calling the Church to imitate Christ, Clement specifically quotes from Isaiah 53 in how we serve others.
The judgment and justice of Jesus Christ is real, and there will be a day when Christ returns and all will answer to Him. But that is specifically the role of Christ, and not our calling as Christians. We were saved by Christ because of His love and mercy. Therefore, we need to be loving and merciful to others if we expect to stay in God’s grace (Matthew 18:21-35).
3. Church Unity
“And let us therefore, conscientiously gathering together in harmony, cry to Him earnestly, as with one mouth, that we may be made partakers of His great and glorious promises.”
The final point I want to emphasize in this post is Clement’s desire for the Corinthians to come together in united repentance. Similar to Paul, Clement sees the humble unity of the Church as a necessity. The division in Corinth has escalated so much that Clement worries what could happen if it doesn’t stop.
In addition to calling the Corinthian church to repentance, Clement warns the ones causing division what potential punishments they may face by God if they don’t stop:
“You therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that you should occupy a humble but honorable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, you should be cast out from the hope of His people.
...If, however, any shall disobey the words spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and serious danger... ”
I think an important point Clement mentions in the beginning of his letter is when he first reflects on the proper behavior the Corinthians were engaged in before rebelling. In reviewing how the Corinthians were in humble unity, obeying Christ, loving their neighbors, generously giving, and being hospitable, Clement states in chapter 2.2, “Thus a profound and abundant peace was given to you all, and you had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all.”
What an incredible remark for Clement to make, and yet, what a devastating fall the Corinthians had from it! There is always talk of revival in churches today, yet how many of us are willing to truly submit to what that looks like? Yes, it is the Holy Spirit that works true revival, not us, but how many of us in our church communities are willing to submit to the Spirit’s will? Are we truly willing to sacrifice our convenience, our resources, our free time, our energy, our own goals?
Conclusion
Clement spends the end of his letter writing out a long prayer. It takes up about two and half chapters, and is passionately focused on God’s sovereignty, will, and healing. Clement cared about God’s truth, grace, and love. He also cared about the well being of the Church. While it is a long read, 1st Clement is a humbling reminder of what the Church’s true identity is, and this identity remains true today.
“O Thou, who only has power to do these things and more abundant good with us, we praise You through the High Priest and Guardian of our souls Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and majesty to You both now and from generation to generation and for evermore. Amen.”
Bibliography
Schaff, P. (2016). The Complete Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Collection of Early Church Fathers. Toronto, Canada.
Dunn, J. (2013). Altering the Default Setting: Re-envisaging the Early Transmission of the Jesus Tradition. In The Oral Gospel Tradition. Grand Rapids, MI. Eerdmans. (Original work published 2003 and reprinted 2005)
All quotes from the Apostolic Fathers whose translations are not cited are public domain.
Thumbnail Image: The Codex Alexandrinus. Photo scan from The British Library: http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/Viewer.aspx?ref=royal_ms_1_d_viii_f143r