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Clement of Rome
Clement of Rome (c. 35 - c. 99). Early Church Father, bishop of Rome, and martyr born in Rome, possibly to a freedman family. Traditionally identified as a companion of Paul and Peter, he is linked to Philippians 4:3’s “Clement.” Elected bishop around 88, he led the Roman church during Domitian’s persecution, fostering unity amid internal strife. His Epistle to the Corinthians (c. 96), one of the earliest Christian texts outside the New Testament, addressed schism in Corinth, urging humility and order; it was read widely, nearly canonical. Clement authored no other surviving works, but legends attribute homilies like Second Clement to him. Unmarried, he lived ascetically, focusing on pastoral care. Tradition holds he was exiled to Crimea, forced into hard labor, and martyred by drowning, tied to an anchor—though evidence is sparse. His leadership strengthened the episcopal role, influencing church governance. Clement’s words, “Let us cleave to those who cultivate peace, not to those who desire strife,” reflect his call for harmony. His letter, preserved in ancient codices, remains a cornerstone of patristic theology.
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Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of confessing and honoring God through Jesus Christ, the means by which true knowledge of the Father is attained. He highlights the need to not offer sacrifices to false gods but to acknowledge the one true God. Confessing Jesus before others is a sign of true faith, as Jesus promises to acknowledge those who confess Him before the Father. Clement stresses the significance of not just speaking about God but honoring Him with genuine devotion from the heart and mind, aligning with His commandments.
Confessing Christ
Since, then, He has displayed so great mercy towards us, and especially in this respect, that we who are living should not offer sacrifices to gods that are dead, or pay them worship, but should attain through Him to the knowledge of the true Father, whereby shall we show that we do indeed know Him, but by not denying Him through whom this knowledge has been attained? For He himself declares,Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father. This, then, is our reward if we shall confessHim by whom we have been saved. But in what way shall we confess Him? By doing what He says, and not transgressing Hiscommandments, and by honouring Him not with our lips only, but with all our heart and all our mind. For He says in Isaiah,This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
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Clement of Rome (c. 35 - c. 99). Early Church Father, bishop of Rome, and martyr born in Rome, possibly to a freedman family. Traditionally identified as a companion of Paul and Peter, he is linked to Philippians 4:3’s “Clement.” Elected bishop around 88, he led the Roman church during Domitian’s persecution, fostering unity amid internal strife. His Epistle to the Corinthians (c. 96), one of the earliest Christian texts outside the New Testament, addressed schism in Corinth, urging humility and order; it was read widely, nearly canonical. Clement authored no other surviving works, but legends attribute homilies like Second Clement to him. Unmarried, he lived ascetically, focusing on pastoral care. Tradition holds he was exiled to Crimea, forced into hard labor, and martyred by drowning, tied to an anchor—though evidence is sparse. His leadership strengthened the episcopal role, influencing church governance. Clement’s words, “Let us cleave to those who cultivate peace, not to those who desire strife,” reflect his call for harmony. His letter, preserved in ancient codices, remains a cornerstone of patristic theology.