Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 65
Introduction
This entry meets the strict three-criteria standard of the Theosis Library:
- Manuscript scan: The actual folio(s) of Codex Sinaiticus containing this chapter, from the Codex Sinaiticus Project (codexsinaiticus.org). Each section links to the specific folio holding its verses.
- Original text: The Codex Sinaiticus Project's verbatim transcription of the folio shown (uncial letters, lunate sigma, nomina sacra preserved).
- English translation: J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891), public domain, retrieved verbatim from Lightfoot 1891 via earlychristianwritings.com transcription.
Numbering: Chapter 65 in the continuous (Whittaker) numbering used by the Codex Sinaiticus Project is Similitude 6, chapter 5 in Lightfoot's traditional division, which the English column follows.
Why this is here: Codex Sinaiticus binds this text after Revelation, alongside the canonical books. Reading it on the same parchment as the Gospels is primary evidence for how a 4th-century Christian community treated it.
Numbering: English verses 1, 2, 3, 4 have no Greek under that number in the codex as transcribed. Compare by content.
How was this verified? (Provenance)
5ϲιν τρυφη εϲτιν τω ανθρωπω αν ηδεωϲ ποιει και γαρ ο̣ ο̣ξυχολοϲ ποιων το ικανον τη εαυτου πρ̣αξει τρυφα και ο μοι̣χοϲ και ο μεθυϲοϲ και καταλαλοϲ και ο ψευϲτηϲ και ο πλεονεκτηϲ και αποϲτερητηϲ και ο τουτοιϲ τα ομοιωματα ποιων τη ϊδια νοϲω το ικανον ποιει τρυφα̣ ουν εν τη πραξι αυτου
1"Inasmuch, Sir," say I, "as I do not quite comprehend concerning the time of the deceit and self-indulgence and torment, show me more clearly." 2He answered and said unto me; "Thy stupidity cleaveth to thee; and thou wilt not cleanse thy heart and serve God Take heed," [saith he,] "lest haply the time be fulfilled, and thou be found in thy foolishness. Listen then," [saith he,] "even as thou wishest, that thou mayest comprehend the matter. 3He that liveth in self-indulgence and is deceived for one day, and doeth what he wisheth, is clothed in much folly and comprehendeth not the thing which he doeth; for on the morrow he forgetteth what he did the day before. For self-indulgence and deceit have no memories, by reason of the folly, wherewith each is clothed; but when punishment and torment cling to a man for a single day, he is punished and tormented for a whole year long; for punishment and torment have long memories. 4So being tormented and punished for the whole year, the man remembers at length the self-indulgence and deceit, and perceiveth that it is on their account that he is suffering these ills. Every man, therefore, that liveth in self-indulgence and is deceived, is tormented in this way because, though possessing lire, they have delivered themselves over unto death." 5"What kinds of self-indulgence, Sir," say I, "are harmful?" "Every action," saith he, "is self-indulgence to a man, which he does with pleasure; for the irascible man, when he gives the reins to his passion, is self-indulgent; and the adulterer and the drunkard and the slanderer and the liar and the miser and the defrauder and he that doeth things akin to these, giveth the reins to his peculiar passion; therefore he is self-indulgent in his action.
6αι τοιαυται παϲαι τρυφαι βλαβερε ειϲιν τοιϲ δουλοιϲ του θυ δια ταυταϲ ου ταϲ απαταϲ παϲχουϲιν οι τιμωρουμεροι και βαϲανιζομενοι 7ειϲιν δε τρυφαιρε ϲωζουϲαι τουϲ ανθρωπουϲ πολλοι γαρ αγαθον εργαζομενοι τρυφηϲωϲιν τη εαυτω ηδονη φερομεναι αυτη ουν η τρυφη ϲυμφοροϲ εϲτι τοιϲ δουλοιϲ του θυ και ζωην περιποιειται τω ανθρωπω τω τοιο̣υτ̣ω αι δε βλαβεραι τ̣ρ̣υ̣φα̣ι̣ α̣ι̣ π̣ρ̣οει̣ρ̣η̣μεναι βαϲανουϲ και τιμωριαϲ αυτοιϲ περιποιουϲιν εα̣ν δε επιμινωϲιν και μη μετα̣νοηϲωϲιν̣ θανατον περιποιου̣ν̣τ̣αι αρχη αλληϲ παραβοληϲ
6All these habits of self-indulgence are harmful to the servants of God; on account of these deceits therefore they so suffer who are punished and tormented. 7But there are habits of self-indulgence like-wise which save men; for many are self-indulgent in doing good, being carried away by the pleasure it gives to themselves. This self-indulgence then is expedient for the servants of God, and bringeth life to a man of this disposition; but the harmful self-indulgences afore-mentioned bring to men torments and punishments; and if they continue in them and repent not, they bring death upon themselves."
Cite
Source & Cross-References
- Source text: Codex Sinaiticus folio + transcription (codexsinaiticus.org) + J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891) — view original
- Critical edition: Tischendorf 8th edition (1869) / Codex Sinaiticus transcription
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