Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 91
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 91 in the continuous (Whittaker) numbering used by the Codex Sinaiticus Project is Similitude 9, chapter 14 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 have no Greek under that number in the codex as transcribed. Compare by content.
How was this verified? (Provenance)
4νοηϲε παντα γαρ μεγαλα και ενδοξα εϲτιν και δυϲνοητα εϲτιν τοιϲ ανοιϲ 5ακουε φηϲτιν το ονομα του ϋϊου του θυ αχωρητον εϲτι και μεγα και ενδοξον και ολον τον κοϲμον αυτο εϲτι βαϲταζον ει ουν φηϲι παϲα η κτιϲηειϲ του θυ δια του ϋϊου αυτου βαϲταζεται τι δοκειϲ τουϲ κεκλημενουϲ υπο αυτου και το ονομα φορουνταϲ και πορευομενουϲ εν τεϲ εντολαιϲ αυτουϲ
1What then, Sir," say I, "if these men, being such as they are, should repent and put away their desire for these women, and return unto the virgins, and walk in their power and in their works? Shall they not enter into the house of God?" 2"They shall enter," saith he, "if they shall put away the works of these women, and take again the power of the virgins, and walk in their works. For this is the reason why there was also a cessation in the building, that, if these repent, they may go into the building of the tower; but if they repent not, then others will go, and these shall be cast away finally." 3For all these things I gave thanks unto the Lord, because He had compassion on all that called upon His name, and sent forth the angel of repentance to us that had sinned against Him, and refreshed our spirit, and, when we were already ruined and had no hope of life, restored our life. 4"Now, Sir," say I, "show me why the tower is not built upon the ground, but upon the rock and upon the gate." "Because thou art senseless," saith he, "and without understanding [thou askest the question]." "I am obliged, Sir," say I, "to ask all questions of thee, because I am absolutely unable to comprehend anything at all; for all are great and glorious and difficult for men to understand." 5"Listen," saith he. "The name of the Son of God is great and incomprehensible, and sustaineth the whole world. If then all creation is sustained by the Son [of God], what thinkest thou of those that are called by Him, and bear the name of the Son of God, and walk according to His commandments?
6βλεπιϲ φηϲιν ποιουϲ βαϲταζει του εξ οληϲ καρδιαϲ το ονομα αυτου φορουνταϲ αυτο ουν θεμελιοϲ α̣υτων εϲτιν και η̣δ̣ε̣ω̣ϲ αυτουϲ βαϲ̣ταζει οτι ουκ αιπεϲχυνονται το ονομα αυτου φ̣ορουντεϲ αλʼλα̣ η̣δεωϲ αυτο φορουϲιν
6Seest thou then what manner of men He sustaineth? Even those that bear His name with their whole heart. He Himself then is become their foundation, and He sustaineth them gladly, because they are not ashamed to bear His name."
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
← previous · → next · v cycle view · l back to library