1 Clement 3:1-4
The Degradation of Corinth
All glory and growth was given to you, and that which was written was fulfilled: “My beloved ate and drank and became large and grew fat and kicked.” From this came jealousy and envy and strife and rebellion, persecution and insurrection, war and captivity. So the dishonorable were stirred up against the honorable, the disreputable against the reputable, the foolish against the wise, the young against the old. Because of this, righteousness and peace are far removed from you, each of you has left behind the fear of God and become dim-sighted in faith in him, and neither walk in the lawful ways of his commandments or live life according to what is fitting in Christ. Instead each of you walks according to the desires of his wicked heart, having taken up unjust and ungodly jealousy, through which also death has entered into the world. (1 Clement 3:1-4)
“Let us, therefore, approach him in holiness of soul, lifting up to him pure and undefiled hands, loving our gentle and compassionate Father who made us his own chosen portion. For thus it is written: ‘When the Most High divided the nations, when he dispersed the sons of Adam, he fixed the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. His people, Jacob, became the Lord’s portion, and Israel his inherited allotment‘ [Deut 32:8-9 LXX]. And in another place it says: ‘Behold, the Lord takes for himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first fruits of his threshing floor; and the Holy of Holies will come forth from that nation.’ Seeing then that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all the things that pertain to holiness…” (1 Clement 29:3-30:1. emphasis added).
Introduction of First Clement
What is known as “First Clement” is actually a letter (epistle) written from the Roman church to the church in Corinth. Tradition views Clement, who was either the second or third bishop of Rome, as the author. It was likely written during the reign of the emperor Domitian, between 81–96 AD (Jefford, Reading, 98). The letter was written due to the Corinthians’ seemingly unwarranted expulsion of their leaders. The letter from Rome advocates reinstitution of the leaders and restoration of peace within the body. To make the case, the letter uses extensive quotations from the Septuagint (Job, Genesis and Isaiah are popular sources) and possible quotations and allusions from the New Testament (Gospel tradition and Hebrews).
Brief Exposition of 1 Clement
Some younger people caused an uproar and had some of their church leaders removed from their positions. Clement identifies the underlying sin as envy. He urged the rash youth to humble themselves and repent, which would imitate the humility, faithfulness, and hospitality of a host of biblical characters. His emphasis was on the equality of all members of the Corinthian Church, regardless of age or gender. Added to the reasons for loving one another was the expectation that Jesus would return soon, and those who had died would be resurrected by the Almighty God. Clement identifies arrogance as a trait of those cursed by God but moderation and humility as being traits of those blessed by God. Clement enjoined the Corinthian Christians to prioritize love and to repent as the occasions might warrant, for in the end, “. . . 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.” The best transitions of leadership, in the church or elsewhere, are those that happen peaceably with love and humility.
Conclusion:
Based on the passage, Clement's primary conclusion is that the Corinthian Church, plagued by division and discord caused by envy and arrogance, must prioritize love, humility, and repentance. He emphasizes that these virtues are essential for maintaining unity and fostering a healthy Christian community.
Clement's argument is further strengthened by his appeal to biblical examples and his warning of the consequences of pride and disobedience. He suggests that true leadership is characterized by humility and service, not by arrogance and self-promotion. Ultimately, Clement's goal is to encourage the Corinthians to reconcile their differences and strive for a more harmonious and Christ-centered community.
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