2 Clement: Essential Insights for Unforgettable Study

Chapter 1

1 Brothers, we must think about Jesus Christ as about God, as about the judge of living and dead; and we must not think little of our salvation.

2 For, if we do not think about him, we shall not think in right way; but, if we think about him as God, we shall be found in him.

Chapter 2

1 So, it is needful that we pay attention to what is written.

2 I will read to you a petition to pay attention to the scriptures which I frequently cite, along with quotations from the prophetic word, otherwise unknown, and something like the apocryphal Gospel of the Egyptians.

Chapter 3

1 The books refer to the Old Testament and the apostles as authorities.

Chapter 4

1 Scholars have noted the synoptic-type Jewish piety of the sermon, perhaps surprising around A.D. 140-160.

Chapter 5

1 The work appears to rely upon the Gospel of John as well; notably in 9:5-6: If Christ the Lord who saved us was spirit at first but became flesh and so called us, so shall we receive the reward in the flesh.

2 Let us then love one another so that we may all come to the kingdom of God.

Chapter 6

1 The kingdom will come when truth and good works are accompanied by ascetic practice.

Chapter 7

1 Until then, Christians must preserve the seal of baptism and belong to the first, spiritual Church, created before sun and moon.

Chapter 8

1 The theology is not altogether clear, and the author soon turns to the state that he has given no trivial counsel about self-control.

Chapter 9

1 This leads into his practical appeal for repentance and going so far as to say that fasting is better than prayer, but almsgiving is better than both.