Difference between revisions of "Clement"

<p> Paul's fellow helper at Philippi, whom [[Origen]] (Commentary, John 1:29) identifies with the Clement, the apostolical father afterward bishop of Rome, whose epistle to the [[Corinthian]] church (part of the Alexandrius manuscript of [[Greek]] Old and New Testament) is extant. [[Philippi]] being closely connected with Rome, as a [[Roman]] colony, might easily have furnished a, bishop to the Roman church. </p>

<p> [[Mention]] is made of [[Clement]] in Philippians 4:3 as one of St. Paul’s fellow-workers. If μετὰ καὶ Κλήμεντος is connected with συλλαμβάνου, Clement was urged to help in the work of reconciling [[Euodia]] and Syntyche. But it is better to connect the phrase with συνήθλησαν, so including Clement among those with whom these women and St. [[Paul]] ‘laboured in the gospel’; <i> i.e. </i> he had been conspicuous in [[Christian]] work in Philippi. But the reference does not suggest that he was in [[Philippi]] when St. Paul wrote; it is too oblique for that. [[Would]] he not have been asked to use his good offices to effect a reconciliation? Two things are possible: ( <i> a </i> ) he may be dead, though his memory is fragrant (the reference to other ‘fellow-workers whose names are in the book of life’ is not inconsistent with this suggestion); ( <i> b </i> ) he may be with St. Paul, one of the band who gathered about him in his imprisonment and through whom the [[Apostle]] carried on his work. In that case Clement was in Rome, and one of the arguments against identifying him with Clement, bishop of Rome, who wrote the Letter to the [[Church]] of Corinth, would disappear. The difficulty of date is, however, serious, though not insuperable. If Clement were a promising convert from Philippi, who after serving there with marked success became a pupil and companion of St. Paul, he could not very well have been less than 35 or 40 years of age when Phil was written from [[Rome]] about a.d. 60. If this Clement is to be identified with [[Clemens]] Romanus, he must have lived to extreme old age. The identification, first made by Origen, cannot be proved; it is even precarious; but Kennedy goes too far when he calls it ‘absurd’ ( <i> Expositor’s [[Greek]] [[Testament]] </i> , ‘Philippians,’ <i> ad loc </i> .). </p> <p> The name is a common one. </p> <p> Literature.-J. B. Lightfoot, <i> Philippians </i> 4, 1878 (esp. note on p. 168ff.); H. A. A. Kennedy, <i> Expositor’s Greek Testament </i> , ‘Philippians,’ 1903; articleon ‘Clement’ in <i> Hasting's [[Dictionary]] of the [[Bible]] (5 vols) </i> ; E. B. Redlich, <i> St. Paul and his Companions </i> , 1913, p. 223. </p> <p> J. E. Roberts. </p>

<p> [[Fellow]] labourer with [[Paul]] at Philippi. Philippians 4:3 . He is accounted to be one of the [[Apostolic]] Fathers, a name given to those who lived in the times of the apostles and who have left writings bearing their names. </p> <p> CLEMENT, EPISTLES OF. There are two epistles ascribed to Clement, and which in the [[Codex]] Alexandrinus follow the Revelation. The first is considered genuine, but the second is very doubtful. [[Eusebius]] says of the first that it was read in the churches in early times and also in his own day.He calls it 'an [[Epistle]] in the name of the church of [[Rome]] (over which churchClement is recorded as bishop) to the church at Corinth.' [[Apparently]] there was dissension in the church at Corinth: he thus addresses them: "It is disgraceful, beloved, yea, highly disgraceful and unworthy of your [[Christian]] profession, that such a thing should be heard of as that the most steadfast and ancient church of the Corinthians should, on account of one or two persons, engage in sedition against its presbyters." A great deal is said about repentance, love, and good works; but sacrifices to be offered at [[Jerusalem]] are strangely interwoven with the exhortations, though he was writing to Gentiles. </p> <p> His fanciful use of the O.T. scriptures is remarkable. [[Thus]] in speaking of the appointment of bishops and deacons he says, "Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus saith the scripture, in a certain place, 'I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.'" Chap. xlii. This is doubtless intended as a quotation from Isaiah 60:17 in the LXX, but altered to suit his purpose; for the LXX reads "I will make thy princes peaceable, and thine overseers righteous." As an emblem of the resurrection [[Clement]] relates the heathen fable of the phoenix living five hundred years, and then rising again as a fresh bird from its own ashes. He then adds that [[God]] "even by a bird shows us the mightiness of His power to fulfil His promise." Chaps. xxv., xxvi. [[Though]] there are many pious remarks scattered through the epistle, there is on the whole a great difference between it and holy scripture; a deep dark line separates it widely from everything that bears the stamp of divine inspiration. </p>

<p> Clem'ent. (mild, merciful). Philemon 4:3. A fellow laborer of St. Paul, when he was at Philippi, (A.D. 57). It was generally believed, in the ancient Church, that this [[Clement]] was identical with the bishop of [[Rome]] who, afterwards, became so celebrated. </p>

<p> (a.) [[Mild]] in temper and disposition; merciful; compassionate. </p>

<p> '''''klem´ent''''' ( Κλήμης , <i> '''''Klḗmēs''''' </i> , "mild"): A fellow-worker with [[Paul]] at Philippi, mentioned with especial commendation in Philippians 4:3 . The name being common, no inference can be drawn from this statement as to any identity with the author of the [[Epistle]] to the Corinthians published under this name, who was also the third bishop of Rome. The truth of this supposition ("it cannot be called a tradition," Donaldson, <i> The [[Apostolical]] [[Fathers]] </i> , 120), although found in Origen, Eusebius, [[Epiphanius]] and Jerome, can neither be proved nor disproved. Even [[Roman]] [[Catholic]] authorities dispute it (article "Clement," <i> Catholic [[Cyclopaedia]] </i> , IV, 13). The remoteness between the two in time and place is against it; "a wholly uncritical view" (Cruttwell, <i> [[Literary]] History of [[Early]] [[Christianity]] </i> , 31). </p>

<p> Clement, a person mentioned by [[Paul]] , as one whose name was in the book of life. For the meaning of this phrase, see [[Book]] of Life. This [[Clement]] was, by the ancient church, identified with the bishop of [[Rome]] of the same name; and that opinion has naturally been followed by [[Roman]] [[Catholic]] expositors. It cannot now be proved incorrect; but the suspicion exists that the case here may be as with many other names in the New Testament, which have been assigned to celebrated persons of a later period. Clement is said to have lived to the third year of the emperor [[Trajan]] (A.D. 100), when he suffered martyrdom. </p>

<p> (Κλήμης for Lat. clemens, merciful), a person (apparently a [[Christian]] of Philippi) mentioned by [[Paul]] (Philippians 4:3) as one whose name was in the book of life (q.v.), A.D. 57. This [[Clement]] was, by the ancient Church, identified with the bishop of [[Rome]] of the same name (Eusebius Hist. Ecclesiastes 3:4; Constitut. Apost. 7, 46, Origen, vol. 1, p. 262, ed. Lommatzsch; and Jerome, Scriptor. Eccl. p. 176, a); and that opinion has naturally been followed by [[Roman]] [[Catholic]] expositors. It cannot now be proved incorrect; and, in fact, it is not improbable in itself. There are essays on his life, identity, and character as a teacher, by [[Feuerlein]] (Altorf, 1728), Freudenberger (Lips. 1755), Frommann (Cobl. 1768), Roudinini (Romans 1606). (See [[Clement Of Rome]]). </p>