4:3 - For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
Shepherd of Hermas Commandment Eighth
" "What, sir," say I, "are the evil deeds from which we must restrain ourselves? ""Hear," says he: "from adultery and fornication, from unlawful revelling,[3]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III
"For," says Peter, "the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries."[165]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VI
And to the Gnostic false opinion is foreign, as the true belongs to him, and is allied with him. Wherefore the noble apostle calls one of the kinds of fornication, idolatry,[279]
4:4 - Wherein they think it strange that all of you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
2 Clement
And the unbelievers "shall see His glory," and strength; and they shall think it strange when they see the sovereignty[138]
4:6 - For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
Also in the same place: "For in this also was it preached to them that are dead, that they might be raised again."[299]
4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be all of you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
the beginning; "watching unto prayer,"[45]Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
Take heed that no plant of the devil be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt. "Watch ye, and be ye sober,"[83]
4:8 - And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Clement
Who can describe the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins.[267]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III
Also of "love." "Love," He says, "covers a multitude of sins."[189]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I
But when "charity covers the multitude of sins,"[324]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book II
This blessedness came on those who had been chosen by Cod through Jesus Christ our Lord. For"love hides the multitude of sins."[147]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
` Love covers a multitude of sins.[170]Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?
but is diffused on the brother. About him she is fluttered, about him she is soberly insane. "Love covers a multitude of sins."[69]Tertullian Scorpiace
For, strictly speaking, there cannot any longer be reckoned ought against the martyrs, by whom in the baptism (of blood) life itself is laid down. Thus, "love covers the multitude of sins; "[41]2 Clement
"but love covereth a multitude of sins."[127]
4:11 - If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
of God."[101]
4:12 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
If ye be reproached in the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth on you."[71]Cyprian Epistle LV
If ye be reproached in the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the name of the majesty and power of the Lord resteth on you, which indeed on their part is blasphemed, but on our part is glorified."[8]Cyprian Treatise XI Exhortation to Martyrdom Addressed to Fortunatus
Or if his call should come to him before, his faith shall not be without reward, seeing it was prepared for martyrdom; without loss of time, the reward is rendered by the judgment of God. In persecution, the warfare,-in peace, the purity of conscience, is crowned.[119]Didache
and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. 5. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial,[146]
4:14 - If all of you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are all of you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
inasmuch as she does indeed, in a new fashion, suffer persecution from those who do not receive the word of God, while the self-same spirit rests upon her[494]
4:15 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Cyprian Epistle VI
another returns to that country whence he was banished, to perish when arrested, not now as being a Christian, but as being a criminal![10]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
but as a Christian.[592]
4:16 - Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer[51]