5:1 - Be all of you therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
I have become acquainted with your greatly-desired name in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Being the followers[12]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III
ye masters, treat your servants well, forbearing threatening: knowing that both their and your Lord is in heaven; and there is no respect of persons with Him."[202]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III
Fornicatio autem, et omnis immunditia, vel avaritia, ne nominetur quidem in vobis, sicut decet sanctos, et turpitudo, et stultiloquium."[22]Origen Against Celsus Book VI
and learning the precept, "Be ye followers of God,"[331]Pope Anterus The Epistle
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Holy Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ."[24]
5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
For, on hearing that I came bound from Syria for the sake of Christ, our common hope, trusting through your prayers to be permitted to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by martyrdom I may indeed become the disciple of Him "who gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God,"[14]
5:3 - But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
Epistle of Ignatius to the Antiochians
Let drunkenness, anger, envy, reviling, clamour, and blasphemy "be not so much as named among you."[42]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II
Impudicorum vero verborum, et turpium figurarum, meretriciorumque osculomm, et hujusmodi lasciviarum nomina ne sunt quidem memoranda, beatum sequentibus Apostolum, qui aperte dicit: "Fornicatio autem et omnis immunditia, vel plura habendi cupiditas, ne nominetur quidem in vobis, sicut decet saneros."[204]Tertullian On Modesty
Again: "But let fornication and every impurity not be even named among you, as becometh saints,"[207]The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs III
The offerings of the Lord will ye rob, and from His portion will ye steal; and before ye sacrifice to the Lord, ye will take the choicest parts, in despitefulness eating them with harlots. Amid excesses[24]
5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
For as, in the New Testament, that faith of men [to be placed] in God has been increased, receiving in addition [to what was already revealed] the Son of God, that man too might be a partaker of God; so is also our walk in life required to be more circumspect, when we are directed not merely to abstain from evil actions, but even from evil thoughts, and from idle words, and empty talk, and scurrilous-language:[404]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II
Whence I admire the apostle, who, in reference to this, exhorts us not to utter "scurrilous nor unsuitable words."[136]Epistle of Theonas to Lucianus
Let all the lust of avarice be put from you, which serves the cause of idolatry rather than the religion of Christ.[6]
5:5 - For this all of you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III
"For know this well," says the apostle, "that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."[48]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III
Etenim docens Apostolus meditari vel ipsa voce esse castos, scribit: "Hoc enim scitote, quod omnis fornicator," et caetera, usque ad illud: "Magis autem arguite."[23]Tertullian On Idolatry
.[70]Cyprian Epistle LI
Neither let the new heretics flatter themselves in this, that they say that they do not communicate with idolaters; although among them there are both adulterers and fraudulent persons, who are held guilty of the crime of idolatry, according to the saying of the apostle: "For know this with understanding, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, whose guilt is that of idolatry, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."[55]
5:6 - Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
And again does the apostle say, "Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of mistrust. Be not ye therefore par-takers with them."[396]Cyprian Epistle XXXIX
And again he says, "Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them."[14]Cyprian Epistle LXIII
Church, that they may be received there where once they were, and may return to Christ from whom they have departed, and not listen to those who deceive them with a fallacious and deadly seduction; since it is written, "Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience; be not ye therefore partakers with them."[12]Cyprian Treatise I On the Unity of the Church
And again he says, "Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them."[63]A Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop
Moreover, too, the apostle, giving good advice, thus exhorts us, saying, "Let no one deceive you with vain words: for because of these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience. Be not partakers with them."[72]The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
For, if a person be only called a believer in name, whilst he is not such in works, he cannot possibly be a believer. "Let no one," therefore, "lead you astray with the empty words of error."[14]
5:7 - Be not all of you therefore partakers with them.
Tertullian On Modesty
Again to the Ephesians: "Be not, then, partners with them: for ye were at one time darkness."[223]
5:8 - For all of you were sometimes darkness, but now are all of you light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
This is the eternal adjustment of the vision, which is able to see the eternal light, since like loves like; and that which is holy, loves that from which holiness proceeds, which has appropriately been termed light. "Once ye were darkness, now are ye light in the Lord."[56]Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
And if so, the apostle too was in error when he said in his epistle, "Ye were at one time darkness, (but now are ye light in the Lord: )"[171]
5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Tertullian On Idolatry
also some professions liable to the charge of idolatry. Of astrologers there should be no speaking even;[46]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; "[827]Tertullian On Modesty
What, moreover, used (the Spirit) to teach? That there must be no communicating with the works of darkness.[266]
5:12 - For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Tertullian On Modesty
But what do we understand "the sense of the flesh" and "the life of the flesh" (to mean), except whatever "it shames (one) to pronounce? "[201]
5:13 - But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I
Moreover, he styled life (Zoe) the light of men, because they are enlightened by her, that is, formed and made manifest. This also Paul declares in these words: "For whatsoever doth make manifest is light."[121]
5:14 - Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
Clement of Alexandria Exhortation to the Heathen
Praise and declare to me Thy Father God; Thy utterances save; Thy hymn teaches[159]Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book V
And concerning these, he says, the Scripture speaks: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise, and Christ will give thee light."[53]Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments
And the prophet says, "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."[165]Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes
Precisely in this way, then, the law of Moses served as a sort of guardian to the people, like the tamp, until the true Sun, who is our Saviour, should arise, even as the apostle also says to us: "And Christ shall give thee light."[501]
5:15 - See then that all of you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Dubious Hippolytus Fragments
See that ye walk circumspectly, because the days are evil."[42]The Second Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
and let us "not be as the foolish, but as the wise,"[27]
5:16 - Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Tertullian De Fuga in Persecutione
he does not offer the suggestion that we should take to our heels, he only teaches that passion should be kept under restraint; and if he says that the time must be redeemed, because the days are evil,[36]Origen Against Celsus Book VI
and from those evil days concerning which Paul said: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."[273]
5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
(The apostle says further: ) "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess,"[831]Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book VIII
For the Scripture does not say, Do not drink wine; but what says it? "Drink not wine to drunkenness; "and again, "Thorns spring up in the hand of the drunkard."[198]
5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II
For the psalm is a melodious and sober blessing. The apostle calls the psalm "a spiritual song."[107]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
The command, to "sing to the Lord with psalms and hymns,"[834]Tertullian To His Wife Book II
Alms (are given) without (danger of ensuing) torment; sacrifices (attended) without scruple; daily diligence (discharged) without impediment: (there is) no stealthy signing, no trembling greeting, no mute benediction. Between the two echo psalms and hymns;[64]
5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
1 Clement
Moreover, ye were all distinguished by humility, and were in no respect puffed up with pride, but yielded obedience rather than extorted it,[5]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh."[96]
5:22 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians
to perform all things with harmony in Christ. Wives, be ye subject to your husbands in the fear of God;[27]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
Now, when I find to what God belong these precepts, whether in their germ or their development, I have no difficulty in knowing to whom the apostle also belongs. But he declares that "wives ought to be in subjection to their husbands: "[836]
5:23 - For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
Further, the broad gold mitre indicates the regal power of the Lord, "since the Head of the Church" is the Savour.[88]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
Pray tell me, Marcion, does your god build up the authority of his law on the work of the Creator? This, however, is a comparative trifle; for he actually derives from the same source the condition of his Christ and his Church; for he says: "even as Christ is the head of the Church; "[838]Dionysius A Commentary on the Beginning of Ecclesiastes
Again: Christ is the head of the Church."[22]
5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
In like manner also, exhort my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the Church.[30]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
and again, in like manner: "He who loveth his wife, loveth his own flesh, even as Christ loved the Church."[839]Cyprian Epistle LXXIII
But if regeneration is in the washing, that is, in baptism, how can heresy, which is not the spouse of Christ, generate sons to God by Christ? For it is the Church alone which, conjoined and united with Christ, spiritually bears sons; as the same apostle again says, "Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify it, cleansing it with the washing of water."[14]Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia
of water by the Word,"[37]
5:26 - That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Shepherd of Hermas Vision Third
For the tower was founder on the word of the almighty and glorious Name and it is kept together by the invisible power of the Lord."[15]Tertullian On Modesty
the laver-"but (that) she may be holy and without reproach; "[226]Five Books in Reply to Marcion
Sprinkled, by speaking.[227]Cyprian Epistle LXXV
Moreover, too, the Apostle Paul, more openly and clearly still manifesting this same thing, writes to the Ephesians, and says, "Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water."[8]Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia
and slept in the trance of His passion, and willingly suffered death for her, that He might present the Church to Himself glorious and blameless, having cleansed her by the laver,[23]
5:27 - That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Shepherd of Hermas Similitude Ninth
And then the Son of God will be exceeding glad, and shall rejoice over them, because He has received His people pure."[35]Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book II
For this Church is the daughter of the Highest, which has been in travail of you by the word of grace, and has "formed Christ in you," of whom you are made partakers, and thereby become His holy and chosen members, "not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but as being holy and unspotted in the faith, ye are complete in Him, after the image of God that created you."[272]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
is a gate of Hades, we shall apprehend that the soul, which has "spot or wrinkle or any such thing,"[83]
5:28 - So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.
Pseudo-Cyprian Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity
Yet he adds, and says: "Because he who loves his wife, loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ the Church."[7]Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."[4]
5:29 - For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church:
Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
How much honour is given to the flesh in the name of the church! "No man," says the apostle, "ever yet hated his own flesh" (except, of course, Marcion alone), "but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord doth the Church."[840]
5:30 - For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V
from which things the substance of our flesh is increased and supported, how can they affirm that the flesh is incapable of receiving the gift of God, which is life eternal, which [flesh] is nourished from the body and blood of the Lord, and is a member of Him?-even as the blessed Paul declares in his Epistle to the Ephesians, that "we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones."[15]
5:31 - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
For, inasmuch as Adam straightway predicted that "great mystery of Christ and the church,"[79]Tertullian Against Marcion Book III
and to the Ephesians giving an intimation that, when it was declared in the beginning that a man should leave his father and mother and become one flesh with his wife, he applied this to Christ and the church.[65]Tertullian To His Wife Book II
one discipline, one and the same service? Both (are) brethren, both fellow servants, no difference of spirit or of flesh; nay, (they are) truly "two in one flesh."[62]Tertullian On Exhortation to Chastity
if, however, (it take place) a second time, or oftener, immediately (the flesh) ceases to be "one," and there will not be "two (joined) into one flesh," but plainly one rib (divided) into more. But when the apostle interprets, "The two shall be (joined) into one flesh"[26]Origen Against Celsus Book IV
And in another passage the same Paul says: "For it is written, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."[231]Cyprian Epistle XLVIII
For when the Apostle Paul says, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church; "[2]Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia
For thus will it be most certainly agreed that the Church is formed out of His bones and flesh; and it was for this cause that the Word, leaving His Father in heaven, came down to be "joined to His wife; "[22]2 Clement
for the Scripture saith, "God made man, male and female."[103]
5:32 - This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I
They declare also that Paul has referred to the conjunctions within the Pleroma, showing them forth by means of one; for, when writing of the conjugal union in this life, he expressed himself thus: "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."[117]Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
What had he that was spiritual? Is it because he prophetically declared "the great mystery of Christ and the church? "[165]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
in the estimation of the apostle, although they are so vilely esteemed by the heretics. "But I am speaking," says he, "of Christ and the Church."[847]Tertullian On Fasting
However, even (Adam) himself at that time, reverting to the condition of a Psychic after the spiritual ecstasy in which he had prophetically interpreted that "great sacrament"[19]Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia
Yet, while everything else seems rightly spoken, one thing, my friend, distresses and troubles me, considering that that wise and most spiritual man-I mean Paul-would not vainly refer to Christ and the Church the union of the first man and woman,[2]