Irenæus

Footnotes

Introductory Note to Irenæus Against Heresies

^[3111] “Si” is wanting in the mss. and early editions, and Harvey pleads for its exclusion, but the sense becomes clearer through inserting it.

^[3112] This clause is, of course, an interpolation by the Latin translator.

^[3113] The words are loosely quoted memoriter, as is the custom with Irenæus. See Hesiod, Works and Days, i. 77, etc.

^[3114] Latin, of course, in the text.

^[3115] There is here a play upon the words Λητώ and ληθεῖν, the former being supposed to be derived from the latter, so as to denote secrecy.

^[3116] This clause is probably an interpolation by the translator.

^[3117] 2 Tim. iv. 3.

^[3118] “Cœlet Demiurgo,” such is the reading in all the mss. and editions. Harvey, however, proposes to read “celet Demiurgum;” but the change which he suggests, besides being without authority, does not clear away the obscurity which hangs upon the sentence.

^[3119] Comp. Pindar, Olymp., i. 38, etc.

^[3120] “Compuncti” supposed to correspond to κεκαυτηριασμένοι: see 1 Tim. iv. 2. The whole passage is difficult and obscure.

Chapter XXII.—The thirty Æons are not typified by the fact that Christ was baptized in His thirtieth year: He did not suffer in the twelfth month after His baptism, but was more than fifty years old when He died.

^[3121] Harvey wishes, without any authority, to substitute “tacitus” for “tacitos,” but there is no necessity for alteration. Irenæus is here playing upon the word, according to a practice in which he delights, and quietly scoffs at the Sige (Silence) of the heretics by styling those Æons silent who were derived from her.

^[3122] Isa. lxi. 2.

^[3123] Matt. v. 45.

^[3124] Isa. v. 12.

^[3125] Rom. viii. 36.

^[3126] John ii. 23.

^[3127] John iv. 50.

^[3128] John v. 1, etc. It is well known that, to fix what is meant by the ἑορτή, referred to in this passage of St. John, is one of the most difficult points in New Testament criticism. Some modern scholars think that the feast of Purim is intended by the Evangelist; but, upon the whole, the current of opinion that has always prevailed in the Church has been in favour of the statement here made by Irenæus. Christ would therefore be present at four passovers after His baptism: (1) John ii. 13; (2) John v. 1; (3) John vi. 4; (4) John xiii. 1.

^[3129] John vi. 1, etc.

^[3130] John xi. 54, John xii. 1.

^[3131] Or, “teacher,” magistri.

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