Irenæus

Footnotes

Introductory Note to Irenæus Against Heresies

^[4173] [Note the limitation; not the succession only, but with it (1) pure morality and holiness and (2) unadulterated testimony. No catholicity apart from these.]

Chapter XXVII—The sins of the men of old time, which incurred the displeasure of God, were, by His providence, committed to writing, that we might derive instruction thereby, and not be filled with pride. We must not, therefore, infer that there was another God than He whom Christ preached; we should rather fear, lest the one and the same God who inflicted punishment on the ancients, should bring down heavier upon us.

^[4174] Polycarp, Papias, Pothinus, and others, have been suggested as probably here referred to, but the point is involved in utter uncertainty. [Surely this testimony is a precious intimation of the apostle’s meaning (Rom. ii. 12-16), and the whole chapter is radiant with the purity of the Gospel.]

^[4175] 1 Sam. xviii.

^[4176] 2 Sam. xi. 27.

^[4177] 2 Sam. xii. 1, etc.

^[4178] 1 Kings viii. 27.

^[4179] 1 Kings iv. 34.

^[4180] 1 Kings x. 1.

^[4181] 1 Kings xi. 1.

^[4182] [1 Pet. iii. 19, 20.]

^[4183] Rom. iii. 23. [Another testimony to the mercy of God in the judgment of the unevangelized. There must have been some reason for the secrecy with which “that presbyter’s” name is guarded. Irenæus may have scrupled to draw the wrath of the Gnostics upon any name but his own.]

^[4184] Rom. iii. 23. [Another testimony to the mercy of God in the judgment of the unevangelized. There must have been some reason for the secrecy with which “that presbyter’s” name is guarded. Irenæus may have scrupled to draw the wrath of the Gnostics upon any name but his own.]

^[4185] Rom. xi. 17, 21.

^[4186] Ex. xxxii. 6.

^[4187] 1 Cor. x. 1, etc.

^[4188] Matt. xx. 16.

^[4189] Matt. xxv. 41.

^[4190] 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10.

^[4191] Matt. xviii. 8, 9.

^[4192] 1 Cor. v. 11.

^[4193] Eph. v. 6, 7.

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