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Theophilus
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Introductory Note to Theophilus of Antioch
[523] Renan, St. Paul, cap. 1., Farrar, Life of St. Paul, cap. xvi.
[524] [Our chronological arrangement must yield in minute accuracy to other considerations; and we may borrow an excuse from our author, who notes the difficulty of microscopic ἀκριβεία in his own chronological labours (book iii. cap. 29). It was impossible to crowd Tatian and Theophilus into vol. i. of this series, without dividing Irenæus, and putting part of his works in vol. ii. But, in the case of contemporaries, this dislocation is trifling, and creates no confusion.]
Chapter I.—Autolycus an Idolater and Scorner of Christians.
[525] [Acts xi. 26. Note this as from an Antiochian, glorying in the name of Christian.]
[526] Εὔχρηστος, punning on the name Christian. [Comp cap xii., infra. So Justin, p. 164, vol. i., this series. But he also puns on his own name, “beloved of God,” in the text φορῶ τὸ Θεοφιλὲς ὄνομα τοῦτὀ κ.τ.λ.]
Chapter II.—That the Eyes of the Soul Must Be Purged Ere God Can Be Seen.
[527] Literally, “your man;” the invisible soul, as the noblest pat of man, being probably intended.
[528] The techincal word for a disease of the eye, like cataract.
[529] The translation here follows the Hamburg editor, others read, “If Father, I say everything.”
[530] Maranus observes that Theophilus means to indicate the difference between God’s chastisement of the righteous and His punishment of the wicked.
Chapter IV.—Attributes of God.
[531] [Kaye’s Justin, p. 173.]
Chapter V.—The Invisible God Perceived Through His Works.
[532] The reference here is not to the Holy Spirit, but to that vital power which is supposed to be diffused thorughout the universe. Comp. book ii. 4.
Chapter VI.—God is Known by His Works.
[533] Literally, “propagation.”
Chapter VII.—We Shall See God When We Put on Immortality.
Chapter VIII.—Faith Required in All Matters.
[537] i.e., in the resurrection.
Chapter X.—Absurdities of Idolatry.
[538] [Foot-baths. A reference to Amasis, and his story in Heredotus, ii. 172. See Rawlinson’s Version and Notes, vol. ii. p. 221, ed. Appletons, 1859. See also Athanagoras, infra, Embassy, cap. xxvi.]
[539] [The fable of Echo and her shameful gossip may serve for an example.]
Chapter XI.—The King to Be Honoured, God to Be Worshipped.
[540] Prov. xxiv. 21, 22. The Greek of Theophilus has “honour” instead of “fear.”
Chapter XII.—Meaning of the Name Christian.
[541] “The argumentation of this chapter depends on the literal meaning which Theophilus attaches to Christos, the Anointed One; and he plays on this meaning, and also on the similarity of pronunciation between χρηστός, ‘useful,’ and χριστός, ‘anointed.’”—Donaldson.
[542] [Not material oil probably, for it is not mentioned in such Scriptures as Acts viii. 17, xix. 6, Heb. vi. 2; but the anointing (1 John ii. 20) of the Holy Ghost. As a symbol, oil was used at an early period, however; and the Latins are not slow to press this in favour of material oil in the chrism, or confirmation.]
Chapter XIII.—The Resurrection Proved by Examples.
[543] [This is the famous challenge which affords Gibbon (cap. xv.) a most pleasing opportunity for his cavils. But our author was not asserting that the dead was raised in his day, but only that they should be at the last day.]
Chapter XIV.—Theophilus an Example of Conversion.
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