Thursday, December 31, 2009

Clement of Alexandria on 1 John 3:2

These remarks are taken from Cassiodorus' Latin translation of the Fragmenta from Clemens Alexandrinus. Cassiodorus lived in the sixth century CE, whereas Clemens lived approximately 150-215 CE.

'“Beloved,” says he, “now are we the sons of God,” not by natural affection, but because we have God as our Father. For it is the greater love that, seeing we have no relationship to God, He nevertheless loves us and calls us His sons. “And it hath not yet appeared what we shall be;” that is, to what kind of glory we shall attain. “For if He shall be manifested,”—that is, if we are made perfect,—“we shall be like Him,” as reposing and justified, pure in virtue, “so that we may see Him” (His countenance) “as He is,” by comprehension.'


Regards,
Edgar
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4 comments:

  1. FR3:06 PM

    Others affirm that His appearing refers to the Lord Jesus. The Jehovah's Witnesses taught that it is used in reference to the Father, but now say it refers to Jesus.

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  2. FR6:56 PM

    I should supply evidence for what I wrote above.
    a. The Watchtower: At times the conscientious translator may feel justified in adding a word or two to make the meaning clear. However, there is always the danger, when this is done, of misleading the reader. Thus in an attempt to aid the reader the translator of Today's English Version replaced "he" with Christ at 1 John 3:2. However, in this he erred, for Jehovah God and not Jesus Christ is here referred to, even as is clear from the preceding verse 1Jo 3:1. (Choosing a Modern Bible Translation, June 1, 1969, 4th to the last paragraph)
    https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1969402
    b. The Watchtower: In his first letter, John warns against "antichrist," and tells Christians to remain in union with Christ while awaiting His "presence" and His manifestation. (1 John 2:18, 28; 3:2) (Happy Are Those Found Watching!, December 1, 1984, 11th paragraph)
    https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1984882

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  3. Edgar Foster10:45 PM

    Jehovah's Witnesses actually leave open the possibility that 1 John 3:2 refers to the Father. See https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/62/3#s=2&study=discover&v=62:3:6

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  4. FR9:01 AM

    The Watchtower: "Everyone remaining in union with him [Jesus Christ] does not practice sin." (1 John 3:6) (Questions From Readers, April 15, 1970, 7th paragraph)
    https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1970285

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