Irenaeus: Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

J. Armitage Robinson (1920) · Translated text

Section 94

Read in this edition: source locators and uncertainty marks are retained. Square brackets can mark gaps or editorial interventions; headings and supplied subtitles belong to the edition. Coverage and cautions

94. So then by the new calling a change of hearts in the Gentiles came to pass through the Word of God, when He was made flesh and tabernacled with men; as also His disciple John says: And his Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Wherefore the Church beareth much fruit of the redeemed: because no longer Moses (as) mediator nor Elijah (as) messenger, ^[1] but the Lord Himself has redeemed us, granting many more children to the Church than to the first Synagogue; ^[2] as Isaiah declared, saying: Rejoice thou barren, that didst not bear. The barren is the Church, which never at all in former times presented sons to God. Cry out and call, thou that didst not travail: for the children of the desolate are more than of her which hath an husband. Now the first Synagogue had as husband the Law.

Edition notes

These belong to the translator or historical editor, not to the ancient author.

Edition note 1

Rendering the Greek ἄγγελος . Cf. c. 88.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 2

Both the German translations take the passage to mean: “granting many children to the Church, the assembly of the first-born.” But it is hard to get this out of the Armenian text, which has “first” and not “first-born.” It seems certain that there is a contrast between “the Church” and “the first Synagogue” (whose husband was the Law, as is said below). The text can easily be amended so as to give the meaning required. Cf. IV, xlviii. 1. f: “ duæ synagogæ . . . fructificantes . . . filios vivos vivo Deo ”; III, vi. i: “ Ecclesia, hæc enim est synagoga Dei. ” For the quotation and its interpretation cf. Just. M. Ap. 1, 53.

Open note in the edition commentary