Greek · Ad Diognetum · Mathetes to Diognetus
An anonymous apology addressed to an enquirer named Diognetus, describing Christians as the soul of the world. It is conventionally printed with the Apostolic Fathers.
Datingdisputed
No ancient writer mentions it; the only manuscript (destroyed in 1870) had no author or date. Estimates range from c. 150 to 225, and chapters 11-12 may be a separate, later piece. Place unknown; Alexandria and Asia Minor are suggested.Books it uses
10.2 God 'sent His only-begotten Son' out of love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9).
9.2–5 the righteousness of one justifying many (Rom 3:21–26; 5:18–19).
12.5 'The Apostle... declares, Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth' (1 Cor 8:1): an explicit attribution. Chs. 11–12 are probably a later addition.
5.8–16 paradoxes ('in the flesh, but not after the flesh'; 'poor, yet make many rich') follow 2 Cor 6:9–10 and 10:3.
5.9 'citizens of heaven' (Phil 3:20).
Quotations
The Apostle, perceiving the force [of this conjunction], and blaming that knowledge which, without true doctrine, is admitted to influence life, declares, “Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
Diogn. 12.5Quotation
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Explicitly attributed to 'the Apostle'. Chs. 11–12 are probably a later addition to the letter.
1 Corinthians 8:1 BSB
1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all
Diogn. 5.8–13Allusion
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Paradox catalogue echoing Paul's language (2 Cor 6:9–10; 10:3; Phil 3:20).
2 Corinthians 10:3 BSB
3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
Philippians 3:20 BSB
20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Corinthians 6:9–10 BSB
9unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.