Greek · Historia ecclesiastica · Church History
A ten-book history of the church from the apostles to Constantine's victory in 324, quoting many earlier sources that are otherwise lost. It is the main source for Christian history before 300.
Dating
Issued in several editions. Barnes argued for a first edition of books 1-7 c. 295-300; Burgess for a first edition c. 313-314; the final ten-book edition dates to 324-325. The canon discussion in 3.25 was in the earliest edition.Books it uses
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Counted among 'Paul's fourteen epistles' (HE 3.3.5), but Eusebius notes 'some have rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews', citing the Roman church.
Among the disputed writings (antilegomena), 'which are nevertheless recognized by many' (HE 3.25.3); cf. 2.23.25 on James and Jude, 3.3.1 on 2 Peter.
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Among the disputed writings (antilegomena), 'which are nevertheless recognized by many' (HE 3.25.3); cf. 2.23.25 on James and Jude, 3.3.1 on 2 Peter.
Listed among the acknowledged (homologoumena) writings: 'the holy quaternion of the Gospels', Acts, 'the epistles of Paul', 1 John, 1 Peter (HE 3.25.1–2; 3.3.1, 5).
Among the disputed writings (antilegomena), 'which are nevertheless recognized by many' (HE 3.25.3); cf. 2.23.25 on James and Jude, 3.3.1 on 2 Peter.
Among the disputed writings (antilegomena), 'which are nevertheless recognized by many' (HE 3.25.3); cf. 2.23.25 on James and Jude, 3.3.1 on 2 Peter.
Among the disputed writings (antilegomena), 'which are nevertheless recognized by many' (HE 3.25.3); cf. 2.23.25 on James and Jude, 3.3.1 on 2 Peter.
Listed among the acknowledged books 'if it really seem proper' AND among the rejected 'if it seem proper' (HE 3.25.2, 4): Eusebius's own ambivalence.
Quotations
Since we are dealing with this subject it is proper to sum up the writings of the New Testament which have been already mentioned. First then must be put the holy quaternion of the Gospels; following them the Acts of the Apostles. After this must be reckoned the epistles of Paul; next in order the extant former epistle of John, and likewise the epistle of Peter, must be maintained. After them is to be placed, if it really seem proper, the Apocalypse of John, concerning which we shall give the different opinions at the proper time. These then belong among the accepted writings.
HE 3.25.1–2Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
The homologoumena (acknowledged books): four Gospels, Acts, Paul, 1 John, 1 Peter, and Revelation 'if it really seem proper'.
Among the disputed writings, which are nevertheless recognized by many, are extant the so-called epistle of James and that of Jude, also the second epistle of Peter, and those that are called the second and third of John, whether they belong to the evangelist or to another person of the same name. Among the rejected writings must be reckoned also the Acts of Paul, and the so-called Shepherd, and the Apocalypse of Peter, and in addition to these the extant epistle of Barnabas, and the so-called Teachings of the Apostles; and besides, as I said, the Apocalypse of John, if it seem proper, which some, as I said, reject, but which others class with the accepted books.
HE 3.25.3–4Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
The antilegomena: James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2–3 John. 'Rejected' (notha): Acts of Paul, Hermas, Apocalypse of Peter, Barnabas, Didache, and possibly Revelation.
One epistle of Peter, that called the first, is acknowledged as genuine. And this the ancient elders used freely in their own writings as an undisputed work. But we have learned that his extant second Epistle does not belong to the canon; yet, as it has appeared profitable to many, it has been used with the other Scriptures.
HE 3.3.1Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
1 Peter acknowledged; 2 Peter 'not canonical' (literally 'not testamental') but read with the Scriptures.
Paul’s fourteen epistles are well known and undisputed. It is not indeed right to overlook the fact that some have rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews, saying that it is disputed by the church of Rome, on the ground that it was not written by Paul.
HE 3.3.5Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
Fourteen Pauline letters including Hebrews, with the Roman church's doubts about Hebrews noted.
And the same writer uses testimonies from the first Epistle of John and from that of Peter likewise. And he relates another story of a woman, who was accused of many sins before the Lord, which is contained in the Gospel according to the Hebrews.
HE 3.39.17Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
Eusebius's report that Papias used 1 John and 1 Peter (he checks each early writer for use of disputed and acknowledged books).
These things are recorded in regard to James, who is said to be the author of the first of the so-called catholic epistles. But it is to be observed that it is disputed; at least, not many of the ancients have mentioned it, as is the case likewise with the epistle that bears the name of Jude, which is also one of the seven so-called catholic epistles. Nevertheless we know that these also, with the rest, have been read publicly in very many churches.
HE 2.23.25Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
James and Jude disputed because few early writers cite them, yet read publicly in many churches.
He says that the Epistle to the Hebrews is the work of Paul, and that it was written to the Hebrews in the Hebrew language; but that Luke translated it carefully and published it for the Greeks, and hence the same style of expression is found in this epistle and in the Acts. But he says that the words, Paul the Apostle, were probably not prefixed, because, in sending it to the Hebrews, who were prejudiced and suspicious of him, he wisely did not wish to repel them at the very beginning by giving his name.
HE 6.14.2–3Names the book
NPNF series 2, vol. 1 (1890), tr. A. C. McGiffert · Source (opens in a new tab)
Clement of Alexandria's (lost) Hypotyposes: Hebrews written by Paul in Hebrew and translated by Luke.