Latin · Adversus Marcionem
A five-book refutation of Marcion's theology. Books 4-5 go through Marcion's gospel and ten Paul letters passage by passage, which makes them the main source for reconstructing his canon.
Dating
Book 1 says it is written in the 15th year of Severus (207/208) and that this is the third edition. The five books were completed over the following years, perhaps to c. 212.Books it uses
Adv. Marc. 4.2 and 4.5: the 'evangelical Instrument' by apostles (John, Matthew) and apostolic men (Luke, Mark); Mark is Peter's and Luke is Paul's.
Adv. Marc. 4.2 and 4.5: the 'evangelical Instrument' by apostles (John, Matthew) and apostolic men (Luke, Mark); Mark is Peter's and Luke is Paul's.
Adv. Marc. 4.2 and 4.5: the 'evangelical Instrument' by apostles (John, Matthew) and apostolic men (Luke, Mark); Mark is Peter's and Luke is Paul's.
Adv. Marc. 4.2 and 4.5: the 'evangelical Instrument' by apostles (John, Matthew) and apostolic men (Luke, Mark); Mark is Peter's and Luke is Paul's.
Adv. Marc. 5.2 argues from 'the Acts of the Apostles', which Marcion rejected.
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Adv. Marc. 5.21: Marcion rejected 'the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus'. Tertullian treats them as Paul's.
Adv. Marc. 5.21: Marcion rejected 'the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus'. Tertullian treats them as Paul's.
Adv. Marc. 5.21: Marcion rejected 'the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus'. Tertullian treats them as Paul's.
Book 5 works through Marcion's ten-letter Apostolikon letter by letter to refute him from Paul (Ephesians under Marcion's title 'Laodiceans', 5.17; Philemon 5.21).
Adv. Marc. 3.14, 4.5: 'the Apocalypse of John' and its churches.
Quotations
We lay it down as our first position, that the evangelical Testament has apostles for its authors, to whom was assigned by the Lord Himself this office of publishing the gospel. Since, however, there are apostolic men also, they are yet not alone, but appear with apostles and after apostles; because the preaching of disciples might be open to the suspicion of an affectation of glory, if there did not accompany it the authority of the masters, which means that of Christ, for it was that which made the apostles their masters. Of the apostles, therefore, John and Matthew first instil faith into us; whilst of apostolic men, Luke and Mark renew it afterwards.
Adv. Marc. 4.2.1–2Names the book
ANF vol. 3 (1885), tr. Peter Holmes, ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Four Gospels: two by apostles (John, Matthew), two by 'apostolic men' (Luke, Mark). Tertullian calls the collection an 'Instrument'/'Testament'.
The same authority of the apostolic churches will afford evidence to the other Gospels also, which we possess equally through their means, and according to their usage—I mean the Gospels of John and Matthew—whilst that which Mark published may be affirmed to be Peter’s whose interpreter Mark was. For even Luke’s form of the Gospel men usually ascribe to Paul. And it may well seem that the works which disciples publish belong to their masters.
Adv. Marc. 4.5.3–4Names the book
ANF vol. 3 (1885), tr. Peter Holmes, ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Mark is Peter's and Luke is Paul's: apostolic backing for non-apostolic Gospels.
We have it on the true tradition of the Church, that this epistle was sent to the Ephesians, not to the Laodiceans. Marcion, however, was very desirous of giving it the new title (of Laodicean), as if he were extremely accurate in investigating such a point. But of what consequence are the titles, since in writing to a certain church the apostle did in fact write to all?
Adv. Marc. 5.17.1Names the book
ANF vol. 3 (1885), tr. Peter Holmes, ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Marcion's canon titled Ephesians 'To the Laodiceans'; Tertullian defends the church's title.
To this epistle alone did its brevity avail to protect it against the falsifying hands of Marcion. I wonder, however, when he received (into his Apostolicon) this letter which was written but to one man, that he rejected the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus, which all treat of ecclesiastical discipline.
Adv. Marc. 5.21.1Names the book
ANF vol. 3 (1885), tr. Peter Holmes, ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Marcion kept Philemon but rejected 1–2 Timothy and Titus; the Pastorals' absence from Marcion's Apostolikon.