APPENDIX. TWO EPISTLES FROM THE ARMENIAN VERSION. THE EPISTLE OF THE CORINTHIANS TO ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE. * 1 STEPHEN†, and the elders with him, Dabnus, Eubulus, Theophilus, and Xinon, to Paul, our father and evangelist, and faithful master in Jesus Christ, health. † 2 Two men have come to Corinth, Simon by name, and Cleobus §, who vehemently disturb the faith of some with deceitful and corrupt words; 3 Of which words thou shouldst inform thyself: 4 For neither have we heard such words from thee, nor from the other apostles: 5 But we know only that what we have heard from thee and from them, that we have kept firmly. 6 But in this chiefly has our Lord had compassion, that, whilst thou art yet with us in the flesh, we are again about to hear from thee. 7 Therefore do thou write to us, or come thyself amongst us quickly. * Some MSS. have the title thus: Epistle of Stephen the Elder to Paul the Apostle, from the Corinthians. + In the MSS. the marginal verses published by the Whistons are wanting. † In some MSS. we find, The elders Numenus, Eubulus, Theophilus, and Nomeson, to Paul their brother, health! Others read, There came certain men,... and Clobeus, who vehemently shake. 8 We believe in the Lord, that, as it was revealed to Theonas, he hath delivered thee from the hands of the unrighteous. 9 But these are the sinful words of these impure men, for thus do they say and teach: 10 That it behoves not to admit the Prophets. † 11 Neither do they affirm the omnipotence of God: 12 Neither do they affirm the resurrection of the flesh : 13 Neither do they affirm that man was altogether created by God: 14 Neither do they affirm that Jesus Christ was born in the flesh from the Virgin Mary: 15 Neither do they affirm that the world was the work of God, but of some one of the angels. 16 Therefore do thou make haste ‡ to come amongst us. 17 That this city of the Corinthians may remain without scandal. 18 And that the folly of these men may be made manifest by an open refutation. Fare thee well. § The deacons Thereptus and Tichus || received and conveyed this Epistle to the city of the Philippians. When Paul received the Epistle, although he was then in chains on account of Stratonice **, the wife of Apofolanus ††, yet, as it were forgetting his bonds, he mourned over these words, and said, weeping: "It were better for me to be dead, and with the Lord. For while I am in this body, and hear * Some MSS. have, We believe in the Lord, that his presence was made manifest; and by this hath the Lord delivered us from the hands of the unrighteous. + Others read, To read the Prophets. Some MSS. have, Therefore, brother, do thou make haste. || Some MSS. have, The deacons Therepus and Techus. The Whistons have, To the city of Phœnicia: but in all the MSS. we find, To the city of the Philippians. ** Others read, On account of Onotice. ++ The Whistons have, Of Apollophanus: but in all the MSS. we read, Apofolanus. the wretched words of such false doctrine, behold, grief arises upon grief, and my trouble adds a weight to my chains; when I behold this calamity, and progress of the machinations of Satan, who searcheth to do wrong." And thus, with deep affliction, Paul composed his reply to the Epistle.* EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS. † 1 Paul, in bonds for Jesus Christ, disturbed by so many errors †, to his Corinthian brethren, health. 2 I nothing marvel that the preachers of evil have made this progress. 3 For because the Lord Jesus is about to fulfil his coming, verily on this account do certain men pervert and despise his words. 4 But I, verily, from the beginning, have taught you that only which I myself received from the former apostles, who always remained with the Lord Jesus Christ. 5 And I now say unto you, that the Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, who was of the seed of David, 6 According to the annunciation of the Holy Ghost, sent to her by our Father from heaven; 7 That Jesus might be introduced into the world §, and deliver our flesh by his flesh, and that he might raise us up from the dead; 8 As in this also he himself became the example: 9 That it might be made manifest that man was created by the Father, 10 He has not remained in perdition unsought || ; * In the text of this Epistle there are some other variations in the words, but the sense is the same. + Some MSS. have, Paul's Epistle from prison, for the instruction of the Corinthians. ‡ Others read, Disturbed by various compunctions. Some MSS. have, That Jesus might comfort the world. Il Others read, He has not remained indifferent. 11 But he is sought for, that he might be revived by adoption. 12 For God, who is the Lord of all, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who made heaven and earth, sent, firstly, the Prophets to the Jews: 13 That he would absolve them from their sins, and bring them to his judgment. 14 Because he wished to save, firstly, the house of Israel, he bestowed and poured forth his Spirit upon the Prophets; 15 That they should, for a long time, preach the worship of God, and the nativity of Christ. 16 But he who was the prince of evil, when he wished to make himself God, laid his hand upon them, 17 And bound all men in sin, * 18 Because the judgment of the world was approaching. 19 But Almighty God, when he willed to justify, was unwilling to abandon his creature; 20 But when he saw his affliction, he had compassion upon him: 21 And at the end of a time he sent the Holy Ghost into the Virgin foretold by the Prophets. 22 Who, believing readily †, was made worthy to conceive, and bring forth our Lord Jesus Christ. 23 That from this perishable body, in which the evil spirit was glorified, he should be cast out, and it should be made manifest 24 That he was not God: For Jesus Christ, in his flesh, had recalled and saved this perishable flesh, and drawn it into eternal life by faith. 25 Because in his body he would prepare a pure temple of justice for all ages; 26 In whom we also, when we believe, are saved. 27 Therefore know ye that these men are not the children of justice, but the children of wrath; 28 Who turn away from themselves the compassion of God; * Some MSS. have, Laid his hand, and them and all body bound in sin + Others read, Believing with a pure heart. |
