The Shepherd of Hermas
2nd c. · Treatises & Other · English translation, 1890
Source edition: The Ante-Nicene Fathers (ed. Roberts & Donaldson, 1885)
Cover art: Roman Shepherd's Family with their Flock — Johann Heinrich Roos (German, 1631–1685) (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (PDM))
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An early Christian apocalypse written at Rome in the first half of the second century, the Shepherd of Hermas relays a sequence of visions, twelve commandments, and ten parables turning on a single urgent question: whether a Christian who sins after baptism may still repent and be restored. Delivered by an angel of repentance dressed as a shepherd, it was read almost as Scripture in the early Church and copied into the fourth-century Codex Sinaiticus.
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Contents
Book 1.—Visions
- Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the Carelessness of Hermas…
- Vision Second. Again, of His Neglect in Chastising His Talkative Wife and His…
- Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church, and the Various…
- Vision Fourth. Concerning the Trial and Tribulation That Are to Come Upon Men
- Vision Fifth. Concerning the Commandments
Book 2.—Commandments
- Commandment First. On Faith in God
- Commandment Second. On Avoiding Evil-Speaking, and on Giving Alms in Simplicity
- Commandment Third. On Avoiding Falsehood, and on the Repentance of Hermas for…
- Commandment Fourth. On Putting One’s Wife Away for Adultery
- Commandment Fifth. Of Sadness of Heart, and of Patience
- Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two Spirits Attendant on Each Man, and…
- Commandment Seventh. On Fearing God, and Not Fearing the Devil
- Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun That Which is Evil, and Do That Which is…
- Commandment Ninth. Prayer Must Be Made to God Without Ceasing, and With…
- Commandment Tenth. Of Grief, and Not Grieving the Spirit of God Which is in Us
- Commandment Eleventh. The Spirit and Prophets to Be Tried by Their Works; Also…
- Commandment Twelfth. On the Twofold Desire. The Commandments of God Can Be…
Book 3.—Similitudes
- Similitude First. As in This World We Have No Abiding City, We Ought to Seek…
- Similitude Second. As the Vine is Supported by the Elm, So is the Rich Man…
- Similitude Third. As in Winter Green Trees Cannot Be Distinguished From…
- Similitude Fourth. As in Summer Living Trees Are Distinguished From Withered by…
- Similitude Fifth. Of True Fasting and Its Reward: Also of Purity of Body
- Similitude Sixth. Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death…
- Similitude Seventh. They Who Repent Must Bring Forth Fruits Worthy of Repentance
- Similitude Eighth. The Sins of the Elect and of the Penitent Are of Many Kinds…
- Similitude Ninth. The Great Mysteries in the Building of the Militant and…
- Similitude Tenth. Concerning Repentance and Alms-Giving