Early Christian Separation from the World

John 15:19 Direct teaching

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to John 15:19 Direct teaching

For says [the Scripture], "If ye were of this world, the world would love its own; but now ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it: continue in fellowship with me."

Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians Direct teaching

For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.

Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Direct teaching

I see thee, most excellent Diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping God prevalent among the Christians, and inquiring very carefully and earnestly concerning them, what God they trust in, and what form of religion they observe, so as all to look down upon the world itself, and despise death, while they neither esteem those to be gods that are reckoned such by the Greeks, nor hold to the superstition of the Jews;

Tertullian, Ad Martyras Supporting witness

Nor let this separation from the world alarm you;

Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans (Short Version) Supporting witness

It is good to set from the world unto God, that I may rise again to Him.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

The Lord warns and foretells in the Gospel, saying: “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. But because you are not of the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I spoke to you, ‘The servant is not greater than his master.’ If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:18-20 And again: “The hour will come when everyone who kills you will think that he is offering service to God. But they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have told you these things, so that when the hour comes you may remember them, because I told you.” John 16:2-4 And again: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20 And again: “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good confidence, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 And when He was questioned by His disciples about the sign of His coming and of the end of the world, He answered

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

and I am not of this 35 world. John 8:24 I said to you, that you shall die in your sins: if you believe not that I am 36 he, you shall die in your sins.

Romans 12:2 Direct teaching

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...orld are strange. For we regard as worldly those who hope in the earth and carnal lusts. "Do not be conformed to this world," says the apostle, "but be transformed in the renewal of the mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...s 20:12 But, he says, do not be drawn away by desires that are foreign to reason, and do not become conformed even to civic customs. For a household is made up of a family line, and cities are made up of households. In the same way, Paul also said that those occupied with marriage please the world. 1 Corinthians 7:33 Again the Lord says, "He who has taken a wife, let him not put her away; and he who has not taken a wife, let him not take one." 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 The one who, by a purpose of chastity, has professed not to take a wife should remain unmarried. Therefore the same Lord gives fitting promises to both through the prophet Isaiah, saying, "Let not the eunuch say, 'I am a dry tree.' For this says the Lord to the eunuchs: If you keep My Sabbaths, and do whatever I command, I will give you a place better than sons and daughters." Chastity alone does not justify. Nor does the eunuch's Sabbath, unless he does the commandments. But He also brings in those who have taken a wife, and says, "My chosen ones will not labor in vain, nor bear children for cursing, because they are a seed blessed by the Lord." Isaiah 65:23 For to the one who has fathered children according to the W

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

... of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God; and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed in the renewing of your spirit, that you may prove what is the will of God, good, and acceptable, and perfect." Romans 12:1-2 And again, "We are children of God; but if children, then heirs; heirs indeed of God, but joint-heirs with Christ, if we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:16-17 And in the Apocalypse the same exhortation of divine preaching speaks, saying, "Hold fast what you have, lest another take your crown." Revelation 3:11 This example of perseverance and persistence is also shown in Exodus, when Moses, for the overthrow of Amalek, who bore the figure of the devil, raised up his open hands in the sign and sacrament of the cross. He could not conquer his adversary except when he steadfastly persevered in the sign with his hands continually lifted up. And it came to pass, it says, when Moses raised up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he let down his hands, Amalek grew mighty. And they took a stone and placed it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur held up his hands, on the one sid

Methodius, Oration on the Psalms Supporting witness

...efresh it, not with food that perishes, but with that which endures to everlasting life, John 6:27. Come then, beloved, and let us also, with prepared hearts and attentive ears, listen to what the Lord our God will say to us from the prophets and Gospels concerning this most sacred feast. Truly, He will speak peace to His people, and to His saints, and to those who turn their hearts to Him. Today, the trumpet blast of the prophets has awakened the world, and has made glad and filled with joy the churches of God everywhere among the nations. Summoning the faithful from the practice of holy fasting, and from the arena where they struggle against the desires of the flesh, they have taught them to sing a new hymn of victory and a new song of peace to Christ, who gives the victory. Come then, everyone, and let us rejoice in the Lord. Come, all you people, and let us clap our hands, and make a joyful noise to God our Savior with the voice of melody. Let no one be left without a share in this grace. Let no one fall short of this calling, for the seed of the disobedient is appointed for destruction. Let no one neglect to meet the King, lest he be shut out from the Bridegroom's chamber.

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...onomy 5. And so on. These things must be kept, along with whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. And by Isaiah He commands us: "Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean. Put away wickedness from your souls before my eyes. Learn to do good. Seek judgment. Rescue the wronged. Judge for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason together," says the Lord. And we will find many examples in other places also. For example, about prayer, Scripture says, "Good works are an acceptable prayer to the Lord." And the manner of prayer is described: "If you see the naked, cover him, and do not overlook those who belong to your own seed. Then your light shall break forth early, and your healing shall spring up quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you." What, then, is the fruit of such prayer? "Then you shall call, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking, He will say, 'I am here.'"

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...Keep the exalted condition in which you were born. Remain as you were made by God. Let your soul be conformed to the posture of your face and body. So that you may be able to know God, first know yourself. Forsake the idols that human error has invented. Turn to God, and if you call on Him, He will help you. Believe in Christ, whom the Father has sent to give us life and restore us. Stop harming the servants of God and of Christ with your persecutions, since when they are injured, divine vengeance defends them.

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty

James 4:4 Direct teaching

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 John 2:15 Direct teaching

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Tatian, Connection to 2 Corinthians 10:3 Supporting witness

We who follow the Logos are not lovers of the world, nor of corporeal things... we walk in this world in an unworldly manner.

Commodianus, Writings Supporting witness

If you seek to live, being a believing man, as do the Gentiles, the joys of the world remove you from the grace of Christ.

Tatian, Address to the Greeks Supporting witness

Therefore I have wanted to prove, from the things that are considered honorable among you, that our institutions are marked by sober-mindedness, but yours are closely related to madness. You say that we speak nonsense among women and boys, among maidens and old women, and you mock us because we are not with you. Hear, then, what silliness prevails among the Greeks. Their works of art are devoted to worthless things, yet you value them more highly than even your gods. And you behave improperly in what relates to woman. Lysippus made a statue of Praxilla, whose poems contain nothing useful. Menestratus made one of Learchis. Selanion made one of Sappho the courtezan. Naucydes made one of Erinna the Lesbian. Boiscus made one of Myrtis. Cephisodotus made one of Myro of Byzantium. Gomphus made one of Praxigoris. Amphistratus made one of Clito. And what shall I say about Anyta, Telesilla, and Mystis? Euthycrates and Cephisodotus made a statue of the first. Niceratus made one of the second. Aristodotus made one of the third. Euthycrates made one of Mnesiarchis the Ephesian. Selanion made one of Corinna. Euthycrates made one of Thalarchis the Argive. My purpose in mentioning these women is

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...y and pursuit of every pleasure. Over all these, desire rules like a tyrant. And countless passions related to these increase, by which uncontrolled habits are carried to the highest degree. And Scripture says, "Whips are prepared for the intemperate, and punishments for the shoulders of fools," Proverbs 19:29, calling the powers of intemperance, and the steady endurance of it, "the shoulders of fools." Therefore, "Remove vain hopes from your servants," it says, "and turn away shameful desires from me. Let not appetite for food and intercourse take hold of me."

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Supporting witness

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

...ed by men, they put that aside, get rid of it, and show themselves gracious to us again, with their friendship renewed.” And again, why do they become completely calm and gentle if foolish things are done, and idle men perform before the eyes of the crowd? Does Jupiter put away his anger if Plautus’s Amphitryon is acted and recited? Or if Europa, Leda, Ganymede, or Danae is shown in dancing, does he hold back his passionate desires? Is the Great Mother made calmer and gentler if she sees the old story of Attis dressed up again by the actors? Will Venus forget her displeasure if she sees mimes perform the part of Adonis also in a ballet? Does the anger of Aleides die away if the tragedy of Sophocles called Trachiniae, or the Hercules of Euripides, is performed? Or does Flora think she is being honored if, at her games, she sees shameful acts being done, and the brothels emptied into the theaters? Is this not, then, to lower the dignity of the gods: to dedicate and consecrate to them the vilest things, things that a strictly virtuous mind would turn away from in disgust, things done by performers whom your law has judged to be disgraced and counted infamous? Of course, the gods de

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

...have answered well enough the charges of the many crimes on which these fierce demands are made for Christian blood. We have fully presented our case. We have shown how we can prove that what we say is true, from the trustworthiness and antiquity of our sacred writings, and also from the confession of the powers of spiritual wickedness themselves. Who will dare to refute us, not with skill in words, but, as we have made our demonstration, on the basis of reality? But while the truth we hold is made clear to all, unbelief meanwhile, even at the very time when it is convinced of the worth of Christianity, now well known both for its benefits and from the intercourse of life, takes up the idea that it is not really something divine, but rather a kind of philosophy. "These are the very things," it says, "that the philosophers advise and profess: innocence, justice, patience, sobriety, and chastity." Why then are we not allowed the same freedom and immunity for our teachings that they have, when we are compared with them in what we teach? Or why are they not also forced to the same acts, by refusing which our lives are put in danger, if they are so much like us? For who forces a phil

Tertullian, De Anima (On the Soul) Supporting witness

... by using arguments that both sides admit are valid, and that sometimes even fit with our system of belief. In this way, the truth has almost been shut out by the philosophers through the poisons with which they have infected it. Therefore, if we consider both kinds of mixing that I have just mentioned, and both are equally hostile to the truth, we see the urgent need to do two things. First, we must free the ideas that we hold in common with them from the philosophers' arguments. Second, we must separate the arguments that both sides use from the philosophers' own opinions. And we can do this by bringing every question back to God's inspired standard, except in simple cases that are free from the confusion of preconceived notions, where one may fairly accept mere human testimony. For sometimes we must borrow plain evidence of that kind even from opponents, when our opponents have nothing to gain from it. Now I am not unaware of how great a mass of writing the philosophers have gathered on this subject in their own commentaries. I know how many schools of thought there are, how many conflicts of opinion, how many rich sources of questions, and how many confusing methods of solvi

2 Corinthians 6:17 Direct teaching

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Revelation 18:4 Direct teaching

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;

Isaiah 52:11 Direct teaching

Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

Elsewhere also a voice is heard from heaven, forewarning what is becoming for the servants of God to do, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

get out of her midst, and be separate,you who bear the vessels of the Lord.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Wherefore also go forth from the midst of them, and be separated, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

And again: Depart from the midst of them, and separate yourselves, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Background

Depart ye, depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, and touch no unclean thing;

Tatian, Address to the Greeks Supporting witness

... things, we are not speaking from mere hearsay, or from likely guesses and clever arguments. We are using words from a certain more divine kind of speech. So, those of you who are willing, hurry to learn. And you who do not reject the Scythian Anacharsis with contempt, do not refuse to be taught by those who follow a barbarian code of laws. At least receive our teachings as favorably as you would the predictions of the Babylonians. Listen to us when we speak, if only as you would listen to an oracular oak. And yet the things just mentioned are tricks of mad demons, while the teachings we present are far beyond the understanding of the world.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...ted them with a perfect hatred: they were to me as enemies." And God reproaches Jehoshaphat for his friendship toward Ahab, and his league with him and with Ahaziah, by Jonah the prophet: "Are you in friendship with a sinner? Or do you aid him that is hated by the Lord? For this cause the wrath of the Lord would be upon you suddenly, but that your heart is found perfect with the Lord. For this cause the Lord has spared you; yet are your works shattered, and your ships broken to pieces." Avoid, therefore, their fellowship, and keep yourselves away from their friendship. For about them the prophet declared and said, "It is not lawful to rejoice with the ungodly, says the Lord." For these are hidden wolves, dumb dogs that cannot bark. At present they are only a few, but in process of time, when the end of the world draws near, they will be more in number and more troublesome. About them the Lord said, "Will the Son of Man, when He comes, find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8 And, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold." And, "There shall come false Christs and false prophets, and they shall show signs in heaven, so as, if it were possible, to deceive the ele

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

...has plainly preached for the first time was not revealed by Christ, who announced His revelation as early as the reign of Tiberius. Now, to prove clearly what remains of the argument, I shall draw material from my very adversaries. Marcion's special and principal work is the separation of the law and the gospel. His disciples will not deny that on this point they have their very best pretext for entering and confirming themselves in his heresy. These are Marcion's Antitheses, or contradictory propositions. They aim to set the gospel at variance with the law, so that from the diversity of the two documents that contain them, they may also argue for a diversity of gods. Since, therefore, it is this very opposition between the law and the gospel that has suggested that the God of the gospel is different from the God of the law, it is clear that, before this separation, that god could not have been known who became known from the argument of the separation itself. Therefore, he could not have been revealed by Christ, who came before the separation, but must have been devised by Marcion, the author of the breach of peace between the gospel and the law. Now this peace, which had remai

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

... discovered anything that can be charged against her as a crime, or even as a folly. And since it becomes no faithful man of sound mind to dare to hold such a view, especially no one ordained in any clerical office at all, and much more in the order of bishops, it is a shocking thing for bishops themselves to devise such scandals, and not to fear to set forth too irreverently, against the precept of the law and of all the Scriptures, with their own disgrace and danger, the disgrace of their mother the Church—if they think that there is any disgrace in this matter; although in this case the Church has no disgrace except in the error of men such as these themselves. Therefore the sin of men of this kind is all the more grievous if what is blamed by them in the most ancient observance, as if it were not rightly done, is clearly and forcefully shown both to have been rightly observed by those before us and also to be rightly observed by us. So that even if we should enter into the controversy with equal arguments on both sides, still, since what was introduced as new could not be established without dissension among the brothers and harm to the Church, it certainly ought not—right o