The Shepherd of Hermas in Early Christian Writings
Early Christians respected The Shepherd of Hermas as a real Christian book, and some read it in church. Clement of Alexandria and Origen quote it, and Caius says it was written in Rome in his own time but should not be counted with the apostles or prophets. That means it had early use and respect, but its authority was debated.
137 early-church witnesses · 232 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the Shepherd of Hermas?
Early Christian writers treated The Shepherd of Hermas as an important church book, but not as part of the New Testament. Hermas presents visions and commandments, and Clement of Alexandria and Origen quote it as a serious Christian writing; Caius says it was written in Rome in the time of bishop Pius and should be read, though not counted with prophets or apostles.
Tertullian mentions it as "The Shepherd," showing it was known and used, while Caius and later writers also show debate about its public use. The evidence is broad for early respect and use, but mixed on status because some writers place it below Scripture and others treat it as useful but not canonical. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Hermas was read and quoted by early Christians, but it was usually treated below the New Testament books.
- Caius says it should be read, but not placed among the prophets or apostles.
- Clement of Alexandria and Origen use The Shepherd as a Christian teaching text.
- Tertullian refers to it by title, showing it was known in early church debate.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians read and cite The Shepherd of Hermas?
The strongest witnesses show The Shepherd of Hermas being quoted by major early Christian writers as a book worth using. One fragment says it was written recently in Rome and should be read, though not placed among the prophets or apostles.
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Caius, Fragments Supporting witness
The Pastor, moreover, did Hermas write very recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother bishop Plus sat in the chair of the Church of Rome.
What did The Shepherd of Hermas teach about repentance and commandments?
The supplied Hermas excerpts stress repentance, keeping the commandments, fear of the Lord, and writing down the instructions to remember and obey them. Clement also preserves Hermas as saying the false prophet speaks some truths, but the focus here is Hermas' practical moral teaching.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching
...e some true things. In fact, they prophesied while in ecstasy, as servants of the apostate. And the Shepherd, the angel of repentance, says to Hermas about the false prophet: "For he speaks some truths. For the devil fills him with his own spirit, perhaps so that he may be able to cast someone down from what is right." Therefore, all things are ordered from heaven for good, so that through the Church the many-sided wisdom of God might be made known, according to the eternal foreknowledge that He purposed in Christ. Ephesians 3:10-11. Nothing stands against God. Nothing opposes Him, since He is Lord and almighty. Further, the plans and actions of those who have rebelled are partial and come from an evil disposition, just as bodily diseases come from an unhealthy condition. But universal Providence guides them to a healing result, even though their cause produces disease. Accordingly, the greatest work of divine Providence is this: not to allow the evil that has sprung from voluntary apostasy to remain useless and without any good, or to become harmful in every way. For it is the work of divine wisdom, excellence, and power not only to do good—for this is, so to speak, the nature
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching
And therefore we deduce this also from a book which is despised by some — The Shepherd— in respect of the command given to Hermas to write two books, and after so doing to announce to the presbyters of the Church what he had learned from the Spirit.
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Tertullian, On Prayer Supporting witness
For what if that Hermas, whose writing is generally inscribed with the title The Shepherd, had, after finishing his prayer, not sat down on his bed, but done some other thing: should we maintain that also as a matter for observance?
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
And the Shepherd, the angel of repentance, says to Hermas, of the false prophet: For he speaks some truths.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Did not the Power also, that appeared to Hermas in the Vision, in the form of the Church, give for transcription the book which she wished to be made known to the elect?
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
The book of the Shepherd declares the same, saying that each individual is attended by two angels;
Did The Shepherd of Hermas warn about false prophets?
Clement quotes The Shepherd of Hermas on a false prophet who speaks some truths yet is filled with the devil's spirit. This supports a reading of Hermas as warning believers to discern spiritual deception rather than trusting every religious-sounding message.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
... home and had sat down on my couch, a man with a glorious appearance came in. He was dressed like a shepherd, with a white goatskin, a bag on his shoulders, and a rod in his hand, and he greeted me. I returned his greeting. Right away he sat down beside me and said to me, "I have been sent by a most venerable angel to live with you for the rest of your life." And I thought that he had come to tempt me, and I said to him, "Who are you? For I know the one to whom I have been entrusted." He said to me, "Do you not know me?" "No," I said. He said, "I am that shepherd to whom you have been entrusted." And while he was still speaking, his appearance changed. Then I knew that it was he to whom I had been entrusted. At once I became confused, and fear took hold of me, and I was overwhelmed with deep sorrow because I had answered him so wickedly and foolishly. But he answered and said to me, "Do not be troubled, but receive strength from the commandments that I am going to give you. For I have been sent," he said, "to show you again all the things that you saw before, especially those that are useful to you. First of all, then, write down my commandments and similitudes, and you will wri
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
...splendid robe, with a book in her hand. She sat down by herself and greeted me, saying, "Greetings, Hermas!" In my sadness and tears, I said to her, "Lady, greetings!" And she said to me, "Why are you so downcast, Hermas? You used to be patient and self-controlled, and always smiling. Why are you so gloomy and not cheerful?" I answered her and said, "O Lady, I have been accused by a very good woman, who says that I sinned against her." And she said, "May such a deed be far from a servant of God. But perhaps a desire for her has arisen in your heart. In the case of the servants of God, such a desire produces sin. For it is a wicked and terrible desire for a completely pure and already well-tested spirit to want an evil deed, and especially for Hermas to do so, since he keeps himself from every wicked desire and is full of all simplicity and great innocence."
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
...free, giving them clothing and seals. Now after the angel had finished these things, he said to the Shepherd, "I am going away, and you will send these away within the walls, according to what each one is worthy to have as his dwelling. Examine their branches carefully, and then dismiss them. But examine them with care. See that no one escapes you," he added. "And if any escape you, I will test them at the altar." After saying these words to the Shepherd, he departed. And after the angel had departed, the Shepherd said to me, "Let us take the branches of all these and plant them, and see if any of them will live." I said to him, "Sir, how can these dried-up branches live?" He answered and said, "This tree is a willow, and it is a kind of tree that holds to life very strongly. If, therefore, the branches are planted and receive a little moisture, many of them will live. And now let us try, and pour water on them. If any of them live, I shall rejoice with them, and if they do not, at least I will not be found neglectful." And the Shepherd told me to call them as each one had been placed. And they came, row by row, and gave their branches to the Shepherd. And the Shepherd received
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
After I had written down the commandments and similitudes of the Shepherd, the angel of repentance, he came to me and said, I wish to explain to you what the Holy Spirit that spoke with you in the form of the Church showed you, for that Spirit is the Son of God.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
After I had fully written down this book, that messenger who had delivered me to the Shepherd came into the house in which I was, and sat down upon a couch, and the Shepherd stood on his right hand.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
...e I was sitting in my house and praising the Lord for all that I had seen, I was thinking about the commandments: that they are excellent, powerful, glorious, and able to save a person's soul. I said to myself, "I will be blessed if I walk in these commandments, and everyone who walks in them will be blessed." While I was saying these things to myself, I suddenly saw him sitting beside me, and I heard him say this: "Why are you doubtful about the commandments that I gave you? They are excellent. Do not doubt them at all. Instead, put on faith in the Lord, and you will walk in them, for I will strengthen you in them. These commandments are useful for those who intend to repent. For if they do not walk in them, their repentance is in vain. Therefore, you who repent, throw away the wickedness of this world that wears you out. And by putting on all the virtues of a holy life, you will be able to keep these commandments, and you will no longer add to the number of your sins. Walk, therefore, in these commandments of mine, and you will live to God. All these things have been spoken to you by me." After he had said these words, he said to me, "Let us go into the fields, and I will show
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
Accordingly I wrote down the commandments and similitudes, exactly as he had ordered me.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
For this purpose, said he, I command you to write down the commandments and similitudes first, that you may read them easily, and be able to keep them.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
First of all, then, write down my commandments and similitudes, and you will write the other things as I shall show you.
Common Questions
Did early Christians think The Shepherd of Hermas was Scripture?
Some early Christians valued it highly, but Caius says it should not be counted among the prophets or apostles.
Who quoted The Shepherd of Hermas?
Clement of Alexandria and Origen quote it, and Tertullian refers to it by name.
Was The Shepherd of Hermas read in churches?
Caius says it ought to be read, but not made public in church to the people.
Source Index for the Shepherd of Hermas
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 232 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 137
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Unknown, Unknown Work
Bible Passages 80 shown of 95
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.