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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Menander The Poet And Pagan Literature

Early Christian writers do not teach that believers should reject all pagan literature, but they do warn that poets and philosophers can deceive and harm the soul. Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, Theophilus of Antioch, Tertullian, Lactantius, and others use pagan poets as witnesses against idolatry or as examples of truth mixed with error. They also treat Menander mainly as a comic poet, not as a Christian teacher;

Clement quotes him, Justin compares moral sayings to him, and Tertullian uses poets in a broader argument against pagan gods. The evidence is broad for early Christian criticism of pagan poetry and selective use of it, but thin for any direct doctrine about Menander himself beyond being a pagan poet and literary source.

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Key Passages

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35 references

Supporting Passages

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Bible passage on shunning profane and vain babblings.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Bible passage about burning harmful books.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.