Contents
« Prev | The Elementary Articles. | Next » |
The Elementary Articles.
Διὸ ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον, ἐπὶ τῆν τελειότητα φερώμεθα· μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι | Therefore, leaving the word concerning the beginning of [the] Christ, let us go unto perfection [maturity], not laying again a foundation |
μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, | of repentance from dead works, |
καὶ πίστεως ἐπὶ θεὸν, | and of faith in God, |
βαπτισμῶν διδαχῆς, | of the doctrine of baptisms [washings], |
ἐπιθέσεώς τε χειρῶν, | and of laying on of hands, |
ἀναστάσεώς τε νεκρῶν, | and of resurrection of the dead, |
καὶ κρίματος αἰωνίου. | and of eternal judgment. |
Note.—Many commentators suppose that the sacred writer here refers to the fundamental and elementary articles of catechetical instruction in the apostolic Church; but the articles mentioned were held by Christians in common with the Jews, and are distinguished from the fullness of Christian knowledge ( τελειότης ), or 'the strong meat for those who are of full age' (ver. 14). The passage has only a remote bearing on creeds. For details, see the commentaries of Bleek, Tholuck, Delitzsch, Lünemann, Alford, Moll and Kendrick.
« Prev | The Elementary Articles. | Next » |