2/9/23
Scholarly Reflections
Massaux, Éduard. "Chapter Six: Theophilus of Antioch." The Influence of the Gospel of Saint Matthew on Christian Literature before Saint Irenaeus: Book 3: The Apologists and the Didache. (Translated by Norman J. Belval and Suzanne Hecht. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 1993, 134-143.
Theophilus, who became a Christian as an adult, then became bishop of Antioch, is known to have written a number of lost works. However, we do have three books of To Autolycus, dating sometime after 180 (Massaux 1993, 134). Massaux evaluates references he thinks are to Matthew, then those which refer to other parts of the new Testament. In 2.34, he states the Golden Rule, adopting some of Matthew's language (Massaux 1993, 135). In 3.13, he speaks of adultery based on looking lustfully at a woman. This takes Massaux to Matthew 5:28, 32; 19:9. Theophilus goes so far as to say it is "the voice of the Gospel" (Massaux 1993, 136). 13.14 then makes a clear reference to Matthew 5:44-46, again identifying the source as "the Gospel" (Massaux 1993, 137). This is followed by another statement which clearly comes from Mattthew 6:3 (Massaux 1993, 138).
Massaux does not find any influence of Mark on Theophilus (Massaux 1993, 138). He does reference Luke very briefly in 2.43 and 1.4, but the allusion is quite short. Massaux finds clear references to John 1:1, 3 in 2.22. He borrows John 20:27 to explain his coming to faith in 1.4. And in 2.23 he describes God bringing people to himself in terms of John 16:21 (Massaux 1993, 139).
Theophilus shows a knowledge of 1 Corinthians as well, speaking of resurrection and of God's work of appointing his members with different duties. Massaux takes the passage in 1.14 to use material both from Romans 2:6-9 and 1 Corinthians 2:2 and 6:9-10 (Massaux 1993, 140). In 3.14 he makes an apparent reference to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, then Romans 13:7-8. Massaux reports a number of other possible references to Paul (Massaux 1993, 141).
Scholarly Reflections
Massaux, Éduard. "Chapter Six: Theophilus of Antioch." The Influence of the Gospel of Saint Matthew on Christian Literature before Saint Irenaeus: Book 3: The Apologists and the Didache. (Translated by Norman J. Belval and Suzanne Hecht. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 1993, 134-143.
Theophilus, who became a Christian as an adult, then became bishop of Antioch, is known to have written a number of lost works. However, we do have three books of To Autolycus, dating sometime after 180 (Massaux 1993, 134). Massaux evaluates references he thinks are to Matthew, then those which refer to other parts of the new Testament. In 2.34, he states the Golden Rule, adopting some of Matthew's language (Massaux 1993, 135). In 3.13, he speaks of adultery based on looking lustfully at a woman. This takes Massaux to Matthew 5:28, 32; 19:9. Theophilus goes so far as to say it is "the voice of the Gospel" (Massaux 1993, 136). 13.14 then makes a clear reference to Matthew 5:44-46, again identifying the source as "the Gospel" (Massaux 1993, 137). This is followed by another statement which clearly comes from Mattthew 6:3 (Massaux 1993, 138).
Massaux does not find any influence of Mark on Theophilus (Massaux 1993, 138). He does reference Luke very briefly in 2.43 and 1.4, but the allusion is quite short. Massaux finds clear references to John 1:1, 3 in 2.22. He borrows John 20:27 to explain his coming to faith in 1.4. And in 2.23 he describes God bringing people to himself in terms of John 16:21 (Massaux 1993, 139).
Theophilus shows a knowledge of 1 Corinthians as well, speaking of resurrection and of God's work of appointing his members with different duties. Massaux takes the passage in 1.14 to use material both from Romans 2:6-9 and 1 Corinthians 2:2 and 6:9-10 (Massaux 1993, 140). In 3.14 he makes an apparent reference to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, then Romans 13:7-8. Massaux reports a number of other possible references to Paul (Massaux 1993, 141).
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