The Apostolic Tradition: A Commentary

"The anonymous early church order that became known as the Apostolic Tradition and conventionally attributed to Hippolytus of Rome has generated enormous scholarly discussion since its discovery in the nineteenth century. Surprisingly, however, there has never before been a comprehensive commentary on it such as there is for other patristic works. We have here attempted to remedy this defect, and at the same time we have offered the first full synoptic presentation in English of the various witnesses to its text. We have also taken the opportunity to develop our argument that it is neither the work of Hippolytus nor of any other individual. Instead, we believe that it is a composite document made up of a number of layers and strands of diverse provenance and compiled over a period of time, and therefore not representing the practice of any one Christian community."
— from the Preface

This Hermeneia volume provides an important contribution to New Testament research as well as the study of the patristic era.

Foreword to Hermeneia
Preface
Reference Codes
Editor's Note
Introduction

Commentary


1. 1-5 [Prologue]
   
   
2. 1-5 Concerning Bishops
   
   
3. 1-6 [Prayer for the Ordination of a Bishop]
   
   
4. 1-13 [Eucharistic Prayer]
   
   
5. 1-2 [Concerning the Offering of Oil]
   
   
6. 1-4 [Concerning the Offering of Cheese and Olives]
   
   
7. 1-5 Concerning Presbyters
   
   
8. 1-11 Concerning Deacons
   
   
9. 1-4 Concerning Confessors
   
   
10. 1-4 Concerning Widows
    
    
11. Concerning a Reader
    
    
12. Concerning Virgins
    
    
13. Concerning a Subdeacon
    
    
14. Concerning the Gift of Healing
    
    
15. 1-8 Concerning Newcomers to the Faith
    
    
16. 1-17 Concerning Crafts and Professions
    
    
17. 1-2 Concerning the time of Hearing the Word after the Examination of Crafts and Professions
    
    
18. 1-5 Concerning the Prayer of Those who Hear the Word
    
    
19. 1-2 Concerning the Imposition of Hands on Catechumens
    
    
20. 1-10 Concerning Those who are to Receive Baptism
    
    
21. 1-40 Concerning the Tradition of Holy Baptism
    
    
22. 1-3 Concerning Communion
    
    
23. 1-4 Concerning Fasting
    
    
24. Original Placement of 29B, C (Ethiopic)
    
    
25. Original Placement of 29B, C (Ethiopic)
    
    
26. 1-2 Concerning the Hour of Eating
    
    
27. 1-2 That it is not Proper for Catechumens to Eat with the Faithful
    
    
28. 1-6 That it is Proper to Eat Judiciously and Moderately
    
    
29. A. That it is Proper to Eat with Thanksgiving
    B. 1-4 Concerning Gifts for the Sick
    C. 1-16 Concerning the Bringing in of the Lamp at the Supper of the Congregation
    D. Doublet of 28.4b-6
    
    
30. A. 1-2 Concerning the Supper of the Widows
    B. Prologue (Ethiopic)
    
    
31. Concerning the Fruit which it is Proper to Bring to the Bishop
    
    
32. 1-3 The Blessing of Fruits
    
    
33. 1-4 That it is not Proper for Anyone to Taste Anything in the Pasche before the Hour when it is Proper to Eat
    
    
34. That it is Proper for the Deacons to Assist the Bishop
    
    
35. 1-2 Concerning the Hour when it is Proper to Pray
    
    
36. That it is Proper to Receive the Eucharist Early at the Time it Will Be Offered, Before They Taste Anything
    
    
37. That it is Proper to Watch over the Eucharist Diligently
    
    
38. A. 1-2 That it is not Proper to Spill Anything from the Cup
    B. [Concerning the Sign of the Cross]
    
    
39. [Concerning Deacons and Presbyters]
    
    
40. 1-2 Concerning the Places of Burial
    
    
41. 1-18 Concerning the Hour when it is Proper to Pray
    
    Excursus: Parallels to the Hours of Daily Prayer in the Second and Third Centuries
    
    
42. 1-4 [Concerning the Sign of the Cross]
    
    
43. 1-4 [Conclusion]
    
    Bibliography
    Indices