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Epistle to Diognetus: source notes

Epistle to Diognetus: source notes

Works: Ad Diognetum (2nd c., date and author uncertain). Edition/translation: ANF vol. 1 (Roberts–Donaldson), as on New Advent. Greek: Lightfoot/Holmes, Apostolic Fathers (key words to verify against a printed Greek text).

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S1: Diognetus 9.2–5

  • Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0101.htm
  • Text: “He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous … For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! … That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!” Greek: ὦ τῆς γλυκείας ἀνταλλαγῆς (to verify).
  • Context: Uses the language of exchange and covering. Christ’s righteousness “covers” sins (cf. Ps 32:1; Rom 4:7) and “justifies” the ungodly (cf. Rom 4:5). This is the strongest pre-Nicene witness for a substitutionary, extrinsic account of acceptance. It does not use λογίζομαι or the term “imputation”.
  • Bears on: Q6, Q1
  • Status: verified (English)

Topic: atonement

See atonement reasoning.

ATN S1: Diognetus 9.2–5 (cross-ref)