Justin Martyr: source notes

Works: Dialogue with Trypho (c. 155–160). Edition/translation: ANF vol. 1 (Roberts–Donaldson), as on New Advent.

Back to justification · reasoning · conventions

S1: Dialogue 11

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01282.htm
Text: “But we do not trust through Moses or through the law” … “Abraham (who in uncircumcision was approved of and blessed by God on account of his faith, and called the father of many nations)”.
Context: Argues that the Mosaic covenant has been superseded by the “new law”, Christ.
Bears on: Q2
Status: verified (English)

S2: Dialogue 92

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01287.htm
Text: “For Abraham was declared by God to be righteous, not on account of circumcision, but on account of faith. For before he was circumcised the following statement was made regarding him: ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.’ Genesis 15:6”
Context: Uses the same argument from sequence as Rom 4:9–11. The point at issue is the Mosaic ordinances (circumcision, Sabbath, sacrifices). Elsewhere Justin also stresses repentance and baptism (First Apology 61, verified in context on New Advent: converts first pray and fast “for the remission of their sins that are past”, then are “regenerated” in water with the Trinitarian name, citing John 3:5).
Bears on: Q1, Q2
Status: verified (English)

Topic: baptism

See baptism reasoning.

BAP S1: First Apology 61

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm
Text: “Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, Unless you be born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. John 3:5”
Context: Describes adult converts who first fast and pray “for the remission of their sins that are past”. Calls the washing “regenerated” and links it to John 3:5.
Bears on: B1, B4
Status: verified (English)

Topic: salvation

See salvation reasoning.

SAL S1: First Apology 43

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm
Text: “unless the human race have the power of avoiding evil and choosing good by free choice, they are not accountable for their actions … But that it is by free choice they both walk uprightly and stumble, we thus demonstrate.”
Context: Written against pagan fatalism (Stoic and astrological), not against a doctrine of grace.
Bears on: S2
Status: verified (English)

Topic: eucharist

See eucharist reasoning.

EUC S1: First Apology 66

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm
Text: “For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.”
Context: An explanation for pagan readers. He draws an analogy with the Incarnation. Greek (verified): ἐξ ἧς αἷμα καὶ σάρκες κατὰ μεταβολὴν τρέφονται ἡμῶν — “from which our blood and flesh are nourished by change/metabolism”. “By transmutation” (κατὰ μεταβολήν) refers to the digestion of the eucharistized food that nourishes our bodies, not to a change of the bread and wine into Christ’s body as such; Justin still teaches that the food “is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh”.
Bears on: E1
Status: verified (English; key Greek κατὰ μεταβολήν)

Topic: atonement

See atonement reasoning.

ATN S1: Dialogue 95

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01287.htm
Text: Editor’s heading: “Christ took upon Himself the curse due to us.” Text: “the whole human race will be found to be under a curse … the Father of all wished His Christ for the whole human family to take upon Him the curses of all”.
Context: Exegesis of Deut 27:26 with Gal 3:10–13. This is substitution of the curse.
Bears on: A3
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine F05

See F05 reasoning.

F05 S1: 1 Apology 33

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son, and they shall say for His name, ‘God with us.’ Isaiah 7:14 For things which were incredible and seemed impossible with men, these God predicted by the Spirit of prophecy as about to come to pass, in order that, when they came to pass, there might be no unbelief, but faith, because of their prediction. …”
Context:
Bears on: F05.1
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T01

See T01 reasoning.

T01 S1: Dialogue 80

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01286.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “o you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise.”
Context:
Bears on: T01.1
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T05

See T05 reasoning.

T05 S1: 1 Apology 67

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.”
Context:
Bears on: T05.1
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T08

See T08 reasoning.

T08 S1: Dialogue 5

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01281.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “Old Man: But I do not say, indeed, that all souls die; for that were truly a piece of good fortune to the evil.”
Context:
Bears on: T08.2
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T13

See T13 reasoning.

T13 S1: 1 Apology 67

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.”
Context:
Bears on: T13.1
Status: verified (English)

T13 S2: 1 Apology 67

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.”
Context:
Bears on: T13.2
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine F10

See F10 reasoning.

F10 S1: 1 Apology 21

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “ory of Christ And when we say also that the Word, who is the first-birth of God, was produced without sexual union, and that He, Jesus Christ, our Teacher, was crucified and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, we propound nothing different from what you believe regarding those whom you esteem sons of Jupiter.”
Context:
Bears on: F10.1
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine F11

See F11 reasoning.

F11 S1: 1 Apology 21

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “ory of Christ And when we say also that the Word, who is the first-birth of God, was produced without sexual union, and that He, Jesus Christ, our Teacher, was crucified and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, we propound nothing different from what you believe regarding those whom you esteem sons of Jupiter.”
Context:
Bears on: F11.1
Status: verified (English)

F11 S2: 1 Apology 51 — ascended; will come again out of heaven with glory

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “Hear, too, how He was to ascend into heaven according to prophecy. It was thus spoken: Lift up the gates of heaven; be opened, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty. And how also He should come again out of heaven with glory, hear what was spoken in reference to this by the prophet Jeremiah. His words are: Behold, as the Son of man He comes in the clouds of heaven, and His angels with Him.”
Context: Same Christ who ascended will come again visibly from heaven; links ascension to return.
Bears on: F11.3
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine F13

See F13 reasoning.

F13 S1: 1 Apology 12 — everlasting punishment or salvation according to actions

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “we hold this view, that it is alike impossible for the wicked, the covetous, the conspirator, and for the virtuous, to escape the notice of God, and that each man goes to everlasting punishment or salvation according to the value of his actions.”
Context: Final destinies according to deeds under God’s knowledge; complements gospel faith without denying moral accountability.
Bears on: F13.3
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T22

See T22 reasoning.

T22 S1: Dialogue with Trypho 11

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01282.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “For the true spiritual Israel, and descendants of Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham (who in uncircumcision was approved of and blessed by God on account of his faith, and called the father of many nations), are we who have been led to God through this crucified Christ, as shall be demonstrated while we proceed.”
Context: Believers in Christ are the true Israel.
Bears on: T22.2
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T20

See T20 reasoning.

T20 S1: First Apology 16

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “And with regard to our not swearing at all, and always speaking the truth, He enjoined as follows: Swear not at all; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil.”
Context: Matt 5:34 read absolutely.
Bears on: T20.2
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T23

See T23 reasoning.

T23 S1: First Apology 66

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “t And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.”
Context: Only believing, baptized, obedient Christians receive.
Bears on: T23.1
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine S02X

See S02X reasoning.

S02X S1: Dialogue with Trypho 43

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01283.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “And we, who have approached God through Him, have received not carnal, but spiritual circumcision, which Enoch and those like him observed.”
Context: Justin answers Trypho on circumcision; the next sentence says Christians received it ’through baptism, since we were sinners’.
Bears on: S02.3
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine T09X

See T09X reasoning.

T09X S1: Dialogue with Trypho 80

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01286.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians, even as one, if he would rightly consider it, would not admit that the Sadducees, or similar sects of Genistæ, Meristæ, Galilæans, Hellenists, Pharisees, Baptists, are Jews (do not hear me impatiently when I tell you what I think), but are [only] called Jews and children of Abraham, worshipping God with the lips, as God Himself declar …”
Context: Justin on those ‘called Christians’ who deny the resurrection; the claim about heaven is part of that denial.
Bears on: T09.3
Status: verified (English)

Doctrine S06X

See S06X reasoning.

S06X S1: 1 Apology 61

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm (public-domain English translation)
Text: “As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them.”
Context: Justin describes Christian baptism to the emperor.
Bears on: S06.5
Status: verified (English)