Tertullian

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“My preliminary remarks on the preceding epistle called me away from treating of its superscription, for I was sure that another opportunity would occur for considering the matter, it being of constant recurrence, and in the same form too, in every epistle.”

What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

“And was it not Paul himself who was there foretold, destined "to be taken away from Judah"-that is, from Judaism-for the erection of Christianity, in order "to lay that only foundation, which is Christ?”

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

“But they roll back an objection from that apostle himself, in that he said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize; " , as if by this argument baptism were done away!”

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

“In Him, at any rate, and with Him, did (Wisdom) construct the universe, He not being ignorant of what she was making.”

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

“The very "stumbling-block" which he declares Christ to be "to the Jews," points unmistakeably to the Creator's prophecy respecting Him, when by Isaiah He says: "Behold I lay in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence." This rock or stone is Christ.”

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

“Incredulity, on the other hand, wonders, but does not believe: for the simple acts it wonders at, as if they were vain; the grand results, as if they were impossible.”

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

“But answer me at once, you that murder truth: Was not God really crucified? And, having been really crucified, did He not really die? And, having indeed really died, did He not really rise again?”

No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

“These, we know, were publicly instituted in Israel; but they lay overshadowed with latent meanings, in which the wisdom of God was concealed to be brought to light by and by amongst "the perfect," when the time should come, but "pre-ordained in the counsels of…”

None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

“According to Marcion, however, the apostle in the passage under consideration does not allow the imputation of ignorance, with respect to the Lord of glory, to the powers of the Creator; because, indeed, he will have it that these are not meant by "the princes…”

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

“Isaiah even so early, with the clearness of an apostle, foreseeing the thoughts of heretical hearts, asked, "Who hath known the mind of the Lord? For who hath been His counsellor? With whom took He counsel? ...”

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it.

“What has he also to do with illustrations from our God? For when (the apostle) calls himself "a wise master-builder," we find that the Creator by Isaiah designates the teacher who sketches out the divine discipline by the same title, "I will take away from…”

For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

“And was it not Paul himself who was there foretold, destined "to be taken away from Judah"-that is, from Judaism-for the erection of Christianity, in order "to lay that only foundation, which is Christ?”

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

“With what God? Even if the ancient Scriptures have contributed nothing in support of our view thus far, an excellent testimony turns up in what (the apostle) here adjoins: "For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and again, The Lord…”

Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours,

“Now, from whom do all things come to us, but from Him to whom all things belong? And pray, what things are these?”

whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,

“The apostle, however, in his epistle says, "Whether it be the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours: " and he here constitutes us heirs even of the future world.”

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

“But when the comparison is challenged with an angel, I am compelled to maintain that the head over all things is the stronger of the two, to whom the angels are ministers, who is destined to be the judge of angels, if he shall stand…”

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

“In the body will He raise us, because the body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And suitably does he add the question: "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? " What has the heretic to say?”

Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.

“But when things lawful are (only) granted by way of indulgence, who hope for things unlawful? "To the unmarried" also, "and widows," he says, "It is good, by his example, to persevere" (in their present state); "but if they were too weak, to marry; because…”

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.

“Accordingly he subjoins withal a reason, that "we are called in peace unto the Lord God; "and that "the unbeliever may, through the use of matrimony, be gained by the believer."”

How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

“If these things may happen to those women also who, having attained the faith while in (the state of) Gentile matrimony, continue in that state, still they are excused, as having been "apprehended by God" in these very circumstances; and they are bidden to persevere…”

Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.

“Now, if in all cases he says it is best for a man thus to be; "Thou art joined to a wife seek not loosing" (that you may give no occasion to adultery); "thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife," that you…”

Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.

“For the apostle, although preferring the grace of continence, yet permits the contraction of marriage and the enjoyment of it, and advises the continuance therein rather than the dissolution there of. Christ plainly forbids divorce, Moses unquestionably permits it.”

But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.

“For even if you do not "sin" in re-marrying, still he says "pressure of the flesh ensues." Wherefore, so far as we can, let us love the opportunity of continence; as soon as it offers itself, let us resolve to accept it, that what we…”

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs…

“But in as far as marrying "in the Lord" is permissible, as being within our power, so far more culpable is it not to observe that which you can observe.”

The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

“" That they likewise (remember), what was written to the Corinthians, that they "were yet carnal," who "required to be fed with milk," being as yet "unable to bear strong meat; " who also "thought that they knew somewhat, whereas they knew not yet anything…”