# Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved?

- Author: [Clement of Alexandria](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/clement-of-alexandria/)
- Latin title: *Quis dives salvetur*
- Date: ca. 190–210 (approximate)
- Source: Otto Stählin, ed., Clemens Alexandrinus, vol. 3, Stromata Buch VII und VIII, Excerpta ex Theodoto, Eclogae propheticae, Quis dives salvetur, Fragmente, GCS 17 (Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1909) (Greek text: Otto Stählin, Clemens Alexandrinus 3 (GCS 17, 1909), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude, from the original text; each passage below gives the model and date
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/
- Passages: 242

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 1.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:156
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Those who flatter the rich with praise are servile.

### Greek text

Οἱ μὲν τοὺς ἐγκωμιαστικοὺς λόγους τοῖς πλουσίοις δωροφοροῦντες οὐ μόνον κόλακες καὶ ἀνελεύθεροι δικαίως ἂν ἔμοιγε κρίνεσθαι δοκοῖεν, ὡς ἐπὶ πολλῷ προσποιούμενοι χαρίσασθαι τὰ ἀχάριστα.

### English translation (Claude)

Those who bring speeches of praise as gifts to the rich would rightly seem to me to deserve to be judged not only flatterers and servile, since they pretend to bestow as a great favor what is no favor at all,

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 1.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:156
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Flatterers of the rich are impious, because they give to human beings the glory that belongs to God alone.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀσεβεῖς καὶ ἐπίβουλοι· ἀσεβεῖς μὲν, ὅτι παρέντες αἰνεῖν καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν μόνον τέλειον καὶ ἀγαθὸν θεόν, ἐξ οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ διʼ οὗ τὰ πάντα καὶ εἰς ὃν τὰ πάντα, περιάπτουσι το........... τὸ γέρας ἀνθρώποις ἐνασ........... βίῳ κυλινδουμένοις.......

### English translation (Claude)

but also impious and treacherous: impious because, neglecting to praise and glorify the only perfect and good God, from whom are all things and through whom are all things and to whom are all things, they attach … the prize to men … wallowing in … life …

### Scripture references

- Rom 11:36: echo, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The dots mark gaps where the single surviving manuscript is damaged; the edition prints them as dots, and the translation does not fill them. The phrase “from whom … to whom are all things” echoes Rom 11:36.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 1.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:156
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Flatterers are treacherous, because they inflame the pride that wealth already produces, when they should cut it away; the exalted will be humbled.

### Greek text

τὸ κεφάλαιον ὑποκείμενον τῇ κρίσει τοῦ θεοῦ· ἐπίβουλοι δέ, ὅτι καὶ αὐτῆς τῆς περιουσίας καθʼ αὑτὴν ἱκανῆς οὔσης χαυνῶσαι τὰς ψυχὰς τῶν κεκτημένων καὶ διαφθεῖραι καὶ ἀποστῆσαι τῆς ὁδοῦ, διʼ ἧς ἐπιτυχεῖν ἔστι σωτηρίας, οἳ δὲ προσεκπλήσσουσι τὰς γνώμας τῶν πλουσίων ταῖς ἡδοναῖς τῶν ἀμέτρων ἐπαίνων ἐπαίροντες καὶ καθάπαξ τῶν ὅλων πραγμάτων πλὴν τοῦ πλούτου, διʼ ὃν θαυμάζονται. παρασκευάζοντες ὑπερφρονεῖν, τὸ δὴ τοῦ λόγου πῦρ ἐπὶ πῦρ μετοχετεύοντες, τύφῳ τῦφον ἐπαντλοῦντες καὶ ὄγκον πλούτῳ προσανατιθέντες βαρεῖ φύσει φορτίον βαρύτερον, οὗ μᾶλλον ἐχρῆν ἀφαιρεῖν καὶ περικόπτειν, ὡς σφαλεροῦ νοσήματος καὶ θανατηφόρου· τῷ γὰρ ὑψουμένῳ καὶ μεγαλυνομένῳ παραπέπηγεν ἀντίστροφος ἡ πρὸς τὸ ταπεινὸν μεταβολὴ καὶ πτῶσις, ὡς ὁ θεῖος διδάσκει λόγος.

### English translation (Claude)

the chief thing, which is subject to the judgment of God. They are treacherous because, although wealth by itself is enough to puff up the souls of its possessors, to corrupt them and turn them aside from the way by which salvation can be reached, these people further dazzle the minds of the rich with the pleasures of immoderate praise, exalting them and preparing them to despise absolutely everything except the wealth for which they are admired. As the proverb says, they channel fire onto fire, pour pride upon pride, and load wealth, a heavy thing by nature, with a heavier burden of arrogance, when they ought rather to take it away and cut it back as a dangerous and deadly disease. For to the one who is exalted and magnified the opposite change is attached, a turn to humiliation and a fall, as the divine Word teaches.

### Scripture references

- Matt 23:12: echo, high confidence
- Luke 14:11: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The opening words complete a sentence broken by the manuscript gap in 1.2. The last clause echoes Matt 23:12 (Luke 14:11).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 1.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:156
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The truly loving course is to help the rich toward salvation, by prayer to God and by teaching that leads them to the truth and to good works.

### Greek text

ἐμοὶ δὲ φαίνεται μακρῷ φιλανθρωπότερον εἶναι τοῦ θεραπεύειν............ τοὺς πλουτοῦντας.......... ἐπὶ κακῷ τὸ συναίρεσθαι.......... τὴν σωτηρίαν αὐτοῖς.............. ἅπαντα τὸν δυνατὸν τρόπον, τοῦτο μὲν ἐξαιτουμένους παρὰ θεοῦ τοῦ βεβαίως καὶ ἡδέως τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ τέκνοις τὰ τοιαῦτα προϊεμένου, τοῦτο δὲ λόγῳ διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ σωτῆρος ἰωμένους τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν, φωτίζοντας καὶ προσάγοντας ἐπὶ τὴν τῆς ἀληθείας κτῆσιν, ἧς ὁ τυχὼν καὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς ἐλλαμπρυνόμενος μόνος τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς ἀναιρήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

To me it seems far more humane, instead of flattering … the rich … to their harm, to help … their salvation … in every possible way: on the one hand by asking it of God, who surely and gladly grants such things to his own children; on the other by healing their souls with the Word through the grace of the Savior, enlightening them and leading them to the possession of the truth. Whoever obtains it and is made illustrious by good works will alone carry off the prize of eternal life.

### Translation notes

- The dots mark gaps in the manuscript.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 1.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 1.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:156
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Prayer needs perseverance to the end of life, and conduct needs a steady will to keep all the Savior's commandments.

### Greek text

δεῖται δὲ καὶ ἡ εὐχὴ ψυχῆς εὐρώστου καὶ λιπαροῦς ἄχρι τῆς ἐσχάτης ἡμέρας τοῦ βίου συμμεμετρημένης καὶ ἡ πολιτεία διαθέσεως χρηστῆς καὶ μονίμου καὶ πάσαις ταῖς ἐντολαῖς τοῦ σωτῆρος ἐπεκτεινομένης.

### English translation (Claude)

But prayer needs a soul that is strong and persevering, measured out to the last day of life; and the way of life needs a good and steadfast disposition that reaches out to all the commandments of the Savior.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 1.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/1/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 2.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:156
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: There are several reasons why salvation seems harder for the rich.

### Greek text

Κινδυνεύει δὲ οὐχ ἁπλοῦν τι εἶναι τὸ αἴτιον τοῦ τὴν σωτηρίαν χαλεπωτέραν τοῖς πλουτοῦσι δοκεῖν ἢ τοῖς ἀχρημάτοις τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλὰ ποικίλον.

### English translation (Claude)

It may be that the reason why salvation seems harder for the rich than for people without money is not a single one but manifold.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 2.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:156–161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Some rich people, hearing that a camel passes through a needle's eye more easily, despair of salvation and give themselves entirely to this world.

### Greek text

οἱ μὲν γὰρ αὐτόθεν καὶ προχείρως ἀκούσαντες τῆς τοῦ κυρίου φωνῆς, ὅτι ῥᾷον κάμηλος διὰ τρήματος ῥαφίδος διεκδύσεται ἢ πλούσιος εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἀπογνόντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς οὐ βιωσόμενοι, τῷ κόσμῳ πάντα χαριζόμενοι καὶ τῆς ἐνταῦθα ζωῆς ὡς μόνης ἑαυτοῖς ὑπολειπομένης ἐκκρεμασθέντες ἀπέστησαν πλέον τῆς ἐκεῖ ὁδοῦ, μηκέτι πολυπραγμονήσαντες μήτε τίνας τοὺς πλουσίους ὁ δεσπότης καὶ διδάσκαλος προσαγορεύει μήτε ὅπως τὸ ἀδύνατον ἐν ἀνθρώποις δυνατὸν γίνεται.

### English translation (Claude)

For some, hearing the Lord's saying straight off and carelessly, that a camel will more easily pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man into the kingdom of heaven, have despaired of themselves as not destined to live; surrendering everything to the world and clinging to life here as the only one left them, they have gone further from the way to the life there, no longer inquiring whom the Master and Teacher calls rich, nor how what is impossible with men becomes possible.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:25: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 19:24: allusion, medium confidence
- Mark 10:27: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are Mark 10:25 (Matt 19:24; Luke 18:25) and Mark 10:27.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 2.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Others understand the saying rightly but neglect the good works needed for salvation.

### Greek text

ἄλλοι δὲ τοῦτο μὲν συνῆκαν ὀρθῶς καὶ προσηκόντως, τῶν δὲ ἔργων τῶν εἰς τὴν σωτηρίαν ἀναφερόντων ὀλιγωρήσαντες οὐ παρεσκευάσαντο τὴν δέουσαν παρασκευὴν εἰς τὸ τῶν ἐλπιζομένων τυχεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

Others understood this rightly and fittingly, but, neglecting the works that lead to salvation, did not make the preparation needed to obtain what they hope for.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 2.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clement is speaking about rich believers, not about unbelievers; those who love the truth and the brethren have a duty toward them.

### Greek text

λέγω δὲ ταῦτα. ἑκάτερα περὶ τῶν πλουσίων τῶν καὶ τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ σωτῆρος καὶ τῆς ἐπιφανοῦς σωτηρίας ᾐσθημένων, τῶν δὲ ἀμυήτων τῆς ἀληθείας ὀλίγον μοι μέλει. Χρὴ τοίνυν τοὺς φιλαλήθως καὶ φιλαδέλφως................

### English translation (Claude)

I say both of these things about the rich who have perceived the Savior's power and his manifest salvation; for those uninitiated into the truth I care little. It is necessary, then, for those who … with love of truth and love of the brethren …

### Translation notes

- The dots mark a gap in the manuscript; the sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/2/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 3.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christians should neither despise nor flatter the rich, but first free them from despair by showing that the kingdom is open to them if they obey the commandments.

### Greek text

καὶ μήτε καταθρασυνομένους αὐθάδως τῶν πλουσίων κλητῶν μήτε αὖ πάλιν ὑποπίπτοντας αὐτοῖς διὰ οἰκείαν φιλοκέρδειαν, πρῶτον μὲν αὐτῶν ἐξαιρεῖν τῷ λόγῳ τὴν κενὴν ἀπόγνωσιν καὶ δηλοῦν μετὰ τῆς δεούσης ἐξηγήσεως τῶν λογίων τοῦ κυρίου διότι οὐκ ἀποκέκοπται τέλεον αὐτοῖς ἡ κληρονομία τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἐὰν ὑπακούσωσι ταῖς ἐντολαῖς·

### English translation (Claude)

neither insolently to treat the rich who have been called with arrogance, nor again to fawn on them out of their own love of gain, but first to remove from them by the Word their empty despair, and to show, with the needed interpretation of the Lord's sayings, that the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven is not entirely cut off from them if they obey the commandments.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 3.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 3.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Once freed from groundless fear, the rich should be taught what works and dispositions lead to the hoped-for salvation.

### Greek text

εἶθʼ ὁπόταν μάθωσιν ὡς ἀδεὲς δεδίασι δέος καὶ ὅτι βουλομένους αὐτοὺς ὁ σωτὴρ ἀσμένως δέχεται, τότε καὶ προδεικνύναι καὶ μυσταγωγεῖν, ὅπως ἂν καὶ διʼ οἵων ἔργων τε καὶ διαθέσεων ἐπαύραιντο τῆς ἐλπίδος, ὡς οὔτʼ ἀμηχάνου καθεστώσης αὐτοῖς οὔτε τοὐναντίον εἰκῇ

### English translation (Claude)

Then, when they have learned that they fear a groundless fear and that the Savior gladly receives them if they are willing, one should show them in advance and initiate them into how, and by what works and dispositions, they may enjoy what they hope for, since it is neither impossible for them nor, on the other hand, obtained at random

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 3.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 3.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich should think of their situation as athletes think of theirs.

### Greek text

περιγινομένης. ἀλλʼ ὅνπερ τρόπον ἔχει τὸ τῶν ἀθλητῶν, ἵνα μικρὰ καὶ ἐπίκηρα μεγάλοις καὶ ἀφθάρτοις παραβάλωμεν, τουτὶ καὶ ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῦ ὁ κατὰ κόσμον πλουτῶν λογιζέσθω.

### English translation (Claude)

by chance. But in the way it is with athletes (to compare small and perishable things with great and incorruptible ones), let the one who is rich in the world's goods consider this in his own case too.

### Translation notes

- The first words complete the sentence begun in the previous section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 3.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 3.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: An athlete who despairs never competes, and one who hopes but does not train never wins.

### Greek text

καὶ γὰρ ἐκείνων ὁ μὲν ὅτι δυνήσεται νικᾶν καὶ στεφάνων τυγχάνειν ἀπελπίσας οὐδʼ ὅλως ἐπὶ τὴν ἄθλησιν ἀπεγράψατο. ὁ δὲ ταύτην μὲν ἐμβαλόμενος τῇ γνώμῃ τὴν ἐλπίδα, πόνους δὲ καὶ γυμνάσια καὶ τροφὰς μὴ προσιέμενος προσφόρους, ἀστεφάνωτος διεγένετο καὶ διήμαρτε τῶν ἐλπίδων.

### English translation (Claude)

For among athletes, one who has given up hope of being able to win and gain crowns does not even enter his name for the contest; another, who has cast this hope into his mind but does not undertake the labors, exercises, and suitable diet, goes away uncrowned and misses his hopes.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 3.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 3.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:161
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich believer should neither exclude himself from salvation nor expect it without effort.

### Greek text

οὕτως τις καὶ τὴν ἐπίγειον ταύτην περιβεβλημένος περιβολὴν μήτε τὴν ἀρχὴν ἑαυτὸν τῶν ἄθλων τοῦ σωτῆρος ἐκκηρυσσέτω, πιστός γε ὢν καὶ τὸ μεγαλεῖον συνορῶν τῆς τοῦ θεοῦ φιλανθρωπίας, μήτε μὴν αὖθις ἀνάσκητος καὶ ἀναγώνιστος μείνας ἀκονιτὶ κἀνιδρωτὶ τῶν στεφάνων τῆς ἀφθαρσίας ἐλπιζέτω μεταλαβεῖν·

### English translation (Claude)

So too let one who is clothed with this earthly wealth neither shut himself out from the start from the Savior's contests, if he is a believer and perceives the greatness of God's love for mankind, nor again hope to share in the crowns of incorruption while remaining untrained and without contest, without dust and without sweat.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 9:25: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Without dust and without sweat” (ἀκονιτὶ κἀνιδρωτί) are athletic terms: winning without a fight.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 3.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 3.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:161–162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich believer should train under Christ, with the new covenant as food and the commandments as exercise, so as to win the crown of heaven at the last trumpet.

### Greek text

ἀλλʼ αὑτὸν ὑποβαλέτω φέρων γυμναστῇ μὲν τῷ λόγῳ. ἀγωνοθέτῃ δὲ τῷ Χριστῷ· τροφὴ δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ ποτὸν γενέσθω τεταγμένον ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη τοῦ κυρίου. γυμνάσια δὲ αἱ ἐντολαί. εὐσχημοσύνη δὲ καὶ κόσμος αἱ καλαὶ διαθέσεις, ἀγάπη, πίστις. ἐλπίς, γνῶσις ἀληθείας............. πραότης, εὐσπλαγχνία, σεμνότης, ἵνʼ, ὅταν ἡ ἐσχάτη σάλπιγξ ὑποσημήνῃ τοῦ δρόμου καὶ τῆς ἐντεῦθεν ἐξόδου καθάπερ ἐκ σταδίου τοῦ βίου, μετʼ ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ συνειδότος τῷ ἀθλοθέτῃ παραστῇ νικηφόρος, ὡμολογημένος τῆς ἄνω πατρίδος ἄξιος, εἰς ἣν μετὰ στεφάνων καὶ κηρυγμάτων ἀγγελικῶν ἐπανέρχεται.

### English translation (Claude)

Rather, let him submit himself to the Word as his trainer and to Christ as the president of the games. Let his appointed food and drink be the new covenant of the Lord; his exercises, the commandments; his grace and adornment, the fair dispositions: love, faith, hope, knowledge of the truth, … gentleness, compassion, dignity; so that when the last trumpet sounds for the race and the departure from here, as from the stadium of life, he may stand victorious with a good conscience before the Judge of the games, acknowledged worthy of the fatherland above, into which he returns with crowns and the proclamations of angels.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 15:52: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 9:24: echo, medium confidence
- 2 Tim 4:7: echo, medium confidence
- 2 Tim 4:8: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 13:13: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The dots mark a gap in the manuscript. “The last trumpet” is 1 Cor 15:52; the athletic image recalls 1 Cor 9:24–25 and 2 Tim 4:7–8.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 3.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/3/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clement prays that the Savior will help him give the brethren a true and saving account of hope.

### Greek text

Δοίη τοίνυν ἡμῖν ὁ σωτὴρ ἐντεῦθεν ἀρξαμένοις τοῦ λόγου τἀληθῆ καὶ τὰ πρέποντα καὶ τὰ σωτήρια συμβαλέσθαι τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς πρός τε τὴν ἐλπίδα πρῶτον αὐτὴν καὶ δεύτερον πρὸς τὴν τῆς ἐλπίδος προσαγωγήν.

### English translation (Claude)

May the Savior grant us, then, beginning our discourse from here, to contribute to the brethren what is true, fitting, and saving, first for hope itself, and second for access to what is hoped for.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Savior answers prayer; his own words about the rich interpret themselves.

### Greek text

ὃ δὲ χαρίζεται δεομένοις καὶ αἰτοῦντας διδάσκει καὶ λύει τὴν ἄγνοιαν καὶ τὴν ἀπόγνωσιν ἀποσείεται, τοὺς αὐτοὺς πάλιν εἰσάγων λόγους περὶ τῶν πλουσίων. ἑαυτῶν ἑρμηνέας γινομένους καὶ ἐξηγητὰς ἀσφαλεῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

He grants it to those who ask, teaches those who inquire, dispels ignorance and shakes off despair, bringing forward again the very words about the rich, which become their own interpreters and safe expositors.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The sayings about wealth trouble us because we have heard them without examining them.

### Greek text

οὐδὲν γὰρ οἷον αὐτῶν αὖθις ἀκοῦσαι τῶν ῥητῶν. ἅπερ ἡμᾶς ἐν τοῖς εὐαγγελίοις ἄχρι νῦν διετάρασσεν ἀβασανίστως καὶ διημαρτημένως ὑπὸ νηπιότητος ἀκροωμένους.

### English translation (Claude)

For there is nothing like hearing the very sayings again, which up to now have troubled us in the Gospels because we heard them without examination and mistakenly, through childishness.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Mark's account of the rich man begins: a man kneels before Jesus.

### Greek text

»ἐκπορευομένου αὐτοῦ εἰς ὁδὸν προσελθών τις ἐγονυπέτει λέγων·

### English translation (Claude)

“As he was going out on the way, a man came up and knelt before him, saying,

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:17: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Clement quotes Mark 10:17–31 in full (4.4–4.10), with many readings that differ from the standard text of Mark.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The man asks how to inherit eternal life; Jesus answers that only God is good.

### Greek text

›διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσω, ἵνα ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω;‹ ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς λέγει· τί με ἀγαθὸν λέγεις; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ θεός.

### English translation (Claude)

‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus says, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, God.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:17: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:18: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Jesus lists the commandments; the man says he has kept them from his youth.

### Greek text

τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα ὃ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει αὐτῷ· ›πάντα ταῦτα ἐφύλαξα ἐκ νεότητός μου.

### English translation (Claude)

You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’ And he answered and said to him, ‘All these I have kept from my youth.’

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:19: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:20: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Jesus, loving him, tells him to sell all and give to the poor; he goes away grieving.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἐμβλέψας ἠγάπησεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν· ›ἕν σοι ὑστερεῖ· εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, πώλησον ὅσα ἔχεις καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι.‹ ὃ δὲ στυγνάσας ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος·

### English translation (Claude)

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘One thing you lack: if you wish to be perfect, sell what you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ But he was gloomy at the saying and went away grieving;

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:21: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 19:21: quotation, medium confidence
- Mark 10:22: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “If you wish to be perfect” is from Matt 19:21, combined with Mark's wording.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/8/
- Source: Stählin 3:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The man had great wealth; Jesus says how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom, and the disciples are amazed.

### Greek text

ἦν γὰρ ἔχων χρήματα πολλὰ καὶ ἀγρούς. περιβλεψάμενος δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· ›πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.‹ οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἐθαμβοῦντο ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

for he had many possessions and fields. And Jesus, looking around, says to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were amazed at his words.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:22: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:23: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:24: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/8/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/9/
- Source: Stählin 3:162–163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Jesus says a camel passes through a needle's eye more easily than a rich man enters the kingdom; what is impossible with men is possible with God.

### Greek text

πάλιν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει αὐτοῖς· ›τέκνα, πῶς δύσκολόν ἐστι τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐπὶ χρήμασιν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν· εὐκόλως διὰ τῆς τρυμαλιᾶς τῆς βελόνης κάμηλος εἰσελεύσεται ἢ πλούσιος εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.‹ οἳ δὲ περισσῶς ἐξεπλήσσοντο καὶ ἔλεγον· ›τίς οὖν δύναται σωθῆναι;‹ ὃ δὲ ἐμβλέψας αὐτοῖς εἶπεν· ›ὅ τι παρὰ ἀνθρώποις ἀδύνατον, παρὰ θεῷ δυνατόν.‹ ἤρξατο ὁ Πέτρος λέγειν αὐτῷ·

### English translation (Claude)

Again Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! A camel will more easily go through the eye of the needle than a rich man into the kingdom of God.’ And they were exceedingly astonished and said, ‘Who then can be saved?’ And he, looking at them, said, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ Peter began to say to him,

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:24: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:25: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:26: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:27: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:28: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/9/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 4.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/10/
- Source: Stählin 3:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Peter says they have left everything; Jesus promises a hundredfold now, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.

### Greek text

›ἴδε ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα καὶ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι.‹ ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς [λέγγει]·› ἀμὴν ὑμῖν λέγω, ὃς ἂν ἀφῇ τὰ ἴδια καὶ γονεῖς καὶ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ χρήματα ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ ἕνεκεν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου. ἀπολήψεται ἑκατονταπλασίονα. νῦν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ ἀγροὺς καὶ χρήματα καὶ οἰκίας καὶ ἀδελφοὺς ἔχειν μετὰ διωγμὼν εἰς ποῦ· ἐν δὲ τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωή[ν] ἐστιν αἰώνιος. [ἐν δὲ] ἔσονται οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι καὶ οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι.«

### English translation (Claude)

‘See, we have left everything and followed you.’ And Jesus answered, ‘Truly I say to you, whoever leaves his own possessions, and parents, and brothers, and riches for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundredfold. Now in this time, to have fields and riches and houses and brothers with persecutions—to what end? But in the age to come there is eternal life. And the first will be last, and the last first.’”

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:28: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:29: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:30: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:31: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The words translated “to what end?” (εἰς ποῦ) are probably corrupt in the single manuscript; the words in square brackets in the Greek are the editor's deletions.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 4.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/4/10/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 5.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The story appears in Mark, and the other acknowledged Gospels agree with it in meaning, though their wording differs slightly.

### Greek text

Ταῦτα μὲν ἐν τῷ κατὰ Μάρκον εὐαγγελίῳ γέγραπται· καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλοις δὲ πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀνωμολογημένοις ὀλίγον μὲν ἴσως ἑκασταχοῦ τῶν ῥημάτων ἐναλλάσσει, πάντα δὲ τὴν αὐτὴν τῆς γνώμης συμφωνίαν ἐπιδείκνυται.

### English translation (Claude)

This is written in the Gospel according to Mark; and in all the other acknowledged Gospels the wording perhaps varies a little here and there, but all show the same agreement in meaning.

### Scripture references

- Matt 19:16: allusion, medium confidence
- Luke 18:18: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “The acknowledged Gospels” (ἀνωμολογημένοις) is an early witness to the idea of a recognized set of Gospels; compare Matt 19:16–30 and Luke 18:18–30.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 5.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 5.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ's words must not be taken in a fleshly way; their hidden meaning must be searched out carefully.

### Greek text

δεῖ δὲ σαφῶς εἰδότας ὡς οὐδὲν ἀνθρωπίνως ὁ σωτήρ. ἀλλὰ πάντα θείᾳ σοφίᾳ καὶ μυστικῇ διδάσκει τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ, μὴ σαρκίνως ἀκροᾶσθαι τῶν λεγομένων. ἀλλὰ τὸν ἐν αὐτοῖς κεκρυμμένον νοῦν μετὰ τῆς ἀξίας ζητήσεως καὶ συνέσεως ἐρευνᾶν καὶ καταμανθάνειν.

### English translation (Claude)

We must know clearly that the Savior teaches nothing in a merely human way, but teaches his own everything with divine and mystical wisdom; we must not hear what is said in a fleshly way, but search out and learn the meaning hidden in it with due inquiry and understanding.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 5.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 5.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Even the sayings Christ explained to his disciples need careful attention, because of their depth.

### Greek text

καὶ γὰρ τὰ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ τοῦ κυρίου δοκοῦντα ἡπλῶσθαι πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς τῶν ᾐνιγμένως ὑπειρημένων οὐδὲν ἥττονος [ἔτι καὶ νῦν]. ἀλλὰ πλείονος ἔτι καὶ νῦν τῆς ἐπιστάσεως εὑρίσκεται δεόμενα διὰ τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς φρονήσεως ἐν αὐτοῖς ὑπερβολήν.

### English translation (Claude)

For even the things the Lord himself seems to have made plain to the disciples, among what he had said in riddles, are found to need no less, but even more attention still, because of the surpassing excess of wisdom in them.

### Translation notes

- The words in square brackets in the Greek are the editor's deletions.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 5.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 5.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Sayings that seem simple but bear on salvation itself, like this one, must be read with the mind fixed on the Savior's spirit and hidden meaning.

### Greek text

ὅπου δὲ καὶ τὰ νομιζόμενα ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ διοῖχθαι τοῖς ἔσω καὶ αὐτοῖς τοῖς τῆς βασιλείας τέκνοις ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ καλουμένοις ἔτι χρῄζει φροντίδος πλείονος, ἦ πού γε τὰ δόξαντα μὲν ἁπλῶς ἐξενηνέχθαι καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μηδὲ διηρωτημένα πρὸς τῶν ἀκουσάντων, εἰς ὅλον δὲ τὸ τέλος αὐτὸ τῆς σωτηρίας διαφέροντα. ἐσκεπασμένα δὲ θαυμαστῷ καὶ ὑπερουρανίῳ διανοίας βάθει, οὐκ ἐπιπολαίως δέχεσθαι ταῖς ἀκοαῖς προσῆκεν, ἀλλὰ καθιέντας τὸν νοῦν ἐπʼ αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ σωτῆρος καὶ τὸ τῆς γνώμης ἀπόρρητον.

### English translation (Claude)

And where even the things thought to have been opened up by him to those within, those whom he himself calls children of the kingdom, still need further thought, surely the things that seem to have been spoken simply, and for that reason were not even questioned by those who heard them, but which bear on the whole goal of salvation itself, and are covered with a wonderful and supercelestial depth of meaning, should not be received superficially by the ears, but by directing the mind to the very spirit of the Savior and the secret of his thought.

### Scripture references

- Mark 4:11: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 13:38: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Those within” and “children of the kingdom” recall Mark 4:10–11 and Matt 13:38.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 5.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/5/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 6.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:163–164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich man asks Christ, who is Life, Savior, Truth, and Word, the question most fitting to him: about eternal life.

### Greek text

Ἠρώτηται μὲν γὰρ ἡδέως ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν καὶ σωτὴρ ἐρώτημα καταλληλότατον αὐτῷ, ἡ ζωὴ περὶ ζωῆς, ὁ σωτὴρ περὶ σωτηρίας. ὁ διδάσκαλος περὶ κεφαλαίου [οὐ τῶν διδασκομένων δογμάτων. ἡ ἀλήθεια περὶ τῆς ἀληθινῆς ἀθανασίας, ὁ λόγος περὶ τοῦ πατρῴου λόγου. ὁ τέλειος περὶ τῆς τελείας ἀναπαύσεως, ὁ ἄφθαρτος περὶ τῆς βεβαίας ἀφθαρσίας.

### English translation (Claude)

Our Lord and Savior is gladly asked a question most fitting for him: the Life about life, the Savior about salvation, the Teacher about the chief point of the doctrines taught, the Truth about true immortality, the Word about the Father's word, the Perfect about perfect rest, the Incorruptible about sure incorruption.

### Scripture references

- John 14:6: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The Greek has an opening square bracket without a closing one before “the doctrines taught”; the editor's intended deletion is unclear, and the translation follows the sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 6.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 6.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The question concerns the very purpose of his coming: the gift of eternal life, which is the gospel's theme.

### Greek text

ἠρώτηται περὶ τούτων ὑπὲρ ὧν καὶ κατελήλυθεν. ἃ παιδεύει. ἃ διδάσκει. ἃ παρέχει, ἵνα δείξῃ τὴν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ὑπόθεσιν. ὅτι δόσις ἐστὶν αἰωνίου ζωῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

He is asked about the things for which he came down, which he trains us in, teaches, and provides, so as to show the theme of the gospel: that it is the gift of eternal life.

### Scripture references

- Rom 6:23: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 6.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 6.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: As God, Christ knows in advance the questions and answers, as Lord of every prophetic spirit.

### Greek text

πρόοιδε δὲ ὡς θεὸς καὶ ἃ μέλλει διερωτηθήσεσθαι καὶ ἃ μέλλει τις αὐτῷ ἀποκρίνεσθαι. τίς γὰρ καὶ μᾶλλον ἢ ὁ προφήτης προφητῶν καὶ κύριος παντὸς προφητικοῦ πνεύματος;

### English translation (Claude)

As God, he knows beforehand both what he will be asked and what someone will answer him. For who should know this better than the Prophet of prophets and Lord of every prophetic spirit?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 6.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 6.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Called “good,” Jesus turns the questioner to God, the only Good, who gives eternal life through the Son.

### Greek text

κληθεὶς δὲ ἀγαθός. ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ πρώτου τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου τὸ ἐνδόσιμον λαβὼν ἐντεῦθεν καὶ τῆς διδασκαλίας ἄρχεται, ἐπιστρέφων τὸν μαθητὴν ἐπὶ τὸ θεὸν τὸν ἀγαθὸν καὶ πρῶτον καὶ μόνον ζωῆς αἰωνίου ταμίαν, ἣν ὁ υἱὸς δίδωσιν ἡμῖν παρʼ ἐκείνου λαβών.

### English translation (Claude)

Being called good, he takes his cue from this very first word and begins his teaching from it, turning the disciple to God, the good, the first, and the only dispenser of eternal life, which the Son gives us, having received it from him.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:18: allusion, high confidence
- John 17:2: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 6.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/6/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/7/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The first lesson for life is to know the one, eternal, good God.

### Greek text

Οὐκοῦν τὸ μέγιστον καὶ κορυφαιότατον τῶν πρὸς τὴν ζωὴν μαθημάτων ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς εὐθὺς ἐγκαταθέσθαι τῇ ψυχῇ δεῖ, γνῶναι τὸν θεὸν τὸν αἰώνιον καὶ δοτῆρα αἰωνίων καὶ πρῶτον καὶ ὑπέρτατον καὶ ἕνα καὶ ἀγαθὸν θεόν.

### English translation (Claude)

Therefore the greatest and highest of the lessons for life must be laid up in the soul from the very beginning: to know the eternal God, giver of eternal things, first, supreme, one, and good.

### Scripture references

- John 17:3: echo, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 7.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/7/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/7/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Knowing God, who truly is and gives being to all, is the unshakable foundation of life.

### Greek text

ὅν ἔστι κτήσασθαι διὰ γνώσεως καὶ καταλήψεως· αὕτη γὰρ ἄτρεπτος καὶ ἀσάλευτος ἀρχὴ καὶ κρηπὶς ζωῆς, ἐπιστήμη θεοῦ τοῦ ὄντως ὄντος καὶ τὰ ὄντα. τουτέστι τὰ αἰώνια, δωρουμένου, ἐξ οὗ καὶ τὸ εἶναι τοῖς ἄλλοις ὑπάρχει καὶ τὸ μεῖναι λαβεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

He may be gained through knowledge and apprehension; for this is the unchanging and unshakable beginning and foundation of life: the knowledge of God, who truly is and who bestows the things that are, that is, the eternal things; from him the others have both their being and their continuing.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 7.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/7/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 7.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/7/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Not knowing God is death; knowing, loving, and becoming like him is the only life.

### Greek text

ἡ μὲν γὰρ τούτου ἄγνοια θάνατός ἐστιν, ἡ δὲ ἐπίγνωσις αὐτοῦ καὶ οἰκείωσις καὶ ἡ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀγάπη καὶ ἐξομοίωσις μόνη ζωή.

### English translation (Claude)

For ignorance of him is death, but knowledge of him, intimacy with him, love for him, and likeness to him are the only life.

### Scripture references

- John 17:3: echo, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 7.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/7/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 8.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: One must first know the Father, revealed only by the Son, and then the greatness of the Savior, whose grace surpasses the law given through Moses.

### Greek text

Τοῦτον οὖν πρῶτον ἐπιγνῶναι τῷ ζησομένῳ τὴν ὄντως ζωὴν παρακελεύεται, ὃν »οὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς καὶ ᾧ ἂν ὁ υἱὸς ἀποκαλύψῃ«. ἔπειτα τὸ μέγεθος τοῦ σωτῆρος μετʼ ἐκεῖνον καὶ τὴν καινότητα τῆς χάριτος μαθεῖν, ὅτι δὴ κατὰ τὸν ἀπόστολον »ὁ νόμος διὰ Μωσέως ἐδόθη, ἡ χάρις καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ«· καὶ οὐκ ἴσα τὰ διὰ δούλου πιστοῦ διδόμενα τοῖς ὑπὸ [τοῦ] υἱοῦ γνησίου δωρουμένοις.

### English translation (Claude)

He urges the one who would live the true life, then, first to know him “whom no one knows except the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him”; then, after him, to learn the greatness of the Savior and the newness of grace, since, according to the apostle, “the law was given through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus Christ”; and the things given through a faithful servant are not equal to those bestowed by a true Son.

### Scripture references

- Matt 11:27: quotation, high confidence
- John 1:17: quotation, high confidence
- Heb 3:5: allusion, high confidence
- Heb 3:6: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Matt 11:27 and John 1:17 (called “the apostle”); the contrast of servant and Son is Heb 3:5–6.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 8.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 8.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:164–165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If the law could give eternal life, Christ's coming and suffering would have been in vain, and the man who kept the law would not have needed to ask him.

### Greek text

εἰ γοῦν ἱκανὸς ἦν ὁ Μωσέως νόμος ζωὴν αἰώνιον παρασχεῖν, μάτην μὲν ὁ σωτὴρ αὐτὸς παραγίνεται καὶ πάσχει διʼ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ γενέσεως μέχρι τοῦ σημείου τὴν ἀνθρωπότητα διατρέχων, μάτην δὲ ὁ πάσας πεποιηκὼς »ἐκ νεότητος« τὰς νομίμους ἐντολὰς παρὰ ἄλλου αἰτεῖ γονυπετῶν ἀθανασίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

If the law of Moses had been able to provide eternal life, the Savior himself would have come and suffered for us in vain, running through the course of humanity from birth to the sign of the cross; and in vain would the one who had done all the commandments of the law “from his youth” kneel and ask immortality from another.

### Scripture references

- Gal 2:21: echo, high confidence
- Mark 10:20: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The sign” (τὸ σημεῖον) is the cross. Compare Gal 2:21.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 8.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 8.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich young man had kept the law from youth, which is admirable, since it is easy for the old to be blameless but hard for the young.

### Greek text

οὐδὲ γὰρ πεπλήρωκε μόνον τὸν νόμον, ἀλλὰ καὶ εὐθὺς ἀπὸ πρώτης ἡλικίας ἀρξάμενος· ἐπεὶ καὶ τί μέγα ἢ ὑπέρλαμπρον γῆρας ἄγονον ἀδικημάτων ὧν ἐπιθυμίαι τίκτουσι νεανικαὶ ἢ ὀργὴ ζέουσα ἢ ἔρως χρημάτων; ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ἐν σκιρτήματι νεοτησίῳ καὶ τῷ καύσωνι τῆς ἡλικίας παρέσχηται φρόνημα πεπανὸν καὶ πρεσβύτερον τοῦ χρόνου, θαυμαστὸς οὗτος ἀγωνιστὴς καὶ διαπρεπὴς καὶ τὴν γνώμην πολιός.

### English translation (Claude)

For he had not only fulfilled the law but had begun doing so from his earliest age. For what is great or splendid about an old age that bears none of the wrongs that youthful desires, boiling anger, or love of money produce? But if someone in the leaping of youth and the heat of that age has shown a mind ripe and older than his years, he is a marvelous contestant, distinguished, and gray-haired in judgment.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 8.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 8.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Though righteous by the law, the man knows he lacks life, and asks it from the Son of God, who alone can give it.

### Greek text

ἀλλʼ ὅμως οὗτος ὁ τοιοῦτος ἀκριβῶς πέπεισται, διότι αὐτῷ πρὸς μὲν δικαιοσύνην οὐδὲν ἐνδεῖ, ζωῆς δὲ ὅλως προσδεῖ· διὸ αὐτὴν αἰτεῖ παρὰ τοῦ δοῦναι μόνου δυναμένου· καὶ πρὸς μὲν τὸν νόμον ἄγει παρρησίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ δὲ τὸν υἱὸν ἱκετεύει.

### English translation (Claude)

Yet this man is fully persuaded that he lacks nothing for righteousness, but lacks life altogether; so he asks for it from the one who alone can give it. Toward the law he has confidence, but he supplicates the Son of God.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 8.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 8.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: He moves from faith in the law to faith in the Savior, as a ship leaves a dangerous harbor for a safe one.

### Greek text

»ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν« μετατάσσεται· ὡς σφαλερῶς ἐν νόμῳ σαλεύων καὶ ἐπικινδύνως ναυλοχῶν εἰς τὸν σωτῆρα μεθορμίζεται.

### English translation (Claude)

He passes “from faith to faith”; as one tossing dangerously in the law and lying at anchor in peril, he moves his anchorage to the Savior.

### Scripture references

- Rom 1:17: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Rom 1:17.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 8.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/8/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 9.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/9/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Jesus loves the man for keeping the law but says he is still imperfect with respect to eternal life.

### Greek text

Ὁ γοῦν Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἐλέγχει μὲν αὐτὸν ὡς πάντα τὰ ἐκ νόμου μὴ πεπληρωκότα, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀγαπᾷ καὶ ὑπερασπάζεται τῆς ἐν οἷς ἔμαθεν εὐπειθείας, ἀτελῆ δὲ εἶναί φησιν ὡς πρὸς τὴν αἰώνιον ζωήν, ὡς οὐ τέλεια πεπληρωκότα καὶ νόμου μὲν ἐργάτην, ἀργὸν δὲ ζωῆς ἀληθινῆς. καλὰ μὲν οὖν κἀκεῖνα (τίς δʼ οὔ φησιν;

### English translation (Claude)

At any rate, Jesus does not rebuke him as though he had not fulfilled all the things of the law; he loves him and warmly welcomes his obedience in what he had learned. But he says he is imperfect with respect to eternal life, as one who had not done perfect things, a worker of the law but idle in regard to true life. Those things too are good (who denies it?

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:21: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The parenthesis closes in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 9.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/9/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 9.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/9/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The holy law was a preliminary training; Christ is the fulfillment of the law and makes believers sons, brothers, and heirs.

### Greek text

ἡ γὰρ »ἐντολὴ ἁγία«) ἄχρι παιδαγωγίας τινὸς μετὰ φόβου καὶ προπαιδείας ἐπὶ τὴν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ νομοθεσίαν τὴν ἄκραν καὶ χάριν προχωροῦντα. πλήρωμα δὲ »νόμου Χριστὸς εἰς δικαιοσύνην παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι«, οὐχὶ δὲ δούλους ποιῶν ὡς δοῦλος, ἀλλὰ καὶ υἱοὺς καὶ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ συγκληρονόμους τοὺς ἐπιτελοῦντας τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός.

### English translation (Claude)

for “the commandment is holy”), as far as a kind of instruction with fear and preliminary training, advancing toward the supreme legislation and grace of Jesus. But “Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,” not making slaves as a slave does, but sons and brothers and joint heirs, those who do the will of the Father.

### Scripture references

- Rom 7:12: quotation, high confidence
- Gal 3:24: echo, medium confidence
- Rom 10:4: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 8:17: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 12:50: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Rom 7:12 and Rom 10:4; the allusions are Gal 3:24 (the law as tutor), Rom 8:15–17, and Matt 12:50.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 9.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/9/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: “If you wish” shows that the man was not yet perfect and that he was free to choose; the choice is man's, the gift is God's.

### Greek text

»Εἰ θέλεις τέλειος γενέσθαι.« οὐκ ἄρα πω τέλειος ἦν· οὐδὲν γὰρ τελείου τελειότερον. καὶ θείως τὸ »εἰ θέλεις« τὸ αὐτεξούσιον τῆς προσδιαλεγομένης αὐτῷ ψυχῆς ἐδήλωσεν. ἐπὶ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ γὰρ ἦν ἡ αἵρεσις ὡς ἐλευθέρῳ, ἐπὶ θεῷ δὲ ἡ δόσις ὡς κυρίῳ.

### English translation (Claude)

“If you wish to be perfect.” So he was not yet perfect, for nothing is more perfect than the perfect. And divinely the words “if you wish” showed the free will of the soul conversing with him. For the choice lay with the man, as free, but the gift with God, as Lord.

### Scripture references

- Matt 19:21: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Matt 19:21.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:165–166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God does not force salvation but gives it to those who desire and ask for it.

### Greek text

δίδωσι δὲ βουλομένοις καὶ ὑπερεσπουδακόσι καὶ δεομένοις, ἵνʼ οὕτως ἴδιον αὐτῶν ἡ σωτηρία γένηται. οὐ γὰρ ἀναγκάζει ὁ θεός, βία γὰρ ἐχθρὸν θεῷ, ἀλλὰ τοῖς ζητοῦσι πορίζει καὶ τοῖς αἰτοῦσι παρέχει καὶ τοῖς κρούουσιν ἀνοίγει.

### English translation (Claude)

He gives to those who wish, who are very earnest, and who ask, so that salvation may thus become their own. For God does not compel (force is hateful to God), but provides for those who seek, gives to those who ask, and opens to those who knock.

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:7: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 7:8: allusion, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- Diogn. 7.4 (To Diognetus): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusion is Matt 7:7–8. “Force is hateful to God” is also in Diogn. 7.4.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The one thing lacking is what Christ alone gives, beyond the law: true life.

### Greek text

εἰ θέλεις οὖν, εἰ ὄντως θέλεις καὶ μὴ ἑαυτὸν ἐξαπατᾷς, κτῆσαι τὸ ἐνδέον. »ἕν σοι λείπει«, τὸ ἕν, τὸ ἐμόν. τὸ ἀγαθόν. τὸ ἤδη ὑπὲρ νόμον. ὅπερ νόμος οὐ δίδωσιν. ὅπερ νόμος οὐ χωρεῖ, ὃ τῶν ζώντων ἴδιόν ἐστιν.

### English translation (Claude)

If you wish, then, if you truly wish and are not deceiving yourself, acquire what is lacking. “One thing you lack”: the one thing, the thing that is mine, the good, what is already beyond the law, what the law does not give, what the law does not contain, what belongs to those who live.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:21: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The man who had kept the whole law could not add the one thing Christ offered, and went away vexed.

### Greek text

ἀμέλει ὁ πάντα τὰ τοῦ νόμου πληρώσας »ἐκ νεότητος« καὶ τὰ ὑπέρογκα φρυαξάμενος τὸ ἓν τοῦτο προσθεῖναι τοῖς ὅλοις οὐ δεδύνηται. τὸ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἐξαίρετον, ἵνα λάβῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον, ἣν ποθεῖ· ἀλλὰ δυσχεράνας ἀπῆλθεν, ἀχθεσθεὶς τῷ παραγγέλματι τῆς ζωῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

Indeed, the one who had fulfilled all the things of the law “from his youth” and boasted of extraordinary things was unable to add this one thing to them all, the Savior's special gift, so as to receive the eternal life he longed for. Instead he went away displeased, vexed at the commandment of the life

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:20: allusion, high confidence
- Mark 10:22: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: He did not truly want life, but only the appearance of good will.

### Greek text

ὑπὲρ ἧς ἱκέτευεν. οὐ γὰρ ἀληθῶς ζωὴν ἤθελεν, ὡς ἔφασκεν, ἀλλὰ δόξαν προαιρέσεως ἀγαθῆς μόνην περιεβάλλετο.

### English translation (Claude)

for which he was pleading. For he did not truly want life, as he claimed, but was only clothing himself with the reputation of a good intention.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Like Martha, busy with many things, the man could not attend to the one necessary thing, which Mary chose.

### Greek text

καὶ περὶ πολλὰ μὲν οἷός τε ἦν ἀσχολεῖσθαι, τὸ δὲ ἕν, τὸ τῆς ζωῆς ἔργον, ἀδύνατος καὶ ἀπρόθυμος καὶ ἀσθενὴς ἐκτελεῖν· ὁποῖόν τι καὶ πρὸς τὴν Μάρθαν εἶπεν ὁ σωτὴρ ἀσχολουμένην περὶ πολλὰ καὶ περιελκομένην καὶ ταρασσομένην διακονικῶς, τὴν δὲ ἀδελφὴν αἰτιωμένην, ὅτι τὸ ὑπηρετεῖν ἀπολιποῦσα τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ παρακάθηται μαθητικὴν ἄγουσα σχολήν· »σὺ περὶ πολλὰ ταράσσῃ· Μαρία δὲ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο, καὶ οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται αὐτῆς.«

### English translation (Claude)

He was able to busy himself with many things, but the one thing, the work of life, he was powerless, unwilling, and too weak to accomplish. It was something like what the Savior said to Martha, who was busy with many things, distracted and troubled with serving, and who blamed her sister because she had left the serving and sat at his feet, spending her time as a disciple: “You are troubled about many things; but Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

### Scripture references

- Luke 10:40: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:41: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 10:42: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Luke 10:41–42.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 10.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ told the rich man to leave his many concerns and hold to the grace that gives eternal life.

### Greek text

οὕτως καὶ τοῦτον ἐκέλευε τῆς πολυπραγμοσύνης ἀφέμενον ἑνὶ προστετηκέναι καὶ προσκαθέζεσθαι, τῇ χάριτι τοῦ ζωὴν αἰώνιον προστιθέντος.

### English translation (Claude)

So too he told this man to let go of his busyness and cling and sit close to the one thing, the grace of him who adds eternal life.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 10.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/10/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 11.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Why did the man abandon Christ and his own hope?

### Greek text

Τί τοίνυν ἦν τὸ προτρεψάμενον αὐτὸν εἰς φυγὴν καὶ ποιῆσαν ἀπαυτομολῆσαι τοῦ διδασκάλου, τῆς ἱκετείας. τῆς ἐλπίδος, τῆς ζωῆς, τῶν προπεπονημένων;

### English translation (Claude)

What, then, was it that drove him to flight and made him desert the Teacher, his supplication, his hope, his life, his previous labors?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 11.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 11.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: “Sell your possessions” does not mean throwing money away, but banishing from the soul its attachment and anxious desire for wealth.

### Greek text

»πώλησον τὰ ὑπάρχοντά σου.« τί δὲ τοῦτό ἐστιν; οὐχ ὃ προχείρως δέχονταί τινες, τὴν ὑπάρχουσαν οὐσίαν ἀπορρῖψαι προστάσσει καὶ ἀποστῆναι τῶν χρημάτων, ἀλλὰ τὰ δόγματα τὰ περὶ χρημάτων ἐξορίσαι τῆς ψυχῆς, τὴν πρὸς αὐτὰ συμπάθειαν. τὴν ὑπεράγαν ἐπιθυμίαν, τὴν περὶ αὐτὰ πτοίαν καὶ νόσον, τὰς μερίμνας, τὰς ἀκάνθας τοῦ βίου, αἳ τὸ σπέρμα τῆς ζωῆς συμπνίγουσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

“Sell your possessions.” What is this? It is not what some hastily take it to mean, that he commands us to throw away the property we have and give up our money; but to banish from the soul its opinions about money, its attachment to it, its excessive desire, its excitement and disease over it, its anxieties, the thorns of life that choke the seed of life.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:21: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 19:21: quotation, medium confidence
- Mark 4:19: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 13:22: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The thorns are from the parable of the sower (Mark 4:19; Matt 13:22).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 11.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 11.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:166–167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Mere poverty is not a virtue; otherwise all beggars, even those ignorant of God, would be the most blessed.

### Greek text

οὔτε γὰρ μέγα καὶ ζηλωτὸν τὸ τηνάλλως ἀπορεῖν χρημάτων μὴ οὐκ ἐπὶ λόγῳ ζωῆς (οὕτω μέν γʼ ἂν ἦσαν οἱ μηδὲν ἔχοντες μηδαμῇ, ἀλλὰ ἔρημοι καὶ μεταῖται τῶν ἐφʼ ἡμέραν, οἱ κατὰ τὰς ὁδοὺς ἐρριμμένοι πτωχοί, »ἀγνοοῦντες« δὲ θεὸν καὶ »δικαιοσύνην θεοῦ«, κατʼ αὐτὸ μόνον τὸ ἄκρως ἀπορεῖν καὶ ἀμηχανεῖν βίου καὶ τῶν ἐλαχίστων σπανίζειν μακαριώτατοι καὶ θεοφιλέστατοι καὶ μόνοι ζωὴν ἔχοντες

### English translation (Claude)

For it is nothing great or enviable simply to lack money without a reason connected with life. (Otherwise those who have nothing at all, destitute and beggars for their daily bread, the poor lying along the roads, “not knowing” God and “the righteousness of God,” would be most blessed and most beloved of God and the only ones to have eternal life,

### Scripture references

- Rom 10:3: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The phrase “not knowing … the righteousness of God” is from Rom 10:3. The parenthesis closes in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 11.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 11.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Renouncing wealth is not new: pagan philosophers did it for leisure or fame.

### Greek text

αἰώνιον) οὔτε καινὸν τὸ ἀπείπασθαι πλοῦτον καὶ χαρίσασθαι πτωχοῖς ἢ πατρίσιν, ὃ πολλοὶ πρὸ τῆς τοῦ σωτῆρος καθόδου πεποιήκασιν, οἳ μὲν τῆς εἰς λόγους σχολῆς καὶ νεκρᾶς σοφίας ἕνεκεν. οἳ δὲ φήμης κενῆς καὶ κενοδοξίας, Ἀναξαγόραι καὶ Δημόκριτοι καὶ Κράτητες.

### English translation (Claude)

simply because they are utterly without resources and means of life and short of the smallest necessities.) Nor is it new to renounce wealth and give it to the poor or to one's country, which many did before the Savior's coming, some for the sake of leisure for letters and dead wisdom, others for empty fame and vainglory: men like Anaxagoras, Democritus, and Crates.

### Translation notes

- The Greek text of this section's first words belongs to the sentence begun in 11.3; the order of clauses is adjusted in English. Anaxagoras, Democritus, and Crates were Greek philosophers remembered for giving up their property.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 11.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/11/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 12.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: What Christ commands that is new is not giving up property, which others did, but stripping the soul of its passions and uprooting what is alien to it.

### Greek text

Τί οὖν ὡς καινὸν καὶ ἴδιον θεοῦ παραγγέλλει καὶ μόνον ζωοποιοῦν, ὃ τοὺς προτέρους οὐκ ἔσωσεν; εἰ δὲ ἐξαίρετόν τι ἡ »καινὴ κτίσις«, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, μηνύει καὶ διδάσκει, οὐ τὸ φαινόμενον, ὅπερ ἄλλοι πεποιήκασι, παρεγγυᾷ, ἀλλʼ ἕτερόν τι διὰ τούτου σημαινόμενον μεῖζον καὶ θειότερον καὶ τελεώτερον, τὸ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτὴν καὶ τὴν διάθεσιν γυμνῶσαι τῶν ὑπόντων παθῶν καὶ πρόρριζα τὰ ἀλλότρια τῆς γνώμης ἐκτεμεῖν καὶ ἐκβαλεῖν. τοῦτο γὰρ ἴδιον μὲν τοῦ πιστοῦ τὸ μάθημα.

### English translation (Claude)

Why, then, does he command as new, proper to God, and alone life-giving what did not save those before? If “the new creation,” the Son of God, reveals and teaches something special, he does not enjoin the visible act, which others have done, but something else signified by it, greater, more divine, and more perfect: to strip the soul itself and its disposition of the passions that lie hidden in it, and to cut out by the roots and cast away what is alien to the mind. This is the lesson proper to the believer,

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 5:17: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “New creation” is from 2 Cor 5:17 (Gal 6:15), here used of Christ himself.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 12.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 12.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The philosophers who gave up wealth often grew proud and vain, so their souls were worse, not better.

### Greek text

ἄξιον δὲ τοῦ σωτῆρος τὸ δίδαγμα. οἱ γάρ τοι πρότεροι, καταφρονήσαντες τῶν ἐκτός, τὰ μὲν κτήματα ἀφῆκαν καὶ παραπώλεσαν, τὰ δὲ πάθη τῶν ψυχῶν οἶμαι ὅτι καὶ προσεπέτειναν· ἐν ὑπεροψίᾳ γὰρ ἐγένοντο καὶ ἀλαζονείᾳ καὶ κενοδοξίᾳ καὶ περιφρονήσει τῶν ἄλλων ἀνθρώπων ὡς αὐτοί τι ὑπὲρ ἄνθρωπον ἐργασάμενοι.

### English translation (Claude)

and the teaching worthy of the Savior. For those before, who despised external things, let go and got rid of their possessions, but I think they even increased the passions of their souls; for they fell into arrogance, boastfulness, vainglory, and contempt for other people, as though they themselves had done something beyond human.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 12.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 12.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ would not command what harms the life he promises.

### Greek text

πῶς ἂν οὖν ὁ σωτὴρ παρῄνει τοῖς εἰς ἀεὶ βιωσομένοις τὰ βλάψοντα καὶ λυμανούμενα πρὸς τὴν ζωήν, ἣν ἐπαγγέλλεται;

### English translation (Claude)

How then would the Savior recommend to those who are to live forever things that would harm and damage them with regard to the life he promises?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 12.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 12.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Someone can give up wealth and still crave it, suffering both its loss and regret.

### Greek text

καὶ γὰρ αὖ κἀκεῖνό ἐστι· δύναταί τις ἀποφορτισάμενος τὴν κτῆσιν οὐδὲν ἧττον ἔτι τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν καὶ τὴν ὄρεξιν τῶν χρημάτων ἔχειν ἐντετηκυῖαν καὶ συζῶσαν καὶ τὴν μὲν χρῆσιν ἀποβεβληκέναι, ἀπορῶν δὲ ἅμα καὶ ποθῶν ἅπερ ἐσπάθησε διπλῇ λυπεῖσθαι, καὶ τῇ τῆς ὑπηρεσίας ἀπουσίᾳ καὶ τῇ

### English translation (Claude)

And there is this too: one can unload one's property and still have the desire and craving for money no less, rooted and living in one; one can have lost the use of it, yet, being in want and longing for what one squandered, be doubly grieved, both by the absence of its service and by

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 12.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 12.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: One who lacks necessities is inevitably distracted from higher things by the struggle to obtain them.

### Greek text

τῆς μετανοίας συνουσίᾳ. ἀνέφικτον γὰρ καὶ ἀμήχανον δεόμενον τῶν πρὸς τὸ βιοτεύειν ἀναγκαίων μὴ οὐ κατακλᾶσθαι τὴν γνώμην καὶ ἀσχολίαν ἄγειν ἀπὸ τῶν κρειττόνων, ὁπωσοῦν καὶ ὁθενοῦν ταῦτα πειρώμενον ἐκπορίζειν.

### English translation (Claude)

the company of regret. For it is unattainable and impossible for one who lacks the necessities of life not to be broken in mind and distracted from better things, trying to procure them by any means and from any source.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 12.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/12/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:167–168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: It is better to have enough and to help others; if no one had anything, no one could share.

### Greek text

Καὶ πόσῳ χρησιμώτερον τὸ ἐναντίον, ἱκανὰ κεκτημένον αὐτόν τε περὶ τὴν κτῆσιν μὴ κακοπαθεῖν καὶ οἷς καθῆκεν ἐπικουρεῖν; τίς γὰρ ἂν κοινωνία καταλείποιτο παρὰ ἀνθρώποις, εἰ μηδεὶς ἔχοι μηδέν;

### English translation (Claude)

And how much more useful is the opposite: that one who possesses enough should not himself suffer want in the matter of possessions, and should help those whom it is fitting to help? For what sharing would be left among people if no one had anything?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Complete renunciation would contradict the Lord's other commands.

### Greek text

πῶς δʼ ἂν τοῦτο τὸ δόγμα πολλοῖς ἄλλοις καὶ καλοῖς τοῦ κυρίου δόγμασιν οὐχὶ φανερῶς ἐναντιούμενον εὑρίσκοιτο καὶ μαχόμενον;

### English translation (Claude)

How would this doctrine not be found plainly contradicting and fighting against many other fine doctrines of the Lord?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Lord commands us to make friends with wealth and store up treasure in heaven.

### Greek text

»ποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς φίλους ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας, ἵνʼ ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ, δέξωνται ὑμᾶς εἰς τὰς αἰωνίους σκηνάς.« »κτήσασθε θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου μήτε σὴς μήτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει μήτε κλέπται διορύσσουσι.«

### English translation (Claude)

“Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, nor thieves break in.”

### Scripture references

- Luke 16:9: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 6:20: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Luke 16:9 and Matt 6:20.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: No one could feed the hungry or clothe the naked, as Christ commands on pain of judgment, if he had nothing himself.

### Greek text

πῶς ἄν τις πεινῶντα τρέφοι καὶ διψῶντα ποτίζοι καὶ γυμνὸν σκεπάζοι καὶ ἄστεγον συνάγοι, ἃ τοῖς μὴ ποιήσασιν ἀπειλεῖ πῦρ καὶ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον, εἰ πάντων αὐτὸς ἕκαστος φθάνοι τούτων ὑστερῶν;

### English translation (Claude)

How could anyone feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and take in the homeless, for failing to do which he threatens fire and the outer darkness, if each person were already lacking all these things himself?

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:35: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 25:36: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 25:41: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 25:30: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are Matt 25:35–36, 41–43, and Matt 25:30 (“outer darkness”).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ stayed with rich tax collectors like Zacchaeus and Levi without telling them to give up their money, but only to use it justly.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ μὴν αὐτός τε ἐπιξενοῦται Ζακχαίῳ καὶ Λευεὶ καὶ Ματθαίῳ τοῖς πλουσίοις καὶ τελώναις, καὶ τὰ μὲν χρήματα αὐτοὺς οὐ κελεύει μεθεῖναι, τὴν δὲ δικαίαν χρῆσιν ἐπιθεὶς καὶ τὴν ἄδικον ἀφελὼν καταγγέλλει·

### English translation (Claude)

But in fact he himself is a guest of Zacchaeus and of Levi and Matthew, rich men and tax collectors, and he does not command them to give up their money; rather, imposing its just use and removing the unjust, he announces:

### Scripture references

- Luke 19:5: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 5:29: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 9:10: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Clement treats Levi and Matthew as two people here.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ declares salvation to Zacchaeus's house and commands the rich to share with the needy.

### Greek text

»σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ.« οὕτω τὴν χρείαν αὐτῶν ἐπαινεῖ, ὥστε καὶ μετὰ τῆς προσθήκης ταύτης τὴν κοινωνίαν ἐπιτάσσει, ποτίζειν τὸν διψῶντα, ἄρτον διδόναι τῷ πεινῶντι, ὑποδέχεσθαι τὸν ἄστεγον, ἀμφιεννύναι τὸν γυμνόν.

### English translation (Claude)

“Today salvation has come to this house.” He so praises their use of it that with this addition he also enjoins sharing: to give drink to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, to receive the homeless, to clothe the naked.

### Scripture references

- Luke 19:9: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:35: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Luke 19:9. The Greek has χρείαν (“need”), probably a slip for χρῆσιν (“use”); the translation follows the sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 13.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If Christ commanded both giving to the needy and giving up all money, he would contradict himself; wealth that benefits others should not be discarded.

### Greek text

εἰ δὲ τὰς χρείας οὐχ οἷόν τε ἐκπληροῦν ταύτας μὴ ἀπὸ χρημάτων, τῶν δὲ χρημάτων ἀφίστασθαι κελεύει, τί ἂν ἕτερον εἴη ποιῶν ὁ κύριος ἢ τὰ αὐτὰ διδόναι τε καὶ μὴ διδόναι παραινῶν, τρέφειν καὶ μὴ τρέφειν, ὑποδέχεσθαι καὶ ἀποκλείειν, κοινωνεῖν καὶ μὴ κοινωνεῖν, ὅπερ ἁπάντων ἀλογώτατον. Οὐκ ἄρα ἀπορριπτέον τὰ καὶ τοὺς πέλας ὠφελοῦντα χρήματα·

### English translation (Claude)

But if these needs cannot be met except from money, and he commands us to give up money, what else would the Lord be doing but advising us both to give and not to give the same things, to feed and not to feed, to receive and to shut out, to share and not to share, which is the most absurd of all? So money that benefits one's neighbors too is not to be thrown away;

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 13.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/13/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 14.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Possessions and money are prepared by God as material and tools for good use.

### Greek text

κτήματα γάρ ἐστι κτητὰ ὄντα καὶ χρήματα χρήσιμα ὄντα καὶ εἰς χρῆσιν ἀνθρώπων ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ παρεσκευασμένα, ἃ δὴ παράκειται καὶ ὑποβέβληται καθάπερ ὕλη τις καὶ ὄργανα πρὸς χρῆσιν ἀγαθὴν τοῖς εἰδόσι.

### English translation (Claude)

for they are possessions because they are possessed, and goods because they are useful and prepared by God for the use of human beings. They lie at hand and are placed under us like material and instruments for good use by those who know how.

### Translation notes

- Clement plays on κτήματα / κτητά (“possessions” / “possessable”) and χρήματα / χρήσιμα (“goods” / “useful”).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 14.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 14.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: An instrument is only as good as the skill of the one who uses it.

### Greek text

τὸ ὄργανον, ἐὰν χρῇ τεχνικῶς, τεχνικόν ἐστιν, ἐὰν ὑστερῇς τῆς τέχνης, ἀπολαύει τῆς σῆς ἀμουσίας, ὂν ἀναίτιον.

### English translation (Claude)

If you use an instrument skillfully, it is skillful; if you fall short in skill, it shares in your lack of art, though it is not to blame.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 14.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 14.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Wealth is an instrument.

### Greek text

τοιοῦτον καὶ ὁ πλοῦτος ὄργανόν ἐστι.

### English translation (Claude)

Wealth too is such an instrument.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 14.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 14.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:168–169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Wealth serves either justice or injustice; the blame lies not with it but with the human mind that chooses how to use it.

### Greek text

δύνασαι χρῆσθαι δικαίως αὐτῷ· πρὸς δικαιοσύνην καθυπηρετεῖ· ἀδίκως τις αὐτῷ χρῆται· πάλιν ὑπηρέτης ἀδικίας εὑρίσκεται· πέφυκε γὰρ ὑπηρετεῖν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἄρχειν. οὐ χρὴ τοίνυν τὸ ἐξ ἑαυτοῦ μὴ ἔχον μήτε τὸ ἀγαθὸν μήτε τὸ κακόν. ἀναίτιον ὄν, αἰτιᾶσθαι, ἀλλὰ τὸ δυνάμενον καὶ καλῶς τούτοις χρῆσθαι καὶ κακῶς, ἀφʼ ὧν ἂν ἕληται, κατʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτο αἴτιον ὄν. τοῦτο δʼ ἐστὶ νοῦς ἀνθρώπου.

### English translation (Claude)

You can use it justly: it serves righteousness. Someone uses it unjustly: again it is found a servant of injustice. For its nature is to serve, not to rule. We must not, then, blame what has in itself neither good nor evil and is not responsible, but what is able to use these things both well and badly, according to what it chooses, and is responsible for that very reason. And this is the human mind,

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 14.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 14.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The mind has free will; one should destroy not one's possessions but the passions that prevent their good use.

### Greek text

καὶ κριτήριον ἐλεύθερον ἔχων ἐν ἑαυτῷ καὶ τὸ αὐτεξούσιον τῆς μεταχειρίσεως τῶν δοθέντων· ὥστε μὴ τὰ κτήματά τις ἀφανιζέτω μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ πάθη τῆς ψυχῆς, τὰ μὴ συγχωροῦντα τὴν ἀμείνω χρῆσιν τῶν ὑπαρχόντων.

### English translation (Claude)

which has in itself free judgment and free will in handling what has been given it. So let no one destroy his possessions, but rather the passions of the soul, which do not allow the better use of what one has,

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 14.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 14.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The command to sell all one's possessions refers to the passions of the soul.

### Greek text

ἵνα καλὸς καὶ ἀγαθὸς γενόμενος καὶ τούτοις τοῖς κτήμασι χρῆσθαι δυνηθῇ καλῶς. τὸ οὖν ἀποτάξασθαι πᾶσι τοῖς ὑπάρχουσι καὶ πωλῆσαι πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα τοῦτον τὸν τρόπον ἐκδεκτέον ὡς ἐπὶ τῶν ψυχικῶν παθῶν διειρημένον.

### English translation (Claude)

so that, having become noble and good, he may be able to use these possessions nobly too. To renounce all one's possessions, then, and sell all that one has, must be understood in this way, as spoken of the passions of the soul.

### Scripture references

- Luke 14:33: allusion, high confidence
- Mark 10:21: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 14.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/14/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 15.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Since outward things are good or bad according to the soul's use, Christ's command must refer to the inner passions, not to outward goods.

### Greek text

Ἐγὼ γοῦν κἀκεῖνο φήσαιμʼ ἄν· ἐπειδὴ τὰ μὲν ἐντός ἐστι τῆς ψυχῆς, τὰ δὲ ἐκτός, κἂν μὲν ἡ ψυχὴ χρῆται καλῶς. καλὰ καὶ ταῦτα δοκεῖ, ἐὰν δὲ πονηρῶς. πονηρά, ὁ κελεύων ἀπαλλοτριοῦν τὰ ὑπάρχοντα π[ρ]ότερον ταῦτα παραιτεῖται ὧν ἀναιρεθέντων ἔτι τὰ πάθη μένει, ἢ ἐκεῖνα μᾶλλον ὧν ἀναιρεθέντων καὶ τὰ κτήματα χρήσιμα γίνεται;

### English translation (Claude)

I would say this too: since some things are within the soul and others outside it, and the latter also seem good if the soul uses them well and evil if it uses them badly, does the one who commands us to give away our possessions reject the things whose removal still leaves the passions remaining, or rather those whose removal makes possessions too useful?

### Translation notes

- The square brackets in the Greek mark a letter the editor deletes.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 15.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 15.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: One who gives up wealth can still be rich in passions, which continue to choke the reason.

### Greek text

ὁ τοίνυν ἀποβαλὼν τὴν κοσμικὴν περιουσίαν ἔτι δύναται πλουτεῖν τῶν παθῶν καὶ τῆς ὕλης μὴ παρούσης· ἡ γάρ τοι διάθεσις τὸ αὑτῆς ἐνεργεῖ καὶ τὸν λογισμὸν ἄγχει καὶ πιέζει καὶ φλεγμαίνει ταῖς συντρόφοις ἐπιθυμίαις· οὐδὲν οὖν προὔργου γέγονεν αὐτῷ πτωχεύειν χρημάτων πλουτοῦντι τῶν παθῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

The one who has thrown away his worldly wealth can still be rich in passions, even when their material is absent; for the disposition does its own work, and chokes and oppresses the reason and inflames it with the desires bred with it. So it has done him no good to be poor in money while rich in passions.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 15.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 15.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Such a person discards what is indifferent and keeps the real source of vice, which poverty inflames.

### Greek text

οὐ γὰρ τὰ ἀπόβλητα ἀπέβαλεν, ἀλλὰ τὰ ἀδιάφορα, καὶ τῶν μὲν ὑπηρετικῶν ἑαυτὸν περιέκοψεν, ἐξέκαυσε δὲ τὴν ὕλην τῆς κακίας τὴν ἔμφυτον τῇ τῶν ἐκτὸς ἀπορίᾳ.

### English translation (Claude)

For he has not thrown away what should be thrown away, but what is indifferent; he has cut himself off from what serves him, but set on fire the innate material of vice by the lack of external things.

### Translation notes

- “Indifferent” (ἀδιάφορα) is the Stoic term for things neither good nor evil in themselves.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 15.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 15.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Only harmful possessions must be renounced, not those that can be used well.

### Greek text

ἀποτακτέον οὖν τοῖς ὑπάρχουσι τοῖς βλαβεροῖς. οὐχὶ τοῖς ἐὰν ἐπίστηταί τις τὴν ὀρθὴν χρῆσιν καὶ συνωφελεῖν δυναμένοις.

### English translation (Claude)

We must renounce, then, those possessions that are harmful, not those that can also help, if one knows how to use them rightly.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 15.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 15.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Wealth managed wisely and piously benefits; external things themselves do no harm.

### Greek text

ὠφελεῖ δὲ τὰ μετὰ φρονήσεως καὶ σωφροσύνης καὶ εὐσεβείας οἰκονομούμενα, ἀπωστέα δὲ τὰ ἐπιζήμια· τὰ δὲ ἐκτὸς οὐ βλάπτει.

### English translation (Claude)

What is managed with prudence, self-control, and godliness is beneficial; what is harmful must be thrust away; external things do not harm.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 15.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 15.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ allows external goods and commands us to put away what misuses them.

### Greek text

Οὕτως οὖν ὁ κύριος καὶ τὴν τῶν ἐκτὸς χρείαν εἰσάγει. κελεύων ἀποθέσθαι οὐ τὰ βιωτικά, ἀλλὰ τὰ τούτοις κακῶς χρώμενα· ταῦτα

### English translation (Claude)

So the Lord also admits the use of external things, commanding us to put away not the means of living but the things that use them badly; and these

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 15.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/15/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 16.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/16/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The passions are the deadly wealth; the soul stripped of them can hear Christ's call to follow him.

### Greek text

δὲ ἦν τὰ τῆς ψυχῆς ἀρρωστήματα καὶ πάθη. ὁ τούτων πλοῦτος παρὼν μὲν ἅπασι θανατηφόρος, ἀπολόμενος δὲ σωτήριος· οὗ δεῖ καθαρεύουσαν. τουτέστι πτωχεύουσαν καὶ γυμνήν. τὴν ψυχὴν παρασχόμενον οὕτως ἤδη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἀκοῦσαι λέγοντος· »δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι.«

### English translation (Claude)

were the infirmities and passions of the soul. The wealth of these, when present, brings death to all; when destroyed, it brings salvation. Of this one must render the soul pure, that is, poor and naked, and so then hear the Savior saying, “Come, follow me.”

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:21: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 16.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/16/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 16.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/16/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:169–170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ is the way for the pure in heart; God's grace does not enter a soul full of worldly desires.

### Greek text

ὁδὸς γὰρ αὐτὸς ἤδη τῷ καθαρῷ τὴν καρδίαν γίνεται, εἰς δὲ ἀκάθαρτον ψυχὴν θεοῦ χάρις οὐ παραδύεται· ἀκάθαρτος δὲ ἡ πλουτοῦσα τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν καὶ ὠδίνουσα πολλοῖς ἔρωσι καὶ κοσμικοῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

For he himself becomes the way for the pure in heart; but the grace of God does not slip into an impure soul, and impure is the soul that is rich in desires and in labor with many worldly loves.

### Scripture references

- John 14:6: echo, high confidence
- Matt 5:8: echo, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 16.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/16/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 16.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/16/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich man who holds his wealth as God's gift for the sake of others, is not its slave, and could lose it calmly, is the “poor in spirit” whom Christ blesses.

### Greek text

ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα καὶ χρυσὸν καὶ ἄργυρον καὶ οἰκίας ὡς θεοῦ δωρεὰς [καὶ] τῷ τε διδόντι θεῷ λειτουργῶν ἀπʼ αὐτῶν εἰς ἀνθρώπων σωτηρίαν καὶ εἰδὼς ὅτι ταῦτα κέκτηται διὰ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς μᾶλλον ἢ ἑαυτὸν καὶ κρείττων ὑπάρχων τῆς κτήσεως αὐτῶν, μὴ δοῦλος ὢν ὧν κέκτηται μηδὲ ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ ταῦτα περιφέρων μηδὲ ἐν τούτοις ὁρίζων καὶ περιγράφων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ζωήν, ἀλλά τι καὶ καλὸν ἔργον καὶ θεῖον ἀεὶ διαπονῶν, κἂν ἀποστερηθῆναι δέῃ ποτὲ τούτων, δυνάμενος ἵλεῳ τῇ γνώμῃ καὶ τὴν ἀπαλλαγὴν αὐτῶν ἐνεγκεῖν ἐξ ἴσου καθάπερ καὶ τὴν περιουσίαν, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μακαριζόμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ πτωχὸς τῷ πνεύματι καλούμενος, κληρονόμος ἕτοιμος οὐρανοῦ βασιλείας, οὐ πλούσιος ζῆσαι μὴ δυνάμενος·

### English translation (Claude)

The one who holds possessions, gold and silver and houses, as gifts of God, and serves God who gave them by using them for the salvation of others; who knows that he possesses them for the sake of the brethren rather than for himself; who is superior to their possession, not a slave to what he possesses, nor carrying them about in his soul, nor defining and limiting his life by them, but always laboring at some fine and divine work; and who, if he must ever be deprived of them, is able to bear their loss with a cheerful mind as calmly as their abundance: this is the one who is blessed by the Lord and called poor in spirit, a ready heir of the kingdom of heaven, not one who is unable to live as a rich man.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:3: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusion is Matt 5:3. The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 16.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/16/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 17.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The one who carries wealth in his heart instead of God's Spirit, always wanting more, cannot desire the kingdom; where one's mind is, there is one's treasure.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ τὸν πλοῦτον φέρων καὶ ἀντὶ θεοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ χρυσὸν φέρων ἢ ἀγρὸν καὶ τὴν κτῆσιν ἄμετρον ἀεὶ ποιῶν καὶ ἑκάστοτε τὸ πλεῖον βλέπων, κάτω νενευκὼς καὶ τοῖς τοῦ κόσμου θηράτροις πεπεδημένος, γῆ ὢν καὶ εἰς γῆν ἀπελευσόμενος, πόθεν δύναται βασιλείας οὐρανῶν ἐπιθυμῆσαι καὶ φροντίσαι. ἄνθρωπος οὐ καρδίαν, ἀλλὰ ἀγρὸν ἢ μέταλλον φορῶν, ἐν τούτοις εὑρεθησόμενος ἐπάναγκες [ἐν] οἷς εἵλετο; »ὅπου γὰρ ὁ νοῦς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἐκεῖ καὶ ὁ θησαυρὸς αὐτοῦ.«

### English translation (Claude)

But the one who carries his wealth in his soul, and in his heart, instead of the Spirit of God, carries gold or land, always making his property boundless and forever looking for more, bent downward and fettered by the snares of the world, being earth and destined to go to earth: how can he desire and care for the kingdom of heaven, a man who wears not a heart but a field or a mine, and who must of necessity be found in the things he has chosen? “For where the mind of man is, there is his treasure also.”

### Scripture references

- Gen 3:19: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 6:21: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 12:34: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is a form of Matt 6:21 (Luke 12:34), with “mind” for “heart” and the order reversed; “earth … to earth” is Gen 3:19. The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 17.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 17.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ speaks of a good and an evil treasure in the heart.

### Greek text

Θησαυροὺς δέ γε ὁ κύριος οἶδε διττούς, τὸν μὲν ἀγαθόν, »ὁ« γὰρ »ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ τῆς καρδίας προφέρει τὸ ἀγαθόν«, τὸν δὲ πονηρόν. »ὁ« γὰρ »κακὸς ἐκ τοῦ κακοῦ θησαυροῦ προφέρει τὸ κακόν, ὅτι ἐκ περισσεύματος τῆς καρδίας τὸ στόμα λαλεῖ.«

### English translation (Claude)

The Lord knows two kinds of treasure: the good, for “the good man brings out good from the good treasure of his heart”; and the evil, for “the evil man brings out evil from the evil treasure, because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

### Scripture references

- Luke 6:45: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 12:35: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Luke 6:45 (Matt 12:35).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 17.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 17.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: As there are different kinds of treasure among us,

### Greek text

ὥσπερ οὖν θησαυρὸς οὐχ εἷς παρʼ αὐτῷ καθὸ καὶ παρʼ ἡμῖν, ὁ τὸ αἰφνίδιον μέγα κέρδος ἐν εὑρήσει διδούς.

### English translation (Claude)

As, then, treasure is not one thing with him, as with us too, there being the treasure that gives sudden great gain when it is found,

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 17.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 17.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: So there is a good and a bad wealth, one to be gained and one to be discarded; and poverty is blessed when it is spiritual.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ καὶ δεύτερος, ὁ ἀκερδὴς καὶ ἄζηλος καὶ δύσκτητος καὶ ἐπιζήμιος, οὕτως καὶ πλοῦτος ὃ μέν τις ἀγαθῶν, ὃ δὲ κακῶν, εἴ γε τὸν πλοῦτον καὶ τὸν θησαυρὸν οὐκ ἀπηρτημένους ἴσμεν ἀλλήλων τῇ φύσει. καὶ ὁ μέν τις πλοῦτος κτητὸς ἂν εἴη καὶ περίβλητος, ὃ δὲ ἄκτητος καὶ ἀπόβλητος· τὸν αὐτὸν δὲ τρόπον καὶ πτωχεία μακαριστὴ μὲν ἡ πνευματική.

### English translation (Claude)

and also a second kind, profitless, unenviable, hard to get, and harmful, so too there is a wealth of good things and a wealth of evil things, since we know that wealth and treasure are not separated from each other by nature. The one wealth is to be acquired and embraced, the other not acquired but thrown away. In the same way, poverty too is blessed when it is spiritual.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 17.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 17.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:170–171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Matthew specifies “poor in spirit” and hunger for righteousness; those poor in the other sense, without God, are wretched.

### Greek text

διὸ καὶ προσέθηκεν ὁ Ματθαῖος· »μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοί·« πῶς; »τῷ πνεύματι.« καὶ πάλιν· »μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην τοῦ θεοῦ·« οὐκοῦν ἄθλιοι οἱ ἐναντίοι πτωχοί, θεοῦ μὲν ἄμοιροι, ἀμοιρότεροι δὲ τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης κτήσεως, ἄγευστοι δὲ δικαιοσύνης θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

That is why Matthew added: “Blessed are the poor.” How? “In spirit.” And again: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God.” So wretched are the opposite kind of poor, who have no share in God, and still less in human possessions, and have not tasted the righteousness of God.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:3: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 5:6: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Matt 5:3 and 5:6 (with “of God” added).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 17.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/17/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Salvation depends not on external wealth but on the soul's virtues: faith, hope, love, knowledge, gentleness, humility, and truth.

### Greek text

Ὥστε τοὺς πλουσίους μαθηματικῶς ἀκουστέον, τοὺς δυσκόλως εἰσελευσομένους εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν, μὴ σκαιῶς μηδὲ ἀγροίκως μηδὲ σαρκίνως· οὐ γὰρ οὕτως λέλεκται. οὐδὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς ἐκτὸς ἡ σωτηρία. οὔτε εἰ πολλὰ οὔτε εἰ ὀλίγα ταῦτα ἢ μικρὰ ἢ μεγάλα ἢ ἔνδοξα ἢ ἄδοξα ἢ εὐδόκιμα ἢ ἀδόκιμα, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ τῇ τῆς ψυχῆς ἀρετῇ. πίστει καὶ ἐλπίδι καὶ ἀγάπῃ καὶ φιλαδελφίᾳ καὶ γνώσει καὶ πραότητι καὶ ἀτυφίᾳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ, ὧν ἆθλον ἡ σωτηρία.

### English translation (Claude)

So the rich who will enter the kingdom with difficulty must be understood in a learned way, as disciples should, not clumsily, rustically, or in a fleshly way; for it is not said in that way. Salvation does not depend on external things, whether they are many or few, small or great, glorious or inglorious, esteemed or unesteemed, but on the virtue of the soul: faith, hope, love, brotherly love, knowledge, gentleness, humility, and truth, of which salvation is the prize.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:23: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:13: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Bodily beauty does not save or condemn; using the body purely saves, and destroying God's temple destroys.

### Greek text

οὐδὲ γὰρ διὰ κάλλος σώματος ζήσεταί τις ἢ τοὐναντίον ἀπολεῖται· ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν τῷ δοθέντι σώματι ἁγνῶς καὶ κατὰ θεὸν χρώμενος ζήσεται. ὁ δὲ φθείρων τὸν ναὸν θεοῦ φθαρήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

No one will live because of bodily beauty, nor perish for the opposite; but the one who uses the body given him purely and according to God will live, and the one who destroys the temple of God will be destroyed.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 3:17: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is 1 Cor 3:17.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Neither beauty nor strength decides one's fate; the soul that uses the body is responsible.

### Greek text

δύναται δέ τις καὶ αἰσχρὸς ἀσελγαίνειν καὶ κατὰ κάλλος σωφρονεῖν· οὐδὲ ἰσχὺς καὶ μέγεθος σώματος ζωοποιεῖ οὐδὲ τῶν μελῶν οὐδενία ἀπολλύει. ἀλλʼ ἡ τούτοις ψυχὴ χρωμένη τὴν αἰτίαν ἐφʼ ἑκάτερα παρέχεται.

### English translation (Claude)

An ugly man can be licentious, and a beautiful one self-controlled. Neither strength and size of body give life, nor does the insignificance of the limbs destroy; but the soul that uses them provides the cause in either direction.

### Translation notes

- The Greek word translated “insignificance” (οὐδενία) is uncertain in the digital text.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A strong man can obey the command to turn the other cheek, and a weak man can break it.

### Greek text

ὑπόφερε γοῦν. φησί. παιόμενος τὸ πρόσωπον. ὅπερ δύναται καὶ ἰσχυρός τις ὢν καὶ εὐεκτῶν ὑπακοῦσαι καὶ πάλιν ἀσθενικός τις ὢν ἀκρασίᾳ γνώμης παραβῆναι.

### English translation (Claude)

“Endure,” he says, “when struck on the face,” which a strong and healthy man can obey, and again a weak man can transgress through lack of self-control.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:39: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 6:29: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusion is Matt 5:39 (Luke 6:29).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The poor can be drunk with desires, and the rich can be sober and pure.

### Greek text

οὕτως καὶ ἄπορός τις ὢν καὶ ἄβιος εὑρεθείη ποτʼ ἂν μεθύων ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις. καὶ χρήμασι πλούσιος νήφων καὶ πτωχεύων ἡδονῶν. πεπεισμένος. συνετός, καθαρός, κεκολασμένος.

### English translation (Claude)

So too one who is without resources and livelihood might sometimes be found drunk with desires, and one rich in money sober, poor in pleasures, obedient, prudent, pure, disciplined.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Since the soul lives by virtue and dies by vice, it is saved when poor in the passions wealth brings and killed when rich in them.

### Greek text

εἰ τοίνυν ἐστὶ τὸ ζησόμενον μάλιστα καὶ πρῶτον ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ περὶ ταύτην ἀρετὴ μὲν φυομένη σῴζει, κακία δὲ θανατοῖ, δῆλον ἤδη σαφῶς ὅτι αὕτη καὶ πτωχεύουσα ὧν ἄν τις ὑπὸ πλούτου διαφθείρηται σῴζεται, καὶ πλουτοῦσα τούτων ὧν ἐπιτρίβει πλοῦτος θανατοῦται·

### English translation (Claude)

If, then, it is above all and first the soul that is to live, and virtue growing in it saves while vice kills, it is now clear that the soul is saved when it is poor in the things by which one is corrupted through wealth, and is killed when it is rich in the things that wealth ruins.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 18.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Our final destiny depends on the soul's disposition: obedience and purity, or transgression and vice.

### Greek text

καὶ μηκέτι ζητῶμεν ἀλλαχοῦ τὴν αἰτίαν τοῦ τέλους πλὴν ἐν τῇ τῆς ψυχῆς καταστάσει καὶ διαθέσει πρός τε ὑπακοὴν θεοῦ καὶ καθαρότητα πρός τε παράβασιν ἐντολῶν καὶ κακίας συλλογήν.

### English translation (Claude)

And let us no longer seek the cause of our end anywhere else than in the state and disposition of the soul, toward obedience to God and purity, or toward transgression of the commandments and the accumulation of vice.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 18.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/18/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 19.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: True wealth is wealth of virtues; counterfeit wealth is outward possession, which passes away.

### Greek text

Ὁ μὲν ἄρα ἀληθῶς καὶ καλῶς πλούσιός ἐστιν ὁ τῶν ἀρετῶν πλούσιος καὶ πάσῃ τύχῃ χρῆσθαι ὁσίως καὶ πιστῶς δυνάμενος, ὁ δὲ νόθος πλούσιος ὁ κατὰ σάρκα πλουτῶν καὶ τὴν ζωὴν εἰς τὴν ἔξω κτῆσιν μετενηνοχὼς τὴν παρερχομένην καὶ φθειρομένην καὶ ἄλλοτε ἄλλου γινομένην καὶ ἐν τῷ τέλει μηδενὸς μηδαμῇ.

### English translation (Claude)

The one who is truly and nobly rich, then, is the one rich in virtues and able to use every fortune in a holy and faithful way; the counterfeit rich man is the one rich according to the flesh, who has transferred his life to external possession, which passes away and perishes, belongs now to one and now to another, and in the end to no one at all.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 19.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 19.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:171–172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: There is a genuine poverty, of spirit, and a counterfeit one, of worldly goods.

### Greek text

πάλιν αὖ κατὰ τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ γνήσιος πτωχὸς καὶ νόθος ἄλλος πτωχὸς καὶ ψευδώνυμος. ὃ μὲν κατὰ πνεῦμα πτωχός. τὸ ἴδιον, ὃ δὲ κατὰ κόσμον. τὸ ἀλλότριον.

### English translation (Claude)

Again, in the same way, there is a genuine poor man and another, counterfeit and falsely named: the one poor in spirit, which is what matters, the other poor in the world's goods, which is foreign to him.

### Translation notes

- “Which is what matters” and “which is foreign” render τὸ ἴδιον and τὸ ἀλλότριον: what belongs to a person and what is external to him.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 19.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 19.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ, rich toward God, tells the one rich in passions to give up the alien possessions of the soul, so as to become pure in heart and see God.

### Greek text

τῷ δὴ κατὰ κόσμον οὐ πτωχῷ καὶ πλουσίῳ κατὰ τὰ πάθη ὁ κατὰ πνεῦμα οὐ πτωχὸς καὶ κατὰ θεὸν πλούσιος ›ἀπόστηθι‹ φησί ›τῶν ὑπαρχόντων ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου κτημάτων ἀλλοτρίων. ἵνα καθαρὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ γενόμενος ἴδῃς τὸν θεόν, ὅπερ καὶ διʼ ἑτέρας φωνῆς ἐστιν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

To the one who is not poor in the world's goods but rich in passions, the one who is poor in spirit and rich toward God says: ‘Withdraw from the alien possessions that are in your soul, so that, becoming pure in heart, you may see God, which in other words is to enter the kingdom of heaven.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:8: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The Greek as printed reads “the one who is not poor in spirit”; the negative is probably a scribal intrusion, and the translation omits it. The speaker, the Christian who is poor in spirit, voices Christ's command in words that run to the end of 19.6. The allusion is Matt 5:8.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 19.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 19.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: “Selling” them does not mean exchanging one kind of wealth for another.

### Greek text

καὶ πῶς αὐτῶν ἀποστῇς; πωλήσας. τί οὖν; χρήματα ἀντὶ κτημάτων λάβῃς; ἀντίδοσιν πλούτου πρὸς πλοῦτον ποιησάμενος.

### English translation (Claude)

And how will you withdraw from them? By selling them. What then? Will you take money instead of possessions, making an exchange of wealth for wealth,

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 19.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 19.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: In place of the passions one must bring in the divine wealth of dispositions that follow God's commandments.

### Greek text

ἐξαργυρίσας τὴν φανερὰν οὐσίαν; οὐδαμῶς· ἀλλὰ ἀντὶ τῶν πρότερον ἐνυπαρχόντων τῇ ψυχῇ, ἣν σῶσαι ποθεῖς, ἀντεισαγόμενος ἕτερον πλοῦτον θεοποιὸν καὶ ζωῆς χορηγὸν αἰωνίου, τὰς κατὰ τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ διαθέσεις. ἀνθʼ ὧν σοι περιέσται μισθὸς καὶ τιμή.

### English translation (Claude)

turning your visible property into cash? Not at all; but instead of what was formerly in your soul, which you long to save, bring in another wealth, which makes you divine and supplies eternal life: the dispositions that accord with God's commandment. In return for these you will have reward and honor,

### Extrabiblical texts

- Clement of Alexandria, Protr. 11.114 (Exhortation to the Greeks): echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Makes you divine” renders θεοποιόν; compare Protr. 11.114.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 19.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 19.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: By exchanging the passions for spiritual wealth, one gains treasure in heaven.

### Greek text

διηνεκὴς σωτηρία καὶ αἰώνιος ἀφθαρσία. οὕτως καλῶς πωλεῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα, τὰ πολλὰ καὶ περισσὰ καὶ ἀποκλείοντά σοι τοὺς οὐρανούς. ἀντικαταλλασσόμενος αὐτῶν τὰ σῶσαι δυνάμενα. ἐκεῖνα ἐχέτωσαν οἱ σάρκινοι πτωχοὶ καὶ τούτων δεόμενοι, σὺ δὲ τὸν πνευματικὸν πλοῦτον ἀντιλαβὼν ἔχοις ἂν ἤδη θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανοῖς.‹

### English translation (Claude)

perpetual salvation and eternal incorruption. In this way you sell well your possessions, the many, superfluous things that shut heaven against you, exchanging them for what can save. Let those things be had by the fleshly poor, who lack these; but you, receiving spiritual wealth in exchange, would already have treasure in heaven.’

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:21: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “Those things” are material goods and “these” the saving goods just named; the reference of the pronouns is not certain.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 19.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/19/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 20.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich young man, not understanding that one can have wealth and not be possessed by it, went away, making the difficult impossible for himself.

### Greek text

Ταῦτα μὴ συνιεὶς κατὰ τρόπον ὁ πολυχρήματος καὶ ἔννομος ἄνθρωπος μηδὲ ὅπως ὁ αὐτὸς καὶ πτωχὸς δύναται εἶναι καὶ πλούσιος καὶ ἔχειν τε χρήματα καὶ μὴ ἔχειν καὶ χρῆσθαι τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ μὴ χρῆσθαι, ἀπῆλθε στυγνὸς καὶ κατηφής, λιπὼν τὴν τάξιν τῆς ζωῆς. ἧς ἐπιθυμεῖν μόνον. ἀλλʼ οὐχὶ καὶ τυχεῖν ἠδύνατο, τὸ δύσκολον ποιήσας ἀδύνατον αὐτὸς ἑαυτῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

Not understanding this properly, the man who was very rich and observant of the law, nor how the same person can be both poor and rich, and have money and not have it, and use the world and not use it, went away gloomy and downcast, leaving the rank of life, which he could only desire but not obtain, having made the difficult impossible for himself.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:22: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:31: echo, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “Use the world and not use it” recalls 1 Cor 7:31.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 20.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 20.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:172
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: It is difficult but not impossible for the rich to be saved, if they turn to spiritual wealth and learn to use indifferent things well.

### Greek text

δύσκολον γὰρ ἦν μὴ περιάγεσθαι μηδὲ καταστράπτεσθαι τὴν ψυχὴν ὑπὸ τῶν προσόντων ἁβρῶν τῷ προδήλῳ πλούτῳ καὶ ἀνθηρῶν γοητευμάτων, οὐκ ἀδύνατον δὲ τὸ καὶ ἐν τούτῳ λαβέσθαι σωτηρίας, εἴ τις ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰσθητοῦ πλούτου ἐπὶ τὸν νοητὸν καὶ θεοδίδακτον μεταγάγοι καὶ μάθοι τοῖς ἀδιαφόροις χρῆσθαι καλῶς καὶ ἰδίως καὶ ὡς ἂν εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ὁρμήσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

For it was difficult for the soul not to be led astray or dazzled by the luxuries attached to evident wealth and its flowery enchantments; but it was not impossible even in this state to lay hold of salvation, if one would lead himself away from sensible wealth to the wealth that is intelligible and taught by God, and learn to use indifferent things well and in the right way, so as to set out toward eternal life.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 20.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 20.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:172–173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The disciples were frightened too, though they had already left their few nets and boats.

### Greek text

καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ δὲ τὸ πρῶτον μὲν καὶ αὐτοὶ περιδεεῖς καὶ καταπλῆγες γεγόνασιν. ἀκούσαντες τί δήποτε; ἆρά γε ὅτι χρήματα καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐκέκτηντο πολλά; ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὰ ταῦτα τὰ δικτύφια καὶ ἄγκιστρα καὶ τὰ ὑπηρετικὰ σκαφίδια ἀφῆκαν πάλαι, ἅπερ ἦν αὐτοῖς μόνα.

### English translation (Claude)

The disciples too were at first very frightened and astonished. Having heard what? Was it because they too had much money? On the contrary, they had long since left those very nets, hooks, and service boats, which were all they had.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:26: allusion, high confidence
- Mark 1:18: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 20.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 20.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The disciples understood that the Lord spoke in a parable with deep meaning.

### Greek text

τί οὖν φοβηθέντες λέγουσι· »τίς δύναται σωθῆναι;« καλῶς ἤκουσαν καὶ ὡς μαθηταὶ τοῦ παραβολικῶς καὶ ἀ σαφῶς λεχθέντος ὑπὸ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ᾔσθοντο τοῦ βάθους τῶν λόγων.

### English translation (Claude)

Why then do they say in fear, “Who can be saved?” They heard well, as disciples, what the Lord had spoken in a parable and obscurely, and they perceived the depth of the words.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:26: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 20.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 20.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The disciples, though poor, knew their passions were not yet mastered, so they despaired like the rich man.

### Greek text

ἕνεκα μὲν οὖν χρημάτων ἀκτημοσύνης εὐέλπιδες ἦσαν πρὸς σωτηρίαν· ἐπειδὴ δὲ συνῄδεσαν ἑαυτοῖς μήπω τὰ πάθη τέλεον ἀποτεθειμένοις (ἀρτιμαθεῖς γὰρ ἦσαν καὶ νεωστὶ πρὸς τοῦ σωτῆρος ἠνδρολογημένοι), »περισσῶς ἐξεπλήσσοντο« καὶ ἀπεγίνωσκον ἑαυτοὺς οὐδέν τι ἧττον ἐκείνου τοῦ πολυχρημάτου καὶ δεινῶς τῆς κτήσεως περιεχομένου. ἥν γε προέκρινεν ζωῆς αἰωνίου.

### English translation (Claude)

As far as having no money was concerned, they were hopeful of salvation; but since they were conscious that they had not yet completely put away their passions (for they had only just begun to learn and had recently been enlisted by the Savior), “they were exceedingly astonished” and despaired of themselves no less than that man who had much money and clung terribly to the possession he preferred to eternal life.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:26: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 20.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 20.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Salvation belongs to souls free from passion and pure, which is why the disciples feared.

### Greek text

ἄξιον οὖν ἦν τοῖς μαθηταῖς φόβου πάντως. εἰ καὶ ὁ χρήματα κεκτημένος καὶ ὁ τῶν παθῶν ἔγκυος, ὧν ἐπλούτουν καὶ αὐτοί, παραπλησίως ἀπελασθήσονται οὐρανῶν· ἀπαθῶν γὰρ καὶ καθαρῶν ψυχῶν ἐστιν ἡ σωτηρία.

### English translation (Claude)

It was therefore entirely worthy of fear for the disciples if both the one who possesses money and the one pregnant with passions, in which they too were rich, will likewise be driven from heaven; for salvation belongs to souls that are free from passion and pure.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 20.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/20/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: What is impossible for man is possible with God: by one's own effort alone freedom from passion is unattainable,

### Greek text

Ὁ δὲ κύριος ἀποκρίνεται διότι »τὸ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἀδύνατον δυνατὸν θεῷ«. πάλιν καὶ τοῦτο μεγάλης σοφίας μεστόν ἐστιν. ὅτι καθʼ αὑτὸν μὲν ἀσκῶν καὶ διαπονούμενος ἀπάθειαν ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὐδὲν ἀνύει, ἐὰν δὲ γένηται δῆλος ὑπερεπιθυμῶν τούτου καὶ διεσπουδακώς.

### English translation (Claude)

But the Lord answers that “what is impossible with men is possible with God.” This too is full of great wisdom: that a man exercising and laboring for freedom from passion by himself achieves nothing; but if he shows himself very eager and earnest for it,

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:27: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 18:27: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Mark 10:27 (Luke 18:27). The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: but God gives strength to the willing, withdrawing his Spirit from those who grow slack; God saves by grace those who choose, not by force.

### Greek text

τῇ προσθήκῃ τῆς παρὰ θεοῦ δυνάμεως περιγίνεται· βουλομέναις μὲν γὰρ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὁ θεὸς συνεπιπνεῖ, εἰ δὲ ἀποσταῖεν τῆς προθυμίας. καὶ τὸ δοθὲν ἐκ θεοῦ πνεῦμα συνεστάλη· τὸ μὲν γὰρ ἄκοντας σῴζειν ἐστὶ βιαζομένου, τὸ δὲ αἱρουμένους χαριζομένου.

### English translation (Claude)

he prevails by the addition of power from God. For God breathes together with souls that are willing, but if they fall away from their eagerness, the spirit given by God is also withdrawn. For to save the unwilling is the act of one who uses force, but to save those who choose is the act of one who shows grace.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The kingdom belongs not to the lazy but to those who seize it; God gladly yields to those who hold on to him steadfastly.

### Greek text

οὐδὲ τῶν καθευδόντων καὶ βλακευόντων ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀλλʼ οἱ »βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν«· αὕτη γὰρ μόνη βία καλή, θεὸν βιάσασθαι καὶ παρὰ θεοῦ ζωὴν ἁρπάσαι, ὁ δὲ γνοὺς τοὺς βιαίως, μᾶλλον δὲ βεβαίως ἀντεχομένους [συνεχώρησεν] εἶξεν· χαίρει γὰρ ὁ θεὸς τὰ τοιαῦτα ἡττώμενος. τοιγάρτοι τούτων ἀκούσας ὁ μακάριος Πέτρος.

### English translation (Claude)

Nor does the kingdom of God belong to those who sleep and are lazy, but “the violent seize it.” For this is the only good violence: to do violence to God and seize life from God. And he, knowing those who hold on violently, or rather steadfastly, yields; for God rejoices to be defeated in such things. So, hearing these things, the blessed Peter,

### Scripture references

- Matt 11:12: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Matt 11:12. Clement plays on βιαίως (“violently”) and βεβαίως (“steadfastly”). The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:173
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Peter, first of the disciples, for whom Christ paid the tax, quickly grasped the saying.

### Greek text

ὁ ἐκλεκτός. ὁ ἐξαίρετος, ὁ πρῶτος τῶν μαθητῶν. ὑπὲρ οὗ μόνου καὶ ἑαυτοῦ τὸν φόρον ὁ σωτὴρ ἐκτελεῖ, ταχέως ἥρπασε καὶ συνέβαλε τὸν λόγον.

### English translation (Claude)

the chosen, the eminent, the first of the disciples, for whom alone, together with himself, the Savior pays the tax, quickly seized and understood the saying.

### Scripture references

- Matt 17:27: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusion is Matt 17:24–27.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:173–174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Peter says they have left everything; if he meant his few possessions, that would be little to boast of.

### Greek text

καὶ τί φησιν; »ἴδε ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα καὶ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι.« τὰ δὲ »πάντα« εἰ μὲν τὰ κτήματα τὰ ἑαυτοῦ λέγει. τέσσαρας ὀβολοὺς ἴσως.

### English translation (Claude)

And what does he say? “See, we have left everything and followed you.” If by “everything” he means his own possessions, he boasts of leaving perhaps four obols,

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:28: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Mark 10:28. The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: But if they have given up the passions of the soul and follow Christ, they are among those enrolled in heaven.

### Greek text

τὸ τοῦ λόγου, καταλιπὼν μεγαλύνεται καὶ τούτων ἀνταξίαν ἀποφαίνων ἂν λάθοι τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν· εἰ δέ, ἅπερ ἄρτι νῦν λέγομεν, τὰ παλαιὰ νοητὰ κτήματα καὶ ψυχικὰ νοσήματα ἀπορρίψαντες ἕπονται κατʼ ἴχνος τοῦ διδασκάλου, τοῦτʼ ἂν ἀνάπτοιτο ἤδη τοῖς ἐν οὐρανοῖς ἐγγραφησομένοις.

### English translation (Claude)

as the saying goes, and would unwittingly declare the kingdom of heaven equivalent to them. But if, as we have just now been saying, they throw away their old possessions of the mind and the diseases of the soul and follow in the footsteps of the Teacher, this would now attach them to those who will be enrolled in heaven.

### Scripture references

- Luke 10:20: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Pet 2:21: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: To follow Christ is to strive for his sinlessness and perfection, shaping one's soul by him as by a mirror.

### Greek text

τοῦτο γὰρ ἀκολουθεῖν ὄντως τῷ σωτῆρι. ἀναμαρτησίαν καὶ τελειότητα τὴν ἐκείνου μετερχόμενον καὶ πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ὥσπερ κάτοπτρον κοσμοῦντα καὶ ῥυθμίζοντα τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ πάντα διὰ πάντων ὁμοίως διατιθέντα.

### English translation (Claude)

For this is truly to follow the Savior: to pursue his sinlessness and perfection, and, looking to him as to a mirror, to adorn and order the soul, and to arrange everything in every way alike.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 21.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/21/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Jesus promises a hundredfold to those who leave everything for his sake.

### Greek text

»Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Ἰησοῦς· ἀμὴν ὑμῖν λέγω. ὃς ἂν ἀφῇ τὰ ἴδια καὶ γονεῖς καὶ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ χρήματα ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ ἕνεκεν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου. ἀπολήψεται ἑκατονταπλασίονα.«

### English translation (Claude)

“And Jesus answered, ‘Truly I say to you, whoever leaves his own possessions, and parents, and brothers, and riches for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundredfold.’”

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:29: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:30: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Nor should we be troubled by the harder saying about hating one's family.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ μηδὲ τοῦθʼ ἡμᾶς ἐπιταρασσέτω μηδὲ τὸ ἔτι τούτου σκληρότερον ἀλλαχοῦ ταῖς φωναῖς ἐξενηνεγμένον· »ὃς οὐ μισεῖ πατέρα καὶ μητέρα καὶ παῖδας. προσέτι δὲ καὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ἐμὸς μαθητὴς εἶναι οὐ δύναται.«

### English translation (Claude)

But let not this trouble us, nor the even harder saying uttered elsewhere: “Whoever does not hate father and mother and children, and moreover his own life, cannot be my disciple.”

### Scripture references

- Luke 14:26: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Luke 14:26.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The God of peace, who commands love of enemies, does not command hatred of family.

### Greek text

οὐ γὰρ εἰσηγεῖται μῖσος καὶ διάλυσιν ἀπὸ τῶν φιλτάτων ὁ τῆς εἰρήνης θεός. ὅ γε καὶ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἀγαπᾶν παραινῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

For the God of peace, who exhorts us to love even our enemies, does not introduce hatred and separation from those dearest to us.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:44: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If enemies must be loved, family must be loved all the more; otherwise the two sayings would contradict each other.

### Greek text

εἰ δὲ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἀγαπητέον, ἀνάλογον ἀπʼ ἐκείνων ἀνιόντι καὶ τοὺς ἐγγυτάτω γένους· ἢ εἰ μισητέον τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος, πολὺ μᾶλλον τοὺς ἐχθροὺς προβάλλεσθαι κατιὼν ὁ λόγος διδάσκει, ὥστε ἀλλήλους ἀναιροῦντες ἐλέγχοιντʼ ἂν οἱ λόγοι.

### English translation (Claude)

If enemies are to be loved, then, by analogy, rising from them, so are one's nearest kin; or if blood relatives are to be hated, much more, descending, the saying teaches us to reject our enemies; so the sayings would refute each other by cancelling each other out.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: They do not conflict: the same disposition loves the enemy without revenge and puts Christ above one's father.

### Greek text

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἀναιροῦσιν οὐδʼ ἐγγύς, ἀπὸ γὰρ τῆς αὐτῆς γνώμης καὶ διαθέσεως καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ αὐτῷ ὅρῳ πατέρα μισοίη τις ἂν καὶ ἐχθρὸν ἀγαπῴη ὁ μήτε ἐχθρὸν ἀμυνόμενος μήτε πατέρα Χριστοῦ πλέον αἰδούμενος.

### English translation (Claude)

But they do not cancel each other out, not even nearly; for from the same mind and disposition, and with the same aim, one might hate a father and love an enemy: the one who neither takes revenge on an enemy nor honors a father more than Christ.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: One saying removes hatred; the other removes excessive deference to family,

### Greek text

ἐν ἐκείνῳ μὲν γὰρ τῷ λόγῳ μῖσος ἐκκόπτει καὶ κακοποιίαν, ἐν τούτῳ δὲ τὴν πρὸς τὰ σύντροφα δυσωπίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

In the one saying he cuts out hatred and doing harm; in the other, false shame toward those we grew up with,

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 22.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:174
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: if it hinders salvation: a godless relative who blocks one's faith must not be followed.

### Greek text

εἰ βλάπτοι πρὸς σωτηρίαν, εἰ γοῦν ἄθεος εἴη τινὶ πατὴρ ἢ υἱὸς ἢ ἀδελφὸς καὶ κώλυμα τῆς πίστεως γένοιτο καὶ ἐμπόδιον τῆς ἄνω ζωῆς, τούτῳ μὴ συμφερέσθω μηδὲ ὁμονοείτω. ἀλλὰ τὴν σαρκικὴν οἰκειότητα διὰ τὴν πνευματικὴν ἔχθραν διαλυσάτω.

### English translation (Claude)

if it harms salvation. If, at any rate, someone has a godless father, son, or brother, who becomes a hindrance to faith and an obstacle to the life above, let him not side with him or agree with him, but dissolve the fleshly relationship because of the spiritual enmity.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 22.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/22/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 23.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:174–175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Picture a trial: a godless father demands obedience against the law of Christ.

### Greek text

Νόμισον εἶναι τὸ πρᾶγμα διαδικασίαν, ὁ μὲν πατήρ σοι δοκείτω παρεστὼς λέγειν ›ἐγώ σε ἔσπειρα καὶ ἔθρεψα, ἀκολούθει μοι καὶ συναδίκει καὶ μὴ πείθου τῷ Χριστοῦ νόμῳ‹ καὶ ὁπόσα ἂν εἴποι βλάσφημος ἄνθρωπος καὶ νεκρὸς τῇ

### English translation (Claude)

Imagine the matter to be a lawsuit. Let your father seem to stand before you and say, ‘I begot you and reared you; follow me, join me in wrongdoing, and do not obey the law of Christ,’ and whatever else a man might say who is a blasphemer and dead by

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 23.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 23.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ answers: he has given new birth, freedom, and redemption, and will give eternal life and the vision of the Father.

### Greek text

φύσει. ἑτέρωθεν δὲ ἄκουε τοῦ σωτῆρος· ›ἐγώ σε ἀνεγέννησα, κακῶς ὑπὸ κόσμου πρὸς θάνατον γεγεννημένον, ἠλευθέρωσα, ἰασάμην, ἐλυτρωσάμην· ἐγώ σοι παρέξω ζωὴν ἄπαυστον, αἰώνιον, ὑπερκόσμιον· ἐγώ σοι δείξω θεοῦ πατρὸς ἀγαθοῦ πρόσωπον· »μὴ κάλει σεαυτῷ πατέρα ἐπὶ γῆς·« »οἱ νεκροὶ τοὺς νεκροὺς θαπτέτωσαν, σὺ δέ μοι ἀκολούθει·«

### English translation (Claude)

nature. On the other side, hear the Savior: ‘I have begotten you again, who were born badly by the world for death; I have set you free, healed you, redeemed you. I will give you life unceasing, eternal, above the world; I will show you the face of God, the good Father. “Call no one on earth your father.” “Let the dead bury the dead, but you follow me.”

### Scripture references

- John 3:3: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 23:9: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 8:22: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 9:60: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Matt 23:9 and Matt 8:22 (Luke 9:60). Christ's speech continues to the end of 23.5.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 23.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 23.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ promises rest and the unimaginable good things God has prepared for those who love him.

### Greek text

ἀνάξω γάρ σε εἰς ἀνάπαυσιν καὶ ἀπόλαυσιν ἀρρήτων καὶ ἀλέκτων ἀγαθῶν, »ἃ μήτε ὀφθαλμὸς εἶδε μήτε οὖς ἤκουσε μήτε ἐπὶ καρδίαν ἀνθρώπων ἀνέβη. εἰς ἃ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν ἄγγελοι παρακύψαι καὶ ἰδεῖν ἅπερ ἡτοίμασεν ὁ θεὸς τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀγαθὰ καὶ τοῖς φιλοῦσιν αὐτὸν τέκνοις.«

### English translation (Claude)

For I will lead you up to rest and to the enjoyment of unspeakable and indescribable good things, “which eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor have they entered into the heart of men, into which angels long to look and see what good things God has prepared for the saints and for the children who love him.”

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 2:9: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 1:12: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation combines 1 Cor 2:9 with 1 Pet 1:12.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 23.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 23.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ gives himself as bread and the daily drink of immortality, and has paid the death owed for our sins.

### Greek text

ἐγώ σου τροφεὺς ἄρτον ἐμαυτὸν διδούς, οὗ γευσάμενος οὐδεὶς ἔτι πεῖραν θανάτου λαμβάνει, καὶ πόμα καθʼ ἡμέραν ἐνδιδοὺς ἀθανασίας· ἐγὼ διδάσκαλος ὑπερουρανίων παιδευμάτων· ὑπὲρ σοῦ πρὸς τὸν θάνατον διηγωνισάμην καὶ τὸν σὸν ἐξέτισα θάνατον, ὃν ὤφειλες ἐπὶ τοῖς προημαρτημένοις καὶ τῇ

### English translation (Claude)

I am your nourisher, giving myself as bread, which no one who has tasted any longer experiences death; and giving daily the drink of immortality. I am the teacher of supercelestial lessons. For you I contended with death and paid your death, which you owed for your former sins and for your

### Scripture references

- John 6:50: allusion, high confidence
- John 6:51: allusion, high confidence
- John 8:52: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are John 6:50–51 and 8:52. The “drink of immortality” given daily may refer to the Eucharist. The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 23.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 23.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Having heard both sides, choose salvation: whatever any relative says, let Christ, who fights for you, prevail.

### Greek text

πρὸς θεὸν ἀπιστίᾳ.‹ τούτων τῶν λόγων ἑκατέρωθεν διακούσας ὑπὲρ σεαυτοῦ δίκασον καὶ τὴν ψῆφον ἀνένεγκε τῇ σαυτοῦ σωτηρίᾳ· κἂν ἀδελφὸς ὅμοια λέγῃ κἂν τέκνον κἂν γυνὴ κἂν ὁστισοῦν. πρὸ πάντων ἐν σοὶ Χριστὸς ὁ νικῶν ἔστω· ὑπὲρ σοῦ γὰρ ἀγωνίζεται.

### English translation (Claude)

unbelief toward God.’ Having heard these words from both sides, judge for yourself and cast your vote for your own salvation. Even if a brother says the same, or a child, or a wife, or anyone at all, before all things let Christ, who conquers, be in you; for he contends on your behalf.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 23.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/23/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 24.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/24/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If one can master one's wealth, Christ does not take it away; but if it masters you, cast it off.

### Greek text

Δύνασαι καὶ τῶν χρημάτων ἐπίπροσθεν εἶναι; φράσον καὶ οὐκ ἀπάγει σε Χριστὸς τῆς κτήσεως, ὁ κύριος οὐ φθονεῖ. ἀλλʼ ὁρᾷς σεαυτὸν ἡττώμενον ὑπʼ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνατρεπόμενον; ἄφες. ῥῖψον.

### English translation (Claude)

Can you rise above your wealth? Say so, and Christ does not draw you away from possessing it; the Lord does not begrudge it. But do you see yourself overcome and overthrown by it? Let it go, throw it away,

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 24.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/24/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 24.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/24/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Whatever causes one to stumble, even an eye or life itself, must be given up for Christ's sake, to be saved in the life to come.

### Greek text

μίσησον, ἀπόταξαι, φύγε· »κἂν ὁ δέξιός σου ὀφθαλμὸς σκανδαλίζῃ σε. ταχέως ἔκκοψον αὐτόν·« αἱρετώτερον ἑτεροφθάλμῳ βασιλεία θεοῦ ἢ ὁλοκλήρῳ τὸ πῦρ· κἂν χεὶρ κἂν ποὺς κἂν ἡ ψυχή, μίσησον αὐτήν. ἂν γὰρ ἐνταῦθα ἀπόληται ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, ἐκεῖ σωθήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

hate it, renounce it, flee it. “Even if your right eye causes you to stumble, cut it out quickly”; the kingdom of God with one eye is preferable to the fire with both. Whether it is a hand, a foot, or your own life, hate it; for if it perishes here for Christ's sake, it will be saved there.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:29: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 9:47: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 18:8: allusion, medium confidence
- Luke 14:26: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 10:39: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are Matt 5:29–30 (18:8–9; Mark 9:43–47), Luke 14:26, and Matt 10:39 (16:25).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 24.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/24/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:175
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The saying about having fields and brothers with persecutions has the same meaning.

### Greek text

Ταύτης δὲ ὁμοίως ἔχεται τῆς γνώμης καὶ τὸ ἑπόμενον. »νῦν δὲ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ ἀγροὺς καὶ χρήματα καὶ οἰκίας καὶ ἀδελφοὺς ἔχειν μετὰ διωγμῶν εἰς ποῦ;«

### English translation (Claude)

The following saying holds to the same meaning: “But now in this time, to have fields and riches and houses and brothers with persecutions—to what end?”

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:30: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Clement's text of Mark 10:30; on “to what end?” see the note on 4.10.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:175–176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ does not call only the poor and homeless; he called rich men and pairs of brothers who were of one mind with him.

### Greek text

οὔτε γὰρ ἀχρημάτους οὔτε ἀνεστίους οὔτε ἀναδέλφους ἐπὶ τὴν ζωὴν καλεῖ. ἐπεὶ καὶ πλουσίους κέκληκεν, ἀλλʼ ὃν τρόπον προειρήκαμεν, καὶ ἀδελφοὺς κατὰ ταὐτὸν ὥσπερ Πέτρον μετὰ Ἀνδρέου καὶ Ἰάκωβον μετὰ Ἰωάννου, τοὺς Ζεβεδαίου παῖδας, ἀλλʼ ὁμονοοῦντας ἀλλήλοις τε καὶ Χριστῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

For he does not call to life those without money, or without homes, or without brothers; since he has also called the rich, but in the way we have described before, and brothers in the same way, like Peter with Andrew, and James with John, the sons of Zebedee, but brothers of one mind with each other and with Christ.

### Scripture references

- Mark 1:16: allusion, high confidence
- Mark 1:19: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: There is outward persecution, from those who harass believers through enmity, envy, greed, or the devil.

### Greek text

τὸ δὲ »μετὰ διωγμῶν« ταῦτα ἕκαστα ἔχειν ἀποδοκιμάζει· διωγμὸς δὲ ὃ μέν τις ἔξωθεν περιγίνεται τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἢ διʼ ἔχθραν ἢ διὰ φθόνον ἢ διὰ φιλοκέρδειαν ἢ κατʼ ἐνέργειαν διαβολικὴν τοὺς πιστοὺς ἐλαυνόντων·

### English translation (Claude)

But the words “with persecutions” reject having each of these things. One kind of persecution comes from outside, from people who harass the faithful out of enmity, envy, love of gain, or at the devil's instigation;

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The hardest persecution comes from within, from a soul tormented by godless desires and passions until it despairs of life and despises God.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ χαλεπώτατος ἔνδοθέν ἐστι διωγμός, ἐξ αὐτῆς ἑκάστῳ τῆς ψυχῆς προπεμπόμενος λυμαινομένης ὑπὸ ἐπιθυμιῶν ἀθέων καὶ ἡδονῶν ποικίλων καὶ φαύλων ἐλπίδων καὶ φθαρτικῶν ὀνειροπολημάτων, ὅταν ἀεὶ τῶν πλειόνων ὀρεγομένη καὶ λυσσῶσα ὑπὸ ἀγρίων ἐρώτων καὶ φλεγομένη, καθάπερ κέντροις ἢ μύωψι τοῖς προσκειμένοις αὐτῇ πάθεσιν ἐξαιμάσσηται πρὸς σπουδὰς μανιώδεις καὶ ζωῆς ἀπόγνωσιν καὶ θεοῦ καταφρόνησιν.

### English translation (Claude)

but the hardest persecution is from within, sent forth for each person from his own soul, which is ruined by godless desires, various pleasures, base hopes, and corrupting dreams, when, always craving more, raging and inflamed with savage loves, it is goaded as with spurs or gadflies by the passions that beset it, until it bleeds, into frenzied pursuits, despair of life, and contempt of God.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Inner persecution is worse, since it is always present and cannot be escaped.

### Greek text

οὗτος ὁ διωγμὸς βαρύτερος καὶ χαλεπώτερος, ἔνδοθεν ὁρμώμενος, ἀεὶ συνών, ὃν οὐδὲ ἐκφυγεῖν ὁ διωκόμενος δύναται·

### English translation (Claude)

This persecution is heavier and harder, starting from within and always present, and the one persecuted cannot even escape it;

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: One carries this enemy everywhere; outward fire tests, but inward fire kills.

### Greek text

τὸν γὰρ ἐχθρὸν ἐν ἑαυτῷ περιάγει πανταχοῦ. οὕτω καὶ πύρωσις ἡ μὲν ἔξωθεν προσπίπτουσα δοκιμασίαν κατεργάζεται, ἡ δὲ ἔνδοθεν θάνατον διαπράσσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

for he carries the enemy about in himself everywhere. So too burning that falls on one from outside works testing, but burning from within brings about death.

### Scripture references

- 1 Pet 4:12: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Burning … testing” echoes 1 Pet 4:12.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If possessions or family bring this inner war, leave them, find peace, and choose Christ, the advocate of the soul, above all.

### Greek text

καὶ πόλεμος ὁ μὲν ἐπακτὸς ῥᾳδίως καταλύεται, ὁ δὲ ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ μέχρι θανάτου παραμετρεῖται. μετὰ διωγμοῦ τοιούτου πλοῦτον ἐὰν ἔχῃς τὸν αἰσθητὸν κἂν ἀδελφοὺς τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος καὶ τὰ ἄλλα ἐνέχυρα, κατάλιπε τὴν τούτων παγκτησίαν τὴν ἐπὶ κακῷ, εἰρήνην σεαυτῷ παράσχες, ἐλευθερώθητι διωγμοῦ μακροῦ, ἀποστράφηθι πρὸς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ἀπʼ ἐκείνων, ἑλοῦ τὸν σωτῆρα πρὸ πάντων, τὸν τῆς σῆς συνήγορον καὶ παράκλητον ψυχῆς, τὸν τῆς ἀπείρου πρύτανιν ζωῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

And a war brought from outside is easily ended, but war in the soul lasts until death. If, with such persecution, you have sensible wealth, and brothers by blood, and other pledges, abandon the whole possession of these that leads to evil; give yourself peace; be set free from long persecution; turn from them to the gospel; choose the Savior before all, the advocate and paraclete of your soul, the ruler of boundless life.

### Scripture references

- 1 John 2:1: echo, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “Advocate and paraclete” (συνήγορον καὶ παράκλητον) applies to Christ the title of 1 John 2:1.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 25.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/8/
- Source: Stählin 3:176
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Visible things are temporary; eternal life belongs to the age to come.

### Greek text

»τὰ γὰρ βλεπόμενα πρόσκαιρα, τὰ δὲ μὴ βλεπόμενα αἰώνια·« καὶ ἐν μὲν τῷ παρόντι χρόνῳ ὠκύμορα καὶ ἀβέβαια. »ἐν δὲ τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωή[ν] ἐστιν αἰώνιος.«

### English translation (Claude)

“For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal”; and in the present time they are short-lived and unstable, but “in the age to come there is eternal life.”

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 4:18: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 10:30: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are 2 Cor 4:18 and Mark 10:30. The bracketed letter in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 25.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/25/8/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:176–177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The saying about the first and last applies to all believers and is set aside for now.

### Greek text

»Ἔσονται οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι καὶ οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι.« τοῦτο πολύχουν μέν ἐστι κατὰ τὴν ὑπόνοιαν καὶ τὸν σαφηνισμόν, οὐ μὴν ἔν γε τῷ παρόντι τὴν ζήτησιν ἀπαιτεῖ· οὐ γὰρ μόνον ῥέπει πρὸς τοὺς πολυκτήμονας, ἀλλʼ ἁπλῶς πρὸς ἅπαντας ἀνθρώπους τοὺς πίστει καθάπαξ ἑαυτοὺς ἐπιδιδόντας. ὥστε τοῦτο μὲν ἀνακείσθω τὰ νῦν.

### English translation (Claude)

“The first will be last and the last first.” This saying is rich in meaning and in explanation, but it does not require investigation at present; for it does not apply only to those with many possessions, but simply to all people who have once given themselves over to faith. So let it be set aside for now.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:31: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ does not exclude the rich because of their wealth, if they obey God's commands and look to him like sailors to a good helmsman.

### Greek text

τὸ δέ γε προκείμενον ἡμῖν οἶμαι μηδέν τι ἐνδεέστερον τῆς ἐπαγγελίας δεδεῖχθαι, ὅτι τοὺς πλουσίους οὐδένα τρόπον ὁ σωτὴρ κατʼ αὐτόν γε τὸν πλοῦτον καὶ τὴν περιβολὴν τῆς κτήσεως ἀποκέκλεικεν οὐδʼ αὐτοῖς ἀποτετάφρευκεν τὴν σωτηρίαν, εἴ γε δύναιντο καὶ βούλοιντο ὑποκύπτειν τοῦ θεοῦ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς καὶ τῶν προσκαίρων προτιμῷεν τὴν ἑαυτῶν ζωὴν καὶ βλέποιεν πρὸς τὸν κύριον ἀτενεῖ τῷ βλέμματι, καθάπερ εἰς ἀγαθοῦ κυβερνήτου νεῦμα δεδορκότες, τί βούλεται, τί προστάσσει, τί σημαίνει, τί δίδωσι τοῖς αὑτοῦ ναύταις [τὸ] σύνθημα, ποῦ καὶ πόθεν τὸν ὅρμον ἐπαγγέλλεται.

### English translation (Claude)

But I think our subject has been shown no less than was promised: that the Savior has in no way shut out the rich on account of their wealth itself and the possession of property, nor has he fenced off salvation from them, if only they are able and willing to bow beneath God's commandments, to value their own life above temporary things, and to look to the Lord with steady gaze, as men watching the nod of a good helmsman, to see what he wishes, what he commands, what he signals, what watchword he gives his sailors, where and from where he announces the harbor.

### Translation notes

- The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: There is no wrong in having earned a living before faith, or in being born by God's providence into a wealthy family.

### Greek text

τί γὰρ ἀδικεῖ τις, εἰ προσέχων τὴν γνώμην καὶ φειδόμενος πρὸ τῆς πίστεως βίον ἱκανὸν συνελέξατο; ἢ καὶ τὸ τούτου μᾶλλον ἀνέγκλητον, εἰ εὐθὺς ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ τὴν τύχην νέμοντος εἰς οἶκον τοιούτων ἀνθρώπων εἰσῳκίσθη καὶ γένος ἀμφιλαφὲς τοῖς χρήμασιν [ἰσχῦον] καὶ τῷ πλούτῳ κρατοῦν;

### English translation (Claude)

For what wrong does someone do if, by applying his mind and being thrifty, he gathered a sufficient livelihood before coming to faith? Or, even more blameless than this, if from the start he was placed by God, who distributes fortune, in a household of such people, and in a family abounding in money and powerful through wealth?

### Translation notes

- The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If birth into wealth excluded one from life, God would be unjust.

### Greek text

εἰ γὰρ διὰ τὴν ἀκούσιον ἐν πλούτῳ γένεσιν ἀπελήλαται ζωῆς, ἀδικεῖται μᾶλλον ὑπὸ τοῦ γειναμένου θεοῦ, προσκαίρου μὲν ἡδυπαθείας κατηξιωμένος, ἀιδίου δὲ ζωῆς ἀπεστερημένος,

### English translation (Claude)

For if, because of an involuntary birth in wealth, he were driven from life, he would rather be wronged by God who gave him birth, being granted temporary luxury but deprived of eternal life.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If wealth caused death, why would God have made it grow from the earth?

### Greek text

τί δʼ ὅλως πλοῦτον ἐχρῆν ἐκ γῆς ἀνατεῖλαί ποτε, εἰ χορηγὸς καὶ πρόξενός ἐστι θανάτου;

### English translation (Claude)

And why should wealth ever have sprung up from the earth at all, if it is the supplier and agent of death?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich man who is modest, self-controlled, and seeks God alone

### Greek text

ἀλλʼ εἰ δύναταί τις ἐνδοτέρω τῶν ὑπαρχόντων κάμπτειν τῆς ἐξουσίας καὶ μέτρια φρονεῖν καὶ σωφρονεῖν καὶ θεὸν μόνον ζητεῖν καὶ θεὸν ἀναπνεῖν καὶ θεῷ συμπολιτεύεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

But if one is able to turn back short of the power his possessions give him, to think modestly, to be self-controlled, to seek God alone, to breathe God, and to live as a fellow citizen with God,

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: is truly poor and free before God; otherwise the camel will pass through the needle sooner than he enters the kingdom.

### Greek text

πτωχὸς οὗτος παρέστηκε ταῖς ἐντολαῖς, ἐλεύθερος, ἀήττητος, ἄνοσος, ἄτρωτος ὑπὸ χρημάτων· εἰ δὲ μή, θᾶττον κάμηλος διὰ βελόνης εἰσελεύσεται ἢ ὁ τοιοῦτος πλούσιος ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ παρελεύσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

this man stands before the commandments poor, free, unconquered, free of disease, unwounded by riches. But if not, a camel will sooner go through a needle than such a rich man pass into the kingdom of God.

### Scripture references

- Mark 10:25: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 26.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/8/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The camel has a deeper mystical meaning, which Clement reserves for another work.

### Greek text

σημαινέτω μὲν οὖν τι καὶ ὑψηλότερον ἡ κάμηλος διὰ στενῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ τεθλιμμένης φθάνουσα τὸν πλούσιον, ὅπερ ἐν τῇ περὶ ἀρχῶν καὶ θεολογίας ἐξηγήσει μυστήριον τοῦ σωτῆρος ὑπάρχει μαθεῖν·

### English translation (Claude)

Let the camel, passing through a narrow and hard way before the rich man, signify something higher too, which is a mystery of the Savior to be learned in the exposition on first principles and theology.

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:14: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The narrow and hard way” is Matt 7:14. Clement refers to a planned work on first principles and theology, which does not survive.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 26.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/26/8/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 27.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:177
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The plain meaning of the parable teaches the rich neither to despair nor to throw their wealth away, but to learn how to use it and gain life.

### Greek text

οὐ μὴν ἀλλὰ τό γε φαινόμενον πρῶτον καὶ διʼ ὃ λέλεκται τῆς παραβολῆς παρεχέσθω. διδασκέτω τοὺς εὐποροῦντας ὡς οὐκ ἀμελητέον τῆς ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίας ὡς ἤδη προκατεγνωσμένους οὐδὲ καταποντιστέον αὖ πάλιν τὸν πλοῦτον οὐδὲ καταδικαστέον ὡς τῆς ζωῆς ἐπίβουλον καὶ πολέμιον, ἀλλὰ μαθητέον τίνα τρόπον καὶ πῶς πλούτῳ χρηστέον καὶ τὴν ζωὴν κτητέον.

### English translation (Claude)

Nevertheless, let the evident, primary meaning of the parable, and the reason it was spoken, be set out. Let it teach the prosperous that they must not neglect their own salvation as though already condemned, nor, on the other hand, sink their wealth in the sea or condemn it as a plotter and enemy of life, but learn in what way and how wealth is to be used and life obtained.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 27.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 27.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:177–178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Let us consider what hope Christ offers the rich and how it can be realized.

### Greek text

ἐπειδὴ γὰρ οὔτε ἐκ παντὸς ἀπόλλυταί τις, ὅτι πλουτεῖ δεδιώς, οὔτε ἐκ παντὸς σῴζεται θαρρῶν καὶ πιστεύων ὡς σωθήσεται, φέρε σκεπτέον ἥντινα τὴν ἐλπίδα αὐτοῖς ὁ σωτὴρ ὑπογράφει καὶ πῶς ἂν τὸ μὲν ἀνέλπιστον ἐχέγγυον γένοιτο, τὸ δὲ ἐλπισθὲν εἰς κτῆσιν ἀφίκοιτο.

### English translation (Claude)

For since no one is wholly lost because he is rich and fearful, nor wholly saved because he is confident and believes that he will be saved, come, let us consider what hope the Savior sketches for them, and how what seemed hopeless may become assured, and what is hoped for may come into possession.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 27.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 27.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ names love of God with all one's soul and strength as the greatest commandment,

### Greek text

Φησὶν οὖν ὁ διδάσκαλος, τίς ἡ μεγίστη τῶν ἐντολῶν ἠρωτημένος· »ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς δυνάμεώς σου«, ταύτης μείζω μηδεμίαν ἐντολὴν εἶναι, καὶ

### English translation (Claude)

The Teacher, then, asked which is the greatest of the commandments, says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength,” and that no commandment is greater than this; and

### Scripture references

- Mark 12:30: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 22:37: quotation, medium confidence
- Deut 6:5: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Mark 12:30 (Matt 22:37; Deut 6:5), shortened.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 27.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 27.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: and rightly, since it concerns God the Father, through whom all things exist and to whom the saved return.

### Greek text

μάλα εἰκότως, καὶ γὰρ καὶ περὶ τοῦ πρώτου καὶ περὶ τοῦ μεγίστου παρήγγελται. αὐτοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν, διʼ οὗ καὶ γέγονε καὶ ἔστι τὰ πάντα καὶ εἰς ὃν τὰ σῳζόμενα πάλιν ἐπανέρχεται.

### English translation (Claude)

very fittingly, for it gives command concerning the first and the greatest, God our Father himself, through whom all things have come to be and are, and to whom what is saved returns again.

### Scripture references

- Rom 11:36: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 8:6: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 27.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 27.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Loved by God first, we can repay him only with love, which gives incorruption; the more we love God, the more deeply we enter into him.

### Greek text

ὑπὸ τούτου τοίνυν προαγαπηθέντας καὶ τοῦ γενέσθαι τυχόντας οὐχ ὅσιον ἄλλο τι πρεσβύτερον ἄγειν καὶ τιμιώτερον, ἐκτίνοντας μόνην τὴν χάριν ταύτην μικρὰν ἐπὶ μεγίστοις, ἄλλο δὲ μηδοτιοῦν ἔχοντας ἀνενδεεῖ καὶ τελείῳ θεῷ πρὸς ἀμοιβὴν ἐπινοῆσαι, αὐτῷ δὲ τῷ ἀγαπᾶν τὸν πατέρα εἰς οἰκείαν ἰσχὺν καὶ δύναμιν ἀφθαρσίαν κομιζομένους, ὅσον γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ τις θεόν, τοσούτῳ καὶ πλέον ἐνδοτέρω τοῦ θεοῦ παραδύεται. Δευτέραν δὲ τάξει καὶ οὐδέν τι μικροτέραν ταύτης εἶναι

### English translation (Claude)

Since we were loved by him first and received our existence from him, it is not holy to hold anything else older or more honorable. We repay only this small thanks for the greatest gifts, being unable to think of anything else at all to give in return to God, who needs nothing and is perfect; but by the very act of loving the Father with all our own strength and power we gain incorruption. For the more one loves God, the more one enters within God. He says that the second in order, and no smaller than this,

### Scripture references

- 1 John 4:19: echo, high confidence
- Acts 17:25: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Loved by him first” echoes 1 John 4:19. The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 27.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/27/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 28.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: is love of neighbor as oneself; so God is to be loved above oneself.

### Greek text

λέγει τό· »ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν·« οὐκοῦν τὸν θεὸν ὑπὲρ σεαυτόν.

### English translation (Claude)

is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”; therefore God above yourself.

### Scripture references

- Mark 12:31: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 22:39: quotation, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 28.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 28.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Asked who one's neighbor is,

### Greek text

πυνθανομένου δὲ τοῦ προσδιαλεγομένου »τίς ἐστιν πλησίον;«

### English translation (Claude)

And when the man conversing with him asked, “Who is my neighbor?”

### Scripture references

- Luke 10:29: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 28.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 28.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:178
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan, not by defining the neighbor as a fellow Jew.

### Greek text

οὐ τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον Ἰουδαίοις προωρίσατο τὸν πρὸς αἵματος οὐδὲ τὸν πολίτην οὐδὲ τὸν προσήλυτον οὐδὲ τὸν ὁμοίως περιτετμημένον οὐδὲ τὸν ἑνὶ καὶ ταὐτῷ νόμῳ χρώμενον· ἀλλὰ ἄνωθεν καταβαίνοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἄγει τῷ λόγῳ τινὰ εἰς Ἱεριχὼ καὶ τοῦτον δείκνυσιν ὑπὸ λῃστῶν συγκεκεντημένον, ἐρριμμένον ἡμιθνῆτα ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, ὑπὸ ἱερέως παροδευόμενον, ὑπὸ Λευίτου παρορώμενον, ὑπὸ δὲ τοῦ Σαμαρείτου τοῦ ἐξωνειδισμένου καὶ ἀφωρισμένου κατελεούμενον, ὃς οὐχὶ κατὰ τύχην ὡς ἐκεῖνοι παρῆλθεν, ἀλλʼ ἧκε συνεσκευασμένος ὧν ὁ κινδυνεύων ἐδεῖτο, οἶνον, ἔλαιον, ἐπιδέσμους, κτῆνος, μισθὸν τῷ πανδοχεῖ, τὸν μὲν ἤδη διδόμενον, τὸν δὲ προσυπισχνούμενον. »τίς«, ἔφη, »τούτων γέγονε πλησίον τῷ τὰ δεινὰ παθόντι;«

### English translation (Claude)

he did not define him in the same way as the Jews, as the blood relative, or fellow citizen, or proselyte, or one likewise circumcised, or one who uses one and the same law. Instead, in his story he leads a man going down from above, from Jerusalem to Jericho, and shows him stabbed by robbers, thrown half-dead on the road, passed by by a priest, overlooked by a Levite, but pitied by the Samaritan, who was reviled and excluded. He did not pass by by chance like them, but came equipped with what the man in danger needed: wine, oil, bandages, a beast, and payment for the innkeeper, some given at once and more promised. “Which of these,” he said, “became a neighbor to the one who suffered these terrible things?”

### Scripture references

- Luke 10:30: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:31: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:32: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:33: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:34: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:35: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:36: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The account paraphrases Luke 10:30–36.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 28.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 28.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:178–179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The neighbor is the one who shows mercy; Christ says, “Go and do likewise,” for love produces good works.

### Greek text

τοῦ δὲ ἀποκριναμένου ὅτι »ὁ τὸν ἔλεον πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐπιδειξάμενος· καὶ σὺ τοίνυν πορευθεὶς οὕτω ποίει«, ὡς τῆς ἀγάπης βλαστανούσης εὐποιίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

And when he answered, “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said, “You too, then, go and do likewise,” since love bears the fruit of good deeds.

### Scripture references

- Luke 10:37: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 28.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/28/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 29.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Both commandments are about love: first to God, second to neighbor.

### Greek text

Ἐν ἀμφοτέραις μὲν οὖν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς ἀγάπην εἰσηγεῖται, τάξει δʼ αὐτὴν διῄρηκε, καὶ ὅπου μὲν τὰ πρωτεῖα τῆς ἀγάπης ἀνάπτει τῷ θεῷ, ὅπου δὲ τὰ δευτερεῖα νέμει τῷ πλησίον.

### English translation (Claude)

In both commandments, then, he introduces love, but he has divided it by order: in one place he attaches the first place of love to God, in the other he assigns the second place to the neighbor.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 29.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 29.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The true Good Samaritan and neighbor is Christ himself, who had mercy on us when we were nearly killed by the powers of darkness and our passions.

### Greek text

τίς δʼ ἂν ἄλλος οὗτος εἴη πλὴν αὐτὸς ὁ σωτήρ; ἢ τίς μᾶλλον ἡμᾶς ἐλεήσας ἐκείνου, τοὺς ὑπὸ τῶν κοσμοκρατόρων τοῦ σκότους ὀλίγου τεθανατωμένους τοῖς πολλοῖς τραύμασι. φόβοις, ἐπιθυμίαις. ὀργαῖς, λύπαις, ἀπάταις, ἡδοναῖς;

### English translation (Claude)

And who else could this neighbor be but the Savior himself? Or who has had more mercy on us than he, when we had almost been put to death by the world rulers of darkness with many wounds: fears, desires, angers, griefs, deceits, pleasures?

### Scripture references

- Eph 6:12: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 10:33: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The world rulers of darkness” is Eph 6:12. The reading of the Good Samaritan as Christ is traditional from Origen onward; this is one of its earliest witnesses.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 29.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 29.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ alone heals these wounds, cutting out the passions at the root, where the law dealt only with their fruits.

### Greek text

τούτων δὲ τῶν τραυμάτων μόνος ἰατρὸς Ἰησοῦς, ἐκκόπτων ἄρδην τὰ πάθη πρόρριζα, οὐχ ὥσπερ ὁ νόμος ψιλὰ τὰ ἀποτελέσματα, τοὺς καρποὺς τῶν πονηρῶν φυτῶν, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀξίνην τὴν ἑαυτοῦ πρὸς τὰς ῥίζας τῆς κακίας προσαγαγών.

### English translation (Claude)

Of these wounds Jesus is the only physician, who cuts the passions out utterly, root and all; not like the law, which cuts off only the effects, the fruits of evil plants, but applying his own axe to the roots of vice.

### Scripture references

- Matt 3:10: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 3:9: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The axe at the roots is Matt 3:10 (Luke 3:9).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 29.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 29.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Like the Samaritan, Christ poured wine and oil on our wounds, bound them with faith, hope, and love, and set angels to serve us.

### Greek text

οὗτος ὁ τὸν οἶνον, τὸ αἷμα τῆς ἀμπέλου τῆς Δαβίδ, ἐκχέας ἡμῶν ἐπὶ τὰς τετρωμένας ψυχάς, οὗτος ὁ τὸ ἔλαιον, τὸν ἐκ σπλάγχνων πατρὸς ἔλεον, προσενεγκὼν καὶ ἐπιδαψιλευόμενος, οὗτος ὁ τοὺς τῆς ὑγείας καὶ σωτηρίας δεσμοὺς ἀλύτους ἐπιδείξας, ἀγάπην, πίστιν, ἐλπίδα, οὗτος ὁ διακονεῖν ἀγγέλους καὶ ἀρχὰς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἡμῖν ἐπιτάξας ἐπὶ μεγάλῳ μισθῷ, διότι καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐλευθερωθήσονται ἀπὸ τῆς ματαιότητος τοῦ κόσμου παρὰ τὴν ἀποκάλυψιν τῆς δόξης τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

He it is who poured out on our wounded souls the wine, the blood of the vine of David; he it is who brought and lavishly supplied the oil, the mercy from the heart of the Father; he it is who showed the unbreakable bandages of health and salvation: love, faith, hope; he it is who ordered angels, principalities, and powers to serve us, for a great reward, because they too will be set free from the vanity of the world at the revelation of the glory of the sons of God.

### Scripture references

- Luke 10:34: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:13: echo, medium confidence
- Heb 1:14: allusion, high confidence
- Rom 8:19: allusion, high confidence
- Rom 8:20: allusion, medium confidence
- Rom 8:21: allusion, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- Did. 9.2 (Didache): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “The vine of David” echoes Did. 9.2. Clement plays on ἔλαιον (“oil”) and ἔλεος (“mercy”). The allusions are Heb 1:14 and Rom 8:19–21.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 29.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 29.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ must be loved equally with God, and he is loved by those who do his will and keep his commandments.

### Greek text

τοῦτον οὖν ἀγαπᾶν ἴσα χρὴ τῷ θεῷ. ἀγαπᾷ δὲ Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ὁ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιῶν καὶ φυλάσσων αὐτοῦ τὰς ἐντολάς.

### English translation (Claude)

We must love him, then, equally with God. And he loves Christ Jesus who does his will and keeps his commandments.

### Scripture references

- John 14:15: allusion, high confidence
- John 14:21: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusion is John 14:15, 21.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 29.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 29.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ requires not words but doing his will.

### Greek text

»οὐ γὰρ πᾶς ὁ λέγων μοι ›κύριε κύριε‹ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἀλλʼ ὁ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός μου.« καί· »τί με λέγετε ›κύριε κύριε‹ καὶ οὐ ποιεῖτε ἃ λέγω;« καί· »ὑμεῖς μακάριοι οἱ ὁρῶντες καὶ ἀκούοντες ἃ μήτε δίκαιοι μήτε προφῆται«, ἐὰν ποιῆτε ἃ λέγω.

### English translation (Claude)

“For not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father.” And: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” And: “Blessed are you who see and hear what neither the righteous nor the prophets saw,” if you do what I say.

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:21: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 6:46: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 13:16: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 13:17: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Matt 7:21, Luke 6:46, and a free combination of Matt 13:16–17 (Luke 10:23–24).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 29.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/29/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 30.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: After loving Christ comes caring for his disciples, since Christ counts what is done to them as done to him.

### Greek text

Πρῶτος μὲν οὖν οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸν ἀγαπῶν. δεύτερος δὲ ὁ τοὺς ἐκείνῳ πεπιστευκότας τιμῶν καὶ περιέπων. ὃ γὰρ ἄν τις εἰς μαθητὴν ἐργάσηται, τοῦτο εἰς ἑαυτὸν ὁ κύριος ἐκδέχεται καὶ πᾶν ἑαυτοῦ ποιεῖται.

### English translation (Claude)

First, then, is the one who loves Christ; second, the one who honors and cares for those who have believed in him. For whatever one does to a disciple, the Lord receives as done to himself and makes it all his own.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 30.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 30.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:179
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ blesses those who fed, gave drink to, and welcomed him in the needy.

### Greek text

»δεῦτε, οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γὰρ καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, καὶ ἐδίψησα καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι πιεῖν. καὶ ξένος ἤμην καὶ συνηγάγετέ με.

### English translation (Claude)

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, and I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, and I was a stranger and you took me in;

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:34: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:35: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 30.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 30.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:179–180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The righteous ask when they did these things for him.

### Greek text

γυμνὸς ἤμην καὶ ἐνεδύσατέ με, ἠσθένησα καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; πότε δὲ εἴδομέν σε ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν. ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; ἢ πότε σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενοῦντα καὶ ἐπεσκεψάμεθα;

### English translation (Claude)

I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick and visit you,

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:36: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:37: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:38: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:39: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 30.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 30.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The King answers that what they did to the least of his brothers,

### Greek text

ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν πρὸς σέ; ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν. ἐφʼ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων.

### English translation (Claude)

or in prison and come to you?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:39: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:40: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 30.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 30.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: they did to him; and those who neglected them are condemned as having neglected him.

### Greek text

ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.« πάλιν ἐκ τῶν ἐναντίων τοὺς ταῦτα μὴ παρασχόντας αὐτοῖς εἰς τὸ πῦρ ἐμβάλλει τὸ αἰώνιον, ὡς αὐτῷ μὴ παρεσχηκότας.

### English translation (Claude)

you did it to me.’” Again, conversely, he casts into the eternal fire those who did not provide these things for them, as not having provided them for him.

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:40: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 25:41: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 25:45: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 30.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 30.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Whoever receives Christ's disciples receives him.

### Greek text

καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ· »ὁ ὑμᾶς δεχόμενος ἐμὲ δέχεται, ὁ ὑμᾶς μὴ δεχόμενος ἐμὲ ἀθετεῖ.«

### English translation (Claude)

And elsewhere: “Whoever receives you receives me; whoever does not receive you rejects me.”

### Scripture references

- Matt 10:40: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 10:16: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation combines Matt 10:40 and Luke 10:16.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 30.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/30/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ calls his disciples children and little ones and forbids despising them, since their angels see the Father's face.

### Greek text

Τούτους καὶ τέκνα καὶ παιδία καὶ νήπια καὶ φίλους ὀνομάζει καὶ μικροὺς ἐνθάδε ὡς πρὸς τὸ μέλλον ἄνω μέγεθος αὐτῶν. »μὴ καταφρονήσητε« λέγων »ἑνὸς τῶν μικρῶν τούτων· τούτων γὰρ οἱ ἄγγελοι διὰ παντὸς βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς.«

### English translation (Claude)

These he calls children, little children, infants, and friends, and little ones here, in view of their future greatness above: “Do not despise one of these little ones; for their angels always behold the face of my Father in heaven.”

### Scripture references

- Matt 18:10: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Father gives the kingdom to the little flock.

### Greek text

καὶ ἑτέρωθι· »μὴ φοβεῖσθε. τὸ μικρὸν ποίμνιον· ὑμῖν γὰρ εὐδόκησεν ὁ πατὴρ παραδοῦναι τὴν βασιλείαν« τῶν οὐρανῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

And elsewhere: “Do not be afraid, little flock; for it has pleased the Father to give you the kingdom” of heaven.

### Scripture references

- Luke 12:32: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The least disciple in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptist.

### Greek text

κατὰ τὰ αὐτὰ καὶ τοῦ μεγίστου ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν Ἰωάννου τὸν ἐλάχιστον ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν, τουτέστι τὸν ἑαυτοῦ μαθητήν, εἶναι μείζω λέγει.

### English translation (Claude)

In the same way he says that the least in the kingdom of heaven, that is, his own disciple, is greater than John, the greatest among those born of women.

### Scripture references

- Matt 11:11: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Whoever gives even a cup of water to a disciple will not lose his reward.

### Greek text

καὶ πάλιν· »ὁ δεχόμενος δίκαιον ἢ προφήτην εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου ἢ προφήτου τὸν ἐκείνων μισθὸν λήψεται. ὁ δὲ μαθητὴν ποτίσας εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ ποτήριον ψυχροῦ ὕδατος τὸν μισθὸν οὐκ ἀπολέσει.« οὐκοῦν οὗτος μόνος ὁ μισθὸς οὐκ ἀπολλύμενός ἐστι.

### English translation (Claude)

And again: “Whoever receives a righteous man or a prophet in the name of a righteous man or a prophet will receive their reward; and whoever gives a disciple a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple will not lose his reward.” So this is the only reward that is not lost.

### Scripture references

- Matt 10:41: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 10:42: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ says to make friends by means of unrighteous mammon,

### Greek text

καὶ αὖθις· »ποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς φίλους ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας.

### English translation (Claude)

And again: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness,

### Scripture references

- Luke 16:9: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Wealth kept only for oneself is unrighteous, but it can be used righteously by relieving those destined for the Father's eternal dwellings.

### Greek text

ἵνα ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ, δέξωνται ὑμᾶς εἰς τὰς αἰωνίους σκηνάς.« φύσει μὲν ἅπασαν κτῆσιν, ἣν αὐτός τις ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῦ κέκτηται ὡς ἰδίαν οὖσαν καὶ οὐκ εἰς κοινὸν τοῖς δεομένοις κατατίθησιν, ἄδικον οὖσαν ἀποφαίνων, ἐκ δὲ ταύτης τῆς ἀδικίας ἐνὸν καὶ πρᾶγμα δίκαιον ἐργάσασθαι καὶ σωτήριον, ἀναπαῦσαί τινα τῶν ἐχόντων αἰώνιον σκηνὴν παρὰ τῷ πατρί.

### English translation (Claude)

so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” He shows that by nature all property that someone possesses for himself as his own, and does not put into the common stock for those in need, is unrighteous; but that from this unrighteousness it is possible to do something righteous and saving: to refresh one of those who have an eternal dwelling with the Father.

### Scripture references

- Luke 16:9: quotation, high confidence
- John 14:2: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:180
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ commands us not to wait to be asked, but to seek out the worthy,

### Greek text

Ὅρα πρῶτον μὲν ὡς οὐκ ἀπαιτεῖσθαί σε κεκέλευκεν οὐδὲ ἐνοχλεῖσθαι περιμένειν, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸν ζητεῖν τοὺς εὖ πεισομένους ἀξίους

### English translation (Claude)

See first that he has not commanded you to wait to be asked or pestered, but to seek out yourself those who are to be benefited and who are worthy,

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/8/
- Source: Stählin 3:180–181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Paul says God loves a cheerful giver, who gives generously without grumbling.

### Greek text

τε ὄντας τοῦ σωτῆρος μαθητάς, καλὸς μὲν οὖν καὶ ὁ τοῦ ἀποστόλου λόγος· »ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ θεός«, χαίροντα τῷ διδόναι καὶ μὴ φειδομένως σπείροντα, ἵνα μὴ οὕτως καὶ θερίσῃ. δίχα γογγυσμῶν καὶ διακρίσεως καὶ λύπης [καὶ] κοινωνοῦντα, ὅπερ ἐστὶν εὐεργεσία καθαρά.

### English translation (Claude)

being disciples of the Savior. Fine too is the apostle's saying: “For God loves a cheerful giver,” who rejoices in giving and does not sow sparingly, so that he may not reap sparingly either, who shares without grumbling, hesitation, or grief, which is pure beneficence.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 9:7: quotation, high confidence
- 2 Cor 9:6: allusion, high confidence
- Phil 2:14: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is 2 Cor 9:7; the allusions are 2 Cor 9:6 and Phil 2:14. The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/8/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 31.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/9/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Better still is the Lord's “Give to everyone who asks”; and beyond even this, to seek out the worthy without waiting to be asked,

### Greek text

κρείττων δʼ ἐστὶ τούτου ὁ τοῦ κυρίου λελεγμένος ἐν ἄλλῳ χωρίῳ· »παντὶ τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε δίδου·« θεοῦ γὰρ ὄντως ἡ τοιαύτη φιλοδωρία. οὑτοσὶ δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑπὲρ ἅπασάν ἐστι θεότητα, μηδὲ αἰτεῖσθαι περιμένειν, ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἀναζητεῖν, ὅστις ἄξιος εὖ παθεῖν,

### English translation (Claude)

But better than this is the saying of the Lord in another place: “Give to everyone who asks you”; for such generosity truly belongs to God. But this saying goes beyond all divinity: not even to wait to be asked, but oneself to search out whoever is worthy to be benefited,

### Scripture references

- Luke 6:30: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 5:42: quotation, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 31.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/31/9/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 32.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Giving buys an eternal dwelling: a divine exchange of perishable things for incorruption.

### Greek text

ἔπειτα τηλικοῦτον μισθὸν ὁρίσαι τῆς κοινωνίας, αἰώνιον σκηνήν. ὢ καλῆς ἐμπορίας, ὢ θείας ἀγορᾶς· ὠνεῖται χρημάτων τις ἀφθαρσίαν. καὶ δοὺς τὰ διολλύμενα τοῦ κόσμου μονὴν τούτων αἰώνιον ἐν οὐρανοῖς ἀντιλαμβάνει.

### English translation (Claude)

and then to appoint so great a reward for sharing: an eternal dwelling. O fine trading! O divine market! One buys incorruption with money, and, giving the perishing things of the world, receives in exchange an eternal abode for them in heaven.

### Scripture references

- Luke 16:9: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 32.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 32.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich should spare no effort to buy the heavenly kingdom.

### Greek text

πλεῦσον ἐπὶ ταύτην, ἂν σωφρονῇς. τὴν πανήγυριν, ὦ πλούσιε, κἂν δέῃ, περίελθε γῆν ὅλην. μὴ φείσῃ κινδύνων καὶ πόνων, ἵνʼ ἐνταῦθα βασιλείαν οὐράνιον ἀγοράσῃς.

### English translation (Claude)

Sail to this fair, O rich man, if you are wise; if need be, go round the whole earth; do not spare dangers and labors, so that here you may buy a heavenly kingdom.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 32.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 32.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Why delight in jewels and houses, which fire, time, earthquakes, and tyrants destroy?

### Greek text

τί σε λίθοι διαφανεῖς καὶ σμάραγδοι τοσοῦτον εὐφραίνουσι καὶ οἰκία. τροφὴ πυρὸς ἢ χρόνου παίγνιον ἢ σεισμοῦ πάρεργον ἢ ὕβρισμα τυράννου;

### English translation (Claude)

Why do transparent stones and emeralds delight you so much, and a house, food for fire, or a plaything of time, or a byproduct of an earthquake, or an outrage of a tyrant?

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 32.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 32.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The poor believer, imitating God, gives the heavenly kingdom in return for small gifts.

### Greek text

ἐπιθύμησον ἐν οὐρανοῖς οἰκῆσαι καὶ βασιλεῦσαι μετὰ θεοῦ, ταύτην σοὶ τὴν βασιλείαν ἄνθρωπος δώσει θεὸν ἀπομιμούμενος· ἐνταῦθα μικρὰ λαβὼν ἐκεῖ διʼ ὅλων αἰώνων σύνοικόν σε ποιήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

Desire to dwell in heaven and reign with God. A man imitating God will give you this kingdom; receiving little here, he will make you his fellow resident there through all the ages.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 32.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 32.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Beg the poor to accept your gift, for the command is on the giver.

### Greek text

ἱκέτευσον ἵνα λάβῃ· σπεῦσον, ἀγωνίασον, φοβήθητι μή σε ἀτιμάσῃ· οὐ γὰρ κεκέλευσται λαβεῖν, ἀλλὰ σὺ παρασχεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

Beg him to accept; hurry, strive, fear that he may slight you; for he has not been commanded to receive, but you to give.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 32.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 32.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ says “make friends,” and friendship, like faith and endurance, needs long care, not one gift.

### Greek text

οὐ μὴν οὐδʼ εἶπεν ὁ κύριος· ›δὸς‹ ἢ ›παράσχες‹ ἢ ›εὐεργέτησον‹ ἢ ›βοήθησον‹, ›φίλον‹ δὲ ›ποίησαι‹· ὁ δὲ φίλος οὐκ ἐκ μιᾶς δόσεως γίνεται, ἀλλʼ ἐξ ὅλης ἀναπαύσεως καὶ συνουσίας μακρᾶς· οὔτε γὰρ ἡ πίστις οὔτε ἡ ἀγάπη οὔτε ἡ καρτερία μιᾶς ἡμέρας, ἀλλʼ »ὁ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος, οὗτος σωθήσεται«.

### English translation (Claude)

Nor did the Lord say, ‘Give,’ or ‘Provide,’ or ‘Do good,’ or ‘Help,’ but ‘Make a friend’; and a friend is made not from one gift, but from complete refreshment and long companionship. For neither faith, nor love, nor endurance is a matter of one day, but “the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

### Scripture references

- Luke 16:9: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 10:22: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 24:13: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Matt 10:22 (24:13).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 32.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/32/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 33.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:181
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Lord gives the kingdom for the sake of his friends, and to the friends of his friends.

### Greek text

Πῶς οὖν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ταῦτα δίδωσιν; ὅτι διὰ τὴν ἐκείνου τιμὴν καὶ εὔνοιαν καὶ οἰκείωσιν ὁ κύριος δίδωσι· »δώσω γὰρ οὐ μόνον τοῖς φίλοις, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς φίλοις τῶν φίλων.«

### English translation (Claude)

How then does a man give these things? Because the Lord gives them on account of that man's honor, goodwill, and intimacy with him: “For I will give not only to my friends, but also to the friends of my friends.”

### Translation notes

- The saying is not found in the canonical Gospels (an agraphon).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 33.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 33.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:181–182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Do not judge who is worthy; it is better to help the unworthy too than to miss the worthy.

### Greek text

καὶ τίς οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ φίλος τοῦ θεοῦ; σὺ μὲν μὴ κρῖνε, τίς ἄξιος καὶ τίς ἀνάξιος· ἐνδέχεται γάρ σε διαμαρτεῖν περὶ τὴν δόξαν· ὡς ἐν ἀμφιβόλῳ δὲ τῆς ἀγνοίας ἄμεινον καὶ τοὺς ἀναξίους εὖ ποιεῖν διὰ τοὺς ἀξίους ἢ φυλασσόμενον τοὺς ἧσσον ἀγαθοὺς μηδὲ τοῖς σπουδαίοις περιπεσεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

And who is this friend of God? Do not you judge who is worthy and who is unworthy; for you may be quite mistaken in your opinion. In the uncertainty of ignorance it is better to do good even to the unworthy for the sake of the worthy, than, guarding against the less good, not to meet the earnest either.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 33.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 33.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: By testing too closely one may neglect God's friends and incur punishment; by giving to all one surely finds some who can intercede with God.

### Greek text

ἐκ μὲν γὰρ τοῦ φείδεσθαι καὶ προσποιεῖσθαι δοκιμάζειν τοὺς εὐλόγως ἢ μὴ τευξομένους ἐνδέχεταί σε καὶ θεοφιλῶν ἀμελῆσαί τινων, οὗ τὸ ἐπιτίμιον κόλασις ἔμπυρος αἰώνιος· ἐκ δὲ τοῦ προΐεσθαι πᾶσιν ἑξῆς τοῖς χρῄζουσιν ἀνάγκη πάντως εὑρεῖν τινα καὶ τῶν σῶσαι παρὰ θεῷ δυναμένων.

### English translation (Claude)

For by being sparing and pretending to test who will deserve to receive or not, you may neglect some who are loved by God, the penalty for which is eternal punishment by fire; but by giving to all in turn who are in need, you must surely find one of those who can save you with God.

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:41: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 33.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 33.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Do not judge; the measure you give will be given back to you,

### Greek text

»μὴ κρῖνε« τοίνυν, »ἵνα μὴ κριθῇς· ᾧ μέτρῳ μετρεῖς. τούτῳ καὶ ἀντιμετρηθήσεταί σοι· μέτρον καλόν. πεπιεσμένον καὶ σεσαλευμένον.

### English translation (Claude)

“Do not judge,” then, “so that you may not be judged. With the measure you measure, it will be measured back to you; a good measure, pressed down and shaken,

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:1: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 6:37: quotation, medium confidence
- Luke 6:38: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 33.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 33.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: running over; be open-hearted to all God's disciples, without contempt for their bodies,

### Greek text

ὑπερεκχυνόμενον, ἀποδοθήσεταί σοι.« πᾶσιν ἄνοιξον τὰ σπλάγχνα τοῖς τοῦ θεοῦ μαθηταῖς ἀπογεγραμμένοις. μὴ πρὸς σῶμα ἀπιδὼν ὑπερόπτως.

### English translation (Claude)

running over, will be given back to you.” Open your heart to all who are enrolled as God's disciples, not looking at the body with contempt,

### Scripture references

- Luke 6:38: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 33.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 33.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Do not reject the poor, ugly, or weak: their body is only an outward form, and within them dwell the Father and the Son who died and rose for us.

### Greek text

μὴ πρὸς ἡλικίαν ἀμελῶς διατεθείς, μηδʼ εἴ τις ἀκτήμων ἢ δυσείμων ἢ δυσειδὴς ἢ ἀσθενὴς φαίνεται, πρὸς τοῦτο τῇ ψυχῇ δυσχεράνῃς καὶ ἀποστραφῇς. σχῆμα τοῦτʼ ἔστιν ἔξωθεν ἡμῖν περιβεβλημένον τῆς εἰς κόσμον παρόδου προφάσει, ἵνʼ εἰς τὸ κοινὸν τοῦτο παιδευτήριον εἰσελθεῖν δυνηθῶμεν· ἀλλʼ ἔνδον κρυπτὸς ἐνοικεῖ ὁ πατὴρ καὶ ὁ τούτου παῖς ὁ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀποθανὼν καὶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἀναστάς.

### English translation (Claude)

nor disposed carelessly toward their age; nor, if someone appears without property, or ill-clad, or ugly, or weak, be disgusted at this in your soul and turn away. This is a form thrown around us from outside, on the occasion of our passage into the world, so that we may be able to enter this common school; but within dwells hidden the Father and his Son, who died for us and rose with us.

### Scripture references

- John 14:23: echo, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The indwelling of the Father and the Son recalls John 14:23.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 33.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/33/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 34.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/34/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The humble body hides from death and the devil the treasure within, guarded by the Father, the blood of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

### Greek text

Τοῦτο τὸ σχῆμα τὸ βλεπόμενον ἐξαπατᾷ τὸν θάνατον καὶ τὸν διάβολον· ὁ γὰρ ἐντὸς πλοῦτος καὶ τὸ κάλλος αὐτοῖς ἀθέατός ἐστι· καὶ μαίνονται περὶ τὸ σαρκίον, οὗ καταφρονοῦσιν ὡς ἀσθενοῦς. τῶν ἔνδον ὄντες τυφλοὶ κτημάτων, οὐκ ἐπιστάμενοι πηλίκον τινὰ »θησαυρὸν ἐν ὀστρακίνῳ σκεύει« βαστάζομεν, δυνάμει θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ αἵματι θεοῦ παιδὸς καὶ δρόσῳ πνεύματος ἁγίου περιτετειχισμένον. ἀλλὰ σύ γε μὴ ἐξαπατηθῇς.

### English translation (Claude)

This visible form deceives death and the devil; for the inner wealth and beauty are invisible to them, and they rage around the poor flesh, which they despise as weak, being blind to the inner possessions, not knowing what a great “treasure in an earthen vessel” we carry, walled around by the power of God the Father, the blood of God the Son, and the dew of the Holy Spirit. But do not you be deceived.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 4:7: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is 2 Cor 4:7. “The blood of God the Son” is strong language for the unity of Christ's divinity and suffering.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 34.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/34/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 34.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/34/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:182
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The redeemed rich man should enlist a different army: pious old men, orphans, and gentle widows.

### Greek text

ὁ γεγευμένος ἀληθείας καὶ κατηξιωμένος τῆς μεγάλης λυτρώσεως, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἐναντίον τοῖς ἄλλοις ἀνθρώποις σεαυτῷ κατάλεξον στρατὸν ἄοπλον, ἀπόλεμον, ἀναίμακτον, ἀόργητον, ἀμίαντον, γέροντας θεοσεβεῖς. ὀρφανοὺς θεοφιλεῖς, χήρας πραότητι ὡπλισμένας.

### English translation (Claude)

you who have tasted truth and been counted worthy of the great redemption. On the contrary, unlike other people, enroll for yourself an army without weapons, without war, without bloodshed, without anger, without stain: God-fearing old men, orphans dear to God, widows armed with gentleness,

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 34.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/34/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 34.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/34/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:182–183
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The poor believers helped by the rich become their bodyguards, whose prayers, laying on of hands, and exorcisms protect them.

### Greek text

ἄνδρας ἀγάπῃ κεκοσμημένους. τοιούτους κτῆσαι τῷ σῷ πλούτῳ καὶ τῷ σώματι καὶ τῇ ψυχῇ δορυφόρους, ὧν στρατηγεῖ θεός. διʼ οὓς καὶ ναῦς βαπτιζομένη κουφίζεται, μόναις ἁγίων εὐχαῖς κυβερνωμένη. καὶ νόσος ἀκμάζουσα δαμάζεται, χειρῶν ἐπιβολαῖς διωκομένη. καὶ προσβολὴ λῃστῶν ἀφοπλίζεται, εὐχαῖς εὐσεβέσι σκυλευομένη, καὶ δαιμόνων βία θραύεται προστάγμασι συντόνοις ἐλεγχομένη.

### English translation (Claude)

men adorned with love. Acquire such bodyguards with your wealth, for body and soul, whose general is God. Through them a sinking ship is lightened, steered by the prayers of the saints alone; raging disease is subdued, put to flight by the laying on of hands; the attack of robbers is disarmed, despoiled by godly prayers; and the violence of demons is shattered, rebuked by earnest commands.

### Translation notes

- The laying on of hands for healing and the commanding of demons are practices of the church in Clement's time.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 34.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/34/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 35.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/35/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:183
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Each of these poor believers serves: some pray for you, some comfort, teach, or admonish, and all love you sincerely.

### Greek text

Ἐνεργοὶ οὗτοι πάντες [οἱ] στρατιῶται καὶ φύλακες βέβαιοι. οὐδεὶς ἀργός, οὐδεὶς ἀχρεῖος. ὃ μὲν ἐξαιτήσασθαί σε δύναται παρὰ θεοῦ. ὃ δὲ παραμυθήσασθαι κάμνοντα, ὃ δὲ δακρῦσαι καὶ στενάξαι συμπαθῶς ὑπὲρ σοῦ πρὸς τὸν κύριον τῶν ὅλων, ὃ δὲ διδάξαι τι τῶν πρὸς τὴν σωτηρίαν χρησίμων, ὃ δὲ νουθετῆσαι μετὰ παρρησίας, ὃ δὲ συμβουλεῦσαι μετʼ εὐνοίας, πάντες δὲ φιλεῖν ἀληθῶς, ἀδόλως, ἀφόβως. ἀνυποκρίτως, ἀκολακεύτως.

### English translation (Claude)

All these are active soldiers and sure guards. No one is idle, no one useless. One can obtain your pardon from God; another can comfort you when you are sick; another can weep and groan in sympathy for you before the Lord of all; another can teach you something useful for salvation; another can admonish you with boldness; another can counsel you with goodwill; and all can love you truly, without guile, without fear, without hypocrisy, without flattery,

### Translation notes

- The bracketed word in the Greek is the editor's deletion.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 35.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/35/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 35.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/35/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:183
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Their loving service is sincere and truthful, for they believe they serve God and the King of the ages dwelling in the rich believer.

### Greek text

ἀπλάστως. ὦ γλυκεῖαι θεραπεῖαι φιλούντων, ὦ μακάριοι διακονίαι θαρρούντων, ὦ πίστις εἰλικρινὴς θεὸν μόνον δεδιότων, ὦ λόγων ἀλήθεια παρὰ τοῖς ψεύσασθαι μὴ δυναμένοις, ὦ κάλλος ἔργων παρὰ τοῖς θεῷ διακονεῖν πεπεισμένοις. πείθειν θεόν, ἀρέσκειν θεῷ· οὐ σαρκὸς τῆς σῆς ἅπτεσθαι δοκοῦσιν. ἀλλὰ τῆς ἑαυτοῦ ψυχῆς ἕκαστος, οὐκ ἀδελφῷ λαλεῖν, ἀλλὰ τῷ βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν σοὶ κατοικοῦντι.

### English translation (Claude)

without pretense. O sweet services of those who love! O blessed ministries of those who are bold! O sincere faith of those who fear God alone! O truth of words among those who cannot lie! O beauty of works among those persuaded that they serve God, persuading God, pleasing God! They think they touch not your flesh but each one his own soul; they think they speak not to a brother but to the King of the ages, who dwells in you.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 1:17: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The King of the ages” is 1 Tim 1:17.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 35.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/35/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 36.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/36/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:183
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: All believers are noble, but some are more elect: hidden saints who shun recognition, whom Christ calls the light of the world and salt of the earth.

### Greek text

Πάντες οὖν οἱ πιστοὶ καλοὶ καὶ θεοπρεπεῖς καὶ τῆς προσηγορίας ἄξιοι, ἣν ὥσπερ διάδημα περίκεινται. οὐ μὴν ἀλλʼ εἰσὶν ἤδη τινὲς καὶ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν ἐκλεκτότεροι, καὶ τοσούτῳ μᾶλλον ᾗ ἧττον ἐπίσημοι, τρόπον τινὰ ἐκ τοῦ κλύδωνος τοῦ κόσμου νεωλκοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἐπανάγοντες ἐπʼ ἀσφαλές, οὐ βουλόμενοι δοκεῖν ἅγιοι. κἂν εἴπῃ τις, αἰσχυνόμενοι, ἐν βάθει γνώμης ἀποκρύπτοντες τὰ ἀνεκλάλητα μυστήρια. καὶ τὴν αὑτῶν εὐγένειαν ὑπερηφανοῦντες ἐν κόσμῳ βλέπεσθαι, οὓς ὁ λόγος »φῶς τοῦ κόσμου« καὶ »ἅλας τῆς γῆς« καλεῖ.

### English translation (Claude)

All the faithful, then, are noble and godlike and worthy of the name they wear like a diadem. Yet there are already some more elect than the elect, and the more so the less conspicuous they are: those who in some way draw their ship up out of the surge of the world and bring themselves to safety, not wishing to seem holy, and ashamed if anyone calls them so, hiding the unspeakable mysteries in the depth of their mind, and disdaining to have their nobility seen in the world. These the Word calls “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth.”

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:14: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 5:13: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotations are Matt 5:14 and 5:13.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 36.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/36/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 36.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/36/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:183
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: These saints are God's seed, image, and heirs, sent into the world as sojourners.

### Greek text

τοῦτʼ ἔστι τὸ σπέρμα, εἰκὼν καὶ ὁμοίωσις θεοῦ, καὶ τέκνον αὐτοῦ γνήσιον καὶ κληρονόμον, ὥσπερ ἐπί τινα ξενιτείαν ἐνταῦθα πεμπόμενον ὑπὸ μεγάλης οἰκονομίας καὶ ἀναλογίας τοῦ πατρός·

### English translation (Claude)

This is the seed, the image and likeness of God, his true child and heir, sent here as on a sojourn abroad by the Father's great plan and fitting order;

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:26: echo, high confidence
- Rom 8:17: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 36.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/36/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 36.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/36/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:183
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The world was made for the sake of these saints and will be dissolved when they are gathered in.

### Greek text

διʼ ὃ καὶ τὰ φανερὰ καὶ τὰ ἀφανῆ τοῦ κόσμου δεδημιούργηται, τὰ μὲν εἰς δουλείαν, τὰ δὲ εἰς ἄσκησιν. τὰ δὲ εἰς μάθησιν αὐτῷ. καὶ πάντα, μέχρις ἂν ἐνταῦθα τὸ σπέρμα μένῃ. συνέχεται, καὶ συναχθέντος αὐτοῦ πάντα τάχιστα λυθήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

for whose sake both the visible and the invisible things of the world were created, some for its service, some for its training, some for its instruction. And all things hold together as long as the seed remains here; and when it has been gathered in, all things will very quickly be dissolved.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Justin, 2 Apol. 6 (Second Apology): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Compare the similar thought in Diogn. 6.7 and Justin, 2 Apol. 6.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 36.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/36/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 37.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:183–184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Contemplate the mysteries of love and you will see the Father's bosom, revealed by the only-begotten God; God is love and became visible to us out of love.

### Greek text

Τί γὰρ ἔτι δεῖ; θεῶ τὰ τῆς ἀγάπης μυστήρια, καὶ τότε ἐποπτεύσεις τὸν κόλπον τοῦ πατρός, ὃν ὁ μονογενὴς θεὸς μόνος ἐξηγήσατο. ἔστι δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη καὶ διʼ ἀγάπην ἡμῖν ἐθεάθη.

### English translation (Claude)

For what more is needed? Behold the mysteries of love, and then you will gaze into the bosom of the Father, whom the only-begotten God alone has declared. God himself is love, and for love's sake he became visible to us.

### Scripture references

- John 1:18: allusion, high confidence
- 1 John 4:8: allusion, high confidence
- 1 John 4:16: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are John 1:18 (with the reading “only-begotten God”) and 1 John 4:8, 16.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 37.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 37.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: In God, the ineffable is Father, and his compassion toward us is motherly: in loving, the Father became like a mother.

### Greek text

καὶ τὸ μὲν ἄρρητον αὐτοῦ πατήρ. τὸ δὲ εἰς ἡμᾶς συμπαθὲς γέγονε μήτηρ. ἀγαπήσας ὁ πατὴρ ἐθηλύνθη.

### English translation (Claude)

What is ineffable in him is Father; what has compassion for us has become Mother. The Father, by loving, became feminine.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Clement of Alexandria, Paed. 1.6.43 (The Instructor): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- This bold image of God's motherly love is Clement's; compare Paed. 1.6.43, where the Father's breasts nourish the believer.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 37.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 37.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Son, born of the Father's love, came down, became man, and suffered, so as to raise our weakness to his power.

### Greek text

καὶ τούτου μέγα σημεῖον ὃν αὐτὸς ἐγέννησεν ἐξ αὑτοῦ· καὶ ὁ τεχθεὶς ἐξ ἀγάπης καρπὸς ἀγάπη. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ αὐτὸς κατῆλθε. διὰ τοῦτο ἄνθρωπον ἐνέδυ. διὰ τοῦτο τὰ ἀνθρώπων ἑκὼν ἔπαθεν. ἵνα πρὸς τὴν ἡμετέραν ἀσθένειαν οὓς ἠγάπησε μετρηθεὶς ἡμᾶς πρὸς τὴν ἑαυτοῦ δύναμιν ἀντιμετρήσῃ.

### English translation (Claude)

And a great sign of this is the one whom he begot from himself; and the fruit born of love is love. For this he came down; for this he put on man; for this he willingly suffered what belongs to men, so that, having been measured to the weakness of us whom he loved, he might measure us in return to his own power.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 37.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 37.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Before offering himself as a ransom, Christ left a new covenant: his love.

### Greek text

καὶ μέλλων σπένδεσθαι καὶ λύτρον ἑαυτὸν ἐπιδιδοὺς καινὴν ἡμῖν διαθήκην καταλιμπάνει· »ἀγάπην ὑμῖν δίδωμι τὴν ἐμήν.« τίς δέ ἐστιν αὕτη καὶ πόση;

### English translation (Claude)

And when he was about to be poured out as a libation and was giving himself as a ransom, he left us a new covenant: “I give you my love.” What is this love, and how great?

### Scripture references

- John 13:34: allusion, high confidence
- John 14:27: allusion, medium confidence
- Mark 10:45: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The saying combines John 13:34 and 14:27; “ransom” is Mark 10:45.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 37.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 37.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Christ gave his life for each of us and asks us to do the same for each other; how then can we hoard perishable goods from our brothers?

### Greek text

ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἑκάστου κατέθηκε τὴν ψυχὴν τὴν ἀνταξίαν τῶν ὅλων· ταύτην ἡμᾶς ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων ἀνταπαιτεῖ. εἰ δὲ τὰς ψυχὰς ὀφείλομεν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. καὶ τοιαύτην τὴν συνθήκην πρὸς τὸν σωτῆρα ἀνθωμολογήμεθα. ἔτι τὰ τοῦ κόσμου. τὰ πτωχὰ καὶ ἀλλότρια καὶ παραρρέοντα. καθείρξομεν ταμιευόμενοι; ἀλλήλων ἀποκλείσομεν, ἃ μετὰ μικρὸν ἕξει τὸ πῦρ;

### English translation (Claude)

For each of us he laid down his life, which was worth the whole universe; this he demands of us in return, for one another. And if we owe our lives to the brethren, and have made such a covenant with the Savior, shall we still shut up and hoard the things of the world, which are beggarly, alien, and flowing away? Shall we shut out from one another what the fire will soon have?

### Scripture references

- 1 John 3:16: allusion, high confidence
- John 15:13: echo, medium confidence
- 2 Pet 3:10: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusion is 1 John 3:16.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 37.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 37.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: John says that whoever does not love his brother is a murderer, a child of Cain, cut off from the vine and awaiting the fire.

### Greek text

θείως γε καὶ ἐπιπνόως ὁ Ἰωάννης »ὁ μὴ φιλῶν« φησὶ »τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἀνθρωποκτόνος ἐστί«, σπέρμα τοῦ Κάιν, θρέμμα τοῦ διαβόλου. θεοῦ σπλάγχνον οὐκ ἔχει, ἐλπίδα κρειττόνων οὐκ ἔχει. ἄσπορός ἐστιν, ἄγονός ἐστιν. οὐκ ἔστι κλῆμα τῆς ἀεὶ ζώσης ὑπερουρανίας ἀμπέλου, ἐκκόπτεται, τὸ πῦρ ἄθρουν ἀναμένει.

### English translation (Claude)

Divinely and inspiredly John says, “He who does not love his brother is a murderer”: a seed of Cain, a nursling of the devil. He has not the heart of God, he has no hope of better things. He is seedless, he is barren. He is not a branch of the ever-living supercelestial vine; he is cut off; he awaits the fire all at once.

### Scripture references

- 1 John 3:15: quotation, high confidence
- 1 John 3:12: allusion, high confidence
- John 15:6: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is 1 John 3:15 (compare 3:12, Cain); the vine and branches are John 15:1–6.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 37.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/37/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 38.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Learn Paul's more excellent way: love, which does not seek its own but spends itself on the brother.

### Greek text

Σὺ δὲ μάθε τὴν »καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ὁδόν«, ἣν δείκνυσι Παῦλος ἐπὶ σωτηρίαν· »ἡ ἀγάπη τὰ ἑαυτῆς οὐ ζητεῖ«, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἐκκέχυται· περὶ τοῦτον ἐπτόηται, περὶ τοῦτον σωφρόνως μαίνεται.

### English translation (Claude)

But you, learn the “still more excellent way” that Paul shows to salvation: “Love does not seek its own,” but is poured out on the brother; it is excited about him; about him it is sensibly mad.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 12:31: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:5: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 38.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 38.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:184
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Scripture's praise of love: it covers sins, casts out fear, endures all things, never fails, and is the greatest of faith, hope, and love.

### Greek text

»ἀγάπη καλύπτει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν· ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἐκβάλλει τὸν φόβον· οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται. οὐκ ἐπιχαίρει τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ· πάντα στέγει. πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει. πάντα ὑπομένει. ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε ἐκπίπτει, προφητεῖαι καταργοῦνται. γλῶσσαι παύονται, ἰάσεις ἐπὶ γῆς καταλείπονται. μένει δὲ τὰ τρία ταῦτα, πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη· μείζων δὲ ἐν τούτοις ἡ ἀγάπη.«

### English translation (Claude)

“Love covers a multitude of sins. Perfect love casts out fear. It does not boast, it is not puffed up; it does not rejoice in injustice but rejoices with the truth; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Prophecies are abolished, tongues cease, healings are left behind on earth. But these three remain: faith, hope, love; and the greatest of these is love.”

### Scripture references

- 1 Pet 4:8: quotation, high confidence
- 1 John 4:18: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:4: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:6: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:7: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:8: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 13:13: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation combines 1 Pet 4:8, 1 John 4:18, and 1 Cor 13:4–8, 13, with “healings are left behind on earth” added.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 38.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 38.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:184–185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Faith and hope end when God is seen and promises are fulfilled, but love grows to fullness.

### Greek text

καὶ δικαίως· πίστις μὲν γὰρ ἀπέρχεται, ὅταν αὐτοψίᾳ πεισθῶμεν ἰδόντες θεόν, καὶ ἐλπὶς ἀφανίζεται τῶν ἐλπισθέντων ἀποδοθέντων, ἀγάπη δὲ εἰς πλήρωμα συνέρχεται καὶ μᾶλλον αὔξεται τῶν τελείων παραδοθέντων.

### English translation (Claude)

And rightly: for faith passes away when we are convinced by seeing God with our own eyes, and hope vanishes when what was hoped for has been granted; but love comes together into fullness and grows the more when perfect things have been given.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 13:12: echo, medium confidence
- Rom 8:24: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 38.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 38.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Whoever grows in love and repents sincerely can repair past sins.

### Greek text

ἐὰν ταύτην ἐμβάληταί τις τῇ ψυχῇ, δύναται, κἂν ἐν ἁμαρτήμασιν ᾖ γεγεννημένος, κἂν πολλὰ τῶν κεκωλυμένων εἰργασμένος, αὐξήσας τὴν ἀγάπην καὶ μετάνοιαν καθαρὰν λαβὼν ἀναμαχέσασθαι τὰ ἐπταισμένα.

### English translation (Claude)

If someone implants this in his soul, even if he was born in sins and has done many forbidden things, he can, by increasing love and taking up pure repentance, retrieve his failures.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 38.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 38.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: No one should despair after learning who the rich man is

### Greek text

μηδὲ γὰρ τοῦτο εἰς ἀπόγνωσίν σοι καὶ ἀπόνοιαν καταλελείφθω, εἰ καὶ τὸν πλούσιον μάθοις ὅστις ἐστὶν

### English translation (Claude)

Let not this, too, be left to you as a cause of despair and hopelessness, if you have learned who the rich man is

### Translation notes

- The sentence continues in the next section.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 38.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/38/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 39.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: who has no place in heaven; and one who has sinned after baptism, through ignorance or weakness, should not think God has condemned him forever.

### Greek text

ὁ χώραν ἐν οὐρανοῖς οὐκ ἔχων καὶ τίνα τρόπον τοῖς οὖσι χρώμενος ἄν τις τό τε ἐπίρρητον τοῦ πλούτου καὶ χαλεπὸν εἰς ζωὴν διαφύγοι καὶ δύναιτο τῶν αἰωνίων [τῶν] ἀγαθῶν ἐπαύρασθαι, εἴη δὲ τετυχηκὼς ἢ διʼ ἄγνοιαν ἢ διʼ ἀσθένειαν ἢ περίστασιν ἀκούσιον μετὰ τὴν σφραγῖδα καὶ τὴν λύτρωσιν περιπετής τισιν ἁμαρτήμασιν ἢ παραπτώμασιν, ὡς ὑπενηνέχθαι τέλεον, ὅτι οὗτος κατεψήφισται παντάπασιν ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

who has no place in heaven, and in what way someone using what he has might escape the reproach of wealth and its difficulty for life and be able to enjoy the eternal good things; but if he happens, through ignorance, weakness, or involuntary circumstance, after the seal and the redemption, to have fallen into some sins or transgressions, so as to have been completely carried away, let him not suppose that he has been utterly condemned by God.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Herm. Mand. 4.3 (Shepherd of Hermas: Mandates): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “The seal and the redemption” are baptism. This leads into the question of repentance for sins after baptism, much discussed in the second-century church (compare Hermas, Mandate 4.3).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 39.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 39.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Father gladly receives every truly repentant son; true repentance means uprooting the sins one has condemned in oneself.

### Greek text

παντὶ γὰρ τῷ μετʼ ἀληθείας ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας ἐπιστρέψαντι πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ἀνεῴγασιν αἱ θύραι καὶ δέχεται τρισάσμενος πατὴρ υἱὸν ἀληθῶς μετανοοῦντα· ἡ δʼ ἀληθινὴ μετάνοια τὸ μηκέτι τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἔνοχον εἶναι, ἀλλὰ ἄρδην ἐκριζῶσαι τῆς ψυχῆς ἐφʼ οἷς ἑαυτοῦ κατέγνω θάνατον ἁμαρτήμασιν· τούτων γὰρ ἀναιρεθέντων αὖθις εἰς σὲ θεὸς εἰσοικισθήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

For to everyone who turns to God in truth with his whole heart the doors are open, and the thrice-glad Father receives a son who truly repents. True repentance is to be no longer liable for the same things, but to root out utterly from the soul the sins for which one condemned oneself to death; when these are removed, God will again come to dwell in you.

### Scripture references

- Luke 15:20: allusion, high confidence
- Joel 2:12: echo, low confidence
- John 14:23: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The Father receiving the son recalls the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 39.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 39.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: There is great joy in heaven over one repentant sinner.

### Greek text

μεγάλην γάρ φησι καὶ ἀνυπέρβλητον εἶναι χαρὰν καὶ ἑορτὴν ἐν οὐρανοῖς τῷ πατρὶ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις ἑνὸς ἁμαρτωλοῦ ἐπιστρέψαντος καὶ μετανοήσαντος.

### English translation (Claude)

For he says that there is great and unsurpassable joy and festival in heaven for the Father and the angels when one sinner turns and repents.

### Scripture references

- Luke 15:7: allusion, high confidence
- Luke 15:10: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 39.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 39.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:185
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God desires mercy and the sinner's repentance, and will wash scarlet sins white as snow.

### Greek text

διὸ καὶ κέκραγεν· »ἔλεον θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν· οὐ βούλομαι τὸν θάνατον τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ, ἀλλὰ τὴν μετάνοιαν· κἂν ὦσιν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ὑμῶν ὡς φοινικοῦν ἔριον, ὡς χιόνα λευκανῶ, κἂν μελάντερον τοῦ σκότους, ὡς ἔριον λευκὸν ἐκνίψας ποιήσω.«

### English translation (Claude)

That is why he has cried out: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice. I do not desire the death of the sinner, but his repentance. Though your sins be like scarlet wool, I will make them white as snow; though they be blacker than darkness, I will wash them and make them like white wool.”

### Scripture references

- Hos 6:6: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 9:13: quotation, medium confidence
- Ezek 18:23: quotation, high confidence
- Ezek 33:11: quotation, medium confidence
- Isa 1:18: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation combines Hos 6:6 (Matt 9:13), Ezek 18:23 (33:11), and Isa 1:18, with “blacker than darkness” added.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 39.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 39.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:185–186
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Only God forgives sins, and the Lord commands us to forgive our repentant brothers daily.

### Greek text

θεῷ γὰρ μόνῳ δυνατὸν ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν παρασχέσθαι καὶ μὴ λογίσασθαι παραπτώματα, ὅπου γε καὶ ἡμῖν παρακελεύεται τῆς ἡμέρας ἑκάστης ὁ κύριος ἀφιέναι τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μετανοοῦσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

For God alone can grant forgiveness of sins and not count transgressions, while the Lord also commands us to forgive our repentant brothers every day.

### Scripture references

- Mark 2:7: echo, medium confidence
- 2 Cor 5:19: echo, high confidence
- Luke 17:4: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 39.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 39.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:186
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God, the Father of mercies, patiently awaits those who turn back, which means ceasing from sin and not looking back.

### Greek text

εἰ δὲ ἡμεῖς πονηροὶ ὄντες ἴσμεν ἀγαθὰ δόματα διδόναι. πόσῳ μᾶλλον »ὁ πατὴρ τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν«. ὁ ἀγαθὸς πατὴρ »πάσης παρακλήσεως«. ὁ πολύσπλαγχνος καὶ πολυέλεος πέφυκε μακροθυμεῖν· τοὺς ἐπιστρέψαντας περιμένει· ἐπιστρέψαι δέ ἐστιν ὄντως ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων τὸ παύσασθαι καὶ μηκέτι βλέπειν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω.

### English translation (Claude)

And if we, being evil, know how to give good gifts, how much more “the Father of mercies,” the good Father “of all comfort,” who is very compassionate and very merciful, by nature is patient and waits for those who turn back. And to turn back is truly to cease from sins and no longer look behind.

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:11: allusion, high confidence
- 2 Cor 1:3: quotation, high confidence
- Jas 5:11: echo, medium confidence
- Luke 9:62: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are Matt 7:11, 2 Cor 1:3, Jas 5:11, and Luke 9:62.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 39.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/39/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 40.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:186
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God forgives past sins; future ones each person must avoid; repentance is condemning past deeds and asking the Father, who alone can undo them, for forgiveness.

### Greek text

Τῶν μὲν οὖν προγεγενημένων θεὸς δίδωσιν ἄφεσιν. τῶν δὲ ἐπιόντων αὐτὸς ἕκαστος ἑαυτῷ. καὶ τοῦτʼ ἔστι μεταγνῶναι τὸ καταγνῶναι τῶν παρῳχημένων καὶ αἰτήσασθαι τούτων ἀμνηστίαν παρὰ πατρός, ὃς μόνος τῶν ἁπάντων οἷός τέ ἐστιν ἄπρακτα ποιῆσαι τὰ πεπραγμένα ἐλέῳ τῷ παρʼ αὑτοῦ καὶ δρόσῳ πνεύματος ἀπαλείψας τὰ προημαρτημένα.

### English translation (Claude)

For past sins, then, God gives forgiveness; for those to come, each person to himself. And this is repentance: to condemn one's past deeds and to ask the Father to forget them, who alone of all is able to undo what has been done, by the mercy that comes from him, and to wipe out former sins by the dew of the Spirit.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 40.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 40.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:186
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God will judge each person as he finds him at the end.

### Greek text

»ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ ἂν εὕρω ὑμᾶς«, φησίν, »ἐπὶ τούτοις καὶ κρινῶ·«

### English translation (Claude)

“For in whatever I find you,” he says, “in that I will also judge you.”

### Extrabiblical texts

- Justin, Dial. 47.5 (Dialogue with Trypho): echo, high confidence

### Translation notes

- This saying is not in the canonical Gospels; it is also quoted by Justin (Dial. 47.5).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 40.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 40.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:186
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The end is decisive: a good life that ends in vice is wasted, while a bad life can be redeemed by later repentance.

### Greek text

καὶ παρʼ ἕκαστα βοᾷ τὸ τέλος πάντων· ὥστε καὶ τῷ τὰ μέγιστα εὖ πεποιηκότι κατὰ τὸν βίον, ἐπὶ δὲ τοῦ τέλους ἐξοκείλαντι πρὸς κακίαν, ἀνόνητοι πάντες οἱ πρόσθεν πόνοι, ἐπὶ τῆς καταστροφῆς τοῦ δράματος ἐξάθλῳ γενομένῳ, τῷ τε χεῖρον καὶ ἐπισεσυρμένως βιώσαντι πρότερον ἔστιν ὕστερον μετανοήσαντι πολλοῦ χρόνου πολιτείαν πονηρὰν ἐκνικῆσαι τῷ μετὰ τὴν μετάνοιαν χρόνῳ·

### English translation (Claude)

And at every point the end of all things cries out: so that for one who has done the greatest good in his life, but at the end has run aground on vice, all his previous labors are useless, since at the catastrophe of the drama he has been put out of the contest; while one who lived worse and carelessly before can, repenting later, overcome a long evil way of life by the time after repentance.

### Scripture references

- Ezek 18:24: echo, medium confidence
- Ezek 18:27: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 40.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 40.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:186
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Recovery from sin, like recovery from long illness, needs great care.

### Greek text

ἀκριβείας δὲ δεῖ πολλῆς, ὥσπερ τοῖς μακρᾷ νόσῳ πεπονηκόσι σώμασι διαίτης χρεία καὶ προσοχῆς πλείονος.

### English translation (Claude)

But much care is needed, just as bodies worn out by long illness need a diet and more attention.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 40.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 40.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:186–187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Repentance means abandoning each sin, restoring what was stolen, and curbing the passions, so as to be reconciled before one's death.

### Greek text

ὁ κλέπτης, ἄφεσιν βούλει λαβεῖν; μηκέτι κλέπτε· ὁ μοιχεύσας, μηκέτι πυρούσθω· ὁ πορνεύσας, λοιπὸν ἁγνευέτω· ὁ ἁρπάσας, ἀποδίδου καὶ προσαποδίδου· ὁ ψευδομάρτυς. ἀλήθειαν ἄσκησον· ὁ ἐπίορκος, μηκέτι ὄμνυε· καὶ τὰ ἄλλα πάθη σύντεμε, ὀργήν, ἐπιθυμίαν, λύπην. φόβον, ἵνα εὑρεθῇς ἐπὶ τῆς ἐξόδου πρὸς τὸν ἀντίδικον ἐνταῦθα διαλελύσθαι φθάνων.

### English translation (Claude)

Thief, do you want to receive forgiveness? Steal no more. Adulterer, burn no longer. Fornicator, from now on be chaste. Robber, give back, and give back more. False witness, practice truth. Perjurer, swear no more. And cut short the other passions: anger, desire, grief, fear; so that at your departure you may be found to have already been reconciled here with your adversary.

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:28: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:9: echo, medium confidence
- Luke 19:8: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 5:25: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The allusions are Eph 4:28 (the thief), 1 Cor 7:9 (burning), Luke 19:8 (restoring more), and Matt 5:25 (the adversary).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 40.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 40.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Deep-rooted passions cannot be cut off at once, but with God's power, prayer, brotherly help, repentance, and practice they are overcome.

### Greek text

ἔστιν μὲν οὖν ἀδύνατον ἴσως ἀθρόως ἀποκόψαι πάθη σύντροφα, ἀλλὰ μετὰ θεοῦ δυνάμεως καὶ ἀνθρωπείας ἱκεσίας καὶ ἀδελφῶν βοηθείας καὶ εἰλικρινοῦς μετανοίας καὶ συνεχοῦς μελέτης κατορθοῦται.

### English translation (Claude)

It is perhaps impossible to cut off all at once passions that have grown up with us; but with God's power, human supplication, the help of the brethren, sincere repentance, and constant practice, it is achieved.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 40.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/40/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The rich man should take a man of God as a spiritual guide, respecting and heeding one who speaks frankly to heal him.

### Greek text

Διὸ δεῖ πάντως σε τὸν σοβαρὸν καὶ δυνατὸν καὶ πλούσιον ἐπιστήσασθαι ἑαυτῷ τινα ἄνθρωπον θεοῦ καθάπερ ἀλείπτην καὶ κυβερνήτην. αἰδοῦ κἂν ἕνα, φοβοῦ κἂν ἕνα, μελέτησον ἀκούειν κἂν ἑνὸς παρρησιαζομένου καὶ στύφοντος ἅμα καὶ θεραπεύοντος.

### English translation (Claude)

That is why you, who are proud, powerful, and rich, must by all means set over yourself some man of God as a trainer and helmsman. Respect even one, fear even one, practice listening to even one who speaks boldly, who is both severe and healing.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: As eyes sometimes need stinging treatment, so the soul needs correction.

### Greek text

οὐδὲ γὰρ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς συμφέρει τὸν ἀεὶ χρόνον ἀκολάστοις μένειν, ἀλλὰ καὶ δακρῦσαι καὶ δηχθῆναί ποτε ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑγείας τῆς πλείονος.

### English translation (Claude)

For it does not benefit the eyes to remain unchecked all the time; they must sometimes weep and smart for the sake of better health.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Continual pleasure blinds the soul that will not be moved by frank rebuke.

### Greek text

οὕτω καὶ ψυχῇ διηνεκοῦς ἡδονῆς οὐδὲν ὀλεθριώτερον· ἀποτυφλοῦται γὰρ ἀπὸ τῆς τήξεως, ἐὰν ἀκίνητος τῷ παρρησιαζομένῳ διαμείνῃ λόγῳ.

### English translation (Claude)

So too nothing is more ruinous to the soul than continual pleasure; for it is blinded by the melting, if it remains unmoved by the word that speaks boldly.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Heed the spiritual guide's anger, grief, and pleas.

### Greek text

τοῦτον καὶ ὀργισθέντα φοβήθητι, καὶ στενάξαντα † λυπήθητι, καὶ ὀργὴν παύοντα αἰδέσθητι, καὶ κόλασιν παραιτούμενον φθάσον.

### English translation (Claude)

Fear this man when he is angry; be grieved when he groans; respect him when he ceases from anger; and anticipate him when he pleads for your punishment to be averted.

### Translation notes

- The edition marks a corruption (dagger) in this sentence; the translation follows the likely sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The guide should intercede for him through many nights of prayer, for the Father cannot resist his children's pleas.

### Greek text

οὗτος ὑπὲρ σοῦ πολλὰς νύκτας ἀγρυπνησάτω, πρεσβεύων ὑπὲρ σοῦ πρὸς θεὸν καὶ λιτανείαις συνήθεσι μαγεύων τὸν πατέρα· οὐ γὰρ ἀντέχει τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτοῦ τὰ σπλάγχνα δεομένοις.

### English translation (Claude)

Let him spend many sleepless nights for you, interceding for you with God and charming the Father with familiar litanies; for he does not hold out his heart against his children when they plead.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: His intercession is pure if he is honored as God's messenger and grieves only for the rich man's sake; this is sincere repentance.

### Greek text

δεήσεται δὲ καθαρῶς ὑπὸ σοῦ προτιμώμενος ὡς ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ μηδὲν ὑπὸ σοῦ λυπούμενος, ἀλλʼ ὑπὲρ σοῦ. τοῦτό ἐστι μετάνοια ἀνυπόκριτος.

### English translation (Claude)

And he will plead purely if he is honored by you above others as an angel of God, and is grieved not at all by you, but for you. This is repentance without hypocrisy.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 41.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:187
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God is not mocked: he searches hearts, heard the three youths in the fire and Jonah in the whale, and is near to believers.

### Greek text

»θεὸς οὐ μυκτηρίζεται« οὐδὲ προσέχει κενοῖς ῥήμασι· μόνος γὰρ ἀνακρίνει μυελοὺς καὶ νεφροὺς καρδίας καὶ τῶν ἐν πυρὶ κατακούει καὶ τῶν ἐν κοιλίᾳ κήτους ἱκετευόντων ἐξακούει καὶ πᾶσιν ἐγγύς ἐστι τοῖς πιστεύουσι καὶ πόρρω τοῖς ἀθέοις, ἂν μὴ μετανοήσωσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

“God is not mocked,” nor does he pay attention to empty words; for he alone examines the marrow and reins of the heart, and hears those in the fire, and listens to those praying in the belly of the whale, and is near to all who believe and far from the godless, unless they repent.

### Scripture references

- Gal 6:7: quotation, high confidence
- Jer 17:10: allusion, medium confidence
- Heb 4:12: echo, medium confidence
- Dan 3:23: allusion, medium confidence
- Jonah 2:1: allusion, high confidence
- Ps 145:18 (144:18 LXX): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is Gal 6:7; the allusions are Jer 17:10 (Heb 4:12), Dan 3 (the three youths), Jonah 2:1–2, and Ps 145:18 (144:18 LXX).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 41.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/41/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/1/
- Source: Stählin 3:187–188
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: To show that true repentance brings hope, Clement tells a true story about the apostle John.

### Greek text

Ἵνα δὲ ἐπιθαρρήσῃς, οὕτω μετανοήσας ἀληθῶς, ὅτι σοὶ μένει σωτηρίας ἐλπὶς ἀξιόχρεως, ἄκουσον μῦθον οὐ μῦθον, ἀλλὰ ὄντα λόγον περὶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ ἀποστόλου παραδεδομένον καὶ μνήμῃ πεφυλαγμένον.

### English translation (Claude)

And so that you may take courage, if you repent truly in this way, that a worthy hope of salvation remains for you, hear a story that is no story but a true account, handed down and preserved in memory, about John the apostle.

### Translation notes

- The story of John and the young robber (42.1–15) is quoted from this work by Eusebius, Church History 3.23.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/1/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/2/
- Source: Stählin 3:188
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: After the tyrant's death, John left Patmos for Ephesus and visited nearby churches to appoint bishops and set churches in order.

### Greek text

ἐπειδὴ γὰρ τοῦ τυράννου τελευτήσαντος ἀπὸ τῆς Πάτμου τῆς νήσου μετῆλθεν ἐπὶ τὴν Ἔφεσον. ἀπῄει παρακαλούμενος καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ πλησιόχωρα τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὅπου μὲν ἐπισκόπους καταστήσων. ὅπου δὲ ὅλας ἐκκλησίας ἁρμόσων, ὅπου δὲ κλῆρον ἕνα γέ τινα κληρώσων τῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος σημαινομένων.

### English translation (Claude)

When, after the tyrant's death, he moved from the island of Patmos to Ephesus, he used to go, when invited, to the neighboring regions of the Gentiles, in some places to appoint bishops, in others to set whole churches in order, in others to choose by lot to the clergy some one of those indicated by the Spirit.

### Scripture references

- Rev 1:9: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The tyrant” is probably Domitian (d. 96). The allusion is Rev 1:9. “Choose by lot to the clergy” plays on κλῆρος (“lot,” “clergy”).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/2/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/3/
- Source: Stählin 3:188
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: In a nearby city John entrusted a promising young man to the bishop, solemnly, before the church and Christ.

### Greek text

ἐλθὼν οὖν καὶ ἐπί τινα τῶν οὐ μακρὰν πόλεων, ἧς καὶ τοὔνομα λέγουσιν ἔνιοι, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα ἀναπαύσας τοὺς ἀδελφούς, ἐπὶ πᾶσι τῷ καθεστῶτι προσβλέψας ἐπισκόπῳ. νεανίσκον ἱκανὸν τῷ σώματι καὶ τὴν ὄψιν ἀστεῖον καὶ θερμὸν τὴν ψυχὴν ἰδών, »τοῦτον« ἔφη »σοὶ παρακατατίθεμαι μετὰ πάσης σπουδῆς ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκκλησίας καὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ μάρτυρος«. τοῦ δὲ δεχομένου καὶ πάνθʼ ὑπισχνουμένου καὶ πάλιν τὰ αὐτὰ διετείνατο καὶ διεμαρτύρατο.

### English translation (Claude)

Coming then to one of the cities not far off, whose name some people even give, and having comforted the brethren in other matters, he finally looked at the bishop who had been appointed and, seeing a young man strong in body, handsome in appearance, and ardent in soul, said, “This one I entrust to you with all earnestness, with the church and Christ as witness.” When the bishop accepted him and promised everything, John again gave the same charge and called on witnesses.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/3/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/4/
- Source: Stählin 3:188
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The presbyter raised and baptized the young man, then relaxed his care, trusting in the seal of baptism.

### Greek text

εἶτα ὃ μὲν ἀπῆρεν ἐπὶ τὴν Ἔφεσον, ὁ δὲ πρεσβύτερος ἀναλαβὼν οἴκαδε τὸν παραδοθέντα νεανίσκον ἔτρεφε, συνεῖχεν. ἔθαλπε, τὸ τελευταῖον ἐφώτισε· καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο ὑφῆκε τῆς πλείονος ἐπιμελείας καὶ παραφυλακῆς, ὡς τὸ τέλειον αὐτῷ φυλακτήριον ἐπιστήσας, τὴν σφραγῖδα τοῦ κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

Then he set off for Ephesus, and the presbyter took home the young man entrusted to him, reared him, kept him close, cherished him, and finally baptized him. After this he relaxed his greater care and guardianship, as though he had set over him the perfect safeguard, the seal of the Lord.

### Translation notes

- The bishop of 42.3 is here called “the presbyter”; the terms are still used interchangeably. “Baptized” renders ἐφώτισε (“enlightened”); “the seal of the Lord” is baptism.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/4/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/5/
- Source: Stählin 3:188–189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Left to himself too soon, the young man was corrupted by idle companions, first by feasts, then by robbery.

### Greek text

τῷ δὲ ἀνέσεως πρὸ ὥρας λαβομένῳ προσφθείρονταί τινες ἥλικες ἀργοὶ καὶ ἀπερρωγότες, ἐθάδες κακῶν· καὶ πρῶτον μὲν διʼ ἑστιάσεων πολυτελῶν αὐτὸν ὑπάγονται. εἶτά που καὶ νύκτωρ ἐπὶ λωποδυσίαν ἐξιόντες συνεπάγονται, εἶτά τι καὶ μεῖζον συμπράττειν ἠξίουν.

### English translation (Claude)

But, as he had gained freedom too early, some idle, dissolute young men of his age, accustomed to evil, corrupted him. First they drew him on with expensive banquets; then they took him along when they went out at night to rob; then they thought fit to have him join in something greater.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/5/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/6/
- Source: Stählin 3:189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Like an unbridled horse he plunged into ever greater crimes.

### Greek text

ὃ δὲ κατʼ ὀλίγον προσειθίζετο καὶ διὰ μέγεθος φύσεως ἐκστὰς ὥσπερ ἄστομος καὶ εὔρωστος ἵππος ὀρθῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ τὸν χαλινὸν ἐνδακὼν μειζόνως κατὰ τῶν βαράθρων ἐφέρετο.

### English translation (Claude)

And he gradually grew used to it, and through the greatness of his nature, bolting from the right road like an unbridled and powerful horse, and biting the bit, he rushed all the more headlong toward the pits.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/6/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/7/
- Source: Stählin 3:189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Despairing of salvation, he formed a band of robbers and became its most violent chief; later John was called back.

### Greek text

ἀπογνοὺς δὲ τελέως τὴν ἐν θεῷ σωτηρίαν οὐδὲν ἔτι μικρὸν διενοεῖτο, ἀλλὰ μέγα τι πράξας, ἐπειδήπερ ἅπαξ ἀπολώλει, ἴσα τοῖς ἄλλοις παθεῖν ἠξίου. αὐτοὺς δὴ τούτους ἀναλαβὼν καὶ λῃστήριον συγκροτήσας, ἕτοιμος λῄσταρχος ἦν, βιαιότατος, μιαιφονώτατος, χαλεπώτατος. χρόνος ἐν μέσῳ, καί τινος ἐπιπεσούσης χρείας ἀνακαλοῦσι τὸν Ἰωάννην.

### English translation (Claude)

Having completely despaired of salvation in God, he no longer planned anything small, but, doing something great, since he was lost once for all, he thought fit to suffer the same as the others. Taking these very men and forming a band of robbers, he became a ready robber chief, most violent, most bloodthirsty, most cruel. Time passed, and some need arose, and they summoned John again.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/7/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/8/
- Source: Stählin 3:189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: John asked the bishop to return the “deposit” entrusted to him; the bishop thought he meant money.

### Greek text

ὃ δέ, ἐπεὶ τὰ ἄλλα ὧν χάριν ἧκεν κατεστήσατο, »ἄγε δή«, ἔφη. »ὦ ἐπίσκοπε, τὴν παραθήκην ἀπόδος ἡμῖν, ἣν ἐγώ τε καὶ ὁ Χριστός σοι παρακατεθέμεθα ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἧς προκαθέζῃ. μάρτυρος.« ὃ δὲ τὸ μὲν πρῶτον ἐξεπλάγη, χρήματα οἰόμενος.

### English translation (Claude)

When he had settled the other matters for which he had come, he said, “Come now, bishop, return to us the deposit that Christ and I entrusted to you, with the church over which you preside as witness.” At first the bishop was astonished, thinking he was being falsely accused about money

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/8/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/9/
- Source: Stählin 3:189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: John demanded the young man's soul; the bishop wept and said he was dead to God, now a robber in the mountains.

### Greek text

ἅπερ οὐκ ἔλαβε, συκοφαντεῖσθαι, καὶ οὔτε πιστεύειν εἶχεν ὑπὲρ ὧν οὐκ εἶχεν οὔτε ἀπιστεῖν Ἰωάννῃ· ὡς δὲ »τὸν νεανίσκον« εἶπεν »ἀπαιτῶ καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ«, στενάξας κάτωθεν ὁ πρεσβύτης καί τι καὶ ἐπιδακρύσας, »ἐκεῖνος« ἔφη »τέθνηκε«. »πῶς καὶ τίνα θάνατον;« »θεῷ τέθνηκεν« εἶπεν· »ἀπέβη γὰρ πονηρὸς καὶ ἐξώλης καί, τὸ κεφάλαιον. λῃστής, καὶ νῦν ἀντὶ τῆς ἐκκλησίας τὸ ὄρος κατείληφε μεθʼ ὁμοίου στρατιωτικοῦ.«

### English translation (Claude)

he had not received, and he could neither believe about what he did not have nor disbelieve John. But when John said, “I demand the young man and the soul of the brother,” the old man groaned deeply, and even shed tears, and said, “He is dead.” “How, and by what death?” “He is dead to God,” he said; “for he turned out wicked and depraved and, to sum up, a robber; and now, instead of the church, he has taken to the mountain with a troop like himself.”

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/9/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/10/
- Source: Stählin 3:189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: John mourned, reproached himself for his choice of guardian, and rode off at once to find the young man.

### Greek text

καταρρηξάμενος τὴν ἐσθῆτα ὁ ἀπόστολος καὶ μετὰ μεγάλης οἰμωγῆς πληξάμενος τὴν κεφαλήν. »καλόν γε« ἔφη »φύλακα τῆς τἀδελφοῦ ψυχῆς κατέλιπον· ἀλλʼ ἵππος ἤδη μοι παρέστω καὶ ἡγεμὼν γενέσθω μοί τις τῆς ὁδοῦ.« ἤλαυνεν, ὥσπερ εἶχεν, αὐτόθεν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας.

### English translation (Claude)

The apostle tore his clothes and, beating his head with great lamentation, said, “A fine guardian of the brother's soul I left! But let a horse be brought to me now, and let someone guide me on the way.” He rode off, just as he was, straight from the church.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/10/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/11/
- Source: Stählin 3:189
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The robbers' outpost captured John, who did not resist,

### Greek text

ἐλθὼν δὲ εἰς τὸ χωρίον ὑπὸ τῆς προφυλακῆς τῶν λῃστῶν ἁλίσκεται, μήτε φεύγων μήτε παραιτούμενος.

### English translation (Claude)

Coming to the place, he was taken by the robbers' outpost, neither fleeing nor begging off,

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/11/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/12/
- Source: Stählin 3:189–190
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: and demanded to be taken to their leader, who fled in shame when he recognized John.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ βοῶν· »ἐπὶ τοῦτʼ ἐλήλυθα, ἐπὶ τὸν ἄρχοντα ὑμῶν ἀγάγετέ με.« ὃς τέως, ὥσπερ ὥπλιστο, ἀνέμενεν· ὡς δὲ προσιόντα ἐγνώρισε τὸν Ἰωάννην, εἰς φυγὴν αἰδεσθεὶς ἐτράπετο.

### English translation (Claude)

but crying out, “This is what I have come for; take me to your leader.” The leader meanwhile waited, armed as he was; but when he recognized John approaching, he turned to flight, ashamed.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/12/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/13/
- Source: Stählin 3:190
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The aged John ran after him, pleading as a father, offering to die for him and assuring him of hope in Christ.

### Greek text

ὃ δὲ ἐδίωκεν ἀνὰ κράτος, ἐπιλαθόμενος τῆς ἡλικίας τῆς ἑαυτοῦ, κεκραγώς· »τί με φεύγεις, τέκνον, τὸν σαυτοῦ πατέρα, τὸν γυμνόν, τὸν γέροντα; ἐλέησόν με. τέκνον, μὴ φοβοῦ· ἔχεις ἔτι ζωῆς ἐλπίδας· ἐγὼ Χριστῷ λόγον δώσω ὑπὲρ σοῦ· ἂν δέῃ, τὸν σὸν θάνατον ἑκὼν ὑπομενῶ, ὡς ὁ κύριος τὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν· ὑπὲρ σοῦ τὴν ψυχὴν ἀντιδώσω τὴν ἐμήν. στῆθι, πίστευσον· Χριστός με ἀπέστειλεν.«

### English translation (Claude)

But John pursued him with all his might, forgetting his age, and crying out, “Why do you flee from me, child, your own father, unarmed and old? Have pity on me, child; do not be afraid. You still have hope of life. I will give account to Christ for you. If need be, I will willingly endure your death, as the Lord did for us. For you I will give my own life in exchange. Stand, believe; Christ has sent me.”

### Scripture references

- John 10:11: echo, medium confidence
- 1 John 3:16: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.13 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/13/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/14/
- Source: Stählin 3:190
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The young man stopped, threw down his weapons, wept, and embraced John, baptized a second time by his tears, hiding his blood-stained right hand.

### Greek text

ὃ δὲ ἀκούσας πρῶτον ἔστη μὲν κάτω βλέπων. εἶτα ἔρριψε τὰ ὅπλα, εἶτα τρέμων ἔκλαιε πικρῶς· προσελθόντα δὲ τὸν γέροντα περιέλαβεν, ἀπολογούμενος ταῖς οἰμωγαῖς ὡς ἐδύνατο καὶ τοῖς δάκρυσι βαπτιζόμενος ἐκ δευτέρου. μόνην ἀποκρύπτων τὴν δεξιάν.

### English translation (Claude)

When he heard this, he first stood still, looking down; then he threw away his weapons; then, trembling, he wept bitterly. When the old man came up, he embraced him, pleading his defense with laments as best he could, and baptized a second time with his tears, hiding only his right hand.

### Translation notes

- “Baptized a second time with his tears” is a famous image of repentance after baptism.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.14 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/14/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/15/
- Source: Stählin 3:190
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: John assured him of Christ's forgiveness, kissed his right hand, and restored him to the church through prayer, fasting, and teaching: an example of true repentance.

### Greek text

ὃ δὲ ἐγγυώμενος, ἐπομνύμενος ὡς ἄφεσιν αὐτῷ παρὰ τοῦ σωτῆρος εὕρηται, δεόμενος, γονυπετῶν, αὐτὴν τὴν δεξιὰν ὡς ὑπὸ τῆς μετανοίας κεκαθαρμένην καταφιλῶν, ἐπὶ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν ἐπανήγαγε, καὶ δαψιλέσι μὲν εὐχαῖς ἐξαιτούμενος, συνεχέσι δὲ νηστείαις συναγωνιζόμενος, ποικίλαις δὲ σειρῆσι λόγων κατεπᾴδων αὐτοῦ τὴν γνώμην, οὐ πρότερον ἀπῆλθεν, ὥς φασι, πρὶν αὐτὸν ἐπιστῆσαι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, διδοὺς μέγα παράδειγμα μετανοίας ἀληθινῆς καὶ μέγα γνώρισμα παλιγγενεσίας, τρόπαιον ἀναστάσεως βλεπομένης.

### English translation (Claude)

But John, pledging and swearing that he had found forgiveness for him from the Savior, begging, kneeling, kissing that very right hand as though cleansed by repentance, brought him back to the church. Interceding for him with abundant prayers, struggling with him in continual fasts, and charming his mind with varied spells of words, he did not leave, they say, until he had restored him to the church, giving a great example of true repentance and a great token of regeneration, a trophy of a visible resurrection.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.15 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/15/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/16/
- Source: Stählin 3:190
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: At death the repentant one is welcomed by rejoicing angels and by the Savior himself, who leads him to the Father and eternal life.

### Greek text

* * * φαιδροῖς γεγηθότες, ὑμνοῦντες, ἀνοιγνύντες τοὺς οὐρανούς. πρὸ δὲ πάντων αὐτὸς ὁ σωτὴρ προαπαντᾷ δεξιούμενος, φῶς ὀρέγων ἄσκιον, ἄπαυστον, ὁδηγῶν εἰς τοὺς κόλπους τοῦ πατρός, εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον ζωήν, εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

… rejoicing with radiant [faces], singing hymns, opening the heavens. And before all the Savior himself comes to meet him, welcoming him, holding out a light without shadow and unceasing, leading him into the bosom of the Father, into eternal life, into the kingdom of heaven.

### Scripture references

- John 1:18: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- A gap in the manuscript (marked by asterisks) comes before these words; the angels welcoming the soul are its subject. The word in square brackets is supplied in the translation.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.16 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/16/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/17/
- Source: Stählin 3:190
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Whoever trusts the Scriptures and lives by them will see their truth proved at death.

### Greek text

πιστευέτω ταῦτά τις καὶ θεοῦ μαθηταῖς καὶ ἐγγυητῇ θεῷ, προφητείαις, εὐαγγελίοις, λόγοις ἀποστολικοῖς· τούτοις συζῶν καὶ τὰ ὦτα ὑπέχων καὶ τὰ ἔργα ἀσκῶν ἐπʼ αὐτῆς τῆς ἐξόδου τὸ τέλος καὶ τὴν ἐπίδειξιν τῶν δογμάτων ὄψεται.

### English translation (Claude)

Let someone believe these things, both God's disciples and God who is their guarantor: prophecies, Gospels, apostolic words. Living with these, lending them his ears, and practicing the works, he will see at his very departure the end and proof of the doctrines.

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.17 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/17/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/18/
- Source: Stählin 3:190–191
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Whoever repents now will not regret it at death or fear the judgment; whoever refuses forgiveness has only himself to blame.

### Greek text

ὁ γὰρ ἐνταῦθα τὸν ἄγγελον τῆς μετανοίας προσιέμενος οὐ μετανοήσει τότε, ἡνίκα ἂν καταλίπῃ τὸ σῶμα, οὐδὲ καταισχυνθήσεται, τὸν σωτῆρα προσιόντα μετὰ τῆς αὑτοῦ δόξης καὶ στρατιᾶς ἰδών· οὐ δέδιε τὸ πῦρ· εἰ δέ τις αἱρεῖται μένειν ἐπεξαμαρτάνων ἑκάστοτε ἐπὶ ταῖς ἡδοναῖς καὶ τὴν ἐνταῦθα τρυφὴν τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς προτιμᾷ καὶ διδόντος τοῦ σωτῆρος ἄφεσιν ἀποστρέφεται, μήτε τὸν θεὸν ἔτι μήτε τὸν πλοῦτον μήτε τὸ προπεσεῖν αἰτιάσθω, τὴν δὲ ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἑκουσίως ἀπολουμένην.

### English translation (Claude)

For whoever welcomes the angel of repentance here will not repent then, when he leaves the body, nor will he be ashamed when he sees the Savior coming with his glory and his army; he does not fear the fire. But if someone chooses to remain, sinning again and again for pleasures, and prefers luxury here to eternal life, and turns away when the Savior offers forgiveness, let him no longer blame God, or wealth, or his fall, but his own soul, perishing willingly.

### Scripture references

- Matt 25:31: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 16:27: allusion, medium confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- Herm. Vis. 5.7 (Shepherd of Hermas: Visions): echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “The angel of repentance” recalls Hermas (Vis. 5.7; Mand. 12.4.7). The Savior coming with his glory and army is Matt 25:31 (16:27).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.18 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/18/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/19/
- Source: Stählin 3:191
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The heavenly Father will grant true cleansing and unchanging life to those who seek salvation earnestly.

### Greek text

τῷ δὲ ἐπιβλέποντι τὴν σωτηρίαν καὶ ποθοῦντι καὶ μετὰ ἀναιδείας καὶ βίας αἰτοῦντι παρέξει τὴν ἀληθινὴν κάθαρσιν καὶ τὴν ἄτρεπτον ζωὴν ὁ πατὴρ ὁ ἀγαθὸς ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

But to the one who looks to salvation, longs for it, and asks for it with persistence and force, the good Father who is in heaven will grant the true cleansing and the unchanging life.

### Scripture references

- Luke 11:8: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 11:12: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.19 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/19/).

## Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/20/
- Source: Stählin 3:191
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Doxology to the Father through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

### Greek text

ᾧ διὰ τοῦ παιδὸς Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ κυρίου ζώντων καὶ νεκρῶν, καὶ διὰ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος εἴη δόξα, τιμή, κράτος, αἰώνιος μεγαλειότης καὶ νῦν καὶ εἰς γενεὰς γενεῶν καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ἀμήν.

### English translation (Claude)

To him, through his Child Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and the dead, and through the Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, power, and eternal majesty, both now and to generations of generations and to the ages of ages. Amen.

### Scripture references

- Rom 14:9: allusion, high confidence
- Acts 4:30: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Lord of the living and the dead” is Rom 14:9. “Child” (παῖς) is an early title of Christ (Acts 4:27, 30; Did. 9.2).

### Citation (SBL)

Clement of Alexandria, Quis div. 42.20 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-quis-dives/42/20/).