Patristic quotations—the citations of Scripture found in the writings of early Christian theologians and church leaders—are invaluable for understanding the transmission and textual history of the New Testament. These quotations, spanning from the first century C.E. to the early medieval period, provide insight into how the New Testament was understood, copied, and circulated during the formative years of Christianity.
This chapter will explore the significance of patristic writings in textual criticism, demonstrating their role in identifying textual variants, reconstructing the original text, and affirming the reliability of the New Testament.
The Nature and Scope of Patristic Quotations
Who Were the Patristic Writers?
The term “patristic writers” refers to early Christian authors who defended, explained, and transmitted the faith in the centuries following the apostolic era. These men, such as Clement of Rome (c. 95 C.E.), Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 C.E.), and Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 C.E.), were instrumental in preserving and spreading the teachings of the New Testament. Their works often include extensive quotations and allusions to the Scriptures, reflecting the textual traditions of their time.
Clement of Rome, for instance, quotes from or alludes to portions of the Gospels, Acts, and Pauline epistles in his epistle to the Corinthians, written around 95 C.E. His use of Scripture confirms that these texts were already widely recognized and circulated within the Christian community.
The Extent of Patristic Citations
Patristic writings contain an immense number of New Testament quotations. It has been estimated that these writings collectively quote or reference the New Testament tens of thousands of times. This means that, theoretically, the New Testament could be reconstructed almost entirely from patristic citations alone.
The Apostle Peter’s statement in 2 Peter 1:15—”And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things”—is fulfilled in part by these writings, as they provide a historical record of the early Christian understanding of the New Testament.
Patristic Evidence and Textual Variants
Patristic Quotations as Witnesses to Early Texts
The writings of the early church fathers provide crucial evidence for the state of the New Testament text in various regions and time periods. Because these writers often lived in different geographic locations, their citations reflect regional textual traditions, such as the Alexandrian, Western, and Byzantine text types.
For example, Origen (c. 185–253 C.E.), an Alexandrian theologian, frequently referenced textual differences in the manuscripts available to him. His critical observations, combined with his extensive quotations, help modern scholars identify and evaluate early textual variants.
Resolving Variants Through Patristic Evidence
Patristic quotations can also assist in resolving textual variants. For instance, the writings of Irenaeus (c. 130–202 C.E.) support the inclusion of the longer reading of Mark 16:19-20, which discusses the ascension of Jesus. His testimony, along with that of other patristic sources, demonstrates that this passage was known and accepted in the second century, even though it is absent in some early manuscripts such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus.
Challenges in Using Patristic Quotations
Paraphrases and Loose Citations
One challenge in utilizing patristic quotations is that early Christian writers often paraphrased or loosely quoted Scripture. This practice makes it difficult to determine whether their wording reflects a specific manuscript tradition or simply their memory of the text.
For example, Tertullian (c. 155–240 C.E.) frequently paraphrases Pauline epistles, making it challenging to pinpoint exact textual forms. Nevertheless, even paraphrased quotations provide valuable insight into the text’s general content and its transmission.
Scribal Alterations in Patristic Texts
Another difficulty is that the manuscripts of patristic writings themselves have been subject to copying errors and alterations. Scribal modifications in patristic texts can obscure their original quotations of Scripture. Despite this, careful comparison of multiple patristic sources often yields reliable results.
Theological Insights from Patristic Quotations
Affirming the Authority of Scripture
Patristic quotations underscore the early church’s recognition of the New Testament as authoritative and inspired Scripture. Writers such as Polycarp (c. 69–156 C.E.) and Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 C.E.) consistently referred to the New Testament alongside the Old Testament as the Word of God. Polycarp, in his letter to the Philippians, cites Ephesians 2:8—”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith”—demonstrating his acceptance of Paul’s writings as authoritative.
Reflecting Early Interpretation
Patristic writings also provide insight into how early Christians interpreted the New Testament. Their exegesis often reflects the historical-grammatical method, emphasizing the plain meaning of the text in its original context. This approach aligns with the Apostle Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
The Reliability of the New Testament Text
Patristic Quotations as a Supplement to Manuscripts
While patristic quotations are not manuscripts themselves, they complement the existing manuscript evidence by providing additional data points for textual reconstruction. When combined with early Greek manuscripts, versions, and lectionaries, patristic evidence helps scholars establish the original text with remarkable confidence.
Preservation and Restoration of Scripture
The extensive use of Scripture by early Christian writers illustrates the process of preservation and restoration rather than miraculous preservation. Isaiah 40:8 states, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever,” a truth reflecting the enduring message of Scripture rather than the unaltered survival of every letter of the original text.
Patristic quotations bridge the gap between the autographs and the extant manuscript tradition, showing how Jehovah’s Word has been preserved through human effort. While textual variants in the manuscript tradition reflect the challenges faced by copyists, the restoration of the original text through careful scholarship affirms the reliability of the Scriptures. This ongoing work ensures that the inspired message, rather than specific forms of words, has been faithfully transmitted to every generation.
Conclusion: The Value of Patristic Quotations in Textual Criticism
Patristic quotations are a vital resource for understanding the history and transmission of the New Testament text. Despite challenges such as paraphrasing and textual alterations, these writings provide an invaluable witness to the text as it was known and used in the early centuries of Christianity.
By carefully analyzing patristic quotations, textual scholars can identify variants, affirm the authenticity of disputed passages, and reconstruct the original text with greater accuracy. These writings are a testament to the enduring truth of Jehovah’s Word, as expressed in 1 Peter 1:25: “But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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