Introduction to Papyrus 113 and Its Place in New Testament Textual Studies
Papyrus 113 (𝔓113), designated under the Oxyrhynchus Papyri series as P. Oxy. 4497, is a valuable witness to the early transmission of the New Testament text, albeit highly fragmentary. This papyrus preserves portions of Romans 2:12–13 on the recto and Romans 2:29 on the verso. Paleographically dated to the early third century C.E., this manuscript stands as an important representative of the textual tradition of the Epistle to the Romans, one of the most doctrinally significant epistles in the Pauline corpus.
The Oxyrhynchus provenance—an abundant source of New Testament papyri—offers insight into the textual history within Egypt, particularly where the Alexandrian text-type was dominant. The textual character of 𝔓113 is officially listed as too small to determine due to the fragmentary nature. However, internal clues and layout features provide limited but potentially significant data for textual critics aiming to reconstruct the earliest attainable text of the Greek New Testament.
This article will present a detailed analysis of 𝔓113, including its physical description, transcriptional data, textual variants, paleographical features, and a consideration of its text-type affinities, particularly in light of Alexandrian textual transmission. Although small, this fragment supports the broader picture of a stable, early textual tradition that affirms the reliability of the transmitted Greek New Testament text.
Provenance, Paleographical Dating, and Codicological Format
𝔓113 was discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, a site that has yielded many of the earliest known Christian manuscripts, particularly papyrus witnesses to the New Testament. Oxyrhynchus was a key site for Christian papyri, revealing the literary activity of early Christian communities in the region.
The paleographical analysis by the Institut für Neutestamentliche Textforschung (INTF) places this papyrus in the third century C.E., and Philip W. Comfort—based on comparative analysis of handwriting styles—more narrowly assigns it to the first half of the third century C.E. This is a significant date, situating the papyrus within about 150 years of the original composition of the Epistle to the Romans (written c. 56 C.E.). This makes 𝔓113 among the earlier extant witnesses to Romans.
The fragment displays two narrow columns per page, a feature consistent with other early Christian codices, particularly from Egypt. Early Christian scribes favored the codex over the scroll for its utility and efficiency. The narrow column width also allowed for easier reading and handling—factors essential in communal and liturgical contexts.
P113 (P. Oxy. 4497)
Transcription and Layout of the Fragment
The transcription of 𝔓113 should be presented in a clear and academically sound format, without boxed or preformatted layouts. The fragment consists of text on both recto and verso, preserving portions of Romans 2:12–13 and Romans 2:29, respectively. Bracketed text reflects conjectural reconstruction based on extant manuscript evidence and comparison with recognized critical editions (e.g., NA28).
This side contains remnants of Romans 2:12–13. Of special note is the textual variant in verse 13 where the article τοῦ before νόμου is absent, consistent with early Alexandrian witnesses such as 𝔓46 and Codex Vaticanus (B). The omission is supported by comparative word spacing and confirms a shorter Alexandrian reading: “οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἀκροαταὶ νόμου δίκαιοι…”
This matches the style of the Alexandrian text-type, known for its concise and careful renderings.
The verso preserves a portion of Romans 2:29, a verse that highlights the contrast between outward ritual and inward transformation. Despite heavy lacunae, the surviving text includes key theological terms such as καρδίας ἐν πνεύματι (“of the heart, by spirit”) and οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων (“whose praise is not from men”). The appearance of nomina sacra, particularly the abbreviated π̅ν̅ι̅ for πνεύματι, is consistent with early Christian scribal customs and confirms the manuscript’s Christian origin and early date.
While the papyrus is fragmentary and lacks complete context, the preserved wording corresponds closely with the Alexandrian tradition and affirms the textual stability of Romans in Egypt during the early third century C.E.
Textual Variants in Romans 2:13: The Omission of του
One of the key textual data points in 𝔓113 concerns Romans 2:13, a verse that reads in the majority text as:
The issue concerns the article τοῦ before νόμου. The Alexandrian textual tradition, especially as preserved in Codex Vaticanus (B) and Papyrus 46 (𝔓46), omits τοῦ in at least one instance of this construction, thus reading:
“οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἀκροαταὶ νόμου δίκαιοι…”
𝔓113, although fragmentary, appears to support this shorter reading. Word-spacing analysis, as noted by Philip Comfort, strongly indicates the omission of τοῦ, aligning the fragment with the Alexandrian tradition.
This is consistent with the Alexandrian tendency toward conciseness, especially in early papyri, where scribes often avoided unnecessary articles and conjunctions that were not semantically required. Given that this omission is supported by other early papyri and the most respected Alexandrian uncials, such as Codex Vaticanus (B), 𝔓113 offers additional documentary support for the shorter reading.
From a textual criticism perspective, this is significant. It reinforces the credibility of Alexandrian witnesses and the documentary method that prioritizes external manuscript evidence over internal conjecture.
Theological Implications of Romans 2:13 in Early Transmission
Romans 2:13 contains critical theological implications, especially in the context of Paul’s argument concerning Jews and Gentiles under the Law. By stating that merely hearing the Law does not justify one before God, but doing the Law, Paul establishes the basis for condemning both Jew and Gentile (cf. Romans 3:9–20).
The omission of τοῦ may seem minor, but it reflects a subtle stylistic difference in Greek that can shape exegesis. The presence of the article specifies the Law more directly (“the Law”), whereas its omission can suggest a more generic concept (“Law” in principle). However, in this context, the omission likely has no doctrinal impact and simply reflects scribal brevity.
Still, it is precisely these small omissions and variations that textual critics study to trace the most original form of the text. 𝔓113, by offering an early reading without τοῦ, affirms the early Alexandrian text as lacking this article—thus reinforcing the critical text’s decision.
Romans 2:29: Spiritual Circumcision and the Early Manuscript Tradition
The fragmentary verso of 𝔓113 contains portions of Romans 2:29, which states:
These fragments confirm that 𝔓113 reflects the same structure and vocabulary as the critical text. The abbreviation π̅ν̅ι̅ is the nomina sacra for πνεύματι, demonstrating the typical scribal practice in early Christian manuscripts of abbreviating sacred words. This includes θεός, κύριος, Ἰησοῦς, Χριστός, and πνεῦμα, among others.
The presence of nomina sacra is a theological marker but also a practical one. It demonstrates the scribe’s reverence for divine names and reinforces the manuscript’s Christian identity. It also aids in dating the manuscript, since the use of nomina sacra in standardized forms was already prevalent by the late second century.
Implications for Textual Criticism and the Alexandrian Text-Type
Though 𝔓113 is too fragmentary for a full text-type classification, the available data indicates affinities with the Alexandrian text, especially due to the omission of τοῦ in Romans 2:13 and the close alignment with Vaticanus and 𝔓46 in vocabulary and syntax.
Given its early date and textual tendencies, 𝔓113 contributes to the growing body of evidence showing the stability and early circulation of the Alexandrian text. This supports the position that this textual tradition is not a later recension, as some have falsely argued, but rather reflects the earliest and most accurate form of the New Testament text.
The documentary approach to textual criticism—which prioritizes external manuscript evidence over internal, subjective factors—finds affirmation in the existence of manuscripts like 𝔓113. When paired with P75, 𝔓46, Vaticanus (B), and Sinaiticus (ℵ), this fragment becomes part of the broader mosaic of Alexandrian witnesses that give us confidence in the New Testament text’s reliability.
Conclusion: The Value of 𝔓113 in Reconstructing the Original Text of Romans
Although 𝔓113 is a small and damaged papyrus, its early date, physical characteristics, and textual agreements provide valuable evidence in the field of New Testament textual criticism. The support it gives to the Alexandrian omission of τοῦ in Romans 2:13 and its alignment with the form of Romans 2:29 preserved in the critical text make it a noteworthy piece of the textual tradition.
This papyrus, like many others from Oxyrhynchus, confirms the accuracy, stability, and integrity of the New Testament text as it was transmitted from the autographs through the early centuries. Its content affirms that the Pauline corpus, even in this fragmentary form, was faithfully preserved by early Christian scribes.
With a conservative and documentary-focused methodology, the value of such manuscripts lies not in their quantity of content but in the quality of agreement with other reliable witnesses. As we continue to analyze papyri like 𝔓113, the case for the trustworthiness of the New Testament text becomes even more compelling.
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).
SCROLL THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW
BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM
BIBLICAL STUDIES / BIBLE BACKGROUND / HISTORY OF THE BIBLE/ INTERPRETATION
