apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

THE GENUINENESS. 363
is said directly about this route or about the places which he visited
on the way. But we infer from his language that he had not visited
Ephesus or Magnesia or Tralles for he
; speaks only of seeing the
Christian brotherhoods of these towns in or through their several representatives
{Ephcs. I, 2, Magn. 2, 6, Trail, i). Nor is there in his letters
to these churches any allusion implying his personal presence among
them. On the other hand the letter to the Philadelphians contains
notices which imply that he had visited their city. The most explicit of
these is in § 7 ;
'I cried out when I was present, I spoke with a loud
voice, etc' (cKpavyaaa fx^ra^v cuv, IXakovv /xcydXr] (jjwvfj k.t.X.). But even
this language is not quite clear, as the words fxeTa^v wv might be interpreted
either 'when I was among you' or 'when I was among them'.
Indeed some ancient scribes and some m.odern editors have read the
passage differently, ixeraiv Zv iXdXow 'in the midst of what I was
saying' (see the note, 11. p. 267)'. Again in § 6 he writes, 'I thank
my God that I bear a good conscience among you (euo-wetSr^To el/xL
iv vfuv), and no man can boast either in secret or openly that I was
burdensome to any one in small things or in great.'
But here also his
visit is rather implied than definitely stated. Again in § i he expresses
his admiration of the character of their bishop, of whom his language
implies that he has personal knowledge. But as there is no mention
elsewhere of a visit of the Philadelphian bishop, or indeed of any
Philadelphian delegate, to Smyrna, their meeting must presumably
have taken place, if it took place at all, at Philadelphia itself Again
in § 8 he mentions, apparently with reference to the Philadelphian
Christians themselves, a conflict of words which he had with certain
heretical teachers. Again in § 11 he speaks of Agathopus as following
him 'from Syria', and in Smyrn. 10 it is stated of this same person and
his companion Philo that they 'followed in his track' (iirrjKoXovOrja-dv
fioi).
But it
appears from the context that these two persons were
entertained on their journey at Philadelphia and at Smyrna. Thus
after carefully weighing all
the passages we are forced irresistibly to the
conclusion that he had passed through Philadelphia on his way to
Smyrna. Yet there is
throughout no single direct statement of the fact
so clear as to be beyond the reach of questioning.
^
Bunsen makes strange havoc of this npoaexere k.t.X., may refer to a charge
expression (Ignatius z>. Antiockienp. 72). given in the Epistle to Polycarp, where
'
He translates eKpa&yaaa ixera^ii