B. Acts of Paul and Thecla

8/13/2019 B. Acts of Paul and Thecla

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Acts of Paul and Thecla

1. As Paul went up to Iconium after his flight from Antioch, his travellingcompanions were Demas and Hermogenes the copper-smith,4 who were full of

hypocrisy and flattered Paul as if they loved him. But Paul, who had eyes only forthe goodness of Christ, did them no evil,5 but loved them greatly, so that hesought to make sweet to them all the words of the Lord, of the doctrine and of theinterpretation of the Gospel, both of the birth and of the resurrection of theBeloved, and he related to them word for word the great acts of Christ 6 as theyhad been revealed to him.

2. And a man named Onesiphorus,7 who had heard that Paul has come toIconium,8 went out with his children Simmias and Zeno and his wife Lectra 9 tomeet Paul, that he might receive him to his house. For Titus had tora IiimWharPaul1ooked like. For (hitherto) he had not seen him in the flesh, but only in

the spirit.

3. And he went along the royal road which leads to Lystra, and stood there waitingfor him, and looked at (all) who came, according to Titus' description. And he sawPaul coming, a man small of stature, with a bald head and. crooked legs, in a goodstate of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked, full offriendliness; for now he appeared like a man, and now he had the face of an

angel. 1

4. And when Paul saw Onesiphorus he smiled; and Onesiphorus said: "Greeting,thou servant of the blessed God!" And he replied: "Grace be with thee and thyhouser But Demas and Hermogenes grew jealous, and went even further in their

hypocrisy; so that Demas said: "Are we then not (servants) of the Blessed, thatthou didst not greet us thus?" And Onesiphorus said: "I do not see in you any fruitof righteousness; but if ye are anything, come ye also into my house and restyourselves!"

5. And when Paul was entered into the house of Onesiphorus there was great joy,and bowing of knees and breaking of bread, and the word of God concerningcontinence and the resurrection, as Paul said:"Blessed are the pure in heart, forthey shall see God. 11 Blessed are they who. have kept the flesh pure, for theyshall become a temple of God.12 Blessed are the continent, for to them will God

speak. Blessed are they who have renounced this world, for they shall be well

pleasing unto God. Blessed are they who have wives as if they had them not, forthey shall inherit God. 13 Blessed are they who have fear of God, for they shallbecome angels of God.

6 Blessed are they who tremble at the words of God, for they shall becomforted.14 . Blessed are they who have received (the) wisdom of Jesus Christ,for they shall be called sons of the Most High.15 Blessed are they who have kepttheir baptism secure,16 for they shall rest with the Father and the Son. Blessed are


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they who have laid hold upon the understanding of Jesus Christ, for they shall be inlight. Blessed are they who through love of God have departed from the form ofthis world, for they shall judge angels 17 and at the Right hand of the Father theyshall be blessed. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy? And shallnot see the bitter day of Judgment. Blessed are the bodies of the virgins, for theyshall be well pleasing to God, and shall not lose the reward of their purity.19 Forthe word of the Father shall be for them a work of salvation in the day of his Son,and they shall have rest forever and ever."

7. And while Paul was 'thus speaking in the midst of the assembly in the house ofOnesiphorus, a virgin (named) Theda-her mother was Theocleia,-who wasbetrothed to a man (named) Thamyris, sat at a near-by window and listened nightand day to the word of the virgin life as it was spoken by Paul; and she did not turnaway from the window but pressed. on in the faith rejoicing exceedingly. Moreover,when she saw many women and virgins going in to Paul she desired to be countedworthy herself to stand in Paul's presence5 and hear the word of Christ; for she hadnot yet seen Paul in person, but only heard his word.

8. Since however she did not move from the window, her mother sent to Thamyris.He came in great joy as if he were already taking her in marriage. So Thamyris saidto Theocleia "Where is my Thecla, that I may see her?"22 And 23Theocleia said: "Ihave a new tale to tell thee, Thamyris. For indeed for three days and three nightsThecla has not risen from the window either to eat or to drink, but gazing steadilyas if on some joyful spectacle she so devotes herself to a strange man who teachesdeceptive and subtle words that I wonder how a maiden of such modesty as she iscan be so sorely troubled.

9. Thamyris, this man is upsetting the city of the Iconians, and thy Tecla in

addition; for all the women and young people go in to him, and are taught by him.'You must' he says, 'fear one single God only, and live chastely.' And my daughteralso, like a spider at the window bound by his words, is dominated by a new desireand a fearful passion; for the maiden hangs upon the things he says, and is takencaptive. But go thou to her and speak to her, for she is betrothed to thee."

10 . And Thamyris went to her, at one and the same time loving her and yet afraidof her distraction, and said: "Theda, my betrothed, why dost thou sit thus? Andwhat is this passion that holds thee distracted? Turn to thy Thamyris and beashamed." And her mother also said the same: "Child, why dost thou sit thuslooking down and making no answer, but like one stricken?" And those who were inthe house wept bitterly, Thamyris for the loss of a wife, Theocleia for that of a

daughter, the maidservants for that of a mistress. So there was a great confusionof mourning in the house. And while this was going on (all around her) Thecla didnot turn away, but gave her whole attention to Paul's word.

11. But Thamyris sprang up and went out into the street, and closely watched allwho went in to Paul and came out. And he saw two men quarrelling bitterly withone another, and said to them: "You men, who are you, tell me, and who is he thatis inside with you, the false teacher who deceives the souls of young men and


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maidens, that they should not marry but remain as they are? I promise now to giveyou much money if you will tell me about him; for I am the first man of this city."

12. And Demas and Hermogenes said to him: "Who this man is, we do not know.But he deprives young men of wives and maidens of husbands, saying: 'Otherwisethere is no resurrection for you, expect ye remain chaste and do not defile theflesh 24.

13. And Thamyris said to them: "Come into my house, you men, and rest with me."And they went off to a sumptuous banquet, with much wine, great wealth and asplendid table. And Thamyris gave them to drink, for he loved Thecla and wished tohave her for his wife. And during the dinner Thamyris said: "Tell me, you men,what is his teaching, that I also may know it; for I am greatly distressed aboutThecla because she so loves the stranger, and I am deprived of my marriage."

14. But Demas and Hermogenes _said: "Bring him before the governor Castellius,on the ground that he is seducing the crowds to the new doctrine of the Christians,

and so he will have him executed and thou halt have thy wife Thecla. And we shallteach thee concerning the resurrection which he says is to come, that it has alreadytaken place in the children whom we have, and that we are risen again in that wehave come to know the true God."26

15. When Thamyris had heard this from them, he rose up early in the morning fullof jealousy and wrath and went to the house of Onesiphorus with the rulers andofficers and a great crowd with cudgels, and said to Paul: "Thou hast destroyed thecity of the Iconians, and my betrothed, so that she will not have me. Let us go tothe governor Castelli us!" And the whole crowd shouted: "Away with the sorcerer!For he has corrupted all our wives." And the multitude let themselves be

persuaded.

16. And Thamyris stood before the judgment-seat and cried aloud: "Proconsul, thisman-we know not whence he is-who does not allow maidens to marry, let himdeclare before thee for what cause he teaches these things." And Demas andHermogenes said to Thamyris: "Say that he is a Christian, and so thou wilt destroyhim." But the governor was not easily to be swayed, and he called Paul, saying tohim: "Who art thou, and what dost thou teach? For it is no light accusation thatthey bring against thee."27

17. And Paul lifted up his voice and said: "If I today am examined as to what Iteach, then listen, roconsul. The living God,28 the God of vengeance, 29 the jealous

God, 30 the God who has need of nothing, has sent me since he desires thesalvation of men, that I may draw them away from corruption and impurity, allpleasure and death, that they may sin no more. For this cause God sent His ownSon, whom I preach and teach that in him men have hope, who alone hadcompassion upon a world in error; that men may no longer be under judgment buthave faith, and fear of God, and knowledge of Prosperity and love of truth. If then Iteach the things revealed to me by God, what wrong do I do, Proconsul?" When thegovernor heard this, he commanded Paul to be bound and led off to prison until he


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should find leisure to give him a more attentive hearing.31

18. But Thecla in the night-took off her bracelets and gave them to the door-keeper, and when the door was opened for her she went off to the prison. To thegaoler she gave a silver mirror, and so went in to Paul and sat at his feet andheard. (him proclaim) the mighty acts of God.32 And Paul feared nothing, butcomported himself with full confidence in God; and her faith also was increased, asshe kissed his fetters.

19. But when Thecla was sought for by her own people and by Thamyris, theyhunted her through the streets as one lost; and one of the door-keeper's fellowslaves betrayed that she had gone out by night. And they questioned the door-keeper, and he told them: "She has gone to the stranger in the prison." And theywent as he had told them and found her, so to speak, bound with him in affection.And they went out thence, rallied the crowd about them, and disclosed to thegovernor what had happened.33

20. He commanded Paul to be brought to the judgment-seat; but Thecla rolledherself upon the place where Paul taught as he sat in the prison. The governorcommanded her also to be brought to the judgment seat, and she went off with joyexulting. But when Paul was brought forward again, the crowd shouted out evenlouder: "He is a sorcerer! Away with him !"34 But the governor heard Paul gladlyconcerning the holy works of Christ; and when he had taken counsel he calledThecla and said: "Why dost thou not marry Thamyris according to the law of theIconians ?" But she stood there looking steadily at Paul. And when she did notanswer, Theocleia her mother cried out saying: Burn the lawless one! Burn herthat is no bride in the midst of the theatre, that all the woman who have beentaught by this man may be afraid!

21. And the governor was greatly affected. He had Paul scourged and drove himout of the city,35 but Thecla he condemned to be burned. And forthwith thegovernor arose and went off to the theatre, and all the crowd went out to theunavoidable spectacle. But Thecla sought for Paul, as a lamb in the wilderness looksabout for the shepherd. And when she looked upon the crowd, she saw the Lordsitting in the form of Paul and said: "As if I were not able to endure, Paul has cometo look after me." And she looked steadily at him; but he departed into theheavens.

22. Now the young men and maidens brought wood and straw that Thecla might beburned. And as she was brought in naked, the governor wept and marvelled at the

power that was in her. The executioners laid out the wood and bade her mount thepyre; and making the sign of the Cross (i.e, stretching out her arms) she climbedup on the wood. They kindled it, and although a great fire blazed up34 the fire didnot touch her. For God in compassion caused a noise beneath the earth and a cloudabove, full of rain and hail, overshadowed (the theatre) and its whole contentpoured out, so that many were in danger and died, and the fire was quenched andThecla saved.


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23. But Paul was fasting with Onesiphorus and his wife and the children in an opentomb on the way by which they go from Iconium to Daphne. And when many dayswere past, as they were fasting the boys said to Paul: "We are hungry." And theyhad nothing with which to buy bread, for Onesiphorus had left the things of theworld and followed Paul with all his house. But Paul took off his outer garment andsaid: "Go, my child, 35 buy several loaves and bring them here." But while the boywas buying he saw his neighbour Thecla, and was astonished and said: "Thecla,where art thou going?" And she said: "I am seeking after Paul, for I was saved fromthe fire." And the boy said: "Come, I will take thee to him, for he has beenmourning for thee and praying and fasting six days already."

24. But when she came to the tomb Paul had bent his knees and was praying andsaying: Father of Christ, let not the fire touch Thecla, but be merciful to her, forshe is thine!" But she standing behind him cried out: "Father, who didst makeheaven and earth,36 the Father of thy beloved Son ,37 I praise thee that thou didstsave me from the fire, that I might see Paul! and as Paul arose he saw her andsaid: O God the knower of hearts,38Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I praise thee

that thou hast so speedily. what I asked, and hast hearkened unto me."

25. And within in the tomb there was much love, Paul rejoicing, and Onesiphorusand all of them. But they had five loaves, and vegetables, and water, and theywere joyful over the holy works of Christ. And Thecla said to Paul: I will cut myhair short and follow thee wherever thou goest.41But he said: The season isunfavourable, and thou art comely. May no other temptation come upon thee,worse than the first, and thou endure not and play the coward! And Theela said:

Only give me the seal in Christ, and temptation shall not touch me. And paulsaid: Have patience, Thecla, and thou shalt receive the water.

26. And Paul sent away Onesiphorus with all his family to Iconium, and so takingThecla came into Antioch. But immediately as they entered a Syrian42 by the nameof Alexander, one of the first of the Antiochenes, seeing Thecla fell in love with her,and sought to win over Paul with money and gifts. But Paul said: I do not know thewoman of whom thou dost speak, not is she mine. But he, being a powerful man,embraced her on the open street; she however would not endure it, but lookedabout for Paul and cried out bitterly, saying: Force not the stranger, force not thehandmaid of God! Among the Iconians I am one of the first, and because I did notwish to marry Thamyris I have been cast out of the city. And taking hold ofAlexander she ripped his cloak, took off the crown from his head, and made him alaughing-stock.

27. But he, Partly out of love for her and partly in shame at what had befallen him,brought her before the governor; and when she confessed that she had done thesethings, he condemned her to the beasts, .43 But the women were panic-stricken,and cried out before the judgment seat: An evil judgement! A godless judgment!But Theela asked of the governor that she might remain pure until she was to fightwith the beasts. And a rich woman named Tryphaena, whose daughter had died,took her under her protection and found comfort in her.


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28. When the beasts were led in procession, they bound her to a fierce lioness, andthe queen Tryphaena followed her. And as Thecla sat upon her back, the lionesslicked her feet, and all the crowd was amazed. Now the charge upon hersuperscription44 was: Guilty of Sacrilege, But the women with their children criedout from above, saying:O God, an impious judgment1 is come to pass in thiscity! And after the procession Tryphaena took her again; for her daughter46whowas dead had spoken to her in a dream: Mother, thou shalt have in my place thestranger, the desolate Thecla, that she may pray for me and I be translated to theplace of the just.47

29. So when Tryphaena received her back from the procession she was at oncesorrowful, because she was to fight with the beasts on the following day, but at thesame time loved her dearly like her own daughter Falconilla; and she said: Thecla,my second child, come and pray for my child, that she may live; for this I saw inmy dream. And she without delay lifted up her voice and said: Thou God ofheaven, Son of the most High, 48 grant to her according to her wish, that herdaughter Falconilla may live forever! And when Thecla said this, Tryphaena

Mourned, 49 considering that such beauty was to be thrown to the beasts.

30. And when it was dawn, Alexander came to take her away for he himself wasarranging the games-and he said: The governor has taken his place, and thecrowd is clamouring for us. Give me her that is to fight the beasts, that I may takeher away. But Tryphaena cried out so that he fled, Saying: A second mourning formy Falconilla is come upon my house, and there is non to help; neither child, forshe is dead, nor Knsman, for I am a widow. O God of Thecla my child, help thouThecla.

31. And the governor sent soldiers to fetch Thecla. Tryphaena however did not

stand aloof, but taking her hand herself led her up, saying: My daughter FalconillaI brought to the tomb; but thee, Thecla, I bring to fight the Beasts. And Theclawept Bitterly and sighed to the Lord, Saying: Lord God, in whom I trust, withwhom I have taken refuge, who didst deliver me from the fire, reward thouTryphaena, who had compassion upon thy handmaid, and because she preservedme pure.

32. Then there was a tumult, 50 and roaring of the beasts, and a shouting of thepeople and of the woman who sat together, some saying: Bring in the sacrilegiousone! but the women saying May the city perish for this law-lessness! Slay us all,Proconsul! A bitter sight, and evil judgment!

33. But Thecla was taken out of Tryphaenas hands and stripped, and was given agirdle and flung into the stadium. And lions and bears were set upon her, and afierce lioness ran and met it, and tore the bear asunder. And again a lion trainedagainst men, which belonged to Alexander, ran upon her; and the lioness grappledwith the lion, and perished with it. And the women mourned the more, since thelioness which helped her was dead.

34. Then they sent in many beasts, while she stood and stretched out her hands


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mine. So Thecla went in with her and rested in her house for eight days,instructing her in the word of God, so that the majority of the maidservants alsobelieved; and there was great joy in the house.

40. But Thecla yearned for Paul and sought after him, sending in every direction.And it was reported to her that he was in Myra. So she took Young men andmaidservants and girded herself, and sewed her mantle into a cloak after thefashion of men, and went off to Myra, and found Paul speaking the word of God andwent to him. But he was astonished when he saw her and the crowd that was withher, Pondering whether another temptation was not upon her. But observing thisshe said to him: I have taken the bath, Paul; for he who worked with thee for theGospel has also worked with me for my baptism.

41. And taking her by the hand Paul led her into the house of Hermias, and heardfrom her everything (that had happened), so that Paul marvelled greatly and thehearers were confirmed and prayed for Tryphaena. And Thecla arose and said toPaul: I am going to Iconium. But Paul said: Go and teach the word of God! Now

Tryphaena sent her much clothing and gold, so that she could leave (some of it) forthe service of the poort.

42. But she herself went away to Iconium, and went into the house of Onesiphorus,and threw herself down on the floor where Paul had sat and thought the oracles ofGod, and wept, saying: My God, and God of this house where the light shone uponme, Christ Jesus the Son of God, my helper in prison, my helper before governors,my helper in the fire, my helper among the beasts, thou art God, and to thee bethe glory forever. Amen.

43. And she found Thamyris dead, but her mother still alive; and calling her mother

to her she said to her: Theocleia my mother, canst thou believe that the lord livesin heaven? For whether thou dost desire money, the Lord will give it thee throughme; or thy child, see, I stand beside thee.And when she had borne this witness she went away to Seleucia; and afterenlightening many with the word of God she slept with a noble sleep.

Footnotes:1 Cf. Acts 14:19.

2 Cf. Rom. 12:17. .

3 In other MSS.: Martyrdom of the holy proto-martyr Theda (or something similar)

4 Cf. 2 Tim. 4:10; l :15; 4:14 (?)

5 Lat.: expected no evil from them.

6 Cf. Acts 2:u.

7 Cf. 2 Tim. l :16; 4:19.


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8 For the following lines cf. Pap. Antinoopolis (PA).

9 PA: with his children and Zeno and his wife

10 Cf. Acts 6:15.

11 Mt. 5:8.

12 Cf. 2 Clem. 8:6; 2 Car. 6:16..

13 Cf. l Car. 7:29; Rom. 8:17.

14 Cf. Mt. 5 :4.

15 Cf. Mt. 5 :9.

16 Cf. 2 Clem. 6 :g.

17 Cf. l Car. 6:3.

18 Mt. 5:7; this beatitude is lacking in PHeid.

19 Cf. Mt. J0:42.

20 Cf. Mt. 11 :29.

21 So the Greek MSS.

22 In the Greek MSS. "that I may see her" is lacking.

23 The following lines in PO. 6.

24 Cf. Rev. 14:4.

25 Cf. 2 Tim. 2:18. .

26 So with PHeid against Lipsius, to be regarded as original.

27 Cf. Mk. 15:4.

28 Cf. Acts 14:15 et al.

29 Cf. Ps. 94:1.

30 Cf. Exod. 20:5.

31 Cf. Acts 24:25.


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32 Cf. Lk. 10 :39; Acts 2: II.

33 So EFG Lat. Syr. PHeid.

34 Cf. Lk. 23:18.

35 Cf. Acts 13 :50; 14:19.

36 Cf. Mart. Pplyc. 15. 1.

37 Only in part of the traditiort.

38 Cf. Acts 4:24; 14:15.

39 Only in part of the tradition; lacking in PHeid.

40 Cf. Acts 1 :24; 15:8.

41 Cf. Mt. 8:19. f Al d ( h )

42 Cf. Gebhardt p. XCVIII; PHeid: "A Syrian by the name of Alexander, was thegreat man in Antioch and did much in the city among all the rulers. On this passagecf. above, p. 328. H d

43 Omitted in the Greek tradition, cf. Gebhardt pp. XCIX f. and PHeid

44 Cf. Mk. 15:26.

45Judgment is perhaps secondary, cf. Gebhardt pp.GF,

46 Lipsius with MS.A: daughter Falconilla.

47 Cf. On the other hand 2 clem. 8.3

48 So according to Gebhardt, PP.CI f.

49 Gebhardt (p. CI) would assume as original: And when Tryphaena heard this,she mourned.

50 Cf. Mart. Polye 8. 3.

51 LipsiusL tryphaena, the queen. But this is probably a secondary addition, cf.Gebhardt p. CIV.

52 CF. MK, 1:t1 par.

53 cf.2 Thess. 1:7

Documents

B. Acts of Paul and Thecla