The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Anonymous (c. 120-160 AD)

The oldest surviving Christian sermon outside the New Testament, composed around 150 AD by an unknown preacher. Though long attributed to Clement of Rome, it is not his work. The homilist calls his congregation to repentance while the opportunity remains, argues that the flesh will be raised and judged alongside the soul, and warns against the divided heart that allows people to confess Christ with their lips while living for the present world. Brief and plain in style, it is the earliest window into what an early Christian homily actually sounded like.

22 min total · 20 chapters