[B-Greek] Greek text of Irenaeus

Jim West jwest at highland.net
Wed May 18 17:24:47 EDT 2005


The oldest versions are in Latin.  So far as I can tell, there is no 
extant ancient Greek version. 

Jeff Smelser wrote:

> I'm hoping I can quickly locate the Greek text of the preface to 
> Irenaeus' "Against Heresies." Does anyone know of its existence online 
> anywhere? 

 From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

    * A treatise in five books, commonly entitled /Adversus haereses/,
      and devoted, according to its true title, to the "Detection and
      Overthrow of the False Knowledge" (see GNOSTICISM
      <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm>, sub-title
      /Refutation of Gnosticism/). Of this work we possess a very
      ancient Latin translation, the scrupulous fidelity of which is
      beyond doubt. It is the chief work of Irenaeus and truly of the
      highest importance; it contains a profound exposition not only of
      Gnosticism <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm> under its
      different forms, but also of the principal heresies which had
      sprung up in the various Christian
      <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm> communities, and thus
      constitutes an invaluable source of information on the most
      ancient ecclesiastical literature from its beginnings to the end
      of the second century. In refuting the heterodox systems Irenaeus
      often opposes to them the true doctrine of the Church, and in this
      way furnishes positive and very early evidence of high importance.
      Suffice it to mention the passages, so often and so fully
      commented upon by theologians and polemical writers, concerning
      the origin of the Gospel according to St. John (see JOHN, GOSPEL
      OF SAINT), the Holy Eucharist, and the primacy of the Roman Church.


Jim

-- 
Jim West

Biblical Studies Resources -  http://web.infoave.net/~jwest
Biblical Theology Weblog -  http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com




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