The First Act – The Second Act (Acts of Paul And Thecla) – The Third Act – The Fourth Act – The Fifth Act – The Sixth Act
The Seventh Act (3 Corinthians): 1 – 2 – 3
The Eighth Act – The Ninth Act – The Martyrdom of Paul
Scholars dispute whether the Acts of Paul was entirely the work of a single author, or possibly a collection of disparate acts and legends of the apostle. A number of these works have been transmitted separately, including the Acts of Paul and Thecla (The Second Act), 3 Corinthians (The Seventh Act), and the Martyrdom of Paul. It was composed in Greek, most likely in the 2nd century. In typical apocryphal fashion, the author(s) at points promote some alternative, hyper-legalistic soteriology—in the case of the Acts of Paul and Thecla, abstinence as a path to salvation. Some of the Acts are highly fragmentary.
1. . . . Paul went into [the house] at the place where the [dead boy Barnabas] was. But Phila, the wife of Panchares, was very angry and said to her husband in [great anger]: “Husband, you have gone . . . the wild beasts, you have not begotten . . . your son . . . where is mine?” . . . “[he has not] desired food . . . to bury him.” But [Panchares] stood in the sight of all and made his prayer at the ninth hour, until the people of the city came to carry the boy out. When he had prayed, Paul [came] and saw . . . and of Jesus Christ . . . the boy . . . the prayer. . . . multitude . . . eight days . . . they thought that he raised up the [boy]. But when Paul had remained . . . They asked him . . . the men listened to him . . . they sent for Panchares . . . and cried out, saying, “We believe, Panchares, . . . but save the city from . . . many things,” which they said. Panchares said to them: “You judge whether your good deeds . . . is not possible . . . but to [testify] . . . God who has . . . His Son according to . . . salvation, and I also believe that, my brothers, there is no other God, except Jesus Christ, the Son of the Blessed, to whom is glory forever. Amen.” But when they saw that he would not turn to them, they pursued Paul, and caught him, and brought him back into the city, mistreating him, and cast stones at him, and thrust him out of their city and out of their country. But Panchares would not return evil for evil: he shut the door of his house and went in with his wife . . . fasting . . . But when it was evening, Paul came to him and said: “. . . God has . . . Jesus Christ.”
1. When Paul went up to Iconium after he fled from Antioch, there journeyed with him Demas and Hermogenes the coppersmith, which were full of hypocrisy, and they flattered Paul as though they loved him. But Paul, looking only to the goodness of Christ, did them no evil, but loved them well, so that he attempted to make sweet to them all the oracles of the Lord, and of the teaching and the interpretation [of the good news], and of the birth and resurrection of the Beloved, and related to them word by word all the great works of Christ, how they were revealed to him, [[[and] how that Christ was born of Mary the virgin, and of the seed of David]].
2. And a certain man named Onesiphorus, when he heard that Paul had come to Iconium, went out with his children Simmias, and Zeno, and his wife Lectra to meet him, so that he might receive him into his house, for Titus had told him what manner of man Paul was in appearance; for he had not seen him in the flesh, but only in the spirit.
3. And he went by the king’s highway that leads to Lystra and stood expecting him, and looked on them that came, according to the description of Titus. And he saw Paul coming, a man of short stature, thin-haired on the head, crooked in the legs, of good state of body, with eyebrows joining, and nose somewhat hooked, full of grace: for sometimes he appeared like a man, and sometimes he had the face of a messenger.
4. And when Paul saw Onesiphorus, he smiled, and Onesiphorus said: “Hail, you servant of the blessed God!” And he said: “Grace be with you and with your house.” But Demas and Hermogenes were envious and stirred up their hypocrisy yet more, so that Demas said: “Are we not servants of the Blessed, that you did not salute us so?” And Onesiphorus said: “I do not see in you any fruit of righteousness, but if you be such, also come into my house and refresh yourselves.”
5. And when Paul entered into the house of Onesiphorus, there was great joy, and bowing of knees, and breaking of bread, and the word of God concerning continence and the resurrection; for Paul said:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are they that keep the flesh chaste, for they will become the temple of God. Blessed are they that abstain, for to them will God speak. Blessed are they that have renounced this world, for they will be well-pleasing to God. Blessed are they that possess their wives as though they did not have them, for they will inherit God. Blessed are they that have the fear of God, for they will become messengers of God.
6. Blessed are they that tremble at the oracles of God, for they will be comforted. Blessed are they that receive [the] wisdom of Jesus Christ, for they will be called sons of the Most High. Blessed are they that have kept their immersion pure, for they will rest with the Father and with the Son. Blessed are they that have come to the understanding of Jesus Christ, for they will be in light. Blessed are they that for love of God have departed from the fashion of this world, for they will judge messengers, and will be blessed at the right hand of the Father. Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy and will not see the bitter Day of Judgment. Blessed are the bodies of the virgins, for they will be well-pleasing to God and will not lose the reward of their continence, for the word of the Father will be to them a work of salvation in the day of His Son, and they will have rest world without end.
7. And as Paul was saying these things in the midst of the assembly in the house of Onesiphorus, a certain virgin, Thecla, whose mother was Theocleia, who was betrothed to a husband, Thamyris, sat at the window nearby and listened night and day to the word concerning chastity which was spoken by Paul: and she did not stir from the window, but was led onward by faith, rejoicing exceedingly: and further, when she saw many women and virgins entering in to Paul, she also earnestly desired to be accounted worthy to stand before Paul’s face and to hear the word of Christ; for she had not yet seen the appearance of Paul, but only heard his speech.
8. Now as she did not move from the window, her mother sent to Thamyris, and he came with great joy as if he were already to take her for a wife. Thamyris therefore said to Theocleia: “Where is my Thecla?” And Theocleia said: “I have a new tale to tell you, Thamyris: for three days and three nights Thecla does not arise from the window, neither to eat nor to drink, but looking earnestly as it were on a joyful spectacle, she so attends to a stranger who teaches deceitful and various words, that I marvel how the great modesty of the maiden is so greatly reduced.
9. O Thamyris, this man upsets the [whole] city of the Iconians, and your Thecla also, for all the women and the young men go in to him and are taught by him. You must, he says, fear only one God and live chastely. And my daughter, too, like a spider at the window, bound by his words, is held by a new desire and a fearful passion: for she hangs on the things that he speaks, and the maiden is captured. But go to her and speak to her; for she is betrothed to you.”
10. And Thamyris went to her, both loving her and fearing because of her disturbance, and said: “Thecla, my betrothed, why do you sit thus? And what passion is it that holds you in amazement; turn to your Thamyris and be ashamed.” And her mother also said the same: “Thecla, why do you sit thus, looking downward, and answering nothing, but as one stricken?” And they wept grievously, Thamyris because he failed of a wife, and Theocleia of a child, and the maidservants of a mistress; there was, therefore, great confusion of mourning in the house. And while all this was so, Thecla did not turn away, but paid heed to the speech of Paul.
11. But Thamyris leapt up, and went forth into the street, and watched them that went in to Paul and came out. And he saw two men striving bitterly with one another and said to them: “You men, tell me who you are, and who is he that is within with you, that makes the souls of young men and maidens to err, deceiving them that there may be no marriages but they should live as they are. I therefore promise to give you much money if you will tell me of him: for I am a chief of the city.”
12. And Demas and Hermogenes said to him: “Who this man is, we do not know; but he defrauds the young men of wives and the maidens of husbands, saying, You have no resurrection otherwise, except you continue chaste and do not defile the flesh, but keep it pure.”
13. And Thamyris said to them: “Come, you men, into my house and refresh yourselves with me.” And they went to a costly banquet with much wine, and great wealth, and a brilliant table. And Thamyris made them drink, for he loved Thecla and desired to take her for a wife: and at the dinner Thamyris said: “Tell me, you men, what is his teaching, so that I also may know it: for I am not a little afflicted concerning Thecla because she so loves the stranger, and I am defrauded of my marriage.”
14. And Demas and Hermogenes said: “Bring him before Castelius the governor as one that persuades the multitudes with the new doctrine of the Christians; and so he will destroy him and you will have your wife Thecla. And we will teach you of that resurrection which he asserts, that it has already come to pass in the children which we have, and we rise again when we have come to the knowledge of the true God.”
15. But when Thamyris heard this from them, he was filled with envy and wrath, and rose up early, and went to the house of Onesiphorus with the rulers, and officers, and a great crowd with staffs, saying to Paul: “You have destroyed the city of the Iconians and her that was espoused to me, so that she will not have me: let us go to Castelius the governor.” And all the multitude said: “Away with the wizard, for he has corrupted all our wives.” And the multitude rose up together against him.
16. And Thamyris, standing before the judgment-seat, cried aloud and said: “O proconsul, this is the man—we do not know where he is from, who does not allow maidens to marry: let him declare before you why he teaches such things.” And Demas and Hermogenes said to Thamyris: “Say that he is a Christian, and so will you destroy him.” But the governor kept his mind steadfast and called Paul, saying to him: “Who are you, and what do you teach? For it is no light accusation that these bring against you.”
17. And Paul lifted up his voice and said: “If I am this day examined [regarding] what I teach, listen, O proconsul: the living God, the God of vengeance, the jealous God, the God that has need of nothing, but desires the salvation of men, has sent me, so that I may sever them from corruption, and uncleanness, and all pleasure and death, so that they may sin no more. Therefore, God has sent His own Child, whom I preach and teach that men should have hope in Him who alone has had compassion on the world that was in error; that men may no longer be under judgment, but have faith, and the fear of God, and the knowledge of sobriety, and the love of truth. If then I teach the things that have been revealed to me from God, what wrong do I do, O proconsul?” And the governor, having heard that, commanded Paul to be bound and taken away to prison until he should have leisure to hear him more carefully.
18. But Thecla at night took off her bracelets and gave them to the doorkeeper, and when the door was opened for her, she went into the prison and gave the jailer a mirror of silver, and so went in to Paul, and sat by his feet, and heard the wonderful works of God. And Paul did not fear at all, but walked in the confidence of God: and her faith was also increased as she kissed his chains.
19. Now when Thecla was sought by her own people and by Thamyris, she was looked for through the streets as one lost; and one of the fellow-servants of the doorkeeper said that she went out by night. And they examined the doorkeeper, and he told them that she had gone to the stranger to the prison; and they went as he told them and found her, as it were, bound with him in affection. And they went forth from there, and gathered the multitude to them, and showed it to the governor.
20. And he commanded Paul to be brought to the judgment-seat; but Thecla rolled herself on the place where Paul taught when he sat in the prison. And the governor commanded her to also be brought to the judgment-seat, and she went exulting with joy. And when Paul was brought the second time, the people cried out more vehemently: “He is a sorcerer! Away with him!” But the governor heard Paul gladly concerning the holy works of Christ: and he took counsel, and called Thecla, and said: “Why will you not marry Thamyris, according to the law of the Iconians?” But she stood looking earnestly on Paul, and when she did not answer, her mother Theocleia cried out, saying, “Burn the lawless one! Burn her that is no bride in the midst of the theater, so that all the women which have been taught by this man may be frightened.”
21. And the governor was greatly moved: and he scourged Paul and sent him out of the city, but he condemned Thecla to be burned. And immediately, the governor arose and went to the theater: and all the multitude went forth to the dreadful spectacle. But Thecla, as the lamb in the wilderness looks around for the shepherd, so sought for Paul: and she looked on the multitude and saw the Lord sitting, like to Paul, and said: “As if I were not able to endure, Paul has come to look on me.” And she earnestly paid heed to Him: but He departed into the heavens.
22. Now the boys and the maidens brought wood and hay to burn Thecla: and when she was brought in naked, the governor wept and marveled at the power that was in her. And they laid the wood, and the executioner ordered her to mount on the pyre: and she, making the Sign of the Cross, went up on the wood. And they lighted it, and though a great fire blazed forth, the fire took no hold on her, for God had compassion on her and caused a sound under the earth, and a cloud overshadowed her above, full of rain and hail, and all the vessel [of it] was poured out so that many were in peril of death, and the fire was quenched, and Thecla was preserved.
23. Now Paul was fasting with Onesiphorus, and his wife, and their children in an open tomb on the way whereby they go from Iconium to Daphne. And when many days passed, as they fasted, the boys said to Paul: “We are hungry.” And they did not have enough to buy bread, for Onesiphorus had left the goods of this world and followed Paul with all his house. But Paul took off his upper garment and said: “Go, child, buy several loaves and bring them.” And as the boy was buying, he saw his neighbor Thecla, and was astonished, and said: “Thecla, where are you going?” And she said: “I seek Paul, [for] I was preserved from the fire.” And the boy said: “Come, I will bring you to him, for he mourns for you, and prays and fasts now these six days.”
24. And when she came to the tomb to Paul, who had bowed his knees and was praying and saying: “O Father of Christ, do not let the fire take hold on Thecla, but spare her, for she is Yours,” she, standing behind him, cried out: “O Father that made heaven and earth, the Father of Your beloved Child Jesus Christ, I bless You for that You have preserved me from the fire, so that I might see Paul.” And Paul arose, and saw her, and said: “O God, the knower of hearts, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I bless You that You have quickly accomplished that which I asked of You and have listened to me.”
25. And there was much love within the tomb, for Paul rejoiced, and Onesiphorus, and all of them. And they had five loaves, and herbs, and water, and they rejoiced for the holy works of Christ. And Thecla said to Paul: “I will cut my hair [all] around and follow you wherever you go.” But he said: “The time is repulsive and you are lovely: beware lest another temptation take you, worse than the first, and you do not endure it but play the coward.” And Thecla said: “Only give me the seal in Christ, and temptation will not touch me.” And Paul said: “Have patience, Thecla, and you will receive the water.”
26. And Paul sent Onesiphorus away with all his house to Iconium, and so took Thecla and entered into Antioch: and as they entered in, a certain Syriarch, Alexander by name, saw Thecla, and was enamored with her, and would have bribed Paul with money and gifts. But Paul said: “I do not know the woman of whom you speak, neither is she mine.” But as he was of great power, he himself embraced her in the highway; and she did not endure it, but sought after Paul and cried out bitterly, saying, “Do not force the stranger, do not force the handmaid of God. I am among the first of the Iconians, and because I would not marry Thamyris, I am cast out of the city.” And she caught at Alexander, and tore his cloak, and took the wreath from his head, and made him a laughingstock.
27. But he, both loving her and being ashamed of what had happened to him, brought her before the governor; and when she confessed that she had done this, he condemned her to the beasts. But the women were greatly amazed and cried out at the judgment-seat: “An evil judgment! An impious judgment!” And Thecla asked of the governor that she might remain a virgin until she should fight the beasts; and a certain rich queen, Tryphaena by name, whose daughter had died, took her into her keeping, and had her for a consolation.
28. Now when the beasts were led in procession, they bound her to a fierce lioness, and Queen Tryphaena followed after her: but the lioness, when Thecla was set on her, licked her feet, and all the people marveled. Now the title of her accusation was: “Guilty of Sacrilege.” And the women with their children cried out from above: “O God, an impious judgment comes to pass in this city.” And after the procession, Tryphaena took her again, for her daughter Falconilla, which was dead, had said to her in a dream: “Mother, you will take in my stead Thecla, the stranger that is desolate, so that she may pray for me and I be translated into the place of the righteous.”
29. Therefore, when Tryphaena received her after the procession, she both lamented her because she was to fight the beasts the next day, and also loved her closely as her own daughter Falconilla; and she said: “Thecla, my second child, come, pray for my child that she may live forever; for I have seen this in a dream.” And she without delay lifted up her voice and said: “O my God, Son of the Most High that are in Heaven, grant to her according to her desire, that her daughter Falconilla may live forever.” And after she had said this, Tryphaena lamented her, considering that such great beauty was to be cast to the beasts.
30. And when it was dawn, Alexander came to take her (for it was he that was giving the games), saying, “The governor is set and the people trouble us: give me her that is to fight the beasts, so that I may take her away.” But Tryphaena cried aloud so that he fled away, saying, “A second mourning for my Falconilla comes about in my house, and there is none to help, neither child, for she is dead, nor relative, for I am a widow. O God of my child Thecla, help Thecla!”
31. And the governor sent soldiers to fetch Thecla: and Tryphaena did not leave her, but took her hand herself and led her up, saying, “I brought my daughter Falconilla to the tomb; but you, Thecla, do I bring to fight the beasts.” And Thecla wept bitterly and groaned to the Lord, saying, “Lord God in whom I believe, with whom I have taken refuge, that saved me from the fire, reward Tryphaena who has had pity on your handmaid and has kept me pure.”
32. There was therefore a tumult, and a voice of the beasts, and shouting of the people, and of the women which sat together, some saying: “Bring in the sacrilegious one!” And the women saying: “Away with the city for this unlawful deed! Away with all of us, you proconsul! It is a bitter sight, an evil judgment!”
33. But Thecla, being taken out of the hand of Tryphaena, was stripped and a girdle was put on her, and she was cast into the stadium: and lions and bears were set against her. And a fierce lioness running to her, lay down at her feet, and the press of women cried aloud. And a bear ran on her; but the lioness ran and met him, and tore the bear in half. And again, a lion, trained against men, which was Alexander’s, ran on her, and the lioness wrestled with him and was slain along with him. And the women lamented yet more, seeing that the lioness also that aided her was dead.
34. Then they put in many beasts, while she stood, and stretched out her hands, and prayed. And when she had ended her prayer, she turned and saw a great tank full of water and said: “Now is it time that I should wash myself.” And she cast herself in, saying, “In the Name of Jesus Christ do I immerse myself on the last day.” And all the women saw it, and all the people wept, saying, “Do not cast yourself into the water,” so that even the governor wept that such great beauty should be devoured by seals. So, then, she cast herself into the water in the Name of Jesus Christ; and the seals, seeing the light of a flash of fire, floated dead on the top of the water. And there was around her a cloud of fire, so that neither did the beasts touch her, nor was she seen to be naked.
35. Now the women, when other more fearful beasts were put in, shrieked aloud, and some cast leaves, and others nard, others cassia, and some balsam, so that there was a multitude of odors; and all the beasts that were struck thereby were held as it were in sleep and did not touch her, so that Alexander said to the governor: “I have some exceedingly frightening bulls; let us bind the criminal to them.” And the governor frowning, allowed it, saying, “Do what you will.” And they bound her by the feet between the bulls and put hot irons under their bellies, so that they might be the more enraged and kill her. They then leaped forward; but the flame that burned around her, burned through the ropes, and she was as one not bound.
36. But Tryphaena, standing by the arena, fainted at the entry, so that her handmaids said: “Queen Tryphaena is dead!” And the governor stopped [the games] and all the city was frightened, and Alexander falling at the governor’s feet said: “Have mercy on me and on the city, and let the condemned go, lest the city perish with her; for if Caesar hears this, perhaps he will destroy us and the city, because his relative, Queen Tryphaena, has died at the entry.”
37. And the governor called Thecla from among the beasts and said to her: “Who are you? And what do you have surrounding you that not [even] one of the beasts has touched you?” But she said: “I am the handmaid of the living God; and what I have around me: it is that I have believed on His Son in whom God is well pleased; for whose sake not one of the beasts has touched me. For He alone is the goal [[or way]] of salvation and the substance of immortal life; for to them that are tossed around, He is a refuge, to the oppressed relief, to the despairing shelter, and in a word—whosoever does not believe on Him, will not live, but die everlastingly.”
38. And when the governor heard this, he commanded garments to be brought and said: “Put on these garments.” And she said: “He that clad me when I was naked among the beasts, the same in the Day of Judgment will clothe me with salvation.” And she took the garments and put them on. And the governor immediately issued out an act, saying, “I release to you Thecla, the godly, the servant of God.” And all the women cried out with a loud voice, and as with one mouth gave praise to God, saying, “One is the God who has preserved Thecla,” so that with their voice all the city shook.
39. And Tryphaena, when she was told the good news, met her with many people, and embraced Thecla, and said: “Now do I believe that the dead are raised up; now do I believe that my child lives! Come inside, and I will make you heir of all my substance.” Therefore, Thecla went in with her and rested in her house [for] eight days, teaching her the word of God, so that the greater part of the maidservants also believed, and there was great joy in the house.
40. But Thecla yearned after Paul and sought him, sending around in all places; and it was told to her that he was at Myra. And she took young men and maids, and girded herself, and sewed her mantle into a cloak after the fashion of a man, and departed into Myra, and found Paul speaking the word of God, and went to him. But when he saw her and the people that were with her, he was amazed, thinking in himself: “Has some other temptation come on her?” But she perceived it and said to him: “I have received the washing, O Paul; for He that has worked together with you in the good news has also worked with me for my immersing.”
41. And Paul took her by the hand, and brought her into the house of Hermias, and heard all things from her; so that Paul marveled greatly, and they that heard were confirmed and prayed for Tryphaena. And Thecla arose and said to Paul: “I go to Iconium.” And Paul said: “Go and teach the word of God.” Now Tryphaena had sent her much apparel and gold, so that she left [it] with Paul for the ministry of the poor.
42. But she herself departed to Iconium. And she entered into the house of Onesiphorus, and fell down on the floor where Paul had sat, and taught the oracles of God, and wept, saying, “O God of myself and of this house, where the light shone on me—Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my Helper in prison, my Helper before the governors, my Helper in the fire, my Helper among the beasts: You are God, and to You be the glory forever. Amen.”
43. And she found Thamyris dead, but her mother living. And she saw her mother and said to her: “Theocleia, my mother, can you believe that the Lord lives in the heavens? For whether you desire money, the Lord will give it to you through me: or your child, behold, I am here before you.” And when she had so testified, she departed to Seleucia, and after she had enlightened many with the word of God, she slept a good sleep.
1. When Paul was teaching the word of God in Myra, there was a man there, Hermocrates by name, who had [severe] swelling, and he put himself forward in the sight of all and said to Paul: “Nothing is impossible with God, but especially with Him whom you preach; for when He came, He healed many, even that God whose servant you are. Behold, I, and my wife, and my children, we cast ourselves at your feet, so that I may also believe as you have believed on the living God.”
2. Paul said to him: “I will not restore you for reward, but through the Name of Jesus Christ you will become whole in the presence of all these.” And he touched his body, drawing his hand downwards: and his belly opened, and much water ran from him, and . . . he fell down like a dead man, so that some said: “It is better for him to die than to continue in pain.” But when Paul had quieted the people, he took his hand, and raised him up, and asked him, saying, “Hermocrates, what do you desire?” And he said: “[That] I would eat.” And he took a loaf and gave him to eat. And in that hour, he was [made] whole and received the grace of the seal in the Lord—he and his wife.
3. But his son Hermippus was angry with Paul, and he sought for a set time wherein to rise up with them of his own age and destroy him. For he wished that his father should not be healed but should die, so that he might soon be master of his goods. But Dion, his younger son, heard Paul gladly.
4. Now all they that were with [Hermippus] took counsel to fight against Paul, so that Hermippus . . . and sought to kill him . . . Dion fell down and died: but Hermippus watered Dion with his tears.
5. But Hermocrates mourned grievously, for he loved Dion more than his other son. [Yet] he sat at Paul’s feet and forgot that Dion was dead. But when Dion was dead, his mother Nympha tore her clothes, and went to Paul, and set herself before the face of her husband Hermocrates and of Paul. And when Paul saw her, he was frightened and said: “Why are you thus, Nympha?” But she said to him: “Dion is dead”; and the whole multitude wept when they beheld her. And Paul looked on the people that mourned and sent young men, saying to them: “Go and bring me him here.” And they went: but Hermippus caught hold of the body [of Dion] in the street and cried out . . .
6. . . . the word in him. But a messenger of the Lord had said to him in the night: “Paul, today you have a great conflict against your body, but God, the Father of His Son Jesus Christ, will protect you.” When Paul had arisen, he went to his brothers, and remained [[sorrowful]], saying, “What does this vision mean?” And while Paul thought on this, he saw Hermippus coming, having a sword drawn in his hand, and with him many other young men with staffs. And Paul said to them: “I am not a robber, neither a murderer. The God of all things, the Father of Christ, will turn your hands backward, and your sword into its sheath, and your strength into weakness: for I am a servant of God, [though I am] alone, and a stranger, and small, and of no reputation among the nations. But You, O God, look down on their counsel and do not allow me to be brought to nothing by them.”
7. And when Hermippus ran on Paul with his sword drawn, he [immediately] ceased to see, so that he cried out aloud, saying, “My dear comrades, do not forget your friend Hermippus. For I have sinned, O Paul; I have pursued after innocent blood. Learn, you foolish and you of understanding, that this world is nothing, gold is nothing, all money is nothing: I that gorged myself with all manner of goods am now a beggar and beggar of you all! Listen to me, all you my companions, and everyone that dwells in Myra. I have mocked at a man who has saved my father. I have mocked at a man who has raised up my brother . . . I have mocked at a man who . . . without doing me any evil. But plead with him: behold, he has saved my father and raised up my brother; he is therefore able to save me also.” But Paul stood there weeping both before God, for that He heard him quickly, and before man, for that the proud was brought low. And he turned himself and went up . . .
8. But the young men took [hold of] the feet, and bore Hermippus, and brought him to the place where Paul was, and laid him before the door, and went to their house. And when they were gone, a great multitude came to the house of Hermocrates; and another great multitude entered in, to see whether Hermippus was shut up there. And Hermippus begged everyone that went in, that they would plead with Paul, with him. But they that went in saw Hermocrates and Nympha, how they rejoiced greatly at the raising up of Dion, and distributed victuals and money to the widows for his recovery. And they beheld their son Hermippus in the state of this second affliction, and how he took hold on the feet of everyone, and on the feet of his parents also, and begged them, as one of the strangers, that he might be healed.
9. And his parents were troubled and lamented to everyone that came in, so that some said: “Why do these weep? For Dion has arisen.” But Hermocrates possessed goods . . . and brought the value of the goods, and took it and distributed it. And Hermocrates, troubled in mind and desiring that they might be satisfied, said: “Brothers, let us leave the food . . . and occupy ourselves . . . Hermocrates.” And immediately Nympha cried out in great affliction to Paul . . . they said: “Nympha, Hermocrates calls on God . . . that Hermippus may see and cease to grieve, for he has resisted Christ and his minister.” But they and Paul prayed to God. And when Hermippus recovered his sight, he turned himself to his mother Nympha and said to her: “Paul came to me and laid his hand on me while I wept, and in that hour I saw all things clearly.” And she took his hand and led him to the widows and Paul. But while Paul wept bitterly, Hermippus gave thanks, saying to them: “Everyone that believes will . . .”
10. . . . concord and peace . . . Amen. And when Paul had confirmed the brothers that were in Myra, he departed to Sidon.
1. Now when Paul had departed from Myra and would go to Sidon, there was great sadness of the brothers that were in Pisidia and Pamphylia, because they yearned after his word and his holy appearance in Christ; so that some from Perga followed Paul, namely Thrasymachus and Cleon with their wives Aline and Chrysa, Cleon’s wife. And on the way they nourished Paul: and they were eating their bread under a tree. And as he was about to say, “Amen,” there came . . . “. . . table of devils . . . he dies therefore, but everyone that believes on Jesus Christ who has saved us from all defilement, and all uncleanness, and all evil thoughts, he will be manifest.”
2. And they drew near to the table . . . stood . . . a mighty idol. And an old man . . . stood up among them, saying to them: “You men, wait a little and see what befalls the priests which would draw near to our gods: for truly when our fellow-citizen Charinus listened and would . . . against the gods, he and his father died. And thereon also died Xanthus, Chrysa, and [[Hermocrates]], sick with swelling, and his wife Nympha.”
3. “. . . after the manner of strange men. Why do you presume to do that which is not right? Or have you not heard of that which came to pass, which God brought on Sodom and Gomorrah, because they robbed . . . after the manner of strangers and of women? God did not . . . them but cast them down into Hades. Now therefore, we are not men of this fashion that you say, nor such as you think, but we are preachers of the living God and His Beloved. But that you may not marvel, understand . . . the miracles which bear witness for us.” But they did not listen to him, but took the men and put them into the temple of Apollo, to keep them until the next day, whereon they assembled the whole city. And many and costly were the victuals which they gave them.
4. But Paul, who was fasting now the third day, testified all night long, being troubled, and struck his face and said: “O God, look down on their threatenings, and do not allow us to slide, and do not let our adversaries cast us down, but save us and bring down quickly Your righteousness on us.” And as Paul cast himself down, with the brothers, Thrasymachus and Cleon, then the temple fell . . . so that they that belonged to the temple and the magistrates that were set over it . . . others of them in the . . . for [[the one part]] fell down . . . fell down . . . all around, in the midst of the two parts. And they went in and beheld what had happened, and marveled that . . . in their . . . and that the . . . rejoiced over the falling of the temple. And they cried out, saying, “Truly these are the works of the men of a mighty God!” And they departed and proclaimed in the city: “Apollo the god of the Sidonians has fallen—and half of his temple.” And all the dwellers in the city ran to the temple and saw Paul and them that were with him, how they wept at this temptation, that they were made a spectacle for all men. But the multitude cried out: “Bring them into the theater.” And the magistrates came to fetch them; and they groaned bitterly with one soul.
5. “. . . through me. Consider . . . Egyptians . . . and they . . .” . . . But the multitude . . . and followed after Paul, crying: “Praise be to the God . . . who has sent Paul . . . that we should not . . . of death.” But Theudes . . . and prayed at Paul’s feet and embraced his feet, that he should give him the seal in the Lord. But he commanded them to go to Tyre . . . in health, and they put Paul [[in a ship]] and went with him.
1. Now when Paul was entered to Tyre, there came a multitude of Jews . . . in to him. These . . . and they heard the mighty works . . . They marveled . . . Amphion . . . saying . . . in . . . Chrysippus . . . devil with him . . . many . . . When Paul came . . . he said: “He . . . God and will not be an evil spirit . . . in Amphion . . . through the evil spirit . . . without anyone’s having . . .” . . . she said to him: “Save me so that I do not die.” And while the multitude . . . then arose the other evil spirit . . . And the devils immediately fled away. And when the multitude saw this, by the power of God, they praised Him who had given such power to Paul.
2. And there was there one by name . . . who had a son born to him who was mute.
3. “. . . I preach the good news of the Savior . . . Son of God.”
4. “. . . for that which we say comes to pass immediately. Behold, we will bring him here to you, so that he may . . . you, to hear the truth of your . . .
5. “. . . On God whose desire has come to pass in him, this is the wise man . . . the Father and He has sent Jesus Christ.”
6. “. . . turned toward the east. Moses . . . in Syria . . . in Cyrene . . .”
7. “Again, I say to you . . . I, that do the works . . . that a man is not justified by the Law, but that he is justified by the works of righteousness, and he . . . liberty . . . and the yoke . . . all flesh . . . and everyone confess that Jesus Christ is the glory of the Father.”
8. “. . . is not water in him, but . . . being water, I am not hungry but I am thirsty; I am not . . . but not to . . . to permit them, to be [[devoured]] by wild beasts, not to be able . . . from the earth, but not to allow them to be burnt by fire, are these things of the present age testified, he which was a persecutor . . .”
9. “. . . the Law of God which is called . . . who walks here before them, has he not followed us throughout all the cities?” “. . . And when . . . he turned himself toward the east after this . . . such words, neither does he preach as you preach them, O Paul, that you may not . . .”
10. “You are in the presence of Jerusalem, but I trust in the Lord that you will . . .”
11. “For since the day when . . . persecuted the apostles which were . . . out of Jerusalem, I hid myself, so that I might have comfort, and we nourish them which stand, through the word according to the promise of His grace. I have fallen into many troubles and have subjected myself to the Law, as for your sakes. But I thought by night and by day in my trouble on Jesus Christ, waiting for Him as a lamb . . . when they crucified Him, He did not . . . did not resist . . . was not troubled.”
12. But . . . was troubled because of the questioning that had come on Peter . . . and he cried out, saying, “Truly, God is one, and there is no God beside Him: one also is Jesus Christ, His Son, whom we . . . this, whom You preach, did we crucify, whom . . . expect in great glory, but you say that He is God and Judge of the living and the dead, the King of the ages, for in the . . . form of man.”
1. “For since . . . the mine, there has not . . . nothing good has happened to my house.” And he advised that the men which were to throw Frontina down, should also throw Paul down with her, alive. Now Paul knew these things, but he worked fasting, in great cheerfulness, for two days with the prisoners. They commanded that on the third day the men . . . should bring forth Frontina: and the whole city followed after her. And Firmilla and Longinus lamented, and the soldiers . . . But the prisoners carried the bier. And when Paul saw the great mourning with the daughter and eight . . . Paul alive with the daughter. But when Paul had taken the daughter in his arms, he groaned to the Lord Jesus Christ because of the sorrow of Firmilla and cast himself on his knees in the mire . . . praying for Frontina with her in united prayer. In that hour Frontina arose. And the whole multitude was afraid and fled. Paul took the hand of the daughter and led her through the city to the house of Longinus, and the whole multitude said with one voice: “God is one, who has made heaven and earth, who has granted the life of the daughter in the presence of Paul. . . .” . . . a loaf. And he gave thanks to him. . . . to Philippi.
[They] prayed that a messenger be sent to Philippi. For the Corinthians were in great trouble concerning Paul, that he would depart out of the world before it was time. For there were certain men who came to Corinth, Simon and Cleobius, saying [that] there is no resurrection of the flesh, but that of the spirit only; and that the body of man is not the creation of God; and also concerning the world, that God did not create it, and that God does not know the world, and that Jesus Christ was not crucified, but it was [only] an appearance, and that lie, [saying He] was not born of Mary, nor of the seed of David. And in a word, there were many things which they had taught in Corinth, deceiving many other men, [and deceiving] themselves. When therefore the Corinthians heard that Paul was at Philippi, they sent a letter to Paul, to Macedonia, by the deacons Threptus and Eutychus. And the letter was after this manner:
1 Stephanus and the elders that are with him, even Daphnus, and Eubulus, and Theophilus, and Zenon, to Paul their perpetual brother: Greetings in the Lord. 2 There have come to Corinth two men, Simon and Cleobius, which are overthrowing the faith of many with evil words, 3 which you [must] prove and examine: 4 for we have never heard such words from you nor from the other apostles: 5 but all that we have received from you or from them, that do we hold fast. 6 Since therefore the Lord has had mercy on us, that while you are still in the flesh we may hear these things again from you; 7 if it be possible, either come to us or write to us. 8 For we believe, according as it has been revealed to Theonoe, that the Lord has delivered you out of the hand of the lawless one. 9 Now the things which these men say and teach are these: 10 They say that we must not use the prophets, 11 and that God is not almighty, 12 and that there will be no resurrection of the flesh, 13 and that man was not made by God, 14 and that Christ has not come in the flesh, neither was born of Mary, 15 and that the world is not of God, but of the messengers. 16 Therefore, brother, please use all diligence to come to us, that the assembly of the Corinthians may remain without offense, and the madness of these men may be made plain. Farewell—always in the Lord.
1 The deacons Threptus and Eutychus brought the letter to Philippi, 2 so that Paul received it, being in bonds because of Stratonice the wife of Apollophanes, and he forgot his bonds, and was severely afflicted, 3 and cried out, saying, “It were better for me to die and to be with the Lord, than to continue in the flesh and to hear such things and the calamities of false doctrine, so that trouble comes on trouble. 4 And over and above this so great affliction I am in bonds and behold these evils whereby the devices of Satan are accomplished.” 5 Paul therefore, in great affliction, wrote a letter, answering thus:
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, to the brothers which are in Corinth: Greetings. Being in the midst of many tribulations, I do not marvel if the teachings of the evil one run abroad apace. For my Lord Jesus Christ will hasten His coming and will set at nothing them that falsify His words. For I delivered to you in the beginning the things which I received of the holy apostles which were before me, who were at all times with Jesus Christ: namely, that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of Mary which is of the seed of David according to the flesh, the Holy Spirit being sent forth from Heaven from the Father to her by the messenger Gabriel, that He might come down into this world and redeem all flesh by His flesh, and raise us up from the dead in the flesh, like as He has shown to us in Himself for an example. And because man was formed by His Father, therefore he was sought when he was lost, that he might be restored by adoption. For to this end God Almighty, who made the heavens and earth, first sent the prophets to the Jews, that they might be drawn away from their sins. For He designed to save the house of Israel: therefore, He conferred a portion of the Spirit of Christ on the prophets and sent them to the Jews first, and they proclaimed the true worship of God for a long space of time. But the prince of iniquity, desiring to be God, laid hands on them and slew them, and bound all flesh by evil lusts [[and the end of the world by judgment drew near]]. But God Almighty, who is righteous, would not cast away His own creation, but had compassion on them from Heaven, and sent His Spirit into Mary in Galilee, [[14 who believed with all her heart and received the Holy Spirit in her womb, that Jesus might come into the world,]] that by that flesh whereby that wicked one had brought in death, by the same he should be shown to be overcome. For by His own body Jesus Christ saved all flesh [[and restored it to life]], that He might show forth the temple of righteousness in His body. In whom we are saved [[or in whom, if we believe, we are set free]]. Therefore, they are not children of righteousness but children of wrath, who reject the wisdom of God, saying that the heavens and the earth and all that are in them are not the work of God. Therefore, they are children of wrath, for they are cursed, following the teaching of the serpent, whom you drive out from you and flee from their doctrine. [[22 for you are not children of disobedience, but of the well-beloved Assembly. Therefore is the time of the resurrection proclaimed to all.]] And as for that which they say—that there is no resurrection of the flesh—they indeed will have no resurrection to life, but to judgment, because they do not believe in Him that is risen from the dead, not believing nor understanding, for they do not know, O Corinthians, the seeds of wheat or of other seeds, how they are cast bare into the earth and are corrupted and rise again by the will of God with bodies, and clothed. And not only that [body] which is cast in rises again, but manifold more blessing itself. And if we must not take an example from seeds only, but from more noble bodies, you know how Jonah the son of Amathi, when he would not preach to them of Nineveh, but fled, was swallowed by the sea-monster; and after three days and three nights God heard the prayer of Jonah out of the lowest [part of] Hades, and no part of him was consumed, not even a hair nor an eyelash. How much more, O you of little faith, will He raise up you that have believed in Christ Jesus, like as He Himself arose. Likewise also, a dead man was cast on the bones of the prophet Elisha by the sons of Israel, and he arose—both body, and soul, and bones, and spirit; how much more will you which have been cast on the body, and bones, and Spirit of the Lord [[or how much more, O you of little faith, will you which have been cast on Him]] arise again in that day having your flesh whole, even as He arose? [[33 Likewise also, concerning the prophet Elijah, he raised up the widow’s son from death: how much more will the Lord Jesus raise you up from death at the sound of the trumpet, in the twinkling of an eye? For He has showed us an example in His own body.]] If then, you receive any other doctrine, God will be witness against you; and let no man trouble me, for I bear these bonds that I may win Christ, and I therefore bear His marks in my body that I may attain to the resurrection of the dead. And whoever receives the rule which He has received by the blessed prophets and the holy good news, will receive a repayment from the Lord, and when he rises from the dead will obtain continuous life. But whoever transgresses these things, with him is the fire, and with them that walk in like manner [[or with them that go before in the same way, who are men without God]], which are a generation of vipers, whom you reject in the power of the Lord, and peace, grace, and love will be with you.
[None of The Eighth Acts remains, but its basic premise can be reconstructed from the later Acts of Titus and quotes from Hippolytus. The interpolation below comes from the Acts of Titus.]
1. They departed from Crete and came to Asia: and at Ephesus twelve thousand believed at the teaching of the holy Paul: there he also fought with beasts, being thrown to a lion. . . .
1. “The grace of the Lord will walk with me until I have fulfilled all the dispensations which will come on me with patience.” But they were sorrowful and fasted. And Cleobius was in the Spirit and said to them: “Brothers, the Lord will allow Paul to fulfill every dispensation and thereafter will allow him to go up to Jerusalem. But thereafter will be . . . in much instruction, and knowledge, and sowing of the word, so that men will envy him, and so he will depart out of this world.” But when Paul and the brothers heard this, they lifted up their voices, saying, . . .
2. But the Spirit came on Myrte so that she said to them: “Brothers . . . and look on this sign, that you . . . For Paul the servant of the Lord will save many in Rome, so that of them will be no number, and he will manifest himself more than all the faithful. Thereafter will . . . of the Lord Jesus Christ come . . . a great grace is . . . at Rome.” And this is the manner wherein the Spirit spoke to Myrte. And everyone took the bread, and they were in joy, according to the custom of the fast, through . . . and the Psalms of David and . . . he rejoiced.
3. to Rome . . . the brothers . . . grieved . . . took the bread . . . praised the Lord . . . were very sorrowful. “. . . the Lord . . . risen . . . Jesus,” Paul said to him. . . . they greeted.
1. Now there were awaiting Paul at Rome Luke from Galatia and Titus from Dalmatia: whom when Paul saw, he was glad and hired a granary outside Rome, wherein with the brothers he taught the word of truth, and he became noised abroad and many souls were added to the Lord, so that there was a rumor throughout all Rome, and many people came to him from the household of Caesar, believing, and there was great joy. And a certain Patroclus, a cupbearer of Caesar, came in the evening to the granary, and not being able because of the pressing [crowd] to enter in to Paul, he sat in a high window and listened to him teaching the word of God. But whereas the evil Devil envied the love of the brothers, Patroclus fell down from the window and died, and it was immediately told to Nero. But Paul, perceiving it by the Spirit said: “Men and brothers, the evil one has gained an opportunity to tempt you: go out of the house and you will find a young man fallen from the height and now ready to give up the spirit; take him up and bring him here to me.” And they went and brought him; and when the people saw it, they were troubled. But Paul said: “Now, brothers, let your faith appear; all of you come and let us weep to our Lord Jesus Christ, so that this young man may live and we continue in quietness.” And when all had lamented, the young man received his spirit again, and they set him on a beast and sent him back alive, together with the rest that were of Caesar’s household.
2. But Nero, when he heard of the death of Patroclus, was severely grieved, and when he came in from the bath, he commanded another to be set over the wine. But his servants told him, saying, “Caesar, Patroclus lives and stands at the table.” And Caesar, hearing that Patroclus lived, was frightened and would not go in. But when he went in, he saw Patroclus, and was beside himself, and said: “Patroclus, you live?” And he said: “I live, Caesar.” And he said: “Who is he that made you to live?” And the young man, full of the mind of faith, said: “Christ Jesus, the King of the ages.” And Caesar was troubled and said: “Will He, then, be King of the ages and overthrow all kingdoms?” Patroclus says to him: “Yes, he overthrows all kingdoms, and He alone will be forever, and there will be no kingdom that will escape Him.” And he struck him on the face and said: “Patroclus, are you also a soldier of that King?” And he said: “Yes, lord Caesar, for He raised me when I was dead.” And Barsabas Justus of the broad feet, and Urion the Cappadocian, and Festus the Galatian, Caesar’s chief men, said: “We are also soldiers of the King of the ages.” And he shut them up in prison, having grievously tormented them, whom he loved much, and commanded the soldiers of the Great King to be sought out, and he set forth a decree to this effect: that all that were found to be Christians and soldiers of Christ should be slain.
3. And among many others, Paul was also brought, bound: to whom all his fellow-prisoners gave heed; so that Caesar perceived that he was over the camp. And he said to him: “You that are the Great King’s man, but my prisoner, how did you think you would come by stealth into the government of the Romans and levy soldiers out of my province?” But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, said before them all: “O Caesar, not only out of your province do we levy soldiers, but out of the whole world. For so has it been ordained to us, that no man should be refused who wishes to serve my King—even if it is also you to serve Him. It is not wealth nor the splendor that is now in this life that will save you; but if you submit and pray to Him, you will be saved; for one day, He will fight against the [whole] world with fire.” And when Caesar heard that, he commanded all the prisoners to be burned with fire, but Paul to be beheaded after the law of the Romans. But Paul did not keep silent concerning the word, but communicated with Longus the prefect and Cestus the centurion. Therefore, Nero went on in Rome, slaying many Christians without a hearing, by the working of the evil one, so that the Romans stood before the palace and cried, “Enough, Caesar! For the men are our own! You destroy the strength of the Romans!” Then at that, he was persuaded and ceased, and he commanded that no man should touch any Christian, until he should learn thoroughly concerning them.
4. Then Paul was brought to him after the decree; and he abode by his word that he should be beheaded. And Paul said: “Caesar, it is not for a short time that I live for my King; and if you behead me, this I will do: I will arise and show myself to you that I am not dead but live for my Lord Jesus Christ, who comes to judge the world.” But Longus and Cestus said to Paul: “Where do you have this King, that you believe in Him and will not change your mind, even to death?” And Paul communicated to them the word and said: “You men that are in this ignorance and error, change your mind and be saved from the fire that comes on all the world: for we do not serve, as you suppose, a king that comes from the earth, but from Heaven—the living God, who because of the iniquities that are done in this world, comes as a Judge; and blessed is that man who will believe in Him and will live forever when He comes to burn the world and purge it thoroughly.” Then they, begging him, said: “We beg you, help us, and we will let you go.” But he answered and said: “I am not a deserter of Christ, but a lawful soldier of the living God: if I had known that I should die, O Longus and Cestus, I would have done it, but seeing that I live to God and love myself, I go to the Lord, to come with Him in the glory of His Father.” They say to him: “How then will we live when you are beheaded?”
5. And while they yet spoke thus, Nero sent one Parthenius and Pheres to see if Paul were already beheaded; and they found him still alive. And he called them to him and said: “Believe on the living God, who raises me and all them that believe on Him from the dead.” And they said: “We go now to Nero; but when you die and rise again, then we will believe on your God.” And as Longus and Cestus pleaded with him yet more concerning salvation, he says to them: “Come quickly to my grave in the morning and you will find two men praying, Titus and Luke. They will give you the seal in the Lord.” Then Paul stood with his face toward the east, and lifted up his hands toward [the] sky, and prayed a long time, and in his prayer he conversed in the Hebrew tongue with the fathers, and then stretched forth his neck without speaking. And when the executioner struck off his head, milk spurted on the cloak of the soldier. And the soldier and all that were there present when they saw it marveled and glorified God who had given such glory to Paul: and they went and told Caesar what was done.
6. And when he heard it, while he marveled long and was in perplexity, Paul came around the ninth hour, when many philosophers and the centurion were standing with Caesar, and stood before them all and said: “Caesar, behold, I, Paul, the soldier of God, am not dead, but live in my God. But many calamities will happen to you and great punishment, you wretched man, because you have unjustly shed the blood of the righteous, not many days from now.” And having said this, Paul departed from him. But Nero, hearing it and being greatly troubled, commanded the prisoners to be freed—and Patroclus also, and Barsabas, and them that were with him.
7. And as Paul charged them, Longus and Cestus the centurion went early in the morning and approached with fear to the grave of Paul. And when they had come there, they saw two men praying, and Paul between them, so that they, beholding the wondrous marvel, were amazed, but Titus and Luke being stricken with the fear of man when they saw Longus and Cestus coming toward them, turned to flee. But they pursued after them, saying, “We pursue you not for death but for life, so that you may give it to us, as Paul promised us, whom we saw just now standing between you and praying.” And when they heard that, Titus and Luke rejoiced and gave them the seal in the Lord, glorifying the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. To whom be glory, world without end. Amen.