Clement’s Epistle to the Corinthians Written Pre-AD70
About the dating of Clement: I first began to rethink the dating of his epistle when I encountered some articles touting this earlier date. Then I read Clement’s actual Epistle more carefully, paying close attention to the Greek. I am now totally convinced of an earlier, pre-AD70 date, and that on several counts. Notice especially the following: Clem 5:1 – 6 But, to pass from the examples of ancient days, let us come to those champions who lived nearest [ENGISTA] to our time. Let us set before us the noble examples which belong to our generation. By reason of jealousy and envy the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted, and contended even unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good Apostles. He goes on to describe the exemplary testimonies and martyrdoms of Peter and Paul. Notice that he uses the word “ nearest “. If he was writing in the 90s, a generation later, he would not have used that term. But, on the contrary, he refers to the