Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Hippolytus of Rome and Transubstantiation

Q. Did Hippolytus advocate the Roman dogma of transubstantiation?


Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170-235 A.D.):

And then the offering is immediately brought by the deacons to the bishop, and by thanksgiving, he shall make the bread into an image [The Latin adds "In Greek antitypum."] of the body of Christ, and the cup of wine mixed with water according to the likeness [The Latin adds "In Greek similitudinem."] of the blood, which is shed for all who believe in him. And milk and honey mixed together for the fulfillment of the promise to the fathers, which spoke of a land flowing with milk and honey; namely, Christ’s flesh which he gave, by which they who believe are nourished like babes, he making sweet the bitter things of the heart by the gentleness of his word. And the water into an offering in a token of the laver, in order that the inner part of man, which is a living soul, may receive the same as the body. (The Apostolic Traditions of Hippolytus, 23) see (The Apostolic Traditions of Hippolytus, Trans. Burton Scott Easton, [Cambridge University Press, 1934. Reprinted, 1962], p. 48). Here


But let each one take care that no unbeliever taste the eucharist, nor a mouse nor any other animal, and that nothing of it fall or be lost; for the body of Christ is to be eaten by believers and must not be despised. The cup, when thou hast given thanks in the name of the Lord, thou hast accepted as the image of the blood of Christ. Therefore let none of it be spilled, so that no alien spirit may lick it up, as if thou didst despise it; thou shalt be guilty of the blood, as if thou didst scorn the price with which thou hast been bought." (The Apostolic Traditions of Hippolytus, 32) see (The Apostolic Traditions of Hippolytus, Trans. Burton Scott Easton, [Cambridge University Press, 1934. Reprinted 1962], p. 60). Here


And to His honorable and undefiled body and blood, as on the mystical and divine table each day the sacrifices have been administered, as a memorial of that first and ever-memorable table of the spiritual divine supper. (Hippolytus, Fragments on Proverbs, Section II, on Pro 9:1 [Translation by Timothy F. Kauffman]). Here

Greek Text:και το τιμιον και αχραντον αυτου σωμα και αιμα απερ εν τη μυστικη και θεια τραπεζη καθ εκαστην επιτελουνται θυομενα εις αναμνησιν της αειμνηστου και πρωτγς εκεινης τραπεζης του μυστικου θειου δειπνου. (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1857], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus X, S. Hippolyti, Fragmenta In Proverbia, Aliud Fragmentum, Col. 628). Here


Alternate Translation:

“And she hath furnished her table:” that denotes the promised knowledge of the Holy Trinity; it also refers to His honoured and undefiled body and blood, which day by day are administered and offered sacrificially at the spiritual divine table, as a memorial of that first and ever-memorable table of the spiritual divine supper. (Philip Schaff, ANF, Vol. V, Hippolytus, Fragments on Proverbs, Section II, on Pro 9:1). Here



~ Soli Deo Gloria



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