Marcellus Fragment 14
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| Fragment number | Vinzent 14 Klostermann 5 Rettb. 5 |
| Ancient source used | Eusebius, Against Marcellus 2.3 |
| Modern edition | M. Vinzent, Markell von Ankyra: Die Fragmente (Leiden, 1997). |
| Notes | An early heresy called Arianism taught that Jesus was merely a man, not divine, and that the Father created him first before anything else. Those who hold this position are referred to as Arians. Asterius and Eusebius of Caesarea, whom Marcellus mentions elsewhere in his writing, were Arians. Thus, when Marcellus talks of some who say the Logos “was the first created being” (see the text above), he may be referring to Asterius and Eusebius, or to the Arians in general. |
Therefore, the Logos was called “the firstborn of all creation” (Col. 1.15) because of his birth in human flesh, not because he was the first created being, as they* suppose.
* This probably refers to Arians, specifically Asterius and Eusebius of Caesarea. See the notes for more information.
Translated by Daniel Noonan under the supervision of Prof. Glen L. Thompson
Last updated: 12-6-2010
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