"May God, who seeth all things, and who is the Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of all flesh—who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him to be a peculiar people—grant to every soul that calleth upon His glorious and holy Name, faith, fear, peace, patience, longsuffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His Name, through our High Priest and Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and honour, both now and for evermore. Amen." (1 Clement 58)The term "peculiar" as in "peculiar people" comes from the Latin word meaning flock. To be a "peculiar people" is to be an "owned people." We are God's people, people of His flock. Clement's prayer was that we would be people made in His image and likeness; that we would be like Him. Harmony and concord mean little unless we first learn to posessess His nature and His likeness.
Similarly, Clement's prayer for the church is that they would experience peace, harmony, and order.
"Send back speedily to us in peace and with joy these our messengers to you: Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Bito, with Fortunatus: that they may the sooner announce to us the peace and harmony we so earnestly desire and long for [among you], and that we may the more quickly rejoice over the good order re-established among you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and with all everywhere that are the called of God through Him, by whom be to Him glory, honour, power, majesty, and eternal dominion, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen." (1 Clement 59)That in everything and every way, both individually and corporately, we would render glory and honor back to God. That He alone would be magnified.
Thanks to God for this wonderful letter!
David Robison
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