Hermas: A Christian at Rome
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Hermas is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Epistle to the Romans. In Romans 16:14, the Apostle Paul sends greetings to Hermas, among others, indicating his presence and involvement in the early Christian community in Rome. The verse reads: "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them" (Romans 16:14). This brief mention places Hermas within a group of believers who were likely part of a house church or a close-knit fellowship in the bustling city of Rome.

The name Hermas is of Greek origin, suggesting that he may have been a Gentile convert to Christianity. The context of Romans 16, where Paul greets a diverse group of individuals, reflects the multicultural and multiethnic composition of the early church in Rome. This diversity is a testament to the far-reaching impact of the Gospel and the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles, as emphasized in Paul's writings.

Beyond the biblical text, Hermas is traditionally associated with a significant early Christian work known as "The Shepherd of Hermas." This text, which is not part of the canonical New Testament, is an early Christian literary work composed in the 2nd century. It is an allegorical text that includes visions, mandates, and parables, and it was highly regarded by some early Christian communities. However, it is important to note that there is no definitive evidence linking the Hermas of Romans 16:14 with the author of "The Shepherd of Hermas." The association is largely based on tradition and the commonality of the name.

"The Shepherd of Hermas" was considered by some early church fathers to be an important spiritual text, though it was ultimately not included in the New Testament canon. The work emphasizes themes of repentance, moral integrity, and the importance of living a righteous life in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of God. These themes resonate with the broader teachings of the New Testament and reflect the early church's focus on holiness and community.

In summary, Hermas is a Christian mentioned in the New Testament as part of the Roman church. His brief mention in Romans 16:14 highlights the interconnectedness of early believers and the communal nature of the early church. While tradition links him to "The Shepherd of Hermas," this connection remains speculative. Nonetheless, Hermas stands as a testament to the diverse and vibrant Christian community in Rome during the apostolic era.
Nave's Topical Index
Romans 16:14
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers which are with them.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
2057. Hermas -- Hermas, a Christian at Rome
... Hermas, a Christian at Rome. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Hermas
Phonetic Spelling: (her-mas') Short Definition: Hermas Definition: Hermas ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2057.htm - 6k
Library

The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria During the Reign Of
... at the time of Clement, nor even in the time of Hermas. ... of Christian Biography, in
loco ... Chronicle of Eusebius (Armenian), Alexander became bishop of Rome in the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the bishops of rome.htm

Rome and Ephesus
... to have brought Ephesian Christianity to Rome was Justin ... old man who gave him the
Christian interpretation of ... is in fact not much more philosophic than Hermas. ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/v rome and ephesus.htm

The New Testament Has Preserved for us the Most Valuable Portion ...
... Fragment, which rejects the Shepherd of Hermas, still favours ... expressed that tended
to cramp Christian literary activity ... in the Early Church of Rome, and the ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 4 the new testament.htm

The Literature
... Practically no Jewish Christian literature has survived. It is possible that Clement
of Rome and Hermas were Hellenistic Jews; and it is to our loss that the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/the literature.htm

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to ...
... In ch.7 the preacher compares the Christian life to the ... are two slight indications
that our sermon comes from Rome. ... of Eldad and Modat, mentioned in Hermas, Vis ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/an anonymous sermon commonly called.htm

Addenda
... He puts 2 Peter o the age of "The Shepherd of Hermas" before 130 (p.432). ... Page 360:
Rodolfo Lanciani: Pagan and Christian Rome. New York, 1893 (pp. x, 374). ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/addenda.htm

Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ...
... as she went, she said to me, "Behave like a man, [54] Hermas.". ... He who had brought
me up, sold a certain young woman at Rome. ... [The Christian religion begetting ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision first against filthy and.htm

The Ecclesiastical Writers. By "The Fathers" we Understand the ...
... Hermas, the author of the little work called Pastor, or ... created such excitement,
and when Victor of Rome threatened to rend the Christian commonwealth by ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter i the ecclesiastical writers.htm

Introduction
... the two cities help to explain even the Christian connections ... Rome very definitely
regards it as her duty to ... the Roman clergy (as we learn from Hermas, Vis., II ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction.htm

Prelacy Begins in Rome.
... we tell when this work of Hermas was written ... the number of towns with several Christian
congregations must ... of the system now inaugurated at Rome, its general ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii prelacy begins in.htm

Resources
Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Did Constantine decide what books belonged in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is The Acts of Paul and Thecla? | GotQuestions.org

Hermas: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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