Papias of Hierapolis
Fragments. According to the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Papias of Hierapolis was a First-Century bishop and an Apostolic Father, revered as a saint. He was a disciple of the Apostle John and a companion of Polycarp, and is known for his five-book work, the Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord, which preserved early oral traditions and provided important information about the origins of the Gospels. Although his writings are lost except for fragments quoted by later writers like Eusebius, his work is considered valuable for its testimony to early Christian tradition, even if some of his interpretations, particularly his literal interpretation of apocalyptic texts, were later seen as overly simplistic by some.
Bishop and Apostolic Father: Papias was the Bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and is considered one of the Apostolic Fathers.
Witness to Oral Tradition: His work, Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord, was based on oral traditions passed down from elders and is a crucial source for early Christian thought, especially concerning the origins of the Gospels.
Connection to the Apostles: Papias stated he heard the teachings of the elders, and was considered a hearer of the Apostle John and a companion of Saint Polycarp.
Information on the Gospels: He is credited with the tradition that the Gospel of Mark was based on the preaching of the Apostle Peter, and that the Gospel of Matthew was originally written in Hebrew.
Millennialism: Papias is well known for his literal interpretation of a thousand-year reign of Christ (Millennialism) and his vivid descriptions of a future earthly paradise, a view that was later criticized by some Church historians but was also considered representative of some early Christian beliefs.
Title - Thesis | Scroll | Short Description | Synthesis 2nd Temple | Antithesis | Synthesis Apostolic | Synthesis Amoraim | Continent Origin | Southern Worldview | Northern Worldview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Papias of Hierapolis | Scroll 116 | Sub-Apostolic Literature | Papias (Priest or Guide) | Logion Kyriakon Exegesis (Λογίων Κυριακῶν Ἐξήγησις) | Eyewitness | NA | Asia | Book of History | Midrash |
Category Reference Guide
Title/Thesis - The name of the book in American English
Synthesis 2nd Temple - The name of the book in order of its presentation other than the Apostles, ranging from 2nd temple Judaism up to the 1st century
Antithesis - The name of the book in another language
Synthesis Apostolic - The identity of the book in order of its presentation according to Tradition in the church after the 3rd century
Synthesis Amoraim - The name of the book in order of its presentation other than the Apostles, ranging from Tannaim up to the 5th century
Continent Origin - Continent from where the Text Type Source comes from
Southern Worldview - Catalog strategy for storing the scrolls include the interpretation. South means Africa or Egypt (Alexandrian) such as LXX. South of Palestine.
Northern Worldview - Catalog strategy for storing the scrolls include the interpretation. North means Asia or Persia (Babylonian) such as Masoretic. North of Palestine.
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Link to some reference to this bishop's succession and noting his lost works, albeit quoted by others