Clement is counted as the third bishop of Rome. His predecessors are Linus and Cletus (or Anacletus), about whom almost nothing is known. Clement is a little more than this, chiefly because he wrote a letter to the Corinthians, which was highly valued by the early church, and has been preserved to the present day. He may be the Clement mentioned in Paul's letter to the Philippians. This letter to the Corinthians does not carry his name, but is simply addressed from the congregation at Rome to the congregation at Corinth. However, a letter from Corinth to Rome a few decades later refers to "the letter we received from your bishop Clement, which we still read regularly." Other early writers are unanimous in attributing the letter to Clement. The letter is occasioned due to a group of Christians at Corinth who had banded together against their leaders and had deposed them from office. Clement writes to tell them that they have behaved wrongly, and to remind them of the centrality of Christian unity and love. In this letter we can see clearly that Clement distinguishes the one God from Christ and views the the Father alone as the one true God and Creator of the universe.
The church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the church of God sojourning at Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ.
For Christ is of those who are humble, and not of those who Lord over his flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a humble state. (16).
Let us look steadfastly to the Father and Creator of the universe. (19).
All these the great Creator and Lord of all has appointed to exist in peace and harmony, while He does good to all, but most abundantly to us who have fled for safety to His compassions through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom be glory and Majesty for ever and ever. Amen. (20)
Let us, therefore, approach him with holiness of spirit, lifting unto him pure and undefiled hands, loving the kind and compassionate Father who has made us a part of his elect. For it is thus written, 'when the Most High divided the nations...'" (29).
Called by His will in Christ Jesus, we are not justified out of ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have worked out of holiness of heart, but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (32).
How blessed and marvellous, beloved, are the gifts of God....The Creator and Father of all worlds ages, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. (35).
Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ (42).
Have we not one God and one Christ? Is there not one Spirit of grace poured out upon us? (46).
May God, who sees everything, 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 calls 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, through whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and honour, both now and for evermore. Amen. (58).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and with all everywhere that are the called of God through him, through whom be to Him glory, honour, power, majesty, and eternal dominion, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen. (59).
