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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, he was called “the firstborn of all creation” (Col 1:15) because of his birth according to the flesh, not because he was the first created being, as they suppose.

Translated by Daniel Noonan under the supervision of Prof. Glen L. Thompson, revised AMJ

Last updated: 8-29-2012

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