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At a glance
- Traditional author
- Hermas
- Traditional date
- Late 1st–mid 2nd century CE (medium confidence)
- Traditional audience
- Readers of Corpus Witness’s Canon & Books shelves
Listed in: Ethiopian related literature.
Meaning of Shepherd of Hermas
A widely read early Christian work, copied in Codex Sinaiticus after the New Testament.
Traditional understanding
The visions, commandments, and parables given to Hermas, a Christian of Rome, calling the church to repentance. Irenaeus quoted it, and Codex Sinaiticus copies it after the New Testament, but the Muratorian Fragment says it may be read privately and not in church as Scripture.
Historical context
Some early Christians used it in instruction. Later canon lists generally exclude it from the 27-book New Testament.
Setting of the writing
Some early Christians used it in instruction. Later canon lists generally exclude it from the 27-book New Testament.
Literary shape
apostolic-fathers work curated for historical study.
Themes
- apostolic-fathers
- Hermas
Shepherd of Hermas chapter by chapter
Visions
Shepherd of Hermas 1 — Vision 1
The 1st vision shows the church's condition and God's call to repentance. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Vision 1. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 2 — Vision 2
The 2nd vision shows the church's condition and God's call to repentance. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Vision 2. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 3 — Vision 3
The 3rd vision shows the church's condition and God's call to repentance. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Vision 3. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 4 — Vision 4
The 4th vision shows the church's condition and God's call to repentance. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Vision 4. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 5 — Vision 5
The 5th vision shows the church's condition and God's call to repentance. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Vision 5. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Mandates
Shepherd of Hermas 6 — Mandate 1
Mandate 1 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 1. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 7 — Mandate 2
Mandate 2 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 2. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 8 — Mandate 3
Mandate 3 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 3. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 9 — Mandate 4
Mandate 4 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 4. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 10 — Mandate 5
Mandate 5 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 5. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 11 — Mandate 6
Mandate 6 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 6. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 12 — Mandate 7
Mandate 7 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 7. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 13 — Mandate 8
Mandate 8 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 8. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 14 — Mandate 9
Mandate 9 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 9. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 15 — Mandate 10
Mandate 10 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 10. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 16 — Mandate 11
Mandate 11 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 11. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 17 — Mandate 12
Mandate 12 instructs Hermas on faith, simplicity, truth, purity, and patience in daily conduct. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Mandate 12. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Similitudes
Shepherd of Hermas 18 — Similitude 1
Similitude 1 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 1. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 19 — Similitude 2
Similitude 2 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 2. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 20 — Similitude 3
Similitude 3 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 3. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 21 — Similitude 4
Similitude 4 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 4. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 22 — Similitude 5
Similitude 5 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 5. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 23 — Similitude 6
Similitude 6 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 6. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 24 — Similitude 7
Similitude 7 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 7. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 25 — Similitude 8
Similitude 8 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 8. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 26 — Similitude 9
Similitude 9 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 9. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 27 — Similitude 10
Similitude 10 parables the tower, shepherd, or vine as images of the church's building and care. Hermas presents repentance, church discipline, and hope through visions, mandates, and parables.
Meaning: Similitude 10. The Shepherd urges a patient God who calls sinners back into a community being built stone by stone.