The Majesty of the Master’s Providence (1 Clement 24.5)

The aim of this article is to challenge the traditional scholarly consensus regarding the use of the term 'providence' in early Christianity, especially in First Clement. The argument is developed through the close reading the relevant passage in its context as well as through a fresh comparison with the canonical 1 Corinthians. Taking into consideration some shared vocabulary, this study then makes an intriguing cross-reference to Cicero's exposition of Stoic ideas. Overall, this contribution nudges the discussion on the use of philosophy in the earliest layers of the Christian tradition