Ptolemy the Gnostic, Letter to Flora 4.1 (Recorded in Epiphanius’ Panarion, 1.2.33, 6.1.) on Swearing

Ptolemy the Gnostic, Letter to Flora 4.1 (Recorded in Epiphanius’ Panarion, 1.2.33, 6.1.) on Swearing

Written c. 155 CE.

Source: Frank Williams, trans., The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis: Book I (sects 1-46), 2nd and Revised Ed., p. 220. (BRILL, 2009).

Thus even the Law which is acknowledged to be God’s is divided into three—into the part which is fulfilled by the Savior (for “Thou shalt not kill,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and “Thou shalt not bear false witness” are included in his prohibition of anger, lust and oaths).

Οὕτως γοῦν καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ εἶναι νόμος ὁμολογούμενος εἰς τρία διαιρεῖται, εἴς τε τὸ πληρούμενον ἀπὸ τοῦ σωτῆρος (τὸ γάρ «οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις» ἐν τῷ μηδ' ὀργισθῆναι μηδὲ ἐπιθυμῆσαι μηδὲ ὀμόσαι περιείληπται)·[PG 41:565]