Shepherd of Hermas — Mandate 4 · Chapter 3
Mandate 4.3.1
Greek
Mandate 4.3.1 “Sir,” I say, “I will ask one further question.” “Speak,” he says. “I heard from some teachers, sir,” I say, “that there is no other repentance except that when we went down into water and received forgiveness of our former sins.”
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.1 — Textual: Hermas reports a teachers' claim that repentance occurs only in the descent into water and forgiveness of former sins. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.
Mandate 4.3.2
Greek
Mandate 4.3.2 He says to me, “You heard correctly, for that is how it is. For one who has received forgiveness of sins ought to sin no more, but to dwell in purity.
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.2 — Textual: The shepherd first affirms the demand for purity after forgiveness; the qualified concession follows rather than replacing that ideal. Reception: R06.
Mandate 4.3.3
Greek
Mandate 4.3.3 “But since you inquire carefully about everything, I will explain this to you also, without giving an opportunity to those who are going to believe or who have now believed in the Lord. For those who have now believed or are going to believe do not have repentance for sins, but have forgiveness of their former sins.
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.3 — Textual: New and prospective believers receive forgiveness of former sins, while the source distinguishes this from the repentance concession discussed next. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.
Mandate 4.3.4
Greek
Mandate 4.3.4 “For those called before these days, therefore, the Lord established repentance. For the Lord, knowing hearts and foreknowing everything, knew human weakness and the devil’s many intrigues, how he would do some harm to God’s servants and act wickedly against them.
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.4 — Textual: Those called before the present days are specifically in view. God's provision takes account of human weakness and the devil's intrigues. Reception: R06.
Mandate 4.3.5
Greek
Mandate 4.3.5 “Being deeply compassionate, therefore, the Lord had compassion on His creation and established this repentance, and authority over this repentance was given to me.
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.5 — Textual: The shepherd's authority over repentance is given to him. The initiative is attributed to the Lord's compassion for His creation. Reception: R06.
Mandate 4.3.6
Greek
Mandate 4.3.6 “But I tell you,” he says, “if after that great and solemn calling someone is tempted by the devil and sins, he has one repentance. But if he sins readily and repents, it is unprofitable for such a person; for he will live only with difficulty.”
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.6 — Textual: One repentance after the solemn calling is distinguished from readily alternating sin and repentance; Lake's positive verb is not replaced by the manuscript negative. Reception: R06.
Mandate 4.3.7
Greek
Mandate 4.3.7 I say to him, “Hearing these things from you so precisely has brought me to life. For I know that if I add no more to my sins, I will be saved.” “You will be saved,” he says, “and so will everyone who does these things.”
Textual & reception notes
Mandate 4.3.7 — Textual: Hermas receives hope through precise instruction, but his assurance remains tied to adding no further sins; the promise extends to corresponding conduct in others. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.