The first and Second Apologies
The Apologies defend Christianity against Roman accusations by presenting it as the true philosophy, grounded in reason, fulfilled prophecy, and the person of Jesus Christ.
Themes that emerged
Date
- Cerca 155 AD
Summary
Written around A.D. 155, First Apology is Justin Martyr’s defense of Christianity addressed to the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius. Rather than asking for special treatment, Justin argues that Christians deserve a fair hearing and should be judged by their actions rather than by prejudice or rumors. Throughout the work he explains Christian beliefs, morality, prophecy, and worship, showing that Christianity is both rational and true.
Justin presents Christ as the eternal Word (Logos) of God through whom the world was created and who was revealed throughout the Old Testament before becoming incarnate as Jesus. He argues that the Hebrew Scriptures foretold Christ’s coming, death, and resurrection, and that these prophecies are fulfilled in the Gospel. He also explains Christian practices such as Baptism, the Eucharist, and Sunday worship, providing one of the earliest surviving descriptions of the Church’s liturgy.
A recurring theme is that God desires humanity’s repentance rather than punishment. Human beings possess reason and free will, making them responsible for their choices, while salvation is offered through Christ to all nations. Justin also warns that spiritual forces seek to draw people away from God, yet insists that truth ultimately prevails because Christ has conquered evil and His Gospel continues to spread throughout the world.
Memorable Quotations
The First Apology
{10.6} We did not choose to be born in the first place, but we can choose to follow what pleases Him by using the rational mind He gave us; He encourages us and leads us toward faith.
{15.10} The heavenly Father prefers a sinner’s change of heart over their punishment. {15.11} Regarding love for all, He taught: “If you only love those who love you, what special thing are you doing? Even immoral people do that. But I say to you: pray for your enemies, love those who hate you, and bless those who curse you.”
Related Scripture
- Luke 15
- Ezekiel 18:23
- 2 Peter 3:9
{17.10} Everyone will have to give an account based on the power they received from God, as Christ suggested when He said, “To whom God has given more, from him more will be required.”
Related Scripture
- Luke 12:48
{22.1} Moreover, the Son of God called Jesus, even if He were only a man born by ordinary generation, is still worthy to be called the Son of God because of His wisdom; for all your writers call God the “Father of men and gods.”
{32.17} The Word is the first power after God the Father and Lord of all, and He is also the Son.
{44.13} He does this to constantly urge the human race to make an effort and to remember the right path, showing that He truly cares and provides for mankind.
{49.4} However, the Gentiles, who had never heard anything about Christ until the apostles traveled from Jerusalem to preach about Him and shared the prophecies, were filled with joy and faith; they abandoned their idols and dedicated themselves to the Unbegotten God through Christ.
{57.1} The demons cannot persuade people that there will be no final fire for the punishment of the wicked, just as they were unable to keep Christ hidden after He arrived. {57.2} The only thing they can accomplish is to influence those who live irrationally, who were raised with immoral customs, and who are stuck in their own opinions to kill and hate us.
Related Scripture
- 1 Corinthians 10:20
- Deuteronomy 32
- Psalm 96:5
{58.5} These so-called demons attempt nothing else but to pull people away from the God who made them and from Christ, His firstborn.
{58.7} But for those who dedicate themselves to the study of divine things, the demons secretly attack them. {58.8} If these people do not maintain a wise and serious mind and a pure, calm life, the demons drive them into godlessness.
{60.3} By the inspiration and influence of God, Moses took brass and shaped it into the form of a cross, placing it in the holy tabernacle. {60.4} He told the people that if they looked at this symbol and believed, they would be saved by it.
My thoughts
This made me realise that Jesus used the same belief to perform miracles. Like when He asks “do you believe I can do this?” and the answer was yes, then he said go it has been done. Not because he needed their believe to do the miracle, but their believe was needed for them to follow Him and learn what He told us.
There’s also a parallel that the form of the cross and Moses telling the people to believe in it and they will be saved. This also points to Christ, because He is lifted up on the cross and those who believe receive eternal life.
Related Scripture
- John 3
{60.8} Furthermore, he spoke of a third element because he read what Moses wrote about the Spirit of God moving over the waters. {60.9} He gave the second position to the Word (Logos) who is with God, whom he said was placed crosswise in the universe, and he gave the third position to the Spirit who was said to be carried upon the water, saying, “And the third around the third.”
{62.5} Our Christ spoke with him in the form of fire from a bush and said, “Take off your shoes, come closer, and listen.”
{63.3} The Word of God is His Son, as we have mentioned before. He is also called an “Angel” and an “Apostle,” for He announces everything we need to know and is sent out to declare what is revealed; as our Lord said, whoever listens to Him is actually listening to the One who sent Him. {63.4} This is also clear from the writings of Moses, where it says that the Angel of God spoke to Moses in a flame of fire from a bush, saying, “I am who I am, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of your ancestors; go down to Egypt and lead My people out.”
prison, travelers staying with us, and, in short, takes care of everyone who is in need. {67.14} We all hold our common meeting on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day when God changed darkness and matter to create the world. {67.15} Also, Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on that same day.
The Second Apology
{4.2} I will tell you why we do not do that, and why we fearlessly admit our faith when we are questioned: we have been taught that God did not create the world for no reason, but for the benefit of the human race. {4.3} He is pleased with those who imitate His character and displeased with those who pursue worthless words or deeds.
Related Scripture
- Genesis 1
- Matthew 5:48
- Ephesians 5:1
- 1 Peter 1
{5.2} When God created the world, He gave humans authority over the earth, set the stars and seasons to provide food, and established a divine law for our benefit; He then put angels in charge of looking after humanity and the world. {5.3} But these angels broke their commitment and were seduced by a love for women, fathering children who are now known as demons.
My thoughts
Justin sees the corruption of angels as illustrating how destructive sin can be. Whether or not Genesis 6 is interpreted this way today, the passage reminds me that Scripture repeatedly warns us to guard against sexual immorality because it has the power to distort our relationship with God and others. Christ’s strong language about cutting off whatever causes us to sin (Matthew 5:29–30) shows how seriously we should treat it.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 5
- 1 Corinthians 6
- 1 Thessalonians 4