Apostolic Fathers

Apostolic Fathers, the name given to the immediate disciples and fellow-labourers of the apostles, and, in a more restricted sense, to those among them who have left writings behind them. Those specially so called are Barnabas, Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Hermas, and Polycarp. Papias of Hierapolis is also included by Irenæus, but this is probably an error. The writings of the apostolic fathers, as to their form and subject, may be looked upon as a continuation of the apostolic epistles, though far inferior to them in spirit. Their main purpose is to exhort to faith and holiness before Christ's coming again.—Editions of the apostolic fathers were published by Cotelerius (Par. 1672), Jacobson (Oxford, 1838), Hefele (1839), and Dressel (1857); another by Gebhart, Zahn, and Harnack appeared in 1875-78 (3 vols.). There are several English translations, including one in Clark's Ante-Nicene Library. See Donaldson's Apostolic Fathers (1874). Standard editions of individual fathers are Bishop Lightfoot's exhaustive commentaries on the Clementine and Ignatian epistles. See FATHERS OF THE CHURCH, and the articles on each name.