ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA
I. Historical Background
Date – possibly mid-second century in written form; oral traditions earlier, set into Acts of Paul, likely pre-existed in oral or written form
II. Genre – Acts; folk tradition; ancient romance genre
III. Summary of Plot
Iconium
Paul meets up with Onesiphorus,at Iconium. Paul’s preaching includes the following beatitudes:
5 And when Paul entered into the house of Onesiphorus, there was great joy, and bowing of knees and breaking of bread, and the word of God concerning abstinence (or continence) and the resurrection; for Paul said:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are they that keep the flesh chaste, for they shall become the temple of God.
Blessed are they that abstain (or the continent), for unto them shall God speak.
Blessed are they that have renounced this world, for they shall be well-pleasing unto God.
Blessed are they that possess their wives as though they had them not, for they shall inherit God.
Blessed are they that have the fear of God, for they shall become angels of God.
6 Blessed are they that tremble at the oracles of God, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that receive the wisdom of Jesus Christ, for they shall be called sons of the Most High.
Blessed are they that have kept their baptism pure, for they shall rest with the Father and with the Son.
Blessed are they that have compassed the understanding of Jesus Christ, for they shall be in light.
Blessed are they that for love of God have departed from the fashion of this world, for they shall judge angels, and shall be blessed at the right hand of the Father.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy and shall not see the bitter day of judgement. Blessed are the bodies of the virgins, for they shall be well- pleasing unto God and shall not lose the reward of their continence (chastity), for the word of the Father shall be unto them a work of salvation in the day of his Son, and they shall have rest world Without end.
(From The Apocryphal New Testament. M.R. James-Translation and Notes Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924 http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/actspaul.html )
In Iconium the virgin Thecla abandons engagement and future role as wife; accepts teachings of Paul which involve remaining chaste and in virginity, to “remain as they are. Her mother Theocleia and her fiancé, Thamyris, are very unhappy. Think Paul has bewitched Thecla.
Confrontation between Paul and forces against him – in front of Proconsul
Thecla Visits Paul in Jail
Governor listens to Paul, scourges him and has him thrown out of City
Own mother condemns Thecla: “ But the governor heard Paul gladly concerning the holy works of Christ: and he took counsel, and called Thecla and said: Why wilt thou not marry Thamyris, according to the law of the Iconians? but she stood looking earnestly upon Paul, and when she answered not, her mother Theocleia cried out, saying: Burn the lawless one, burn her that is no bride in the midst of the theatre, that all the women which have been taught by this man may be affrighted.” (From The Apocryphal New Testament. M.R. James-Translation and Notes Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924 http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/actspaul.html )
Thecla, naked, taken to be burned; flame does not touch her, God sends rain and hail, fire put out
Paul fasting with Onesiphorus and family in an open tomb (emphasizing resurrection?); child going to buy bread brings Thecla ; Paul had been praying for Thecla’s deliverance. Eat loaves, vegetables, and water.
And Thecla said to Paul, "I shall cut my hair short and follow you wherever you go." But he said, "The time is horrible, and you are beautiful. May no other temptation come upon you worse than the first and you not bear up but act with cowardice." And Thecla said, "Only give me the seal in Christ, and temptation will not touch me." And Paul said, 'Have patience, Thecla, and you will receive the water." (Ross Kraemer translation at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/courses/rs135/thecla.html)
Antioch
Alexander desires Thecla; Thinks she belongs to Paul. Alexander grabs Thecla in the street. Thecla mocks Alexander grabs the imperial wreath from his head (mark of office) and tears his cloak. Thecla is brought before governor, sentenced to die via beasts. Women help to keep Thecla chaste including Queen Tryphaena who adopts her as a daughter in place of her dead daughter Falconilla. Queen Tryphaena leads Thecla to the games. Thecla sits on lioness back on her way to the games. Lioness protects Thecla. Baptizes herself and is saved from beasts:
And when she had finished her prayer, she turned and saw a great ditch full of water and said, "Now is the time for me to wash." And she threw herself in, saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ, I baptize myself on the last day!" And when they saw it, the women and the whole crowd wept, saying, "Do not throw yourself into the water!"so that even the governor wept that such a beauty was going to be eaten by seals. So then she threw herself into the water in the name of Jesus Christ, but the seals, seeing the light of a lighting flash, floated dead on the surface. About her there was a cloud of fire so that neither could the beasts touch her nor could she be seen naked. (Ross Kraemer translation at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/courses/rs135/thecla.html)
The women throw in perfumes and these put the beasts to sleep. Tied to “fearsome bulls” flame around her burns her bonds. Queen Tryphaena faints, looks like she is dead. Alexander panics asks governor to let Thecla go, lest Caesar destroy the city. Finally, Thecla testifies to the governor:
37. The governor summoned Thecla from among the beasts and said to her, "Who are you? And what have you about you that not one of the beasts touched you?" She answered, "I am a servant of the living God. As to what I have about me, I have believed in him in whom God is well pleased, his Son, on account of whom not one of the beasts touched me. For he alone is the goal of salvation and the foundation of immortal life. For to the storm-tossed he is a refuge, to the oppressed relief, to the despairing shelter; in a word, whoever does not believe in him shall not live but die for ever." 38. When the governor heard this, he ordered clothing to be brought and said, "Put on the clothing." But she said, "The one who clothed me when I was naked among the beasts, this one shall clothe me with salvation in the day of judgment." And taking the clothing, she got dressed. And the governor issued a decree immediately, saying, "I release to you Thecla, the God-fearing servant of God." So all the women cried out with a loud voice and as with one mouth gave praise to God, saying, "One is God who has saved Thecla!"so that all the city was shaken by the sound. (Ross Kraemer translation at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/courses/rs135/thecla.html)
Thecla instructs Queen Tryphaena and her female servants:
39. And when Tryphaena was told the good news, she came to meet her with a crowd. She embraced Thecla and said, "Now I believe that the dead are raised up! Now I believe that my child lives! Come inside, and I will transfer everything that is mine to you." So Thecla went in with her and rested in her house for eight days, instructing her in the word of God, so that the majority of the female servants also believed. And there was great joy in the house. (Ross Kraemer translation at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/courses/rs135/thecla.html)
Thecla seeks Paul at Myra: “So taking male and female servants, she got herself ready, sewed her chiton [a long piece of cloth worn draped over the body] into a cloak like a man's, and headed off to Myra.” (Ross Kraemer translation at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/courses/rs135/thecla.html)
Thecla returns to Iconium commissioned by Paul to teach. She praises God for help through her trials.
And standing up, Thecla said to Paul, "I am going to Iconium." So Paul said, "Go and teach the word of God!" Now, Tryphaena sent her a lot of clothing and gold, so it could be left behind for Paul for the ministry of the poor.
42. So Thecla herself headed off to Iconium and entered the house of Onesiphorus and threw herself down on the floor where Paul had sat when he was teaching the oracles of God, and wept, saying, "My God, and God of this house where the light shone upon me, Christ Jesus, the Son of God, my help in prison, my help before the governor, my help in the flame, my help among the beasts, you are God, and to you be glory for ever. Amen." (Ross Kraemer translation at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/courses/rs135/thecla.html)
She is reunited with her mother although her fiancé Thamyris is dead. She goes to Seleucia where she preaches and finally dies. There are additional endings in some manuscripts.
IV. Your impressions of the Characterizations of Thecla and Paul
V. Key Themes
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Small Groups
A. Compare and contrast at least two ideas and/or practices discussed in I Timothy with those in the Acts of Paul and Thecla excerpt. Be sure to cite specific passages. To what degree may historical and social circumstances account for the differences and similarities?
B. In what ways can the Acts of Paul and Thecla excerpt be seen in continuity with the undisputed Pauline letters we have read (I Thessalonians, I Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans) and in what ways in discontinuity? Be sure to give at least two examples of continuity and two of discontinuity. How would you account for these similarities and differences?
C. The church made Thecla a saint and her cult was widespread in both the Western the Eastern branches of Christianity. Her story influenced later Christian art and literature. What do you think proved compelling about the narrative of Thecla for believers in the second and following centuries? At the same time, the Acts of Paul including the section on the Acts of Thecla did not make it into the final canon of the New Testament. Why do you think it was excluded?