# 1 Clement 42.4

- Author: [Clement of Rome](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/clement-of-rome/)
- Work: [1 Clement](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/1-clement/) (*Epistula I ad Corinthios*)
- Date: ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:80; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 8–121 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/1-clement/42/4/

Summary: The apostles appointed bishops and deacons from their first converts.

## Greek text

κατὰ χώρας οὖν καὶ πόλεις κηρύσσοντες καθίστανον τὰς ἀπαρχὰς αὐτῶν, δοκιμάσαντες τῷ πνεύματι, εἰς ἐπισκόπους καὶ διακόνους τῶν μελλόντων πιστεύειν.

## English translation (Claude)

So, preaching in country and city, they appointed their firstfruits, after testing them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who would believe.

## Scripture references

- Acts 14:23: echo, medium confidence
- Phil 1:1: echo, medium confidence

## Translation notes

- In 1 Clement the “bishops” (overseers) appear to be the same people as the presbyters (compare 44.4–5; 57.1); see the glossary.

## Citation (SBL)

1 Clem. 42.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/1-clement/42/4/).