14 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at cost
Audiobook editionPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 58 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · 58 pagesAbout this book
What happens when a church turns against its own leaders—and another church asks it to stop?
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians begins with a quarrel. Some members of the Christian community in Corinth have pushed out their appointed leaders. The church in Rome writes to urge peace and restore order. Traditionally attributed to Clement of Rome, this unnamed writer’s letter offers a close view of church life a generation after the apostles.
The letter explores what holds a divided community together. Drawing on Jewish scriptures and the words of Jesus, it sets humility against envy and calls for repentance, love and discipline. Stories of Abraham and Rahab sit alongside images of the heavens, seasons and sea. Questions of faith and good works lead into arguments about appointed leaders and their authority.
What you’ll discover
- A community in conflict See how Rome addresses Corinth’s quarrel through appeals to peace, humility and shared responsibility.
- The damage of envy Follow scriptural examples that the writer uses to expose jealousy’s power to divide.
- Order in the world Explore how seasons, sea and sky become images for a community’s common life.
- Faith expressed through love Consider the letter’s teachings on faith, good works and love through Abraham and Rahab.
- The roots of leadership Encounter an early account of appointed leaders and the arguments offered for their authority.
Who will love it
This is for readers who love early Christian history, scripture woven through argument, questions of leadership and humility, and the voices of the first generations after the apostles.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Rome writes to a divided Corinth
- Jealousy is the root of church strife
- Repentance and humility open the way back
- Creation shows peace, order and resurrection
- Faith is shown in good works
- Order in worship and in leadership
- Love, correction and the willingness to step aside
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet, computer or Kindle, with the type as large as you like.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, from the first page.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 14 minutes, to read today.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in, 58 pages: USD 4.95 when you start free, USD 4.95 on its own.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in, 58 pages: USD 13.95 when you start free, USD 13.95 on its own.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in, 88 pages: USD 5.95 when you start free, USD 5.95 on its own.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in, 88 pages: USD 14.95 when you start free, USD 14.95 on its own.
Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout. The eBook and the audiobook open when the book texts go online.
How it works
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
- We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then USD 0.14 a day in your first year on the yearly plan and USD 0.27 a day after, or USD 0.66 a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
Bought on its own? Every eBook, audiobook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
by Attributed to Clement of Rome · 96
Rome writes to Corinth to stop a revolt against its elders, and the letter turns to love, order and a phoenix.
ChallengingUnder 2 hours to readEnglish
Excellent
Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device
Read free3 months free · cancel anytimeFree for 3 months, then USD 0.14 a dayCancel anytimeHow it works
- Read, large type too
- Print and large print at cost
- 5 accounts for the price of one
“Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins.”
In short
What do you do when a congregation throws out its respected leaders because of the ambition of a few? Around the end of the first century, the church at Rome faces that question and answers it with a letter.
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians at a glance
- Reading time
- About 1 h 5 min55 min fast, 1 h 20 min slow
- Length
- 15,800 words
- Pages
- 58 pages88 in large print
- Library level
- Challenging long sentences, a rich vocabulary
- First published
- about AD 96by Attributed to Clement of Rome
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Rome writes to a divided Corinth
The letter opens in the name of the church of God in Rome, addressed to the church of God in Corinth. No single author signs it. Early tradition names Clement, a leader in Rome, as the man behind it, though the text speaks as a community. The greeting wishes grace and peace in full measure.
Rome admits it has been late to reply, because sudden misfortunes have fallen on its own people. Now word has reached Rome of something shameful. A few reckless and self-willed people in Corinth have stirred up a revolt, and the good name of that church is suffering.
Free for 3 months · Cancel anytime
You looked at
Which edition is right for me
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet or computer. Your place follows you, and you can make the type as big as you like.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 14 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
- Paperback
- Light and easy to carry. A real book for the bedside table and the beach.
- Hardcover
- Made to last. For the shelf, and for giving.
- Large print paperback
- Bigger, clearer type. Easy on the eyes for long evenings and for reading aloud.
- Large print hardcover
- Bigger, clearer type. Easy on the eyes for long evenings and for reading aloud.
See the type size
Pick a size and read a line at that size. Hold your phone at reading distance.
Rome writes to Corinth to stop a revolt against its elders, and the letter turns to love, order and a phoenix.
Shown close to the printed size on most screens.
Details
- First published
- 96
- Language
- English
- Level
- Challenging
- Paperback
- 58 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Hardcover
- 58 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Large print paperback
- 88 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Large print hardcover
- 88 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Delivery and returns
- Printed when you order. Usually here in 12 to 14 days.Arrives Fri 13 Nov to Thu 19 Novto United States, printed for you at cost
For Christmas, order by Thu 12 Nov
Cite this edition
Clement of Rome. The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-the-first-epistle-of-clement-to-the-corinthians.
Clement of Rome. (2026). The first epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-the-first-epistle-of-clement-to-the-corinthians (Original work published ca. 96)
Clement of Rome. The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-the-first-epistle-of-clement-to-the-corinthians.
@book{clementofrome2026first,
author = {Clement of Rome},
title = {The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-the-first-epistle-of-clement-to-the-corinthians},
note = {First published ca. 96}
}
Make it personal
Your own message printed on a page of its own at the front of the book. Free with every printed copy.
Free gifts
USD 580 in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
USD 170FREE - Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any device
USD 120FREE - 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languages
USD 60FREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
USD 60FREE - 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at home
USD 170FREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
Questions about The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
Can I read it free?
Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy just the printed book?
Yes. The paperback costs USD 4.95 on its own. Start free and you pay the cost of printing: USD 4.95 for this paperback, and any other book at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print.
How many accounts do I get?
Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.
What is the First Epistle of Clement about?
It is a letter from the church at Rome to the church at Corinth, written to end a revolt against the Corinthian elders. It argues for humility, repentance, order and love, using many stories from scripture.
Who was Clement of Rome?
Early writers such as Irenaeus name Clement as a leader of the Roman church and the author of the letter. Few details about his life are certain, and the letter itself speaks in the name of the whole church.
When was First Clement written?
Scholars usually place it between 80 and 100 CE, most often in the last years of Domitian's reign around 95 or 96. It is written in Greek and counts among the oldest Christian writings outside the New Testament.
More like this
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
