Arguments for Christian Pacifism (4): Teaching of the Early Church

For a much more in-depth discussion of Christian nonviolence, check out The Fourth Way Podcast.

Christians have nothing against the government. In fact, Christians teach that we should submit to the government. However, our primary citizenship is to Christ, and we should be unwilling to do something our government tells us to do if that means being disobedient to Christ. Enacting violence or harm to another, in aggression, self-defense, or even in the role of a government official who commanded wars or participated in them, was something with which the early church just couldn't get on board. To highlight this, I want to pull a large number of quotes and teachings from the early church. â€‹

Many of the quotes below deal specifically with soldiers. Many non-pacifists will argue that the reason soldiers were prohibited was because they had to make sacrifices during feasts and they had to bow to the gods or the emperor. There were also some vows they may have to take which a Christian couldn't do. While I'm sure that aspect played a role in the community prohibiting a Christian from being a soldier, you will notice that there are a number of quotes that give a different rationale for prohibiting one from being a soldier, namely, the potential mandate that they would use violence - even if used justly in capital punishment. 

There are two main ways the early church fathers went about arguing for non-violence. The first was that violence in general was wrong. You will see many quotes which condemn all sorts of violence or positions that use violence. The second approach was to condemn any conflict of interest in regard to lordship. If you had to make a pledge of loyalty to a state or acted in any manner which contradicted Christ (through worship of the gods, violence, or other evil), that was a problem. I think the early fathers would be pretty appalled with the extent that some of our patriotism goes, verging not only on nationalism, but worship of the state. While I focus mostly on quotes in regard to violence, you will see that this other notion threads its way in very frequently. 

Regardless of which two views you take on defending pacifism in the early church, one view you won't find defended is that of killing another human being - for any reason. The video clip below provides a brief summary of this background (full video here), while I will put many of the quotes below. In essence, prior to 311 and Constantine's Edict of Milan, which made Christianity acceptable and more in tandem with the state, it is near impossible to find any orthodox Christian quote defending any sort of killing. Whether it was abortion, infanticide, military service, self-defense, or even capital punishment, Christians abhorred all killing and saw it as out of step with being a disciple of Christ. 

via ytCropper

The quotes are listed beginning with what I think to be the most powerful for pacifism. Since I believe ecumenical documents, or documents which were highly circulated and accepted are extremely important, I will be placing those first. In my estimation, quotes that represent a document of the church are overall more weighty than quotes from individuals, though certainly individuals can represent ecumenical thought as well. Dates are provided so you can see the chronological order of the authors as well. â€‹

Canon of Nicaea, Canon 12 (325) [This is a particularly important for two reasons. First, it isn't too far beyond Constantine's politicization of Christianity in 311, and may be a more accurate representation of Christian teaching prior to a marriage to the state. It is also important because this quote comes from an ecumenical document - meaning the Church universal agreed to it. Non-pacifists argue that it's not a big deal that Tertullian or Origen and some others seemed pacifistic. Just because a few great minds believe it doesn't make it so. While an idea being ecumenical doesn't make it true, it helps to show that this non-violent teaching was early and agreed upon by the church universal.] 

As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as give evidence of their conversions by deeds, and not pretence, with fear, and tears, and perseverance, and good works, when they have fulfilled their appointed time as hearers, may properly communicate in prayers; and after that the bishop may determine yet more favourably concerning them. But those who take [the matter] with indifference, and who think the form of [not] entering the Church is sufficient for their conversion, must fulfil the whole time.

Apostolic Tradition (c. 200) [Note that the reference to wearing red is generally understood as a sign of political position in the government]

One who is a gladiator or teaches gladiators or swordsmanship or military skills or weapons training should stop or be excluded. . . . A soldier in the sovereign’s army[ 186] should not kill, or if he is ordered to kill, he should refuse. If he stops, so be it; otherwise he should be excluded. Concerning those who wear red[ 188] or believers who become soldiers or astrologers or magicians or such like: let them be excluded. One who has the power of the sword or the head of a city and wears red, let him stop or be excluded. A catechumen or a believer, if they want to be soldiers, let them be excluded because they distance themselves from God. (From "The Early Church on Killing")

Canons of Hippolytus (340)

Whoever has received the authority to kill, or else a soldier, they are not to kill in any case, even if they receive the order to kill. They are not to pronounce a bad word. Those who have received an honor are not to wear wreaths on their heads. Whosoever is raised to the authority of a prefect or the magistracy and does not put on the righteousness of the gospel is to be excluded from the flock and the bishop is not to pray with him. (FROM "THE EARLY CHURCH ON KILLING")

the "Testament of our Lord" (4th or 5th century)

If anyone be a soldier or in authority, let him be taught not to oppress or to kill or to rob, or to be angry or to rage and afflict anyone. But let those rations suffice him which are given to him. But if they wish to be baptized in the Lord, let them cease from military service or from the [post of] authority, and if not let them not be received. Let a catechumen or a believer of the people, if he desire to be a soldier, either cease from his intention, or if not let him be rejected. For he hath despised God by his thought, and leaving the things of the Spirit, he hath perfected himself in the flesh and hath treated the faith with contempt. 

Didache (c. 90)

This is the way of life: first, thou shalt love the God who made thee, secondly, thy neighbor as thyself: and all things whatsoever thou wouldest not should happen to thee, do not thou to another. The teaching of these words is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast on behalf of those who persecute you: for what thanks will be due to you, if ye love only those who love you? Do not the Gentiles also do the same? But love ye those who hate you, and ye shall not have an enemy.

Synod of Arles (314): This quote requires some particular background. It was written three years after Constantine's edict which provided significant freedom and restitution to Christians. The edict seems strangely worded, as one would expect a command to remain in the army to be applicable during war-time, but that is not what we see. Why? Consider the thoughts of the author from "The Early Church on Killing." "During peacetime, when a soldier would not normally need to kill, Christian soldiers not only may, but must stay in the army. But canon 3 does not forbid leaving the army in time of war, when killing would be unavoidable. The interesting case of St. Martin of Tours fits this understanding. During the reign of Constantine, Martin became a Christian while in the army and he remained there for two years, wearing his sword. But when an actual battle became imminent, he refused to use his sword—although he volunteered to stand unarmed in the army’s front line (Dörries, Constantine, 112–13). If my interpretation is correct, canon 3, then, illustrates how the church sought both to adapt to the dramatically new situation under Emperor Constantine and also to maintain continuity with earlier teaching." See a quote from Martin of Tours immediately following the Synod of Arles.

Concerning those who throw down their arms in time of peace, we have decreed that they should be kept from communion.

Martin of Tours 315-397

 Hitherto I have served you as a soldier; allow me now to become a soldier to God. Let the man who is to serve you receive your donative. I am a soldier of Christ; it is not permissible for me to fight.

Hippolytus 170-235 

​The professions and trades of those who are going to be accepted into the community must be examined. The nature and type of each must be established… brothel, sculptors of idols, charioteer, athlete, gladiator…give it up or be rejected. A military constable must be forbidden to kill, neither may he swear; if he is not willing to follow these instructions, he must be rejected. A proconsul or magistrate who wears the purple and governs by the sword shall give it up or be rejected. Anyone taking or already baptized who wants to become a soldier shall be sent away, for he has despised God.
(from "Church Order in the Apostolic Tradition" in The Early Christians in Their Own Words)

No Christian should go and become a soldier unless a Commander who has a sword compels him; let him not draw any guilt of blood shed upon himself.

Lactantius 250-325

For when God forbids us to kill, he not only prohibits us from open violence, which is not even allowed by the public laws, but he warns us against the commission of those beings which are esteemed lawful among men….Therefore, with regard to this precept of God, there ought to be no exception at all, but that it is always unlawful to put to death a man, whom God willed to be a sacred animal. (From "The Sacred Writings of Lactanitus" annotated edition)

If anyone should be so shameless as to inflict injury on a good and just man, such a man must bear it with calmness and moderation. He will not take upon himself his revenge. Rather, he will reserve it for the judgment of God. He must maintain innocence at all times and in all places. And this commandment is not limited to merely his not [being the first to] inflict injury on another. Rather, he should not even avenge it when injury is inflicted on him. For there sits on the judgment-seat a very great and impartial Judge. (FROM "THE SACRED WRITINGS OF LACTANITUS" ANNOTATED EDITION)

Religion is to be defended— not by putting to death— but by dying. Not by cruelty, but by patient endurance. Not by guilt, but by good faith. For the former belongs to evil, but the latter to the good. . . . For if you wish to defend religion by bloodshed, tortures, and guilt, it will no longer be defended. Rather, it will be polluted and profaned. . . . And, therefore, when we suffer such impious things, we do not resist even in word. Rather, we leave vengeance to God. We do not act as those persons who would have it appear that they are defenders of their gods, who rage without restraint against those who do not worship them. When provoked by injury, if he returns violence to his assailant, he is defeated. (From "Ante-Nicene Fathers," Vol. VII)

In what respect, then, does the wise and good man differ from the evil and foolish one? Is it not that he has unconquerable patience, of which the foolish are destitute? Is it not that he knows how to govern himself and to mitigate his anger— which those are unable to curb because they are without virtue? . . . What if a man gives way to grief and anger and indulges these emotions (which he should struggle against)? What if he rushes wherever injustice will call him? Such a man does not fulfill the duty of virtue. For he who tries to return an injury desires to imitate that very person by whom he has been injured. In short, he who imitates a bad man cannot be good. (From "A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs; A Reference Guide to More Than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers" edited by David W. Bercot)

Why do contests, fights, and contentions arise among men? Is it because impatience against injustice often excites great tempests? However, if you meet injustice with patience, then no virtue can be found more true. . . . In contrast, if injustice . . . has met with impatience on the same level as itself, . . . it will ignite a great fire that no stream can extinguish, but only the shedding of blood. (FROM "A DICTIONARY OF EARLY CHRISTIAN BELIEFS; A REFERENCE GUIDE TO MORE THAN 700 TOPICS DISCUSSED BY THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS" EDITED BY DAVID W. BERCOT)

Tertullian 160-220

For what war should we not be fit and eager, even though unequal in numbers, we who are so willing to be slaughtered—if, according to that discipline of ours, it was not more lawful to be slain than to slay? (FROM "ANTI-NICENE FATHERS" )

But now inquiry is made about this point, whether a believer may turn himself unto military service, and whether the military may be admitted unto the faith, even the rank and file, or each inferior grade, to whom there is no necessity for taking part in sacrifices or capital punishments. There is no agreement between the divine and the human sacrament, the standard of Christ and the standard of the devil, the camp of light and the camp of darkness. One soul cannot be due to two masters--God and Caesar. And yet Moses carried a rod, and Aaron wore a buckle, and John (Baptist) is girt with leather and Joshua the son of Nun leads a line of march; and the People warred: if it pleases you to sport with the subject. But how will a Christian man war, nay, how will he serve even in peace, without a sword, which the Lord has taken away? For albeit soldiers had come unto John, and had received the formula of their rule; albeit, likewise, a centurion had believed; still the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier. No dress is lawful among us, if assigned to any unlawful action. (From "Themelios" Volume 33, Issue 1)

To begin with the real ground of the military crown, I think we must first inquire whether warfare is proper at all for Christians. What sense is there in discussing the merely accidental, when that on which it rests is to be condemned? Do we believe it lawful for a human oathto be superadded to one divine, for a man to come under promise to another master after Christ?... Shall it be held lawful to make an occupation of the sword, when the Lord proclaims that he who uses the sword shall perish by the sword? And shall the son of peace take part in the battle when it does not become him even to sue at law?... Indeed, if, putting my strength to the question, I banish from us the military life…(FROM "ANTE-NICENE FATHERS" VOL.3)

If we are commanded, then, to love our enemies, as I have remarked above, whom have we to hate? If injured, we are forbidden to retaliate, lest we become as bad ourselves: who can suffer injury at our hands? ( From "Ante-Nicene Fathers" vol.3 pg. 45 )

If one attempt to provoke you by manual violence, the monition of the Lord is at hand: “To him,” He saith, “who smiteth thee on the face, turn the other cheek likewise.” Let outrageousness be wearied out by your patience. Whatever that blow may be, conjoined with pain and contumely, it shall receive a heavier one from the Lord. You wound that outrageous one more by enduring: for he will be beaten by Him for whose sake you endure. ( From "Ante-Nicene Fathers" vol.3 pg. 45)

No one gives the name of sheep to those who fall in battle with arms in hand, and while repelling force with force, but only to those who are slain, yielding themselves up in their own place of duty and with patience, rather than fighting in self-defense. ( From "Ante-Nicene Fathers" vol.3 pg. 415 )

Christ, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier. (FROM "ANTE-NICENE FATHERS" VOL.3)

The Christian does not hurt even his enemy. (fROM Tertullian Collection by Aeterna Press)

Only without the sword can the Christian wage war: the Lord has abolished the sword. (From "The Unfinished Conversation.")

Shall it be held lawful to make an occupation of the sword, when the Lord proclaims that he who uses the sword shall perish by the sword? And shall the son of peace take part in the battle when it does not become him even to sue at law?​ (FROM "ANTE-NICENE FATHERS" VOL.3)

​Shall we carry a flag? It is a rival to Christ.

Athenagoras 133-190

What man of sound mind, therefore, will affirm, while such is our character, that we are murderers? For we cannot eat human flesh till we have killed some one. The former charge, therefore, being false, if any one should ask them in regard to the second, whether they have seen what they assert, not one of them would be so barefaced as to say that he had. And yet we have slaves, some more and some fewer, by whom we could not help being seen; but even of these, not one has been found to invent even such things against us. For when they know that we cannot endure even to see a man put to death, though justly; who of them can accuse us of murder or cannibalism? Who does not reckon among the things of greatest interest the contests of gladiators and wild beasts, especially those which are given by you? But we, deeming that to see a man put to death is much the same as killing him, have abjured such spectacles. How, then, when we do not even look on, lest we should contract guilt and pollution, can we put people to death? And when we say that those women who use drugs to bring on abortion commit murder, and will have to give an account to God for the abortion, on what principle should we commit murder? For it does not belong to the same person to regard the very fÅ“tus in the womb as a created being, and therefore an object of God’s care, and when it has passed into life, to kill it; and not to expose an infant, because those who expose them are chargeable with child-murder, and on the other hand, when it has been reared to destroy it. But we are in all things always alike and the same, submitting ourselves to reason, and not ruling over it. ( FROM "ANTE-NICENE FATHERS" VOL. 2)

for we have learned, not only not to return blow for blow,
nor to go to law with those who plunder and rob us, but to those who smite us onone side of the face to offer the other side also, and to those who take away our coat to give likewise our cloak (From A Plea Regarding Christians 11). 

Although what I have said has raised a loud clamor, permit me here to proceed freely, since I am making my defense to emperors who are philosophers. Who of those who analyze syllogisms, resolve ambiguities, predicates axioms, and what the subject is and what the predicate- who of them do not promise to make their disciples happy through these and similar disciplines? And yet who of them have so purified their own hearts as to love their enemies instead of hating them; instead of upbraiding those who first insult them (which is certainly more usual), to bless them; and to pray for those who plot against them? On the contrary, they ever persist in delving into the evil mysteries of their sophistry, ever desirous of working some harm, making skill in oratory rather than proof by deeds their business. With us on the contrary, you will find unlettered people, tradesmen and old women, who, though unable to express in words the advantages of our teaching, demonstrate by acts the value of their principles. For they do not rehearse speeches, but evidence good deeds. When struck, they do not strike back; when robbed, they do not sue; to those who ask, they give, and they love their neighbors as themselves.

While the next two individuals, Augustine and Ambrose, are no friends to pacifism in their endorsement of a just war, many don't realize that they maintained very strict expectations for nonviolence, and had relatively high parameters for when violence was legitimate. Both Augustine and Ambrose were against individual self-defense. As "Killing from the Inside Out" says, "...it was all but inconceivable to Ambrose and Augustine that [self-defense] could possibly be prompted and accompanied by a right intent and inner disposition of soul. In their eyes, killing to save one’s own skin betrays an inordinate, selfish attachment to incarnate existence and too little attention to the divine commands not to kill and to love others as much as oneself. Furthermore, how could anyone dispassionately kill an attacker? Would not fear, anger, and rage surge up and take possession of the soul; and how would anyone avoid feelings of relief and satisfaction when, at the end of the struggle, the assailant and not oneself lies dead? Far better, they argue, not to sin in order to prolong a life that is inevitably brief, but rather to die like Christ, a lamb slain without resistance, and to meet one’s Maker and Redeemer without the mark of Cain stamped on one’s forehead."

Augustine 354-430

As to killing others in order to defend one’s own life, I do not approve of this, unless one happens to be a soldier or public functionary acting, not for himself, but in defense of others or of the city in which he resides, if he acts according to the commission lawfully given him, and in the manner becoming his office. (From "Killing from the Inside Out")

Surely, I think that a law is quite safe from this accusation [of injustice] if it permits the people it rules to do lesser evils so as to avoid greater ones. It is much better that the man who plots against another's life be killed than the man who is defending his life. It is also much worse for an innocent person to be violated than for the assailant to be killed by the person whom he tried to attack....But even though the law is blameless, I do not understand how these men can be, when the law does not force them to kill, but leaves it to their power. They are free not to kill anyone for those things which they can lose against their will and which they ought not therefore to love. Concerning life, perhaps there is some question whether or not it can be taken away in any way from the soul when body is slain. But if life can be taken away, then it is to be despised. If life cannot be taken away, then there is nothing to fear. (From De Libero Arbitrio)

Theophilus of Antioch circa 170

We are forbidden to so much as look at gladiator fights lest we bcome privy to the participants in murder! we also consider it immoral to watch other shows because our eyes and ears shall not be defiled with sympathy for acts of murder as they are celebrated there in song. (From "The Early Christians in Their Own Words")

Ambrose 340-397

I do not think that a Christian ought to save his own life by the death of another; just as when he meets an armed robber he cannot return his blows, lest in defending his life he should stain his love toward his neighbor.” (Froom "Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence")

The soldiers of Christ require neither arms nor spears of iron. (FROM "THE POLITICS OF LOVE: THE NEW TESTAMENT AND NON-VIOLENT REVOLUTION")


The servants of God do not rely for their protection on material defenses but on the divine Providence. (From The Politics of Love: The New Testament and Non-violent Revolution)

Maximilian of Tebessa c. 295

Why do you want to know my name? It is not permitted to me to serve in the military since I am a Christian. I cannot serve in the military; I cannot do wrong; I am a Christian. I will not do it; I cannot serve in the military. I will not serve; cut off my head; I do not serve the world, but I do serve my God.

Marcellus the Centurion ???-298 (supposedly said as he left the armies of Diocletian)

I serve Jesus Christ the eternal King. I will no longer serve your emperors…It is not right for a Christian to serve the armies of this world. (From "Jesus for President")

Tatian of Assyria 120-180

I do not wish to be a ruler. I do not strive for wealth. I refuse offices connected with military command. Fornication I detest. No insatiable hunger for gold drives me to go to sea. I do not fight for a victor’s laurels. I am free from the mad thirst for fame. I despise death. I stand above every illness. No grief consumes my soul. (From Address to the Greeks 11.2)

Origen 184-253

If a revolt had been the cause of the Christians existing as a separate group, the lawgiver of the Christians would not have forbidden entirely the taking of human life. He taught that it was never right for his disciples to go so far against a man, even if he should be very wicked; for he did not consider it compatible with his inspired legislation to allow the taking of human life in any form at all. Moreover, if Christians had originated from a revolt, they would not have submitted to laws that were so gentle which caused them to be killed as sheep and made then unable even to defend themselves against their persecutors.  (From "Christian Ethics: A Very Short Introduction")

If everyone were to act the same as you [Christians], the national government would soon be left utterly deserted and without any help, and affairs on earth would soon pass into the hands of the most savage and wretched barbarians.” Celsus next exhorts us to help the Emperor and be his fellow soldiers. To this we reply, “You cannot demand military service of Christians any more than you can of priests.” We do not go forth as soldiers with the Emperor even if he demands this, but we do fight for him by forming our own army, an army of faith through our prayers to God. (From "Against Celsus" VIII.68,73)

The more pious a man is, the more effective he is in helping the emperors—more so than the soldiers who go out into the lines and kill all the enemy troops that they can …. We who by our prayers destroy all daemons which stir up wars, violate oaths, and disturb the peace, are of more help to the emperors than those who seem to be doing the fighting …. And though we do not become fellow-soldiers with [the emperor], even if he presses for this, yet we are fighting for him and composing a special army of piety through our intercessions to God. (From "Against Celsus" 8.73)

To those who ask us whence we have come or whom we have for a leader, we say that we have come in accordance with the counsels of Jesus to cut down our warlike and arrogant swords of argument into ploughshares, and we convert into sickles the spears we formerly used in fighting. For we no longer take ‘sword against a nation,’ nor do we learn ‘any more to make war,’ having become sons of peace for the sake of Jesus, who is our leader, instead of following the ancestral customs in which we were strangers to the covenants. (From "The RIght Church: Live Like the First Christians")

…for neither Celsus nor they who think with him are able to point out any act on the part of Christians which savours of rebellion. And yet, if a revolt had led to the formation of the Christian commonwealth, so that it derived its existence in this way from that of the Jews, who were permitted to take up arms in defense of the members of their families, and to slay their enemies, the Christian Lawgiver would not have altogether forbidden the putting of men to death; and yet He nowhere teaches that it is right for His own disciples to offer violence to any one, however wicked. (From "The Sacred Writings of Origen")

Justin Martyr 100-165

And when the Spirit of prophecy speaks as predicting things that are to come to pass, He speaks in this way: “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” And that it did so come to pass, we can convince you. For from Jerusalem there went out into the world, men, twelve in number, and these illiterate, of no ability in speaking: but by the power of God they proclaimed to every race of men that they were sent by Christ to teach to all the word of God; and we who formerly used to murder one another do not only now refrain from making war upon our enemies, but also, that we may not lie nor deceive our examiners, willingly die confessing Christ. For that saying, “The tongue has sworn but the mind is unsworn,” might be imitated by us in this matter. But if the soldiers enrolled by you, and who have taken the military oath, prefer their allegiance to their own life, and parents, and country, and all kindred, though you can offer them nothing incorruptible, it were verily ridiculous if we, who earnestly long for incorruption, should not endure all things, in order to obtain what we desire from Him who is able to grant it. (From First Apology 39) 

​“We ourselves were well conversant with war, murder, and everything evil, but all of us throughout the whole wide earth have traded in our weapons of war. We have exchanged our swords for ploughshares, our spears for farm tools. Now we cultivate the fear of God, justice, kindness to men, faith, and the expectation of the future given to us by the Father himself through the Crucified One.”
(From "Dialogue with Trypho" 110.3.4 )

 And we who were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness, have each through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons, – our swords into ploughs, and our spears into implements of tillage, – and we cultivate piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and hope, which we have from the Father Himself through Him who was crucified. (From "Dialogue with Trypho" 50)

We who ourselves used to have pleasure in impure things now cling to chastity alone. We who dabbled in the arts of magic now consecrate ourselves to the good and unbegotten God. We who formerly treasured money and possessions more than anything else now hand over everything we have to a treasury for all and share it with everyone who needs it. We who formerly hated and murdered one another and did not even share our hearth with those of a different tribe because of their customs, now, after Christ’s appearance, live together and share the same table. Now we pray for our enemies and try to win those who hate us unjustly so that they too may live in accordance with Christ’s wonderful teachings, that they too may enter into the expectation, that they too may receive the same good things that we will receive from God, the ruler of the universe. (From First Apology 14)

​God called Abraham and commanded him to go out from the country where he was living. With this call God has roused us all, and now we have left the state. We have renounced all the things the world offers…. The gods of the nations are demons.

We, more than all other men, are your helpers and allies for peace. (From First Apology 12. 8)

We must then offer no resistance. He never wanted us to imitate the wicked. Rather, he challenged us to lead everyone away from shamefulness and pleasure in evil by patience and kindness. We can in fact show that many who were once among you have been transformed in this way. They gave up their violent and domineering ways. Either they were conquered by the sight of their neighbors’ patient life, or they were convinced by noticing the extraordinary kindness and patience of some defrauded traveling companions, or they were overcome by encountering and testing this attitude in people with whom they had business dealings. Anyone who is not found living in accordance with his teachings should not be regarded as a Christian even if he confesses to Christ’s teaching with his lips. For he said that only those shall be saved who do not just talk, but who also do the corresponding works. (From First Apology 16)
We who ourselves used to have pleasure in impure things now cling to chastity alone. We who dabbled in the arts of magic now consecrate ourselves to the good and unbegotten God. We who formerly treasured money and possessions more than anything else now hand over everything we have to a treasury for all and share it with everyone who needs it. We who formerly hated and murdered one another and did not even share our hearth with those of a different tribe because of their customs, now, after Christ’s appearance, live together and share the same table. Now we pray for our enemies and try to win those who hate us unjustly so that they too may live in accordance with Christ’s wonderful teachings, that they too may enter into the expectation, that they too may receive the same good things that we will receive from God, the ruler of the universe. Justin, First Apology 14

Cyprian of Carthage 200-258: 

None of us offers resistance when he is seized, or avenges himself for your unjust violence, although our people are numerous and plentiful…it is not lawful for us to hate, and so we please God more when we render no requital for injury…we repay your hatred with kindness. ( From "Ante-Nicene Fathers" vol. 5 pg. 462)

Wars are scattered all over the earth with the bloody horror of camps. The whole world is wet with mutual blood. And murder–which is admitted to be a crime in the case of an individual–is called a virtue when it is committed wholesale. Impunity is claimed for the wicked deeds, not because they are guiltless, but because the cruelty is perpetrated on a grand scale. (From "The Sacred Writings of Saint Cyprian")

Arnobius ???-330

We, a numerous band of men as we are, have learned from His teaching and His laws that evil ought not to be requited with evil, that it is better to suffer wrong than to inflict it, that we should rather shed our own blood than stain our hands and our conscience with that of another. (From "Anti-Nicene Fathers" Vol. 6)

We would rather shed our own blood than stain our hands and our conscience with that of another. As a result, an ungrateful world is now enjoying–and for a long period has enjoyed–a benefit from Christ. For by his means, the rage of savage ferocity has been softened and has begun to withhold hostile hands from the blood of a fellow creature. In fact, if all men without exception…would lend an ear for a while to his salutary and peaceful rules,…the whole world would be living in the most peaceful tranquility. The world would have turned the use of steel into more peaceful uses and would unite together in blessed harmony. (From "Anti-Nicene Fathers" Vol. 6)

Emperor Marcus Aurelius c. 150 (enemy attestation)

I summoned those who among us go by the name of Christians
. And having made inquiry, I discovered a great number and vast host of them, and raged against them, which was by no means becoming; for afterwards I learned their power.Wherefore
they began the battle, not by preparing weapons,nor arms, nor bugles; for such preparation is hateful to them,
on account of the God they bear about in their conscience. (From "The Sacred Writings of Justin Martyr")

Marcus Minucius Felix c. 200 (enemy attestation, though he later converted to Christianity)

Their alliance consists in meetings at night with solemn rituals and inhuman revelries. They replace holy rites with inexpiable crimes. They despise temples as if they were tombs. They disparage the gods and ridicule our sacred rites. They look down on our priests although they are pitiable themselves. They despise titles of honor and the purple robe of high government office though hardly able themselves to cover their nakedness. Just like a rank growth of weeds, the abominable haunts where this impious confederacy meet are multiplying all over the world, due to the daily increase of immorality. Root and branch, it should at all costs be exterminated and accursed. They recognize each other by secret signs and symbols. They love one another before being acquainted, so to speak. Everywhere they practice a kind of religious cult of lust, calling one another “brother” and “sister” Indiscriminately. 
(From "The Early Christians in Their Own Words")

Archelaus 3rd to 4th century

Those soldiers were filled with wonder and admiration at the grandeur of the man’s piety and generosity and were struck with amazement. They felt the force of this example of pity. As a result, many of them were added to the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and threw off the belt of military service. (From "Anti-Nicene Fathers" Vol. 6)

Theonas of Alexandria ??-300

​Do no one any injury at any time; provoke no one to anger. If an injury is done to you, look to Jesus Christ. And even as you desire Him to forgive your transgressions, also forgive others theirs.  (From "Ante-Nicene Fathers" vol. 6 pg. 161)

​Irenaeus 130-202

​Nor an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, for him who counts no man his enemy, but all his neighbors, and therefore can never stretch out his hand for vengeance. ("Proof of the Apostolic Preaching" 96)

​Ignatius of Antioch 35-107

AND PRAY YE WITHOUT CEASING IN BEHALF OF OTHER MEN. FOR THERE IS IN THEM HOPE OF REPENTANCE THAT THEY MAY ATTAIN TO GOD. SEE,THEN, THAT THEY BE INSTRUCTED BY YOUR WORKS, IF IN NO OTHER WAY. BE YE MEEK IN RESPONSE TO THEIR WRATH, HUMBLE IN OPPOSITION TO THEIR BOASTING: TO THEIR BLASPHEMIES RETURN YOUR PRAYERS; IN CONTRAST TO THEIR ERROR, BE YE STEDFAST IN THE FAITH; AND FOR THEIR CRUELTY, MANIFEST YOUR GENTLENESS. WHILE WE TAKE CARE NOT TO IMITATE THEIR CONDUCT, LET US BE FOUND THEIR BRETHREN IN ALL TRUE KINDNESS; AND LET US SEEK TO BE FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD (WHO EVER MORE UNJUSTLY TREATED, MORE DESTITUTE, MORE CONDEMNED?), THAT SO NO PLANT OF THE DEVIL MAY BE FOUND IN YOU, BUT YE MAY REMAIN IN ALL HOLINESS AND SOBRIETY IN JESUS CHRIST, BOTH WITH RESPECT TO THE FLESH AND SPIRIT.

​And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men; for there is hope of the repentance, that they may attain to God. For “cannot he that falls arise again, and he that goes astray return?” Permit them, then, to be instructed by you. Be ye therefore the ministers of God, and the mouth of Christ. For thus saith the Lord, “If ye take forth the precious from the vile, ye shall be as my mouth.”Be ye humble in response to their wrath; oppose to their blasphemies your earnest prayers; while they go astray, stand ye stedfast in the faith. Conquer ye their harsh temper by gentleness, their passion by meekness. For “blessed are the meek;” and Moses was meek above all men;560 and David was exceeding meek.561 Wherefore Paul exhorts as follows: “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.”562 Do not seek to avenge yourselves on those that injure you, for says [the Scripture], “If I have returned evil to those who returned evil to me.” Let us make them brethren by our kindness. For say ye to those that hate you, Ye are our brethren, that the name of the Lord may be glorified. And let us imitate the Lord, “who, when He was reviled, reviled not again;” when He was crucified, He answered not; “when He suffered, He threatened not;” but prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” If any one, the more he is injured, displays the more patience, blessed is he. If any one is defrauded, if any one is despised, for the name of the Lord, he truly is the servant of Christ. Take heed that no plant of the devil be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt. “Watch ye, and be ye sober,” in Christ Jesus. (From Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter X)

​Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in heaven and earth, is brought to an end. Therefore have need of meekness, by which the prince of this world is brought to nought. (From Epistle to the Trallians 4)

​Clement of Alexandria 150-214

​Wherefore we must adopt a mode of standing and motion, and a step, and dress, and in a word, a mode of life, in all respects as worthy as possible of freemen. But men are not to wear the ring on the joint; for this is feminine; but to place it on the little finger at its root. For so the hand will be freest for work, in whatever we need it; and the signet will not very easily fall off, being guarded by the large knot of the joint.And let our seals be either a dove, or a fish, or a ship scudding before the wind, or a musical lyre, which Polycrates used, or a ship’s anchor, which Seleucus got engraved as a device; and if there be one fishing, he will remember the p. 286 apostle, and the children drawn out of the water. For we are not to delineate the faces of idols, 1679 we who are prohibited to cleave to them; nor a sword, nor a bow, following as we do, peace; nor drinking-cups, being temperate. Many of the licentious have their lovers 1680 engraved, 1681 or their mistresses, as if they wished to make it impossible ever to forget their amatory indulgences, by being perpetually put in mind of their licentiousness.
(From "Anti-Nicene Fathers" Vol. 2)
​
The Christian poor are “an army without weapons, without war, without bloodshed, without anger, without defilement.

Above all Christians are not allowed to correct by violence sinful wrongdoings.

​We Christians are a peaceful race…for it is not in war, but in peace, that we are trained.

​If you enroll as one of God’s people, then heaven is your country and God your lawgiver.

​Comodianus circa 250

Do not willingly use force and do not return force when it is used against you. (From "The Sacred Writings of Commodianus")

​Athanasius of Alexandria 293-373

Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer. (From "On the Incarnation of the Word")

"Mathetes" c. 200

They love all people and are persecuted by all. Nobody knows them, and yet they are condemned. They are put to death, and just through this they are brought to life. They are as poor as beggars, and yet they make many rich. They lack everything, and yet they have everything in abundance. They are dishonored, and yet have their glory in this very dishonor. They are insulted, and just in this they are vindicated. They are abused, and yet they bless. They are assaulted, and yet it is they who show respect. Doing good, they are sentenced like evildoers. When punished with death, they rejoice in the certainty of being awakened to life. Jews attack them as people of another race, and Greeks persecute them, yet those who hate them cannot give any reason to justify their hostility. (From Letter to Diognetus 5, 6)

Theophilus of Antioch c. 150

Say to those that hate and curse you, You are our brothers!

Aristides c. 120

It is the Christians, O Emperor, who have sought and found the truth, for they acknowledge God…. They show love to their neighbors. They do not do to another what they would not wish to have done to themselves. They speak gently to those who oppress them, and in this way they make them their friends. It has become their passion to do good to their enemies…. This, O Emperor, is the rule of life of the Christians, and this is their manner of life.

​Christians appeal to those who wrong them and make them friendly to themselves; they are eager to do good to their enemies; they are mild and conciliatory.

John Chrysostom 347-407

Christians above all men are not permitted forcibly to correct the failings of those who sin. Secular judges indeed, when they have captured malefactors under the law, show their authority to be great, and prevent them even against their will from following their own devices: but in our case the wrong-doer must be made better, not by force, but by persuasion

I am a Christian. He who answers thus has declared everything at once—his country, profession, family; the believer belongs to no city on earth but to the heavenly Jerusalem.

Speratus c. 180

Speratus answered, “I do not recognize any empire of this present age. I serve that God whom no person has seen, or can ever see with these eyes. I have not stolen. On the contrary, when I buy anything I pay my taxes, for I know only one Lord, the king of kings, the ruler of all nations.”
Acts of Martyrs, (From official court minutes from Carthage, July 17, 180)

The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus (circa 130-200): Depending on the date, this work is possibly the first apologetic work we have in the early church. There are a variety of subjects addressed, there are a few interesting references to Christian actions in the second century, who those actions are directed towards, and the view of God which is taught in the church. You can find the whole epistle here. 

There is a lot of debate as to the reasons early Christians didn't encourage military service and why we don't see many Christians in the Roman military. Being a part of the military involved certain pagan elements, oaths, or potentially worshipping gods or the emperor. The early church was persecuted, so perhaps a Christian soldier would be asked to kill another Christian. Many of the quotes seem to indicate that this love and peace extends to all, and that the issue was more violence than it was a worrying of taking oaths to the gods. The quotes also extend well beyond the military and into capital punishment and self-defense. We could discuss all the various reasons that the early church tended to advocate against participating in the army, but we can largely agree that military service and doing violence to another wasn't strongly looked down upon by many early, prominent Christians. Most notably, it was harshly criticized in Canon 12 at the first Council of Nicaea - an ecumenical council of the church.  It wasn't until several hundred years into the church, with the rise of Augustine and his popularization of just war notions, that we find military service becoming something Christians do. â€‹

Chapter VII: ...This [messenger] He sent to them. Was it then, as one might conceive, for the purpose of exercising tyranny, or of inspiring fear and terror? By no means, but under the influence of clemency and meekness. As a king sends his son, who is also a king, so sent He Him; as God He sent Him; as to men He sent Him; as a Saviour He sent Him, and as seeking to persuade, not to compel us; for violence has no place in the character of God...


Chapter V: ...As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.

​see also Alan Kreider on the early Church and the Constantinian shift: https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%22Converted%22+but+not+baptized%3A+Peter+Leithart's+Constantine+project.-a0271514878


​1. Introduction
2. Biblical Teaching
3. Biblical Examples
4. Early Church Teaching
5. Real Life Examples
6. Pacifism Applied
7. Evaluating the Christian Alternative to Pacifism
8. Pacifism Quotes to Ponder
9. Counter-Rebuttals
10. Questions for Just-War Adherents 
11. Conclusion
12. Resources