Early Christian Views on the Book of Enoch
Early Christians were divided on the Book of Enoch. Some writers quoted it with respect, while others said it was not received as Scripture in the churches. Tertullian called it the "Scripture of Enoch," but Origen and the Apostolic Constitutions treated Enoch books as non-canonical or harmful. Other writers such as Clement, Irenaeus, and Barnabas used Enoch traditions when teaching about angels, judgment, and Enoch’s translation.
115 early-church witnesses · 162 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the Book of Enoch?
Early Christians did not all treat the Book of Enoch the same way. Tertullian called it the "Scripture of Enoch," while Origen said the books named Enoch did not circulate in the churches as divine, and the Apostolic Constitutions called such books apocryphal and harmful. Still, several writers used Enoch for teaching about the fallen angels and the translation of Enoch, especially Clement, Irenaeus, and Barnabas.
The strongest pattern is that Enoch was often quoted or alluded to, but church use and status were disputed rather than fixed. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Some early Christians quoted Enoch as useful or even as Scripture.
- Other early writers said Enoch books were not received in the churches as divine.
- A common early theme is Enoch’s prophecy about judgment and the fallen angels.
- The early Christian view was mixed, not unanimous.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians quote the Book of Enoch?
Several early writers explicitly quote or refer to Enoch’s book or Enoch’s prophecy. The strongest witnesses here are Barnabas, Clement, Origen, and Tertullian, showing that Enoch was known and sometimes used in Christian teaching.
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Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women Direct teaching
I am aware that the Scripture of Enoch, which has assigned this order (of action) to angels, is not received by some, because it is not admitted into the Jewish canon either.
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Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching
for he does not appear to have read the passages in question, nor to have been aware that the books which bear the name Enoch do not at all circulate in the Churches as divine, although it is from this source that he might be supposed to have obtained the statement, that sixty or seventy angels descended at the same time, who fell into a state of wickedness.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
And among the ancients also some have written apocryphal books of Moses, and Enoch, and Adam, and Isaiah, and David, and Elijah, and of the three patriarchs, pernicious and repugnant to the truth.
More related quotations from this section 2 shown
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...r to deceive you who love Christ, and us His servants. And among the people of old, some also wrote apocryphal books of Moses, and Enoch, and Adam, and Isaiah, and David, and Elijah, and of the three patriarchs, books that are harmful and opposed to the truth. Even now the wicked heretics have done the same thing. They speak against creation, marriage, providence, the begetting of children, the law, and the prophets. They write down certain barbarous names, and names which they think are the names of angels, but, to speak the truth, are the names of demons that suggest these things to them. Avoid their teaching, so that you may not share in the punishment due to those who write such things for the seduction and destruction of the faithful and blameless disciples of the Lord Jesus.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
For we know that Simon and Cleobius, and their followers, have compiled poisonous books under the name of Christ and of His disciples, and do carry them about in order to deceive you who love Christ, and us His servants.
Did early Christians treat the Book of Enoch as Scripture?
The sources are mixed: Tertullian calls Enoch a Scripture, but Origen says the books that bear Enoch’s name do not circulate in the churches as divine, and the Apostolic Constitutions reject apocryphal Enoch books as harmful.
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Clement of Alexandria, Fragments Direct teaching
Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, he says, prophesied of these. In these words he verities the prophecy.
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Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Direct teaching
The final stumbling-block (or source of danger) approaches, concerning which it is written, as Enoch says, “For for this end the Lord has cut short the times and the days, that His Beloved may hasten;
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Clement of Alexandria, Fragments Direct teaching
... from the places of the angels. For their apostasy, the blackness of darkness is reserved forever. “Enoch also, the seventh from Adam,” he says, “prophesied of these.” In these words he confirms the prophecy.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...ertain beings came from the Creator to visit the human race. Now, since we are examining everything related to this subject in the spirit of truth, we will remark that it is asserted by Apelles, the well-known disciple of Marcion, who became the founder of a certain sect, and who treated the writings of the Jews as fables, that Jesus is the only one who came to visit the human race. Even against him, then, who maintained that Jesus was the only one who came from God to men, it would be useless for Celsus to quote the statements regarding the descent of other angels, seeing that Apelles discredits, as we have already mentioned, the miraculous narratives of the Jewish Scriptures. And much more will he decline to admit what Celsus has brought forward, from not understanding the contents of the Book of Enoch. No one, then, convicts us of falsehood, or of making contradictory statements, as if we maintained both that our Savior was the only being who ever came to men, and yet that many others came on different occasions. Moreover, in a very confused manner, when examining the subject of the visits of angels to men, he brings forward what he has taken from the Book of Enoch without se
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
For it is written in the same Book of Enoch, I beheld the whole of matter;
More related quotations from this section 3 shown
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Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Supporting witness
...ike them. The final stumbling block or source of danger is near, concerning which it is written, as Enoch states, “For this purpose the Lord has shortened the times and the days, so that His Beloved may come quickly; and He will come to the inheritance.” The prophet also speaks as follows: “Ten kingdoms shall rule upon the earth, and a little king shall rise up after them, who shall subdue three of the kings under one.” Similarly, Daniel speaks of this, “And I saw the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all earthly beasts, and how ten horns sprang from it, and from them a small budding horn that subdued three of the great horns under one.” You ought to understand this. I further ask of you, as one of you and loving you more than my own soul, to take heed now to yourselves, and not be like some, adding greatly to your sins and saying, “The covenant is theirs and ours.” But they ultimately lost it, even after Moses had received it. For the Scripture says, “And Moses was fasting on the mountain forty days and forty nights, and received the covenant from the Lord, stone tablets written with the finger of the Lord;” but by turning to idols, they lost it. For the L
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
Enoch also, in his book, speaks as follows: I have walked on even to imperfection;
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Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women Background
To these considerations is added the fact that Enoch possesses a testimony in the Apostle Jude.
What did early Christians say Enoch prophesied about?
Early Christian writers linked Enoch to prophecy about the Lord’s coming, judgment, and the fate of the angels. Jude 1:14 is the clearest related Bible passage, and several fathers use it or quote similar wording.
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Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching
Let us take (for instance) Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was translated, and death was never known to happen to him.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
Enoch, too, pleasing God, without circumcision, discharged the office of God’s legate to the angels although he was a man, and was translated, and is preserved until now as a witness of the just judgment of God, because the angels when they had transgressed fell to the earth for judgment, but the man who pleased [God] was translated for salvation.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness
For Enoch, when he pleased God, was translated in the same body in which he did please Him, thus pointing out by anticipation the translation of the just.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
23. Also, we find that Enoch was taken away, because he pleased God, as the Holy Scripture testifies in Genesis and says, "And Enoch pleased God; and afterward he was not found, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24 So then, to have been pleasing in God's sight was to have deserved to be taken away from this infection of the world. Moreover, the Holy Spirit also teaches through Solomon that those who please God are taken from here sooner, and are set free more quickly, lest, by staying longer in this world, they should be polluted by the world's corruptions. "He was taken away," he says, "lest wickedness should change his understanding. For his soul was pleasing to God; therefore He hurried to take him away from the midst of wickedness." Wisdom 4:11 So also in the Psalms, the soul that is devoted to its God in spiritual faith hurries to the Lord, saying, "How lovely are Your dwellings, O God of hosts! My soul longs, and hurries to the courts of God."
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
23. Thus, moreover, we find that Enoch also was translated, who pleased God, as in Genesis the Holy Scripture bears witness, and says, And Enoch pleased God;
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Hebrews 11:5 Background
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
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Wisdom of Sirach 44:16 Background
Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, Being an example of repentance to all generations.
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Genesis 5:24 Background
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
More related quotations from this section 2 shown
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Let us take Enoch, who, being by his obedience found righteous, was translated;
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Julius Africanus, Extant Writings Supporting witness
And Enoch, when 165 years old, begets Methuselah; and having pleased God, after a life of other 200 years, he was not found.
Common Questions
Did early Christians accept the Book of Enoch as Scripture?
Some did use it, but not all accepted it as Scripture. Origen said Enoch books were not received in the churches as divine, while Tertullian called it the Scripture of Enoch.
Which early Christian writers quoted Enoch?
Tertullian, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, and Barnabas all use Enoch language or quotations in their writings.
Why did some Christians reject Enoch?
The Apostolic Constitutions call Enoch books apocryphal and harmful, and Origen says they were not circulated in the churches as divine.
Source Index for the Book of Enoch
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 127 ranked source links from 162 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 127 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 115
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Clement of Rome, Connection to Hebrews 11:5
Bible Passages 47 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
Related Resources
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Enoch and the Book of Enoch
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