Saint Clement of Rome on Sex and Gender

Clement of Rome, in Chapter 33 of his First Letter to the Corinthians, directly quotes Genesis 1:26–28. But he says nothing on the topic of sex or gender, except that verse 28 carries in it the concept of humans as sexually differentiated, being necessary for our reproduction.

Clement, in this and the preceding chapters, writes that “all righteous men have been adorned with good works” because they were “made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will.” Likewise for we Christians who were called by God’s will to the faith by which He justifies all humans.

Furthermore, God is described as “adorning Himself with His works” and rejoicing in it. Creation and our righteousness through faith are all to God’s glory. And while not explicit in this text, it’s natural to be reminded of our saviour’s glorification on the cross, adorned in the flesh of His own creation.

With our Lord and righteous spiritual ancestors in mind, Clement ends with the exhortation, “let us without delay [consent] to His will, and let us work the work of righteousness with our whole strength.”