A “confessor” was a person who endured imprisonment, torture, or some other form of suffering (short of martyrdom) because of publicly confessing the name of Christ. Some confessors were later martyred.
Whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father. Matt. 10:32
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them, and those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are in the body also. Heb. 13:3
Moreover, let a more earnest care be bestowed upon the glorious confessors. I know that very many of them have been maintained by the vow and by the love of the brethren. Still, if there are any who are in need of either clothing or care, let them be supplied. . . . Only let them know from you and be instructed and learn what the discipline of the church requires of them, according to the authority of Scripture. Let them know that they should be humble, modest, and peaceable. They should maintain the honor of their name, so that those who have achieved glory by what they have testified may achieve glory also by their characters. . . . For there remains more than what is yet seen to be accomplished. For it is written, “Praise not any man before his death.” And again, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” And the Lord also says, “He that endures to the end, the same will be saved.”
Let them imitate the Lord, who at the very time of His passion was not more proud, but more humble. For then He washed his disciples’ feet, saying, “If I, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” . . . Let them also follow the example of the apostle Paul, who, after oftenrepeated imprisonment, after scourging, after exposures to wild beasts, continued to be meek and humble in everything. Even after his rapture to the third heaven and Paradise, he did not proudly arrogate anything to himself. . . . For I am grieved when I hear that some of the confessors run about wickedly and proudly and give themselves up to follies or to discords. I hear that members of Christ, and even members who have confessed Christ, are defiled by unlawful concubinage and cannot be ruled by either deacons or by presbyters. Because of the wicked and evil characters of a few, the honorable glories of the many good confessors are tarnished. They should fear, lest, being condemned by their testimony and judgment, they are excluded from their fellowship. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.283
Cyprian, to the presbyter, Rogatian, and to the other confessors, his brethren. . . . I exhort you by our common faith, by the true and simple love of my heart towards you, that, having overcome the adversary in this first encounter, you should hold fast your glory with a brave and persevering virtue. . . . But I hear that some infect your number and destroy the praise of a distinguished name by their corrupt lifestyle. You yourselves, even as being lovers and guardians of your own praise, should rebuke, restrain, and correct. For what a disgrace is suffered by your name when one spends his days in intoxication and debauchery. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.283, 284
I have heard that you have received the ministry of the purpled ones [i.e., confessors and martyrs]. Oh, happy are you, even sleeping on the ground, to obtain your wishes that you have always desired! You have desired to be sent into prison for His name’s sake, which now has come to pass. Letter to Lucian (c. 250, W), 5.298
The dignity of martyrdom was not the less in the case of the three youths, . . . simply because they came forth the same from the fiery furnace. . . . Among confessors of Christ, deferred martyrdoms do not diminish the merits of confession. Rather, they demonstrate the greatness of divine protection. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.352
Confession is the beginning of glory, not the full desert of the crown. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.428; see also 5.282, 5.295