In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:34-35
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:28
Both slave and free must philosophize equally—whether male or female in sex. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.409
Know that all persons are born alike, with a capacity and ability of reasoning and feeling—without preference of age, sex, or class. Mark Minucius Felix (c. 200, W), 4.181
Are you elevated by nobility of birth? Do you praise your parents? Yet, we are all born with one lot. It is only by virtue that we are distinguished. Mark Minucius Felix (c. 200, W), 4.196
God does not reject any of His servants as being unworthy of the divine mysteries. He does not value the rich man more highly than the poor. He does not despise the poor man because of his poverty. He does not disdain the barbarian, nor does He reject the eunuch as being no man. He does not hate the female because of the woman’s act of disobedience in the beginning. Nor does He reject the male because of the man’s transgression. Rather, He seeks everyone and desires to save everyone. Hippolytus (c. 200, W), 5.205
Such, indeed, was the abounding love that He had for men, that he gave to the more learned a theology capable of raising the soul far above all earthly things. Yet, with no less consideration, He comes down to the weaker capacities of ignorant men, of simple women, of slaves, and, in short, of all those who from Jesus alone could have received that help for the better regulation of their lives. These are supplied by his instructions in regard to the Divine Being, adapted to their needs and capacities. Origen (c. 248, E), 4.627
When the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, came unto all, He gathered alike the learned and unlearned. He published the teachings of salvation to each sex and every age. He made a concise summary of His teachings, so that the memory of the scholars might not be burdened by the heavenly learning, but could quickly learn what was necessary to a simple faith. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.455
We call everyone together to the heavenly pasture, without any distinction either of sex or of age. Lactantius (c. 304–313, W), 7.10
God, who produces and gives breath to men, willed that all should be equal, that is, equally matched. He has imposed the same condition of living on all. He has opened wisdom to all. He has promised immortality to all. No one is cut off from His heavenly benefits. . . . In His sight, no one is a slave; no one is a master. For if all have the same Father, by an equal right we are all children. No one is poor in the sight of God but he who is without justice. No one is rich, but he who is full of virtues. . . . For this reason, neither the Romans nor the Greeks could possess justice. For they had men differing from one another by many degrees: the poor and the rich, the humble and the powerful, private persons and the highest authorities of kings. However, where all persons are not equally matched, there is no justice. And, by its nature, inequality excludes justice. . . .
However, someone will say, “Are there not among you some who are poor and others who are rich? Are not some servants and others masters? Is there not some difference between individuals?” There is none. Nor is there any other cause why we mutually bestow upon each other the name of brothers, except that we believe ourselves to be equal. We measure all human things by the spirit, not by the body. Although the condition of our bodies is different, yet we have no servants. For we both regard and speak of them as brothers in spirit and as fellow-servants in religion. . . . Therefore, in lowliness of mind, we are on an equality: the free with the slaves and the rich with the poor. Nevertheless, in the sight of God we are distinguished only by virtue. . . . The person who has conducted himself not only as an equal, but even as an inferior, he will plainly obtain a much higher rank of dignity in the judgment of God. Lactantius (c. 304–313, W), 7.150-151
[The philosophers] do not allow anyone to enter upon their way [of enlightenment] except boys and young men, because the arts are learned at these ages. On the other hand, we lead those of each sex, every age, and every race into this heavenly path. For God, who is the Guide of that way, denies immortality to no human being. Lactantius (c. 304–313, W), 7.165
If we all derive our origin from one man whom God created, we are clearly of one blood. Therefore, it must be considered the greatest wickedness to hate a man—even if he is guilty. . . . For, if we are all animated and enlivened by one God, what else are we than brothers? Lactantius (c. 304–313, W), 7.172-173