Now Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” 2 King 2:12
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. Matt. 23:9-10
Though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:15
But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Phil. 2:22
Was not Abraham our father justified by works? James 2:21
I said, “But father, the Deity cannot be seen merely by the eyes.” Justin Martyr (c. 165, E), 1.196
When any person has been taught from the mouth of another, he is called the son of his instructor. And the instructor is called his father. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.524
I intend to leave good children to posterity. This is the case with children of our bodies. But words are the offspring of the soul. Hence, we call those who have instructed us, fathers. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.299
The holy apostles—Peter, James, John, and Paul—the sons receiving it from the fathers (but few were like the fathers). Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.301
He refers to the perfect as “fathers.” They “have known what was from the beginning” and have received it with understanding. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.575
When John advanced, he recognized him and began to run, being ashamed. John followed him with all his might . . . , crying, “Why, my son, do you flee from me, your father?” Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.603
And we went forth, and I saw before the entrance, Optatus, the bishop, at the right hand. And I saw Aspasius, the presbyter, a teacher, at the left hand, separate and sad. . . . And we said to them, “Are you not our father, and you our presbyter?” Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas (c. 205, W), 3.703
This very one [the perfect man] the [pagan] Phrygians also call “papa,” because he tranquillized all things which . . . were confusedly and dissonantly moved. For he says that the name “papa” belongs simultaneously to all creatures. Hippolytus (c. 225, W), 5.54
The Savior says, “Call no man Teacher upon the earth.” However, the apostle says that teachers have been appointed in the church. Accordingly, these latter persons will not be “teachers” in the strict sense of the language of the Gospel. Origen (c. 228, E), 9.299
We have been informed by Crementius the subdeacon, who came to us from you, that the blessed father Cyprian has withdrawn for a certain reason. Letter from the church in Rome to Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.280
All the confessors, to father Cyprian. Letter to Cyprian from the confessors (c. 250, W), 5.296.
The presbyters and deacons abiding at Rome, to father Cyprian. Letter from the Roman clergy to Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.307
His Gospel has bidden us to call “no man our father upon earth, because there is to us one Father, who is in heaven.” And to the disciple who had made mention of his dead father, he replied, “Let the dead bury their dead.” For he had said that his father was dead, while the Father of believers is living. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.450
We are well acquainted with those blessed fathers who have trodden the course before, and to whom we too will soon go. I am referring to Pantaenus, the truly blessed man, my master; and also the holy Clement, who was once my master and my benefactor. Alexander of Cappadocia (c. 250, E), 6.154
The meats are no burden to us, most holy father. Gregory Thaumaturgus (c. 255, E), 6.18
But you, . . . not considering the law of our sainted fathers . . . nor the honor of our great bishop and father, Peter [bishop of Alexandria], on whom we all depend, . . . have ventured on subverting all things at once. . . . You should have waited for the judgment of the superior father [i.e., bishop Peter] and for his allowance of this practice. Phileas (c. 307, E), 6.164
Diodorus sends greeting to bishop Archelaus: I wish you to know, most pious father, that in these days there has arrived in our parts a certain person named Manes. Disputation of Archelaus and Manes (c. 320, E), 6.213
And, next after God, the bishop is your father. For he has begotten you again to the adoption of sons by water and the Spirit. Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.410
Love and honor him [your bishop]. For, after God, he has become a father to you. Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.412
Ordain bishops worthy of the Lord, along with presbyters and deacons. . . . Honor them as your fathers, as your lords, as your benefactors, as the mentors of your well-being. Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.471; see also 5.308