Epistle to Diognetus 5

1Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by where they live, by their language, or by their customs. They do not live in cities of their own, use a different language, or practice an unusual way of life. Nor do they possess an invention discovered through the intelligence or study of ingenious people, nor are they masters of any human doctrine, as some are. Instead, they live in Greek and barbarian cities, wherever each one’s lot has placed them, and follow the local customs in clothing, food, and the other arrangements of life. Yet the way of citizenship they display is marvelous and admittedly contrary to expectation. They live in their own countries, but only as temporary residents. They share in everything as citizens, yet endure every hardship as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else and have children, but they do not cast away their offspring. They share their meals, but not their wives. They are in the flesh, yet they do not live according to the flesh. They exist on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, yet in their own lives they surpass the laws. They love everyone, and they are persecuted by everyone. They are unknown, yet they are condemned. They are put to death, yet they are endowed with life. They are poor, yet they make many rich. They lack everything, yet they abound in everything. They are dishonored, yet they are glorified in their dishonor. They are spoken of as evil, yet they are vindicated. They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted, and they show respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers. When they are punished, they rejoice as though thereby brought to life. The Jews wage war against them as aliens, and the Greeks persecute them; yet those who hate them cannot explain the reason for their hostility.