Penula

2 Tim. iv. 13.PENULA. St. Paul in his second Epistle to Timothy says, Penulam quam reliqui Troade apud Carpum veniens affer tecum. When thou comest bring with thee the Cloak which I left with Carpus at Troas. Penula is here rendered by a Cloak, because this is the proper Signification of that Latin Word, which stands for a Riding-coat, or upper Garment, to defend us from the Rain or the Cold¹. Tertullian says², it was invented by the Lacedemonians, that they might be present at the publick Games without Injury from the Cold. At first among the Romans it was only used by Slaves, or Men of mean Condition, who wore them in the City. They were more generally worn upon a Journey, to defend them against bad Weather. They were used even by the Women in the Country³. Aftewards they came to be more generally worn, even in the City, and by People of Fashion. The Tribunes of the People commonly made Use of this Habit. Dio observes⁴, that the Emperor Tiberius put on a Cloak, Penulam, that he might be present at an Assembly when it rained. Alexander Severus⁵ allow’d old Men (or Senators) to make Use of the Penula in the City; but he forbid the Use of it to Women, in the City, and allowed them only to wear it in the Country. Yet Spartian⁶ says, that the Emperors never made Use of it. 2 Tim. iv. 13.Ambrosiaster, Haimo, and the Commentary upon St. Paul ascribed to St. Anselm, think the Penula was a long Robe, or Senators Gown; that St. Paul’s Father had received one as a Present, which he used as being a Roman Citizen and a Senator. They think that he had given it to St. Paul, who having left it at Troas, desired St. Timothy to bring it with him to Rome. But these are Fictions, which do not deserve a serious Confutation. In St. Paul’s Time the Penula was not yet become the Habit of a Senator; and what Proof is there, that the Father of St. Paul was ever a Senator?

By the Word Phenole or Phelone, the Greek Fathers⁷ understand either a Book-case,or a Garment. But they generally contend for the Interpretation of a Book-case, wherein St. Paul used to keep his Books, which he mentions in the same Place. Penulam affer tecum, & libros, maxime autem membranas. St. Jerome also takes Notice of this Opinion, when he says⁸, Volumen Hebræum replico, quod Paulus phelonen juxta quosdam vocat. M. Brucmas has supported this Acceptation of Phenole, in a Dissertation made on Purpose, and printed by Masius at the End of his Book, concerning the Authority of Princes in Matters of Religion. M. Boileau, Dean of the Holy Chapel at Paris, has also maintained the same Opinion in his Book de re vestiaria hominis sacri. See also Hammond and Estius upon St. Paul. I should rather take it for a Garment. Penula in Latin had never any other Signification, and it is plain this Word comes from the Greek Phainole. The Form of the Penula was pretty much like that of the antient Chasuble or Cope, which covered the whole Body, was without Sleeves, and had no other Opening but at Top, to admit the Head through.

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