Similarly, whereas an epistle would typically begin by introducing the sender and recipient, 2 Clement starts with by addressing "Brethren", and then proceeding directly to the sermon. If it is a sermon, 2 Clement would be the earliest surviving Christian sermon (aside from those found in the New Testament).
Unlike most letters, which typically begin with an introduction to the sender and recipient, 2 Clement starts by addressing "Comrades" and then jumps directly into the message. If it is a sermon, 2 Clement would be the earliest surviving Christian lecture (apart from those found in the New Testament).