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ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.v-p5 | For if I, in
this brief space of time, have enjoyed such fellowship with your bishop
—I mean not of a mere human, but of a spiritual nature—how
much more do I reckon you happy, who so depend on him as the Church does on the Lord Jesus, and
the Lord does on God and His Father, that so all things may agree in
unity! Let no man deceive himself: if any one be not within the altar, he
is deprived of the bread of God. For if the prayer of one or two
possesses such power that Christ stands in the
midst of them, how much more will the prayer of the bishop and of the
whole Church, ascending up in harmony to God, prevail for the granting of
all their petitions in Christ! He, therefore, that separates himself from
such, and does not meet in the society where sacrifices are offered, and with “the Church of
the first-born whose names are written in heaven,” is a wolf in
sheep’s clothing, while he presents a mild
outward appearance. Do ye, beloved, be careful to be subject to the
bishop, and the presbyters and the deacons. For he that is subject to these is obedient to
Christ, who has appointed them; but he that is disobedient to these is
disobedient to Christ Jesus. And “he that obeyeth not the Son shall
not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” For he that
yields not obedience to his superiors is self-confident, quarrelsome, and
proud. But “God,” says [the Scripture] “resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace to the humble;” and, “The proud have greatly transgressed.” The Lord
also says to the priests, “He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he
that heareth Me, heareth the Father that sent Me. He that despiseth you,
despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent
Me.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.vi-p1 | Now the more any one sees the bishop keeping
silence, the more ought he to
revere him. For we ought to receive every one whom the Master of the
house sends to be over His household,
as we would do Him that sent him. It is manifest, therefore, that we
should look upon the bishop even as we would upon the
Lord
Himself. And indeed Onesimus himself greatly commends your good order in
God, that ye all live according to the truth, and that no sect has any dwelling-place among you. Nor, indeed, do ye hearken to
any one rather than to Jesus Christ speaking in truth. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.vi-p5 | The more, therefore, you see the bishop silent, the
more do you reverence him. For we ought to receive every one whom the
Master of the house sends to be over His household, as we would do Him that sent him. It is manifest, therefore,
that we should look upon the bishop even as we would look upon the Lord
Himself, standing, as he does, before the Lord. For “it behoves the
man who looks carefully about him, and is active in his business, to
stand before kings, and not to stand before slothful men.” And indeed Onesimus himself greatly
commends your good order in God, that ye all live according to the truth,
and that no sect has any dwelling-place among you. Nor indeed do ye
hearken to any one rather than to Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd and
Teacher. And ye are, as Paul wrote to you, “one body and one
spirit, because ye have also been called in one hope of the faith. Since also “there is one Lord, one faith,
one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all,
and in all.” Such, then, are ye,
having been taught by such instructors, Paul the Christ-bearer, and
Timothy the most faithful. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.vii-p1 | For some are in the habit of carrying about
the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they practise
things unworthy of God, whom ye must flee as ye would wild beasts. For
they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom ye must be on
your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be cured. There is one Physician who is
possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing
in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first possible and
then impossible,— even Jesus Christ our Lord. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.vii-p3 | But some most worthless persons are in the
habit of carrying about the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while
yet they practise things unworthy of God, and hold opinions contrary to
the doctrine of Christ, to their own destruction, and that of those who
give credit to them, whom you must avoid as ye would wild beasts. For
“the righteous man who avoids them is saved for ever; but the
destruction of the ungodly is sudden, and a subject of
rejoicing.” For “they are dumb dogs, that cannot bark,” raving mad, and biting secretly, against whom
ye must be on your guard, since they labour under an incurable disease.
But our Physician is the
only true God, the unbegotten and unapproachable, the Lord of all, the
Father and Begetter of the only-begotten Son. We have also as a Physician
the Lord our God, Jesus the Christ, the only-begotten Son and Word,
before time began, but who afterwards became also
man, of Mary the virgin. For “the Word was made flesh.” Being incorporeal, He was in the body; being
impassible, He was in a passible body; being immortal, He was in a mortal
body; being life, He became subject to corruption, that He might free our
souls from death and corruption, and heal them, and might restore them to
health, when they were diseased with ungodliness and wicked lusts. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.viii-p1 | Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed
ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are wholly devoted to God. For since
there is no strife raging among you which might distress you, ye are
certainly living in accordance with God’s will. I am far inferior
to you, and require to be sanctified by your Church of Ephesus, so
renowned throughout the world. They that are carnal cannot do those
things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which
are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief,
nor unbelief the works of faith. But even those things which ye
do according to the flesh are spiritual; for ye do all things in Jesus
Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.viii-p2 | Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed
ye are not deceived; for ye are wholly devoted to God. For when there is
no evil desire within you, which might defile and torment you, then do ye
live in accordance with the will of God, and are [the servants] of
Christ. Cast ye out that which defiles you, who are of the most holy
Church of the Ephesians, which is so famous and celebrated throughout the
world. They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual,
nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith
cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith. But ye, being full of the Holy Spirit, do nothing
according to the flesh, but all things according to the Spirit. Ye are
complete in Christ Jesus, “who is the Saviour of all men, specially
of them that believe.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.ix-p1 | Nevertheless, I have heard of some who have
passed on from this to you, having false doctrine, whom ye did not suffer
to sow among you, but stopped your ears, that ye might not receive those
things which were sown by them, as being stones of the temple of the Father, prepared for the
building of God the Father, and drawn up on high by the instrument of
Jesus Christ, which is the cross,
making use of the Holy Spirit as a rope, while your faith was the means
by which you ascended, and your love the way which led up to God. Ye, therefore, as well as all your
fellow-travellers, are God-bearers, temple-bearers, Christ-bearers,
bearers of holiness, adorned in all respects with the commandments of
Jesus Christ, in whom also I exult that I have been thought worthy, by
means of this Epistle, to converse and rejoice with you, because with
respect to your Christian life ye love nothing but God only. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.ix-p5 | Nevertheless, I have
heard of some who have passed in among you, holding the wicked doctrine
of the strange and evil spirit; to whom ye did not allow entrance to sow
their tares, but stopped your ears that ye might not receive that error
which was proclaimed by them, as being persuaded that that spirit which
deceives the people does not speak the things of Christ, but his own, for
he is a lying spirit. But the Holy Spirit
does not speak His own things, but those of Christ, and that not from
himself, but from the Lord; even as the Lord also announced to us the
things that He received from the Father. For, says He, “the word
which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s, who sent
Me.” And says He of the Holy Spirit, “He
shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever things He shall hear from
Me.” And He says of Himself to the Father,
“I have,” says He, “glorified Thee upon the earth; I
have finished the work which, Thou gavest Me; I have manifested Thy name
to men.” And of the Holy Ghost,
“He shall glorify Me, for He receives of Mine.” But the spirit of deceit preaches himself, and
speaks his own things, for he seeks to please himself. He glorifies
himself, for he is full of arrogance. He is lying, fraudulent, soothing,
flattering, treacherous, rhapsodical, trifling, inharmonious, verbose,
sordid, and timorous. From his power Jesus Christ will deliver you, who
has founded you upon the rock, as being chosen stones, well fitted for
the divine edifice of the Father, and who are raised up on high by
Christ, who was crucified for you, making use of the Holy Spirit as a
rope, and being borne up by faith, while exalted by love from earth to
heaven, walking in company with those that are undefiled. For, says [the
Scripture], “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the
law of the Lord.” Now the way is unerring,
namely, Jesus Christ. For, says He, “I am the way and the
life.” And this way leads to the
Father. For “no man,” says He, “cometh to the Father
but by Me.” Blessed, then, are ye who are God-bearers,
spirit-bearers, temple-bearers, bearers of holiness, adorned in all
respects with the commandments of Jesus Christ, being “a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people,” on whose account I rejoice exceedingly, and have had the
privilege, by this Epistle, of conversing with “the saints which
are at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” I rejoice, therefore, over you, that ye do not give heed to
vanity, and love nothing according to the flesh, but according to
God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.x-p1 | And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men.
For there is in them hope of repentance
that they
may attain to God. See, then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way.
Be ye meek in response to their wrath, humble in
opposition to their boasting: to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error, be ye
stedfast in the faith; and for their
cruelty, manifest your gentleness. While we take care not to imitate their
conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness; and let us
seek to be followers of the Lord (who ever more unjustly treated, more
destitute, more condemned?), that so no plant of the devil may be found
in you, but ye may remain in all holiness and sobriety in Jesus Christ,
both with respect to the flesh and spirit. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.x-p5 | And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men;
for there is hope of the repentance, that they may attain to God. For
“cannot he that falls arise again, and he that goes astray
return?” Permit them, then, to be
instructed by you. Be ye therefore the ministers of God, and the mouth of
Christ. For thus saith the Lord, “If ye take forth the precious
from the vile, ye shall be as my mouth.” Be
ye humble in response to their wrath; oppose to their blasphemies your
earnest prayers; while they go astray, stand ye stedfast in the faith.
Conquer ye their harsh temper by gentleness, their passion by meekness.
For “blessed are the meek;” and Moses
was meek above all men; and David was exceeding
meek. Wherefore Paul exhorts as follows:
“The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all
men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves.” Do not seek to avenge
yourselves on those that injure you, for says [the Scripture], “If
I have returned evil to those who returned evil to me.” Let us make them brethren by our kindness. For
say ye to those that hate you, Ye are our brethren, that the name of the
Lord may be glorified. And let us
imitate the Lord, “who, when He was reviled, reviled not
again;” when He was crucified, He answered
not; “when He suffered, He threatened not;” but prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; they
know not what they do.” If any
one, the more he is injured, displays the more patience, blessed is he.
If any one is defrauded, if any one is despised, for the name of the
Lord, he truly is the servant of Christ. Take heed that no plant of the
devil be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt.
“Watch ye, and be ye sober,” in Christ
Jesus. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xi-p1 | The last
times are come upon us. Let us therefore
be of a reverent spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, that it tend
not to our condemnation. For let us either stand in awe of the wrath to
come, or show regard for the grace which is at present displayed—
one of two things. Only [in one way or another] let us be found in Christ
Jesus unto the true life. Apart from Him, let nothing
attract you, for whom I bear
about these bonds, these spiritual jewels, by which may I arise through
your prayers, of which I entreat I may always be a partaker, that I may
be found in the lot of the Christians of Ephesus, who have always been of
the same mind with the apostles through the power of Jesus Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xi-p3 | The last
times are come upon us. Let us therefore
be of a reverent spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, lest we
despise the riches of His goodness and forbearance. For let us either fear the wrath to come, or let us love the
present joy in the life that now is; and let our present and true joy be
only this, to be found in Christ Jesus, that we may truly live. Do not at
any time desire so much as even to breathe apart from Him. For He
is my hope; He is my boast; He is my never-failing riches, on whose
account I bear about with me these bonds from Syria to Rome, these
spiritual jewels, in which may I be perfected through your prayers, and
become a partaker of the sufferings of Christ, and have fellowship with
Him in His death, His resurrection from the dead, and His everlasting
life. May I attain to this, so that I may be
found in the lot of the Christians of Ephesus, who have always had
intercourse with the apostles by the power of Jesus Christ, with Paul,
and John, and Timothy the most faithful. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xii-p1 | I know both who I am, and to whom I write. I am a
condemned man, ye have been the objects of
mercy; I am
subject to danger, ye are established in safety. Ye are the persons
through whom those pass that are
cut off for the sake of God. Ye are initiated into the mysteries of the
Gospel with Paul, the holy, the martyred, the deservedly most happy, at
whose feet may I be found, when I shall attain
to God; who in all his Epistles makes mention of you in Christ Jesus. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xii-p4 | I know both who I am, and to whom I write. I am the
very insignificant Ignatius, who have my lot with those who are exposed to danger and condemnation. But ye have
been the objects of mercy, and are established in Christ. I am one delivered over [to death], but the least of all
those that have been cut off for the sake of Christ, “from the
blood of righteous Abel” to the
blood of Ignatius. Ye are initiated into the mysteries of the Gospel with
Paul, the holy, the martyred, inasmuch as he was “a chosen
vessel;” at whose feet may I be
found, and at the feet of the rest of the saints, when I shall attain to
Jesus Christ, who is always mindful of you in His prayers. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xiii-p1 | Take heed, then,
often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise.
For when
ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are
destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.
Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in heaven and
earth, is brought to
an end. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xiii-p4 | Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks
to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye come frequently together in
the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and his “fiery
darts” urging to sin fall back
ineffectual. For your concord and harmonious
faith prove his destruction, and the torment of his assistants. Nothing
is better than that peace which is according to Christ, by which all war,
both of aërial and terrestrial spirits, is brought to an end. “For
we wrestle not against blood and flesh, but against principalities and
powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xiv-p1 | None
of these things is hid from you, if ye perfectly possess that faith and
love towards Christ Jesus which are
the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith, and the
end is love. Now these two, being inseparably
connected together, are of God, while
all other things which are requisite for a holy life follow after them.
No man [truly] making a profession of faith
sinneth; nor does he that
possesses love hate any one. The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be
Christians shall be recognised by their conduct. For there is not now a
demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the
power of faith to the end. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xiv-p8 | Wherefore none of the devices of the devil shall be
hidden from you, if, like Paul, ye perfectly possess that faith and love
towards Christ which are the beginning
and the end of life. The beginning of life is faith, and the end is love.
And these two being inseparably connected together, do perfect the man of
God; while all other things which are requisite to a holy life follow
after them. No man making a profession of faith ought to
sin, nor one possessed of love to hate his brother. For He that said,
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,” said also, “and thy neighbour as thyself.” Those that profess themselves to be
Christ’s are known not only by what they say, but by what they
practise. “For the tree is known by its fruit.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xv-p1 | It is better
for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not to be
one. It is good to teach, if he who speaks also acts. There is then one
Teacher, who spake and it was done; while even those things which He did
in silence are worthy of
the Father. He who possesses the
word of Jesus, is truly able to hear even His very silence, that he may
be perfect, and may both act as he speaks, and be recognised by his
silence. There is nothing which is hid from God, but our very secrets are
near to Him. Let us therefore do all things as those who have Him
dwelling in us, that we may be His temples, and He may be in us as our God, which indeed He is, and will
manifest Himself before our faces. Wherefore we justly love Him. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xv-p3 | It is better
for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not to be
one. “The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Men “believe with the heart, and confess
with the mouth,” the one “unto righteousness,” the
other “unto salvation.” It is good
to teach, if he who speaks also acts. For he who shall both “do and
teach, the same shall be great in the kingdom.” Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, first
did and then taught, as Luke testifies, “whose praise is in the
Gospel through all the Churches.” There
is nothing which is hid from the Lord, but our very secrets are near to
Him. Let us therefore do all things as those who have Him dwelling in us,
that we may be His temples, and He
may be in us as God. Let Christ speak in us, even as He did in Paul.
Let the Holy Spirit teach us to speak the
things of Christ in like manner as He did. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xvi-p1 | Do not err, my brethren. Those that corrupt families shall not inherit
the kingdom of God. If, then, those who do
this as respects the flesh have suffered death, how much more shall this
be the case with any one who corrupts by wicked doctrine the faith of
God, for which Jesus Christ was crucified! Such an one becoming defiled
[in this way], shall go away into everlasting fire, and so shall every
one that hearkens unto him. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xvi-p4 | Do not err, my brethren. Those that corrupt families shall not inherit
the kingdom of God. And if those that
corrupt mere human families are condemned to death, how much more shall
those suffer everlasting punishment who endeavour to corrupt the Church
of Christ, for which the Lord Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God,
endured the cross, and submitted to death! Whosoever, “being waxen
fat,” and “become
gross,” sets at nought His doctrine, shall go into hell. In like manner, every one that has received from
God the power of distinguishing, and yet follows an unskilful shepherd,
and receives a false opinion for the truth, shall be punished. “What communion hath light with
darkness? or Christ with Belial? Or what portion hath he that believeth
with an infidel? or the temple of God with idols?” And in like manner say I, what
communion hath truth with falsehood? or righteousness with
unrighteousness? or true doctrine with that which is false? | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xvii-p1 | For this end did the Lord suffer the
ointment to be poured upon His head, that
He might breathe immortality into His Church. Be not ye anointed with the
bad odour of the doctrine of the prince of this world; let him not lead
you away captive from the life which is set before you. And why are we
not all prudent, since we have received the knowledge of God, which is
Jesus Christ? Why do we foolishly perish, not recognising the gift which
the Lord has of a truth sent to us? | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xvii-p3 | For this end did the Lord suffer the
ointment to be poured upon His head, that
His Church might breathe forth immortality. For saith [the Scripture],
“Thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore have the virgins
loved Thee; they have drawn Thee; at the odour of Thine ointments we will
run after Thee.” Let no one be anointed
with the bad odour of the doctrine of [the prince of] this world; let not
the holy Church of God be led captive by his subtlety, as was the first
woman. Why do we not, as gifted with
reason, act wisely? When we had received from Christ, and had grafted in
us the faculty of judging concerning God, why do we fall headlong into
ignorance? and why, through a careless neglect of acknowledging the gift
which we have received, do we foolishly perish? | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xviii-p1 | Let my spirit be counted as nothing for the sake of the cross, which is a stumbling-block to those that do not believe, but to us
salvation and
life eternal. “Where is the wise man?
where the disputer?” Where is
the boasting of those who are styled prudent? For our God, Jesus
Christ, was, according to the appointment of God, conceived in the
womb by Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Ghost. He was born
and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xviii-p6 | The cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling-block
to those that do not believe, but to the believing it is salvation and
life eternal. “Where is the wise man? where the
disputer?” Where is the boasting of
those who are called mighty? For the Son of God,
who was begotten before time began,
and established all things according to the will of the Father, He was
conceived in the womb of Mary, according to the appointment of God, of
the seed of David, and by the Holy Ghost. For says [the Scripture],
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
and He shall be called Immanuel.” He was born and was baptized by John, that He
might ratify the institution committed to that prophet. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xix-p1 | Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the
prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the
Lord; three mysteries of renown, which
were wrought in silence by God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? A star shone forth in heaven above all the other
stars, the light of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men
with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon,
formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above
them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle
came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence every kind of
magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance
was removed, and the old kingdom abolished, God Himself being manifested
in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a
beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a
state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xix-p5 | Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the
prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the
Lord; three mysteries of renown, which
were wrought in silence, but have been revealed to us. A star shone forth
in heaven above all that were before it, and its light was inexpressible,
while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the
stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star. It far
exceeded them all in brightness, and agitation was felt as to whence this
new spectacle [proceeded]. Hence worldly wisdom became folly; conjuration
was seen to be mere trifling; and magic became utterly ridiculous. Every
law of wickedness vanished away; the darkness
of ignorance was dispersed; and tyrannical authority was destroyed, God
being manifested as a man, and man displaying power as God. But neither
was the former a mere imagination, nor did
the second imply a bare humanity; but the
one was absolutely true, and the other an economical
arrangement. Now that received a beginning which
was perfected by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult,
because He meditated the abolition of death. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xx-p1 | If Jesus Christ shall graciously permit me through your
prayers, and if it be His will, I shall, in a second little work which I
will write to you, make further manifest to you [the nature of] the
dispensation of which I have begun [to treat], with respect to the new
man, Jesus Christ, in His faith and in His love, in His suffering and in
His resurrection. Especially [will I do this] if the Lord make known to me that ye come together
man by man in common through grace, individually, in one faith, and in Jesus Christ, who was of
the seed of David according to the flesh, being both the Son of man and
the Son of God, so that ye obey the bishop and the presbytery with an
undivided mind, breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of
immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, but [which
causes] that we should live for ever in Jesus Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xxi-p1 | Stand fast, brethren, in
the faith of Jesus Christ, and in His love, in His passion, and in His
resurrection. Do ye all come together in common, and individually, through grace, in one faith of God the Father,
and of Jesus Christ His only-begotten Son, and “the first-born of
every creature,” but of the seed of David
according to the flesh, being under the guidance of the Comforter, in
obedience to the bishop and the presbytery with an undivided mind,
breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality,
and the antidote which prevents us from dying, but a cleansing remedy
driving away evil, [which causes] that we should live in God through
Jesus Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xxii-p1 | My soul be for yours and theirs whom, for the honour of God, ye have sent to Smyrna; whence also
I write to you, giving thanks unto the Lord, and loving Polycarp even as
I do you. Remember me, as Jesus
Christ also remembered you. Pray ye for the Church which is in Syria,
whence I am led bound to Rome, being the last of the faithful who are
there, even as I have been thought worthy to be chosen to show forth the honour of God. Farewell in God the Father, and in
Jesus Christ, our common hope. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.ii.xxii-p4 | My soul be for yours and theirs whom, for the honour of God, ye have sent to Smyrna; whence also
I write to you, giving thanks to the Lord, and loving Polycarp even as I
do you. Remember me, as Jesus Christ
also remembers you, who is blessed for evermore. Pray ye for the
Church of Antioch which is in Syria, whence I am led bound to Rome, being
the last of the faithful that are there, who yet have been thought worthy to carry these chains to the honour
of God. Fare ye well in God the
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our common hope, and in the Holy
Ghost. Fare ye well. Amen. Grace [be with you]. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii-p1 | Ignatius, who is also called
Theophorus, to the [Church] blessed in the grace of God the Father, in
Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute the Church which is at
Magnesia, near the Mæander, and wish it abundance of happiness in God
the Father, and in Jesus Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii-p2 | Ignatius, who is also called
Theophorus, to the [Church] blessed in the grace of God the Father, in
Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute the Church which is at
Magnesia, near the Mæander, and wish it abundance of happiness in God
the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whom may you have abundance
of happiness. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.i-p1 | Having been informed of your
godly love, so well-ordered, I
rejoiced greatly, and determined to commune with you in the faith of
Jesus Christ. For as one who has been thought worthy of
the most honourable of all names, in those
bonds which I bear about, I commend the Churches, in which I pray for a
union both of the flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ, the constant source
of our life, and of faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred,
but especially of Jesus and the Father, in whom, if we endure all the
assaults of the prince of this world, and escape them, we shall enjoy
God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.i-p4 | Having been informed of your
godly love, so well-ordered, I
rejoiced greatly, and determined to commune with you in the faith of
Jesus Christ. For as one who has been thought worthy of
a divine and desirable name, in those bonds which I bear about, I commend
the Churches, in which I pray for a union both of the flesh and spirit of
Jesus Christ, “who is the Saviour of all men, but specially of them
that believe;” by whose blood ye were
redeemed; by whom ye have known God, or rather have been known by
Him; in whom enduring, ye shall
escape all the assaults of this world: for “He is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are
able.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.ii-p1 | Since, then,
I have had the privilege of seeing you, through Damas your most worthy
bishop, and through your worthy presbyters Bassus and Apollonius, and
through my fellow-servant the deacon Sotio, whose friendship may I ever
enjoy, inasmuch as he is subject to the bishop as to the grace of God,
and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ, [I now write to you]. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.ii-p3 | Since, then,
I have had the privilege of seeing you, through Damas your most
worthy bishop, and through your
worthy presbyters Bassus and
Apollonius, and through my fellow-servant the deacon Sotio, whose
friendship may I ever enjoy,
inasmuch as he, by the grace of God, is subject to the bishop and
presbytery, in the law of Jesus Christ, [I now write to you]. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.iii-p1 | Now it becomes you also not to treat your
bishop too familiarly on account of his youth, but to yield him all reverence, having respect
to the power of God the Father, as I
have known even holy presbyters do, not judging rashly, from the manifest
youthful appearance [of their
bishop], but as being themselves prudent in God, submitting to him, or
rather not to him, but to the Father of Jesus Christ, the bishop of us
all. It is therefore fitting that you should, after no hypocritical
fashion, obey [your bishop], in honour of Him who has willed us [so to
do], since he that does not so deceives not [by such conduct] the bishop
that is visible, but seeks to mock Him that is invisible. And all such
conduct has reference not to man, but to
God, who knows all secrets. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.iii-p6 | Now it becomes you also not to despise the age
of your bishop, but to yield him all reverence, according to the will of
God the Father, as I have known even holy presbyters do, not having
regard to the manifest youth [of their bishop], but to his knowledge in
God; inasmuch as “not the ancient are [necessarily] wise, nor do
the aged understand prudence; but there is a spirit in men.” For Daniel the wise,
at twelve years of age, became possessed of the divine Spirit, and
convicted the elders, who in vain carried their grey hairs, of being
false accusers, and of lusting after the beauty of another man’s
wife. Samuel also, when he was but a little child, reproved
Eli, who was ninety years old, for giving honour to his sons rather than
to God. In like manner,
Jeremiah also received this message from God, “Say not, I am a
child.” Solomon too, and Josiah,
[exemplified the same thing.] The former, being made king at twelve years
of age, gave that terrible and difficult judgment in the case of the two
women concerning their children. The
latter, coming to the throne when eight years old cast down the altars and temples [of the
idols], and burned down the groves, for they were dedicated to demons,
and not to God. And he slew the false priests, as the corrupters and
deceivers of men, and not the worshippers of the Deity. Wherefore youth
is not to be despised when it is devoted to God. But he is to be despised
who is of a wicked mind, although he be old, and full of wicked
days. Timothy the Christ-bearer was young,
but hear what his teacher writes to him: “Let no man despise thy
youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word and in
conduct.” It is becoming,
therefore, that ye also should be obedient to your bishop, and contradict
him in nothing; for it is a fearful thing to contradict any such person.
For no one does [by such conduct] deceive him that is visible, but does
[in reality] seek to mock Him that is invisible, who, however, cannot be
mocked by any one. And every such act has respect not to man, but to God.
For God says to Samuel, “They have not
mocked thee, but Me.” And
Moses declares, “For their murmuring is not against us, but against
the Lord God.” No one of those has, [in
fact,] remained unpunished, who rose up against their superiors. For
Dathan and Abiram did not speak against the law, but against Moses, and were cast down alive into Hades. Korah
also, and the two hundred and fifty who
conspired with him against Aaron, were destroyed by fire. Absalom,
again, who had slain his brother, became
suspended on a tree, and had his evil-designing heart thrust through with
darts. In like manner was Abeddadan beheaded for the same reason.
Uzziah, when he presumed to oppose the
priests and the priesthood, was smitten with leprosy. Saul also was dishonoured, because he did not wait for Samuel the high priest. It
behoves you, therefore, also to reverence your superiors. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.iv-p1 | It is fitting, then, not only to be called
Christians, but to be so in reality: as some indeed give one the title of
bishop, but do all things without him. Now such persons seem to me to be
not possessed of a good conscience, seeing they are not stedfastly
gathered together according to the commandment. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.iv-p2 | It is fitting, then, not only to be called
Christians, but to be so in reality. For it is not the being called so,
but the being really so, that renders a man blessed. To those who indeed
talk of the bishop, but do all things without him, will He who is the
true and first Bishop, and the only High Priest by nature, declare,
“Why call ye Me Lord, and do not the things which I
say?” For such persons seem to me
not possessed of a good conscience, but to be simply dissemblers and
hypocrites. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.v-p1 | Seeing, then, all things have an end, these two things
are simultaneously set before us—death and life; and every one
shall go unto his own place. For as there are two kinds of coins, the one
of God, the other of the world, and each of these has its special
character stamped upon it, [so is it also here.] The
unbelieving are of this world; but the believing have, in love, the
character of God the Father by Jesus Christ, by whom, if we are not in
readiness to die into His passion, His life is not in us. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.v-p4 | Seeing,
then, all things have an end, and there is set before us life upon our
observance [of God’s precepts], but death as the result of
disobedience, and every one, according to the choice he makes, shall go
to his own place, let us flee from death, and make choice of life. For I
remark, that two different characters are found among men—the one
true coin, the other spurious. The truly devout man is the right kind of
coin, stamped by God Himself. The ungodly man, again, is false coin,
unlawful, spurious, counterfeit, wrought not by God, but by the devil. I
do not mean to say that there are two different human natures, but that
there is one humanity, sometimes belonging to God, and sometimes to the
devil. If any one is truly religious, he is a man of God; but if he is
irreligious, he is a man of the devil, made such, not by nature, but by
his own choice. The unbelieving bear the image of the prince of
wickedness. The believing possess the image of their Prince, God the
Father, and Jesus Christ, through whom, if we are not in readiness to die
for the truth into His passion, His life is not in us. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.vi-p1 | Since therefore I have, in the persons before
mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of you in faith and love, I exhort
you to study to do all things with a divine harmony, while your bishop presides in the place of God,
and your presbyters in the place of the assembly of the apostles, along
with your deacons, who are most dear to me, and are entrusted with the
ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the beginning of
time, and in the end was revealed.
Do ye all then, imitating the same divine conduct, pay respect to one another, and let no
one look upon his neighbour after the flesh, but do ye continually love
each other in Jesus Christ. Let nothing exist among you that may divide
you; but be ye united with your bishop, and those that preside over you,
as a type and evidence of your immortality. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.vi-p6 | Since therefore I have, in the
persons before mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of you in faith and
love, I exhort you to study to do all things with a divine harmony, while your bishop presides in the place of
God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly of the apostles,
along with your deacons, who are most dear to me, and are entrusted with
the ministry of Jesus Christ. He, being
begotten by the Father before the beginning of time, was God the Word, the only-begotten Son, and
remains the same for ever; for “of His kingdom there shall be no
end,” says Daniel the prophet. Let us all therefore
love one another in harmony, and let no one look upon his neighbour
according to the flesh, but in Christ Jesus. Let nothing exist among you
which may divide you; but be ye united with your bishop, being through
him subject to God in Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.vii-p1 | As therefore
the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by
Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop
and presbyters. Neither endeavour that anything appear
reasonable and proper to yourselves apart; but being come together into
the same place, let there be one prayer, one supplication, one mind, one
hope, in love and in joy undefiled. There is one Jesus Christ, than whom
nothing is more excellent. Do ye therefore all run together as into one
temple of God, as to one altar, as to one Jesus Christ, who came forth
from one Father, and is with and has gone to one. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.vii-p2 | As therefore
the Lord does nothing without the Father, for says He, “I can of
mine own self do nothing,” so do ye,
neither presbyter, nor deacon, nor layman, do anything without the
bishop. Nor let anything appear commendable to you which is destitute of
his approval. For every such thing
is sinful, and opposed [to the will of] God. Do ye all come
together into the same place for prayer. Let there be one common
supplication, one mind, one hope, with faith unblameable in Christ Jesus,
than which nothing is more excellent. Do ye all, as one man, run together
into the temple of God, as unto one altar, to one Jesus Christ, the High
Priest of the unbegotten God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.viii-p1 | Be not
deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are
unprofitable. For if we
still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not
received grace. For the divinest prophets lived according to Christ
Jesus. On this account also they were persecuted,
being inspired by His grace to fully convince the unbelieving that there
is one God, who has manifested Himself by Jesus Christ His Son, who is
His eternal Word, not proceeding forth from silence, and who in all
things pleased Him that sent Him. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.viii-p3 | Be not deceived with strange
doctrines, “nor give heed to fables and endless
genealogies,” and things in which the
Jews make their boast. “Old things are passed away: behold, all
things have become new.” For if we
still live according to the Jewish law, and the circumcision of the
flesh, we deny that we have received grace. For the divinest prophets
lived according to Jesus Christ. On this account also they were persecuted, being
inspired by grace to fully convince the unbelieving that there is one
God, the Almighty, who has manifested Himself by Jesus Christ His Son,
who is His Word, not spoken, but essential. For He is not the voice of an
articulate utterance, but a substance begotten by divine power, who has
in all things pleased Him that sent Him. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.ix-p1 | If, therefore, those who
were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living
in the observance of the Lord’s Day, on which
also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death—whom
some deny, by which mystery we have obtained faith, and therefore endure, that we may be found
the disciples of Jesus Christ, our only Master—how shall we be
able to live apart from Him, whose disciples the prophets themselves in
the Spirit did wait for Him as their Teacher? And therefore He whom they
rightly waited for, being come, raised them from the dead. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.ix-p7 | If, then, those who were conversant with the ancient
Scriptures came to newness of hope, expecting the coming of Christ, as
the Lord teaches us when He says, “If ye had believed Moses, ye
would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me;” and again, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and
he saw it, and was glad; for before Abraham was, I am;” how shall we be able to live without Him? The
prophets were His servants, and foresaw Him by the Spirit, and waited for
Him as their Teacher, and expected Him as their Lord and Saviour, saying,
“He will come and save us.” Let us therefore no longer
keep the Sabbath after the Jewish manner, and rejoice in days of
idleness; for “he that does not work, let him not eat.” For say the [holy] oracles, “In the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread.” But let every one of you keep
the Sabbath after a spiritual manner, rejoicing in meditation on the law,
not in relaxation of the body, admiring the workmanship of God, and not
eating things prepared the day before, nor using lukewarm drinks, and
walking within a prescribed space, nor finding delight in dancing and
plaudits which have no sense in them. And after
the observance of the Sabbath, let every friend of Christ keep the
Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief
of all the days [of the week]. Looking forward to this, the prophet
declared, “To the end, for the eighth day,”
on which our life both sprang up again, and the victory over death was
obtained in Christ, whom the children of perdition, the enemies of the
Saviour, deny, “whose god is their belly, who mind earthly
things,” who are “lovers
of pleasure, and not lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof.” These
make merchandise of Christ, corrupting His word, and giving up Jesus to
sale: they are corrupters of women, and covetous of other men’s
possessions, swallowing up wealth insatiably; from whom may ye be delivered by the mercy of God
through our Lord Jesus Christ! | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.ix-p13 | Reference is here made to well-known Jewish opinions and
practices with respect to the Sabbath. The Talmud fixes 2000 cubits as
the space lawful to be traversed. Philo (De Therap.) refers to the
dancing, etc. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.x-p1 | Let us not, therefore, be insensible to
His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our
works, we should cease to be. Therefore, having become His disciples, let
us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity. For whosoever is called by any other
name besides this, is not of God. Lay aside, therefore, the evil, the
old, the sour leaven, and be ye changed into the new leaven, which is
Jesus Christ. Be ye salted in Him, lest any one among you should be
corrupted, since by your savour ye shall be convicted. It is absurd to profess Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. For Christianity
did not embrace Judaism,
but Judaism Christianity, that so every tongue which believeth might be
gathered together to God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.x-p5 | Let us not, therefore, be insensible to
His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our
works, we should cease to be. For “if Thou, Lord, shalt mark
iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Let us therefore prove ourselves worthy of that name which we
have received. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, he
is not of God; for he has not received the prophecy which speaks thus
concerning us: “The people shall be called by a new name, which the
Lord shall name them, and shall be a holy people.” This was first fulfilled in Syria; for
“the disciples were called Christians at Antioch,” when Paul and Peter were laying the
foundations of the Church. Lay
aside, therefore, the evil, the old, the corrupt leaven, and be ye changed into the new leaven of grace. Abide in Christ,
that the stranger may not have dominion over you. It is absurd to speak of Jesus
Christ with the tongue, and to cherish in the mind a Judaism which has
now come to an end. For where there is Christianity there cannot be
Judaism. For Christ is one, in whom every nation that believes, and every
tongue that confesses, is gathered unto God. And those that were of a
stony heart have become the children of Abraham, the friend of God; and in his seed all those have been
blessed who were ordained to eternal life in Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xi-p1 | These things [I address to you], my beloved,
not that I know any of you to be in such a state; but, as less than any of you, I desire to guard you
beforehand, that ye fall not upon the hooks of vain doctrine, but that
ye attain to full assurance in regard to the birth, and
passion, and resurrection which took place in the time of the government
of Pontius Pilate, being truly and certainly accomplished by Jesus
Christ, who is our hope, from which may no one of
you ever be turned aside. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xi-p4 | These
things [I address to you], my beloved, not that I know any of you to be
in such a state; but, as less than any of
you, I desire to guard you beforehand, that ye fall not upon the hooks of
vain doctrine, but that you may rather attain to a full assurance in
Christ, who was begotten by the Father before all ages, but was
afterwards born of the Virgin Mary without any intercourse with man.
He also lived a holy
life, and healed every kind of sickness and disease among the people, and
wrought signs and wonders for the benefit of men; and to those who had
fallen into the error of polytheism He made known the one and only true
God, His Father, and underwent the passion, and endured the cross at the
hands of the Christ-killing Jews, under Pontius Pilate the governor and
Herod the king. He also
died, and rose again, and ascended into the heavens to Him that sent Him,
and is sat down at His right hand, and shall come at the end of the
world, with His Father’s glory, to judge the living and the dead,
and to render to every one according to his works. He who knows these things
with a full assurance, and believes them, is happy; even as ye are now
the lovers of God and of Christ, in the full assurance of our hope, from
which may no one of us ever be turned aside! | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xii-p1 | May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy!
For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to any of you that
are at liberty. I know
that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus Christ in yourselves. And
all the more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty of spirit; as it is written, “The
righteous man is his own accuser.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xii-p4 | May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy!
For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to one of you that
are at liberty. I know
that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus in yourselves. And all the
more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty of spirit; as it is written, “The
righteous man is his own accuser;”
and again, “Declare thou first thine iniquities, that thou mayest
be justified;” and again, “When
ye shall have done all things that are commanded you, say, We are
unprofitable servants;”
“for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the
sight of God.” For says [the Scripture],
“God be merciful to me a sinner.” Therefore those great ones, Abraham and Job, styled themselves “dust and ashes” before God. And David says,
“Who am I before Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast glorified me
hitherto?” And Moses, who was
“the meekest of all men,” saith to
God, “I am of a feeble voice, and of a slow tongue.” Be ye therefore also of a humble spirit, that
ye may be exalted; for “he that abaseth himself shall be exalted,
and he that exalteth himself shall be abased.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xiii-p1 | Study, therefore, to be established in
the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things,
whatsoever ye do, may prosper both in the flesh and spirit; in faith and
love; in the Son, and in the Father, and in the Spirit; in the beginning
and in the end; with your most admirable bishop, and the well-compacted
spiritual crown of your presbytery, and the deacons who are according to
God. Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Jesus Christ to
the Father,
according to the flesh, and the apostles to
Christ, and to the Father, and to the Spirit; that so there may be a
union both fleshly and spiritual. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xiii-p2 | Study, therefore, to be established in
the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things,
whatsoever ye do, may prosper, both in the flesh and spirit, in faith and
love, with your most admirable bishop, and the well-compacted spiritual crown of your
presbytery, and the deacons who are according to God. Be ye subject to
the bishop, and to one another, as Christ to the Father, that there may
be a unity according to God among you. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xiv-p1 | Knowing as I do that ye are full of God, I have but
briefly exhorted you. Be mindful of
me in your prayers, that I may attain to God; and of the Church which is
in Syria, whence I am not worthy to derive my name: for I stand in need
of your united prayer in God, and your love, that the Church which is in
Syria may be deemed worthy of being refreshed by your Church. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xiv-p3 | Knowing as I do that ye are full of all good, I have
but briefly exhorted you in the love of Jesus Christ. Be mindful of me in your prayers, that I
may attain to God; and of the Church which is in Syria, of whom I am not
worthy to be called bishop. For I stand in need of your united prayer in
God, and of your love, that the Church which is in Syria may be deemed
worthy, by your good order, of being edified in Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xv-p1 | The
Ephesians from Smyrna (whence I also write to you), who are here for the
glory of God, as ye also are, who have in all things refreshed me, salute
you, along with Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnæans. The rest of the
Churches, in honour of Jesus Christ, also salute you. Fare ye well in the
harmony of God, ye who have obtained the inseparable Spirit, who is Jesus
Christ. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iii.xv-p2 | The
Ephesians from Smyrna (whence I also write to you), who are here for the
glory of God, as ye also are, who have in all things refreshed me, salute
you, as does also Polycarp. The rest of the Churches, in honour of Jesus
Christ, also salute you. Fare ye well in harmony, ye who have obtained
the inseparable Spirit, in Christ Jesus, by the will of God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv-p1 | Ignatius, who is also called
Theophorus, to the holy Church which is at Tralles, in Asia, beloved of
God, the Father of Jesus Christ, elect, and worthy of God, possessing
peace through the flesh, and blood, and passion of Jesus Christ, who is
our hope, through our rising again to Him, which also I salute in its
fulness, and in the apostolical
character, and wish abundance of happiness. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv-p5 | Ignatius, who is also called
Theophorus, to the holy Church which is at Tralles, beloved by God the
Father, and Jesus Christ, elect, and worthy of God, possessing peace
through the flesh and Spirit of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in His
passion by the cross and death, and in His resurrection, which also I
salute in its fulness, and in the
apostolical character, and wish abundance of
happiness. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.i-p1 | I know that ye possess an
unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only in present
practice,
but according to inherent nature, as Polybius your bishop has shown me,
who has come to Smyrna by the will of God and Jesus Christ, and so
sympathized in the joy which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess,
that I beheld your whole multitude in him. Having therefore received through him the testimony of
your good-will, according to God, I gloried to find you, as I knew you
were, the followers of God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.i-p3 | I know that ye possess an
unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only for present
use, but as a
permanent possession, as Polybius your bishop has shown me, who has come
to Smyrna by the will of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, His
Son, with the co-operation of the Spirit, and so sympathized in the joy
which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess, that I beheld your whole
multitude in Him. Having therefore received
through him the testimony of your good-will according to God, I gloried
to find that you were the followers of Jesus Christ the Saviour. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.ii-p1 | For, since ye are subject to the bishop as to
Jesus Christ, ye appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but
according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order, by believing in His
death, ye may escape from death. It is therefore necessary
that, as ye indeed do, so without the bishop ye should do nothing, but
should also
be subject to the presbytery, as to the apostle
of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in whom, if we live, we shall [at last]
be found. It is fitting also that the deacons, as being [the ministers]
of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, should in every respect be pleasing to
all. For they are not
ministers of meat and drink, but servants of the Church of God. They are bound, therefore, to avoid all grounds of
accusation [against them], as they would do fire. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.ii-p2 | It is doubtful
whether this exhortation is addressed to the deacons or people; whether
the former are urged in all respects to please the latter, or the latter
in all points to be pleased with the former. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.ii-p3 | Be ye subject to the bishop as to the Lord, for
“he watches for your souls, as one that shall give account to
God.” Wherefore also, ye appear to me to live not
after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us,
in order that, by believing in His death, ye may by baptism be made
partakers of His resurrection. It is therefore necessary, whatsoever
things ye do, to do nothing without the bishop. And be ye subject also to
the presbytery, as to the apostles of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in
whom, if we live, we shall be found in Him. It behoves you also, in every
way, to please the deacons, who are [ministers] of the mysteries of
Christ Jesus; for they are not ministers of meat and drink, but servants
of the Church of God. They are bound,
therefore, to avoid all grounds of accusation [against them], as they
would a burning fire. Let them, then, prove themselves to be such. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.iii-p1 | In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an
appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who
is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the sanhedrim of God, and
assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no Church. Concerning all this, I am persuaded that ye
are of the same opinion. For I have received the manifestation of your love, and still have it with
me, in your bishop, whose very appearance is highly instructive, and his meekness of itself a power; whom
I imagine even the ungodly must reverence, seeing they are also pleased that I
do not spare myself. But shall I, when permitted to write on this point,
reach such a height of self-esteem, that though being a condemned man, I should issue commands to you as if I were an apostle? | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.iii-p8 | And do ye reverence them as Christ Jesus, of whose
place they are the keepers, even as the bishop is the representative of
the Father of all things, and the presbyters are the sanhedrim of God,
and assembly of the apostles of Christ. Apart
from these there is no elect Church, no congregation of holy ones, no
assembly of saints. I am persuaded that ye also are of this opinion. For
I have received the manifestation of your love, and
still have it with me, in your bishop, whose very appearance is highly
instructive, and his meekness of itself a power; whom I imagine even the
ungodly must reverence. Loving you as I do, I avoid writing in any
severer strain to you, that I may not seem harsh to any, or wanting [in
tenderness]. I am indeed bound for the sake of Christ, but I am not yet
worthy of Christ. But when I am perfected, perhaps I shall then become
so. I do not issue orders like an apostle. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.iv-p1 | I have great knowledge in
God, but I restrain myself, lest,
I should perish through boasting. For now it is needful for me to be the
more fearful; and not give heed to those that puff me up. For they that
speak to me [in the way of commendation] scourge me. For I do indeed
desire to suffer, but I know not if I be worthy to do so. For this
longing, though it is not manifest to many, all the more vehemently
assails me. I therefore have need of meekness, by which the prince of this
world is brought to nought. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.iv-p4 | But I measure myself, that I
may not perish through boasting: but it is good to glory in the
Lord. And even though I were established in things pertaining to God, yet
then would it befit me to be the more fearful, and not give heed to those
that vainly puff me up. For those that commend me scourge me. [I do
indeed desire to suffer], but I know not if I be worthy to do so. For the envy of the wicked one is not visible to many,
but it wars against me. I therefore have need of meekness, by which the
devil, the prince of this world, is brought to nought. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.v-p1 | Am I not able to write
to you of heavenly things? But I fear to do so, lest I should inflict
injury on you who are but babes [in Christ]. Pardon me in this respect,
lest, as not being able to receive [such doctrines], ye should be
strangled by them. For even I, though I am
bound [for Christ], yet am not on that account able to understand
heavenly things, and the places of the angels,
and their gatherings under their respective princes, things visible and
invisible. Without reference to such abstruse subjects, I am still but a
learner [in other respects]; for many things are wanting
to us, that we come not short of God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.v-p4 | For might not I write to you things more full of mystery? But I fear to do
so, lest I should inflict injury on you who are but babes [in Christ].
Pardon me in this respect, lest, as not being able to receive their
weighty import, ye should be strangled
by them. For even I, though I am bound [for
Christ], and am able to understand heavenly things, the angelic orders,
and the different sorts of angels and hosts, the
distinctions between powers and dominions, and the diversities between
thrones and authorities, the mightiness of the Æons, and the
pre-eminence of the cherubim and seraphim, the sublimity of the spirit,
the kingdom of the Lord, and above all, the incomparable majesty of
Almighty God—though I am acquainted with these things, yet am I
not therefore by any means perfect; nor am I such a disciple as Paul or
Peter. For many things are yet wanting to me, that I may not fall short
of God. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.vi-p1 | I therefore, yet not I, but the
love of Jesus Christ, entreat you that ye use Christian nourishment only,
and abstain from herbage of a different kind; I mean heresy. For
those [that are given
to this] mix up Jesus Christ with their own
poison, speaking things which are unworthy of credit, like those who
administer a deadly drug in sweet wine, which he who is ignorant of does
greedily take, with a fatal pleasure leading to his own death. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.vi-p6 | I therefore, yet not I, out the love of Jesus Christ,
“entreat you that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same
mind, and in the same judgment.” For there are some vain talkers and deceivers, not Christians, but Christ-betrayers, bearing about the name of
Christ in deceit, and “corrupting the word” of the Gospel; while they intermix the poison of their deceit
with their persuasive talk, as
if they mingled aconite with sweet wine, that so he who drinks, being
deceived in his taste by the very great sweetness of the draught, may
incautiously meet with his death. One of the ancients gives us this
advice, “Let no man be called good who mixes good with
evil.” For they speak of Christ, not that
they may preach Christ, but that they may reject Christ; and they
speak of the law, not that they may establish
the law, but that they may proclaim things contrary to it. For they
alienate Christ from the Father, and the law from Christ. They also
calumniate His being born of the Virgin; they are ashamed of His cross;
they deny His passion; and they do not believe His resurrection. They
introduce God as a Being unknown; they suppose Christ to be unbegotten;
and as to the Spirit, they do not admit that He exists. Some of them say
that the Son is a mere man, and that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are
but the same person, and that the creation is the work of God, not by
Christ, but by some other strange power. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.vii-p1 | Be on your guard, therefore, against such persons.
And this will be the
case with you if you are not puffed up, and continue in intimate union
with Jesus Christ our God, and the
bishop, and the enactments of the apostles. He that is within
the altar is pure, but he
that is without is not pure; that is, he who does anything apart from the
bishop, and presbytery, and deacons, such a
man is not pure in his conscience. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.vii-p5 | Be on your guard, therefore, against such persons, that
ye admit not of a snare for your own souls. And act so that your life
shall be without offence to all men, lest ye become as “a snare
upon a watch-tower, and as a net which is spread out.” For “he that does not heal himself in
his own works, is the brother of him that destroys himself.” If,
therefore, ye also put away conceit, arrogance, disdain, and haughtiness,
it will be your privilege to be inseparably united to God, for “He
is nigh unto those that fear Him.” And says
He, “Upon whom will I look, but upon him that is humble and quiet,
and that trembles at my words?” And do ye
also reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according as the blessed
apostles have enjoined you. He that is within the altar is pure,
wherefore also he is obedient to the bishop and presbyters: but he that
is without is one that does anything apart from the bishop, the
presbyters, and the deacons. Such a person is defiled in his conscience,
and is worse than an infidel. For what is the bishop but one who beyond all
others possesses all power and authority, so far as it is possible for a
man to possess it, who according to his ability has been made an imitator
of the Christ of God? And what is the presbytery but a sacred
assembly, the counsellors and assessors of the bishop? And what are the
deacons but imitators of the angelic powers,
fulfilling a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen
did to the blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and
Clement to Peter? He, therefore, that will not yield obedience to such,
must needs be one utterly without God, an impious man who despises
Christ, and depreciates His appointments. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.viii-p1 | Not that I know
there is anything of this kind among you; but I put you on your guard,
inasmuch as I love you greatly, and foresee the snares of the devil.
Wherefore, clothing yourselves with meekness,
be ye renewed in faith, that is the flesh
of the Lord, and in love, that is the blood of Jesus Christ. Let no one
of you cherish any grudge against his neighbour. Give no occasion to the
Gentiles, lest by means of a few foolish men the whole multitude [of
those that believe] in God be evil spoken of. For, “Woe to him by
whose vanity my name is blasphemed among any.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.viii-p5 | Now I write these things unto you, not that I know
there are any such persons among you; nay, indeed I hope that God will
never permit any such report to reach my ears, He “who spared not
His Son for the sake of His holy Church.” But foreseeing the snares
of the wicked one, I arm you beforehand by my admonitions, as my beloved
and faithful children in Christ, furnishing you with the means of
protection against the deadly disease of unruly men, by which do ye flee
from the disease [referred to] by the
good-will of Christ our Lord. Do ye therefore, clothing yourselves with meekness, become the imitators of His sufferings,
and of His love, wherewith He
loved us when He gave Himself a ransom for
us, that He might cleanse us by His blood from our old ungodliness, and
bestow life on us when we were almost on the point of perishing through
the depravity that was in us. Let no one of you, therefore, cherish any
grudge against his neighbour. For says our Lord, “Forgive, and it
shall be forgiven unto you.” Give no
occasion to the Gentiles, lest “by means of a few foolish men the
word and doctrine [of Christ] be blasphemed.” For says the prophet, as in
the person of God, “Woe to him by whom my name is blasphemed among
the Gentiles.” | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.ix-p1 | Stop your ears, therefore, when
any one speaks to you at variance with
Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary;
who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate;
He was truly crucified, and [truly] died, in the sight of beings in
heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His
Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father will so
raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not
possess the true life. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.ix-p3 | Stop your ears, therefore, when
any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, who was descended from David, and was also of
Mary; who was truly begotten of God and of the Virgin, but not after the
same manner. For indeed God and man are not the same. He truly assumed a
body; for “the Word was made flesh,” and lived upon earth without sin. For says He, “Which of
you convicteth me of sin?” He did
in reality both eat and drink. He was crucified and died under Pontius
Pilate. He really, and not merely in appearance, was crucified, and died,
in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. By
those in heaven I mean such as are possessed of incorporeal natures; by
those on earth, the Jews and Romans, and such persons as were present at
that time when the Lord was crucified; and by those under the earth, the
multitude that arose along with the Lord. For says the Scripture,
“Many bodies of the saints that slept arose,” their graves being opened. He descended,
indeed, into Hades alone, but He arose accompanied by a multitude; and
rent asunder that means of
separation which had existed from the beginning of the world, and cast
down its partition-wall. He also rose again in three days, the Father
raising Him up; and after spending forty days with the apostles, He was
received up to the Father, and “sat down at His right hand,
expecting till His enemies are placed under His feet.” On the day of the preparation, then, at the
third hour, He received the sentence from Pilate, the Father permitting
that to happen; at the sixth hour He was crucified; at the ninth hour He
gave up the ghost; and before sunset He was buried. During the Sabbath
He continued under the earth in the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathæa
had laid Him. At the dawning of the Lord’s
day He arose from the dead, according to what was spoken by Himself,
“As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s
belly, so shall the Son of man also be three days and three nights in the
heart of the earth.” The day
of the preparation, then, comprises the passion; the Sabbath embraces the
burial; the Lord’s Day contains the resurrection. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.x-p1 | But if, as some that are without God,
that is, the unbelieving, say, that He only seemed to suffer (they
themselves only seeming to exist), then why am I in bonds? Why do I long
to be exposed to the wild beasts? Do I
therefore die in vain? Am I not then guilty of falsehood against [the cross of] the Lord? | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.x-p4 | The meaning is, that is they
spoke the truth concerning the phantasmal character of Christ’s
death, then Ignatius was guilty of a practical falsehood in suffering for
what was false. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.x-p5 | But if, as some that are without God,
that is, the unbelieving, say, He became man in appearance [only], that
He did not in reality take unto Him a body, that He died in appearance
[merely], and did not in very deed suffer, then for what reason am I now
in bonds, and long to be exposed to the
wild beasts? In such a case, I die in vain, and am guilty of
falsehood against the cross of the
Lord. Then also does the prophet in vain declare, “They shall look
on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn over themselves as over one
beloved.” These men, therefore,
are not less unbelievers than were those that crucified Him. But as for
me, I do not place my hopes in one who died for me in appearance, but in
reality. For that which is false is quite abhorrent to the truth. Mary then did truly conceive a body which had God
inhabiting it. And God the Word was truly born of the Virgin, having
clothed Himself with a body of like passions with our own. He who forms
all men in the womb, was Himself really in the womb, and made for Himself
a body of the seed of the Virgin, but without any intercourse of man. He
was carried in the womb, even as we are, for the usual period of time;
and was really born, as we also are; and was in reality nourished with
milk, and partook of common meat and drink, even as we do. And when He
had lived among men for thirty years, He was baptized by John, really and
not in appearance; and when He had preached the Gospel three years, and
done signs and wonders, He who was Himself the Judge was judged by the
Jews, falsely so called, and by Pilate the governor; was scourged, was
smitten on the cheek, was spit upon; He wore a crown of thorns and a
purple robe; He was condemned: He was crucified in reality, and not in
appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit. He really died, and was buried, and rose from
the dead, even as He prayed in a certain place, saying, “But do
Thou, O Lord, raise me up again, and I shall recompense them.” And the Father, who always hears Him, answered and said, “Arise, O God, and
judge the earth; for Thou shall receive all the heathen for Thine
inheritance.” The Father, therefore,
who raised Him up, will also raise us up through Him, apart from whom no
one will attain to true life. For says He, “I am the life; he that
believeth in me, even though he die, shall live: and every one that
liveth and believeth in me, even though he die, shall live for
ever.” Do ye therefore flee
from these ungodly heresies; for they are the inventions of the devil,
that serpent who was the author of evil, and who by means of the woman
deceived Adam, the father of our race. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.x-p7 | The meaning
is, that if they spoke the truth concerning the phantasmal character of
Christ’s death, then Ignatius was guilty of a practical falsehood
in suffering for what was false. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xi-p1 | Flee,
therefore, those evil offshoots [of Satan], which produce death-bearing
fruit, whereof if any one tastes, he instantly dies. For these men are
not the planting of the Father. For if they were, they would appear as
branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible. By it
He calls you through His passion, as being His members. The head,
therefore, cannot be born by itself, without its members; God, who is
[the Saviour] Himself, having promised their union. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xi-p4 | Do ye
also avoid those wicked offshoots of his, Simon his firstborn
son, and Menander, and Basilides, and all his wicked mob of
followers, the worshippers of a man,
whom also the prophet Jeremiah pronounces accursed. Flee also the impure Nicolaitanes, falsely so
called, who are lovers of pleasure, and given to calumnious speeches.
Avoid also the children of the evil one, Theodotus and Cleobulus, who
produce death-bearing fruit, whereof if any one tastes, he instantly
dies, and that not a mere temporary death, but one that shall endure for
ever. These men are not the planting of the Father, but are an accursed
brood. And says the Lord, “Let every plant which my heavenly Father
has not planted be rooted up.” For if
they had been branches of the Father, they would not have been
“enemies of the cross of Christ,” but rather of those who “killed the Lord of
glory.” But now, by denying the
cross, and being ashamed of the passion, they cover the transgression of
the Jews, those fighters against God, those murderers of the Lord; for it
were too little to style them merely murderers of the prophets. But
Christ invites you to [share in] His immortality, by His passion and
resurrection, inasmuch as ye are His members. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xii-p1 | I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of
God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the
flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for
the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you.
Continue in harmony among yourselves,
and in prayer with one another; for it becomes every one of you, and
especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the
Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles. I entreat you in love to
hear me, that I may not, by having written, be a testimony against you.
And do ye also pray for me, who have need of your love, along with the
mercy of God, that I may be worthy of the lot for which I am destined,
and that I may not be found reprobate. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xii-p2 | I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of
God which are with me, whose rulers have refreshed me in every respect,
both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for
the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you.
Continue in harmony among yourselves,
and in supplication; for it becomes every one of you, and especially the
presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father, and to
the honour of Jesus Christ and of the apostles. I entreat you in love to
hear me, that I may not, by having thus written, be a testimony against
you. And do ye also pray for me, who have need of your love, along with
the mercy of God, that I may be thought worthy to attain the lot for
which I am now designed, and that I may not be found reprobate. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xiii-p1 | The
love of the Smyrnæans and Ephesians salutes you. Remember in your
prayers the Church which is in Syria, from which also I am not worthy to
receive my appellation, being the last of them. Fare ye well in
Jesus Christ, while ye continue subject to the bishop, as to the command
[of God], and in like manner to the presbytery. And do ye, every man,
love one another with an undivided heart. Let my spirit be
sanctified by yours, not only now, but also when I shall attain to God. For
I am as yet exposed to danger. But the Father is faithful in Jesus
Christ to fulfil both mine and your petitions: in whom may ye be found
unblameable. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xiii-p3 | The shorter
recension reads ἁγνίζετε, and the
longer also hesitates between this and ἀσπάζεται.
With the former reading the meaning is very obscure: it has been
corrected as above to ἁγνίζηται. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xiii-p4 | The
love of the Smyrnæans and Ephesians salutes you. Remember our Church
which is in Syria, from which I am not worthy to receive my appellation,
being the last of those of that place. Fare ye well in the Lord Jesus Christ, while ye
continue subject to the bishop, and in like manner to the presbyters and
to the deacons. And do ye, every man, love one another with an undivided
heart. My spirit salutes you, not only now, but also when I shall have attained to God; for I
am as yet exposed to danger. But
the Father of Jesus Christ is faithful to fulfil both mine and your
petitions: in whom may we be found without spot. May I have joy of you in
the Lord. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.iv.xiii-p6 | The shorter recension reads ἁγνίζετε, and the
longer also hesitates between this and ἀσπάζεται.
With the former reading the meaning is very obscure: it has been
corrected as above to ἁγνίζηται. | null |
ccel/s/schaff/anf01.xml:v.v-p1 | Ignatius, who is
also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through
the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten
Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that
willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our
God, which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy
of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of
praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed
holy, and which presides over love, is
named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name
of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father: to those who are united, both
according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who
are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified from every
strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus
Christ our God. | null |
Subsets and Splits