EPHESIANS
CHAPTER I.
1 Ignatius commends the brethren for sending Onesimus
and other members of the church to him. 8 Exhorts them to unity; 13 by a due
subjection to their bishop;
IGNATIUS, who is
also called Theophorus, to the church which is at Ephesus
in Asia ; most deservedly happy: being blessed through
the greatness and fullness of God the Father, and predestinated before the
world began; that it should be always unto an enduring and unchangeable glory;
united and chosen through his true passion, according to the will of the
Father, and Jesus Christ our God; all happiness, by Jesus Christ, and his undefiled
grace.
2 I have heard of your name much
beloved in God; which ye have very justly attained by a habit of righteousness,
according to the faith and love which is in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
3 How that being followers of God,
and stirring up yourselves by the blood of Christ ye have perfectly accomplished
the work that was con-natural unto you.
4 For hearing that I came bound from
Syria
5 Who by: inexpressible love is ours,
but according to the flesh is our bishop; whom I beseech you, pray Jesus
Christ, to love: and that you would all strive to be like unto him. And blessed
be God, who has granted unto you, who are so worthy of him, to enjoy such an excellent
bishop.
6 For what concerns my fellow servant
Burrhus, and your most blessed deacon in things pertaining to God; I entreat
you that he may tarry longer, both for yours, and your bishop's honour.
7 And Crocus also worthy of both
our God and you, whom I have received as the pattern of your love, has in all
things refreshed me, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ shall also refresh
him; together with Onesimus, and Burrhus, and Euplus, and Fronto, in whom I
have, as to your charity, seen all of you, And may always, have joy of you, if
I shall be worthy of it.
8 It is therefore fitting that you should
by all means glorify Jesus Christ, who hath glorified you that by a uniform
obedience ye may be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same
judgment; and may all speak the same things concerning everything:
9 And that being, subject to your
bishop, and the presbytery, ye may be wholly and thoroughly sanctified.
10 These things I prescribe to you,
not as if I were somebody extraordinary: for though I am bound for his name, I
am not yet perfect in Christ Jesus. But now I begin to learn, and I speak to you
as fellow disciples together with me.
11 For I ought to have been stirred
up by you, in faith: in admonition; in patience; in long- suffering; but
forasmuch as charity suffers me not to be silent towards you, I have first taken
upon me to exhort you, that ye would all run together, according to the will of
God.
12 For even Jesus Christ, our inseparable
life, is sent by the will of the Father; as the bishops, appointed unto the
utmost bounds of the earth, are by the will of Jesus Christ.
13 Wherefore it will become you to
run together according to the will of your bishop, as also ye do,
14 For your famous presbytery, worthy
of God, is fitted as exactly to the bishop, as the strings are to the harp.
15 Therefore in your concord and
agreeing charity, Jesus Christ is sung; and every single person among you makes
up the chorus:
16 That so being all consonant in
love, and taking up the song of God, ye may in a perfect unity with one voice,
sing to the Father by Jesus Christ; to the end that he may both hear you, and
perceive by your works, that ye are indeed the members of his son.
17 Wherefore it is profitable for you
to live in an unblameable unity, that so ye may always have a fellowship with
God.
CHAPTER II.
1 The benefit of subjection. 4 The
bishop not to be respected the less because he is not forward in exacting it: 8
warns brethren against heretics; bidding them cleave to Jesus, whose divine and
human mature is declared: commends them for their care to keep themselves from
false teachers: and shews them the way to God.
FOR if I in this
little time have had such a familiarity with your bishop, I mean not a carnal, but
spiritual acquaintance with him; how much more must I think you happy who are
so joined to him, as the church is to Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ to the
Father; so that all things may agree in the same unity.
2 Let no man deceive himself; if a
man be not within the altar, he is deprived of the bread of God. For if the
prayer of one or two be of such force, as we are told; how much more powerful
shall that of the bishop and the whole church be?
3 He therefore that does not come together
in the same place with it, is proud, and has already condemned himself; for it
is written, God resisteth the proud. Let us take heed therefore, that we do not
set ourselves against the bishop, that we may be subject to God.
4 The more any one sees his bishop
silent, the more let him revere him. For whomsoever the master of the house
sends to be over his own household, we ought in like manner to receive him, as we
do him that sent him. It is therefore evident that we ought to look upon the
bishop, even as we do upon the Lord himself.
5 And indeed Onesimus himself does
greatly commend your good order in God: that you all live according to the
truth, and that no heresy dwells among you. For neither do ye hearken to anyone
more than to Jesus Christ speaking to you in truth.
6 For some there are who carry
about the name of Christ in deceitfulness, but do things unworthy of God; whom
ye must flee, as ye would do so many wild beasts. For they are raving dogs, who
bite secretly; against whom ye must guard yourselves, as men hardly to be
cured.
7 There is one Physician, both fleshy
and spiritual; made and not made; God incarnate; true life in death; both of
Mary and of God: first passible, then impassible; even Jesus Christ our Lord.
8 Wherefore let no man deceive you;
as indeed neither are ye deceived, being wholly the servants of God. For
inasmuch as there is no contention nor strife among you, to trouble you, ye must
needs live according to God's will. My soul be for yours; and I myself, the
expiatory offering for your church
of Ephesus
9 They that are of the flesh cannot
do the works of the spirit; neither they that are of the spirit the works of
the flesh; as he that has faith cannot be an infidel; nor he that is an infidel
have faith. But even those things which ye do according to the flesh are spiritual;
forasmuch as ye do all things in Jesus Christ.
10 Nevertheless I have heard of some
who have passed by you, having perverse doctrine; whom ye did not suffer to sow
among you; but stopped your ears, that ye might not receive those things that
were sown by them: because being the stones of the temple of the Father, prepared
for his building; and drawn up on high by the Cross of Christ, as by an engine;
11. Using the Holy Ghost as the rope:
your faith being your support; and your charity the way that leads unto God.
12 Ye are therefore, with all your
companions in the same journey full of God; his spiritual temples, full of
Christ, and of holiness: adorned in all things with the commands of Christ.
13 In whom also I rejoice that I
have been thought worthy by this present epistle to converse, and joy together
with you; that with respect to the other life, ye love nothing but God only.
CHAPTER III.
1 Exorts them to prayer; to be unblamable.
5 To be careful of salvation; 11 frequent in public devotion; 13 and to live in
charity.
PRAY also
without ceasing for other men; for there is hope of repentance in them, that
they may attain unto God. Let them therefore at least be instructed by your
works, if they will be no other way.
2 Be ye mild at their anger; humble
at their boasting; to their blasphemies return your prayers to their error, your
firmness in the faith; when they are cruel, be ye gentle; not endeavouring to
imitate their ways.
3 Let us be their brethren in all
kindness and moderation, but let us be followers of the Lord; for who was ever
more unjustly used? More destitute? More despised?.
4 That so no herb of the devil may
be found in you: but ye may remain in all holiness and sobriety both of body
and spirit, in Christ Jesus.
5 The last times are come upon us:
let us therefore be very reverent, and fear the long- suffering of God, that it
be not to us unto condemnation.
6 For let us either fear the wrath
that is to come, or let us love the grace that we at present enjoy; that by the
one or other of these, we may be found in Christ Jesus, unto true life.
7 Besides him, let nothing be worthy
of you; for whom also I bear about these bonds; those spiritual jewels, in
which I would to God that I might arise through your prayers.
8 Of which I entreat you to make me
always partaker, that I may be found in the lot of the Christians of Ephesus,
who have always agreed with the Apostles, through the power of Jesus Christ.
9 I know both who I am, and to whom
I write: I, a person condemned; ye, such as have obtained mercy; I, exposed to
danger; ye confirmed against danger.
10 Ye are the passage of those that
are killed for God; the companions of Paul in the mysteries of the Gospel; the holy,
the martyr, the deservedly most happy Paul: at whose feet may I be found, when
I shall have attained unto God; who throughout all his epistles, makes mention of
you in Christ Jesus.
11 Let it be your care therefore to
come more fully together, to the praise and glory of God; for when ye meet
fully together in the same place, the powers of the devil are destroyed, and
his mischief is dissolved by the unity of your faith.
12 And indeed, nothing is better than
peace, by which all war both spiritual and earthly is abolished.
13 Of all which, nothing is hid from
you, if ye have perfect faith and charity in Christ Jesus, which are the
beginning and end of life.
14 For the beginning is faith; the
end is charity. And these two joined together, are of God; but all other things
which concern a holy life, are the consequences of these.
15 No man professing a true faith,
sinneth; neither does he who has charity hate any.
16 The tree is made manifest by its
fruit; so they who profess themselves to be Christians are known by what they
do.
17 For Christianity is not the work
of an outward profession; but shows itself in the power of faith, if a man be
found faithful unto the end.
18 It is better for a man to hold his
peace, and be; than to say, he is a Christian, and not to be.
19 It is good to teach; if what he
says he does likewise.
20 There is therefore one master who
spake, and it was done; and even those things which he did without speaking,
are worthy of the Father.
21 He that possesses the word of
Jesus, is truly able to bear his very silence. That he may be perfect, be will
do according to what he speaks, and be known by those things of which he is
silent.
22 There is nothing hid from God,
but even our secrets are nigh unto him.
23 Let us therefore do all things,
as becomes those who have God dwelling in them; that we maybe his temples; and
he may be our God as also he is, and will manifest himself before our faces, by
those things for which we justly love him,
CHAPTER IV.
1 To have a care for the Gospel. 9
The virginity of Mary, the incarnation, and the death of Christ, were hid from
the Devil. 11 How the birth of Christ was revealed. 16 Exhorts to unity.
BE not deceived,
my brethren: those that corrupt families by adultery, shall not inherit the kingdom of God
2 If therefore they who do this according
to the flesh, have suffered death; how much more shall he die, who by his wicked
doctrine corrupts the faith of God, for which Christ was crucified?
3 He that is thus defiled, shall depart
into unquenchable fire, and so also shall he that hearkens to him.
4 For this cause did the Lord suffer
the ointment to be poured on his head; that he might breathe the breath of immortality
unto his church.
5 Be not ye therefore anointed with
the evil savour of the doctrine of the prince of this world: let him not take
you captive from the life that is set before you.
6 And why are we not all wise, seeing
we have received the knowledge of God, which is Jesus Christ? Why do we suffer ourselves
foolishly to perish; not considering the gift which the Lord has truly sent to
us?
7 Let my life be sacrificed for the
doctrine of the cross; which is indeed a scandal to the unbelievers, but to us
is salvation and life eternal.
8 Where is the wise man? Where is
the disputer? Where is the boasting of those who are called wise?
9 For our Lord Jesus Christ was according
to the dispensation of God, conceived in the womb of Mary, of the seed of
David, by the Holy Ghost. He was born and baptized, that through his passion he
might purify water, to the washing away of sin.
10 Now the Virginity of Mary, and he
who was born of her, was kept in secret from the prince of this world; as was
also the death of our Lord: three of the mysteries the most spoken of
throughout the world, yet done in secret by God.
11 How then was our Saviour manifested
to the world? A star shone in heaven beyond all the other stars, and its light
was inexpressible, and its novelty struck terror into men's minds. All the rest
of the stars, together with the sun and moon, were the chorus to this star; but
that sent out its light exceedingly above them all.
12 And men began to be troubled to
think whence this new star came so unlike to all the others.
13 Hence all the power of magic became
dissolved; and every bond of wickedness was destroyed: men's ignorance was
taken away; and the old kingdom abolished; God himself appearing in the form of
a man, for the renewal of eternal life.
14 From thence began what God had
prepared: from thence. forth things were disturbed; forasmuch as he designed to
abolish death.
15 But if Jesus Christ shall give me
grace through your prayers, and if it be his will, I purpose in a second
epistle which I will suddenly write unto you, to manifest to you more fully the
dispensation of which I have now begun to speak, about the new man, which is
Jesus Christ; both in his faith, and charity; in his suffering, and in his resurrection.
16 Especially if the Lord shall make
known unto me, that ye all by name come together united in one faith, and in
Jesus Christ; who was of the race of David according to the flesh; the Son of
man, and son of God; obeying your bishop and the presbytery with an entire affection;
breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality; our antidote
that we should not die, but live for ever in Christ Jesus.
17 My soul be for yours, and theirs
whom ye have sent, to the glory of God; even unto Smyrna
18 Pray for the church which is in Syria from whence I am carried bound to Rome
19 Fare ye well in God the Father,
and in Jesus Christ, our common hope. Amen.
The Epistles of Ignatius are translated by Archbishop
Wake from the text of Vossius. He says that there were considerable difference
in the editions; the best for a long time extant containing fabrications, and the
genuine being altered and corrupted. Archbishop Usher printed old Latin
translations of them at Oxford Amsterdam , two years afterwards,
Vossius printed six of them in their ancient and pure Greek; and the seventh,
greatly amended from the ancient Latin version, was Printed at Paris
CHAPTER I.
Ignatius blesses God for the firm, establishment
of Polycarp in the faith, and gives him particular directions for improving it.
IGNATIUS, who is
also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, bishop of the church which is at Smyrna
2 Having known that thy mind towards
God, is fixed as it were upon an immoveable rock; I exceedingly give thanks,
that I have been thought worthy to behold thy blessed face, in which may I
always rejoice in God.
3 Wherefore I beseech thee by the
grace of God with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and
to exhort all others that they may be saved.
4 Maintain thy place with all care
both of flesh and spirit: Make it thy endeavour to preserve unity, than which
nothing is better. Bear with all men even as the Lord with thee.
5 Support all in love, as also thou
dost. Pray without ceasing ask more understanding than what thou already hast.
Be watchful, having thy spirit always awake.
6 Speak to every one according as
God shall enable thee. Bear the infirmities of all, as a perfect combatant;
where the labour is great, the gain is the more.
7 If thou shalt love the good disciples,
what thank is it? But rather do thou subject to thee those that are
mischievous, in meekness.
8 Every wound is not healed with
the same plaister: if the accessions of the disease be vehement, modify them
with soft remedies: be in all things wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove.
9 For this cause thou art composed
of flesh and spirit; that thou mayest modify those things that appear before
thy face.
10 And as for those that are not seen,
pray to God that he would reveal them into thee, that so thou mayest be wanting
in nothing, but mayest abound in every gift.
11 The times demand thee, as the
pilots the winds; and be that is tossed in a tempest, the haven where he would
be.
12 That thou mayest attain unto God,
be sober as the combatant of God. The crown proposed to thee is immortality,
and eternal life: concerning which thou art also fully persuaded. I will be thy
surety in all things, by my bonds, which thou halt loved.
13 Let not those that seem worthy of
credit, but teach other doctrines, disturb thee. Stand firm and immoveable, as
an anvil when it is beaten upon.
14 It is the part of a brave combatant
to be wounded, and yet overcome. But especially we ought to endure all things
for God's sake, that he may bear with us.
15 Be every day better than others;
consider the times, and expect him, who is above all time, eternal; invisible,
though for our sakes made visible: impalpable, and impassible, yet for us subjected
to sufferings; enduring all manner of ways for our salvation.
CHAPTER II.
1 Continues his advice, 6 and
teaches him how to advise others. 12 Enforces unity and subjection to the
bishop.
LET not the
widows be neglected: be thou after God, their Guardian.
2 Let nothing be done without thy knowledge
and consent; neither do thou anything but according to the will of God; as also
thou dost, with all constancy.
3 Let your assemblies be more full:
inquire into all by name.
4 Overlook not the men and maid
servants; neither let them be puffed up: but rather let them be the more
subject to the glory of God, that they may obtain from him a better liberty.
5 Let them not desire to be set free
at the public cost, that they be not slaves to their own lusts.
6 Flee evil arts; or rather make not
any mention of them.
7 Say to my sisters, that they love
the Lord; and be satisfied with their own husbands, both in the flesh and
spirit.
8 In like manner, exhort my brethren
in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the
church.
9 If any man can remain in a virgin
state, to the honour of the flesh of Christ, let him remain without boasting;
but if he boast, he is undone. And if he desire to be more taken notice of than
the bishop he is corrupted.
10 But it becomes all such as are
married, whether men or women, to come together with the consent of the bishop,
that so their marriage may be according to godliness, and not in lust.
11 Let all things be done to the honour
of God.
12 Hearken unto the bishop, that God
also may hearken unto you. My soul be security for them that submit to their
bishop, with their presbyters and deacons. And may my portion be together with
theirs in God.
13 Labour with one another; contend
together, run together, suffer together; sleep together, and rise together; as
the stewards, and assessors, and ministers of God.
14 Please him under whom ye war; and
from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter; but let
your baptism remain, as your arms; your faith, as your helmet; your charity, as
your spear; your patience, as your whole armour.
15 Let your works be your charge,
that so you may receive a suitable reward. Be long suffering therefore towards
each other in meekness; as God is towards you.
16 Let me have joy of you in all
things.
CHAPTER III.
1 Greets Polycarp on the peace of
the church at Antioch
NOW forasmuch as
the church of Antioch
2 It will be very fit, O most worthy
Polycarp, to call a select council, and choose some one whom ye particularly
love, and who is patient of labour: that he may be the messenger of God; and
that going unto Syria
3 A Christian has not the power of
himself; but must be always at leisure for God's service. Now this work is both
God's and our's; when ye shall have perfected it.
4 For I trust through the grace of
God that ye are ready to every good work that is fitting for you in the Lord.
5 Knowing therefore your earnest
affection for the truth, I have exhorted you by these short letters.
6 But forasmuch as I have not been
able to write to all the churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis; (for so is the command of those to
whose pleasure I am subject;) do you write to the churches that are near you,
as being instructed in the will of God, that they also may do in like manner.
7 Let those that are able send messengers;
and let the rest send their letters by those who shall be sent by you: that you
may be glorified to all eternity, of which you are worthy.
8 I salute all by name;
particularly the wife of Epitropus with all her house and children. I salute
Attalus my well-beloved.
9 I salute him who shall be thought
worthy to be sent by you into Syria
10 I wish you all happiness in our
God, Jesus Christ; in whom continue, in the unity and protection of God.
11 I salute Alce my well- beloved.
Farewell in the Lord.
MAGNESIANS
CHAPTER I.
4 Ignatius mentions the arrival of Damas, their
bishop, and others, 6 whom he exhorts them to reverence notwithstanding he was
a young man.
IGNATIUS, who is
also called Theophorus, to the blessed church, by the grace of God the Father,
in Jesus Christ our Saviour; through whom I salute the church which is at
Magnesia, near the Maeander : and wish it all
joy in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ.
2 When I heard of your well- ordered
love and charity in God, being full of joy, I desired much to speak unto you in
the faith of Jesus Christ.
3 For having been thought worthy to
obtain a most excellent name, in the bonds which I carry about, I salute the
churches; wishing in them a union both of the body and spirit of Jesus Christ, our
eternal life: as also of faith and charity, to which nothing is preferred: but
especially of Jesus and the Father; in whom if we undergo all the injuries of
the prince of this present world, and escape, we shall enjoy God,
4 Seeing, then, I have been judged
worthy to see you, by Damas your most excellent bishop; and by your worthy
presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius; and by my fellow-servant Sotio, the deacon;
5 In whom I rejoice, forasmuch as
he is subject unto his bishop as to the grace of God; and to the presbytery as
to the law of Jesus Christ; I determined to write unto you.
6 Wherefore it will become you also
not to use your bishop too familiarly upon the account of his youth; but to
yield all reverence to him according to the power of God the Father; as also I
perceive that your holy presbyters do: not considering his age, which indeed to
appearance is young; but as becomes those who are prudent in God, submitting to
him, or rather not to him but to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
bishop of us all.
7 It will therefore behove you with
all sincerity, to obey your bishop; in honour of him whose pleasure it is that
ye should do so.
8 Because he that does not do so,
deceives not the bishop whom he sees, but affronts him that is invisible. For
whatsoever of this kind is done, it reflects not upon man, but upon God, who
knows the secrets of our hearts.
9 It is therefore fitting, that we
should not only be called christians, but be so.
10 As some call indeed their governor,
bishop; but yet do all things without him.
11 But I can never think that such
as these have a good conscience, seeing that they are not gathered together
thoroughly according to God's commandment.
CHAPTER II.
1 That as all must die, 4 he
exhorts them to live orderly and in unity.
SEEING then all
things have an end, there are these two indifferently set before us, death and
life: and everyone shall depart unto his proper place.
2 For as there are two sorts of coins,
the one of God, the other of the world, and each of these has its proper inscription
engraven upon it; so also is it here.
3 The unbelievers are of this world;
but the faithful, through charity have the character of God the Father by Jesus
Christ: by whom if we are not readily disposed to die after the likeness of his
passion, his life is not in us.
4 Forasmuch, therefore, as I have
in the persons before mentioned, seen all of you in faith and charity; I exhort
you that ye study to do all things in a divine concord:
5 Your bishop presiding in the place
of God; your presbyters in the place of the council of the Apostles; and your
deacons most dear to me, being entrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ; who
was the Father before all ages, and appeared in the end to us.
6 Wherefore taking the same holy
course, see that ye all reverence one another, and let no one look upon his
neighbour after the flesh; but do ye all mutually love each other in Jesus
Christ.
7 Let there be nothing that may be
able to make a division among you; but be ye united to your bishop, and those
who preside over you, to be your pattern and direction in the way to
immortality.
8 As therefore the Lord did nothing
without the Father, being united to him; neither by himself nor yet by his
Apostles, so neither do ye do anything without your bishop and presbyters:
9 Neither endeavour to let anything
appear rational to yourselves apart;
10 But being come together into the
same place, have one common prayer; one supplication; one mind; one hope; one
in charity, and in joy undefiled.
11 There is one Lord Jesus Christ,
than whom nothing is better. Wherefore come ye all together, as unto one temple of God
CHAPTER III.
1 He cautions them against false
opinions. 3 Especially those of Ebion and the Judaising Christians.
BE not deceived
with strange doctrines; nor with old fables which are unprofitable. For if westill
continue to live according to the Jewish law, we do confess ourselves not to
have received grace. For even the most holy prophets lived according to Christ
Jesus.
2 And for this cause were they persecuted,
being inspired by his grace to convince the unbelievers and disobedient that
there is one God who has manifested himself by Jesus Christ his Son; who is his
eternal word, not coming forth from silence; who in all things pleased him that
sent him.
3 Wherefore if they who were brought
up in these ancient laws, came nevertheless to the newness of hope; no longer observing
sabbaths, but keeping the Lord's day in which also our life is sprung up by
him, and through his death, whom yet some deny:
4 (By which mystery we have been
brought to believe and therefore wait that we maybe found the disciples of
Jesus Christ, our only master:)
5 How shall we be able to live different
from him; whose disciples the very prophets themselves being, did by the spirit
expect him as their master;
6 And therefore he whom they justly
waited for, being come, raised, them up from the dead.
7 Let us not then be insensible of
his goodness; for should he have dealt with us according to our works, we had
not now had a being.
8 Wherefore being become his disciples,
let us learn to live according to the rules of Christianity; for whosoever is called
by any other name besides this, he is not of God.
9 Lay aside therefore the old and sour,
and evil leaven; and be ye changed into the new leaven, which is Jesus Christ.
10 Be ye salted in him, lest any one
among you should be corrupted; for by your Savior ye shall be judged.
11 It is absurd to name Jesus Christ,
and to Judaize. For the christian religion did not embrace the Jewish, but the
Jewish the christian; that so every tongue that believed might be gathered together
unto God.
12 These things, my beloved, I write
unto you; not that I know of any among you that lie under this error: but as
one of the least among you, I am desirous to forewarn you, that ye fall not
into the snares of false doctrine.
13 But that ye be fully instructed in
the birth, and suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hope; which was
accomplished in the time of the government of Pontius Pilate, and that most
truly and certainly: and from which God forbid that any among you should be
turned aside.
CHAPTER IV.
1 Commends their faith and piety;
exhorts them to persevere; 10 desires their prayers for himself and the church
at Antioch
MAY I therefore
have joy of you in all things, if I shall be worthy of it. For though I am bound,
yet am I not worthy to be compared to one of you that are at liberty.
2 I know that ye are not puffed up;
for ye have Jesus Christ in your hearts.
3 And especially when I commend you,
I know that ye are ashamed, as it is written, The just man condemneth himself.
4 Study therefore to be confirmed in
the doctrine of our Lord, and of his Apostles; that so whatever ye do, ye may
prosper both in body and spirit, in faith and charity, in the Son, and in the
Father, and in the Holy Spirit; in the beginning, and in the end:
5 Together with your most worthy bishop,
and the well-wrought spiritual crown of your presbytery, and your deacons,
which are according to God.
6 Be subject to your bishop, and to
one another, as Jesus Christ was to the Father, according to the flesh; and the
Apostles, both to Christ, and to the Father; and to the Holy Ghost: that so ye
may be united both in body and spirit.
7 Knowing you to be full of God, I
have the more briefly exhorted you.
8 Be mindful of me in your prayers,
that I may attain unto God, and of the church that is in Syria
9 For I stand in need of your joint
prayers in God, and of your charity, that the church which is in Syria
10 The Ephesians from Smyrna
11 The rest of the churches in the
honour of Jesus Christ salute you.
12 Farewell, and be ye strengthened in
the concord of God; enjoying his inseparable spirit, which is Christ Jesus.
CHAPTER I.
Commends their bishop, whom they had sent unto him, warns them against division and schism.
IGNATIUS, who is
also called Theophorus, to the church of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ, which is at Philadelphia in Asia ;
which has obtained mercy, being fixed in the concord of God, and rejoicing
evermore in the passion of our Lord, and being fulfilled in all mercy through
his resurrection: Which also I salute in the blood of Jesus Christ, which is
our eternal and undefiled joy; especially if they are at unity with the bishop,
and presbyters who are with him, and the deacons appointed according to the
mind of Jesus Christ; whom he has settled according to his own will in all
firmness by his Holy Spirit:
2 Which bishop I know obtained that
great ministry among you, not of himself, neither by men, nor out of vain
glory; but by the love of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Whose moderation I admire; who by
his silence is able to do more than others with all their vain talk. For he is
fitted to the commands, as the harp to its strings.
4 Wherefore my soul esteems his
mind towards God most happy, knowing it to be fruitful in all virtue, and perfect;
full of constancy, free from passion, and according to all the moderation of
the living God.
5 Wherefore as becomes the children
both of the light and of truth; flee divisions and false doctrines; but where
your shepherd is, there do ye, as sheep, follow after.
6 For there are many wolves who
seem worthy of belief, that with a false pleasure lead captive those that run
in the course of God; but in the concord they shall find no place.
7 Abstain therefore from those evil
herbs which Jesus Christ does not dress: because such are not the plantation of
the Father. Not that I have found any division among you, but rather all manner
of purity.
8 For as many as are of God, and of
Jesus Christ, are also with their bishop. And as many as shall with repentance
return into the unity of the church, even these shall also be the servants of
God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ.
9 Be not deceived brethren; if any
one follows him that makes a schism in the church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God
10 Wherefore let it be your endeavour
to partake all of the same holy eucharist.
11 For there is but one flesh of our
Lord Jesus Christ; one cup in the unity of his blood; and one altar;
12 As also there is one bishop, together
with his presbytery, and the deacons my fellow servants that so whatsoever ye
do, ye may do it according to the will of God.
CHAPTER II.
Desires their prayers, and to be
united, but not to Judaize.
MY brethren, the
love I have towards you makes me the more large; and having a great joy in you,
I endeavour to secure you against danger; or rather not I, but Jesus Christ; in
whom being bound, I the more fear, as being yet only on the way to suffering.
2 But your prayer to God shall make
me perfect, that I may attain to that portion, which by God's mercy is allotted
to me Fleeing to the Gospel as to the flesh of Christ; and to the Apostles as to
the presbytery of the church.
3 Let us also love the prophets, forasmuch
as they have led us to the Gospel, and to hope in Christ, and to expect him.
4 In whom also believing they were
saved in the unity of Jesus Christ; being holy men, worthy to be loved, and had
in wonder;
5 Who have received testimony from
Jesus Christ, and are numbered in the Gospel of our common hope.
6 But if any one shall preach the
Jewish law unto you, hearken not unto him; for it is better to receive the
doctrine of Christ from one that has been circumcised, than Judaism from one that
has not.
7 But if either the one, or other, do
not speak concerning Christ Jesus; they seem to me to be but as monuments and
sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men.
8 Flee therefore the wicked arts and
snares of the prince of this world; lest at any time being oppressed by his
cunning, ye grow cold in your charity. But come altogether into the same place,
with an undivided heart.
9 And I bless my God that I have a
good conscience towards you, and that no one among you has whereof to boast
either openly or privately, that I have been burthensome to him in much or little.
10 And I wish to all, among whom I
have conversed, that may not turn to a witness again them.
11 For although some would have deceived
me according to the flesh, yet the spirit, being from God, is not deceived: for
it knows, both whence it comes and whither it goes, and reproves the secrets of
the heart.
12 I cried whilst I was among you; I
spake with a loud voice: attend to the bishop, and to the presbytery, and to
the deacons.
13 Now some supposed that I spake this
as foreseeing the division that should come among you.
14 But he is my witness for whose
sake I am in bonds that I know nothing from any man. But the spirit spake,
saying on this wise: Do nothing without the bishop:
15 Keep your bodies as the temples
of God: Love unity; Flee divisions; Be the followers of Christ, as he was of
his Father.
16 I therefore did as became me, as
a man composed to unity for where there is division, and wrath, God dwelleth
not.
17 But the Lord forgives all that repent,
if they return to the unity of God, and to the council of the bishop.
18 For I trust in the grace Jesus
Christ that he will free you from every bond.
19 Nevertheless I exhort you that
you do nothing out of strife but according to the instruction of Christ.
20 Because I have heard some who
say; unless I find written in the originals, I will not believe it to be
written in the Gospel. And when I said, It is written; they answered from what
lay before them in the corrupted copies.
21 But to me Jesus Christ instead of
all the uncorrupted monuments in the world; together with those undefiled monuments,
his cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which is by him; by which
I desire, through your prayers, to be justified.
22 The priests indeed are good; but
much better is the High Priest to whom the Holy of Holies has been committed;
and who alone has been intrusted with the secrets of God.
23 He is the door of the Father; by
which Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, enter in; as well as
the Apostles, and the church.
24 And all these things tend to the
unity which is of God. Howbeit the Gospel has somewhat in it far above all
other dispensations; namely, the appearance of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus
Christ, his passion and resurrection.
25 For the beloved prophets referred
to him; but the Gospel is the perfection of incorruption. All therefore
together are good, if ye believe with charity.
CHAPTER III.
Informs them he had heard that the
persecution was stopped at Antioch
NOW as
concerning the church of Antioch which is in Syria church of God
2 Blessed be that man in Jesus, Christ,
who shall be found worthy of such a ministry; and ye yourselves also shall be
glorified.
3 Now if you be willing, it is not
impossible for you to do this for the grace of God; as also the other
neighbouring churches have sent them some bishops, some priests and some
deacons.
4 As concerning Philo the deacon of
Cilicia, a most worthy man, he still ministers unto me in the word of God: together
with Rheus of Agathopolis a singular good person, who has followed me even from
Syria
5 And I myself give thanks to God
for you, that you receive them as the Lord shall receive you. But for those
that dishonoured them, may they be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ.
6 The charity of the brethren that
are at Troas salutes you: from whence also I now write by Burrhurs, who was
sent together with me by those of Ephesus and Smyrna
7 May our Lord Jesus Christ honour
them; in whom they hope, both in flesh, and soul, and spirit; in faith, in
love, in unity. Fare-well in Christ Jesus our common hope.
ROMANS
CHAPTER I.
Ignatius testifies his desire to see, and his hopes
of suffering for Christ 5 which he earnestly entreats them not to prevent, 10
but to pray for him, that God would strengthen him to the combat.
IGNATIUS, who is
also called Theophorus, to the church which has obtained mercy from the majesty
of the Most High Father, and his only begotten Son Jesus Christ; beloved, and illuminated
through the will of him who 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; and which I salute in the name of Jesus Christ, as being united both in
flesh and spirit to all his commands, and filed with the grace of God; with all
joy in Jesus Christ our God.
2 Forasmuch as I have at last obtained
through my prayers to God, permission to see your faces, which I much desired
to do; being bound in Jesus Christ, I hope ere long to salute you, if it shall
be the will of God to grant me to attain unto the end I long for.
3 For the beginning is well disposed,
if I shall but have grace, without hindrance, to receive what is appointed for
me.
4 But I fear your love, lest it do
me an injury; for it is easy for you to do what you please; but it will be hard
for me to attain unto God, if you spare me.
5 But I would not that ye should
please men, but God; whom also ye do, please. For neither shall I hereafter
have such an opportunity of going unto God; nor will you, if ye shall now be
silent, ever be entitled to a better work. For if you, shall be silent in my behalf,
I shall be made partaker of God.
6 But if you shall love my body, I
shall have my course again to run. Wherefore ye cannot do me a greater
kindness, than to suffer me to be sacrificed unto God, now that the altar is
already prepared:
7 That when ye shall be gathered together
in love, ye nay give thanks to the Father through Christ Jesus, that he has vouchsafed
to bring a bishop of Syria
8 For it is good for me to turn from
the world, unto God; that I may rise again unto him.
9 Ye have never envied any one; ye
have taught others. I would therefore that ye should now do those things
yourselves, which in your instructions you have prescribed to others.
10 Only pray for me, that God would
give me both inward and outward strength, that I may not only say, but will;
nor be only called a christian, but be found one.
11 For if I shall be found a christian,
I may then deservedly be called one; and be thought faithful, when I shall no
longer appear to the world.
12 Nothing is good, that is seen.
13 For even our God, Jesus Christ,
now that he is in the Father, does so much the more appear.
14 A christian is not a work of opinion;
but of greatness of mind, especially when he is hated by the world.
CHAPTER. II.
Expresses his great desire and determination
to suffer martyrdom.
I WRITE to the
churches, and signify to them all, that I am willing to die for God, unless you
hinder me.
2 I beseech you that you show not
an unseasonable good will towards me. Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts,
by whom I shall attain unto God.
3 For I am the wheat of God, and I
shall be ground by the teeth of the wild-beasts, that I may be found the pure
bread of Christ. Rather encourage the beasts, that they may became my
sepulchre, and may let live nothing of my body; that being dead I may not be
troublesome to any.
5 Then shall I be truly the disciple
of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Pray
therefore unto Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be made the sacrifice
of God.
6 I do not, as Peter and Paul, command
you. They were Apostles, I a condemned man; they were free, but I am even to
this day a servant:
7 But if I shall suffer, I shall then
become the freeman of Jesus Christ, and shall rise free. And now, being in
bonds, I learn not to desire any thing.
8 From Syria
even unto Rome
9 But I am the more instructed by
their injuries; yet am I not therefore justified.
10 May I enjoy the wild beasts that are
prepared for me; which also I wish may exercise all their fierceness upon me.
11 And whom for that end I will encourage,
that they may be sure to devour me, and not serve me as they have done some,
whom out of fear they have not touched. But if they will not do it willingly, I
will provoke them to it.
12 Pardon me in this matter; I know
what is profitable for me, now I begin to be a disciple. Not shall any thing
move me whether visible or invisible, that I may attain to Jesus Christ.
13 Let fire and the cross; let the
companies of wild beasts; let breakings of bones, and tearing of members; let
the shattering in pieces of the whole body, and all the wicked torments of the
devil come upon me; only let me enjoy Jesus Christ.
14 All the ends of the world, and
the kingdoms of it, will profit me nothing: I would rather die for Jesus
Christ, than rule to the utmost ends of the earth. Him I seek who died for us;
him I desire who rose again for us. This is the gain that is laid up for me.
15 Pardon me, my brethren, ye shall
not hinder me from living; nor seeing I desire to go to God, may you separate
me from him, for the sake of this world;—nor induce me by any of the desires of
it. Suffer me to enter into pure light, where being come, I shall be indeed the
servant of God.
16 Permit me to imitate the passion
of my God. If any one has God within himself, let him consider what I desire;
and let him have compassion on me, as knowing how I am straightened.
CHAPTER III.
Further expresses his desire to suffer.
THE prince of
this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my resolution towards my God. Let
none of you therefore help him; rather do ye join with me, that is, with God.
2 Do not speak with Jesus Christ,
and yet covet the world. Let not any envy dwell with you; no, not though I
myself, when I shall be come unto you, should exhort you to it, yet do not ye hearken
to me; but rather believe what I now write to you.
3 For though I am alive at the writing
of this, yet my desire is to die. My love is crucified; and the fire that is
within me does not desire any water; but being alive and springing within me, says,
Come to the Father.
4 I take no pleasure in the food of
corruption, nor in the pleasures of this life.
5 I desire the bread of God which
is the flesh of Jesus Christ, of the seed of David; and the drink that I long
for is his blood, which is incorruptible love.
6 I have no desire to live any longer
after the manner of men; neither shall I, if you consent. Be ye therefore
willing, that ye yourselves also maybe pleasing to God. I exhort you in a few
words; I pray you believe me.
7 Jesus Christ will shew you that I
speak truly. My mouth is without deceit, and the Father hath truly spoken by
it. Pray therefore for me, that I may accomplish what I desire.
8 I have not written to you after the
flesh, but according to the will of God. If I shall suffer, ye have loved me:
but if I shall be rejected, ye have hated me.
9 Remember in your prayers the church of Syria
10 But I am even ashamed to be reckoned
as one of them; for neither am I worthy, being the least among them, and as one
born out of due season. But through mercy I have risen to be somebody, if I
shall get unto God.
11 My spirit salutes you; and the
charity of the churches that have received me in the name of Jesus Christ; not
as a passenger, for even they that were not near to me in the way, have gone
before me to the next city to meet me.
12 These things I write to you from Smyrna , by the most worthy of the church of Ephesus
13 There is now with me, together with
many others, Crocus, most beloved of me. As for those which are come from Syria , and are gone before me to Rome
14 Ye shall therefore signify to them
that I draw near, for they, are all worthy both of God and of you: Whom it is
fit that you refresh in all things.
15 This have I written to you, the
day before the ninth of the, calends of September. Be strong unto the end, in
the patience of Jesus Christ.
SMYRNEANS
CHAPTER I.
1 Declares his joy for their firmness
in the Gospel. 4 Enlarges on the person of Christ, against such as pretend that
Christ did not suffer.
IGNATIUS, who is
also called Theohorus, to the church of God the Father, and of the beloved Jesus
Christ, which God hath mercifully blessed with every good gift; being filled
with faith and charity, so that it is wanting in no gift; most worthy of God, and
fruitful in saints; the church which is at Smyrna
in Asia ; all through his immaculate spirit, through
word of God.
2 I glorify God, even Jesus Christ,
who has given you such wisdom.
3 For I have observed that you are
settled in an immoveable faith, as if you were nailed to the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, both in the flesh and in the spirit; and are confirmed in love
through the blood of Christ; being fully persuaded of those things which relate
unto our Lord.
4 Who truly was of the race of David
according to the flesh, but the Son of God according to the will and power of
God; truly born of the Virgin, and baptised of John; that so all righteousness
might be fulfilled by him.
5 He was also truly crucified by
Pontius Pilate, and Herod the Tetrarch, being nailed for us in the flesh; by
the fruits of which we are, even by his most blessed Passion;
6 That he might set up a token for
all ages through his resurrection, to all his holy and faithful servants, whether
they be Jews or Gentiles, in one body of his church.
7 Now all these things he suffered for
us that we might be saved; and he suffered truly, as he also truly raised up himself;
and not, as some unbelievers say, that he only seemed to suffer; they
themselves 'only seeming to be.'
8 And as they believe so shall it happen
unto them, when being divested of the body they shall become mere spirits.
9 But I know that even after his resurrection
he was in the flesh; and I believe that he is still so.
10 And when he came to those who
were with Peter, he said unto them, Take, handle me, and see that I am not an
incorporeal daemon. And straightway they felt and believed; being convinced both
by his flesh and spirit.
11 For this cause they despised death,
and were bound to be above it.
12 But after his resurrection he did
eat and drink with them, as he was flesh; although as to his Spirit he was
united to the Father.
CHAPTER II.
1 Exhorts them against heretics. 8
The danger of their doctrine.
NOW these
things, beloved, I put you in mind of, not questioning but that you yourselves
also believe that they are so.
2 But I arm you before-hand against
certain beasts in the shape of men, whom you must not only not receive, but if
it be possible must not meet with.
3 Only you must pray for them, that
if it be the will of God they may repent; which yet will be very hard. But of
this our Lord Jesus Christ has the power, who is our true life.
4 For if all these things were done
only in show by our Lord, then do I also seem only to be bound:
5 And why have I given up myself to
death, to the fire, to the sword, to wild beasts?
6 But now the nearer I am to the
sword, the nearer I am to God: when I shall come among the wild beasts, I shall
come to God.
7 Only in the name of Jesus Christ,
I undergo all, to suffer together with him; he who was made a perfect man
strengthening, me.
8 Whom some not knowing, do deny;
or rather have been denied by him, being the advocates of death, rather than of
the truth. Whom neither the prophecies, nor the law of Moses have persuaded; nor
the Gospel itself, even to this day; nor the sufferings of every one of us.
9 For they think also the same things
of us. For what does a man profit me, if he shall praise me, and blaspheme my
Lord; not confessing that he was truly made man?
10 Now he that doth not say this,
does in effect deny him, and is in death. But for the names of such as do this,
they being unbelievers, I thought it not fitting to write them unto you.
11 Yea, God forbid that I should make
any mention of them, till they shall repent to a true belief of Christ's
passion, which is our resurrection.
12 Let no man deceive himself; both
the things which are in heaven, and the glorious angels, and princes, whether
visible or invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ, it shall be
to them, unto condemnation.
13 He that is able to receive this,
let him receive it. Let no man's place or state in the world puff him up: that
which is worth all his faith and charity, to it nothing is to be preferred.
14 But consider those who are of a
different opinion from us, as to what concerns the grace of Jesus Christ which
is come unto us, how contrary they are to the design of God.
15 They have no regard to charity, no
care of the widow, the fatherless, and the oppressed; of the bond or free, of
the hungry or thirsty.
16 They abstain from the eucharist, and
from the public offices; because they confess not the eucharist to be the flesh
of our Saviour Jesus Christ which suffered for our sins, and which the Father
of his goodness raised again from the dead.
17 And for this cause contradicting the
gift of God, they die in their disputes; but much better would it be for them
to receive it, that they might one day rise through it.
18 It will therefore become you. to
abstain from such persons, and not to speak with them, neither in public nor in
private.
19 But to hearken to the prophets, and
especially to the Gospel, in which both Christ's passion is manifested unto us,
and his resurrection perfectly declared.
20 But flee all divisions, as the beginning
of evils.
CHAPTER III.
1 Exhorts them to follow their bishop
and pastors; but especially their bishop. 6 Thanks them for their kindness, 11
and acquaints them with the ceasing of the persecution at Antioch
SEE that ye all
follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ, the Father; and the presbytery, as the
Apostles; and reverence the deacons, as the command of God.
2 Let no man do any thing of what
belongs to the church separately from the bishop.
3 Let that eucharist be looked upon
as well established, which is either offered by the bishop, or by him to whom
the bishop has given. his consent.
4 Wheresoever the bishop shall appear,
there let the people also be: as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic
church.
5 It is not lawful without the bishop;
neither to baptize, nor to celebrate the Holy Communion but whatsoever he shall
approve of, that is also pleasing unto God; that so whatever is done, may be sure
and well done.
6 For what remains, it is very reasonable
that we should repent whilst there is yet time to return unto God.
7 It is a good thin to have a due regard
both to God, and to the bishop: he that honours the bishop, shall be honoured
of God; but he that does any thing without his knowledge, ministers unto the devil.
8 Let all things therefore abound to
you in charity; seeing that ye are worthy.
9 Ye have refreshed me in all things;
so shall Jesus Christ you. Ye have loved me both when I was present with you,
and now being absent, ye cease not to do so.
10 May God be your reward, for whom
whilst ye undergo all things, ye shall attain unto him.
11 Ye have done well in that ye have
received Philo, and Rheus Agathopus, who followed me for the word of God, as
the deacons of Christ our God.
12 Who also gave thanks unto the
Lord for you, forasmuch as ye have refreshed them in all things. Nor shall any
thing that you have done be lost to you.
13 My soul be for yours, and my
bonds which ye have not despised, nor been ashamed of. Wherefore neither shall.
Jesus Christ, our perfect faith, be ashamed of you.
14 Your prayer is come to the church of Antioch ,
which is in Syria
15 Nevertheless by the will of God I
have been thought worthy of this honour; not for that I think I have deserved
it, but by the grace of God;
16 Which I wish may be perfectly given
unto me, that through your prayers I may attain unto God.
17 And therefore, that your work may
be fully accomplished, both upon earth and in heaven; it will be fitting, and
for the honour of God, that your church appoint some worthy deldgate, who being
come as far as Syria
18 Wherefore I should think it a
worthy action, to send some one from you with an epistle, to congratulate with
them their peace in God; and that through your prayers, they have now gotten to
their harbour.
19 For inasmuch as ye are perfect yourselves,
you ought to think those things that are perfect. For when you are desirous to
do well, God is ready to enable you there. unto.
20 The love of the brethren that are
at Troas salute you; from whence I write to
you by Burrhus whom ye sent with me, together with the Ephesians, your
brethren; and who has in all Things refreshed me.
21 And I would to God that all would
imitate him, as being a pattern of the ministry of God. May his grace fully
reward him.
22 I salute your very worthy bishop,
and your venerable presbytery; and your deacons, my fellow-servants; and all of
you in general, and every one in particular, in the name of Jesus Christ, and
in his flesh and blood; in his passion and resurrection both fleshly and spiritually;
and in the unity of God with you.
23 Grace be with you, and mercy, and
peace, and patience, for evermore.
24 I salute the families of my brethren,
with their wives and children; and the virgins that are called widows. Be
strong in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, who is present with me salutes you.
25 I salute the house of Tavias, and
pray that it may be strengthened in faith and charity, both of flesh and
spirit.
26 I salute Alce my well-beloved, together
with the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, and all by name.
27 Farewell in the grace of God.
TRALLIANS
CHAPTER I.
1 Acknowledges the coming of their bishop. 5
Commends them for their subjection to their bishop, priests, and deacons; and
exhorts them to continue in it: 15 is afraid even of his over-great desire to
suffer, lest it should be prejudicial to him.
IGNATTUS, 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, having peace through the flesh and blood, and passion of
Jesus Christ our hope; in the resurrection which is by him: which also I salute
in its fullness, continuing in the apostolical character, wishing all joy and
happiness unto it.
2 I have heard of your blameless and
constant disposition through patience, which not only appears in your outward
conversation, but is naturally rooted and grounded in you.
3 In like manner as Polybius your
bishop has declared unto me, who came to me to Smyrna
4 Having therefore received testimony
of your good will towards me for God's sake, by him; I seemed to find you, as
also I knew that ye were the followers of God.
5 For whereas ye are subject to your
bishop as to Jesus Christ, ye appear to one to live not after the manner of
men, but according to Jesus Christ who died for us, that so believing in his
death, ye might escape death.
6 It is therefore necessary, that as
ye do, so without your bishop you should do nothing: also be ye subject to your
presbyters, as to the Apostles of Jesus Christ our hope; in whom if we walk, we
shall be found in him.
7 The deacons also, as being the
ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, must by all means please ye. For
they are not the ministers of meat and drink, but of the church of God
8 In like manner let us reverence the
deacons as Jesus Christ; and the bishop as the Father; and the presbyters as
the Sanctuary of God, and college of the Apostles.
9 Without these there is no church;
concerning all which, I am persuaded that ye think after the very same manner;
for I have received, and even now have with me, the pattern of your love, in your
bishop.
10 Whose very look is instructive; and
whose mildness powerful: whom I am persuaded, the very Atheists themselves
cannot but reverence.
11 But because I have a love towards
you, I will not write any more sharply unto you about this matter, though I
very well might but now I have done so, lest being a condemned man, I should
seem to prescribe to you as an Apostle.
12 I have great knowledge in God;
but I refrain myself, lest I should perish in my boasting.
13 For now I ought the more to fear,
and not to hearken to those that would puff me up.
14 For they that speak to me, in my
praise, chasten me.
15 For I indeed desire to suffer, but
I cannot tell whether I am worthy so to do.
16 And this desire, though to others
it does not appear, yet to myself it is for that very reason the more violent.
I have, therefore, need of moderation; by which the prince of this world is
destroyed.
17 Am I not able to write to you of
heavenly things?—But I fear lest I should harm you, who are yet but babes in
Christ; (excuse me this care;) and lest perchance being not able to receive
them, ye should be choken with them.
18 For even I myself, although I am
in bonds, yet am not therefore able to understand heavenly things;
19 As the assembly of angels, and
the several companies of them, under their respective princes; things visible
and invisible: but in these I am yet a learner.
20 For many things are wanting to us,
that we come not short of God.
CHAPTER II.
1 Warns them against heretics, 4 exhorts
them to humility and unity, 10 and briefly sets before them the true doctrine
concerning Christ.
EXHORT you
therefore, or rather not I, but the love of Jesus Christ; that ye use none but christian
nourishment; abstaining from pasture which is of another kind, I mean heresy.
2 For they that are heretics, confound
together the doctrine of Jesus Christ, with their own poison: whilst they seem
worthy of belief:
3 As men give a deadly potion mixed
with sweet wine; which he who drinks of, does with the treacherous pleasure
sweetly drink in his own death.
4 Wherefore guard yourself against
such persons; and that you will do, if you are not puffed up; but continue
inseparable from Jesus Christ our God, and from your bishop, and from the commands
of the Apostles.
5 He that is within the altar, is
pure; but he that is without, namely, does anything without the bishop, the
presbyters, and deacons, is not pure in his conscience.
6 Not that I know there is any thing
of this nature among you; but I fore-arm you, as being greatly beloved by me,
foreseeing the snares of the devil.
7 Wherefore putting on meekness, renew
yourselves in faith, which is the flesh of the Lord; and in charity, which is
the blood of Jesus Christ.
8 Let no man have any grudge against
his neighbour. Give no occasion to the Gentiles; lest by means of a few foolish
men, the whole congregation of God be evil spoken of.
9 For woe to that man through whose
vanity my name is blasphemed by any.
10 Stop your ears therefore, as often
as any one shall speak contrary to Jesus Christ, who was of the race of David;
by the Virgin Mary.
11 Who was truly born, and did eat
and drink; was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; was truly crucified and
dead; both those in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, being spectators of
it:
12 Who, was also truly raised from
the dead by his Father, after the same manner as HE will also raise up us who
believe in him by Christ Jesus; without whom we have no true life.
13 But if, as some who are Atheists,
that is to say infidels, pretend, that he seemed to suffer, (they themselves
only seeming to exist) why then am I bound?— Why do I desire to fight with beasts?—Therefore
do I die in vain: therefore I will not speak falsely against the Lord.
14 Flee therefore these evil sprouts
which bring forth deadly fruit; of which if any one taste, he shall presently
die.
15 For these are not the plants of
the Father; seeing if they were, they would appear to be the branches of the
cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible; by which he invites you through
his passion, who are members of him.
16 For the head cannot be without its
members, God having promised a union with himself.
CHAPTER III.
He again exhorts to unity, and desires
their prayers for himself, and for his church at Antioch
I SALUTE you
from Smyrna
2 My bonds, which I carry about me
for the sake of Christ, (beseeching him that I may attain unto God) exhort you
that you continue in concord among yourselves, and in prayer with one another.
3 For it becomes everyone of you,
especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father
of Jesus Christ, and of the Apostles.
4 I beseech you, that you hearken to
me in love; that I may not by those things which I write, rise up in witness
against you.
5 Pray also for me; who, through
the mercy of God, stand in need of your prayers, that I may be worthy of the
portion which I am about to obtain, and that I be not found a reprobate.
6 The love of those who are at Smyrna and Ephesus church of Syria
7 Fare ye well in Jesus Christ; being
subject to your bishop as to the command of God; and so like. wise to the presbytery.
8 Love every one his brother with
an unfeigned heart. My soul be your expiation, not only now, but when I shall
have attained unto God; for I am yet under danger.
9 But the Father is faithful in Jesus
Christ, to fulfil both mine and your petition; in whom may ye be found unblamable.
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