Part 15
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,[934] and who in all things pleased Him that sent Him.
LONGER.
Be not deceived with strange doctrines, “nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies,”[935] and things in which the Jews make their boast. “Old things are passed away: behold, all things have become new.”[936] 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.[937]
CHAP. IX.—_Let us live with Christ._
SHORTER.
If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things[938] have come to the possession of a new[939] hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance[940] 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,[941] 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.[942]
LONGER.
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;”[943] and again, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad; for before Abraham was, I am;”[944] 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.”[945] 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.”[946] For say the [holy] oracles, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread.”[947] 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.[948] 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,”[949] 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,”[950] who are “lovers of pleasure, and not lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”[951] 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[952] insatiably; from whom may ye be delivered by the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ!
CHAP. X.—_Beware of Judaizing._
SHORTER.
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.[953] 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[954] Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. For Christianity did not embrace[955] Judaism, but Judaism Christianity, that so every tongue which believeth might be gathered together to God.
LONGER.
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?”[956] 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.”[957] This was first fulfilled in Syria; for “the disciples were called Christians at Antioch,”[958] when Paul and Peter were laying the foundations of the church. Lay aside, therefore, the evil, the old, the corrupt leaven,[959] and be ye changed into the new leaven of grace. Abide in Christ, that the stranger[960] 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;[961] and in his seed all those have been blessed[962] who were ordained to eternal life[963] in Christ.
CHAP. XI.—_I write these things to warn you._
SHORTER.
These things [I address to you], my beloved, not that I know any of you to be in such a state;[964] 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,[965] from which may no one of you ever be turned aside.
LONGER.
These things [I address to you], my beloved, not that I know any of you to be in such a state;[966] 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.[967] 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[968] ever be turned aside!
CHAP. XII.—_Ye are superior to me._
SHORTER.
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[969] of spirit; as it is written, “The righteous man is his own accuser.”[970]
LONGER.
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[971] of spirit; as it is written, “The righteous man is his own accuser;”[972] and again, “Declare thou first thine iniquities, that thou mayest be justified;”[973] and again, “When ye shall have done all things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants;”[974] “for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”[975] For says [the Scripture], “God be merciful to me a sinner.”[976] Therefore those great ones, Abraham and Job,[977] styled themselves “dust and ashes”[978] before God. And David says, “Who am I before Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast glorified me hitherto?”[979] And Moses, who was “the meekest of all men,”[980] saith to God, “I am of a feeble voice, and of a slow tongue.”[981] 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.”[982]
CHAP. XIII.—_Be established in faith and unity._
SHORTER.
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.
LONGER.
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[983] 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.
CHAP. XIV.—_Your prayers requested._
SHORTER.
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[984] by your church.
LONGER.
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[985] in Christ.
CHAP. XV.—_Salutations._
SHORTER.
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.
LONGER.
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.
Footnote 890:
Literally, “according to God.”
Footnote 891:
Literally, “of the most God-becoming name,” referring either to the appellation “Theophorus,” or to that of “martyr” or “confessor.”
Footnote 892:
Literally, “according to God.”
Footnote 893:
1 Tim. iv. 10.
Footnote 894:
Comp. Gal. iv. 9.
Footnote 895:
1 Cor. x. 13.
Footnote 896:
The apodosis is here wanting in the original, but must evidently be supplied in some such way as above.
Footnote 897:
Literally, “worthy of God.”
Footnote 898:
Literally, “worthy of God.”
Footnote 899:
Literally, “whom may I enjoy.”
Footnote 900:
The apodosis is here wanting in the original, but must evidently be supplied in some such way as above.
Footnote 901:
Literally, “to use the age of your bishop.”
Footnote 902:
Literally, “according to.”
Footnote 903:
Literally, “youthful condition.”
Footnote 904:
Literally, “to flesh.”
Footnote 905:
Job xxxii. 8, 9.
Footnote 906:
Dan. xiii. (Apoc.).
Footnote 907:
1 Sam. iii. 1.
Footnote 908:
Jer. i. 7.
Footnote 909:
1 Kings iii. 16.
Footnote 910:
2 Kings xxii. xxiii.
Footnote 911:
Dan. xiii. 52 (Apoc.).
Footnote 912:
1 Tim. iv. 12.
Footnote 913:
1 Sam. viii. 7.
Footnote 914:
Ex. xvi. 8.
Footnote 915:
Num. xvi. 1.
Footnote 916:
Num. xvi. 31.
Footnote 917:
2 Sam. xviii. 14.
Footnote 918:
Sheba is referred to under this name: see 2 Sam. xx. 22.
Footnote 919:
2 Chron. xxvi. 20.
Footnote 920:
1 Sam. xiii. 11.
Footnote 921:
Luke vi. 46.
Footnote 922:
The apodosis is wanting in the original, and some prefer finding it in the following sentence.
Footnote 923:
Or, “after the likeness of His passion.”
Footnote 924:
Or, “after the likeness of His passion.”
Footnote 925:
Literally, “in harmony of God.”
Footnote 926:
Literally, “before the ages.”
Footnote 927:
Literally, “receiving the like manners of God.”
Footnote 928:
The meaning is here doubtful.
Footnote 929:
Literally, “in harmony of God.”
Footnote 930:
Literally, “before the ages.”
Footnote 931:
Dan. ii. 44, vii. 14, 27.
Footnote 932:
John v. 30.
Footnote 933:
Or, “contrary to his judgment.”
Footnote 934:
Some have argued that the Gnostic Σιγή, _silence_, is here referred to, and have consequently inferred that this epistle could not have been written by Ignatius.
Footnote 935:
1 Tim. i. 4.
Footnote 936:
2 Cor. v. 17.
Footnote 937:
Some read ὑποστήσαντι, “that gave Him His _hypostasis_, or substance.”
Footnote 938:
Literally, “in old things.”
Footnote 939:
Or, “newness of.”
Footnote 940:
Or, “according to.”
Footnote 941:
Literally, “we have received to believe.”
Footnote 942:
Comp. Matt. xxvii. 52.
Footnote 943:
John v. 46.
Footnote 944:
John viii. 56, 58.
Footnote 945:
Isa. xxxv. 4.
Footnote 946:
2 Thess. iii. 10.
Footnote 947:
Gen. iii. 19.
Footnote 948:
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.
Footnote 949:
Ps. vi. xii. (inscrip.).
Footnote 950:
Phil. iii. 18, 19.
Footnote 951:
Tim. iii. 4.
Footnote 952:
Literally, “whirlpools of wealth.”
Footnote 953:
Literally, “according to Christianity.”
Footnote 954:
Some read, “to name.”
Footnote 955:
Literally, “believe into,” merge into.
Footnote 956:
Ps. cxxx. 3.
Footnote 957:
Isa. lxii. 2, 12.
Footnote 958:
Acts xi. 26.
Footnote 959:
1 Cor. v. 7.
Footnote 960:
Or, “enemy.”
Footnote 961:
Matt. iii. 9; Isa. xli. 8; James ii. 23. Some read, “children of God, friends of Abraham.”
Footnote 962:
Gen. xxviii. 14.
Footnote 963:
Acts xiii. 48.
Footnote 964:
_i.e._ addicted to the error of Judaizing.
Footnote 965:
1 Tim. i. 1.
Footnote 966:
_i.e._ addicted to the error of Judaizing.
Footnote 967:
2 Tim. iv. 1; Rom. ii. 6.
Footnote 968:
Some read, “of you.”
Footnote 969:
Literally, “are reverent.”
Footnote 970:
Prov. xviii. 17 (LXX.).
Footnote 971:
Literally, “are reverent.”
Footnote 972:
Prov. xviii. 17 (LXX.).
Footnote 973:
Isa. xliii. 26.
Footnote 974:
Luke xvii. 10.
Footnote 975:
Luke xvi. 15.
Footnote 976:
Luke xviii. 13.
Footnote 977:
Some read, “Jacob.”
Footnote 978:
Gen. xviii. 27; Job xxx. 19.
Footnote 979:
1 Chron. xvii. 16.
Footnote 980:
Num. xii. 3.
Footnote 981:
Ex. iv. 10.
Footnote 982:
Luke xiv. 11.
Footnote 983:
Literally, “well-woven.”
Footnote 984:
Literally, “of being sprinkled with dew.”
Footnote 985:
Literally, “of being fed as by a shepherd.”
THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE TRALLIANS.
SHORTER.
_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,[986] which also I salute in its fulness,[987] and in the apostolical character,[988] and wish abundance of happiness._
LONGER.
_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,[989] and in the apostolical character,[990] and wish abundance of happiness._
CHAP. I.—_Acknowledgment of their excellence._
SHORTER.
I know that ye possess an unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only in present practice,[991] 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.
LONGER.
I know that ye possess an unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only for present use,[992] 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.
CHAP. II.—_Be subject to the bishop, etc._
SHORTER.
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.[993] 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.
LONGER.
Be ye subject to the bishop as to the Lord, for “he watches for your souls, as one that shall give account to God.”[994] 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.
CHAP. III.—_Honour the deacons, etc._
SHORTER.
In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment[995] 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.[996] Concerning all this, I am persuaded that ye are of the same opinion. For I have received the manifestation[997] of your love, and still have it with me, in your bishop, whose very appearance is highly instructive,[998] and his meekness of itself a power; whom I imagine even the ungodly must reverence, seeing they are[999] 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[1000] man, I should issue commands to you as if I were an apostle?
LONGER.
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[1001] 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[1002] 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.
CHAP. IV.—_I have need of humility._
SHORTER.