Part 20
I give you these instructions, beloved, assured that ye also hold the same opinions [as I do]. But I guard you beforehand from those beasts in the shape of men, whom you must not only not receive, but, if it be possible, not even meet with; only you must pray to God for them, if by any means they may be brought to repentance, which, however, will be very difficult. Yet Jesus Christ, who is our true life, has the power of [effecting] this. But if these things were done by our Lord only in appearance, then am I also only in appearance bound. And why have I also surrendered myself to death, to fire, to the sword, to the wild beasts? But, [in fact,] he who is near to the sword is near to God; he that is among the wild beasts is in company with God; provided only he be so in the name of Jesus Christ. I undergo all things that I may suffer together with Him,[1257] He who became a perfect man inwardly strengthening me.[1258]
LONGER.
I give you these instructions, beloved, assured that ye also hold the same opinions [as I do]. But I guard you beforehand from these beasts in the shape of men, from whom you must not only turn away, but even flee from them. Only you must pray for them, if by any means they may be brought to repentance. For if the Lord were in the body in appearance only, and were crucified in appearance only, then am I also bound in appearance only. And why have I also surrendered myself to death, to fire, to the sword, to the wild beasts? But, [in fact,] I endure all things for Christ, not in appearance only, but in reality, that I may suffer together with Him, while He himself inwardly strengthens me; for of myself I have no such ability.
CHAP. V.—_Their dangerous errors._
SHORTER.
Some ignorantly[1259] deny Him, or rather have been denied by Him, being the advocates of death rather than of the truth. These persons neither have the prophets persuaded, nor the law of Moses, nor the gospel even to this day, nor the sufferings we have individually endured. For they think also the same thing regarding us.[1260] For what does any one profit me, if he commends me, but blasphemes my Lord, not confessing that He was [truly] possessed of a body?[1261] But he who does not acknowledge this, has in fact altogether denied Him, being enveloped in death.[1262] I have not, however, thought good to write the names of such persons, inasmuch as they are unbelievers. Yea, far be it from me to make any mention of them, until they repent and return to [a true belief in] Christ’s passion, which is our resurrection.
LONGER.
Some have ignorantly denied Him, and advocate falsehood rather than the truth. These persons neither have the prophecies persuaded, nor the law of Moses, nor the gospel even to this day, nor the sufferings we have individually endured. For they think also the same thing regarding us. For what does it profit, if any one commends me, but blasphemes my Lord, not owning Him to be God incarnate?[1263] He that does not confess this, has in fact altogether denied Him, being enveloped in death. I have not, however, thought good to write the names of such persons, inasmuch as they are unbelievers; and far be it from me to make any mention of them, until they repent.
CHAP. VI.—_Unbelievers in the blood of Christ shall be condemned._
SHORTER.
Let no man deceive himself. Both things which are in heaven, and the glorious angels,[1264] and rulers, both visible and invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ, shall, in consequence, incur condemnation.[1265] “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”[1266] Let not [high] place puff any one up: for that which is worth all is[1267] faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred. But consider those who are of a different opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come unto us, how opposed they are to the will of God. They have no regard for love; no care for the widow, or the orphan, or the oppressed; of the bond, or of the free; of the hungry, or of the thirsty.
LONGER.
Let no man deceive himself. Unless he believes that Christ Jesus has lived in the flesh, and shall confess His cross and passion, and the blood which He shed for the salvation of the world, he shall not obtain eternal life, whether he be a king, or a priest, or a ruler, or a private person, a master or a servant, a man or a woman. “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”[1268] Let no man’s place, or dignity, or riches, puff him up; and let no man’s low condition or poverty abase him. For the chief points are faith towards God, hope towards Christ, the enjoyment of those good things for which we look, and love towards God and our neighbour. For, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself.”[1269] And the Lord says, “This is life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.”[1270] And again, “A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”[1271] Do ye, therefore, notice those who preach other doctrines, how they affirm that the Father of Christ cannot be known, and how they exhibit enmity and deceit in their dealings with one another. They have no regard for love; they despise the good things we expect hereafter; they regard present things as if they were durable; they ridicule him that is in affliction; they laugh at him that is in bonds.
CHAP. VII.—_Let us stand aloof from such heretics._
SHORTER.
They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer,[1272] 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 up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death[1273] in the midst of their disputes. But it were better for them to treat it with respect,[1274] that they also might rise again. It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and not to speak of[1275] them either in private or in public, but to give heed to the prophets, and above all, to the gospel, in which the passion [of Christ] has been revealed to us, and the resurrection has been fully proved.[1276] But avoid all divisions, as the beginning of evils.
LONGER.
They are ashamed of the cross; they mock at the passion; they make a jest of the resurrection. They are the offspring of that spirit who is the author of all evil, who led Adam,[1277] by means of his wife, to transgress the commandment, who slew Abel by the hands of Cain, who fought against Job, who was the accuser of Joshua[1278] the son of Josedech, who sought to “sift the faith”[1279] of the apostles, who stirred up the multitude of the Jews against the Lord, who also now “worketh in the children of disobedience;”[1280] from whom the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver us, who prayed that the faith of the apostles might not fail,[1281] not because He was not able of Himself to preserve it, but because He rejoiced in the pre-eminence of the Father. It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and neither in private nor in public to talk with[1282] them; but to give heed to the law, and the prophets, and to those who have preached to you the word of salvation. But flee from all abominable heresies, and those that cause schisms, as the beginning of evils.
CHAP. VIII.—_Let nothing be done without the bishop._
SHORTER.
See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution[1283] of God. Let no man do anything connected with the church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper[1284] Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid.[1285]
LONGER.
See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper[1286] Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord’s might, and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast.[1287] But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do may be secure and valid.
CHAP. IX.—_Honour the bishop._
SHORTER.
Moreover,[1288] it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of conduct], and, while yet we have opportunity, exercise repentance towards God. It is well to reverence[1289] both God and the bishop. He who honours the bishop has been honoured by God; he who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop, does [in reality] serve the devil. Let all things, then, abound to you through grace, for ye are worthy. Ye have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ [shall refresh] you. Ye have loved me when absent as well as when present. May God recompense you, for whose sake, while ye endure all things, ye shall attain unto Him.
LONGER.
Moreover, it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of conduct], and, while yet we have opportunity, exercise repentance towards God. For “in Hades there is no one who can confess his sins.”[1290] For “behold the man, and his work is before him.”[1291] And [the Scripture saith], “My son, honour thou God and the king.”[1292] And say I, Honour thou God indeed, as the Author and Lord of all things, but the bishop as the high priest, who bears the image of God—of God, inasmuch as he is a ruler, and of Christ, in his capacity of a priest. After Him, we must also honour the king. For there is no one superior to God, or even like to Him, among all the beings that exist. Nor is there any one in the church greater than the bishop, who ministers as a priest to God for the salvation of the whole world. Nor, again, is there any one among rulers to be compared with the king, who secures peace and good order to those over whom he rules. He who honours the bishop shall be honoured by God, even as he that dishonours him shall be punished by God. For if he that rises up against kings is justly held worthy of punishment, inasmuch as he dissolves public order, of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy,[1293] who presumes to do anything without the bishop, thus both destroying the [church’s] unity, and throwing its order into confusion? For the priesthood is the very highest point of all good things among men, against which whosoever is mad enough to strive, dishonours not man, but God, and Christ Jesus, the First-born, and the only High Priest, by nature, of the Father. Let all things therefore be done by you with good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the presbyters; the presbyters to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, even as He is to the Father. As ye, brethren, have refreshed me, so will Jesus Christ refresh you. Ye have loved me when absent, as well as when present. God will recompense you, for whose sake ye have shown such kindness towards His prisoner. For even if I am not worthy of it, yet your zeal [to help me] is an admirable[1294] thing. For “he who honours a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.”[1295] It is manifest also, that he who honours a prisoner of Jesus Christ shall receive the reward of the martyrs.
CHAP. X.—_Acknowledgment of their kindness._
SHORTER.
Ye have done well in receiving Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants[1296] of Christ our God, who have followed me for the sake of God, and who give thanks to the Lord in your behalf, because ye have in every way refreshed them. None of these things shall be lost to you. May my spirit be for you,[1297] and my bonds, which ye have not despised or been ashamed of; nor shall Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.
LONGER.
Ye have done well in receiving Philo, and Gaius, and Agathopus, who, being the servants[1298] of Christ, have followed me for the sake of God, and who greatly bless the Lord in your behalf, because ye have in every way refreshed them. None of those things which ye have done to them shall be passed by without being reckoned unto you. “The Lord grant” to you “that ye may find mercy of the Lord in that day!”[1299] May my spirit be for you,[1300] and my bonds, which ye have not despised or been ashamed of. Wherefore, neither shall Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.
CHAP. XI.—_Request to them to send a messenger to Antioch._
SHORTER.
Your prayer has reached to the church which is at Antioch in Syria. Coming from that place bound with chains, most acceptable to God,[1301] I salute all; I who am not worthy to be styled from thence, inasmuch as I am the least of them. Nevertheless, according to the will of God, I have been thought worthy [of this honour], not that I have any sense[1302] [of having deserved it], but by the grace of God, which I wish may be perfectly given to me, that through your prayers I may attain to God. In order, therefore, that your work may be complete both on earth and in heaven, it is fitting that, for the honour of God, your church should elect some worthy delegate;[1303] so that he, journeying into Syria, may congratulate them that they are [now] at peace, and are restored to[1304] their proper greatness, and that their proper constitution[1305] has been re-established among them. It seems then to me a becoming thing, that you should send some one of your number with an epistle, so that, in company with them, he may rejoice[1306] over the tranquillity which, according to the will of God, they have obtained, and because that, through your prayers, they have now reached the harbour. As persons who are perfect, ye should also aim at[1307] those things which are perfect. For when ye are desirous to do well, God is also ready to assist you.
LONGER.
Your prayers have reached to the church of Antioch, and it is at peace. Coming from that place bound, I salute all; I who am not worthy to be styled from thence, inasmuch as I am the least of them. Nevertheless, according to the will of God, I have been thought worthy [of this honour], not that I have any sense[1308] [of having deserved it], but by the grace of God, which I wish may be perfectly given to me, that through your prayers I may attain to God. In order, therefore, that your work may be complete both on earth and in heaven, it is fitting that, for the honour of God, your church should elect some worthy delegate;[1309] so that he, journeying into Syria, may congratulate them that they are [now] at peace, and are restored to their proper greatness, and that their proper constitution[1310] has been re-established among them. What appears to me proper to be done is this, that you should send some one of your number with an epistle, so that, in company with them, he may rejoice over the tranquillity which, according to the will of God, they have obtained, and because that, through your prayers, I have secured Christ as a safe harbour. As persons who are perfect, ye should also aim at[1311] those things which are perfect. For when ye are desirous to do well, God is also ready to assist you.
CHAP. XII.—_Salutations._
SHORTER.
The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also 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. And I would that all may imitate him, as being a pattern of a minister[1312] of God. Grace will reward him in all things. I salute your most worthy[1313] bishop, and your very venerable[1314] presbytery, and your deacons, my fellow-servants, and all of you individually, as well as generally, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in His flesh and blood, in His passion and resurrection, both corporeal and spiritual, in union with God and you.[1315] Grace, mercy, peace, and patience, be with you for evermore!
LONGER.
The love of your brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burgus, whom ye sent with me, together with the Ephesians, your brethren, and who has in all things refreshed me. And I would that all may imitate him, as being a pattern of a minister of God. The grace of the Lord will reward him in all things. I salute your most worthy bishop Polycarp, and your venerable presbytery, and your Christ-bearing deacons, my fellow-servants, and all of you individually, as well as generally, in the name of Christ Jesus, and in His flesh and blood, in His passion and resurrection, both corporeal and spiritual, in union with God and you. Grace, mercy, peace, and patience, be with you in Christ for evermore!
_Conclusion._
SHORTER.
I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children, and the virgins who are called widows.[1316] Be ye strong, I pray, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, who is with me, greets you. I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be confirmed in faith and love, both corporeal and spiritual. I salute Alce, my well-beloved,[1317] and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutecnus, and all by name. Fare ye well in the grace of God.
LONGER.
I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children, and those that are ever virgins, and the widows. Be ye strong, I pray, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, my fellow-servant, who is with me, greets you. I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be confirmed in faith and love, both corporeal and spiritual. I salute Alce, my well-beloved, and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutecnus, and all by name. Fare ye well in the grace of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and divine and sacred wisdom.
Footnote 1230:
Literally, “holy-bearing.”
Footnote 1231:
Rom. i. 3.
Footnote 1232:
Theodoret, in quoting this passage, reads, “the Godhead and power.”
Footnote 1233:
Matt. iii. 15.
Footnote 1234:
_i.e._ the cross, “fruit” being put for _Christ on the tree_.
Footnote 1235:
Isa. v. 26, xlix. 22.
Footnote 1236:
Col. i. 15.
Footnote 1237:
Rom. i. 3.
Footnote 1238:
Matt. iii. 15.
Footnote 1239:
Literally, “we are.”
Footnote 1240:
Or, “seeing that they are phantasmal and diabolical,” as some render; but the above is preferable.
Footnote 1241:
John i. 14.
Footnote 1242:
John ii. 19.
Footnote 1243:
John xii. 32.
Footnote 1244:
Prov. ix. 1.
Footnote 1245:
Num. xxi. 9; John iii. 14.
Footnote 1246:
Literally, “in the flesh.”
Footnote 1247:
Literally, “demon.” According to Jerome, this quotation is from the Gospel of the Nazarenes. Comp. Luke xxiv. 39.
Footnote 1248:
Literally, “above death.”
Footnote 1249:
Literally, “demon.” According to Jerome, this quotation is from the Gospel of the Nazarenes. Comp. Luke xxiv. 39.
Footnote 1250:
Luke xxiv. 39.
Footnote 1251:
John xx. 27.
Footnote 1252:
John xx. 28.
Footnote 1253:
Acts i. 11.
Footnote 1254:
Rev. i. 7.
Footnote 1255:
Zech. xii. 10.
Footnote 1256:
Or, “mark.”
Footnote 1257:
Comp. Rom. viii. 17.
Footnote 1258:
Comp. Phil. iv. 13.
Footnote 1259:
Or, “foolishly.”
Footnote 1260:
_i.e._ As they imagine Christ to have suffered only in appearance, so they believe that we suffer in vain.
Footnote 1261:
Literally, “a flesh-bearer.”
Footnote 1262:
Literally, “a death-bearer.”
Footnote 1263:
Literally, “a flesh-bearer.”
Footnote 1264:
Literally, “the glory of the angels.”
Footnote 1265:
Literally, “judgment is to them.”
Footnote 1266:
Matt. xix. 12.
Footnote 1267:
Literally, “the whole is.”
Footnote 1268:
Matt. xix. 12.
Footnote 1269:
Deut. vi. 5.
Footnote 1270:
John xvii. 31.
Footnote 1271:
John xiii. 34; Matt. xxii. 40.
Footnote 1272:
Theodoret, in quoting this passage, reads προσφορὰς, “offering.”
Footnote 1273:
Literally, “die disputing.”
Footnote 1274:
Literally, “to love.” Some think there is a reference to the _agapæ_, or _love-feasts_.
Footnote 1275:
The reading is περὶ in the one case, and μετά in the other, though the latter meaning seems preferable. Most of the MSS. of the longer recension read περί, as in the shorter.
Footnote 1276:
Literally, “perfected.”
Footnote 1277:
Literally, “drove Adam out of.”
Footnote 1278:
Zech. iii. 1.
Footnote 1279:
Luke xxii. 31.
Footnote 1280:
Eph. ii. 2.
Footnote 1281:
Luke xxii. 32.
Footnote 1282:
The reading is περὶ in the one case, and μετά in the other, though the latter meaning seems preferable. Most of the MSS. of the longer recension read περί, as in the shorter.
Footnote 1283:
Or, “command.”
Footnote 1284:
Or, “firm.”
Footnote 1285:
Or, “firm.”
Footnote 1286:
Or, “firm.”
Footnote 1287:
Some refer the words to the Lord’s Supper.
Footnote 1288:
Or, “finally.”
Footnote 1289:
Literally, “to know.”
Footnote 1290:
Ps. vi. 5.
Footnote 1291:
Isa. lxii. 11.
Footnote 1292:
Prov. xxiv. 21.
Footnote 1293:
Comp. Heb. x. 29.
Footnote 1294:
Or, “great.”
Footnote 1295:
Matt. x. 41.
Footnote 1296:
Or, “deacons.”
Footnote 1297:
Comp. Epistle of Ignatius to Ephesians, chap. xxi.; to Polycarp, chap. ii. vi.
Footnote 1298:
Or, “deacons.”
Footnote 1299:
2 Tim. i. 18.
Footnote 1300:
Comp. Epistle of Ignatius to Ephesians, chap. xxi.; to Polycarp, chap. ii. vi.
Footnote 1301:
Literally, “most becoming of God.”
Footnote 1302:
Or, “from any conscience.”
Footnote 1303:
Literally, “God-ambassador.”
Footnote 1304:
Or, “have received.”
Footnote 1305:
Literally, “body.”
Footnote 1306:
Literally, “may glorify with them.”
Footnote 1307:
Or, “think of.”
Footnote 1308:
Or, “from any conscience.”
Footnote 1309:
Literally, “God-ambassador.”
Footnote 1310:
Literally, “body.”
Footnote 1311:
Or, “think of.”
Footnote 1312:
Or, “the ministry.”
Footnote 1313:
Literally, “worthy of God.”
Footnote 1314:
Literally, “most becoming of God.”
Footnote 1315:
Literally, “in the union of God and of you.”
Footnote 1316:
The _deaconesses_ seem to have been called _widows_.
Footnote 1317:
Literally, “the name desired of me.”
THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO POLYCARP.
SHORTER.