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The Epistles of Ignatius

St. Ignatius of Antioch · c. 107 AD

3h 16m read
Apostolic

Seven letters written by Ignatius on his way to martyrdom in Rome, emphasizing church unity, the bishop's authority, and the reality of Christ's humanity. Given in the shorter (middle) recension, the text modern scholarship treats as authentic.

Table of Contents

1Epistle to the Ephesians1Praise of the Ephesians2Congratulations and entreaties3Exhortations to unity4The same continued5The praise of unity6Have respect to the bishop as to Christ Himself7Beware of false teachers8Renewed praise of the Ephesians9Ye have given no heed to false teachers10Exhortations to prayer, humility, etc11An exhortation to fear God, etc12Praise of the Ephesians13Exhortation to meet together frequently for the worship of God14Exhortations to faith and love15Exhortation to confess Christ by silence as well as speech16The fate of false teachers17Beware of false doctrines18The glory of the cross19Three celebrated mysteries20Promise of another letter21Conclusion2Epistle to the Magnesians1Reason of writing the epistle2I rejoice in your messengers3Honour your youthful bishop4Some wickedly act independently of the bishop5Death is the fate of all such6Preserve harmony7Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters8Caution against false doctrines9Let us live with Christ10Beware of Judaizing11I write these things to warn you12Ye are superior to me13Be established in faith and unity14Your prayers requested15Salutations3Epistle to the Trallians1Acknowledgment of their excellence2Be subject to the bishop, etc3Honour the deacons, etc4I have need of humility5I will not teach you profound doctrines6Abstain from the poison of heretics7The same continued8Be on your guard against the snares of the devil9Reference to the history of Christ10The reality of Christ’s passion11Avoid the deadly errors of the Docetæ12Continue in unity and love13Conclusion4Epistle to the Romans1As a prisoner, I hope to see you2Do not save me from martyrdom3Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom4Allow me to fall a prey to the wild beasts5I desire to die6By death I shall attain true life7Reason of desiring to die8Be ye favourable to me9Pray for the church in Syria10Conclusion5Epistle to the Philadelphians1Praise of the bishop2Maintain union with the bishop3Avoid schismatics4Have but one Eucharist, etc5Pray for me6Do not accept Judaism7I have exhorted you to unity8The same continued9The Old Testament is good: the New Testament is better10Congratulate the inhabitants of Antioch on the close of the persecution11Thanks and salutation6Epistle to the Smyrnæans1Thanks to God for your faith2Christ’s true passion3Christ was possessed of a body after His resurrection4Beware of these heretics5Their dangerous errors6Unbelievers in the blood of Christ shall be condemned7Let us stand aloof from such heretics8Let nothing be done without the bishop9Honour the bishop10Acknowledgment of their kindness11Request to them to send a messenger to Antioch12Salutations13Conclusion7Epistle to Polycarp1Commendation and exhortation2Exhortations3Exhortations4Exhortations5The duties of husbands and wives6The duties of the Christian flock7Request that Polycarp would send a messenger to Antioch8Let other churches also send to Antioch