The Lost Books of the Bible

CHAP. I.

1926 anthology with historical English translations and Crane introduction William Wake and Frank Crane

CHAP. 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.

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, having peace[905]through the flesh and blood, and passion of Jesus Christ our hope, in the resurrection which is[906] by him: which also I salute in its fulness, continuing in the apostolical character, wishing all joy and happiness unto it.

2 I have[907] heard of your blameless and[908] constant disposition through patience, which[909] 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, by the will of God and Jesus Christ, and so rejoiced together with me[910] in my bonds for Jesus Christ, that in effect I saw your whole[911] church in him.

4 Having therefore received[912] testimony of your good will towards me[913] for God's sake, by him;[914] I seemed to find you, as also I knew that ye were the[915] followers of God.

5 For[916] whereas ye are subject to your 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, that so believing in his death, ye might[917] 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[918] The deacons also, as being the ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, must by all means please ye. For they are not the[919] ministers of meat and drink, but of the church of God. Wherefore they must avoid all offences, as they would do fire.

8 In like manner let us reverence the deacons[920] as Jesus Christ; and the bishop as the father; and the presbyters as the Sanhedrim of God, and college of the Apostles.

9 Without these there is no[921] church. Concerning all which I am persuaded that ye[922] 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[923] look is instructive; and whose mildness[924] powerful:[925] 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[926] great knowledge in God; but I[927] 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[928] desire to suffer, but I cannot tell whether I am worthy so to do.

16[929] 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[930] 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 per chance being not able to receive them, ye should be choken with them.

18 For even I myself, although I am in bonds,[931] yet am not therefore able to understand heavenly things:

19 As the places of the 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.