Letters — Letter to the Smyrnaeans

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church of God the Father and of the beloved Jesus Christ, which has received every kind of gift through mercy, which is filled with faith and love and lacks no gift, most worthy of God and adorned with holiness: the Church at Smyrna in Asia wishes abundant happiness through the pure Spirit and word of God.

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church of God the Father, and of the beloved Jesus Christ, which has through mercy obtained every kind of gift, which is filled with faith and love, and is deficient in no gift, most worthy of God, and adorned with holiness: the Church which is at Smyrna, in Asia, wishes abundance of happiness, through the immaculate Spirit and word of God.

I glorify God, even Jesus Christ, who has given you such wisdom. For I have observed that you are perfected in an immovable faith, as if you were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in the flesh and in the spirit, and are established in love through the blood of Christ, being fully persuaded with respect to our Lord that He was truly of the seed of David according to the flesh, and the Son of God according to the will and power of God; that He was truly born of a virgin, was baptized by John so that all righteousness might be fulfilled by Him; and was truly, under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch, nailed to the cross for us in His flesh. We are of this fruit by His divinely-blessed passion, that He might set up a standard for all ages through His resurrection to all His holy and faithful followers, whether among Jews or Gentiles, in the one body of His Church.

I Glorify God, even Jesus Christ, who has given you such wisdom. For I have observed that you are perfected 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 established in love through the blood of Christ, being fully persuaded with respect to our Lord, that He was truly of the seed of David according to the flesh, Romans 1:3 and the Son of God according to the will and power of God; that He was truly born of a virgin, was baptized by John, in order that all righteousness might be fulfilled Matthew 3:15 by Him; and was truly, under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch, nailed [to the cross] for us in His flesh. Of this fruit we are by His divinely-blessed passion, that He might set up a standard Isaiah 5:26, Isaiah 49:22 for all ages, through His resurrection, to all His holy and faithful [followers], whether among Jews or Gentiles, in the one body of His Church.

He suffered all these things for our sake so that we might be saved. And he truly suffered, just as he also truly raised himself up—not, as certain unbelievers claim, that he only appeared to suffer, just as they themselves only appear to be Christians. And as they believe, so it will happen to them when they are stripped of their bodies and become mere evil spirits.

Now, He suffered all these things for our sakes, that we might be saved. And He suffered truly, even as also He truly raised up Himself, not, as certain unbelievers maintain, that He only seemed to suffer, as they themselves only seem to be [ Christians]. And as they believe, so shall it happen unto them, when they shall be divested of their bodies, and be mere evil spirits.

I know that after His resurrection He still possessed flesh, and I believe He possesses it now. For example, when He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, "Take hold of Me, handle Me, and see that I am not an incorporeal spirit." And immediately they touched Him and believed, being convinced both by His flesh and spirit. For this reason they also despised death and proved to be its conquerors. And after His resurrection He ate and drank with them, as one who possessed flesh, although spiritually He was united to the Father.

For I know that after His resurrection also He was still possessed of flesh, and I believe that He is so now. When, for instance, He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, Lay hold, handle Me, and see that I am not an incorporeal spirit. And immediately they touched Him, and believed, being convinced both by His flesh and spirit. For this cause also they despised death, and were found its conquerors. And after his resurrection He ate and drank with them, as being possessed of flesh, although spiritually He was united to the Father.

I give you these instructions, beloved, confident that you also hold the same opinions as I do. But I warn you in advance about those beasts in human form, whom you must not only refuse to receive, but if possible, not even meet with. You must only pray to God for them, in case they might somehow be brought to repentance, which will be very difficult. Yet Jesus Christ, who is our true life, has the power to accomplish this. But if these things were done by our Lord only in appearance, then I am also bound only in appearance. And why have I surrendered myself to death, to fire, to the sword, to the wild beasts? But in fact, the one who is near to the sword is near to God; the one who is among the wild beasts is in company with God, provided only that he is so in the name of Jesus Christ. I undergo all these things so that I may suffer together with Him, He who became a perfect man inwardly strengthening me.

I give you these instructions, beloved, assured that you 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 these things that I may suffer together with Him, Romans 8:17 He who became a perfect man inwardly strengthening me. Philippians 4:13

Some people ignorantly deny him, or rather have been denied by him, being advocates of death rather than of the truth. These people have not been persuaded by the prophets, nor by the law of Moses, nor by the Gospel even to this day, nor by the sufferings we have each endured. They think the same things about us as well. What does it profit me if someone praises me but blasphemes my Lord by not confessing that he truly possessed a body? Anyone who does not acknowledge this has in fact completely denied him, being wrapped up in death. However, I have not thought it good to write down the names of such people, since they are unbelievers. In fact, may it be far 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.

Some ignorantly 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. 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? But he who does not acknowledge 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. 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.

Let no one deceive himself. Both the things that are in heaven and the glorious angels and rulers, both visible and invisible—if they do not believe in the blood of Christ, they will consequently face condemnation. Let anyone who can accept this, accept it. Let high position not make anyone proud, for what is worth everything is faith and love, and nothing should be valued above these. But consider those who hold a different view concerning the grace of Christ that has come to us—see how they stand opposed to the will of God. They have no concern for love, no care for the widow or the orphan or the oppressed, for the enslaved or the free, for the hungry or the thirsty.

Let no man deceive himself. Both the things which are in heaven, and the glorious angels, and rulers, both visible and invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ, shall, in consequence, incur condemnation. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Matthew 19:12 Let not [high] place puff any one up: for that which is worth all is 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.

They stay away from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. Therefore, those who speak against this gift of God bring death upon themselves through their arguments. But it would be better for them to honor it, so that they too might rise again. It is right, therefore, that you should keep away from such people and not speak about them either privately or publicly, but instead pay attention to the prophets and especially to the Gospel, in which the passion of Christ has been revealed to us and the resurrection has been fully demonstrated. But avoid all divisions, as they are the beginning of evils.

They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, 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 in the midst of their disputes. But it were better for them to treat it with respect, that they also might rise again. It is fitting, therefore, that you should keep aloof from such persons, and not to speak of 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. But avoid all divisions, as the beginning of evils.

Make sure you all follow the bishop, just as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and follow the presbytery as you would the apostles. Also show respect to the deacons, since they are established by God. No one should do anything related to the Church without the bishop. Consider a Eucharist to be proper only when it is administered either by the bishop or by someone he has authorized. Wherever the bishop is present, let the congregation also be there, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not permitted to baptize or hold a love-feast without the bishop. Whatever he approves is also pleasing to God, so that everything done may be secure and valid.

See that you all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper 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.

Furthermore, it makes sense that we should return to self-controlled behavior, and while we still have the chance, practice repentance toward God. It is right to reverence both God and the bishop. Whoever honors the bishop has been honored by God; whoever does anything without the bishop's knowledge actually serves the devil. Therefore, let all things come to you abundantly through grace, for you are worthy. You have refreshed me in every way, and Jesus Christ will refresh you. You have loved me both when I was absent and when I was present. May God reward you, for whose sake, as you endure all things, you will reach Him.

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. It is well to reverence 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 you are worthy. You have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ [shall refresh] you. You have loved me when absent as well as when present. May God recompense you, for whose sake, while you endure all things, you shall attain unto Him.

You have done well in receiving Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God, who have accompanied me for God's sake, and who give thanks to the Lord on your behalf, because you have refreshed them in every way. None of these things will be lost to you. May my spirit be for you, along with my chains, which you have not despised or been ashamed of; nor will Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.

You have done well in receiving Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God, who have followed me for the sake of God, and who give thanks to the Lord in your behalf, because you have in every way refreshed them. None of these things shall be lost to you. May my spirit be for you, and my bonds, which you have not despised or been ashamed of; nor shall Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.

Your prayer has reached the Church in Antioch of Syria. Coming from that place bound in chains, most pleasing to God, I greet everyone—though I am not worthy to be called one from there, since I am the least among them. Nevertheless, according to God's will, I have been considered worthy of this honor, not because I have any awareness of deserving it, but by God's grace, which I pray may be fully given to me so that through your prayers I may reach God. Therefore, so that your work may be complete both on earth and in heaven, it is appropriate that your Church should choose some worthy representative for the honor of God, so that he, traveling to Syria, may congratulate them that they are now at peace, have been restored to their proper size, and have had their proper structure re-established among them. It seems fitting to me, then, that you should send one of your members with a letter, so that he may rejoice with them over the peace they have obtained according to God's will, and because through your prayers they have now reached safe harbor. Since you are perfect people, you should also pursue perfect things. For when you want to do good, God is also ready to help you.

Your prayer has reached to the Church which is at Antioch in Syria. Coming from that place bound with chains, most acceptable to God, 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 [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; 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 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 over the tranquility 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, you should also aim at those things which are perfect. For when you are desirous to do well, God is also ready to assist you.

The brothers and sisters in Christ at Troas send you their greetings. I am writing to you from there through Burrhus, whom you sent to accompany me along with the Ephesians, your fellow believers, and he has refreshed me in every way. I wish that everyone would follow his example, since he is a model of what a servant of God should be. God's grace will reward him in everything. I greet your most worthy bishop, your highly respected presbytery, and your deacons who serve alongside me, and I greet all of you both individually and collectively, in the name of Jesus Christ, in His flesh and blood, in His passion and resurrection—both bodily and spiritual—in union with God and with you. May grace, mercy, peace, and patience be with you forever!

The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, whom you 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. Grace will reward him in all things. I salute your most worthy bishop, and your very venerable 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. Grace, mercy, peace, and patience, be with you for evermore!

I greet the households of my fellow believers, along with their wives and children, and the virgins who are called widows. I urge you to be strong in the power of the Holy Spirit. Philo, who is with me, sends you his greetings. I greet the household of Tavias, and I pray that it may be strengthened in faith and love, both physical and spiritual. I greet Alce, whom I deeply love, and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutecnus, and everyone individually by name. Farewell in the grace of God.

I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children, and the virgins who are called widows. Be 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, and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutecnus, and all by name. Fare well in the grace of God.