Author: Ignatius of Antioch
Date: AD 107
Related:
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Magnesians
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Romans
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Philadelphians
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans
• The Letter of Ignatius to Polycarp
• The Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch
Introduction
The Christians at Tralles, a town seventeen miles east of Magnesia, sent their bishop, Polybius, to greet Ignatius in Smyrna. His letter in response is characteristic. Its leading themes are unity and obedience to the Church leaders in the face of the spreading Docetic heresy.
To the Church at Tralles
Hearty greetings in apostolic style,I.e., in imitation of Paul’s inscriptions. and every good wish from Ignatius, the God-bearer, to the holy church at Tralles in Asia. You are dear to God, the Father of Jesus Christ, elect and a real credit to him, being completely at peace by reason of the Passion of Jesus Christ, who is our Hope, since we shall rise in union with him.
1
Well do I realize what a character you have – above reproach and steady under strain. It is not just affected, but it comes naturally to you, as I gathered from Polybius, your bishop. By God’s will and that of Jesus Christ, he came to me in Smyrna, and so heartily congratulated me on being a prisoner for Jesus Christ that in him I saw your whole congregation. I welcomed, then, your godly good will, which reached me by him, and I gave thanks that I found you, as I heard, to be following God.
2
For when you obey the bishop as if he were Jesus Christ, then as I see it, you are living not in a merely human fashion but in Jesus Christ’s way, who for our sakes suffered death that you might believe in his death and so escape dying yourselves. It is essential, therefore, to act in no way without the bishop, just as you are doing. Rather submit even to the presbytery as to the apostles of Jesus Christ. He is our Hope, and if we live in union with him now, we shall gain eternal life. Those too who are deacons of the Mysteries1 Corinthians 4:1. of Jesus Christ should in every respect be pleasing to all. For they do not serve mere food and drink,In Ignatius’ time the Eucharist was still a supper meal, which the deacons served, but the deacons were also responsible for the distribution of charity. Cf. Acts 6:1–7. but minister to God’s Church. They must therefore avoid leaving themselves open to criticism, as they would shun fire.
3
Correspondingly, everyone must respect the deacons. They represent Jesus Christ, just as the bishop has the role of the Father, and the presbyters are like God’s council and the assembly of the apostles. Apart from these there is no Church. I am sure that you agree with me in this.
In your bishop I received the very model of your love, and I have him with me. His very bearing is a great lesson, while his gentleness is most forceful. I imagine even the godless respect him.
While I could write about this matter more sharply, I spare you out of love. Since, too, I am a convict, I have not thought it my place to give you orders like an apostle.
4
I have many deep thoughts in God, but I keep my limits, lest boasting should be my undoing. For now is it necessary for me to be more sober, and give no heed to those who flatter me, for they who say such things to me are a scourge to me.
To be sure, I am eager to be a martyr, but I do not know if I deserve to be. Many people have no notion of my zealous ambition. Yet it is all the more a struggle for me. What I need is gentleness, by which the prince of this world is overthrown.
5
Am I incapable of writing to you of heavenly things?Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:1,2. No, indeed; but I am afraid to harm you, seeing you are mere babes. So bear with me, that you may not be choked with what you are unready to receive.
Even in my own case, though I am a prisoner and can grasp heavenly mysteries, the ranks of the angels, the array of principalities, things visible and invisible,Cf. Colossians 1:16. yet even on that account I am still a learner; for many things are lacking to us, so that we may not fall short of God.
6
I urge you, therefore – not I, but Jesus Christ’s love – receive only Christian food, and abstain from strange fare, by which I mean heresy. For those people mingle Jesus Christ with their own teachings to gain your confidence under false pretenses. It is as if they were giving a deadly poison mixed with honey and wine, with the result that the unsuspecting victim gladly accepts it and drinks down death with fatal pleasure.
7
Be on your guard, then, against such people. This you will do by not being puffed up and by keeping very close to our God, Jesus Christ, and the bishop and the precepts of the apostles. He who is in the Altar is pure, but he who is outside is impure. That is, whoever does anything apart from the bishop, presbytery, and deacons does not have a clear conscience.
8
It is not because I have heard of any such thing in your case that I write thus. But because I love you I am putting you on guard beforehand, since I foresee the devil’s snares. Put on again your gentleness, and by faith (that is the Lord’s flesh) and by love (that is Jesus Christ’s blood) and be made new. Let none of you hold anything against his neighbor. Do not give the heathen opportunities whereby God’s people should be scoffed at through the foolishness of a few. For, woe to him by whose folly my name is scoffed at before men. Cf. Isaiah 52:5.
9
Be deaf, then, to any talk that ignores Jesus Christ, of David’s lineage, born of Mary; who was really born, ate; and drank; was really persecuted under Pontius Pilate; was really crucified and died, in the sight of heaven and earth and the underworld. He was really raised from the dead, for his Father raised him, just as his Father will raise us, who believe on him, through Christ Jesus, apart from whom we have no genuine life.
10
And if, as some atheists (I mean unbelievers) say, his suffering was a sham (though they themselves are a sham!) then why am I a prisoner? Why do I pray to fight with wild beasts? In that case I shall die to no purpose, and would I not be lying against the Lord?
11
Therefore avoid these wicked offshoots which produce deadly fruit. If a man taste of it, he dies outright. They are none of the Father’s planting.Cf. Matthew 15:13. For had they been planted by God, they would have shown themselves as branches of the cross, and borne immortal fruit. It is through the cross, by his suffering, that he summons you who are his members. A head cannot be born apart without the limbs, since God promises union, and this union is himself.
12
I send my greetings to you from Smyrna, together with the churches of God who are present with me. They have refreshed me in all things, both in flesh and in spirit. Even the chains that I bear for the sake of Jesus Christ, asking that I may attain to God, exhort you to abide in your unity, and in prayer one with another. It is right that each one of you, and especially the presbyters, should encourage the bishop, to the honor of the Father, and of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles.
And pray for me also, for I have need of your love in the mercy of God, that I may be counted worthy of the end which I am eager to attain, to the end that I may not be disqualified.1 Corinthians 9:27.
13
The Smyrnaeans and Ephesians send their greetings with love. Remember the church of Syria in your prayers. I am not worthy to be a member of it, for I am the least of their number. Farewell in Jesus Christ. Submit to the bishop as to the commandments, and to the presbytery as well. All of you, love one another with an undivided heart. My life is given for you, not only now but especially when I shall attain to God. I am still in danger, but the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ to fulfill my petition and yours. May we be found blameless in Him.