Author: Ignatius of Antioch
Date: AD 107
Related:
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Trallians
• The Letter of Ignatius to the Magnesians
• 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
Ignatius’ final letter from Smyrna is written to the church of Rome. Unlike his other letters, this one is not concerned with questions of heresy and Church unity. Rather is it an intensely personal document. In it he reveals most clearly his own martyr’s spirit. He entreats the Romans not to interfere with the fate in store for him, while bracing himself for the coming contest. This letter must be read in the light of the fact that Ignatius was subject to the brutality of his Roman guard (his “ten leopards” as he calls them), and reacted with the freedom of a man who had already given his life away.
To the Church at Rome
Greetings from Ignatius, who is also called the God-bearer, to the church that has received mercy through the generosity of the Most High Father and of Jesus Christ, his only Son; to the church beloved and enlightened by the will of him who willed all things into being, through faith and love in Jesus Christ our God; to the church that presides in the region of the Romans.
This Church is worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of success, worthy in purity, presiding in love, walking in the law of Christ and bearing the name of the Father.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, I send abundant greetings in Jesus Christ our God to all who are united in flesh and spirit to every one of his commandments, who are filled unwaveringly with the grace of God, and who have been purified from every stain that is foreign to it.
1
Since God has answered my prayer to see your godly faces, I have gone on to ask for more. For it is as a prisoner for Christ Jesus that I hope to greet you, if indeed it be God’s will that I should deserve to meet my end.I.e., martyrdom. Things are well begun; may I attain to meet my end without hindrance. What I fear is that your generosity may prove detrimental to me. For you can easily do what you will, whereas it is hard for me to attain to God unless you spare me.
2
I do not want you to please men, but to please God,Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:4. just as you are doing. For I shall never again have such a chance to attain to God; nor will you ever have the honor of a finer deed, if you will keep quiet. For if you are silent and let me alone, then I will be a word of God. But if you are merciful to my flesh, then instead I will be only a meaningless noise. Grant me no more than to be poured out as an offering to God while there is an altar at hand! Then you can form yourselves into a choir and sing praises to the Father in Jesus Christ that God has granted the bishop of Syria the privilege of reaching the setting of the sun when he summoned him from its rising.Ignatius was arrested in the East, and brought to be martyred in the West. It is good for my life to set from the world toward God, so that I may rise in him.
3
You never grudged anyone, but you taught others.I.e., regarding martyrdom; Rome was renowned for the martyrdoms of Peter and Paul. So I want you to confirm by your actions the lessons with which you have instructed others. Only pray that I may have strength of soul and body so that I may not only talk about martyrdom, but truly desire it. I do not want merely to be called a Christian, but actually to be one. Then, if I prove to be faithful, I can have the name. Then I shall be a true Christian when the world sees me no more. Nothing visible is eternal. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.2 Corinthians 4:18 Christianity is not a work of mere human effort, but of greatness, when it is hated by the world.
4
I am corresponding with all the churches and impressing on them all that I will die for God of my own free will – that is, if you do not interfere. I plead with you, do not do me an unseasonable kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for by them I can attain to God. I am God’s wheat and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found the pure bread of God. I would rather that you stir up the beasts so that they may be my tomb and no scrap of my body be left. Thus, when I have fallen asleep, I shall be a burden to no one. Then I shall be a real disciple of Jesus Christ when the world sees my body no more. Pray to Christ for me that by these means I may be a sacrifice to God. I do not give you commands like Peter and Paul. They were apostles: I am a convict. They were at liberty: I am still a slave.Cf.1 Corinthians 7:22. But if I suffer, I shall be set free by Jesus Christ; and united to him, I shall rise again a free man. Even now, in bonds for him, I am learning to put away every desire.
5
All the way from Syria to Rome I am fighting with wild beasts, by land and sea, night and day, chained as I am to ten leopards, this detachment of soldiers, who only get worse the better you treat them. But by their injuries I am instructed a be a disciple, “yet I am not justified by this.”1 Corinthians 4:4. May I have joy of the beasts that have been prepared for me; and I pray that I may find them prompt! I shall coax them on to eat me at once and not to hold off, as sometimes happens, through fear – and if they are reluctant, I shall force them to it. Bear with me, for I know what is expedient for me. Now is the moment I am beginning to be a disciple. And let no one, visible or invisible, envy me making my way to Jesus Christ. Come fire, cross, battling with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil – only let me get to Jesus Christ!
6
Neither the wide bounds of earth nor the kingdoms of this world will avail me anything. “I would rather die”1 Corinthians 9:15 for Jesus Christ than rule over the ends of the earth. That is whom I am seeking: The One who died for us. That is whom I want: The One who rose for us. I am going through the pangs of being born. Bear with me, my brothers! Do not stand in the way of my coming to life; do not wish death on me. Do not give back to the world one who wants to be God’s. Do not tempt him with material things. Let me receive the clear light and there I will be born as a man. Let me imitate the Passion of my God. If anyone has Him in him, let him appreciate what I am longing for, and sympathize with me, realizing what I am going through. Allow me to be an imitator of the Passion of my God. If anyone has this in himself, let him understand what I am longing for, and sympathize with me, knowing the hardships that constrain me.
7
The prince of this world intends to kidnap me and turn aside my godly purpose. None of you, then, who will be there, must abet him. Rather be on my side – that is, on God’s side. Do not speak of Jesus Christ and set your heart on the world. Harbor no envy. If, when I arrive, I make a different plea, pay no attention to me. Rather heed what I am now writing to you. For I write to you in the midst of life, yet I am eager for death. My Desire has been crucifiedHe means both that Christ, whom he loves, has been crucified; and that all earthly passion has been put to death within himself. and there burns in me no passion for material things. In me there is only living water,Cf. John 4:10; 7:38. which speaks and says inside me, “Come to the Father.” I take no delight in corruptible food or in the delights of this life. I desire the bread of God,Cf. John 6:33. which is the flesh of Christ, who is from the seed of David;Cf. Romans 1:3. and for drink I want his blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.
8
I no longer desire to live according to the ways of men. This will come to pass if you desire it. Desire this for me, so that you yourselves may also be desired. I make this request of you in a short letter; believe me. Jesus Christ will make clear to you that I am speaking the truth. He is the mouth altogether free from falsehood, by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray for me, that I may attain my goal. I am not writing to you according to human desires, but according to the mind of God. If I suffer, it will be because you wished me well; if I am rejected, it will be because you hated me.
9
Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now has God for its shepherd, instead of me. Jesus Christ alone will be its bishop – he, and your love. I blush to be reckoned among them, for I do not deserve it, being the least of them and an afterthought.Literally, an “untimely birth,” a “miscarriage,” cf. 1 Corinthians 15:8. Yet by his mercy I shall be something, if I attain to God. With my heart I greet you. And the churches which have welcomed me, not as a chance sojourner but in the name of Jesus Christ, send their love. For even the churches that were not along my route sent representatives ahead of me from city to city.
10
I am sending this letter to you from Smyrna, carried by those blessed Ephesians. With me, along with many others, is Crocus, who is very dear to me. I trust you have had word about those who went ahead of me from Syria to Rome for God’s glory. Tell them I am nearly there. They are all worthy of God and of you, so you should give them every assistance. I am writing this to you on the twenty-fourth of August.Literally, “on the ninth day before the kalends of September.” Farewell, unto the end in the patience of Jesus Christ.