Chapter XI.--Thanks and salutation.
Now, as to Philo the deacon, of Cilicia, a man of reputation, who still ministers to me in the word of God, along with Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who has followed me from Syria, not regarding [967] his life,--these bear witness in your behalf; and I myself give thanks to God for you, that ye have received them, even as the Lord you. But may those that dishonoured them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ! The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnæans, to show their respect. [968] May the Lord Jesus Christ honour them, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and faith, and love, and concord! Fare ye well in Christ Jesus, our common hope.
Now, as to Philo the deacon, a man of Cilicia, of high reputation, who still ministers to me in the word of God, along with Gaius and Agathopus, an elect man, who has followed me from Syria, not regarding [969] his life,--these also bear testimony in your behalf. And I myself give thanks to God for you, because ye have received them: and the Lord will also receive you. But may those that dishonoured them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ, "who wisheth not the death of the sinner, but his repentance." [970] The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, [971] who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnæans, to show their respect: [972] whom the Lord Jesus Christ will requite, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and spirit, and faith, and love, and concord. Fare ye well in the Lord Jesus Christ, our common hope, in the Holy Ghost.
[967] Literally, "bidding farewell to."
[968] Or, "for the sake of honour."
[969] Literally, "bidding farewell to."
[970] Comp. Ezek. xviii. 23, 32, Ezek. xxxiii. 11; 2 Pet. iii. 9.
[971] The ms. has "Burgus."
[972] Or, "for the sake of honour."
[881] Or, "inseparably."
[882] Or, "inseparably."
[883] Comp. Matt. vii. 25.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnæans Shorter and Longer Versions.
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: [973] the Church which is at Smyrna, in Asia, wishes abundance of happiness, through the immaculate Spirit and word of God.
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church of God the most high Father, and His beloved Son 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: [974] the Church which is at Smyrna, in Asia, wishes abundance of happiness, through the immaculate Spirit and word of God.
Chapter I.--Thanks to God for your faith.
I Glorify God, even Jesus Christ, who has given you such wisdom. For I have observed that ye are perfected in an immoveable faith, as if ye 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, [975] and the Son of God according to the will and power [976] of God; that He was truly born of a virgin, was baptized by John, in order that all righteousness might be fulfilled [977] by Him; and was truly, under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch, nailed [to the cross] for us in His flesh. Of this fruit [978] we are by His divinely-blessed passion, that He might set up a standard [979] 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 the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by Him has given you such wisdom. For I have observed that ye are perfected in an immoveable faith, as if ye 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, in very truth, with respect to our Lord Jesus Christ, that He was the Son of God, "the first-born of every creature," [980] God the Word, the only-begotten Son, and was of the seed of David according to the flesh, [981] by the Virgin Mary; was baptized by John, that all righteousness might be fulfilled [982] by Him; that He lived a life of holiness without sin, and was truly, under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch, nailed [to the cross] for us in His flesh. From whom we also derive our being, [983] from His divinely-blessed passion, that He might set up a standard for the ages, through His resurrection, to all His holy and faithful [followers], whether among Jews or Gentiles, in the one body of His Church.
[975] Rom. i. 3.
[976] Theodoret, in quoting this passage, reads, "the Godhead and power."
[977] Matt. iii. 15.
[978] i.e., the cross, "fruit" being put for Christ on the tree.
[979] Isa. v. 26, Isa. xlix. 22.
[980] Col. i. 15.
[981] Rom. i. 3.
[982] Matt. iii. 15.
[983] Literally, "we are."