Chapter VI.
Look ye to the bishop, that God also may look upon you. I will be instead of the souls of those who are subject to the bishop, and the presbyters, and the deacons; with them may I have a portion in the presence of God! Labour together with one another, act as athletes [1142] together, run together, suffer together, sleep together, rise together. As stewards of God, and of His household, [1143] and His servants, please Him and serve Him, that ye may receive from Him the wages [promised]. Let none of you be rebellious. Let your baptism be to you as armour, and faith as a spear, and love as a helmet, and patience as a panoply. Let your treasures be your good works, that ye may receive the gift of God, as is just. Let your spirit be long-suffering towards each other with meekness, even as God [is] toward you. As for me, I rejoice in you at all times.
[1142] Literally, "make the contest."
[1143] Literally, "sons of His house."
Chapter VII.
The Christian has not power over himself, but is [ever] ready to be subject to God. [1144]
[1144] These are the only parts of chaps. vii. and viii. in the Greek that are represented in the Syriac.
Chapter VIII.
I salute him who is reckoned worthy to go to Antioch in my stead, as I commanded thee. [1145]
[1145] These are the only parts of chaps. vii. and viii. in the Greek that are represented in the Syriac.
[1131] The inscription varies in each of the three Syriac mss., being in the first, "The Epistle of my lord Ignatius, the bishop;" in the second, "The Epistle of Ignatius;" and in the third, "The Epistle of Ignatius, bishop of Antioch."
The Second Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians [1146]
Ignatius, who is [also called] Theophorus, to the Church which is blessed in the greatness of God the Father, and perfected; to her who was selected [1147] from eternity, that she might be at all times for glory, which abideth, and is unchangeable, and is perfected and chosen in the purpose of truth by the will of the Father of Jesus Christ our God; to her who is worthy of happiness; to her who is at Ephesus, in Jesus Christ, in joy which is unblameable: [wishes] abundance of happiness.
Chapter I.
Inasmuch as your name, which is greatly beloved, is acceptable to me in God, [your name] which ye have acquired by nature, through a right and just will, and also by the faith and love of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and ye are imitators of God, and are fervent in the blood of God, and have speedily completed a work congenial to you; [for] when ye heard that I was bound, [1148] so as to be able to do nothing for the sake of the common name and hope (and I hope, through your prayers, that I may be devoured by beasts at Rome, so that by means of this of which I have been accounted worthy, I may be endowed with strength to be a disciple of God), ye were diligent to come and see me. Seeing, then, that we have become acquainted with your multitude [1149] in the name of God, by Onesimus, who is your bishop, in love which is unutterable, whom I pray that ye love in Jesus Christ our Lord, and that all of you imitate his example, [1150] for blessed is He who has given you such a bishop, even as ye deserve [to have]. [1151]
[1148] Literally, "bound from actions."
[1149] Cureton renders, "have received your abundance," probably referring the words to gifts sent by the Ephesians to Ignatius.
[1150] Literally, "be in his image."
[1151] There is no Apodosis, unless it be found in what follows.
Chapter III. [1152]
But inasmuch as love does not permit me to be silent in regard to you, on this account I have been forward to entreat of you that ye would be diligent in the will of God.
[1152] The following clause is the whole of chap. iii. in the Greek, which is represented in the Syriac.
Chapter VIII. [1153]
For, so long as there is not implanted in you any one lust which is able to torment you, behold, ye live in God. I rejoice in you, and offer supplication [1154] on account of you, Ephesians, a Church which is renowned in all ages. For those who are carnal are not able to do spiritual things, nor those that are spiritual carnal things; in like manner as neither can faith [do] those things which are foreign to faith, nor want of faith [do] what belongs to faith. For those things which ye have done in the flesh, even these are spiritual, because ye have done everything in Jesus Christ.
[1153] Chaps. iv. v. vi. vii. of the Greek are totally omitted in the Syriac.
[1154] Thus Cureton renders the words, referring in confirmation to the Peshito version of Phil. i. 4, but the meaning is doubtful.