Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 1
The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr & Irenaeus
SECTION 41
Chapter VIII.--Renewed praise of the Ephesians.
Chapter VIII.--Renewed praise of the Ephesians. Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are wholly devoted to God. For since there is no strife raging among you which might distress you, ye are certainly living in accordance with God's will. I am far inferior to you, and require to be san…
1,002 wordsSECTION 42Chapter X.--Exhortations to prayer, humility, etc.
Chapter X.--Exhortations to prayer, humility, etc. And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men. For there is in them hope of repentance that they may attain to God. See, [554] then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be ye meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting: to…
913 wordsSECTION 43Chapter XII.--Praise of the Ephesians.
Chapter XII.--Praise of the Ephesians. I know both who I am, and to whom I write. I am a condemned man, ye have been the objects of mercy; I am subject to danger, ye are established in safety. Ye are the persons through [571] whom those pass that are cut off for the sake of God. Ye are initiated into the mysteries of the Gospel…
805 wordsSECTION 44Chapter XV.--Exhortation to confess Christ by silence as well as speech.
Chapter XV.--Exhortation to confess Christ by silence as well as speech. It is better for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not to be one. It is good to teach, if he who speaks also acts. There is then one Teacher, who spake and it was done; while even those things which He did in silence are worthy of t…
922 wordsSECTION 45Chapter XVIII.--The glory of the cross.
Chapter XVIII.--The glory of the cross. Let my spirit be counted as nothing [606] for the sake of the cross, which is a stumbling-block [607] to those that do not believe, but to us salvation and life eternal. "Where is the wise man? where the disputer?" [608] Where is the boasting of those who are styled prudent? For our God, …
720 wordsSECTION 46Chapter XX.--Promise of another letter.
Chapter XX.--Promise of another letter. If Jesus Christ shall graciously permit me through your prayers, and if it be His will, I shall, in a second little work which I will write to you, make further manifest to you [the nature of] the dispensation of which I have begun [to treat], with respect to the new man, Jesus Christ, in…
764 wordsSECTION 47Chapter I.--Reason of writing the epistle.
Chapter I.--Reason of writing the epistle. Having been informed of your godly [632] love, so well-ordered, I rejoiced greatly, and determined to commune with you in the faith of Jesus Christ. For as one who has been thought worthy of the most honourable of all names, [633] in those bonds which I bear about, I commend the Church…
1,292 wordsSECTION 48Chapter IV.--Some wickedly act independently of the bishop.
Chapter IV.--Some wickedly act independently of the bishop. It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in reality: as some indeed give one the title of bishop, but do all things without him. Now such persons seem to me to be not possessed of a good conscience, seeing they are not stedfastly gathered tog…
882 wordsSECTION 49Chapter VII.--Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters.
Chapter VII.--Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters. As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop and presbyters. Neither endeavour that anything appear reasonable and proper to yourselves apart; but being c…
1,156 wordsSECTION 50Chapter X.--Beware of Judaizing.
Chapter X.--Beware of Judaizing. Let us not, therefore, be insensible to His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our works, we should cease to be. Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity. [695] For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, is…
840 wordsSECTION 51Chapter XII.--Ye are superior to me.
Chapter XII.--Ye are superior to me. May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy! For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to any of you that are at liberty. I know that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus Christ in yourselves. And all the more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty [711]…
762 wordsSECTION 52Chapter XV.--Salutations.
Chapter XV.--Salutations. The Ephesians from Smyrna (whence I also write to you), who are here for the glory of God, as ye also are, who have in all things refreshed me, salute you, along with Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnæans. The rest of the Churches, in honour of Jesus Christ, also salute you. Fare ye well in the harmony…
893 wordsSECTION 53Chapter III.--Honour the deacons, etc.
Chapter III.--Honour the deacons, etc. In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment [737] of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the sanhedrim of God, and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no Church. [738] Concerning all this, I …
984 wordsSECTION 54Chapter VI.--Abstain from the poison of heretics.
Chapter VI.--Abstain from the poison of heretics. I therefore, yet not I, but the love of Jesus Christ, entreat you that ye use Christian nourishment only, and abstain from herbage of a different kind; I mean heresy. For those [755] [that are given to this] mix [756] up Jesus Christ with their own poison, speaking things which …
903 wordsSECTION 55Chapter VIII.--Be on your guard against the snares of the devil.
Chapter VIII.--Be on your guard against the snares of the devil. Not that I know there is anything of this kind among you; but I put you on your guard, inasmuch as I love you greatly, and foresee the snares of the devil. Wherefore, clothing [775] yourselves with meekness, be ye renewed [776] in faith, that is the flesh of the L…
994 wordsSECTION 56Chapter X.--The reality of Christ's passion.
Chapter X.--The reality of Christ's passion. But if, as some that are without God, that is, the unbelieving, say, that He only seemed to suffer (they themselves only seeming to exist), then why am I in bonds? Why do I long to be exposed to [796] the wild beasts? Do I therefore die in vain? [797] Am I not then guilty of falsehoo…
1,065 wordsSECTION 57Chapter XII.--Continue in unity and love.
Chapter XII.--Continue in unity and love. I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you. Continue in harmony…
1,064 wordsSECTION 58Chapter I.--As a prisoner, I hope to see you.
Chapter I.--As a prisoner, I hope to see you. Through prayer [822] to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces, [823] and have even [824] been granted more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining unt…
775 wordsSECTION 59Chapter III.--Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom.
Chapter III.--Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom. Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. Now I desire that those things may be confirmed [by your conduct], which in your instructions ye enjoin [on others]. Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] wi…
892 wordsSECTION 60Chapter V.--I desire to die.
Chapter V.--I desire to die. From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, [850] both by land and sea, both by night and day, being bound to ten leopards, I mean a band of soldiers, who, even when they receive benefits, [851] show themselves all the worse. But I am the more instructed by their injuries [to act as a disciple of…
973 wordsSECTION 61Chapter VII.--Reason of desiring to die.
Chapter VII.--Reason of desiring to die. The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome] help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet set your desires on the world. Let not envy find …
808 wordsSECTION 62Chapter IX.--Pray for the church in Syria.
Chapter IX.--Pray for the church in Syria. Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now has God for its shepherd, instead of me. Jesus Christ alone will oversee it, and your love [will also regard it]. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for indeed I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, a…
773 wordsSECTION 63Chapter I.--Praise of the bishop.
Chapter I.--Praise of the bishop. Which bishop, [884] I know, obtained the ministry which pertains to the common [weal], not of himself, neither by men, [885] nor through vainglory, but by the love of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; at whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by his silence is able to acco…
1,114 wordsSECTION 64Chapter IV.--Have but one Eucharist, etc.
Chapter IV.--Have but one Eucharist, etc. Take ye heed, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to [show forth [904] ] the unity of His blood; one altar; as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants: that so, whatsoever ye do, ye may do i…
858 wordsSECTION 65Chapter V.--Pray for me.
Chapter V.--Pray for me. My brethren, I am greatly enlarged in loving you; and rejoicing exceedingly [over you], I seek to secure your safety. Yet it is not I, but Jesus Christ, for whose sake being bound I fear the more, inasmuch as I am not yet perfect. But your prayer to God shall make me perfect, that I may attain to that p…
1,270 wordsSECTION 66Chapter VII.--I have exhorted you to unity.
Chapter VII.--I have exhorted you to unity. For though some would have deceived me according to the flesh, yet the Spirit, as being from God, is not deceived. For it knows both whence it comes and whither it goes, [939] and detects the secrets [of the heart]. For, when I was among you, I cried, I spoke with a loud voice: Give h…
808 wordsSECTION 67Chapter IX.--The Old Testament is good: the New Testament is better.
Chapter IX.--The Old Testament is good: the New Testament is better. The priests [954] indeed are good, but the High Priest is better; to whom the holy of holies has been committed, and who alone has been trusted with the secrets of God. He is the door of the Father, by which enter in Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the prop…
752 wordsSECTION 68Chapter XI.--Thanks and salutation.
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…
950 wordsSECTION 69Chapter II.--Christ's true passion.
Chapter II.--Christ's true passion. 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 happe…
780 wordsSECTION 70Chapter IV.--Beware of these heretics.
Chapter IV.--Beware of these heretics. I give you these instructions, beloved, assured that ye 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 mea…
1,093 wordsSECTION 71Chapter VII.--Let us stand aloof from such heretics.
Chapter VII.--Let us stand aloof from such heretics. They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, [1016] 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 Go…
800 wordsSECTION 72Chapter IX.--Honour the bishop.
Chapter IX.--Honour the bishop. Moreover, [1032] 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 [1033] both God and the bishop. He who honours the bishop has been honoured by God; he who does anything w…
827 wordsSECTION 73Chapter XI.--Request to them to send a messenger to Antioch.
Chapter XI.--Request to them to send a messenger to Antioch. Your prayer has reached to the Church which is at Antioch in Syria. Coming from that place bound with chains, most acceptable to God, [1045] 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 …
830 wordsSECTION 74Chapter XIII.--Conclusion.
Chapter XIII.--Conclusion. I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children, and the virgins who are called widows. [1060] Be ye 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 …
712 wordsSECTION 75Chapter II.--Exhortations.
Chapter II.--Exhortations. If thou lovest the good disciples, no thanks are due to thee on that account; but rather seek by meekness to subdue the more troublesome. Every kind of wound is not healed with the same plaster. Mitigate violent attacks [of disease] by gentle applications. [1072] Be in all things "wise as a serpent, a…
771 wordsSECTION 76Chapter IV.--Exhortations.
Chapter IV.--Exhortations. Let not widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector [1084] and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou dost not, inasmuch as thou art stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent [1085] occurren…
709 wordsSECTION 77Chapter VI.--The duties of the Christian flock.
Chapter VI.--The duties of the Christian flock. Give ye [1099] heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs [1100] that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together;…
864 wordsSECTION 78Chapter VIII.--Let other churches also send to Antioch.
Chapter VIII.--Let other churches also send to Antioch. Inasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will [1119] [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose [1120] of God, wilt write to the adjacent Churches, that…
916 wordsSECTION 79Chapter I.
Chapter I. Because thy mind is acceptable to me, inasmuch as it is established in God, as on a rock which is immoveable, I glorify God the more exceedingly that I have been counted worthy of [seeing] thy face, which I longed after in God. Now I beseech thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to add [speed] to thy course…
839 wordsSECTION 80Chapter VI.
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, …
848 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.