Category:Letters of Ignatius (text)

Ignatius of Antioch was a 2nd-century Bishop of Antioch and author of 7 letters:

Letter of Ignatius to Polycarp

Compare to the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia of Asia Minor, and Laodicea

Overview

The tradition of Paul has solid links with the traditions of John and Peter and was influenced by both.

The tradition of John seems to affect directly the tradition of Paul and influence the tradition of Peter through the mediation of the tradition of Paul (the idea of the divinity of Jesus does not immediately penetrate the tradition of Peter; but see the Apocalypse of Peter)

IGNATIUS AND POLYCARP (tradition of Paul) 1 CLEMENT and 2 CLEMENT (tradition of Peter)

Ignatius, a disciple of John (and Paul), bishop of Antioch.

Polycarp, a disciple of John (and Paul), bishop of Smyrma.

Clement, a disciple of Peter

JESUS, OUR THEOS according to Ignatius and Polycarp

Ignatius, to the Ephesians, Intro. “Jesus Christ, our Theos”

There is one physician, both fleshly and spiritual, born and unborn, God come in the flesh, true life in death, from both Mary and God, first subject to suffering and then beyond suffering, Jesus Christ, our Lord (7).

Jesus Christ… is from the race of David according to the flesh and is both son of man and son of God… (20)

Ignatius to the Magnesians: There is one God, who manifested himself through Jesus Christ his Son, who is His Word that came forth from silence... (8)

Ignatius to the Romans: Jesus Christ is His only Son… the Son of the Father… Jesus Christ, our God (Intro)… our God Jesus Christ (4)…

Ignatius, to the Smyrneans: Jesus Christ, the God who has made you so wise… Son of God according to the will and power of God, truly born from a virgin, and baptized by John (1).

Polycarp, to the Philippians: Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ (12)

JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH

Gospel of John: In the beginning was the WORD and the Word was with God [the Father] and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh… (1:1-18).

1 John: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God and every spirit that does not confess [that] Jesus [came in the flesh] is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist...

Ignatius, to the Trallians: Jesus Christ… was from the race of David and from Mary… was truly born, both ate and drank, was truly persecuted at the time of Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died… He was also truly raised from the dead… Some who are atheists--that is, unbelievers—say that [Jesus] only appeared to suffer… (9-10)

Ignatius to the Smyrneans: He truly suffered, just as he also truly raised himself—not as some unbelievers say, that he suffered only in appearance. (2) – The one who refuses to say that Jesus bore flesh, denies him completely… (5).

Polycarp, to the Philippians: Anyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an antichrist (7).

THE MAJOR CONSENSUS BETWEEN THE TRADITIONS OF PETER AND PAUL: THE AUTHORITY OF THE APOSTLES

2 Peter: So also our beloved Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. (3:15).

1 Clement: Peter went to the place of glory that he deserved… Paul received the noble reputation for his faith (5:4-6)

Ignatius, to the Ephesians: You are fellow initiates with Paul, the holy one who received a testimony and proved worthy of all fortune. When I attain to God, may I be found in his footsteps (12)

Polycarp, to the Philippians: Neither I nor anyone like me is able to replicate the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul. When he was with you he accurately and reliably taught the word of truth to those who were at the time. And when he was absent he wrote you letters (3:2).

THE AUTHORITY OF THE BISHOPS

The Apostolic succession (according to 1 CLEMENT, tradition of Peter)

The Church of Rome now claims authority over the other Churches and supports the authority of the appointed bishops

The apostle received the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ was sent forth from God. So then Christ is from God, and the apostles are from God. Both came of the will of God in good order... [The apostle appointed] bishops and deacons for the future believers, having tested them by the Spirit... (42) We do not think it right to remove from the ministry those who were appointed by them or, afterwards, by other reputable men, with the entire church giving his approval... Indeed we commit no little sin if we remove from the bishop’s office those who offer the gifts in a blameless and holy way... (44)

BISHOPS, PRESBYTERS, DEACONS (according to the Tradition of Paul)

Ignatius, to the Magnesians: You should do nothing apart from the bishop and the presbyters (7) - Be submissive to the bishop and to one another (13)

Ignatius, to the Trallians; Let everyone respect the deacons like Jesus Christ, and also the bishop, who is the image of the Father, and let them respect the presbyters like the council of God and the band of the apostles (3). The one who does anything apart from the bishop, the presbytery and the deacons is not in pure conscience (7).

Ignatius to the Smyrneans: The one who honors the bishop is honored by God; the one who does anything behind the bishop’s back serves the devil (9).

Ignatius, to Polycarp: All of you should pay attention to the bishop, that God may pay attention to you. I am giving my life in exchange for those who are subjects to the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons. (6)