Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the church of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ which is at Philadelphia in Asia, which has obtained mercy and is established in the concord of God and rejoices unwaveringly in the passion of our Lord, and is fully assured in his resurrection in all mercy; which I greet in the blood of Jesus Christ, which is eternal and abiding joy— especially if they are at one with the bishop and the presbyters and deacons with him, appointed by the mind of Jesus Christ, whom by his own will he established in steadfastness by his Holy Spirit.
This bishop I have learned obtained the ministry that pertains to the common good not of himself nor through men nor in vainglory, but in the love of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; whose forbearance astonishes me, who by his silence is able to do more than those who speak vain things.
For he is attuned to the commandments as a lyre to its strings. Therefore my soul calls blessed his mind toward God, recognizing it to be virtuous and perfect— his steadfastness and his freedom from anger in all the forbearance of the living God.
Abstain from the evil herbs which Jesus Christ does not cultivate, because they are not the planting of the Father— not that I found division among you, but a filtering out.
For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ, these are with the bishop; and as many as repent and come to the unity of the church, these too shall be God's, that they may live according to Jesus Christ.
Do not be deceived, my brothers: if anyone follows one who makes a schism, he does not inherit the kingdom of God; if anyone walks in a strange opinion, this one does not agree with the passion.
Be eager, then, to use one eucharist; for there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ and one cup unto union in his blood, one altar, as there is one bishop together with the presbytery and the deacons my fellow-servants; so that whatever you do, you may do according to God.
My brothers, I am utterly poured out in loving you, and exceedingly rejoicing I make you secure— yet not I, but Jesus Christ, in whom, being bound, I fear the more, as one still imperfect; but your prayer to God will perfect me, that I may attain to the lot in which I obtained mercy, fleeing for refuge to the gospel as to the flesh of Jesus, and to the apostles as to the presbytery of the church.
And let us also love the prophets, because they too proclaimed the gospel and hoped in him and awaited him; in whom also believing they were saved, being in the unity of Jesus Christ— saints worthy of love and worthy of wonder, witnessed to by Jesus Christ and numbered together in the gospel of our common hope.
But if anyone interprets Judaism to you, do not listen to him. For it is better to hear Christianity from a man who has circumcision than Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if neither of them speaks of Jesus Christ, these are to me tombstones and graves of the dead, on which are written only the names of men.
Flee, then, the wicked devices and snares of the ruler of this age, lest being oppressed by his thinking you grow weak in love; but all of you come together in an undivided heart.
I thank my God that I have a good conscience among you, and no one can boast either secretly or openly that I burdened anyone in small or great. And for all among whom I spoke, I pray that they may not acquire it as a testimony against themselves.
For even though some wished to deceive me according to the flesh, the Spirit is not deceived, being from God. For it knows whence it comes and where it goes, and it exposes the hidden things. I cried out while among you, I spoke with a loud voice, with God's voice: 'Give heed to the bishop and to the presbytery and to the deacons.'
But some suspected that I said these things because I knew beforehand of the division of certain persons. He in whom I am bound is my witness that I did not learn it from human flesh; but the Spirit was preaching, saying these things: 'Do nothing apart from the bishop, keep your flesh as a temple of God, love unity, flee divisions, become imitators of Jesus Christ, as he also was of his Father.'
I therefore did my own part as a man set toward unity. But where there is division and anger, God does not dwell. To all who repent the Lord forgives, if they repent unto the unity of God and the council of the bishop. I trust in the grace of Jesus Christ, who will loose from you every bond.
And I exhort you to do nothing in a spirit of faction, but according to the teaching of Christ. For I heard some saying, 'Unless I find it in the archives, I do not believe it in the gospel'; and when I said to them, 'It is written,' they answered me, 'That is the question.' But to me the archives are Jesus Christ; the inviolable archives are his cross and death and his resurrection and the faith that is through him— in which I wish to be justified through your prayer.
Good also are the priests, but better is the High Priest, who has been entrusted with the Holy of Holies, who alone has been entrusted with the hidden things of God— he being the door of the Father, through which enter Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and the prophets, and the apostles, and the church. All these things lead to the unity of God.
But the gospel has something distinctive: the coming of the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, his passion and his resurrection. For the beloved prophets proclaimed concerning him, but the gospel is the consummation of incorruption. All things together are good, if you believe in love.
Since, according to your prayer and according to the tender mercies you have in Christ Jesus, it has been reported to me that the church in Antioch of Syria is at peace, it is fitting for you, as a church of God, to ordain a deacon to go there on an embassy of God, to rejoice with them when they have come together in the same place, and to glorify the Name.
Blessed in Jesus Christ is the one who shall be counted worthy of such a ministry, and you shall be glorified. For if you are willing, it is not impossible for you, for the sake of God's name; just as the nearest churches sent bishops, and others presbyters and deacons.
Concerning Philo the deacon from Cilicia, a man of good repute, who even now serves me in the word of God together with Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who follows me from Syria, having renounced this life— these also bear witness to you; and I give thanks to God for you, because you received them, as the Lord also received you. But as for those who dishonoured them, may they be redeemed in the grace of Jesus Christ.
The love of the brothers at Troas greets you, from where I also write to you by the hand of Burrhus, sent together with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans as a mark of honour. The Lord Jesus Christ will honour them, in whom they hope in flesh, soul, spirit, faith, love, concord. Farewell in Christ Jesus, our common hope.