Ignatius of Antioch, Theophorus: EPISTLE TO MAGNESIANS Complete

Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (Shorter and Longer Versions)

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The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians - Shorter and Longer Versions


Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus [*], to the [Church] blessed in the grace of God the Father, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute the Church which is at Magnesia, near the Maeander, and wish it abundance of happiness in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ.

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus [*], to the [Church] blessed in the grace of God the Father, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute the Church which is at Magnesia, near the Maeander, and wish it abundance of happiness in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whom may you have abundance of happiness.

[* Elpenor's note: Theophorus means in Greek, "bearing God in himself"]
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 Churches, in which I pray for a union both of the flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ, the constant source of our life, and of faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred, but especially of Jesus and the Father, in whom, if we endure all the assaults of the prince of this world, and escape them, we shall enjoy God.

Having been informed of your godly [634] 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 a divine and desirable name, in those bonds which I bear about, I commend the Churches, in which I pray for a union both of the flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ, "who is the Saviour of all men, but specially of them that believe;" [635] by whose blood ye were redeemed; by whom ye have known God, or rather have been known by Him; [636] in whom enduring, ye shall escape all the assaults of this world: for "He is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able." [637]


[632] Literally, "according to God."

[633] Literally, "of the most God-becoming name," referring either to the appellation "Theophorus," or to that of "martyr" or "confessor."

[634] Literally, "according to God."

[635] 1 Tim. iv. 10.

[636] Comp. Gal. iv. 9.

[637] 1 Cor. x. 13.

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