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Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (Shorter and Longer Versions)
Ignatius Resources OnLine and in Print
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11 Pages
Page 6
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 Christ]; "yet am I not thereby justified." [852] May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray they may be found eager to rush upon me, which also I will entice to devour me speedily, and not deal with me as with some, whom, out of fear, they have not touched. But if they be unwilling to assail me, I will compel them to do so. Pardon me [in this]: I know what is for my benefit. Now I begin to be a disciple. And let no one, of things visible or invisible, envy [853] me that I should attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, [854] breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful [855] torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.
From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, [856] 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, [857] show themselves all the worse. But I am the more instructed by their injuries [to act as a disciple of Christ]; "yet am I not thereby justified." [858] May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray that they may be found eager to rush upon me, which also I will entice to devour me speedily, and not deal with me as with some, whom, out of fear, they have not touched. But if they be unwilling to assail me, I will compel them to do so. Pardon me [in this] I know what is for my benefit. Now I begin to be a disciple, and have [859] no desire after anything visible or invisible, that I may attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let breakings, tearings, and separations of bones; let cutting off of members; let bruising to pieces of the whole body; and let the very torment of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.
[850] Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 32, where the word is also used figuratively.
[851] Probably the soldiers received gifts from the Christians, to treat Ignatius with kindness.
[852] 1 Cor. iv. 4.
[853] In the shorter recension there is zelose, and in the longer zelosai; hence the variety of rendering, but the translation is by no means certain.
[854] Some deem this and the following word spurious.
[855] Literally, "evil."
[856] Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 32, where the word is also used figuratively.
[857] Probably the soldiers received gifts from the Christians, to treat Ignatius with kindness.
[858] 1 Cor. iv. 4.
[859] In the shorter recension there is zelose, and in the longer zelosai; hence the variety of rendering, but the translation is by no means certain.
Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/ignatius/epistle-romans.asp?pg=6
