THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE ROMANS SHORTER AND LONGER VERSIONS
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Mast High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the report of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy,(2) and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name of Jesus Christ, the San of the Father: to those who are united, both according ta the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus Christ our God. Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Mast High God the Father, and of Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is sanctified and enlightened by the will of God, who farmed all things that are according to the faith and love of Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour; the Church which presides in the place of the region of the Romans, and which is worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of credit,(1) worthy of being deemed holy,(2) and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, and is possessed of the Spirit, which I also salute in the name of Almighty God, and of Jesus Christ His Son: to those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments, who are filled inseparably with all the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in God, even the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
CHAP. I.--AS A PRISONER, I HOPE TO SEE YOU.
THROUGH prayer(3) to God I have obtained the privilege
of seeing your most worthy faces,(4) and have even(5)
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
unto the end. For the beginning has been well or-
THROUGH prayer to God I have obtained the privilege
of seeing your most worthy faces,(4) even as I earnestly
begged might be granted me; for as a prisoner in Christ
Jesus I hope to salute you, if indeed it be the will
[of God] that I be thought worthy of attaining unto
the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, if
I may obtain grace to cling to(6) my lot without hindrance
unto the end. For I am afraid of your love,(7) lest
it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to
accomplish what you please;
74
dered, if I may obtain grace to cling to(1) my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love,(3) lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye spare me. But it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye do not spare me,(2) under the pretence of carnal affection.
CHAP. II.--DO NOT SAVE ME FROM MARTYRDOM.
For it is not my desire to act towards you as a man-pleaser,(4) but as pleasing God, even as also ye please Him. For neither shall I ever have such [another] opportunity of attaining to God; nor will ye, if ye shall now be silent, ever be entitled to(5) the honour of a better work. For if ye are silent concerning me, I shall become God's; but if you show your love to my flesh, I shall again have to run my race. Pray, then, do not seek to confer any greater favour upon me than that I be sacrificed to God while the altar is still prepared; that, being gathered together in love, ye may sing praise to the Father, through Christ Jesus, that God has deemed me, the bishop of Syria, worthy to be sent for(6) from the east unto the west. It is good to set from the world unto God, that I may rise again to Him. For it is not my desire that ye should please men, Out God, even as also ye do please Him. For neither shall I ever hereafter have such an opportunity of attaining to God; nor will ye, if ye shall now be silent, ever be entitled to s the honour of a better work. For if ye are silent concerning me, I shall become God's; but if ye show your love to my flesh, I shall again have to run my race. Pray, then, do not seek to confer any greater favour upon me than that I be sacrificed to God, while the altar is still prepared; that, being gathered together in love, ye may sing praise to the Father, through Christ Jesus, that God has deemed me, the bishop of Syria, worthy to be sent for(6) from the east unto the west, and to become a martyr(7) in behalf of His own precious (8) sufferings, so as to pass from the world to God, that I may rise again unto Him.
CHAP. 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] will; and that I may not merely be called a
Christian, but really be found to be one. For if I
be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called
one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer
appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal.(9)
"For the things which are seen are temporal, but
the things which are not seen are eternal."(10)
For our God, Jesus Christ, now that He is with(11)
the Father, is all the more revealed [in
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] will, so that I may not merely be called a
Christian, but really found to be one. For if I be
truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one,
and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer
appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. "For
the things which are seen are temporal, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.(10) The Christian is
not the result (12) of persuasion, but of power.(13)
When he is hated by the world, he is beloved of God.
For says [the Scripture], "If ye were of this
world, the world would love its own; but now ye are
not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it:
continue in fellowship with me."(14)
75
Christianity is not a thing(1) of silence only, but also of [manifest] greatness.
CHAP. IV.--ALLOW ME TO FALL A PREY TO THE WILD BEASTS.
I write to the Churches, and impress on them all,
that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder
me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will
towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts,
through whose instrumentality it will be granted me
to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me
be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may
be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the
wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may
leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen
asleep [in death], I may be no trouble to any one.
Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the
world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat Christ
for me, that by these instruments(2) I may be found
a sacrifice [to God]. I do not, as Peter and Paul,
issue commandments unto you. They were apostles; I
am but a condemned man: they were free,(3) while I
am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I
shall be the freedman of Jesus, and shall rise again
emancipated in Him. And now, being a prisoner, I learn
not to desire anything worldly or vain.
I write to all the Churches, and impress on them
all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye
hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable
goodwill towards me. Suffer me to become food for the
wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will
be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God,
and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that
I may be found the pure bread of God. Rather entice
the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and
may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen
asleep [in death], I may not be found troublesome to
any one. Then shall I be a true disciple of Jesus Christ,
when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat
the Lord for me, that by these instruments(2) I may
be found a sacrifice to God. I do not, as Peter and
Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles
of Jesus Christ, but I am the very least [of believers]:
they were free,(3) as the servants of God; while I
am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I
shall be the freedman of Jesus Christ, and shall rise
again emancipated in Him. And now, being in bonds for
Him, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.
CHAP. V.--I DESIRE TO DIE.
From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts,(4)
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,(5) 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."(6) 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
From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts,(4)
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,(5) 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."(6) 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(7)
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
76
[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(2) me that I should attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings,(2) breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful(3) torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ. The very torment of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.
CHAP. VI.--BY DEATH I SHALL ATTAIN TRUE LIFE.
All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms
of this earth, (4) shall profit me nothing. It is better
for me to die in behalf of(5) Jesus Christ, than to
reign over all the ends of the earth. "For what
shall a man be profited, if he gain the whole world,
but lose his own soul?''(6) Him I seek, who died for
us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This
is the gain which is laid up for me. Pardon me, brethren:
do not hinder me from living, do not wish to keep me
in a state of death; (7) and while I desire to belong
to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer
me to obtain pure light: when I have gone thither,
I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an
imitator of the passion of my God. If any one has Him
within himself, let him consider what I desire, and
let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am
straitened.
All the ends of the world, and all the kingdoms
of this earth,(4) shall profit me nothing. It is better
for me to die for the sake of Jesus Christ, than to
reign over all the ends of the earth. "For what
is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, but
lose his own soul?" I long after the Lord, the
Son of the true God and Father, even Jesus Christ.
Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. Pardon
me, brethren: do not hinder me in attaining to life;
for Jesus is the life of believers. Do not wish to
keep me in a state of death,(7) for life without Christ
is death. While I desire to belong to God, do not ye
give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure
light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be
a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion
of Christ, my God. If any one has Him within himself,
let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy
with me, as knowing how I am straitened.
CHAP. 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 a dwelling-place among
you; nor even should I, when present with you, exhort
you to it, be ye persuaded to listen to me, but rather
give credit to those things which I now write to you.
For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am
eager to die. My love(8) has been crucified, and there
is no
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 prefer this world to
Him. Let not envy find a dwelling-place among you;
nor even should I, when present with you, exhort you
to it, be ye persuaded, but rather give credit to those
things which I now write to you. For though I am alive
while I write to you, yet I am eager to die for the
sake of Christ. My love s has been crucified, and there
is no fire in me that loves anything; but there is
living water springing up in me,(9) and which says
to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight
in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life.
I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the
bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ,
77
fire in me desiring to be fed;(1) but there is within me a water that liveth and speaketh,(2) saying to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink of God, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life. The Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.
CHAP. VIII.--BE YE FAVOURABLE TO ME.
I no longer wish to live after the manner of men,
and my desire shall be fulfilled if ye consent. Be
ye willing, then, that ye also may have your desires
fulfilled. I entreat you in this brief letter; do ye
give credit to me. Jesus Christ will reveal these things
to you, [so that ye shall know] that I speak truly.
He(5) is the mouth altogether free from falsehood,
by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray ye for me,
that I may attain [the object of my desire]. I have
not written to you according to the flesh, but according
to the will of God. If I shall suffer, ye have wished
[well] to me; but if I am rejected, ye have hated me.
I no longer wish to live after the manner of men,
and my desire shall be fulfilled if ye consent. "I
am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
no longer I, since Christ liveth in me."(3) I
entreat you in this brief letter: do not refuse me;
believe me that I love Jesus, who was delivered [to
death] for my sake. "What shall I render to the
Lord for all His benefits towards me ?"(4) Now
God, even the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, shall
reveal these things to you, [so that ye shall know]
that I speak truly. And do ye pray along with me, that
I may attain my aim in the Holy Spirit. I have not
written to you according to the flesh, but according
to the will of God. If I shall suffer, ye have loved
me; but if I am rejected, ye have hated me.
CHAP. 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, and one born out of due time.(6)
But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall
attain to God. My spirit salutes you, and the love
of the Churches that have received me in the name of
Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. For even
those Churches which were not(7) near to me in the
way, I mean according to the flesh,(8) have gone before
me,(9) city by city, [to meet me.]
Remember in your prayers the Church which is in
Syria, which, instead of me, has now for its shepherd
the Lord, who says, "I am the good Shepherd."
And He alone will oversee it, as well as your love
towards Him. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted
one of them; for I am not worthy, as being the very
last of them, and one born out of due time. But I have
obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to
God. My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches
which have received me in the name of Jesus Christ,
and not as a mere passerby. For even those Churches
which were not near to me in the way, have brought
me forward, city by city.
78
CHAP. X.--CONCLUSION.
Now I write these things to you from Smyrna by the
Ephesians, who are deservedly most happy. There is
also with me, along with many others, Crocus, one dearly
beloved by me.(1) As to those who have gone before
me from Syria to Rome for the glory of God, I believe
that you are acquainted with them; to whom, [then,]
do ye make known that I am at hand. For they are all
worthy, both of God and of you; and it is becoming
that you should refresh them in all things. I have
written these things unto you, on the day before the
ninth of the Kalends of September (that(2) is, on the
twenty-third day of August). Fare ye well to the end,
in the patience of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now I write these things to you from Smyrna by the
Ephesians, who are deservedly most happy. There is
also with me, along with many others, Crocus, one dearly
beloved by me.(1) As to those who have gone before
me from Syria to Rome for the glory of God, I believe
that you are acquainted with them; to whom, [then,]
do ye make known that I am at hand. For they are all
worthy, both of God and of you; and it is becoming
that you should refresh them in all things. I have
written these things unto you on the day before the
ninth of the Kalends of September. Fare ye well to
the end, in the patience of Jesus Christ.
Up one level
Back to document index
The Real Jesus: Who is the Real Jesus? Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archaeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the "historical Jesus" -- a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin. Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archaeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regretably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
|
This presentation explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views.
Presented in ten parts -- perfect for individual, family and classroom study -- viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history -- "the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus. Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg. Ten parts, over two hours of instruction! Running Time: 130 minutes
|
| The Beast of Revelation: IDENTIFIED
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation? Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry's insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation -- and even more importantly -- amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview! Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue -- but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today. Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study -- for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John's famous letter "... to the seven churches which are in Asia." (Revelation 1:4) |
(Available in DVD only) $17.95 ORDER NOW!
|
INCLUDES A FREE Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misperceptions related to this volatile issue: Download the free |
Perfect for group instruction as well as personal
Bible study. Speakers include: George Grant, Howard Phillips,
R.C. Sproul Jr., Ken Gentry, Gary DeMar, Jay Grimstead, R.J. Rushdoony,
Steven Schlissel, Andrew Sandlin, Eric Holmberg, and more!
Ten parts, over four hours of instruction! Watch over 60 streaming videos from God's Law and Society at:
Price reduced! |
| Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism
Over four hours of instruction! Just what is “Calvinism?” Does this teaching make man a deterministic robot and God the author of sin? What about free will? If the church accepts Calvinism, won’t evangelism be stifled, perhaps even extinguished? How can we balance God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? What are the differences between historic Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism? Why did men like Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Edwards and a host of renowned Protestant evangelists embrace the teaching of predestination and election and deny free will theology? This is the first video documentary that answers these and other related questions. Hosted by Eric Holmberg, this fascinating three-part, four-hour presentation is detailed enough so as to not gloss over the controversy. At the same time, it is broken up into ten “Sunday-school-sized” sections to make the rich content manageable and accessible for the average viewer. |
$19.95 ORDER NOW!
|
|
The Forerunner Forum is the discussion group for this web site. The purpose of the group is to engage in discussion about the articles on-line. If you want to discuss any article or video on this web site, visit The Forerunner Forum. |
| VIDEOS | WORDS | BLOG | DISCUSSION | WHAT'S NEW | ABOUT US | FEEDBACK | SEARCH | DONATE | JAY'S BIO | HOME |
For more information, contact:
| The Forerunner jrogers@forerunner.com |
|
P.O. Box 362173 Melbourne, FL 32936-2173 |
