THE EPISTLE OF
IGNATIUS TO THE
MAGNESIANS
CHAPTER 1
1 Ignatius who is also called Theophorus; to the blessed (church) by the grace of God the Father in Jesus Christ our Saviour: in whom I salute the church which is at Magnesia near the Mæander: and wish it all joy in God the Father and in Jesus Christ.
2 I have heard of your name much beloved in God; which ye have very justly attained by a habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love which is in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
3 For having been thought ᵃworthy to obtain a most excellent name, in the bonds which I carry about, I ᵇsalute the churches; wishing in them a union both of the body and spirit of Jesus Christ, our eternal life: as also of faith and ᶜcharity, to which nothing is preferred: but especially of Jesus and the Father in whom if we undergo all the injuries of the prince of this present world, and escape, we shall enjoy God.
4 Seeing then I have been judged worthy to see you, by Damas your most excellent bishop; and by your very worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius; and by my fellow-servant Sotio, the deacon;
5 In whom I rejoice, forasmuch as he is the subject unto his bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ; I determined to write unto you.
6 Wherefore it will become you also not to use your bishop too familiarly upon the account of his youth; but to yield all reverence to him according to the power of God the Father; as also I perceive that your holy presbyters do: not considering his age, which indeed to appearance is young; but as becomes those who are prudent in God, submitting to him, or rather not to him, but to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the bishop of us all.
7 It will therefore behoove you with all sincerity, to obey your bishop; in honour him whose pleasure it is that ye should do so.
8 Because he that does not do so, deceives not the bishop whom he sees, but ᵃaffronts him that is invisible. For whatsoever of this kind is done, it reflects not upon ᵇman, but upon God, who ᶜknows the ᵈsecrets of our ᵉhearts.
10 As some call indeed their governor, bishop; but yet do all things without him.
11 But I can never think that such as these have a good conscience, seeing that they are not gathered together ᵃthoroughly according to God's ᵇcommandment.