Epistles (Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrneans, to Polycarp); Martyrdom of Ignatius; Martyrdom of Polycarp

Ignatius of Antioch

Language:

English

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Complete work

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Written by the author

who is also called Theophorus,* to the Church which is at Ephesus in Asia, deservedly happy, being blessed through the greatness and fulness 5 of God the Father, and predestinated before the world began that it should be always unto an enduring and un- changeable glory; being united and chosen through * Theophorus. All Christians were denominated TTieophori, ($so- <f>6poi) 1 Temples of God,’ and sometimes Christophori , (Euseb. Hist. Eccles . viii. 10. Ignat. Ep. to Ephes. § 9. Compare Ep. to Magnes. S 12.) ( Temples of Christ.’ The reason of the appellation, which was constantly applied to Ignatius, both by himself and others, is given in the History of his Martyrdom , Sect. 2. “ As soon then as he stood in the presence of the Emperor Traian, the Emperor de- manded of him, 1 Who art thou, unhappy and deluded man, who art so active in transgressing our commands, and, besides, persuadest others to their own destruction V ” Ignatius replied, “ No one ought to call (one who is properly styled) Theophorus, unhappy and deluded: for the evil spirits (which delude men) are departed far from the servants of God. But if you so call me because I am a trouble to those evil spirits, and an enemy to their delusions, I confess the jus- tice of the appellation. For having (within me) Christ the heavenly King, I loosen all their snares.” Trajan replied, %And who is Theo- phorus V 1 Ignatius answered, “He that hath Christ in his heart.” Then answered Trajan, “ Carries! thou, then, within thee him who was crucified V* “ Yea,” replied Ignatius, “ for it is written, * I will dwell in them and walk in them.’ ” (2 Cor. vi. 16.)

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