To the Romans (complete)
Greek text: Lake, LCL 24 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885).
Inscription
0Lake, LCL 24:224–226
Ἰγνάτιος, ὁ καὶ Θεοφόρος, τῇ ἠλεημένῃ ἐν μεγαλειότητι πατρὸς ὑψίστου καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ μόνου υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἠγαπημένῃ καὶ πεφωτισμένῃ ἐν θελήματι τοῦ θελήσαντος τὰ πάντα, ἅ ἐστιν, κατὰ ἀγάπην Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἥτις καὶ προκάθηται ἐν τόπῳ χωρίου Ῥωμαίων, ἀξιόθεος, ἀξιοπρεπής, ἀξιομακάριστος, ἀξιέπαινος, ἀξιεπίτευκτος, ἀξίαγνος καὶ προκαθημένη τῆς ἀγάπης, χριστώνυμος, πατρώνυμος, ἣν καὶ ἀσπάζομαι ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ πατρός· κατὰ σάρκα καὶ πνεῦμα ἡνωμένοις πάσῃ ἐντολῇ αὐτοῦ, πεπληρωμένοις χάριτος θεοῦ ἀδιακρίτως καὶ ἀποδιυλισμένοις ἀπὸ παντὸς ἀλλοτρίου χρώματος πλεῖστα ἐν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν, ἀμώμως χαίρειν.
Ignatios, ho kai Theophoros, tę̄ ēleēmenę̄ en megaleiotēti patros hypsistou kai Iēsou Christou tou monou huiou autou ekklēsią ēgapēmenę̄ kai pephōtismenę̄ en thelēmati tou thelēsantos ta panta, ha estin, kata agapēn Iēsou Christou, tou theou hēmōn, hētis kai prokathētai en topǭ chōriou Rhōmaiōn, axiotheos, axioprepēs, axiomakaristos, axiepainos, axiepiteuktos, axiagnos kai prokathēmenē tēs agapēs, christōnymos, patrōnymos, hēn kai aspazomai en onomati Iēsou Christou, huiou patros; kata sarka kai pneuma hēnōmenois pasę̄ entolę̄ autou, peplērōmenois charitos theou adiakritōs kai apodiylismenois apo pantos allotriou chrōmatos pleista en Iēsou Christǭ, tǭ theǭ hēmōn, amōmōs chairein.
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the church that has received mercy in the majesty of the Father Most High and of Jesus Christ his only Son; beloved and enlightened by the will of him who willed all things that exist, according to the love of Jesus Christ our God; the church that presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of blessing, worthy of praise, worthy of success, worthy in purity, and presiding in love, bearing the name of Christ, bearing the name of the Father; which I greet in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. To those who are united in flesh and spirit with every commandment of his, filled with the grace of God without wavering, and filtered clean of every foreign stain: abundant greetings, blamelessly, in Jesus Christ our God.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius greets the church at Rome with unusual honor.
- “Presides in the place of the region of the Romans” (προκάθηται ἐν τόπῳ χωρίου Ῥωμαίων): the church leads in the territory of the Romans. How much this implies about the Roman church's standing among the churches has been debated since the Reformation; the words themselves are translated here without interpretation.
- “Presiding in love” (προκαθημένη τῆς ἀγάπης): or “presiding over the love,” where “love” may mean the whole fellowship of believers (compare Ign. Trall. 13.1).
- “Filtered clean of every foreign stain” (ἀποδιυλισμένοις ἀπὸ παντὸς ἀλλοτρίου χρώματος): literally “strained of every foreign color,” an image from straining wine or dye.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (missing accent); digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accents)): Ἰγνατιος → Ἰγνάτιος; ἃ ἔστιν → ἅ ἐστιν.
Topics: Church office, Christology
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. inscr. (Lake, LCL 24:224–226; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/0).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/0
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 1
1.1Lake, LCL 24:226; PG 5:685b–685c
Ἐπεὶ εὐξάμενος θεῷ ἐπέτυχον ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὰ ἀξιόθεα πρόσωπα, ὡς καὶ πλέον ᾐτούμην λαβεῖν· δεδεμένος γὰρ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐλπίζω ὑμᾶς ἀσπάσασθαι, ἐάνπερ θέλημα ᾖ τοῦ ἀξιωθῆναί με εἰς τέλος εἶναι.
Epei euxamenos theǭ epetychon idein hymōn ta axiothea prosōpa, hōs kai pleon ę̄toumēn labein; dedemenos gar en Christǭ Iēsou elpizō hymas aspasasthai, eanper thelēma ę̄ tou axiōthēnai me eis telos einai.
Since by praying to God I have been granted to see your godly faces, as I had been asking to receive even more (for as a prisoner in Christ Jesus I hope to greet you, if it is his will that I be counted worthy to reach the end);
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius hopes to reach Rome and the end of his course.
- The sentence is loosely built in the Greek and continues into 1.2.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 1.1 (PG 5:685b–685c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/1-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/1-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
1.2Lake, LCL 24:226
ἡ μὲν γὰρ ἀρχὴ εὐοικονόμητός ἐστιν, ἐάνπερ χάριτος ἐπιτύχω εἰς τὸ τὸν κλῆρόν μου ἀνεμποδίστως ἀπολαβεῖν. φοβοῦμαι γὰρ τὴν ὑμῶν ἀγάπην, μὴ αὐτή με ἀδικήσῃ. ὑμῖν γὰρ εὐχερές ἐστιν, ὃ θέλετε, ποιῆσαι· ἐμοὶ δὲ δύσκολόν ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν, ἐάνπερ ὑμεῖς μὴ φείσησθέ μου.
hē men gar archē euoikonomētos estin, eanper charitos epitychō eis to ton klēron mou anempodistōs apolabein. phoboumai gar tēn hymōn agapēn, mē autē me adikēsę̄. hymin gar eucheres estin, ho thelete, poiēsai; emoi de dyskolon estin tou theou epitychein, eanper hymeis mē pheisēsthe mou.
for the beginning is well ordered, if I obtain the grace to receive my lot without hindrance. For I am afraid of your love, lest it do me wrong. For it is easy for you to do what you want, but it is difficult for me to attain to God, unless you spare me.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius fears the Romans' love might lead them to prevent his martyrdom.
- “Unless you spare me”: that is, refrain from intervening to save him.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 1.2 (Lake, LCL 24:226; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/1-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/1-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 2
2.1Lake, LCL 24:226–228; PG 5:688a
Οὐ γὰρ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀνθρωπαρεσκῆσαι, ἀλλὰ θεῷ ἀρέσαι, ὥσπερ καὶ ἀρέσκετε. οὔτε γὰρ ἐγώ ποτε ἕξω καιρὸν τοιοῦτον θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν, οὔτε ὑμεῖς, ἐὰν σιωπήσητε, κρείττονι ἔργῳ ἔχετε ἐπιγραφῆναι. ἐὰν γὰρ σιωπήσητε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ἐγὼ λόγος θεοῦ· ἐὰν δὲ ἐρασθῆτε τῆς σαρκός μου, πάλιν ἕσομαι φωνή.
Ou gar thelō hymas anthrōpareskēsai, alla theǭ aresai, hōsper kai areskete. oute gar egō pote hexō kairon toiouton theou epitychein, oute hymeis, ean siōpēsēte, kreittoni ergǭ echete epigraphēnai. ean gar siōpēsēte apʼ emou, egō logos theou; ean de erasthēte tēs sarkos mou, palin hesomai phōnē.
For I do not want you to please people, but to please God, as indeed you do. For neither shall I ever have such an opportunity to attain to God, nor can you, if you keep silent, be credited with any better deed. For if you keep silent about me, I shall be a word of God; but if you love my flesh, I shall again be only a voice.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
1 Thess 2:4 (allusion, medium confidence) · Gal 1:10 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: If the Romans do nothing to save him, Ignatius's death will speak God's word.
- “A word of God … only a voice”: through his death he will become a true word of God; if they save him, he will be a mere sound. Some manuscripts read “I shall be God's” instead of “I shall be a word of God.” The Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885) follows that reading and renders the last clause “I shall again have to run my race.”
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): σαρκός μου. πάλιν → σαρκός μου, πάλιν.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 2.1 (PG 5:688a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/2-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/2-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
2.2Lake, LCL 24:228; PG 5:688a–688b
πλέον μοι μὴ παράσχησθε τοῦ σπονδισθῆναι θεῷ, ὡς ἔτι θυσιαστήριον ἕτοιμόν ἐστιν, ἵνα ἐν ἀγάπῃ χορὸς γενόμενοι ᾅσητε τῷ πατρὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι τὸν ἐπίσκοπον Συρίας ὁ θεὸς κατηξίωσεν εὑρεθῆναι εἰς δύσιν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς μεταπεμψάμενος. καλὸν τὸ δῦναι ἀπὸ κόσμου πρὸς θεόν, ἵνα εἰς αὐτὸν ἀνατείλω.
pleon moi mē paraschēsthe tou spondisthēnai theǭ, hōs eti thysiastērion hetoimon estin, hina en agapę̄ choros genomenoi hąsēte tǭ patri en Christǭ Iēsou, hoti ton episkopon Syrias ho theos katēxiōsen heurethēnai eis dysin apo anatolēs metapempsamenos. kalon to dynai apo kosmou pros theon, hina eis auton anateilō.
Grant me nothing more than to be poured out as a drink offering to God while an altar is still ready, so that, forming a choir in love, you may sing to the Father in Christ Jesus, because God has counted the bishop of Syria worthy to be found in the west, having summoned him from the east. It is good to set from the world toward God, so that I may rise to him.
Phil 2:17 (allusion, medium confidence) · 2 Tim 4:6 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks only to be offered to God, setting like the sun in the west to rise in God.
- “Set … rise” (δῦναι … ἀνατείλω): the setting and rising of the sun, matching “west” and “east.”
Topics: Martyrdom, Church office
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 2.2 (PG 5:688a–688b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/2-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/2-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 3
3.1Lake, LCL 24:228; PG 5:688b
Οὐδέποτε ἐβασκάνατε οὐδενί, ἄλλους ἐδιδάξατε. ἐγὼ δὲ θέλω, ἵνα κἀκεῖνα βέβαια ᾖ ἃ μαθητεύοντες ἐντέλλεσθε.
Oudepote ebaskanate oudeni, allous edidaxate. egō de thelō, hina kakeina bebaia ę̄ ha mathēteuontes entellesthe.
You have never envied anyone; you taught others. And I want the things that you command when you make disciples to remain firm.
Notes and citation
Summary: The Romans have taught others; Ignatius asks them to be consistent with their teaching.
- “You taught others”: perhaps an allusion to Rome's earlier letters to other churches, such as 1 Clement.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 3.1 (PG 5:688b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/3-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/3-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
3.2Lake, LCL 24:228; PG 5:688b–688c
μόνον μοι δύναμιν αἰτεῖσθε ἔσωθέν τε καὶ ἔξωθεν, ἵνα μὴ μόνον λέγω ἀλλὰ καὶ θέλω, ἵνα μὴ μόνον λέγωμαι Χριστιανὸς ἀλλὰ καὶ εὑρεθῶ. ἐὰν γὰρ εὑρεθῶ, καὶ λέγεσθαι δύναμαι, καὶ τότε πιστὸς εἶναι, ὅταν κόσμῳ μὴ φαίνωμαι.
monon moi dynamin aiteisthe esōthen te kai exōthen, hina mē monon legō alla kai thelō, hina mē monon legōmai Christianos alla kai heurethō. ean gar heurethō, kai legesthai dynamai, kai tote pistos einai, hotan kosmǭ mē phainōmai.
Only ask on my behalf for power, both inward and outward, so that I may not only speak but also will, so that I may not only be called a Christian but also be found one. For if I am found to be one, I can also be called one, and then be faithful, when I am no longer visible to the world.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks for strength to be a Christian in deed, not only in name.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 3.2 (PG 5:688b–688c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/3-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/3-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
3.3Lake, LCL 24:228–230; PG 5:689a
οὐδὲν φαινόμενον καλόν· ὁ γὰρ θεὸς ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐν πατρὶ ὢν μᾶλλον φαίνεται. οὐ πεισμονῆς τὸ ἔργον, ἀλλὰ μεγέθους ἐστὶν ὁ Χριστιανισμός, ὅταν μισῆται ὑπὸ κόσμου.
ouden phainomenon kalon; ho gar theos hēmōn Iēsous Christos en patri ōn mallon phainetai. ou peismonēs to ergon, alla megethous estin ho Christianismos, hotan misētai hypo kosmou.
Nothing that is visible is good. For our God Jesus Christ, being in the Father, is all the more visible. Christianity is not a work of persuasion but of greatness, whenever it is hated by the world.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
2 Cor 4:18 (echo, medium confidence) · John 15:18 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Christianity shows its greatness when the world hates it.
- “All the more visible”: a paradox; Christ, now with the Father, is more fully revealed than when he was seen on earth.
- “Of persuasion” (πεισμονῆς): of persuasive words.
- Other manuscripts read “not a work of silence” (σιωπῆς) instead of “of persuasion” (πεισμονῆς); the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885) follows that reading.
Topics: Christology, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 3.3 (PG 5:689a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/3-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/3-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 4
4.1Lake, LCL 24:230; PG 5:689a
Ἐγὼ γράφω πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις, καὶ ἐντέλλομαι πᾶσιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἑκὼν ὑπὲρ θεοῦ ἀποθνήσκω, ἐάνπερ ὑμεῖς μὴ κωλύσητε. παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, μὴ εὔνοια ἄκαιρος γένησθέ μοι. ἄφετέ με θηρίων εἶναι βοράν, διʼ ὧν ἔνεστιν θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν. σῖτός εἰμι θεοῦ καὶ διʼ ὀδόντων θηρίων ἀλήθομαι, ἵνα καθαρὸς ἄρτος εὑρεθῶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Egō graphō pasais tais ekklēsiais, kai entellomai pasin, hoti egō hekōn hyper theou apothnēskō, eanper hymeis mē kōlysēte. parakalō hymas, mē eunoia akairos genēsthe moi. aphete me thēriōn einai boran, diʼ hōn enestin theou epitychein. sitos eimi theou kai diʼ odontōn thēriōn alēthomai, hina katharos artos heurethō tou Christou.
I am writing to all the churches and charging them all that I am dying for God of my own free will, unless you hinder me. I urge you: do not become an untimely kindness to me. Let me be food for the wild beasts, through whom I can attain to God. I am God's wheat, and I am being ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may be found pure bread of Christ.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius begs the Romans not to save him: he is God's wheat, to be ground into Christ's bread.
- “An untimely kindness” (εὔνοια ἄκαιρος): a proverbial expression.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing)): διʼ ὦν ἔνεστιν → διʼ ὧν ἔνεστιν.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 4.1 (PG 5:689a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/4-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/4-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
4.2Lake, LCL 24:230; PG 5:689a–689b
μᾶλλον κολακεύσατε τὰ θηρία, ἵνα μοι τάφος γένωνται καὶ μηθὲν καταλίπωσι τῶν τοῦ σώματός μου, ἵνα μὴ κοιμηθεὶς βαρύς τινι γένωμαι. τότε ἔσομαι μαθητὴς ἀληθῶς Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὅτε οὐδὲ τὸ σῶμά μου ὁ κόσμος ὄψεται. λιτανεύσατε τὸν Χριστὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα διὰ τῶν ὀργάνων τούτων θυσία εὑρεθῶ.
mallon kolakeusate ta thēria, hina moi taphos genōntai kai mēthen katalipōsi tōn tou sōmatos mou, hina mē koimētheis barys tini genōmai. tote esomai mathētēs alēthōs Iēsou Christou, hote oude to sōma mou ho kosmos opsetai. litaneusate ton Christon hyper emou, hina dia tōn organōn toutōn thysia heurethō.
Rather, coax the wild beasts, so that they may become my tomb and leave nothing of my body, so that when I have fallen asleep I may not be a burden to anyone. Then I shall truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world will not even see my body. Pray to Christ for me, that through these instruments I may be found a sacrifice.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks prayer that the beasts may make him a sacrifice to God.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 4.2 (PG 5:689a–689b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/4-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/4-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
4.3Lake, LCL 24:230; PG 5:689b
οὐχ ὡς Πέτρος καὶ Παῦλος διατάσσομαι ὑμῖν. ἐκεῖνοι ἀπόστολοι, ἐγὼ κατάκριτος· ἐκεῖνοι ἐλεύθεροι, ἐγὼ δὲ μέχρι νῦν δοῦλος. ἀλλʼ ἐὰν πάθω, ἀπελεύθερος γενήσομαι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἀναστήσομαι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐλεύθερος. νῦν μανθάνω δεδεμένος μηδὲν ἐπιθυμεῖν.
ouch hōs Petros kai Paulos diatassomai hymin. ekeinoi apostoloi, egō katakritos; ekeinoi eleutheroi, egō de mechri nyn doulos. allʼ ean pathō, apeleutheros genēsomai Iēsou Christou kai anastēsomai en autǭ eleutheros. nyn manthanō dedemenos mēden epithymein.
I do not give you orders as Peter and Paul did. They were apostles; I am a condemned man. They were free; I am to this day a slave. But if I suffer, I shall become a freedman of Jesus Christ, and I shall rise free in him. Now in chains I am learning to desire nothing.
1 Cor 7:22 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Cor 9:1 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Unlike the apostles Peter and Paul, Ignatius is a condemned man who will be made free by martyrdom.
- Among the earliest evidence connecting both Peter and Paul with the church at Rome.
Topics: Martyrdom, Church office
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 4.3 (PG 5:689b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/4-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/4-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 5
5.1Lake, LCL 24:230–232; PG 5:689b–692a
Ἀπὸ Συρίας μέχρι Ῥώμης θηριομαχῶ, διὰ γῆς καὶ θαλάσσης, νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, δεδεμένος δέκα λεοπάρδοις, ὅ ἐστιν στρατιωτικὸν τάγμα· οἳ καὶ εὐεργετούμενοι χείρους γίνονται. ἐν δὲ τοῖς ἀδικήμασιν αὐτῶν μᾶλλον μαθητεύομαι, ἀλλʼ οὐ παρὰ τοῦτο δεδικαίωμαι.
Apo Syrias mechri Rhōmēs thēriomachō, dia gēs kai thalassēs, nyktos kai hēmeras, dedemenos deka leopardois, ho estin stratiōtikon tagma; hoi kai euergetoumenoi cheirous ginontai. en de tois adikēmasin autōn mallon mathēteuomai, allʼ ou para touto dedikaiōmai.
From Syria to Rome I am fighting with wild beasts, by land and sea, by night and day, bound to ten leopards, that is, a detachment of soldiers, who become worse when they are treated kindly. Yet by their wrongs I am becoming more of a disciple; “but I am not justified by this.”
1 Cor 4:4 (quotation, high confidence) · 1 Cor 15:32 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: On the journey Ignatius is already “fighting beasts”: his cruel guards.
- “Leopards”: his military guard, described as wild animals.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent); digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing and accent)): ἧμερας → ἡμέρας; οἲ καὶ → οἳ καὶ.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 5.1 (PG 5:689b–692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/5-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/5-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2Lake, LCL 24:232; PG 5:692a
ὀναίμην τῶν θηρίων τῶν ἐμοὶ ἡτοιμασμένων καὶ εὔχομαι σύντομά μοι εὑρεθῆναι· ἃ καὶ κολακεύσω, συντόμως με καταφαγεῖν, οὐχ ὥσπερ τινῶν δειλαινόμενα οὐχ ἥψαντο. κἂν αὐτὰ δὲ ἄκοντα μὴ θελήσῃ, ἐγὼ προσβιάσομαι.
onaimēn tōn thēriōn tōn emoi hētoimasmenōn kai euchomai syntoma moi heurethēnai; ha kai kolakeusō, syntomōs me kataphagein, ouch hōsper tinōn deilainomena ouch hēpsanto. kan auta de akonta mē thelēsę̄, egō prosbiasomai.
May I have joy of the beasts that have been prepared for me, and I pray that they may be found prompt with me. I will even coax them to devour me promptly, not as with some whom they were afraid to touch. And if they are unwilling and refuse, I myself will force them.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius hopes the beasts will be quick to devour him.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 5.2 (PG 5:692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/5-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/5-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
5.3Lake, LCL 24:232; PG 5:692a
συγγνώμην μοι ἔχετε· τί μοι συμφέρει, ἐγὼ γινώσκω, νῦν ἄρχομαι μαθητὴς εἶναι. μηθέν με ζηλώσαι τῶν ὁρατῶν καὶ ἀοράτων, ἵνα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιτύχω. πῦρ καὶ σταυρὸς θηρίων τε συστάσεις, ἀνατομαί, διαιρέσεις, σκορπισμοὶ ὀστέων, συγκοπὴ μελῶν, ἀλεσμοὶ ὅλου τοῦ σώματος, κακαὶ κολάσεις τοῦ διαβόλου ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐρχέσθωσαν, μόνον ἵνα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιτύχω.
syngnōmēn moi echete; ti moi sympherei, egō ginōskō, nyn archomai mathētēs einai. mēthen me zēlōsai tōn horatōn kai aoratōn, hina Iēsou Christou epitychō. pyr kai stauros thēriōn te systaseis, anatomai, diaireseis, skorpismoi osteōn, synkopē melōn, alesmoi holou tou sōmatos, kakai kolaseis tou diabolou epʼ eme erchesthōsan, monon hina Iēsou Christou epitychō.
Forgive me; I know what is to my advantage. Now I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing visible or invisible envy me, so that I may attain to Jesus Christ. Fire and cross and encounters with wild beasts, cuttings and tearings, scattering of bones, mangling of limbs, grinding of the whole body, the cruel tortures of the devil: let them come upon me, only let me attain to Jesus Christ.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius welcomes every torture, if only he may reach Christ.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 5.3 (PG 5:692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/5-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/5-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 6
6.1Lake, LCL 24:232; PG 5:692b
Οὐδέν μοι ὠφελήσει τὰ πέρατα τοῦ κόσμου οὐδὲ αἱ βασιλεῖαι τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου. καλόν μοι ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, ἢ βασιλεύειν τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς. ἐκεῖνον ζητῶ, τὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀποθανόντα· ἐκεῖνον θέλω, τὸν διʼ ἡμᾶς ἀναστάντα. ὁ δὲ τοκετός μοι ἐπίκειται.
Ouden moi ōphelēsei ta perata tou kosmou oude hai basileiai tou aiōnos toutou. kalon moi apothanein eis Christon Iēsoun, ē basileuein tōn peratōn tēs gēs. ekeinon zētō, ton hyper hēmōn apothanonta; ekeinon thelō, ton diʼ hēmas anastanta. ho de toketos moi epikeitai.
The ends of the world will profit me nothing, nor the kingdoms of this age. It is better for me to die for Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him I seek, who died for us; him I desire, who rose for our sake. The pains of birth are upon me.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Matt 16:26 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius would rather die for Christ than rule the world; his death will be a birth.
- “To die for Christ Jesus” (ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν): or “to die and so come to Christ Jesus.”
- “The pains of birth”: his martyrdom will be his birth into true life (6.2).
- Some manuscripts read τόκος (“gain, interest”) for τοκετός (“childbirth”); hence older translations such as the Ante-Nicene Fathers (1885): “This is the gain which is laid up for me.”
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 6.1 (PG 5:692b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/6-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/6-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
6.2Lake, LCL 24:232–234; PG 5:692b
σύγγνωτέ μοι, ἀδελφοί· μὴ ἐμποδίσητέ μοι ζῆσαι, μὴ θελήσητέ με ἀποθανεῖν· τὸν τοῦ θεοῦ θέλοντα εἶναι κόσμῳ μὴ χαρίσησθε, μηδὲ ὕλῃ ἐξαπατήσητε· ἄφετέ με καθαρὸν φῶς λαβεῖν· ἐκεῖ παραγενόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἔσομαι.
syngnōte moi, adelphoi; mē empodisēte moi zēsai, mē thelēsēte me apothanein; ton tou theou thelonta einai kosmǭ mē charisēsthe, mēde hylę̄ exapatēsēte; aphete me katharon phōs labein; ekei paragenomenos anthrōpos esomai.
Bear with me, brothers: do not hinder me from living; do not wish me to die. Do not give to the world one who wants to be God's, nor deceive him with material things. Let me receive the pure light; when I arrive there, I shall be a human being.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: For Ignatius, martyrdom is true life, and being saved from it would be death.
- “Living … die”: a reversal; to “live” is to be martyred and so reach God, to “die” is to be kept alive in this world.
- “I shall be a human being”: truly and fully human.
- Other manuscripts read “a man of God”; the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885) follows them.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (missing accent)): θελήσητε με → θελήσητέ με.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 6.2 (PG 5:692b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/6-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/6-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
6.3Lake, LCL 24:234; PG 5:693a
ἐπιτρέψατέ μοι μιμητὴν εἶναι τοῦ πάθους τοῦ θεοῦ μου. εἴ τις αὐτὸν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἔχει, νοησάτω ὃ θέλω, καὶ συμπαθείτω μοι εἰδὼς τὰ συνέχοντά με.
epitrepsate moi mimētēn einai tou pathous tou theou mou. ei tis auton en heautǭ echei, noēsatō ho thelō, kai sympatheitō moi eidōs ta synechonta me.
Allow me to be an imitator of the suffering of my God. If anyone has him within himself, let him understand what I want, and let him sympathize with me, knowing what constrains me.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius wants to imitate the suffering of Christ, his God.
Topics: Martyrdom, Christology
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 6.3 (PG 5:693a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/6-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/6-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 7
7.1Lake, LCL 24:234; PG 5:693a
Ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου διαρπάσαι με βούλεται καὶ τὴν εἰς θεόν μου γνώμην διαφθεῖραι. μηδεὶς οὖν τῶν παρόντων ὑμῶν βοηθείτω αὐτῷ· μᾶλλον ἐμοῦ γίνεσθε, τουτέστιν τοῦ θεοῦ. μὴ λαλεῖτε Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, κόσμον δὲ ἐπιθυμεῖτε.
Ho archōn tou aiōnos toutou diarpasai me bouletai kai tēn eis theon mou gnōmēn diaphtheirai. mēdeis oun tōn parontōn hymōn boētheitō autǭ; mallon emou ginesthe, toutestin tou theou. mē laleite Iēsoun Christon, kosmon de epithymeite.
The ruler of this age wants to snatch me away and to corrupt my purpose toward God. Let none of you who are there help him; rather be on my side, that is, on God's. Do not speak of Jesus Christ while you desire the world.
Notes and citation
Summary: The devil wants to turn Ignatius from God; the Romans must not help him.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 7.1 (PG 5:693a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/7-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/7-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
7.2Lake, LCL 24:234; PG 5:693a–693b
βασκανία ἐν ὑμῖν μὴ κατοικείτω. μηδʼ ἂν ἐγὼ παρὼν παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, πείσθητέ μοι· τούτοις δὲ μᾶλλον πείσθητε, οἷς γράφω ὑμῖν. ζῶν γὰρ γράφω ὑμῖν, ἐρῶν τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν. ὁ ἐμὸς ἔρως ἐσταύρωται, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἐμοὶ πῦρ φιλόυλον· ὕδωρ δὲ ζῶν καὶ λαλοῦν ἐν ἐμοί, ἔσωθέν μοι λέγον· Δεῦρο πρὸς τὸν πατέρα.
baskania en hymin mē katoikeitō. mēdʼ an egō parōn parakalō hymas, peisthēte moi; toutois de mallon peisthēte, hois graphō hymin. zōn gar graphō hymin, erōn tou apothanein. ho emos erōs estaurōtai, kai ouk estin en emoi pyr philoulon; hydōr de zōn kai laloun en emoi, esōthen moi legon; Deuro pros ton patera.
Let no envy dwell among you. Even if I myself, when I am with you, should plead with you, do not obey me; obey rather what I am writing to you now. For I am writing to you while alive, yet longing to die. My passionate love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves material things, but living water, speaking in me and saying within me, “Come to the Father.”
Gal 6:14 (echo, medium confidence) · John 4:10 (allusion, medium confidence) · John 7:38 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius's earthly desire is crucified; living water within him calls him to the Father.
- “My passionate love has been crucified” (ὁ ἐμὸς ἔρως ἐσταύρωται): his earthly desire has been put to death (compare Gal 6:14). From Origen on, many read it as “my Love (that is, Christ) has been crucified.”
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 7.2 (PG 5:693a–693b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/7-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/7-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
7.3Lake, LCL 24:234–236; PG 5:693b
οὐχ ἥδομαι τροφῇ φθορᾶς οὐδὲ ἡδοναῖς τοῦ βίου τούτου. ἄρτον θεοῦ θέλω, ὅ ἐστιν σὰρξ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυείδ, καὶ πόμα θέλω τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ, ὅ ἐστιν ἀγάπη ἄφθαρτος.
ouch hēdomai trophę̄ phthoras oude hēdonais tou biou toutou. arton theou thelō, ho estin sarx Iēsou Christou, tou ek spermatos Daueid, kai poma thelō to haima autou, ho estin agapē aphthartos.
I take no pleasure in perishable food or in the pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I want his blood, which is incorruptible love.
John 6:33 (allusion, high confidence) · John 6:51 (echo, medium confidence) · Rom 1:3 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius longs for the bread of God, Christ's flesh, and the drink of his blood.
- The language of the Eucharist, used here of union with Christ through martyrdom.
Topics: Eucharist, Christology, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 7.3 (PG 5:693b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/7-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/7-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 8
8.1Lake, LCL 24:236
Οὐκέτι θέλω κατὰ ἀνθρώπους ζῆν. τοῦτο δὲ ἔσται, ἐὰν ὑμεῖς θελήσητε. θελήσατε, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς θεληθῆτε.
Ouketi thelō kata anthrōpous zēn. touto de estai, ean hymeis thelēsēte. thelēsate, hina kai hymeis thelēthēte.
I no longer want to live in a human way. And this will be so if you are willing. Be willing, so that you too may be willed.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks the Romans to will his martyrdom.
- “That you too may be willed” (θεληθῆτε): that is, be approved or loved by God.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 8.1 (Lake, LCL 24:236; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/8-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/8-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
8.2Lake, LCL 24:236; PG 5:696a
διʼ ὀλίγων γραμμάτων αἰτοῦμαι ὑμᾶς· πιστεύσατέ μοι. Ἰησοῦς δὲ Χριστὸς ὑμῖν ταῦτα φανερώσει, ὅτι ἀληθῶς λέγω· τὸ ἀψευδὲς στόμα, ἐν ᾧ ὁ πατὴρ ἐλάλησεν ἀληθῶς.
diʼ oligōn grammatōn aitoumai hymas; pisteusate moi. Iēsous de Christos hymin tauta phanerōsei, hoti alēthōs legō; to apseudes stoma, en hǭ ho patēr elalēsen alēthōs.
In these few lines I ask you: believe me. And Jesus Christ will make it plain to you that I am speaking the truth: he is the unlying mouth by whom the Father has spoken truly.
Notes and citation
Summary: Christ, the Father's truthful mouth, will confirm Ignatius's words.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 8.2 (PG 5:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/8-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/8-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
8.3Lake, LCL 24:236; PG 5:696a
αἰτήσασθε περὶ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα ἐπιτύχω. οὐ κατὰ σάρκα ὑμῖν ἔγραψα, ἀλλὰ κατὰ γνώμην θεοῦ. ἐὰν πάθω, ἠθελήσατε· ἐὰν ἀποδοκιμασθῶ, ἐμισήσατε.
aitēsasthe peri emou, hina epitychō. ou kata sarka hymin egrapsa, alla kata gnōmēn theou. ean pathō, ēthelēsate; ean apodokimasthō, emisēsate.
Pray for me, that I may attain. I have not written to you according to the flesh but according to the mind of God. If I suffer, you willed it; if I am rejected, you hated me.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks prayer that he may reach his goal.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 8.3 (PG 5:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/8-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/8-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 9
9.1Lake, LCL 24:236; PG 5:696a
Μνημονεύετε ἐν τῇ προσευχῇ ὑμῶν τῆς ἐν Συρίᾳ ἐκκλησίας, ἥτις ἀντὶ ἐμοῦ ποιμένι τῷ θεῷ χρῆται. μόνος αὐτὴν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐπισκοπήσει καὶ ἡ ὑμῶν ἀγάπη.
Mnēmoneuete en tę̄ proseuchę̄ hymōn tēs en Syrią ekklēsias, hētis anti emou poimeni tǭ theǭ chrētai. monos autēn Iēsous Christos episkopēsei kai hē hymōn agapē.
Remember in your prayer the church in Syria, which has God as its shepherd in my place. Jesus Christ alone will oversee it, and your love.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks prayer for his church in Syria, now shepherded by God alone.
- “Oversee” (ἐπισκοπήσει): the verb of the bishop's office; Christ will be its bishop.
Topics: Prayer, Church office
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 9.1 (PG 5:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/9-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/9-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
9.2Lake, LCL 24:236; PG 5:696a–696b
ἐγὼ δὲ αἰσχύνομαι ἐξ αὐτῶν λέγεσθαι· οὐδὲ γὰρ ἄξιός εἰμι, ὢν ἔσχατος αὐτῶν καὶ ἔκτρωμα· ἀλλʼ ἠλέημαί τις εἶναι, ἐὰν θεοῦ ἐπιτύχω.
egō de aischynomai ex autōn legesthai; oude gar axios eimi, ōn eschatos autōn kai ektrōma; allʼ ēleēmai tis einai, ean theou epitychō.
But I am ashamed to be called one of them, for I am not worthy, being the least of them and one untimely born. But I have received mercy to be someone, if I attain to God.
1 Cor 15:8 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Cor 15:9 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius counts himself the least of the Syrian Christians.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): ὣν ἔσχατος → ὢν ἔσχατος.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 9.2 (PG 5:696a–696b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/9-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/9-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
9.3Lake, LCL 24:236; PG 5:696b
ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν τῶν δεξαμένων με εἰς ὄνομα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, οὐχ ὡς παροδεύοντα. καὶ γὰρ αἱ μὴ προσήκουσαί μοι τῇ ὁδῷ τῇ κατὰ σάρκα, κατὰ πόλιν με προῆγον.
aspazetai hymas to emon pneuma kai hē agapē tōn ekklēsiōn tōn dexamenōn me eis onoma Iēsou Christou, ouch hōs parodeuonta. kai gar hai mē prosēkousai moi tę̄ hodǭ tę̄ kata sarka, kata polin me proēgon.
My spirit greets you, and so does the love of the churches that received me in the name of Jesus Christ, not as a passer-by. For even the churches that did not lie on my route in the flesh went before me from city to city.
Notes and citation
Summary: Churches along the way welcomed Ignatius and sent people ahead of him.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 9.3 (PG 5:696b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/9-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/9-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 10
10.1Lake, LCL 24:236–238
Γράφω δὲ ὑμῖν ταῦτα ἀπὸ Σμύρνης διʼ Ἐφεσίων τῶν ἀξιομακαρίστων. ἔστιν δὲ καὶ ἅμα ἐμοὶ σὺν ἄλλοις πολλοῖς καὶ Κρόκος, τὸ ποθητόν μοι ὄνομα.
Graphō de hymin tauta apo Smyrnēs diʼ Ephesiōn tōn axiomakaristōn. estin de kai hama emoi syn allois pollois kai Krokos, to pothēton moi onoma.
I am writing these things to you from Smyrna by the hand of the Ephesians, who are worthy of blessing. With me, among many others, is Crocus, a name dear to me.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius writes from Smyrna with Ephesian helpers.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 10.1 (Lake, LCL 24:236–238; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/10-1).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/10-1
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
10.2Lake, LCL 24:238; PG 5:696b–696c
περὶ τῶν προελθόντων με ἀπὸ Συρίας εἰς Ῥώμην εἰς δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ πιστεύω ὑμᾶς ἐπεγνωκέναι, οἷς καὶ δηλώσατε ἐγγύς με ὄντα. πάντες γάρ εἰσιν ἄξιοι τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν· οὓς πρέπον ὑμῖν ἐστὶν κατὰ πάντα ἀναπαῦσαι.
peri tōn proelthontōn me apo Syrias eis Rhōmēn eis doxan tou theou pisteuō hymas epegnōkenai, hois kai dēlōsate engys me onta. pantes gar eisin axioi tou theou kai hymōn; hous prepon hymin estin kata panta anapausai.
As for those who went ahead of me from Syria to Rome for the glory of God, I believe you have come to know them; tell them that I am near. For they are all worthy of God and of you; it is fitting for you to refresh them in every way.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ignatius asks the Romans to care for Syrians who went ahead of him.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): οὕς πρέπον → οὓς πρέπον.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 10.2 (PG 5:696b–696c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/10-2).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/10-2
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
10.3Lake, LCL 24:238; PG 5:696c
ἔγραψα δὲ ὑμῖν ταῦτα τῇ πρὸ ἐννέα καλανδῶν Σεπτεμβρίων. ἔρρωσθε εἰς τέλος ἐν ὑπομονῇ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
egrapsa de hymin tauta tę̄ pro ennea kalandōn Septembriōn. errōsthe eis telos en hypomonę̄ Iēsou Christou.
I have written these things to you on the ninth day before the Kalends of September. Farewell to the end, in the endurance of Jesus Christ.
2 Thess 3:5 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The letter is dated 24 August.
- “The ninth day before the Kalends of September”: 24 August. The only date given in Ignatius's letters; the year is not stated.
- Some translations give 23 August, counting the Roman date differently.
Cite (SBL): Ign. Rom. 10.3 (PG 5:696c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/10-3).
Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ign-romans/10-3
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.