Letter 1

Ignatius, who is also Theophorus, addresses the church at Ephesus, blessed through God the Father's fullness and foreordained for eternal glory through faith and the will of the Father and Jesus Christ. Chapter 1. Ignatius welcomes their renowned name, noting their faith and love in Christ. He mentions traveling from Syria in bonds, hoping through their prayers to face wild beasts in Rome to become a true disciple. He received their multitude through Onesimus, their bishop, whom he urges them to love according to Jesus Christ. Chapter 2. Ignatius praises fellow servants Burrhus (their blessed deacon), Crocus, Euplus, and Fronto for their love and service. He exhorts the Ephesians to glorify Jesus Christ through perfect unity, submitting to their bishop and presbytery for sanctification. Chapter 3. Though in bonds, Ignatius claims imperfection in Christ, presenting himself as a fellow student. He urges them toward harmony with God's mind, noting that Jesus Christ is the Father's mind, as bishops reflect Christ's mind throughout the world. Chapter 4. The Ephesians' presbytery harmonizes with their bishop like lyre strings. Their concord produces Jesus Christ's song to the Father. They should form a chorus in unity, taking God's key note to sing with one voice through Christ to the Father. Chapter 5. Ignatius rejoices in their close union with their bishop, mirroring the Church's relationship with Christ and Christ's with the Father. Those outside the altar's precinct lack God's bread. The bishop's and whole Church's united prayer holds great power; pride separates one from the congregation. Chapter 6. Ignatius advises fearing the silent bishop more, receiving him as the Master's steward. Onesimus praises their orderly conduct, truthfulness, and rejection of heresy, noting they listen only to Jesus Christ's truth. Chapter 7. Some maliciously spread the Name while acting unworthily; shun them like wild beasts and mad dogs. Only one physician exists -- God in flesh and spirit, Jesus Christ, generating life in death. Chapter 8. Ignatius assures they cannot be deceived since they belong wholly to God. Devoid of tormenting lust, they live godly. He dedicates himself as an offering for the famous Ephesian church. Flesh and Spirit opposition mirrors faith and unfaithfulness; their fleshly works are spiritual through Christ. Chapter 9. Some passed through spreading evil doctrine, which the Ephesians rejected by stopping their ears. They are temple stones prepared for God the Father's building, hoisted upward through Christ's Cross, using the Holy Spirit as rope and faith as windlass, with love ascending to God. Accompanying them through letter, Ignatius shares their festivity. They carry their God and shrine, arrayed in Christ's commandments, setting love only on God beyond common life. Chapter 10. Pray ceaselessly for all mankind's repentance and salvation. Against others' wrath, practice meekness; against pride, humility; against railings, prayer; against errors, steadfast faith; against fierceness, gentleness. Imitate the Lord in suffering wrongs rather than requiting them, showing forbearance as brothers while imitating the Lord's suffering. Chapter 11. These are the last times; show reverence and fear God's long-suffering lest it become judgment. Either fear coming wrath or love present grace, provided you are found in Christ for true life. Let nothing except Christ glitter in your eyes. Through prayers, may Ignatius rise again, found among Ephesian Christians unified with the Apostles in Christ's power. Chapter 12. Ignatius knows himself a convict and they are established. They are the high road for those dying unto God and associates in mysteries with Paul, sanctified and worthy of felicitation. Ignatius seeks to follow his footsteps toward God, noting Paul mentions them in every epistle. Chapter 13. Meet frequently for God's thanksgiving and glory. Satan's powers are cast down in your faith's concord; his mischief becomes nothing. Nothing surpasses peace, abolishing all heaven and earth's warfare. Chapter 14. Perfect faith and love toward Christ -- life's beginning and end -- reveal hidden things. Finding both in unity equals God; all nobility follows. Those professing faith do not sin; those possessing love do not hate. Actions manifest profession; works appear when found in faith's power unto the end. Chapter 15. Better to maintain silence and be than speak and not be. Teaching is excellent if the teacher practices. One Teacher spoke and things came to be; His silent works merit the Father. Possessing Christ's word means hearkening to His silence for perfection -- acting through speech, known through silence. Nothing hides from the Lord; our secrets are near Him. Do all things knowing He dwells in us, making us His temples with God inhabiting us. Love rightly borne toward Him clarifies this reality. Chapter 16. House corrupters shall not inherit God's kingdom. Those corrupting faith through evil doctrine through whom Christ was crucified shall enter unquenchable fire; those hearing them likewise. Chapter 17. The Lord received ointment on His head to breathe incorruption upon the Church. Avoid the ill-smelling teaching of this world's prince lest he captivate you and rob you of set-before life. Chapter 18. Ignatius's spirit becomes an offscouring for the Cross -- a stumbling block to unbelievers but salvation and eternal life to believers. Jesus Christ, God's Son, was conceived in Mary's womb according to divine dispensation, from David's seed and the Holy Ghost; born and baptized, His passion cleanses water. Chapter 19. Hidden from the world's prince were Mary's virginity, child-bearing, and the Lord's death -- three mysteries cried aloud, wrought in God's silence. A star shone forth above all stars with unutterable light; its strangeness amazed all. Every sorcery and spell dissolved thereafter; wickedness's ignorance vanished; the ancient kingdom fell when God appeared in man's likeness unto everlasting life's newness. Chapter 20. If Jesus Christ counts Ignatius worthy through their prayer and divine will, he will write a second tract setting forth the new man Christ's dispensation -- faith and love toward Him, His passion and resurrection. Assemble in common, severally, in grace, one faith and Christ -- after flesh, David's race; Son of Man and God -- obeying bishop and presbytery without distraction. Break one bread, immortality's medicine, the antidote preventing death, living forever in Christ. Chapter 21. Ignatius is devoted to them and those sent to Smyrna honoring God. Pray for Syria's church, whence he is led prisoner to Rome -- the last faithful there, counted worthy for God's honor. Farewell in God the Father and Christ, your common hope.