Ignatius to the Magnesians VI
Source: Ignatius to the Magnesians (shorter recension; trans. Roberts-Donaldson, 1885) (Ignatius to the Magnesians VI) · father
Since therefore I have, in the persons before mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of you in faith and love, I exhort you to study to do all things with a divine harmony, while your bishop presides in the place of God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly of the apostles, along with your deacons, who are most dear to me, and are entrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the beginning of time, and in the end was revealed. Do ye all then, imitating the same divine conduct, pay respect to one another, and let no one look upon his neighbour after the flesh, but do ye continually love each other in Jesus Christ. Let nothing exist among you that may divide you; but be ye united with your bishop, and those that preside over you, as a type and evidence of your immortality.
Witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15)
- manuscript_tradition: Middle Recension — Codex Mediceus Laurentianus 57.7 (10-11th cent)
- translation: Lightfoot, Apostolic Fathers Part II (1885)
- translation: Roberts-Donaldson Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 1
- citation_tradition: Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians — cites Ignatius's letters by name