Ignatius to the Trallians XI
Source: Ignatius to the Trallians (shorter recension; trans. Roberts-Donaldson, 1885) (Ignatius to the Trallians XI) · father
Flee, therefore, those evil offshoots [of Satan], which produce death-bearing fruit, whereof if any one tastes, he instantly dies. For these men are not the planting of the Father. For if they were, they would appear as branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible. By it He calls you through His passion, as being His members. The head, therefore, cannot be born by itself, without its members; God, who is [the Saviour] Himself, having promised their union.
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