Introduction to Ignatius of Antioch
The city of Antioch had a strong presence in the early years of the Christian Church. It was one of the first cities outside of Jerusalem to receive the Gospel (Acts 11). In fact, in verse 26, it states the title “Christian” was coined in Antioch from those persecuting the Church. We see in Acts 13 that Saul (Paul) and Barnabas were on mission in Antioch for some time. Antioch is also where Paul and Peter had their infamous confrontation (Galatians 2:11).
The church in Antioch was a crucial location in the Church’s early years, and its influence would continue on into the second century. The bishop who oversaw the Antioch church in the late 1st century to early 2nd century was a man named Ignatius. On a side note, Ignatius of Antioch is not to be confused with the 16th century Jesuit founder Ignatius of Loyola.
We have been digging into the diverse catalog of the Apostolic Fathers, and now we come to Ignatius of Antioch. Not only do we have writings from him, we have seven! Written perhaps sometime between 105-110 AD (Jefford, 2012, Pg. 49), Ignatius was arrested by the Romans and was being transported to Rome. We don’t know a ton of details, except that he is being arrested for preaching the Gospel and is expecting to be killed in Roman games:
“For hearing of my being sent from Syria as a prisoner for the sake of our common name and hope, hoping by your prayers to attain to fight the wild animals in Rome, so that by the experience I might be able to be a disciple, you were eager to see me…
Pray for the church in Syria, from where, being imprisoned, I am led away to Rome…”
“From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, both by land and sea, both by night and day, being bound to ten leopards, I mean a band a soldiers, who even, when they receive benefits, show themselves all the worse. But I am the more instructed by their injuries [to act as a disciple of Christ], yet I am not thereby justified. May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray they may be found eager to rush upon me.”
The Writings of Ignatius
While on the way to Rome, Ignatius has the opportunity to briefly reunite with different churches and encourage them with parting words. He wrote six epistles to different churches, and one personal letter to a bishop, Polycarp of Smyrna. Polycarp is also an Apostolic Father who we have an epistle from, and would later be martyred as well.
The canon of the seven epistles of Ignatius is traditionally listed as:
· Epistle to the Ephesians
· Epistle to the Magnesians
· Epistle to the Trallians
· Epistle to the Romans
· Epistle to the Philadelphians
· Epistle to the Smyrneans
· Epistle to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna
We won’t spend an extensive time (at least for now) examining each epistle individually because the epistles are written very similarly. There are things that stand out in each one, and I hope over time to examine those unique passages. But often these epistles are examined as a whole, and when you read them, you’ll understand why pretty quickly.
Ignatius’ seven letters are layered with the same convictions, commandments, and warnings. It’s clear they were written back-to-back while being transported to Rome. Therefore, instead of dissecting each letter, I find it would be better to examine the broader themes in the epistles of Ignatius. If we can spot the themes in the epistles and the convictions brought by Ignatius, we will have an easier time understanding the letters, as well as what the early Church was going through during that time.
Who was Ignatius?
One interesting thing to point out about Ignatius is that he and Polycarp were allegedly disciples of the apostle John (Howell, 2009, Pg. 189). While Ignatius doesn’t ever reference being a disciple of John in his letters, it can be pieced together that he was educated in John’s theology (Brent, 2005).
What we also know about Ignatius is that he is passionate for the Gospel and unity in the Church. One may find his undying emphasis on church unity and order to be overbearing, especially if you’re reading the seven letters back-to-back!
There is much to look at and discuss regarding Ignatius and his seven epistles, so here’s what I plan to talk about in the coming blogs:
1. The Main Themes in the Seven Letters of Ignatius
2. How Ignatius understood Jesus, the Gospel, and the Apostles
3. What Does it Mean for us to Imitate Jesus?
4. Ignatius on the Eucharist
5. Ignatius and Polycarp
When we wrap up discussing Ignatius, we can then transition over to Polycarp, his letter to the Philippians, and his martyrdom. So, let’s get right into these seven letters!
“For see, he (Ignatius) presided over the Church among us nobly, and with such carefulness as Christ desires. For that which Christ declared to be the highest standard and rule of the Episcopal office, did this man display by his deeds. For having heard Christ saying, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, (John 10:11) with all courage he did lay it down for the sheep.”
Bibliography
Jefford, C. (2012). Reading the Apostolic Fathers: A Student’s Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic.
Brannan, R. (2017). The Apostolic Fathers: A New Translation. Bellingham, WA. Lexham Press.
Schaff, P. (2016). The Complete Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Collection of Early Church Fathers. Toronto, Canada.
Howell, K. (2009). Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna: A New Translation and Theological Commentary. Zanesville, OH. CH Resources.
Brent, A. (2005). Ignatius and Polycarp: The Transformation of New Testament Traditions in the Context of Mystery Cults. In A. Gregory and C. Tuckett, Trajectories Through the New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford. Oxford University Press.
John Chrysostom. Homily on St. Ignatius. Translated by T.P. Brandram. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 9. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1905.htm