Epistle to the Magnesians

by Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the [Church] blessed in the
grace of God the Father, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute
the Church which is at Magnesia, near the Maeander, and wish it
abundance of happiness in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our
Lord, in whom may you have abundance of happiness.

Genres: Theology, Church History, Religion, Catholic, Christian

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 107

About the author

"Ignatius of Antioch (Ancient Greek: Ἰγνάτιος Ἀντιοχείας, Ignátios Antiokheías; ad c. 35 or 50 – 98 to 117), also known as Ignatius Theophorus (Ιγνάτιος ὁ Θεοφόρος, Ignátios ho Theophóros, lit. "the God-bearing"), was an Apostolic Father and the third bishop of Antioch. He was reputedly a student of John the Apostle. En route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom by being fed to wild beasts, he wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology. Important topics addressed in these letters include ecclesiology, the sacraments, and the role of bishops."

-- Wikipedia

Reviews

[Scott Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What it comes to is that we ought not just to have the name of Christians, but to be so in reality; not like some persons who will address a man as bishop, but in practice take no notice of him. I do not see how people of that kind can be acting in good conscience, seeing that the meetings they hold can have no sort of valid authority.2
...
Everyone should observe the closest conformity with God; you must show every consideration for one another, never letting your attitude to a neighbour be affected by your human feelings, but simply loving each other consistently in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Allow nothing whatever to exist among you that could give rise to any divisions; maintain absolute unity with your bishop and leaders, as an example to others and a lesson in the avoidance of corruption."

[Josiah Hasbrouck]

Nice argument. Unfortunately, I do not believe in bishops

[Christian Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredible work that identifies and exclaims some of the faithful teachings of the apostles that appears in the second century. A powerful testimony of how early Christians were living out the Christian life and on what they believed.

[Cole Shiflet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourth read in my study of the Apostolic Fathers. Looking forward to reading this in Greek in a few months. Chapters 8-10 caught my attention. In chapter 8, Ignatius writes, "For if we continue to live in accordance with Judaism, we admit that we have not received grace." He goes on to write, in chapter 9, "If, then, those who had lived according to ancient practices came to the newness of hope, no longer keeping the sabbath but living in accordance with the Lord's day, on which our life also arose through him and his death....." and concluded in chapter 10 by saying, "It is utterly absurd to profess Jesus Christ and to practice Judaism." This was a short about obedience to the bishop and leaving Judaism behind, but these three quotes were pretty interesting!

[Sean-Paul Kosina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things, whatsoever ye do, may prosper both in the flesh and spirit; in faith and love; in the Son, and in the Father, and in the Spirit; in the beginning and in the end; with your most admirable bishop, and the well-compacted spiritual crown of your presbytery, and the deacons who are according to God. Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Jesus Christ to the Father, according to the flesh, and the apostles to Christ, and to the Father, and to the Spirit; that so there may be a union both fleshly and spiritual." -Ignatius of Antioch (Chapter XIII.-Be Established in Faith and Unity)

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find the Apostolic Fathers fascinating. This letter from Ignatius to the Magnesians was written while Ignatius was on his way to Rome to be martyred some time between 108-140 AD. It is mostly a plea for unity among the churches.

He seems to use the titles ‘bishop’ and ‘elder’ in different senses (bishop apparently over the elders), whereas my understanding is that the New Testament uses these synonymously. Something to look into further.

He also has a passing comment that the Old Testament prophets were raised from the dead (9:2). I thought this could be referring to the people who were raised from the dead at the same time as Christ (mentioned only briefly in Matthew’s gospel). It may be just a symbolic reference of some kind though.

I found his statement about going back to the Jewish religious system interesting. In 10:3 he says: ‘It is monstrous to talk of Jesus Christ and to practise Judaism. For Christianity did not base its faith on Judaism, but Judaism on Christianity, and every tongue believing on God was brought together in it.’ Referencing the fact that the Messiah is the fulfillment and archetype of what Judaism was only a foreshadowing of. This early account has much to say to the popular Jewish Roots movement, which seeks to incorporate all the Old Testament laws into Christianity, rather than see them fulfilled by Christ. (Of course the New Testament has much to say on this as well. This just further confirms it.)

All in all this was a very interesting read. I’m loving reading of the generation immediately after the Apostles.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

As in his epistle to the Ephesians, Ignatius stresses unity (primarily through submission to the bishop and presbyters). Interestingly, he says that the bishop presides in the place of God, the council of presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and calls the deacons those who "have been entrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ." (6.1)

There is a very interesting section on Judaism and Christianity, where Ignatius seems to equate "strange doctrines" and "antiquated myths" at least in part with Judaism (8.1). He also remarks that the Sabbath and the Lord's Day are not the same, but that the former is "no longer" (9.1). Finally, he closes the section by saying, "It is utterly absurd to profess Jesus Christ and to practice Judaism. For Christianity did not believe in Judaism, but Judaism in Christianity, in which every tongue believed and was brought together by God." (10.3)

Finally, Ignatius is concerned to remind the Magnesians of Jesus' human experiences, that they "be fully convinced about the birth and the suffering and the resurrection that took place during the time of the governorship of Pontius Pilate." (11)

There is less meat to chew on here than in some of his other letters, but some really interesting insights into his beliefs and some of the realities of the early churches to whom he is writing.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good epistle. Ignatius emphasizes obedience to the bishops. The Lord's day is mentioned in chapter 9 as replacing the Sabbath.

[sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 2023. Seventh and final extant letter.
* Shares other letters' insistence on unity based on the local bishop, the council of priests/presbyters, and the deacons
* Another instance of inveighing against anti-Christian Judaism: claims Israelite prophets for Jesus, insisting they have been (past tense!) resurrected (perhaps an early formula for the harrowing of Hell?); clear call to worship on Sunday, not Saturday; now I want to reread Galatians
* Like other letters, frequently uses the formula "faith and charity"; beginning to wonder if "charity" means "Holy Spirit"
* Striking section on the "two ways" (cf. Deuteronomy and Didache)

[Drew Meisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short letter by St. Ignatius perfectly conveys the reality of the early Church in the years that followed the Resurrection of the Lord. He preaches on obedience to bishops and on following the new religion of Christianity and not holding onto old ways. These letters each say similar things but in different ways and should be read by all Christians

[Jacob London · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, not that interesting. The best parts are when we speaks against Judaizing and how The Jews are called by God to embrace the church of Christ, not the church the Jews. Also, when he spoke of a Catholic unity it was spot on.

[Henry]

Reading through a list of patristic writings, enjoyed it

[Carolyn Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting reading.

[Jeremy Canipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good short letter from Ignatius to one church. Consistent with his letter to the Ephesian church which I read recently.

[Jonathan Jang · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Judaism believed in Christianity, not Christianity in Judaism”; points to institution of Lords day over Sabbaths for the Church; obey the bishop and elders as Christ and His apostles.