Translation Hide
Epistles of Ignatius

Chapter V.--The praise of unity.

For if I in this brief space of time, have enjoyed such fellowship with your bishop --I mean not of a mere human, but of a spiritual nature--how much more do I reckon you happy who are so joined to him as the Church is to Jesus Christ, and as Jesus Christ is to the Father, that so all things may agree in unity! Let no man deceive himself: if any one be not within the altar, he is deprived of the bread of God. For if the prayer of one or two possesses ¹ such power, how much more that of the bishop and the whole Church! He, therefore, that does not assemble with the Church, has even ² by this manifested his pride, and condemned himself. For it is written, "God resisteth the proud." ³ Let us be careful, then, not to set ourselves in opposition to the bishop, in order that we may be subject to God.

For if I, in this brief space of time, have enjoyed such fellowship with your bishop --I mean not of a mere human, but of a spiritual nature--how much more do I reckon you happy, who so depend ⁴ on him as the Church does on the Lord Jesus, and the Lord does on God and His Father, that so all things may agree in unity! Let no man deceive himself: if any one be not within the altar, he is deprived of the bread of God. For if the prayer of one or two possesses ⁵ such power that Christ stands in the midst of them, how much more will the prayer of the bishop and of the whole Church, ascending up in harmony to God, prevail for the granting of all their petitions in Christ! He, therefore, that separates himself from such, and does not meet in the society where sacrifices ⁶ are offered, and with "the Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven," is a wolf in sheep's clothing, ⁷ while he presents a mild outward appearance. Do ye, beloved, be careful to be subject to the bishop, and the presbyters and the deacons. For he that is subject to these is obedient to Christ, who has appointed them; but he that is disobedient to these is disobedient to Christ Jesus. And "he that obeyeth not ⁸ the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." For he that yields not obedience to his superiors is self-confident, quarrelsome, and proud. But "God," says [the Scripture] "resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble;" ⁹ and, "The proud have greatly transgressed." The Lord also says to the priests, "He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that heareth Me, heareth the Father that sent Me. He that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me."

Translation Hide
Die sieben Briefe des Ignatius von Antiochien (BKV)

5. Kap. Wer sich von der Gemeinde trennt, schädigt sich selbst.

1. Wenn nämlich ich in so kurzer Zeit zu eurem Bischof in so enge Beziehung getreten bin, die nicht menschlich, sondern geistig ist, um wieviel mehr muss ich euch glücklich preisen, die ihr (ihm) so fest verbunden seid, wie die Kirche mit Jesus Christus und wie Jesus Christus mit dem Vater, damit alles in Eintracht zusammenstimme? 2. Keiner lasse sich irreführen: Wer nämlich nicht innerhalb der Opferstätte ist, der kommt um das Brot Gottes. Wenn nämlich das Gebet eines einzigen oder zweier (Menschen) eine solche Kraft hat, um wieviel mehr das Gebet des Bischofs und der ganzen Gemeinde? 3. Wer also nicht zur Versammlung kommt, der ist schon von Hochmut besessen und hat sich selbst gerichtet. Denn es steht geschrieben: „Den Hochmütigen widersteht Gott“¹. Hüten wir uns also davor, mit dem Bischof uns zu entzweien, damit wir im Gehorsam gegen Gott verharren.