Traduction
Masquer
Die sieben Briefe des Ignatius von Antiochien (BKV)
5. Kap. Die Fesseln allein machen den Jünger Christi nicht.
1. Kann ich euch nicht das Himmlische beschreiben? Ich fürchte aber, es könnte euch, die ihr noch Kinder seid, schädlich sein; verzeihet mir also, damit ihr nicht elend zugrunde gehet, weil ihr es nicht begreifen könnet. 2. Denn deshalb, weil ich gefesselt und auch imstande bin, das Himmlische zu erkennen, die Plätze der Engel und die Rangordnung der Herrschaften, das Sichtbare und das Unsichtbare, so bin ich trotzdem noch kein Jünger. Denn es fehlt uns noch viel, dass wir nicht Gottes verlustig werden.
Traduction
Masquer
Epistles of Ignatius
Chapter V.--I will not teach you profound doctrines.
Am I not able to write to you of heavenly things? But I fear to do so, lest I should inflict injury on you who are but babes [in Christ]. Pardon me in this respect, lest, as not being able to receive [such doctrines], ye should be strangled by them. For even I, though I am bound [for Christ], yet am not on that account able to understand heavenly things, and the places 1 of the angels, and their gatherings under their respective princes, things visible and invisible. Without reference to such abstruse subjects, I am still but a learner [in other respects 2 ]; for many things are wanting to us, that we come not short of God.
For might 3 not I write to you things more full of mystery? But I fear to do so, lest I should inflict injury on you who are but babes [in Christ]. Pardon me in this respect, lest, as not being able to receive their weighty import, 4 ye should be strangled by them. For even I, though I am bound [for Christ], and am able to understand heavenly things, the angelic orders, and the different sorts 5 of angels and hosts, the distinctions between powers and dominions, and the diversities between thrones and authorities, the mightiness of the Æons, and the pre-eminence of the cherubim and seraphim, the sublimity of the spirit, the kingdom of the Lord, and above all, the incomparable majesty of Almighty God--though I am acquainted with these things, yet am I not therefore by any means perfect; nor am I such a disciple as Paul or Peter. For many things are yet wanting to me, that I may not fall short of God.