The Letters of Ignatius refer to a collection of 7 letters traditionally attributed to Ignatius of Antioch, an early Christian bishop who lived in the 1st century AD. Ignatius was believed to be a disciple of the Apostle John and was appointed as the third Bishop of Antioch. While being transported from Antioch to Rome under armed guard to be executed, Ignatius wrote these letters to encourage various Christian communities located along the route. The letters contain valuable information about early Christian theology, church order and structure, and provide insight into the persecution faced by many early believers.
The 7 letters attributed to Ignatius are:
- Letter to the Ephesians
- Letter to the Magnesians
- Letter to the Trallians
- Letter to the Romans
- Letter to the Philadelphians
- Letter to the Smyrnaeans
- Letter to Polycarp
The authenticity of these letters has been debated by scholars, but a broad consensus exists that 7 letters represent either the genuine writings of Ignatius or an ancient collection of excerpts and citations from his letters assembled by Polycarp. Here is a brief overview of some of the major themes and contents of each letter:
Letter to the Ephesians
This letter was written to the church in Ephesus, where tradition holds that the apostle John had served as bishop. Ignatius warns the Ephesians against false teachers and heresy, emphasizing the divinity of Christ, His incarnation and bodily resurrection. He encourages unity under the authority of the bishop.
Letter to the Magnesians
Written to the church in Magnesia, Ignatius again speaks against false doctrine and divisions, exhorting the Magnesians to unity under their bishop. He warns against “Judaizing” tendencies that sought to impose Old Testament practices.
Letter to the Trallians
Ignatius congratulates the Trallians for their order and submission to the bishop, presbyters (priests) and deacons. He again stresses the humanity and divinity of Christ against the heresy of Docetism, which taught that Jesus only appeared to be human.
Letter to the Romans
This letter was written to the church in Rome, where Ignatius hoped to be martyred. He asks the Romans not to prevent his martyrdom, showing his desire to imitate Christ’s passion. Ignatius also speaks against the Docetists and emphasizes Christian unity under the bishops.
Letter to the Philadelphians
Written to the Philadelphian church, Ignatius urges steadfastness in faith, obedience to the bishop, presbytery and deacons, and avoidance of schism and false doctrine. He again stresses key doctrines like the incarnation and resurrection of Christ.
Letter to the Smyrnaeans
This letter to the church in Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey) warns against false doctrine, heresy and schism. Ignatius encourages the Smyrnaeans to remain in unity and stresses Christ’s real incarnation against the Docetists. He alludes to his imminent martyrdom as an opportunity to fully imitate Christ.
Letter to Polycarp
Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna and had been a disciple of the apostle John. In his letter, Ignatius encourages Polycarp to encourage unity and obedience to the bishop in the church. He again speaks against heresy and false doctrine.
Some of the major themes and emphases that emerge from the Letters of Ignatius include:
- Importance of church unity and obedience to bishops
- Warning against false doctrine, heresy and Judaizing tendencies
- Stressing the humanity and divinity of Christ against Docetism
- Emphasis on Christ’s incarnation, passion and bodily resurrection
- Exhortation to imitate Christ even through martyrdom
- High view of the authority of bishops and church hierarchy
Here are some key excerpts from Ignatius’ letters highlighting major themes:
“Be diligent, therefore, to use one eucharist, for there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup, for unity with his blood; one altar, even as there is one bishop, together with the presbytery and the deacons my fellow-servants.” (Letter to the Philadelphians)
“Flee from schism as the source of mischief. You should all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ did the Father.” (Letter to the Smyrnaeans)
“Ignore anyone who attempts to sow dissention…One alone is the physician, who is both flesh and spirit, born and unborn, God in man, true life in death, both from Mary and from God, first subject to suffering and then beyond it, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Letter to the Ephesians)
The letters of Ignatius were widely circulated in the early church and were held in high regard by early Christian writers. Eusebius and Polycarp both mention Ignatius’ letters in their writings. His letters give us a unique window into the theology, controversies, and persecutions faced by the generation of believers immediately after the apostles. They provide valuable evidence of early church structure with threefold orders of bishops, priests and deacons. The strong emphasis on church unity under the authority of bishops also illustrates the emerging episcopal structure of church government in early Christianity.
While later scholars have debated which parts of the letters are authentic or later interpolations, most agree that the 7 letters are either wholly or partially from Ignatius himself. The letters of Ignatius continue to be widely studied today, both for their spiritual encouragement and for the historical insights they provide into the post-apostolic era of Christianity.