Chapter VI.—The duties of the...

Chapter VI.—The duties of the Christian flock.

Give ye ¹⁰⁹⁹ heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs ¹¹⁰⁰ that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates, ¹¹⁰¹ and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge ¹¹⁰² assigned to you, that ye may receive a worthy recompense. Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, as God is towards you. May I have joy of you for ever! ¹¹⁰³

Give ye ¹¹⁰⁴ heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs ¹¹⁰⁵ that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbytery, and to the deacons: may I have my portion with them from God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates, ¹¹⁰⁶ and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye shall receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge assigned to you, that you may obtain for them a most worthy ¹¹⁰⁷ recompense. Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, and God shall be so with you. May I have joy of you for ever! ¹¹⁰⁸

Footnotes

95:1099

As this Epistle, though sent to the bishop, was meant to be read to the people, Ignatius here directly addresses them.

95:1100

Comp. chap. ii. etc.

95:1101

Or, “assessors.”

95:1102

A military reference, simply implying the idea of faithful effort leading to future reward.

95:1103

Comp. Ignatius’ Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. ii.

95:1104

As this Epistle, though sent to the bishop, was meant to be read to the people, Ignatius here directly addresses them.

95:1105

Comp. chap. ii. etc.

95:1106

Or, “assessors.”

95:1107

Literally, “worthy of God.”

95:1108

Comp. Ignatius’ Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. ii.