Dying to Reach God: A New Translation and Commentary on the Writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Polycarp of Smyrna, Second-Century Christian MartyrsWhat happened to the church after the apostles were gone? Men they ordained like Ignatius and Polycarp demonstrate what it was like. They left behind nine amazing writings that illuminate the mystery of Jesus Christ and the challenges of the second-century church. This book has translations for each text with side-by-side commentary and other aids to help the reader understand and apply what is being said. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, wrote seven letters on his way to Rome to be martyred in the arena. Six of these went to churches, including three churches that the apostle John had written to. Ignatius's seventh letter went to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. He, in turn, wrote a letter to the church at Philippi, the very church the apostle Paul founded and wrote to. The final piece, the first of its kind, is a detailed account of Polycarp's arrest and martyrdom in imitation of the Lord. The purpose of this book is to encourage and exhort readers to learn from the words and deeds of Ignatius and Polycarp how to follow Christ in the apostolic way of sacrificial and submissive love. |
Contents
| 3 | |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to the Ephesians | 9 |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to the Magnesians | 43 |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to the Trallians | 65 |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to the Romans | 83 |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to the Philadelphians | 101 |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans | 119 |
The Epistle of St Ignatius to St Polycarp | 139 |
Introduction to St Polycarp | 157 |
The Epistle of St Polycarp to the Philippians | 163 |
The Martyrdom of St Polycarp | 191 |
For Further Reading | 235 |
About the Author | 241 |
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Common terms and phrases
Acts altar apostles attain baptism bishop blameless blessed body Ch Hist chains Christ Jesus Christians church at Antioch Clem confession council of presbyters counted worthy cross deacons death disciple divine DOCETIC Docetists Ephesians Epistle eternal Eucharist evil EXHORTATION faith and love FAREWELL Father flesh and spirit freely submit glorify glory Gnostics God’s godly gospel grace Greek Heresies heretics Hieromartyr Holy Spirit honor Ignatius of Antioch Ignatius the God-bearer Ignatius's incorruptibility Irenaeus Jesus Christ Jews John Judaism Judaizers literally living Lord Jesus Christ Luke Marcion Mart Pol Martyrdom of Polycarp martyrs Matt mindset Orthodox Church ourselves passion patiently endure Paul Phil Philippians Philomelium Phld Pionius Polycarp Intro presbyters proconsul prophets refers repent REQUEST FOR PRAYER resurrection righteousness Roman Rome saints salvation says Smyrna Smyrnaeans suffering Synaxarion Syria teaching Thess things Trajan translated union unity wild beasts word writing