Letter to the Ephesians

About the text

About this work

The Letter to the Ephesians is one of the seven letters preserved in the Middle Recension of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Writing as a prisoner on his way from Syria toward Rome, Ignatius thanks the Ephesian Christians for the care they showed him through their representatives and repeatedly praises their faith and love. The letter develops some of his characteristic themes: unity in the Church, harmony with the bishop and presbytery, steadfastness against deceptive teaching, and a Christian life in which profession and conduct agree. It also contains concentrated statements about Jesus Christ, his incarnation, suffering, resurrection, and the life believers receive in him.

Historical context

Ignatius states that he is writing from Smyrna while being led in chains from Syria to Rome. The Ephesian church had sent representatives to meet and assist him, including their bishop Onesimus, and Ignatius names Burrhus and Crocus among those who refreshed him. His circumstances give the letter its unusual combination of pastoral counsel and personal testimony: he writes as a condemned prisoner who regards his approaching suffering as part of his discipleship. The letter also reflects concerns about traveling teachers and rival teaching, while presenting the local church's unity around its ministers as a safeguard for common faith and worship.

Contents

After an elaborate greeting, Ignatius thanks the Ephesians for their delegation and praises their unity with Bishop Onesimus. He urges harmony with the bishop and presbytery, frequent common worship, humility, prayer for opponents, and a faith expressed in conduct rather than words alone. He warns against deceptive teaching and contrasts it with the confession of Jesus Christ. The later chapters reflect on Christ's incarnation, passion, resurrection, and the mysteries surrounding his coming, before closing with Ignatius's travel situation, greetings, and a request for prayer for the Church in Syria.