The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians Shorter and Longer Versions
Chapter I.—Praise of the bishop.
Chapter II.—Maintain union with the bishop.
Chapter III.—Avoid schismatics.
Chapter IV.—Have but one Eucharist, etc.
Chapter VI.—Do not accept Judaism.
Chapter VII.—I have exhorted you to unity.
Chapter VIII.—The same continued.
Chapter IX.—The Old Testament is good: the New Testament is better.
Chapter X.—Congratulate the inhabitants of Antioch on the close of the persecution.
Wherefore, as children of light and truth, flee from division and wicked doctrines; but where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves that appear worthy of credit, who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive9 Comp. 2 Tim. iii. 6. those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place.
Wherefore, as children of light and truth, avoid the dividing of your unity, and the wicked doctrine of the heretics, from whom “a defiling influence has gone forth into all the earth.”10 Jer. xxiii. 15. But where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing,11 Comp. Matt. vii. 15. who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive12 Comp. 2 Tim. iii. 6. those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place.
II 1. Τέκνα οὖν φωτὸς ἀληθείας, φεύγετε τὸν μερισμὸν καὶ τὰς κακοδιδασκαλίας· ὅπου δὲ ὁ ποιμὴν ἐστιν, ἐκεῖ ὡς πρόβατα ἀκολουθεῖτε. 2. πολλοὶ γὰρ λύκοι ἀξιόπιστοι ἡδονῇ κακῇ αἰχμαλωτίζουσιν τοὺς θεοδρόμους· ἀλλ’ ἐν τῇ ἑνότητι ὑμῶν οὐχ ἕξουσιν τόπον.