Letter to the Trallians

The Letter to the Trallians by Ignatius, is an early-second-century Bishop of Antioch and martyr, was written to the church in Tralles during the bishop's transport from Antioch, Syria, to his execution in Rome. Trallians is one of seven epistles written by Ignatius to early centers of Christianity in Anatolia.

Background

The Trallian church had sent their bishop Polybius of Trallis to meet Ignatius who was being held at Smyrna on his way to execution in Rome, and Ignatius writes his letter to thank them.[1]

Content

In his letter he warns against false teaching[2] and separatism, without, however, accusing them personally of these errors. He urges a duty of unity[3] and obedience to Church leaders.[4]

In Trallians 7:1, the phrase "God Jesus Christ" appears. This phrase is also found in Polycarp's letter to the Philippians.[5]

Trallians mentions the resurrection of Jesus in chapter (9:1-2):

"Stop your ears, therefore, when any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified and died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, his Father having raised him up, as in the same manner his Father will raise up us who believe in him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life."

References

  1. ↑ The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians 1.
  2. ↑ The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians 6-8.
  3. ↑ The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians 12.
  4. ↑ The Epistles of St. Ignatius, THE Epistle to the Trallians.
  5. ↑ Timothy B. Sailors, "Quotations of Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians Preserved in Syriac," The Harp: A Review of Syriac, Oriental and Ecumenical Studies 27 (2012) pp. 335-342
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