Guides Along the Way: The Epistle of St. Ignatius to the Magnesians

When last we left St. Ignatius, he was writing to the Ephesians about their need to be in union with the bishop, among other things, while he was on his way to be martyred in Rome. Now he writes his Epistle to the Magnesians, whose name reminds me of a liquid, over-the-counter acid reducer, but with that aside, the letter is short and sweet, so let's get to it.

Ignatius once again calls himself by that name Theophorus. Let us keep in mind that this means "God-bearer." It is particularly fitting since he is bearing God to the Magnesians and, on his journey to martyrdom, to the Romans. He greets the Magnesians in the typical laudatory manner.

1. He has heard of the Magnesians' well-ordered love of God, meaning that they put Him first, and desires to be in communion with them. How often do we put ourselves among those who are less than admirable in virtue and risk being spiritually harmed by our friendships?
2. He mentions that he writes to the Magnesians through their bishop and in response to meeting him along with a contingent of the clergy of Magnesia. This implies that St. Ignatius considered the Magnesians to be well-represented by their bishop, such that in some way he was in communion with them all through the bishop (seemingly in a different way than the spiritual communion all Christians share).
3. St. Ignatius identifies reverence for the bishop as reverence for God. Those who disrespect the bishop disrespect God the Father.
4. Christians must act in accord with their bishops, not against them.
5. Here he uses an analogy which has also been applied to the answer of Christ concerning taxes (cf Matt. 22:15-22). God's image is stamped on us and we belong to Him. Death and life are set before us (a theme also found heavily in the Didache) and we must choose.
6. Here the saint makes explicit what he had implied in chapter 2, stating that he has, "in the persons before mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of you in faith and love." The bishop goes on to urge them to remain in harmony, indicating a clear structure of hierarchy. He also mentions that the bishop stands in the place of God, as well as giving contextual support for the divinity of Christ.
7. Only in the unity of the laity with the hierarchical clergy, will harmony reign.
8. St. Ignatius condemns false doctrine and teachers, including Judaizers.
9. Here St. Ignatius implicitly indicates that the early Christian community has stopped worshiping on the Jewish sabbath in favor of the Lord's Day.
10. Judaism embraces Christianity, not the other way, and so it is foolish for a Christian to revert to the Mosaic Law.
11. Here he states that he is not chastizing but warning them, indicating that there have not been many problems yet.
12. Ignatius shows deference to the Magnesians.
13. He reminds them to remain in unity, as Jesus Christ is in unity with the Father.
14. He asks for the prayers of the Magnesians, since he has much ahead of him.
15. St. Ignatius sends greetings from the Ephesians and wishes them farewell in Christ.

His Servant and Yours,

Micah