Chapter VI.—The duties of the Christian flock. Give ye618 heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs619 that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labour together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates,620 and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge621 assigned to you, that ye may receive a worthy recompense. Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, as God is towards you. May I have joy of you for ever!622 Give ye623 heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs624 that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbytery, and to the deacons: may I have my portion with them from God! Labour together with one another; strive in company to- gether; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates,625 and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye shall receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge assigned to you, that you may obtain for them a most worthy626 recompense. Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, and God shall be so with you. May I have joy of you for ever!627 618 As this Epistle, though sent to the bishop, was meant to be read to the people, Ignatius here directly ad- dresses them. 619 Comp. chap. ii. etc. 620 Or, “assessors.” 621 A military reference, simply implying the idea of faithful effort leading to future reward. 622 Comp. Ignatius’ Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. ii. 623 As this Epistle, though sent to the bishop, was meant to be read to the people, Ignatius here directly ad- dresses them. 624 Comp. chap. ii. etc. 625 Or, “assessors.” 626 Literally, “worthy of God.” 627 Comp. Ignatius’ Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. ii. Chapter VI.—The duties of the Christian flock. 246 Chapter VI.—The duties of the Christian flock.