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The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans
Shorter and Longer Versions
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through
the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church
which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which are according
to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans,
worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy
of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy,339 and which presides over love,
is named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name of Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Father: to those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every
one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified
from every strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus Christ our
God.
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through
the majesty of the Most High God the Father, and of Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the
Church which is sanctified and enlightened by the will of God, who formed all things that are
according to the faith and love of Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour; the Church which presides
in the place of the region of the Romans, and which is worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy
of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of credit,340 worthy of being deemed holy,341
and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, and is possessed of
the Spirit, which I also salute in the name of Almighty God, and of Jesus Christ His Son: to
those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments,
who are filled inseparably with all the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint,
[I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in God, even the Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ.
339 Or, “most holy.”
340 Or as in the shorter recension.
341 Or, “most holy.”
Epistle to the Romans: Shorter and Longer Versions
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Epistle to the Romans: Shorter and Longer Versions