Warning against heresy

In chapters 6-8 Ignatius warns his readers against heresy. Here we have a clue for why Ignatius is so concerned that his readers submit themselves to their bishop. The reason is that it is through their bishop that they have access to the teachings handed down by the apostles.

One has to remember that this is prior both to the formulation of the creeds and the finalization of the NT canon. If Ignatius had been writing at a later date, I wonder whether the creeds and the NT canon may have taken over some of the authority that he invests in the bishop?

Ignatius and humility

I have been known to say that the worse thing that can happen to a Christian leader is to believe that they are who people say they are. Well, in chapter 4 Ignatius says the same thing but in a much better way, emphasising that it is through meekness that one can bring the devil to nothing.

Chapter 5, Ignatius points out, maybe to demonstrate that he is not an apostle like Paul, that he will not teach his readers profound mysteries because he is not able to understand heavenly things, being in these subjects a "learner."

Ignatius: Epistle to the Trallians

Moving further along with my reading of Ignatius. This epistle begins with the now well known theme of submission to the bishop of the church, now extended to include the presbyters and the deacons. What is significant is Ignatius' claim that without such order there can be no church.