fear lest I should harm you, who are yet but babes in Christ: (excuse me this care;) and lest per chance being not able to receive them, ye should be choken with them.
13 For even I myself, although I am in bonds, 1 yet am not therefore able to understand heavenly things:
19 As the places of the angels, and the several companies of them, under their respective princes; things visible and invisible; but in these I am yet a learner.
20 For many things are wanting to us, that we come not short of God.
1 Warns them against heretics, 4 exhorts them to humility and unity, 10 briefly sets before them the true doctrine concerning Christ.
I EXHORT you therefore, or rather not I, but the love of Jesus Christ; that ye use none but Christian nourishment; abstaining from pasture which is of another kind, I mean heresy.
2 2 For they that are heretics, confound together the doctrine of Jesus Christ, with their own poison: 3 whilst they seem worthy of belief:
3 As men give a deadly potion mixed with sweet wine; which he who drinks of, does with the treacherous pleasure sweetly drink in his own death.
4 Wherefore guard yourselves against such persons. And that you will do if you are not puffed up; but continue inseparable from Jesus Christ our God, and from your bishop, and from the commands of the Apostles.
5 4 He that is within the altar is pure; but he that is without, that is, that does anything without the bishop, the presbyters, and deacons, is not pure in his conscience.
6 Not that I know there is any thing of this nature among you; but I fore-arm you, as being greatly beloved by me, foreseeing the snares of the devil.
7 Wherefore putting on meekness, renew yourselves in faith, that is, the flesh of the Lord; and in charity, that is, the blood of Jesus Christ.
8 Let no man have any 5 grudge against his neighbour. Give no occasion to the Gentiles; lest by means of a few foolish men, the whole congregation of God be evil spoken of.
9 For woe to that man 6 through whose vanity my name is blasphemed by any.
10 Stop your ears therefore, as often as any one shall 7 speak contrary to Jesus Christ; who was of the race of David, of the Virgin Mary.
11 Who was truly born and did eat and drink; was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; was truly crucified and dead; both those in heaven and on earth, 8 being spectators of it.
12 Who was also truly raised from the dead 9 by his Father. after the same manner as 10 he will also raise up us who believe in him by Christ Jesus; without whom we have no true life.
13 But if, as some who are
15 For these are not the plants of the Father; seeing if they were, they would appear to be the branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible; by which he invites you through his passion, who are members of him.
16 For the head cannot be without its members, God having promised a union, that is himself.
He again exhorts to unity: and desires their prayers for himself and for his church at Antioch.
I SALUTE you from Smyrna, 2 together with the churches of God that are present with me; who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit.
2 My bonds, which I carry about me for the sake of Christ, beseeching him that I may attain unto God) exhort you, that you continue in 3 concord among yourselves and in prayer with one another.
3 For it becomes every one of you, especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father of Jesus Christ and of the Apostles.
4 I beseech you, that you hearken to me in love; that I may not 4 by those things which I write, rise up in witness against you.
5 Pray also for me; who through the mercy of God stand in need of your prayers, that I may be worthy of the portion which I am about to obtain that I be not found a reprobate.
6 The love of those who are at Smyrna and Ephesus salute you. Remember in your prayers the church of Syria, from which I am not worthy to be called, being one of the least 5 of it.
7 Fare ye well in Jesus Christ; being subject to your bishop as to the command of God; and so likewise to the presbytery.
8 Love every one his brother with an 6 unfeigned heart. 7 My soul be your expiation, not only now, but when I shall have attained unto God; for I am yet under danger.
9 But the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine and your petition; in whom may ye be found unblamable.
¶ To the Trallians.
175:12 In.
175:13 Unto.
175:14 Known.
175:15 Inseparable mind.
175:16 Which you have not according to use, but according to possession.
176:1 Who am bound.
176:2 Multitude.
176:3 Your benevolence.
176:4 According to God.
176:5 Vid. Vossium in loc.
176:6 Imitators.
176:7 When.
176:8 Flee from.
176:9 Vid Vossium in loc.
176:10 Deacons.
176:11 As also the bishop like Jesus Christ the Son of the Father. Vossius in loc. vid. aliter Cotelerium.
176:12 A church is not called.
176:13 So do.
176:14 Habit of body is great instruction.
176:15 Power.
176:16 Vid. Vossium et Usserium in loc.
176:17 I understand many things.
176:18 Measure.
176:19 Love.
176:20 Vid. Annot. Vossii in loc.
176:21 Mildness.
177:1 Orders.
177:2 Vid. de hoc loco conjecturas Vossii, Cotelerii, et Junii spud Usserium. Comp. Epist. Intercol. in loc. et Voss. Annot. in Epist. ad Phil. p. 281.
177:3 Being believed for their dignity.
177:4 Vid. Usserii Obs. Marg. Comp Coteler. ib.
177:5 Any thing.
177:6 Through whom in vanity: Isaiah lii. 5.
177:7 Without.
177:8 Seeing, or looking on.
177:9 His Father raising him.
177:10 The Father.
