Chapter 3

1He again exhorts to unity: and desires their prayers for himself and for his church at Antioch . I SALUTE you from Smyrna, 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.
2My 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 concord among yourselves and in prayer with one another.
3For 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.
4I beseech you, that you hearken to me in love; that I may not by those things which I write, rise up in witness against you.
5Pray 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.
6The 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 of it.
7Fare ye well in Jesus Christ; being subject to your bishop as to the command of God; and so likewise to the presbytery.
8Love every one his brother with an unfeigned heart. My soul be your expiation, not only now, but when I shall have attained unto God; for I am yet under danger.
9But the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ, to fulfil both mine and your petition; in whom may ye be found unblamable. To the Trallians . Footnotes 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. Next: The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans