Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/159

THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE EPHESIANS.

Shorter.

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning^[1]of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united^[2] and elected through the true passion by the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ, our God: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled grace.

Longer.

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning^[1] of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united^[2] and elected through the true passion by the will of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled joy.^[3]

1. Literally, "before the ages."
2. These words may agree with "glory," but are better applied to the "church."
3. Some read, as in the shorter recension, "grace."