Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/168

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154
THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS.

the only-begotten Son and Word, before time began[1] but who afterwards became also man, of Mary the virgin. For "the Word was made flesh."[2] Being incorporeal, He was in the body; being impassible. He was in a passible body; being immortal, He was in a mortal body; being life, He became subject to corruption, that He might free our souls from death and corruption, and heal them, and might restore them to health, when they were diseased with ungodliness and wicked lusts.

Chap. viii.Renewed praise of the Ephesians.

Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are wholly devoted to God. For since there is no strife raging among you which might distress you, ye are certainly living in accordance with God's will. I am far inferior to you, and require to be sanctified by your church of Ephesus, so renowned throughout the world. They that are carnal cannot do

Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived; for ye are wholly devoted to God. For when there is no evil desire within you, which might defile and torment you, then do ye live in accordance with the will of God, and are [the servants] of Christ. Cast ye out that which defiles[3] you, who are of the[4] most holy church of the Ephesians, which is so famous and celebrated throughout the world. They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of

  1. Or, "before the ages."
  2. John i. 14.
  3. It is difficult to translate περίψημα in this and similar passages; comp. 1 Cor. iv. 13.
  4. Literally, "and the."