# To the Romans

- Author: [Ignatius of Antioch](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/ignatius-of-antioch/)
- Latin title: *Ad Romanos*
- Date: ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) (disputed)
- Source: Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 172–277 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude, from the original text; each passage below gives the model and date
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/
- Passages: 29

## To the Romans, inscription

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/0/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:224–226
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius greets the church at Rome with unusual honor.

### Greek text

Ἰγνάτιος, ὁ καὶ Θεοφόρος, τῇ ἠλεημένῃ ἐν μεγαλειότητι πατρὸς ὑψίστου καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ μόνου υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἠγαπημένῃ καὶ πεφωτισμένῃ ἐν θελήματι τοῦ θελήσαντος τὰ πάντα, ἅ ἐστιν, κατὰ ἀγάπην Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἥτις καὶ προκάθηται ἐν τόπῳ χωρίου Ῥωμαίων, ἀξιόθεος, ἀξιοπρεπής, ἀξιομακάριστος, ἀξιέπαινος, ἀξιεπίτευκτος, ἀξίαγνος καὶ προκαθημένη τῆς ἀγάπης, χριστώνυμος, πατρώνυμος, ἣν καὶ ἀσπάζομαι ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ πατρός· κατὰ σάρκα καὶ πνεῦμα ἡνωμένοις πάσῃ ἐντολῇ αὐτοῦ, πεπληρωμένοις χάριτος θεοῦ ἀδιακρίτως καὶ ἀποδιυλισμένοις ἀπὸ παντὸς ἀλλοτρίου χρώματος πλεῖστα ἐν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν, ἀμώμως χαίρειν.

### English translation (Claude)

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the church that has received mercy in the majesty of the Father Most High and of Jesus Christ his only Son; beloved and enlightened by the will of him who willed all things that exist, according to the love of Jesus Christ our God; the church that presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of blessing, worthy of praise, worthy of success, worthy in purity, and presiding in love, bearing the name of Christ, bearing the name of the Father; which I greet in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. To those who are united in flesh and spirit with every commandment of his, filled with the grace of God without wavering, and filtered clean of every foreign stain: abundant greetings, blamelessly, in Jesus Christ our God.

### Translation notes

- “Presides in the place of the region of the Romans” (προκάθηται ἐν τόπῳ χωρίου Ῥωμαίων): the church leads in the territory of the Romans. How much this implies about the Roman church's standing among the churches has been debated since the Reformation; the words themselves are translated here without interpretation.
- “Presiding in love” (προκαθημένη τῆς ἀγάπης): or “presiding over the love,” where “love” may mean the whole fellowship of believers (compare Ign. Trall. 13.1).
- “Filtered clean of every foreign stain” (ἀποδιυλισμένοις ἀπὸ παντὸς ἀλλοτρίου χρώματος): literally “strained of every foreign color,” an image from straining wine or dye.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 0 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/0/).

## To the Romans 1.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:226
- Also in: PG 5:685b–685c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius hopes to reach Rome and the end of his course.

### Greek text

Ἐπεὶ εὐξάμενος θεῷ ἐπέτυχον ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὰ ἀξιόθεα πρόσωπα, ὡς καὶ πλέον ᾐτούμην λαβεῖν· δεδεμένος γὰρ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐλπίζω ὑμᾶς ἀσπάσασθαι, ἐάνπερ θέλημα ᾖ τοῦ ἀξιωθῆναί με εἰς τέλος εἶναι.

### English translation (Claude)

Since by praying to God I have been granted to see your godly faces, as I had been asking to receive even more (for as a prisoner in Christ Jesus I hope to greet you, if it is his will that I be counted worthy to reach the end);

### Translation notes

- The sentence is loosely built in the Greek and continues into 1.2.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 1.1 (PG 5:685b–685c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/1/1/).

## To the Romans 1.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:226
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius fears the Romans' love might lead them to prevent his martyrdom.

### Greek text

ἡ μὲν γὰρ ἀρχὴ εὐοικονόμητός ἐστιν, ἐάνπερ χάριτος ἐπιτύχω εἰς τὸ τὸν κλῆρόν μου ἀνεμποδίστως ἀπολαβεῖν. φοβοῦμαι γὰρ τὴν ὑμῶν ἀγάπην, μὴ αὐτή με ἀδικήσῃ. ὑμῖν γὰρ εὐχερές ἐστιν, ὃ θέλετε, ποιῆσαι· ἐμοὶ δὲ δύσκολόν ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν, ἐάνπερ ὑμεῖς μὴ φείσησθέ μου.

### English translation (Claude)

for the beginning is well ordered, if I obtain the grace to receive my lot without hindrance. For I am afraid of your love, lest it do me wrong. For it is easy for you to do what you want, but it is difficult for me to attain to God, unless you spare me.

### Translation notes

- “Unless you spare me”: that is, refrain from intervening to save him.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/1/2/).

## To the Romans 2.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:226–228
- Also in: PG 5:688a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: If the Romans do nothing to save him, Ignatius's death will speak God's word.

### Greek text

Οὐ γὰρ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀνθρωπαρεσκῆσαι, ἀλλὰ θεῷ ἀρέσαι, ὥσπερ καὶ ἀρέσκετε. οὔτε γὰρ ἐγώ ποτε ἕξω καιρὸν τοιοῦτον θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν, οὔτε ὑμεῖς, ἐὰν σιωπήσητε, κρείττονι ἔργῳ ἔχετε ἐπιγραφῆναι. ἐὰν γὰρ σιωπήσητε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ἐγὼ λόγος θεοῦ· ἐὰν δὲ ἐρασθῆτε τῆς σαρκός μου, πάλιν ἕσομαι φωνή.

### English translation (Claude)

For I do not want you to please people, but to please God, as indeed you do. For neither shall I ever have such an opportunity to attain to God, nor can you, if you keep silent, be credited with any better deed. For if you keep silent about me, I shall be a word of God; but if you love my flesh, I shall again be only a voice.

### Scripture references

- 1 Thess 2:4: allusion, medium confidence
- Gal 1:10: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “A word of God … only a voice”: through his death he will become a true word of God; if they save him, he will be a mere sound. Some manuscripts read “I shall be God's” instead of “I shall be a word of God.” The Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885) follows that reading and renders the last clause “I shall again have to run my race.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 2.1 (PG 5:688a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/2/1/).

## To the Romans 2.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:228
- Also in: PG 5:688a–688b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks only to be offered to God, setting like the sun in the west to rise in God.

### Greek text

πλέον μοι μὴ παράσχησθε τοῦ σπονδισθῆναι θεῷ, ὡς ἔτι θυσιαστήριον ἕτοιμόν ἐστιν, ἵνα ἐν ἀγάπῃ χορὸς γενόμενοι ᾅσητε τῷ πατρὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι τὸν ἐπίσκοπον Συρίας ὁ θεὸς κατηξίωσεν εὑρεθῆναι εἰς δύσιν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς μεταπεμψάμενος. καλὸν τὸ δῦναι ἀπὸ κόσμου πρὸς θεόν, ἵνα εἰς αὐτὸν ἀνατείλω.

### English translation (Claude)

Grant me nothing more than to be poured out as a drink offering to God while an altar is still ready, so that, forming a choir in love, you may sing to the Father in Christ Jesus, because God has counted the bishop of Syria worthy to be found in the west, having summoned him from the east. It is good to set from the world toward God, so that I may rise to him.

### Scripture references

- Phil 2:17: allusion, medium confidence
- 2 Tim 4:6: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Set … rise” (δῦναι … ἀνατείλω): the setting and rising of the sun, matching “west” and “east.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 2.2 (PG 5:688a–688b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/2/2/).

## To the Romans 3.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:228
- Also in: PG 5:688b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Romans have taught others; Ignatius asks them to be consistent with their teaching.

### Greek text

Οὐδέποτε ἐβασκάνατε οὐδενί, ἄλλους ἐδιδάξατε. ἐγὼ δὲ θέλω, ἵνα κἀκεῖνα βέβαια ᾖ ἃ μαθητεύοντες ἐντέλλεσθε.

### English translation (Claude)

You have never envied anyone; you taught others. And I want the things that you command when you make disciples to remain firm.

### Translation notes

- “You taught others”: perhaps an allusion to Rome's earlier letters to other churches, such as 1 Clement.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 3.1 (PG 5:688b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/3/1/).

## To the Romans 3.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:228
- Also in: PG 5:688b–688c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks for strength to be a Christian in deed, not only in name.

### Greek text

μόνον μοι δύναμιν αἰτεῖσθε ἔσωθέν τε καὶ ἔξωθεν, ἵνα μὴ μόνον λέγω ἀλλὰ καὶ θέλω, ἵνα μὴ μόνον λέγωμαι Χριστιανὸς ἀλλὰ καὶ εὑρεθῶ. ἐὰν γὰρ εὑρεθῶ, καὶ λέγεσθαι δύναμαι, καὶ τότε πιστὸς εἶναι, ὅταν κόσμῳ μὴ φαίνωμαι.

### English translation (Claude)

Only ask on my behalf for power, both inward and outward, so that I may not only speak but also will, so that I may not only be called a Christian but also be found one. For if I am found to be one, I can also be called one, and then be faithful, when I am no longer visible to the world.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 3.2 (PG 5:688b–688c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/3/2/).

## To the Romans 3.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:228–230
- Also in: PG 5:689a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christianity shows its greatness when the world hates it.

### Greek text

οὐδὲν φαινόμενον καλόν· ὁ γὰρ θεὸς ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐν πατρὶ ὢν μᾶλλον φαίνεται. οὐ πεισμονῆς τὸ ἔργον, ἀλλὰ μεγέθους ἐστὶν ὁ Χριστιανισμός, ὅταν μισῆται ὑπὸ κόσμου.

### English translation (Claude)

Nothing that is visible is good. For our God Jesus Christ, being in the Father, is all the more visible. Christianity is not a work of persuasion but of greatness, whenever it is hated by the world.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 4:18: echo, medium confidence
- John 15:18: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “All the more visible”: a paradox; Christ, now with the Father, is more fully revealed than when he was seen on earth.
- “Of persuasion” (πεισμονῆς): of persuasive words.
- Other manuscripts read “not a work of silence” (σιωπῆς) instead of “of persuasion” (πεισμονῆς); the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885) follows that reading.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 3.3 (PG 5:689a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/3/3/).

## To the Romans 4.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/4/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:230
- Also in: PG 5:689a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius begs the Romans not to save him: he is God's wheat, to be ground into Christ's bread.

### Greek text

Ἐγὼ γράφω πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις, καὶ ἐντέλλομαι πᾶσιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἑκὼν ὑπὲρ θεοῦ ἀποθνήσκω, ἐάνπερ ὑμεῖς μὴ κωλύσητε. παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, μὴ εὔνοια ἄκαιρος γένησθέ μοι. ἄφετέ με θηρίων εἶναι βοράν, διʼ ὧν ἔνεστιν θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν. σῖτός εἰμι θεοῦ καὶ διʼ ὀδόντων θηρίων ἀλήθομαι, ἵνα καθαρὸς ἄρτος εὑρεθῶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

I am writing to all the churches and charging them all that I am dying for God of my own free will, unless you hinder me. I urge you: do not become an untimely kindness to me. Let me be food for the wild beasts, through whom I can attain to God. I am God's wheat, and I am being ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may be found pure bread of Christ.

### Translation notes

- “An untimely kindness” (εὔνοια ἄκαιρος): a proverbial expression.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 4.1 (PG 5:689a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/4/1/).

## To the Romans 4.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/4/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:230
- Also in: PG 5:689a–689b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks prayer that the beasts may make him a sacrifice to God.

### Greek text

μᾶλλον κολακεύσατε τὰ θηρία, ἵνα μοι τάφος γένωνται καὶ μηθὲν καταλίπωσι τῶν τοῦ σώματός μου, ἵνα μὴ κοιμηθεὶς βαρύς τινι γένωμαι. τότε ἔσομαι μαθητὴς ἀληθῶς Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὅτε οὐδὲ τὸ σῶμά μου ὁ κόσμος ὄψεται. λιτανεύσατε τὸν Χριστὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα διὰ τῶν ὀργάνων τούτων θυσία εὑρεθῶ.

### English translation (Claude)

Rather, coax the wild beasts, so that they may become my tomb and leave nothing of my body, so that when I have fallen asleep I may not be a burden to anyone. Then I shall truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world will not even see my body. Pray to Christ for me, that through these instruments I may be found a sacrifice.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 4.2 (PG 5:689a–689b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/4/2/).

## To the Romans 4.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/4/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:230
- Also in: PG 5:689b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Unlike the apostles Peter and Paul, Ignatius is a condemned man who will be made free by martyrdom.

### Greek text

οὐχ ὡς Πέτρος καὶ Παῦλος διατάσσομαι ὑμῖν. ἐκεῖνοι ἀπόστολοι, ἐγὼ κατάκριτος· ἐκεῖνοι ἐλεύθεροι, ἐγὼ δὲ μέχρι νῦν δοῦλος. ἀλλʼ ἐὰν πάθω, ἀπελεύθερος γενήσομαι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἀναστήσομαι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐλεύθερος. νῦν μανθάνω δεδεμένος μηδὲν ἐπιθυμεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

I do not give you orders as Peter and Paul did. They were apostles; I am a condemned man. They were free; I am to this day a slave. But if I suffer, I shall become a freedman of Jesus Christ, and I shall rise free in him. Now in chains I am learning to desire nothing.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:22: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 9:1: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Among the earliest evidence connecting both Peter and Paul with the church at Rome.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 4.3 (PG 5:689b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/4/3/).

## To the Romans 5.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/5/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:230–232
- Also in: PG 5:689b–692a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: On the journey Ignatius is already “fighting beasts”: his cruel guards.

### Greek text

Ἀπὸ Συρίας μέχρι Ῥώμης θηριομαχῶ, διὰ γῆς καὶ θαλάσσης, νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, δεδεμένος δέκα λεοπάρδοις, ὅ ἐστιν στρατιωτικὸν τάγμα· οἳ καὶ εὐεργετούμενοι χείρους γίνονται. ἐν δὲ τοῖς ἀδικήμασιν αὐτῶν μᾶλλον μαθητεύομαι, ἀλλʼ οὐ παρὰ τοῦτο δεδικαίωμαι.

### English translation (Claude)

From Syria to Rome I am fighting with wild beasts, by land and sea, by night and day, bound to ten leopards, that is, a detachment of soldiers, who become worse when they are treated kindly. Yet by their wrongs I am becoming more of a disciple; “but I am not justified by this.”

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 4:4: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 15:32: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Leopards”: his military guard, described as wild animals.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 5.1 (PG 5:689b–692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/5/1/).

## To the Romans 5.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/5/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:232
- Also in: PG 5:692a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius hopes the beasts will be quick to devour him.

### Greek text

ὀναίμην τῶν θηρίων τῶν ἐμοὶ ἡτοιμασμένων καὶ εὔχομαι σύντομά μοι εὑρεθῆναι· ἃ καὶ κολακεύσω, συντόμως με καταφαγεῖν, οὐχ ὥσπερ τινῶν δειλαινόμενα οὐχ ἥψαντο. κἂν αὐτὰ δὲ ἄκοντα μὴ θελήσῃ, ἐγὼ προσβιάσομαι.

### English translation (Claude)

May I have joy of the beasts that have been prepared for me, and I pray that they may be found prompt with me. I will even coax them to devour me promptly, not as with some whom they were afraid to touch. And if they are unwilling and refuse, I myself will force them.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 5.2 (PG 5:692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/5/2/).

## To the Romans 5.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/5/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:232
- Also in: PG 5:692a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius welcomes every torture, if only he may reach Christ.

### Greek text

συγγνώμην μοι ἔχετε· τί μοι συμφέρει, ἐγὼ γινώσκω, νῦν ἄρχομαι μαθητὴς εἶναι. μηθέν με ζηλώσαι τῶν ὁρατῶν καὶ ἀοράτων, ἵνα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιτύχω. πῦρ καὶ σταυρὸς θηρίων τε συστάσεις, ἀνατομαί, διαιρέσεις, σκορπισμοὶ ὀστέων, συγκοπὴ μελῶν, ἀλεσμοὶ ὅλου τοῦ σώματος, κακαὶ κολάσεις τοῦ διαβόλου ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐρχέσθωσαν, μόνον ἵνα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιτύχω.

### English translation (Claude)

Forgive me; I know what is to my advantage. Now I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing visible or invisible envy me, so that I may attain to Jesus Christ. Fire and cross and encounters with wild beasts, cuttings and tearings, scattering of bones, mangling of limbs, grinding of the whole body, the cruel tortures of the devil: let them come upon me, only let me attain to Jesus Christ.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 5.3 (PG 5:692a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/5/3/).

## To the Romans 6.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/6/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:232
- Also in: PG 5:692b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius would rather die for Christ than rule the world; his death will be a birth.

### Greek text

Οὐδέν μοι ὠφελήσει τὰ πέρατα τοῦ κόσμου οὐδὲ αἱ βασιλεῖαι τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου. καλόν μοι ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, ἢ βασιλεύειν τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς. ἐκεῖνον ζητῶ, τὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀποθανόντα· ἐκεῖνον θέλω, τὸν διʼ ἡμᾶς ἀναστάντα. ὁ δὲ τοκετός μοι ἐπίκειται.

### English translation (Claude)

The ends of the world will profit me nothing, nor the kingdoms of this age. It is better for me to die for Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him I seek, who died for us; him I desire, who rose for our sake. The pains of birth are upon me.

### Scripture references

- Matt 16:26: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “To die for Christ Jesus” (ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν): or “to die and so come to Christ Jesus.”
- “The pains of birth”: his martyrdom will be his birth into true life (6.2).
- Some manuscripts read τόκος (“gain, interest”) for τοκετός (“childbirth”); hence older translations such as the Ante-Nicene Fathers (1885): “This is the gain which is laid up for me.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 6.1 (PG 5:692b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/6/1/).

## To the Romans 6.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/6/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:232–234
- Also in: PG 5:692b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: For Ignatius, martyrdom is true life, and being saved from it would be death.

### Greek text

σύγγνωτέ μοι, ἀδελφοί· μὴ ἐμποδίσητέ μοι ζῆσαι, μὴ θελήσητέ με ἀποθανεῖν· τὸν τοῦ θεοῦ θέλοντα εἶναι κόσμῳ μὴ χαρίσησθε, μηδὲ ὕλῃ ἐξαπατήσητε· ἄφετέ με καθαρὸν φῶς λαβεῖν· ἐκεῖ παραγενόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἔσομαι.

### English translation (Claude)

Bear with me, brothers: do not hinder me from living; do not wish me to die. Do not give to the world one who wants to be God's, nor deceive him with material things. Let me receive the pure light; when I arrive there, I shall be a human being.

### Translation notes

- “Living … die”: a reversal; to “live” is to be martyred and so reach God, to “die” is to be kept alive in this world.
- “I shall be a human being”: truly and fully human.
- Other manuscripts read “a man of God”; the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885) follows them.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 6.2 (PG 5:692b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/6/2/).

## To the Romans 6.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/6/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:234
- Also in: PG 5:693a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius wants to imitate the suffering of Christ, his God.

### Greek text

ἐπιτρέψατέ μοι μιμητὴν εἶναι τοῦ πάθους τοῦ θεοῦ μου. εἴ τις αὐτὸν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἔχει, νοησάτω ὃ θέλω, καὶ συμπαθείτω μοι εἰδὼς τὰ συνέχοντά με.

### English translation (Claude)

Allow me to be an imitator of the suffering of my God. If anyone has him within himself, let him understand what I want, and let him sympathize with me, knowing what constrains me.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 6.3 (PG 5:693a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/6/3/).

## To the Romans 7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/7/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:234
- Also in: PG 5:693a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The devil wants to turn Ignatius from God; the Romans must not help him.

### Greek text

Ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου διαρπάσαι με βούλεται καὶ τὴν εἰς θεόν μου γνώμην διαφθεῖραι. μηδεὶς οὖν τῶν παρόντων ὑμῶν βοηθείτω αὐτῷ· μᾶλλον ἐμοῦ γίνεσθε, τουτέστιν τοῦ θεοῦ. μὴ λαλεῖτε Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, κόσμον δὲ ἐπιθυμεῖτε.

### English translation (Claude)

The ruler of this age wants to snatch me away and to corrupt my purpose toward God. Let none of you who are there help him; rather be on my side, that is, on God's. Do not speak of Jesus Christ while you desire the world.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 7.1 (PG 5:693a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/7/1/).

## To the Romans 7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/7/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:234
- Also in: PG 5:693a–693b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius's earthly desire is crucified; living water within him calls him to the Father.

### Greek text

βασκανία ἐν ὑμῖν μὴ κατοικείτω. μηδʼ ἂν ἐγὼ παρὼν παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, πείσθητέ μοι· τούτοις δὲ μᾶλλον πείσθητε, οἷς γράφω ὑμῖν. ζῶν γὰρ γράφω ὑμῖν, ἐρῶν τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν. ὁ ἐμὸς ἔρως ἐσταύρωται, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἐμοὶ πῦρ φιλόυλον· ὕδωρ δὲ ζῶν καὶ λαλοῦν ἐν ἐμοί, ἔσωθέν μοι λέγον· Δεῦρο πρὸς τὸν πατέρα.

### English translation (Claude)

Let no envy dwell among you. Even if I myself, when I am with you, should plead with you, do not obey me; obey rather what I am writing to you now. For I am writing to you while alive, yet longing to die. My passionate love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves material things, but living water, speaking in me and saying within me, “Come to the Father.”

### Scripture references

- Gal 6:14: echo, medium confidence
- John 4:10: allusion, medium confidence
- John 7:38: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “My passionate love has been crucified” (ὁ ἐμὸς ἔρως ἐσταύρωται): his earthly desire has been put to death (compare Gal 6:14). From Origen on, many read it as “my Love (that is, Christ) has been crucified.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 7.2 (PG 5:693a–693b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/7/2/).

## To the Romans 7.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/7/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:234–236
- Also in: PG 5:693b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius longs for the bread of God, Christ's flesh, and the drink of his blood.

### Greek text

οὐχ ἥδομαι τροφῇ φθορᾶς οὐδὲ ἡδοναῖς τοῦ βίου τούτου. ἄρτον θεοῦ θέλω, ὅ ἐστιν σὰρξ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυείδ, καὶ πόμα θέλω τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ, ὅ ἐστιν ἀγάπη ἄφθαρτος.

### English translation (Claude)

I take no pleasure in perishable food or in the pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I want his blood, which is incorruptible love.

### Scripture references

- John 6:33: allusion, high confidence
- John 6:51: echo, medium confidence
- Rom 1:3: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The language of the Eucharist, used here of union with Christ through martyrdom.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 7.3 (PG 5:693b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/7/3/).

## To the Romans 8.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/8/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks the Romans to will his martyrdom.

### Greek text

Οὐκέτι θέλω κατὰ ἀνθρώπους ζῆν. τοῦτο δὲ ἔσται, ἐὰν ὑμεῖς θελήσητε. θελήσατε, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς θεληθῆτε.

### English translation (Claude)

I no longer want to live in a human way. And this will be so if you are willing. Be willing, so that you too may be willed.

### Translation notes

- “That you too may be willed” (θεληθῆτε): that is, be approved or loved by God.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 8.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/8/1/).

## To the Romans 8.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/8/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236
- Also in: PG 5:696a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ, the Father's truthful mouth, will confirm Ignatius's words.

### Greek text

διʼ ὀλίγων γραμμάτων αἰτοῦμαι ὑμᾶς· πιστεύσατέ μοι. Ἰησοῦς δὲ Χριστὸς ὑμῖν ταῦτα φανερώσει, ὅτι ἀληθῶς λέγω· τὸ ἀψευδὲς στόμα, ἐν ᾧ ὁ πατὴρ ἐλάλησεν ἀληθῶς.

### English translation (Claude)

In these few lines I ask you: believe me. And Jesus Christ will make it plain to you that I am speaking the truth: he is the unlying mouth by whom the Father has spoken truly.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 8.2 (PG 5:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/8/2/).

## To the Romans 8.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/8/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236
- Also in: PG 5:696a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks prayer that he may reach his goal.

### Greek text

αἰτήσασθε περὶ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα ἐπιτύχω. οὐ κατὰ σάρκα ὑμῖν ἔγραψα, ἀλλὰ κατὰ γνώμην θεοῦ. ἐὰν πάθω, ἠθελήσατε· ἐὰν ἀποδοκιμασθῶ, ἐμισήσατε.

### English translation (Claude)

Pray for me, that I may attain. I have not written to you according to the flesh but according to the mind of God. If I suffer, you willed it; if I am rejected, you hated me.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 8.3 (PG 5:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/8/3/).

## To the Romans 9.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/9/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236
- Also in: PG 5:696a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks prayer for his church in Syria, now shepherded by God alone.

### Greek text

Μνημονεύετε ἐν τῇ προσευχῇ ὑμῶν τῆς ἐν Συρίᾳ ἐκκλησίας, ἥτις ἀντὶ ἐμοῦ ποιμένι τῷ θεῷ χρῆται. μόνος αὐτὴν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐπισκοπήσει καὶ ἡ ὑμῶν ἀγάπη.

### English translation (Claude)

Remember in your prayer the church in Syria, which has God as its shepherd in my place. Jesus Christ alone will oversee it, and your love.

### Translation notes

- “Oversee” (ἐπισκοπήσει): the verb of the bishop's office; Christ will be its bishop.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 9.1 (PG 5:696a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/9/1/).

## To the Romans 9.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/9/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236
- Also in: PG 5:696a–696b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius counts himself the least of the Syrian Christians.

### Greek text

ἐγὼ δὲ αἰσχύνομαι ἐξ αὐτῶν λέγεσθαι· οὐδὲ γὰρ ἄξιός εἰμι, ὢν ἔσχατος αὐτῶν καὶ ἔκτρωμα· ἀλλʼ ἠλέημαί τις εἶναι, ἐὰν θεοῦ ἐπιτύχω.

### English translation (Claude)

But I am ashamed to be called one of them, for I am not worthy, being the least of them and one untimely born. But I have received mercy to be someone, if I attain to God.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 15:8: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 15:9: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 9.2 (PG 5:696a–696b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/9/2/).

## To the Romans 9.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/9/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236
- Also in: PG 5:696b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Churches along the way welcomed Ignatius and sent people ahead of him.

### Greek text

ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν τῶν δεξαμένων με εἰς ὄνομα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, οὐχ ὡς παροδεύοντα. καὶ γὰρ αἱ μὴ προσήκουσαί μοι τῇ ὁδῷ τῇ κατὰ σάρκα, κατὰ πόλιν με προῆγον.

### English translation (Claude)

My spirit greets you, and so does the love of the churches that received me in the name of Jesus Christ, not as a passer-by. For even the churches that did not lie on my route in the flesh went before me from city to city.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 9.3 (PG 5:696b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/9/3/).

## To the Romans 10.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/10/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:236–238
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius writes from Smyrna with Ephesian helpers.

### Greek text

Γράφω δὲ ὑμῖν ταῦτα ἀπὸ Σμύρνης διʼ Ἐφεσίων τῶν ἀξιομακαρίστων. ἔστιν δὲ καὶ ἅμα ἐμοὶ σὺν ἄλλοις πολλοῖς καὶ Κρόκος, τὸ ποθητόν μοι ὄνομα.

### English translation (Claude)

I am writing these things to you from Smyrna by the hand of the Ephesians, who are worthy of blessing. With me, among many others, is Crocus, a name dear to me.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 10.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/10/1/).

## To the Romans 10.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/10/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:238
- Also in: PG 5:696b–696c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks the Romans to care for Syrians who went ahead of him.

### Greek text

περὶ τῶν προελθόντων με ἀπὸ Συρίας εἰς Ῥώμην εἰς δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ πιστεύω ὑμᾶς ἐπεγνωκέναι, οἷς καὶ δηλώσατε ἐγγύς με ὄντα. πάντες γάρ εἰσιν ἄξιοι τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν· οὓς πρέπον ὑμῖν ἐστὶν κατὰ πάντα ἀναπαῦσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

As for those who went ahead of me from Syria to Rome for the glory of God, I believe you have come to know them; tell them that I am near. For they are all worthy of God and of you; it is fitting for you to refresh them in every way.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 10.2 (PG 5:696b–696c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/10/2/).

## To the Romans 10.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/10/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:238
- Also in: PG 5:696c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The letter is dated 24 August.

### Greek text

ἔγραψα δὲ ὑμῖν ταῦτα τῇ πρὸ ἐννέα καλανδῶν Σεπτεμβρίων. ἔρρωσθε εἰς τέλος ἐν ὑπομονῇ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

I have written these things to you on the ninth day before the Kalends of September. Farewell to the end, in the endurance of Jesus Christ.

### Scripture references

- 2 Thess 3:5: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “The ninth day before the Kalends of September”: 24 August. The only date given in Ignatius's letters; the year is not stated.
- Some translations give 23 August, counting the Roman date differently.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Rom. 10.3 (PG 5:696c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-romans/10/3/).