Epistle to the Philadelphians (Long Version)

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU IN THE LORD: that you will be of no other mind.

Therefore, I write boldly to your love, which is worthy of God, and urge you to have only one faith, and one type of preaching, and one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His blood, which was shed for us, is one; one loaf is also broken for all, and one cup is shared among them all: there is only one altar for the whole Church, and one bishop, with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants.

Since there is only one unbegotten Being, God, even the Father; and one only-begotten Son, God, the Word and man; and one Comforter, the Spirit of truth; and also one preaching, and one faith, and one baptism; and one Church that the holy apostles established from one end of the earth to the other by the blood of Christ, and by their own sweat and toil; you should also, therefore, as “a peculiar people, and a holy nation,” perform all things with harmony in Christ.

Wives, be subject to your husbands in the fear of God; and you virgins, to Christ in purity, not regarding marriage as an abomination, but desiring that which is better, not for the reproach of wedlock, but for the sake of meditating on the law. Children, obey your parents, and have affection for them, as workers together with God for your birth into the world. Servants, be subject to your masters in God, that you may be the freed-men of Christ.

Husbands, love your wives, as fellow-servants of God, as your own body, as the partners of your life, and your co-workers in the procreation of children. Virgins, have Christ alone before your eyes, and His Father in your prayers, being enlightened by the Spirit. May I take pleasure in your purity, as that of Elijah, or as of Joshua the son of Nun, as of Melchizedek, or as of Elisha, as of Jeremiah, or as of John the Baptist, as of the beloved disciple, as of Timothy, as of Titus, as of Evodius, as of Clement, who departed this life in perfect chastity.

Not, however, that I blame the other blessed saints because they entered into the married state, of which I have just spoken. For I pray that, being found worthy of God, I may be found at their feet in the kingdom, as at the feet of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; as of Joseph, and Isaiah, and the rest of the prophets; as of Peter, Paul, and the rest of the apostles, who were married men. For they entered into these marriages not for the sake of desire, but out of regard for the propagation of mankind.

Fathers, “bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” and teach them the holy Scriptures, and also trades, so that they may not indulge in idleness. Now the Scripture says, “A righteous father educates his children well; his heart shall rejoice in a wise son.” Masters, be gentle towards your servants, as holy Job has taught you; for there is one nature, and one family of mankind. For “in Christ there is neither bond nor free.” Let governors be obedient to Caesar; soldiers to those that command them; deacons to the presbyters, as to high priests; the presbyters, deacons, and the rest of the clergy, together with all the people, soldiers, governors, and Caesar himself, to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, just as Christ to the Father.

And thus unity is preserved throughout. Let not the widows be wanderers, nor fond of dainties, nor going from house to house, but let them be like Judith, noted for her seriousness; and like Anna, known for her sobriety. I do not ordain these things as an apostle: for “who am I, or what is my father’s house,” that I should pretend to be equal in honor to them? But as your “fellow-soldier,” I hold the position of one who simply admonishes you.