Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Short Version)

I GLORIFY GOD: even Jesus Christ, who has given you such wisdom. For I have observed that you are perfected in an immovable faith, as if you were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in the flesh and in the spirit, and are established in love through the blood of Christ, being fully persuaded with respect to our Lord, that He was truly of the seed of David according to the flesh, and the Son of God according to the will and power of God; that He was truly born of a virgin, was baptized by John, in order that all righteousness might be fulfilled by Him; and was truly, under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch, nailed [to the cross] for us in His flesh. Of this fruit we are by His divinely-blessed passion, that He might set up a standard for all ages, through His resurrection, to all His holy and faithful [followers], whether among Jews or Gentiles, in the one body of His Church.

NOW: He endured all these things for our sakes, that we might be saved. And He truly suffered, just as He truly raised Himself up, not, as certain unbelievers claim, that He only seemed to suffer, as they themselves only seem to be [Christians]. And as they believe, so it shall happen to them, when they are stripped of their bodies, and become mere evil spirits.

FOR I KNOW THAT EVEN AFTER HIS RESURRECTION: He still had flesh, and I believe that He does so now. When He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, "Touch and handle Me, and see that I am not an incorporeal spirit." They immediately touched Him and believed, being convinced by both His flesh and spirit. For this reason, they also despised death and became its conquerors. After His resurrection, He ate and drank with them, as He possessed flesh, though spiritually He was united to the Father.

I GIVE YOU THESE INSTRUCTIONS: beloved, assured that you also hold the same opinions as I do. But I warn you in advance about those beasts in the form of men, whom you must not only avoid welcoming, but, if it is possible, not even encounter; only, you must pray to God for them, in the hope that they may be brought to repentance, which will be very difficult. Yet Jesus Christ, who is our true life, has the power to achieve this. But if these things were done by our Lord only in appearance, then I am only in appearance bound. And why have I surrendered myself to death, to fire, to the sword, to the wild beasts? In fact, he who is near to the sword is near to God; he that is among the wild beasts is in the company of God, provided only he is there in the name of Jesus Christ. I undergo all these things so that I may suffer together with Him, He who became a perfect man, inwardly strengthening me.

SOME IGNORANTLY DENY HIM: or rather have been denied by Him, being supporters of death rather than the truth. These people have been persuaded neither by the prophets, nor the law of Moses, nor the Gospel even to this day, nor by the sufferings we have personally endured. For they think the same thing about us. For what does anyone profit me if he praises me but blasphemes my Lord, not confessing that He truly had a body? But he who does not acknowledge this has, in fact, completely denied Him, being wrapped in death. However, I have not thought it good to write the names of such people, as they are unbelievers. Indeed, far be it from me to make any mention of them until they repent and return to a true belief in Christ’s passion, which is our resurrection.

LET NO ONE DECEIVE THEMSELVES: Both the things in heaven, and the glorious angels, and rulers, both visible and invisible, if they do not believe in the blood of Christ, will, as a result, incur condemnation. "He that is able to receive it, let them receive it." Let not a high position make anyone proud: for what is truly valuable is faith and love, to which nothing should be preferred. But consider those who hold a different opinion regarding the grace of Christ that has come to us, how opposed they are to the will of God. They have no regard for love; no care for the widow, or the orphan, or the oppressed; whether they are bonded or free; hungry or thirsty.

THEY ABSTAIN FROM THE EUCHARIST AND FROM PRAYER: because they do not acknowledge the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins, and whom the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, bring upon themselves death in the midst of their disputes. Yet it would be better for them to treat it with respect, so that they might also rise again. It is fitting, therefore, that you should keep away from such people, and not speak of them either in private or in public, but to pay attention to the prophets, and above all, to the Gospel, in which the passion of Christ has been revealed to us, and the resurrection has been fully proven. But avoid all divisions, as they are the beginning of evils.

ENSURE THAT YOU ALL FOLLOW THE BISHOP: just as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and respect the deacons as being the institution of God. Let no one do anything related to the Church without the bishop. Consider that to be a proper Eucharist which is administered by the bishop or by someone he has entrusted it to. Wherever the bishop is, there let the congregation also be; just as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop to either baptize or celebrate a love-feast; but whatever he approves of is also pleasing to God, so that everything done may be secure and valid.

MOREOVER: it is reasonable that we should return to sober conduct, and, while we have the opportunity, exercise repentance towards God. It is good to reverence both God and the bishop. Whoever honors the bishop has been honored by God; whoever does anything without the knowledge of the bishop truly serves the devil. Let all things, then, abound to you through grace, for you are worthy. You have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ shall refresh you. You have loved me when absent as well as when present. May God recompense you, for whose sake, as you endure all things, you shall attain unto Him.

YOU HAVE DONE WELL IN RECEIVING PHILO AND RHEUS AGATHOPUS AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST OUR GOD: who have followed me for the sake of God and who give thanks to the Lord on your behalf, because you have in every way refreshed them. None of these things will be lost to you. May my spirit be with you, and my bonds, which you have not despised or been ashamed of; nor will Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.

YOUR PRAYER HAS REACHED THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH IN SYRIA: Coming from that place bound with chains, most acceptable to God, I greet all of you; I, who am not worthy to be named from there, as I am the least of them. Nevertheless, according to the will of God, I have been considered worthy of this honor, not that I feel I have deserved it, but by the grace of God, which I wish may be fully given to me, that through your prayers I may reach God. Therefore, so that your work may be complete both on earth and in heaven, it is fitting that, for the honor of God, your Church should choose some worthy delegate; so that he, traveling to Syria, may congratulate them that they are now at peace, restored to their proper greatness, and that their proper constitution has been re-established among them. It seems to me fitting, then, that you should send someone from among you with a letter, so that, in company with them, he may rejoice over the tranquility which, according to the will of God, they have obtained, and because, through your prayers, they have now reached the harbor. As people who are perfect, you should also aim at those things which are perfect. For when you are eager to do well, God is also ready to assist you.

The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; from there I also write to you through Burrhus, whom you sent with me, along with the Ephesians, your brethren, and who has refreshed me in all things. I wish that everyone may imitate him, as he is a model of a minister of God. Grace will reward him in all things. I salute your most worthy bishop, your very venerable presbytery, your deacons, my fellow-servants, and all of you individually, as well as collectively, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in His flesh and blood, in His passion and resurrection, both corporeal and spiritual, in union with God and you. Grace, mercy, peace, and patience be with you forevermore!

I SALUTE THE FAMILIES OF MY BRETHREN: along with their wives and children, and the virgins who are called widows. Be strong, I pray, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, who is with me, greets you. I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be strengthened in faith and love, both physical and spiritual. I salute Alce, my well-beloved, and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutecnus, and all by name. Farewell in the grace of God.