Epistle to the Philadelphians (Short Version)

BISHOP: I know, obtained the ministry which pertains to the common good, not of himself, neither by men, nor through vainglory, but by the love of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; at whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by his silence is able to accomplish more than those who vainly talk. For he is in harmony with the commandments of God, just as the harp is with its strings. Therefore, my soul declares his mind towards God a happy one, knowing it to be virtuous and perfect, and that his stability as well as freedom from all anger is after the example of the infinite meekness of the living God.

THEREFORE: as children of light and truth, avoid division and wicked doctrines; but where the shepherd is, there do you follow as sheep. For there are many wolves that seem credible, who, through harmful pleasure, lead captive those who are moving towards God; but in your unity, they shall have no place.

KEEP YOURSELVES AWAY FROM THOSE EVIL PLANTS THAT JESUS CHRIST DOES NOT TEND: because they are not the planting of the Father. Not that I have found any division among you, but rather exceeding purity. For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop. And as many as, in the exercise of repentance, return to the unity of the Church, these too shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ. Do not stray, my brothers. If anyone follows someone who creates a schism in the Church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If anyone adheres to a strange opinion, he does not agree with the passion of Christ.

TAKE CARE: then, to have only one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to show the unity of His blood; one altar; as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants: so that, whatever you do, you may do it according to the will of God.

MY BROTHERS: I am greatly expanded in loving you; and rejoicing exceedingly over you, I seek to secure your safety. Yet it is not I, but Jesus Christ, for whose sake being bound I fear more, as I am not yet perfect. But your prayer to God shall make me perfect, that I may attain the portion which through mercy has been allotted to me, while I flee to the Gospel as to the flesh of Jesus, and to the apostles as to the presbytery of the Church. And let us also love the prophets, because they too have proclaimed the Gospel, and placed their hope in Him, and waited for Him; in whom also believing, they were saved through union with Jesus Christ, being holy men, worthy of love and admiration, having had witness borne to them by Jesus Christ, and being reckoned along with us in the Gospel of the common hope.

BUT IF ANYONE PREACHES THE JEWISH LAW TO YOU: do not listen to him. For it is better to listen to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of these people do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are, in my judgment, like monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men. Therefore, flee from the wicked devices and snares of the prince of this world, lest at any time, being conquered by his tricks, you grow weak in your love. But you all should be joined together with an undivided heart. And I thank my God that I have a good conscience with respect to you and that no one has the power to boast, either privately or publicly, that I have burdened anyone, either much or little. And I wish for all among whom I have spoken, that they may not have that as a testimony against them.

FOR EVEN THOUGH SOME WOULD HAVE DECEIVED ME ACCORDING TO THE FLESH: the Spirit, being from God, is not deceived. For it knows both where it comes from and where it goes, and detects the secrets of the heart. For when I was among you, I cried out and spoke with a loud voice: Pay attention to the bishop, and to the presbytery and deacons. Now, some suspected me of having spoken this way, as knowing beforehand the division caused by some among you. But He is my witness, for whose sake I am in bonds, that I received no information from any man. But the Spirit proclaimed these words: Do nothing without the bishop; keep your bodies as the temples of God; love unity; avoid divisions; be the followers of Jesus Christ, just as He is of His Father.

I THEREFORE DID WHAT WAS MY DUTY: as a man devoted to unity. For where there is division and wrath, God does not dwell. To all those who repent, the Lord grants forgiveness, if they turn in penitence to the unity of God, and to communion with the bishop. I trust in the grace of Jesus Christ, who will free you from every bond. And I urge you to do nothing out of strife, but according to the teachings of Christ. When I heard some saying, If I do not find it in the ancient Scriptures, I will not believe the Gospel; upon my saying to them, It is written, they replied, That remains to be proved. But to me, Jesus Christ is in the place of all that is ancient: His cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which is by Him, are undefiled monuments of antiquity; by which I desire, through your prayers, to be justified.

THE PRIESTS INDEED ARE GOOD: but the High Priest is better; to whom the holy of holies has been committed, and who alone has been trusted with the secrets of God. He is the door of the Father, through which Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets, the apostles, and the Church enter. All these aim to achieve the unity of God. But the Gospel has something transcendent above the former dispensation, namely, the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, His passion and resurrection. For the beloved prophets announced Him, but the Gospel is the perfection of immortality. All these things are good together if you believe in love.

SINCE: according to your prayers and the compassion you feel in Christ Jesus, it has been reported to me that the Church in Antioch, Syria, has peace, it is fitting for you, as a Church of God, to elect a deacon to act as the ambassador of God for you to the brethren there, so that he may rejoice with them when they gather and glorify the name of God. Blessed is he in Jesus Christ, who is deemed worthy of such a ministry; and you too shall be glorified. And if you are willing, it is within your power to do this for the sake of God, just as the nearby Churches have sent, in some cases, bishops and in others, presbyters and deacons.

NOW: concerning Philo the deacon, of Cilicia, a man of reputation, who still ministers to me in the word of God, along with Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who has followed me from Syria, not regarding his life—these bear witness on your behalf; and I myself give thanks to God for you, that you have received them, even as the Lord received you. But may those who dishonored them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ! The love of the brethren at Troas greets you; from there, I also write to you through Burrhus, who was sent with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnæans to show their respect. May the Lord Jesus Christ honor them, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and faith, and love, and harmony! Farewell in Christ Jesus, our common hope.