Epistle to the Trallians (Short Version)

I KNOW THAT YOU POSSESS AN UNBLAMEABLE AND SINCERE MIND IN PATIENCE: and not only in your present actions, but according to your inherent nature, as Polybius your bishop has shown me, who has come to Smyrna by the will of God and Jesus Christ, and shared in the joy which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess, so much so that I beheld your whole multitude in him. Therefore, having received through him the testimony of your goodwill, according to God, I rejoiced to find you, as I knew you were, the followers of God.

SINCE YOU ARE SUBJECT TO THE BISHOP AS TO JESUS CHRIST: you seem to me to live not like ordinary people, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us so that by believing in His death, you may escape from death. Therefore, it is necessary that, as you indeed do, you should do nothing without the bishop, but should also be subject to the presbytery, as to the apostle of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in whom, if we live, we shall eventually be found. It is also fitting that the deacons, as ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, should in every respect be pleasing to everyone. For they are not ministers of food and drink, but servants of the Church of God. They are therefore bound to avoid any grounds of accusation against them, as they would avoid fire.

IN THE SAME WAY: let everyone honor the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the council of God, and assembly of the apostles. Without these, there is no Church. Regarding all this, I am convinced that you share the same belief. For I have experienced the demonstration of your love, and still hold it within me, in your bishop, whose very presence is highly instructive, and whose meekness is powerful; whom I imagine even the ungodly must honor, considering they are pleased that I do not hold back. But should I, when granted the opportunity to write on this topic, reach such a level of self-regard, that as a condemned man, I should give you commands as if I were an apostle?

I HAVE GREAT KNOWLEDGE IN GOD: but I restrain myself, so that I should not perish through boasting. For now, it is necessary for me to be more fearful and not pay attention to those who flatter me. For those who commend me actually discipline me. For I do desire to suffer, but I do not know if I am worthy to do so. This longing, although not apparent to many, attacks me even more fervently. Therefore, I need meekness, by which the prince of this world is brought to nothing.

Am I not able to write to you about heavenly things? But I am hesitant to do so, lest I might cause harm to you who are still new [in Christ]. Please forgive me in this matter, lest, as you might not be able to understand [such teachings], you should be overwhelmed by them. For even I, though I am committed [to Christ], am not therefore able to comprehend heavenly things, the places of the angels, and their assemblies under their respective leaders, things both visible and invisible. Without delving into such complex subjects, I am still just a learner [in other respects]; for there are many things we lack, so that we do not fall short of God.

I THEREFORE: yet not I, but the love of Jesus Christ, urge you to use only Christian nourishment and abstain from teachings of a different kind; I mean heresy. For those given to this mix Jesus Christ with their own poison, speaking things that are unworthy of belief, like those who administer a deadly drug in sweet wine, which he who is ignorant of takes eagerly, with fatal pleasure leading to his own death.

BE ON YOUR GUARD: therefore, against such individuals. This will be true for you if you are not arrogant and remain in close relationship with Jesus Christ our God, the bishop, and the teachings of the apostles. The one who is within the altar is pure, but the one who is outside is not pure; that is, anyone who acts independently of the bishop, presbytery, and deacons is not pure in their conscience.

Not that I know there is anything of this kind among you; but I warn you, as I love you greatly and foresee the snares of the devil. Therefore, clothing yourselves with meekness, be renewed in faith, which is the flesh of the Lord, and in love, which is the blood of Jesus Christ. Let none of you hold any grudge against your neighbor. Give no opportunity to the Gentiles, lest by means of a few foolish people the whole multitude of those that believe in God be spoken of poorly. For, "Woe to him by whose vanity my name is blasphemed among any."

CLOSE YOUR EARS: therefore, when anyone speaks to you in opposition to Jesus Christ, who descended from David and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified, and truly died, in the sight of beings in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father enlivening Him, just as His Father will in the same manner raise us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life.

BUT IF: as some who are without God, meaning the unbelieving, say that He only seemed to suffer (while they themselves only seem to exist), then why am I in chains? Why do I desire to be exposed to wild beasts? Do I then die in vain? Am I not then guilty of falsehood against the cross of the Lord?

THEREFORE: flee from those evil offshoots of Satan, which produce death-bearing fruit. If anyone tastes it, they instantly die. For these individuals are not the planting of the Father. If they were, they would appear as branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible. Through this, He calls you through His passion, as being His members. The head, therefore, cannot be without its members; God, who is the Savior Himself, having promised their union.

I GREET YOU FROM SMYRNA: along with the Churches of God that are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), urge you. Continue in harmony among yourselves and in prayer with one another; for it is fitting for each of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honor of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles. I beg you in love to listen to me, so that my writing may not be a testimony against you. And you also pray for me, who need your love, along with the mercy of God, that I may be worthy of the destiny for which I am intended, and that I may not be found unworthy.

The love of the Smyrnæans and Ephesians greets you. Remember the Church in Syria in your prayers, from which I am not worthy to receive my name, being the least among them. Fare well in Jesus Christ, as you remain subject to the bishop, as to the command of God, and likewise to the presbytery. And let each of you love one another with an undivided heart. May my spirit be sanctified by yours, not only now, but also when I come to God. For I am still exposed to danger. But the Father is faithful in Jesus Christ to fulfill both my and your petitions. In him, may you be found blameless.