Ignatius of Antioch quotes

Ignatius of Antioch was an early Christian bishop and theologian, recognized as one of the Apostolic Fathers. His letters addressed to Christian communities are important sources for the development of early Church doctrine and organization. He is revered for his faith and martyrdom during the Roman persecutions. Here are 37 of his quotes:

Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips, and the world in your heart.

Ignatius of Antioch

It is better to be silent and be real than to talk and not be real.

Ignatius of Antioch

I wish not merely to be called Christian, but also to be Christian.

Ignatius of Antioch

It is impossible for a man to be freed from the habit of sin before he hates it, just as it is impossible to receive forgiveness before confessing his trespasses.

Ignatius of Antioch

Take note of those who spout false opinions about the gracious gift of Jesus Christ that has come to us, and see how they are opposed to the mind of God. They have no interest in love, in the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, the one who is in chains or the one set free, the one who is hungry or the one who thirsts.

Ignatius of Antioch

You must all follow the lead of the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed that of the Father; follow the presbytery as you would the Apostles; reverence the deacons as you would God's commandment.

Ignatius of Antioch

I watch over you betimes to protect you from wild beasts in human form.

Ignatius of Antioch

Let not office puff up any man; for faith and love are all in all, and nothing is preferred before them.

Ignatius of Antioch

Let no man's place, or dignity, or riches, puff him up; and let no man's low condition or poverty abase him. For the chief points are faith towards God, hope towards Christ, the enjoyment of those good things for which we look, and love towards God and our neighbor.

Ignatius of Antioch

Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in Heaven and Earth, is brought to an end.

Ignatius of Antioch

Do everything as if He were dwelling in us. Thus we shall be His temples and He will be within us as our God - as He actually is.

Ignatius of Antioch

Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be, even as wheresoever Christ Jesus is, there is the catholic church.

Ignatius of Antioch

Even though I be bound in the Name, I have not yet become perfected in Jesus Christ.

Ignatius of Antioch

[Jesus] was born and baptized that by his suffering he might purify the water.

Ignatius of Antioch

Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when you assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.

Ignatius of Antioch

I have many deep thoughts in God, but I take my own measure, lest I perish by boasting... For I myself, though I am in chains and can comprehend heavenly things, the ranks of the angels and the hierarchy of principalities, things visible and invisible, for all this I am not yet a disciple.

Ignatius of Antioch

They that are of the flesh cannot do the works of the Spirit, neither can they that are spiritual do the works of the flesh, even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith.

Ignatius of Antioch

Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed you are not deceived, inasmuch as you are wholly devoted to God.

Ignatius of Antioch

It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth.

Ignatius of Antioch

May nothing entice me till I happily make my way to Jesus Christ! Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs - let them come to me, provided only I make my way to Jesus Christ.

Ignatius of Antioch

I am God's wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become the pure bread of Christ.

Ignatius of Antioch

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. [] Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. [] Whatsoever [the bishop] shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid.

Ignatius of Antioch