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 63 of his quotes:

Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas, but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ. So pray that I may never fall into the trap of impressing people with clever speech, but instead I may learn to speak with humility, desiring only to impress people with Christ himself. (Ignatius of Antioch)
My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
It is right, therefore, that we not just be called Christians, but that we actually be Christians. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Our task is not one of producing persuasive propaganda; Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips, and the world in your heart. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
I watch over you betimes to protect you from wild beasts in human form. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Be careful, therefore, to take part only in the one Eucharist; for there is only one Flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ and one cup to unite us with His Blood. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Pray without ceasing on behalf of other men...For cannot he that falls rise again? View quote
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. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
I wish not merely to be called Christian, but also to be Christian. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
We recognize a tree by its fruit, and we ought to be able to recognize a Christian by his action. The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives, for being a Christian is more than making sound professions of faith. It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways. Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs, and live them out, than to talk eloquently about what we believe, but fail to live by it. (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. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
It is better to be silent and be real than to talk and not be real. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Jesus Christ who was of the race of David, who was the Son of Mary, who was truly born and ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and those under the earth; who moreover was truly raised from the dead, His Father having raised Him, who in the like fashion will so raise us also who believe on Him. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
I would rather die for Christ than rule the whole earth. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Wherever the bishop shall appear, let the multitude of also be, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic [i.e., universal] church. It is not lawful either to baptize or to celebrate a love feast without the bishop, but whatever he approves of, that is also pleasing to God. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Christianity is greatest when it is hated by the world. View quote
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)
As for me, my charter is Jesus Christ, the inviolable charter is His cross and His death and resurrection, and faith through Him. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Even though I be bound in the Name, I have not yet become perfected in Jesus Christ. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
For some are in the habit of carrying about the name in wicked guile, while they still practice things unworthy of God. You must flee these as you would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom you must be on your guard, since they are men who can scarcely be cured. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch
Be obedient to the bishop and to one another, as Jesus Christ was in the flesh to the Father, and the apostles to Christ and to the Father and to the Spirit, so that there may be unity in flesh and in spirit. View quote
Ignatius of Antioch