apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

ZZ^ EPISTLES OF S. IGNATIUS.
The answer to the second question cannot admit of doubt. So
long as it was a matter for argument whether the Vossian or the
Curetonian letters represented the original form of the Ignatian Epistles,
we might have hesitated to which of the two sets of letters the
notices in Polycarp's Epistle referred. But after the investigation
in the last chapter, the Vossian letters alone remain in the possession of
the field. To these therefore the notice refers.
And the reference is
unusually precise. Polycarp informs the
Philippians that in compliance with their request he forwards to them
'
the letters of Ignatius which were sent by him to us together with
any others which we had in our possession {koI uAAas ocras etxofiev
Trap" 7^'^tv).' These, he adds, are subjoined to his own letter; and he
recommends them to the attention of the Philippians as tending in
divers ways to edification. The description exactly
accords with the
letters of the existing collection. This collection begins with the
Epistles to the Smyrnseans and to Polycarp (see above, p. 234). To
these Polycarp evidently
refers in the first clause. But in addition
to these it contains five others— Ephesians, Magnesians, Philadelphians,
Trallians, Romans. Four out of the five purport to have been
written while Ignatius was in Smyrna. The fifth— the letter to the
— Philadelphians professes to have been written indeed from Troas;
but the messenger, carrying it to Philadelphia, would probably pass
through Smyrna on his way thither. Thus we see an easy explanation
how copies of all the five letters not written to the Smyrnaeans themselves
might have been in Polycarp's possession. This however is not
the only notice bearing on the Ignatian letters. Polycarp speaks
likewise of having received instructions from the Philippians as well
as from Ignatius himself, that whoever went to Syria should convey
thither the Philippians' letter (§ 13).
What were the contents of this
Philippian letter, or why it should be sent, we are not told ;
but from
the Epistles of Ignatius himself (Polyc. 8) we learn that he was giving
instructions ' to all the churches ' to send delegates, or at all events
(where this was not possible) letters, to the brethren at Antioch to
congratulate them on the restoration of peace. The reference also to
the person who was to 'go to Syria' is illustrated by the Ignatian
letters themselves. The Smyrnaeans are there bidden to send some
faithful and valued representative to Antioch to carry thither a letter from
them ;
and this person
is to constitute himself the bearer of letters from
other churches likewise {Smyrn. 11, Polyc. 7, 8).
This explains the expression
KoX TCI Trap v/Atuv ypafx/xaTa, 'your letter also.' In the Ignatian
letters indeed the writer contemplates Polycarp sending some one else