sake, that we might be saved. And He suffered really, as He
IGNATIUS TO THE SMYRNAEANS
Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the Church of God the Father and the beloved Jesus Christ; a church mercifully endowed with every gift; overflowing with faith and love; * lacking in no gift;* radiant with God's splendor, and fruitful mother of saints.* 'To the Church at Smyrna * in Asia I send best wishes for irreproachableness of sentiment and loyalty to the word of God.
1. Iextol Jesus Christ, the God who has granted you such wisdom. For I have observed that you are thoroughly trained in unshaken faith, being nailed, as it were, to the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ both in body and in soul,' and that you are well established in love through the Blood of Christ and firmly believe in Our Lord: He is really of the line of David according to the flesh,° and the Son of God by the will and power of God; was really born of a virgin, and baptized by John in order to comply with every ordinance."
2 Under Pontius Pilate and the tetrarch Herod He was really * nailed to the cross in the flesh for our sake—of whose fruit we are, in virtue of His most blessed Passion. And thus, through the Resurrection, He raised a banner ® for all times for His saints and faithful followers, whether among the Jews or the Gentiles, that they might be united in a single body, that is, His Church."° 2. All these sufferings, assuredly, He underwent for our sake, that we might be saved. And He suffered really, as He