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To the Trallians

St Ignatius of Antioch, Lake, Loeb 1912

Chapter 4

Ignatius’ need of humility

I have many thoughts in God, but I take the measure of myself that I perish not through boasting, for at present it is far better for me to be timid, and not to give heed to them who puff me up. For they who speak thus are a scourge to me.

For I desire to suffer, but I know not if I am worthy, for the jealousy of the devil¹ is to many not obvious, but against me it fights the more. I have need therefore of meekness, by which the prince of this world is brought to nothing.

Notes

This is probably the meaning: an alternative translation would be: “Ambition is not obvious, etc.” But cf. the letter to the Romans v. 3.