Ignatius of Antioch · Spurious Epistles of Ignatius

Chapter III — Exhortations as to ecclesiastical duties.

"Honour widows that are widows indeed." Be the friend of orphans; for God is "the Father of the fatherless, and the Judge of the widows." Do nothing without the bishops; for they are priests, and thou a servant of the priests. They baptize, offer sacrifice, ordain, and lay on hands; but thou ministerest to them, as the holy Stephen did at Jerusalem to James and the presbyters. Do not neglect the sacred meetings [of the saints]; inquire after every one by name. "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example to the believers, both in word and conduct."

Notes

  1. 1278. 1 Tim. v. 3.
  2. 1279. Ps. lxviii. 5.
  3. 1280. The term hierourgeo, which we have translated as above, is one whose signification is disputed. It occurs once in the New Testament (Rom. xv. 16) where it is translated in our English version simply "ministering." Etymologically, it means "to act as a priest," and we have in our translation followed Hesychius (Cent. iv.), who explains it as meaning "to offer sacrifice." [The whole passage in the Epistle to the Romans, where this word occurs may be compared (original Greek) with Mal. i. 11, Heb. v. 1, etc.]
  4. 1281. Specifically, assemblies for the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
  5. 1282. 1 Tim. iv. 12.