Greek · Letter to the Philadelphians
A letter recalling a dispute in Philadelphia in which opponents would not believe what was not found 'in the archives' (the OT), to which Ignatius replies that his archives are Jesus Christ (8.2).
Dating
Dated with Ignatius' journey and martyrdom under Trajan (Eusebius' Chronicle implies c. 107/108). Most scholars accept c. 105-115 for the seven letters of the middle recension; a minority date them to the 120s-140s or regard them as pseudonymous. Written at Troas, per the letter itself.Books it uses
7.1 the Spirit 'knows whence it comes and whither it goes' (John 3:8). The strongest Johannine echo in Ignatius, but still contested.
3.3 'Do not err... he shall not inherit the kingdom of God' (1 Cor 6:9–10).
Quotations
When I heard some saying, If I do not find it in the ancient Scriptures, I will not believe the Gospel; on my saying to them, It is written, they answered me, That remains to be proved. But to me Jesus Christ is in the place of all that is ancient: His cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which is by Him, are undefiled monuments of antiquity
Ign. Phld. 8.2Names the book
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe (shorter Greek recension) · Source (opens in a new tab)
The 'archives' debate: opponents will not believe 'the Gospel' unless proven from the OT; Ignatius makes Christ himself the archive. A window on early tension between OT scripture and gospel proclamation.