Apocrypha
Ignatius to the Trallians
Apostolic Father
13 chapters · read and listen
Reading note
An apocryphal or pseudepigraphal text — outside the canon of the Western churches, yet widely circulated among ancient Jews and Christians. Published here from a public-domain translation, edited for continuous reading.
Chapters
Dossier
A short, insistent letter against those who said Christ only appeared to have a body: if it was appearance, Ignatius argues, then my chains are appearance too and I am dying for nothing.
Where this text comes from
Greek, around AD 107-110.
Why it is not in the Bible
Patristic literature, outside any canon.
What you will find
- The argument against docetism is personal: he is about to die and uses that as proof.
- The declared humility — Ignatius says he writes not as an apostle but as a condemned man.
- The triad of bishop, presbyters and deacons appears here with unusual clarity for the period.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the docetism Ignatius opposed?
- The idea that Christ only seemed to have a human body and did not truly suffer. Ignatius attacks it in several letters, and it is also why the Gospel of Peter was rejected.