Systems Theology

Early Church Documents

Study key patristic texts with better discovery, better context, and better source navigation.

Back to navigator

Epistle to the Philadelphians

Calls the church to reject schism, stay anchored in Eucharistic fellowship, and maintain peace under shared pastoral oversight.

Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 1072nd century

Overview

Category
Apostolic Fathers
Genre
Epistle
Tradition
Eastern
Region
Eastern Mediterranean
Original language
Greek
Date certainty
Approximate

Historical context

Manuscript context

Epistle to the Philadelphians circulated in Eastern Mediterranean and is received through Greek manuscript and translation traditions associated with Ignatius of Antioch.

Themes

EcclesiologyDiscipleshipChurch OrderSacramental Theology

Controversies

  • Sacramental discipline disagreements

Source links

  • English translation

    www.newadvent.org · Source quality: Primary · Last checked: 2026-02-28

  • Archive mirror

    web.archive.org · Source quality: Archive · Last checked: 2026-02-28

Read source

Timeline position

Epistle to the Philadelphians

Related documents

  • Epistle to Polycarp

    Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 107

    Offers pastoral counsel to Bishop Polycarp on endurance, leadership, discipline, and care for the flock under pressure.

  • Epistle to the Ephesians

    Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 107

    Urges believers to remain united around their bishop and to confess Christ fully against early doctrinal distortions.

  • Epistle to the Magnesians

    Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 107

    Encourages fidelity to apostolic teaching and warns against returning to old covenant shadows after Christ's fulfillment.

  • Epistle to the Romans

    Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 107

    As he travels to martyrdom, Ignatius asks the Roman church not to prevent his witness and frames martyrdom as discipleship.

  • Epistle to the Smyrnaeans

    Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 107

    Defends the real incarnation and suffering of Christ, then links orthodox confession to a coherent sacramental church life.

  • Epistle to the Trallians

    Ignatius of Antiochc. AD 107

    Stresses submission to church oversight and vigilance against teachers who divide Christ's humanity from his divinity.

  • Epistle to the Philippians

    Polycarp of Smyrnac. AD 115

    Combines moral exhortation, scriptural saturation, and pastoral correction while urging perseverance in holiness and truth.

  • Fragments

    Papias of Hierapolisearly 2nd century

    Preserves early witness to oral apostolic tradition and transmission of Jesus traditions before later canonical consolidation.