Speaking Well of the Bishop
The bishop was selected by the love of Jesus Christ and God the Father, and his character, mind, and spirit reflect the virtues of the living God.
Ignatius of Antioch praises the bishop, highlighting his selection by the love of Jesus Christ and God the Father, not for vainglory but for the common good. He admires the bishop's meekness and ability to achieve much through silence, in harmony with the commandments of the Lord. Ignatius compares the bishop's blamelessness to that of Zacharias the priest, declaring his mind towards God as virtuous and perfect, reflecting the meekness and stability of the living God.
Text
Having beheld your bishop, I know that he was not selected to undertake the ministry which pertains to the common [weal], either by himself or by men, or out of vainglory, but by the love of Jesus Christ, and of God the Father, who raised Him from the dead; at whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by His silence is able to accomplish more than they who talk a great deal. For he is in harmony with the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, even as the strings are with the harp, and is no less blameless than was Zacharias the priest.
Wherefore my soul declares his mind towards God a happy one, knowing it to be virtuous and perfect, and that his stability as well as freedom from all anger is after the example of the infinite meekness of the living God.
Sermon Outline
- The Bishop's Selection
- The Bishop's Character
- The Bishop's Mind and Spirit
- Virtuous and perfect
- Stable and free from anger, like the living God
Key Quotes
“For he is in harmony with the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, even as the strings are with the harp, and is no less blameless than was Zacharias the priest.” — Ignatius of Antioch
“at whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by His silence is able to accomplish more than they who talk a great deal.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- We should strive to have a virtuous and perfect mind, like the bishop's, reflecting the meekness of the living God.
- Silence can be a powerful tool, accomplishing more than words, as demonstrated by the bishop's example.
- We should seek to be in harmony with the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, like the bishop, and strive to be blameless in our character and actions.