Ignatius' Statements of Self-Sacrifice: Intimations of an Atoning Death or Expressions of Exemplary Suffering?

Abstract

Ignatius’ seven most explicit statements of ‘self-sacrifice’ (Eph. 8.1; 18.1; 21.1; Trall. 13.3; Smyrn. 10.2; Pol. 2.3; 6.1) have often been interpreted, especially in recent scholarship, as articulations of his view that his death would be an atoning sacrifice for sin or would substitute for those to whom he wrote. A fresh reading of these important statements leads to the contention that they are expressions of exemplary suffering and not intimations of an atoning death. The assumption of the majority view that Jesus was Ignatius’ direct model for his death is challenged and a cumulative case is built for the Pauline shaping of Ignatius’ self-conception and portrayal of his imminent death, followed by a detailed exegesis of each statement. Finally, Rom. 2.2 is discussed and conclusions drawn.

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