Since I'm studying the Pastoral Epistles, and since I'm interested in the Apostolic Fathers, and since Paul wrote 1 Timothy to Timothy while he was in Ephesus ... it makes sense to at least look at Ignatius to the Ephesians, right?

So, during lunch today, that's exactly what I did. I'm not going to comment in-depth on the material, just point to some interesting passages.

First, IgEph 9.1:

¹ But I have learned that certain persons passed through you from yonder, bringing evil doctrine; whom ye suffered not to sow seed in you, for ye stopped your ears, so that ye might not receive the seed sown by them; forasmuch as ye are stones of a temple, which were prepared beforehand for a building of God the Father, being hoisted up to the heights through the engine of Jesus Christ, which is the Cross, and using for a rope the Holy Spirit; while your faith is your windlass, and love is the way that leadeth up to God.

The italics are mine. I find this interesting in light of 1Ti 1.3-11, where Paul instructs Timothy to deal with those in Ephesus who are teaching false doctrine. Apparently Timothy (and his successors) did the job if Ignatius' testimony has any merit. Considering the date of Ignatius' martyrdom to be anywhere from 98-117 AD (Holmes' range, though he quotes another who offers a range of 118-137 AD), and doing some backwards math ... the traditional date of the Pastorals (63-65 AD) makes sense. After all, if the Ephesians were in the shape that First Timothy leads us to believe (false teachers as prominent and needing to be dealt with), then that leaves some time (30-50 years) to completely turn the church around and establish them on a strong footing ... and establish a reputation as far away as Antioch (Ignatius' episcopate).

Of course, that is a stretch. But it is an interesting thought (to me) nonetheless. 

More on Ignatius to the Ephesians later.