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Epistle to the Romans

About this book

The Bread of God

Chapter 7

1 The prince of this world wants to tear me to pieces and corrupt my mind toward God. So let none of you who are nearby help him. Rather, stand on my side, that is, on God's side. Do not speak of Jesus Christ and at the same time desire the world. 2 Do not let envy live among you. Even if I myself, when I am with you, should beg you, do not obey me; but rather believe these things that I am writing to you. [For] I write to you while still alive, yet longing for death. My desire has been crucified, and there is no fire of material longing in me, but only water, living and speaking in me, saying within me, Come to the Father. 3 I take no pleasure in perishable food or in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Christ who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is imperishable love.⁠

Texts in conversation

Compare Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans 7:3 and Gospel of Philip 3:28

Early Christian · Nag Hammadi

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Summary

Epistle to the Romans and the Gospel of Philip identify Jesus' flesh and blood as food and drink that give life. Ignatius links this meal with his desire to die. Philip uses it to explain receiving life now, changing when the shared meal brings life.

Passages

Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans 7:3

Early Christian
3 I take no pleasure in perishable food or in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Christ who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is imperishable love.
107–117 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans

Gospel of Philip 3:28

Nag Hammadi
Some are afraid that they might be resurrected naked. They consequently wish to rise in the flesh, and [they] do not understand that those who wear the [flesh] are the ones who are naked. These [able] to unclothe themselves [are] not naked. Flesh [and blood shall] not inherit the kingdom [of God]. What shall not inherit? What we wear on us. What, however, shall also inherit? What belongs to Jesus and his blood. He consequently said: “He who will not eat my flesh and drink my blood, life is not in him.” What is this? His flesh is the Logos, and his blood is the holy Spirit. He who has obtained these possesses food, and he possesses drink and garments.
180–250 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Gospel of Philip

References

“... 23a. Some are afraid lest they rise naked. Because of this they wish to rise in the flesh. And they do not know that those who bear the f[lesh] are [precisely] the naked. Those who are [able] to lay (it) aside [are precisely those who] are not naked. 23b. 'Flesh [and blood cannot] inherit the kingdom [of God].' What is this (flesh) which cannot (p. 57) inherit? This which we bear. But what is this which can inherit? It is the (flesh) of Jesus and his blood! Because of this he said: 'He who shall not eat my flesh and drink my blood has no life in him.' Of what kind is this (flesh)? His flesh is the Word, and his blood is the Holy Spirit! He who has received these has food and drink and clothing. 23c. I blame the others, who say that it (the flesh) will not rise. Then both are at fault. You say that the flesh will not rise. But tell me what will rise, that we may honour you (as a teacher). You say: The spirit in the flesh, and it is also this (spark of) light in the flesh. But this too (which you have mentioned) is something which exists (only) in the flesh. For whatever you name, you (yet) name nothing that exists outside the flesh. It is (therefore) necessary to rise in this flesh, since everything is in it. [...] 15. Cf. Ignatius, Trall. 8; Rom. 7.3. 16. Cf. Hermas, Sim. V 7. ...”
Hans-Martin Schenke, “The Gospel of Philip,” in New Testament Apocrypha, Volume 1: Gospels and Related Writings, ed. Wilhelm Schneemelcher and R. McL. Wilson (Cambridge: James Clarke, 1991), 190–191, 207.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans 7:3 and Gospel of Philip 3:28

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