Polycarp — Epistle to the Philippians

Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the Church of God living as sojourners at Philippi: May mercy and peace be multiplied to you from God Almighty and from the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the Church of God sojourning at Philippi: Mercy to you, and peace from God Almighty, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, be multiplied.

I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because you have followed the example of true love as displayed by God, and have accompanied, as was fitting for you, those who were bound in chains—the appropriate ornaments of saints, which are truly the crowns of the true elect of God and our Lord. I rejoice also because the strong root of your faith, which was spoken of in days long past, continues even until now and bears fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered even to death for our sins, but whom God raised from the dead, having released the bonds of the grave. Though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him, and believing, you rejoice with unspeakable and glorious joy—a joy that many desire to enter into, knowing that you are saved by grace, not by works, but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.

I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because you have followed the example of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days Philippians 1:5 long gone by, endures even until now, and brings forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] whom God raised from the dead, having loosed the bands of the grave. In whom, though now you see Him not, you believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; 1 Peter 1:8 into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that by grace you are saved, not of works, Ephesians 2:8-9 but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, prepare yourselves and serve the Lord in fear and truth, as people who have abandoned the worthless, meaningless talk and error of the crowd, and have believed in Him who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and gave Him glory and a throne at His right hand. All things in heaven and on earth are subject to Him. Every spirit serves Him. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. God will require His blood from those who do not believe in Him. But He who raised Him from the dead will also raise us up, if we do His will, walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, greed, love of money, slander, false witness. We must not return evil for evil, or insult for insult, or blow for blow, or curse for curse, but instead remember what the Lord said in His teaching: Judge not, that you be not judged; forgive, and it shall be forgiven to you; be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you again; and once more, Blessed are the poor, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Wherefore, girding up your loins, 1 Peter 1:13; Ephesians 6:14 serve the Lord in fear and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory, 1 Peter 1:21 and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things 1 Peter 3:22; Philippians 2:10 in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 17:31 His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise us up also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, 1 Peter 3:9 or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: Judge not, that you be not judged; Matthew 7:1 forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; Luke 6:36 with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you again; Matthew 7:2; Luke 6:38 and once more, Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Brothers, I write these things to you about righteousness, not because I'm claiming anything for myself, but because you invited me to do so. For neither I nor anyone else like me can match the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. When he was with you, he accurately and firmly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were alive at that time. And when he was away from you, he wrote you a letter which, if you study it carefully, you will find builds you up in that faith which has been given to you—a faith which is followed by hope and preceded by love toward God, Christ, and our neighbor, and which is the mother of us all. For if anyone possesses these qualities inwardly, he has fulfilled the command of righteousness, since the one who has love is far from all sin.

These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not because I take anything upon myself, but because you have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom 2 Peter 3:15 of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:26 For if any one be inwardly possessed of these graces, he has fulfilled the command of righteousness, since he that has love is far from all sin.

The love of money is the root of all evils. Since we know that we brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it, let us put on the armor of righteousness. Let us first teach ourselves to live by the Lord's commandments. Then teach your wives to live in the faith they have been given, in love and purity, tenderly loving their own husbands with complete honesty, and loving everyone else equally with complete moral purity. Train your children to know and fear God. Teach the widows to be wise concerning the faith of the Lord, to pray constantly for everyone, and to stay far away from all slander, evil speech, false testimony, love of money, and every kind of evil. They should know that they are God's altar, that He sees everything clearly, and that nothing is hidden from Him—not our thoughts, not our inner reflections, not even one of the hidden things of the heart.

But the love of money is the root of all evils. 1 Timothy 6:10 Knowing, therefore, that as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out, 1 Timothy 6:7 let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness; Ephesians 6:11 and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord. Next, [teach] your wives [to walk] in the faith given to them, and in love and purity tenderly loving their own husbands in all truth, and loving all [others] equally in all chastity; and to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God. Teach the widows to be discreet as respects the faith of the Lord, praying continually 1 Thessalonians 5:17 for all, being far from all slandering, evil-speaking, false-witnessing, love of money, and every kind of evil; knowing that they are the altar of God, that He clearly perceives all things, and that nothing is hid from Him, neither reasonings, nor reflections, nor any one of the secret things of the heart.

Since God is not mocked, we must live in a way that honors His commandment and glory. Deacons should likewise be blameless before His righteousness, because they serve God and Christ, not human beings. They must not be slanderers or speak with a double tongue, and they must not love money. Instead, they should be self-controlled in everything, compassionate, hardworking, and live according to the truth of the Lord, who served everyone. If we please Him in this present world, we will also receive the world to come, just as He promised to raise us from the dead. And if we live in a way that is worthy of Him, we will also rule with Him, as long as we believe. Young men should also be blameless in everything, taking special care to maintain purity and restraining themselves from every kind of evil as if held back by a bridle. It is good for them to be cut off from the desires of this world, since every desire wars against the spirit. Neither those who commit sexual immorality, nor the effeminate, nor those who abuse themselves with mankind will inherit the kingdom of God, nor will those who do inconsistent and shameful things. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid all these things and to submit to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ. Virgins must also live with a blameless and pure conscience.

Knowing, then, that God is not mocked, Galatians 6:7 we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In like manner should the deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ, and not of men. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued, 1 Timothy 3:8 or lovers of money, but temperate in all things, compassionate, industrious, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who was the servant Matthew 20:28 of all. If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, we shall also reign together with Him, 2 Timothy 2:12 provided only we believe. In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since every lust wars against the spirit; 1 Peter 2:11 and neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.

Presbyters should be compassionate and merciful toward everyone. They should bring back those who have wandered away, visit all who are sick, and not neglect widows, orphans, or the poor. Instead, they should always provide what is right in God's sight and in the sight of people. They must avoid all anger, favoritism, and unjust judgment. They must stay far away from all greed, must not be quick to believe evil reports about anyone, and must not be harsh in their judgments, since we all owe a debt of sin. If we ask the Lord to forgive us, we should also forgive others ourselves, because we are before the eyes of our Lord and God. We must all appear at the judgment seat of Christ and each give an account of ourselves. Therefore, let us serve Him with fear and complete reverence, just as He Himself commanded us and as the apostles who preached the Gospel to us and the prophets who foretold the Lord's coming have taught us. Let us be eager to pursue what is good, keeping ourselves away from things that cause offense, from false brothers, and from those who hypocritically bear the Lord's name and lead foolish people into error.

And let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always providing for that which is becoming in the sight of God and man; Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:31 abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unjust judgment; keeping far off from all covetousness, not quickly crediting [an evil report] against any one, not severe in judgment, as knowing that we are all under a debt of sin. If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; Matthew 6:12-14 for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself. Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10 Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]. Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offense, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error.

Anyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is antichrist, and anyone who does not confess the testimony of the cross is of the devil. And anyone who twists the oracles of the Lord to suit his own desires and says there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment is the firstborn of Satan. Therefore, abandoning the empty ideas of many people and their false teachings, let us return to the word that has been handed down to us from the beginning. Let us be watchful in prayer and continue steadfastly in fasting, asking in our prayers that the all-seeing God would not lead us into temptation, as the Lord has said: The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.

For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist; 1 John 4:3 and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from Jude 3 the beginning; watching unto prayer, 1 Peter 4:7 and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God not to lead us into temptation, Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41 as the Lord has said: The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38

Let us continue to persevere in our hope and in the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, who carried our sins in His own body on the tree, who committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth, but who endured all things for us so that we might live in Him. Let us therefore imitate His patience, and if we suffer for His name's sake, let us glorify Him. For He has given us this example in Himself, and we have believed this to be true.

Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, who bore our sins in His own body on the tree, 1 Peter 2:24 who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth, 1 Peter 2:22 but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him. 1 John 4:9 Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:16 for His name's sake, let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example 1 Peter 2:21 in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case.

I urge all of you, therefore, to obey the word of righteousness and to practice complete patience, like what you have seen demonstrated before you, not only in the blessed Ignatius, Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among you, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. Do this with confidence that all these people have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are now in their rightful place in the presence of the Lord, with whom they also suffered. For they did not love this present world, but Him who died for us and was raised again by God from the dead for our sake.

I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as you have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run Philippians 2:16; Galatians 2:2 in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.

Stand firm in these things, and follow the Lord's example: be strong and unchangeable in the faith, love the brotherhood, and be devoted to one another, united in the truth, showing the Lord's gentleness in how you treat each other, and looking down on no one. When you can do good, don't delay, because giving to the poor saves from death. All of you submit to one another, keeping your conduct above reproach among the Gentiles, so that you may receive praise for your good works and the Lord's name will not be blasphemed because of you. But woe to the one through whom the Lord's name is blasphemed! Therefore, teach self-control to everyone, and demonstrate it in your own conduct as well.

Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, 1 Peter 2:17 and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because alms delivers from death. Tobit 4:10, Tobit 12:9 Be all of you subject one to another 1 Peter 5:5 having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles, 1 Peter 2:12 that you may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Isaiah 52:5 Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.

I am deeply grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he understands so little about the position that was given to him in the Church. Therefore, I urge you to stay away from greed and to be pure and truthful. Stay away from every kind of evil. For if a man cannot control himself in these matters, how can he command others to do so? If a man does not keep himself from greed, he will be corrupted by idolatry and will be judged as one of the pagans. But which of us does not know about the Lord's judgment? Don't we know that the saints will judge the world, as Paul teaches? But I have neither seen nor heard of anything like this among you, among whom the blessed Paul worked, and who are praised at the beginning of his letter. For he boasts about you in all those churches that alone knew the Lord at that time; but we in Smyrna had not yet known Him. Therefore, brothers, I am deeply grieved for him, Valens, and his wife. May the Lord grant them true repentance! Be moderate in how you deal with this matter, and do not treat such people as enemies, but call them back as suffering and wandering members, so that you may save your whole body. For by doing this, you will build yourselves up.

I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that you abstain from covetousness, and that you be chaste and truthful. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world? 1 Corinthians 6:2 as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known Him. I am deeply grieved, therefore, brethren, for him (Valens) and his wife; to whom may the Lord grant true repentance! And be then moderate in regard to this matter, and do not count such as enemies, 2 Thessalonians 3:15 but call them back as suffering and straying members, that you may save your whole body. For by so acting you shall edify yourselves. 1 Corinthians 12:26

I trust that you are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures and that nothing is hidden from you, but I have not yet been granted this privilege. It is declared in these Scriptures, Be angry, and sin not, and, Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Happy is the one who remembers this, which I believe is the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity. And may He grant you a lot and portion among His saints, and to us with you, and to all who are under heaven who will believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Father, who raised Him from the dead. Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings and rulers and princes, and for those who persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, so that your fruit may be evident to all and that you may be perfect in Him.

For I trust that you are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted. It is declared then in these Scriptures, Be angry, and sin not, and, Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Ephesians 4:26 Happy is he who remembers this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who raised Him from the dead. Galatians 1:1 Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, 1 Timothy 2:2 and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, Matthew 5:44 and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that you may be perfect in Him.

Both you and Ignatius wrote to me that if anyone traveled from here to Syria, he should carry your letter with him. I will take care of this request if I find a suitable opportunity, either personally or through someone else acting on my behalf, so that your wish may be fulfilled. The epistles of Ignatius that he wrote to us, along with all the rest of his epistles that we have with us, we have sent to you as you requested. They are attached to this letter, and through them you may greatly benefit, for they deal with faith and patience and all things that contribute to edification in our Lord. If you have obtained any more reliable information about Ignatius himself and those who were with him, please be kind enough to share it with us.

Both you and Ignatius wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them you may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were with him, have the goodness to make known to us.

I have written these things to you through Crescens, whom I have recommended to you up to now and continue to recommend. He has conducted himself blamelessly among us, and I believe he will do the same among you. Also, when his sister comes to you, you should hold her in high regard. May you be safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all of you. Amen.

These things I have written to you by Crescens, whom up to the present time I have recommended unto you, and do now recommend. For he has acted blamelessly among us, and I believe also among you. Moreover, you will hold his sister in esteem when she comes to you. Be safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all. Amen.