Translated by alexander roberts and james donaldson. Ignatius and polycarp if the letters are genuine, then polycarps philippians has. There appears to be some prefatory narrative parts concerning polycarp breaking his leg which i do not recognise from the howell edition, and i wonder where they came from. About 110 ce, while en route to rome where he suffered martyrdom, ignatius passed through smyrna and was warmly greeted by the church and its bishop. I have greatly rejoiced with you in our lord jesus christ, because you have followed the example of true love as displayed. Jun 08, 2014 in this paper, i have abbreviated polycarps epistle to the philippians as pol. Polycarps epistle to the philippians contains a lot of information about what he believed. Polycarp s faith and teachings, as well as other epistles now lost. A verse by verse examination of the apostle pauls epistle of joy to the beloved philippian church. The writings of early christianity known collectively as the apostolic fathers continue to fascinate me, and the text of polycarps letter to the.
Polycarp is said to have known the apostle john, and to have been instructed by him in the christian faith. Both irenaeus and tertullian recorded that polycarp was a disciple of the apostle john. Polycarps letter to the philippians lightfoot translation. Towards the end of his life, we learn of polycarp s travels to rome around 155 a. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians conciliar post. This firstever gathering of the pastoral epistles and polycarp to the philippians under a single cover moves beyond debates about pauline authorship to address secondcentury themes, such as combining the traditional roman household code with the emerging. He is familiar of pauls epistles to the philippians and asks the philippians for letters and such if they have them. Letter to the philippians work by polycarp britannica. The martyrdom of polycarp letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia from kirsopp lake, the apostolic fathers, vol.
T he epistle of polycarp to the philippians 1 polycarp, and the presbyters2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Bishop polycarp of smyrna writes to the church in philippi. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our saviour, be multiplied. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. If youre familiar with the book of acts, and i would encourage you that if you read the book of acts you can get a lot of the. The epistle to the philippians executable outlines. Polycarp to address them some words of exhortation. Polycarp was a reply to one from the philippians, in which they had asked st. The pastorals and polycarp titus, 12 timothy, and polycarp to the philippians. He also had a hand in helping to shape the new testament canon.
This passage is embodied by eusebius in his ecclesiastical history iv. Polycarp, and the elders with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Polycarps letter to the philippians a theological note st. Ignatius of antiochs martyrdom, as the philippians are anxious to read ignatius letters and polycarp is anxious to hear tidings of ignatius. Antenicene fathersvolume iepistle of polycarp to the. There is also a forceful epistle written by polycarp to the philippians, from which those who wish to do so, and are anxious about their salvation, can learn the character of his faith, and the preaching of the truth. Saint polycarp of smyrna martyred in his 87th year, ca. Mercy to you and peace from god the allpowerful and jesus christ our savior be multiplied. The city of philippi named after philip of macedonia, the father of alexander the great, it was a major city of macedonia on the road from rome to asia known as the egnatian way. In his letter to the philippians, polycarp followed in the path of ignatius, encouraging churches to honor their bishop. Polycarp, therefore, stood solidly in the apostolic tradition of the church, being a faithful deliverer of the teachings he had received.
Polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. In addition, im unclear what manuscript sources were used in the polycarp martyrdom edition. The apostolic fathers the fathers of the church, volume 1 on. Epistle of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible. We know more about polycarp than most secondgeneration church fathers. But anyway this is a cheap and slim and useful book. According to irenaeus, polycarp was instructed by the apostles, and was. Historically, he formed a link between the apostolic and patristic ages. His major writing, the letter to the philippians, is intimately connected with the epistles and martyrdom of ignatius. Polycarp is a celebrated figure in the history of christianity. The integration of oral and written jesus tradition in the early church. I am excited that you are taking the time to lead others through it.
Epistle of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. He refers to polycarp in his work against heresies, iii. The epistle of polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader. This commentary on polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. Polycarp epistle to the philippians, 12, lived 69155 a. Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi.
Polycarp uses expressions such as as paul teaches to quote several passages which are today found in different books of the new testament and the apocrypha, including romans, 1 and 2 corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, 2 thessalonians, 1 and 2 timothy, 1 peter, and 1 clement. Polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of smyrna and sent an epistle to the philippians c. Polycarp was a noted and respected bishop of smyrna, one of only two churches not admonished by jesus in the seven letters found in revelation 2 and 3. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the philippians a. I have read where it is said that possibly polycarp was getting the elements of what we know as the new testament in order. It is abundantly established by external testimony, and is also supported by the internal evidence. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. Miles oneill welcome to pauls letter to the philippians. Despite his influence, only one document written by polycarp remains. The apostolic fathers with justin martyr and irenaeus. This epistle is a powerful book to study as a group because it is written to a group yet with a very personal tone. I am deeply sorry for valens, who was once made a presbyter among you.
Polycarp was a bishop of the early church, a disciple of the apostle john, a contemporary of ignatius, and the teacher of irenaeus. Polycarp epistle to the philippians bible translations. He is the last known person who had seen apostles facetoface. Polycarp, in his turn, was known to irenaeus, who later became bishop of lyons in what.
Harrison proposed the thesis that this was not a single epistle, but rather two that had been joined together. Polycarp is recognized as a saint in both the roman catholic and eastern orthodox churches. Ad 69 155 was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. Polycarp, according to irenaeus, denounced the heretics marcion and valentinus as well as pointing out errors of the bishop of rome ibid. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ. Polycarp, and the presbyters2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Epistle of joy pastor david legge 4 we read in the book of acts that their stay in philippi was quite short but it was very eventful. Unknown polycarps letter to the philippians often simply called to the philippians composed around 110 to 140 ad 1 is described by irenaeus as follows. Polycarp occupies an important place in the history of the christian church. Antenicene christian libraryepistle of polycarp to the.
Commonly known as polycarp s letter to the philippians, or the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, it dates to ca. Hartog suggests that polycarps concerns were likely wider than the scope of the philippians requests and seem motivated by polycarps own uncertainties about the stability and theological selfunderstanding of the philippian congregation. Irenaeus tells us that the youthful polycarp had been instructed by the apostles, and many of his acquaintances had seen christ. Polycarp and the presbyters that are with him unto the church of god which sojourneth at philippi.
Continuing history of the church of god this pdf booklet is a historical. Feb 02, 20 polycarp and the presbyters that are with him unto the church of god which sojourneth at philippi. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians bible study tools. Polycarp s epistle to the philipians and the martyrdom of polycarp. Polycarp and the philippians given the proof text approach of many catholic apologists today, using the writings of the apostolic and church fathers against protestants, only certain fathers are read. To the philippians chapter 1 originally chapter 14 polykarpos and the elders together with him to the assembly of god, to the assembly sojourning at philippoi. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians by unknown free. There is extant an epistle of polycarp written to the philippians, most satisfactory, from which those that have a mind to do so may learn the character of his faith, etc. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians 337 polycarp, and the presbyters 338 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Polycarp to the philippians bunkertown church of the brethren. Polycarp, in his turn, was known to irenaeus, who later became bishop of. Yet he was born later, and lived to a much later period.
Project muse polycarps epistle to the philippians and the. Near the conclusion of his letter to the philippians 11. The epistle to the philippians chapter one objectives in studying this chapter 1 to appreciate why the philippians were a source of great joy to paul 2 to learn from pauls attitude concerning persecution, death, and the purpose of life summary paul begins his epistle with his customary salutation followed by an expression of thanksgiving and. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. According to bart ehrman on page 330 of volume 1 of the loeb edition of the apostolic fathers and michael holmes on pages 121122 of the apostolic fathers the following manuscripts are extant for the epistle of polycarp. Pdf dialogue and ideology in the martyrdom of polycarp. The preliminary material investigates polycarpian traditions and reconstructs an outline of his life. Polycarp s letter to the philippians often simply called to the philippians composed around 110 to 140 ad 1 is described by irenaeus as follows. Polycarp was the bishop of smyrna in the first half of the second century, and was martyred, in all probability, on february 23rd, 155 a. Paul hartog, polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of.
Polycarp s letter to the philippians often simply called to the philippians composed around 110 to 140 ad is described by irenaeus as follows. This letter is steeped in the language of the new testament, and many phrases echo the words of the new testament text. Dialogue and ideology in the martyrdom of polycarp. Justin the martyr is useful in proving the eucharist. There is also a forceful epistle written by polycarp to the philippians, from which those. Pdf almsgiving and competing soteriologies in secondcentury. Pdf while care for the poor was widely advocated and practiced in early. This is a modern translation of the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, the same church that paul wrote to almost a century earlier. Polycarp s paraenesis was to promote a puritypreserving and boundaryreinforcing ethos. The following is transcribed from kirsopp lake in the apostolic fathers published london 1912, v. Polycarp of smyrna resources american bible society. According to the martyrdom of polycarp he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him.
Apparently, this letter was written either shortly before or after st. It is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times see unity, in the first half of the second century. Almsgiving and competing soteriologies in secondcentury. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the philippians. He served smyrna as its bishop appointed by the apostles, according to st. Polycarp, bishop of smyrna, was a student of the apostle john. Polycarpdisciple of the apostle john history of the. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians polycarp, and the presbyters 2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians, in which he believes one can derive the character of st. Held to a mandatory sabbath on saturday and sunday worship. Pdf the enigma of ignatius of antioch allen brent academia. Polycarps letter to the philippians the prayer foundation.
The chief sources of information concerning the life of polycarp are the martyrdom of polycarp, adversus haereses, the epistle to florinus, the epistles of ignatius, and polycarp s own letter to the philippians. According to eusebius, irenaeus said that polycarp wrote several epistles euseb. A direct pupil of the apostle john, polycarp lived between 70 and 155 a. Jun 27, 2011 polycarp is said to have known the apostle john, and to have been instructed by him in the christian faith. Polycarps letter to the philippians is no exception. T he epistle of polycarp to the philippians1 polycarp, and the presbyters2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. The love of money and the sin of valens in polycarps epistle. Saint polycarp, bishop of smyrna and holy martyr, to the philippians polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the church of god, the one temporarily residing in philippi. By considering sayings in 1 clement, polycarps letter to the.
They had written to polycarp to help him in this task, and the letter to the philippians is, as we should say, a covering letter for the copies which polycarp sends of all the ignatian epistles to which he had access. It was written during ignatius transport from antioch to. Held that the mosaic law was obligatory for all and necessary for salvation. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, greek, latin. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians youtube. The ancient lists of the popes, including that found in irenaeus. Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness.
By considering sayings in 1 clement, polycarps letter to the philippians and irenaeus letter to florinus, the. He is a very important figure in the early church era, as his letter to the philippians is one of the earliest surviving writings. As with my earlier translation of the didache,1 i have consulted existing translations lake, lightfoot, holmes. Polycarp truly lived according to the following words from his only extant work, his epistle to the philippians. According to irenaeus, polycarp was a companion of papias. Polycarp was an old man, at least 86 see part 10, and probably the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of st. Several ancient sources document the contributions of polycarp to christianity, including his letters written to the church at philippi, in which he encourages. In 1999, the harris fragments, a collection of 3rd to 6thcentury coptic texts that mention polycarp, were published papias.
There is also a forceful epistle written by polycarp to the philippians, from which those who wish to do so, and are anxious about their salvation, can learn the character of his faith, and the. One interesting feature of the letter is that the writer is very conscious of how polycarp s death followed the. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the. About 110 ce, while en route to rome where he suffered martyrdom, ignatius passed through. So, for moss, merging literary features with the historical core decreases the. At their request, the subject is righteousness and righteous living. Polycarp 69156 ad is an apostolic father of the church. Greek manuscripts g, nine in number, century xi and later, noted as v, o, f, p, c, t, n, s, a.
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