Epistle of polycarp to the philippians reflections on. Ignpol ignatius to polycarp jasjames mattmatthew mssmanuscripts nt new testament ot old testament pe pastoral epistles 1,2 pet 1,2 peter phil philippians phlm philemon polphil polycarp to the philippians rom romans 1,2 thess 1,2 thessalonians 1,2 tim 1,2 timothy tob tobit vv. Yet he was born later, and lived to a much later period. Polycarp is regarded as a saint and church father in the eastern orthodox, oriental orthodox, catholic, anglican, and lutheran churches. Polycarp, according to irenaeus, denounced the heretics marcion and valentinus as well as pointing out errors of the bishop of rome ibid.
Dec 07, 2019 polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of smyrna and sent an epistle to the philippians c. About 110 ce, while en route to rome where he suffered martyrdom, ignatius passed through. His major writing, the letter to the philippians, is intimately connected with the epistles and martyrdom of ignatius. Letter to the philippians work by polycarp britannica. For i am persuaded that ye are well trained in the sacred pdfsharp image size writings. Historically, he formed a link between the apostolic and patristic ages. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians annotated. It also acted as a covering letter for a collection of writings by. 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.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting. The document is a martyrdom in accordance with the gospel mart. The first, epistle to the philippians is a letter from polycarp written to the philippians. This letter is steeped in the language of the new testament, and many phrases echo the words of the new testament text.
Polycarp, and the presbyters338 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Epistle of polycarp to the philippians wikisource, the. This narrative is the oldest preserved martyrdom account in christendom outside of the nt. Polycarps letter to the philippians anglican church arnhem and. The emperors of rome had unleashed bitter attacks against the christians during this period, and members of the early church recorded many of the persecutions and deaths. 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 of smyrna may well have been the most important christian leader in. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the philippians by arthur cleveland coxe, from antenicene fathers. Polycarp s famous pupil was irenaeus, for whom the memory of polycarp was a link to the apostolic past. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians, interlinear english g. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians youtube.
The preliminary material investigates polycarpian traditions. Irenaeus wrote about the epistle to the philippians in his work against heresies iii. The development of the canon of the new testament polycarp. The epistle of polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader. I have greatly rejoiced with you in our lord jesus christ, because you have. His life was radically transformed by the work of the holy spirit the desires, worries, pains and fears of this world no longer bound him. Polycarp 31 introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the philippians a. One of the letters more remarkable aspects is its clear demonstration of polycarp s heavy reliance on the new testament. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Polycarp wrote th within it was what seemed to be a number of references to paul, and the pastoral epistles which critical scholars think was written well after polycarp s epistle, he also quoted johns epistles, jesus from the gospels and i caught what seemed a mention from hebrews and maybe even james. And next he was brought forward, and there was a great uproar of those who heard that polycarp had been arrested. One of these proofs is his letter to the philippians.
Oct 19, 2018 9 polycarp s examination now when polycarp entered into the arena there came a voice from heaven. Polycarp like his friend and mentor, ignatius of antioch, polycarp c. Polycarp, in which he addressed him as bishop of the church of smyrna. Jan 09, 2020 he is familiar of pauls epistles to the philippians and asks the philippians for letters and such if they have them.
It encourages the readers to imitate his faithfulness, praises other martyrs, and warns others not to fall away from the faith during. Polycarp was a respected bishop of smyrna who knew the apostle. 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. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians by polycarp. In april 2020, we wrote a couple of articles testifying to the weighty witness of polycarp. Commonly known as polycarp s letter to the philippians, or the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, it dates to ca. A modern translation of the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, written before a. Polycarp s letter to the philippians translated by joseph barber lightfoot, 19th century. Polycarp of smyrna, letter to the philippians michael. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians conciliar post. Here we have a direct link between the apostles and another of one of the most famous of the apostolic fathers, irenaeus.
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. He is responding in the first place to a request from the philippians that he comment on. Polycarp s letter to the philippians is doubly important for its early testimony to the existence of various other new testament texts. This letter is the only surviving document that we have written from polycarp. Philippians introduction background from the book of acts. A large video collection of classic hymns, contemporary praise and worship songs, and the works audio books, devotional readings, and sermons of men greatl. Polycarp wrote th within it was what seemed to be a number of references to paul, and the pastoral epistles which critical scholars think was written well after polycarp s epistle, he also quoted johns epistles, jesus from the gospels and i caught what seemed a. Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle john and was well acquainted with people who had seen christ.
It probably is the first to quote passages from the gospels of matthew and luke, the acts of the apostles, and the first letters of st. In 1999, the harris fragments, a collection of 3rd to 6thcentury coptic texts that mention polycarp, were published. Polycarp epistle to the philippians bibletranslation. Fenton john anthony hort 18281892, six lectures on the antenicene fathers. Polycarp s letter to the philippians and the writings that later formed the new testament.
Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. The first, epistle to the philippians, is a letter from polycarp written to the philippians. The letter to the philippians penned by polycarp of smyrna is sometimes dismissed as an example of a prooftexting moralism, indicative of the postapostolic. The writings of early christianity known collectively as the apostolic fathers. Polycarp, disciple of the apostle john and by him ordained bishop of smyrna, was chief of all asia, where he saw and. Polycarps letter to the philippians the sabbath sentinel. It addresses a leader who was greedy, a bishop named valens. He was honored by those who followed after him and is recognized as a saint in the roman catholic, anglican, and eastern orthodox churches.
Among these is the fact that polycarp does not bother to name his enemy, and we still do not have the necessary irrefutable evidence to do it for him. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians the godly life. Polycarp and the presbyters that are with him unto the church of god which sojourneth at philippi. Polycarp, smyrna, letter to the philippians, philippi, righteousness. And no one saw the speaker, but our friends who were there heard the voice. 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 ye have. Polycarp is regarded as a saint and church father in the eastern orthodox, oriental orthodox, catholic. Of polycarp s life little is known, but that little is highly. I have read where it is said that possibly polycarp was getting the elements of what we know as the new testament in order.
I have greatly rejoiced with you in our lord jesus christ, because you have followed the example of true love as displayed. Polycarp of smyrna 115 writing more than a cover letter. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians, in which he believes one can derive the character of st. Polycarp s statement can be explained by either a noncanonical letter being written in addition to philippians, or by understanding polycarp s statement as referring to a single letter, or to other canonical letters as is done in the footnote in anf 1. The martyrdom of polycarp letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia from kirsopp lake, the apostolic fathers, vol. Holmes, a note on the text of polycarp, philippians 11, 3, vigiliae christianae 51.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, greek, latin. Polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of. Polycarps letter to the philippians is no exception. His martyrdom stands as one of the most well documented events of antiquity. Bishop, martyr, and teacher of apostolic tradition. Polycarps epistle to the philippians, interlinear english.
All information about polycarp beside what we know through his letter to the philippians and his martyrdom comes from irenaeus born c. Polycarp is recognized as a saint in both the roman catholic and eastern orthodox churches. According to the martyrdom of polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians bible study tools. Despite his influence, only one document written by polycarp remains. The writings of early christianity known collectively as the apostolic fathers continue to fascinate me, and the text of polycarps letter to the. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the epistle of polycarp to the philippians annotated. As other documents within the apostolic fathers, polycarps letter to the philippians warns christians against heresy. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. A note those who identify marcion as the false teacher against whom polycarp writes in his letter to the philippians continue to face difficult problems. T he epistle of polycarp to the philippians 1 polycarp, and the presbyters2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. The letter to the philippians penned by polycarp of smyrna is sometimes dismissed as an example of a prooftexting moralism, indicative of the postapostolic churchs fall from the heights of pauli.
This letter was written in response to a letter from the philippian church. Harrison, polycarp s two epistles to the philippians cambridge. The occasion, rhetoric, theme, and unity of the epistle to the philippians and its allusion to new testament literature. The epistle of polycarp translated by alexander roberts and james donaldson, first published in antenicene christian library, 1867. Polycarp of smyrna, letter to the philippians sage journals. Other articles where letter to the philippians is discussed. Other ancient testimonies might easily be added, but are superfluous, inasmuch as there is a general consent among scholars at the present day that we have in this letter an authentic production of the renowned bishop of smyrna. Jan 05, 2010 text of polycarp s letter to the philippians is no exception. Literally, ye have received the patterns of true love. The second document within the apostolic fathers that pertains to polycarp is the martyrdom of polycarp.
Between 110 and 140 ad, polycarp, the bishop of smyrna wrote a letter to the philippians. In it, he affirmed keeping the commandments of god. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our savior, be multiplied. Therefore having again been girded up the loins of you let you serve the god in fear and. There is also a forceful epistle written by polycarp to the philippians, from which those. It displays polycarp s martyrdom which reveals his faithfulness to christ. Antenicene christian libraryepistle of polycarp to the. Saint polycarp of smyrna martyred in his 87th year, ca. Polycarps letter to the philippians lightfoot translation. Or, polycarp, and those who with him are presbyters. Polycarp of smyrna, letter to the philippians michael holmes, 2006.
As with my earlier translation of the didache,1 i have consulted existing translations lake, lightfoot, holmes. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. Text of polycarps letter to the philippians is no exception. Pdf polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom. Polycarp s letter to the philippians contains a classic. Polycarp s faith and teachings, as well as other epistles now lost. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. Pdf polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of. You should give him the privilege of going to syria and of advancing gods glory by extolling your untiring generosity. 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.
Polycarp, therefore, stood solidly in the apostolic tradition of the church, being a faithful deliverer of the teachings he had received. Polycarp s greatest contribution to christianity may be his martyred death. The martyrdom of polycarp online christian library. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians annotated kindle edition by polycarp.
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