L---+---T1----+-T--2----R----V--T-+----4T---+---T5----R-r--V----r----7--T-+-- [ET by Cureton] [ET Lightfoot-Harmer] THE EPISTLE THE EPISTLE OF ST.IGNATIUS OF IGNATIUS THE BISHOP TO POLYCARP TO POLYCARP Ignatius, Ignatius, who is Theophorus, who is also Theophorus, to Polycarp unto Polycarp Bishop who is bishop of the of Smyrna, church of the Smyrnaens who himself rather or rather who hath is visited by for his bishop God the Father God the Father and by Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ, our Lord, much peace. abundant greeting. [1.1] For as much as [ 1 ] Welcoming thy mind, thy godly mind which is confirmed which is grounded in God as upon a rock as it were immoveable, on an immovable rock, is acceptable to me, I praise God I give the more abundantly exceeding glory for having been that it hath been accounted worthy vouchsafed me to see of thy countenance, thy blameless face, which I long for whereof I would fain in God. have joy in God. [1.2] I beseech thee I exhort thee therefore, by the grace with which in the grace wherewith thou art clothed, thou art clothed to add to press forward to thy course, in thy course and pray for all men and to exhort all men that they may be saved, that they may be saved. and require Vindicate things becoming thine office with all diligence in all diligence of flesh and of spirit. of flesh and of spirit. Be careful for unanimity, Have a care for union, than which nothing than which there is is more excellent. nothing better. Bear all men Bear all men, as our Lord as the Lord beareth thee. also beareth thee. Be patient with all men Suffer all men in love, in love, as [indeed] thou art. as also thou doest. [1.3] Be constant Give thyself in prayer. to unceasing prayers. Ask more understanding Ask for larger wisdom than what thou than [already] hast. thou hast. Be watchful, Be watchful, for thou possessest and keep a spirit thy spirit that sleepeth not. from slumbering. Speak with all men Speak to each man according to severally after the the will of God. manner of God. Bear the infirmities Bear the maladies of all men of all, like a perfect combatant; as a perfect athlete. for where the labour where there is is much, more toil, much also is the gain. there is much gain. [2.1] If thou love [ 2 ] If thou lovest the good disciples only, good scholars, thou hast no this is not grace: thankworthy in thee. rather subdue those Rather bring the more who are evil pestilent to submission by gentleness. by gentleness. All wounds are not healed All wounds are not healed by one medicine. by the same salve. Allay cutting Allay sharp pains by tenderness. by fomentations. [2.2] Be wise "Be thou prudent as the serpent as the serpent" in every thing, in all things and innocent as the dove and "guileless" always as to those things "as the dove". which are requisite. On this account art thou Therefore art thou [both] of flesh made of flesh and of spirit, and spirit, that thou mayest allure that thou mayest humor those things which the things which are seen appear before thy face, before thine eyes; and ask and respecting those things as for which are hidden the invisible things, from thee, pray thou that they may be that they may be revealed to thee, revealed unto thee; that thou mayest that thou mayest be be lacking in nothing, lacking in nothing, and mayest abound but mayest abound in all gifts. in every spiritual gift. [2.3] The time The season requireth, requireth thee, as a pilot a ship, as pilots require winds and as he who standeth or as in the tempest a storm-tossed mariner the haven, a haven, that thou shouldest that it may be worthy of God. attain unto God. Be vigilant Be sober, as a combatant of God. as God's athlete. That which is promised The prize to us is life eternal is incorruption incorruptible, and life eternal, of which things concerning which thou also art persuaded. thou also art persuaded. In every thing In all things I will be instead of I am devoted thy soul, to thee -- and my bonds I and my bonds which thou hast loved. which thou didst cherish. [3.1] Let not those [ 3 ] Let not those who seem to be something that seem to be plausible and teach strange and yet teach strange doctrines, doctrine astound thee, dismay thee. but stand in the truth, Stand thou firm, like a combatant as an anvil who is smitten: when it is smitten. for it is [the part] It is the part of a great combatant of a great athlete that he should to receive blows be smitten and conquer. and be victorious. More especially But especially must we on God's account for God's sake it behoveth us to endure endure every thing, all things, that He also that He also may endure us. may endure us. [3.2] Be diligent Be thou [even] more more diligent than thou art. than thou art. Be discerning Mark of the times. the seasons. Expect Him Await Him who is above the times, that is above every Him to whom there are season, no times, the Eternal, Him who is unseen, the Invisible, Him who for our sakes who became visible was seen, for our sake, Him who is impalpable, the Impalpable, Him who is impassible, the Impassible, Him who for our sakes who suffered suffered, for our sake, Him who endured every who endured thing in every form in all ways for our sakes. for our sake. [4.1] Let not the widows [ 4 ] Let not widows be neglected: be neglected. on our Lord's account After the Lord be thou their guardian, be thou their protector. and let nothing be done Let nothing be done without thy will; without thy consent; neither do thou any thing neither do thou anything without the will without the consent of God; of God, nor indeed doest thou. as indeed thou doest not. Stand well. Be steadfast. [4.2] Let there be Let meetings be held frequent assemblies. more frequently. Ask every man Seek out all men by his name. by name. [4.3] Despise not slaves Despise not slaves, and handmaids; whether men or women. but neither let them Yet let not these again be contemptuous; be puffed up, but let them serve but let them serve the more, the more faithfully as for the glory of God, to the glory of God, that they may be that they may accounted worthy obtain of a better freedom a better freedom which is of God. from God. Let them not desire to be Let them not desire to be set free from set free the common [property], at the public cost, that they may not lest they be found be found the slaves of lusts. slaves of lust. [5.1] Fly from evil arts; [ 5 ] Flee evil arts, but rather discourse or rather hold thou respecting them. discourse about these. Tell my sisters Tell my sisters that they love to love in the Lord, the Lord and that their husbands and to be content be sufficient for them with their husbands in flesh and in spirit. in flesh and in spirit. Then again, In like manner also charge my brethren, charge my brothers in the name of in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ that they love to love their wives their wives, as our Lord "as the Lord loved his church. the Church". [5.2] If any one be able If any one is able in strength to continue to abide in chastity to the honour in chastity to the honor of the flesh of our Lord, of the flesh of the Lord, let him continue let him so abide without boasting; without boasting. if he boast, he is lost: If he boast, he is lost; if he become known and if it be known apart from the Bishop, beyond the bishop, he has corrupted himself. he is polluted. It is becoming, It becometh therefore, men and women to men and women who too, marry, when they marry, that they marry to unite themselves by the counsel with the consent of the Bishop, of the bishop, that the marriage may be that the marriage may be in our Lord, after the Lord and not and not in lust. after concupiscence. Let every thing, Let all things therefore, be done be for the honour of God. to the honor of God. [6.1] Look [ 6 ] Give ye heed to the Bishop, to the bishop, that God also that God also may look upon you. may give heed to you. I will be instead of I am devoted the souls of those to those who are subject who are subject to the Bishop, to the bishop, and the Presbyters, the presbyters, and the Deacons; the deacons. with them may I May it be granted me have a portion to have my portion with them near God. in the presence of God. Labour together Toil together with one another; one with another, make the struggle struggle together, together, run together, run together, suffer together, suffer together, sleep together, lie down together, rise together. rise up together, As stewards of God, as God's stewards and his domestics and assessors and ministers, and ministers. [6.2] please him Please the Captain and serve him, in whose army ye serve, that ye may receive from whom also the wages from him. ye will receive your pay. Let none of you Let none of you rebel. be found a deserter. Let your baptism Let your baptism be to you abide with you as armour, as your shield; and faith your faith as a helmet, as your helmet; and love as a spear, your love as your spear; and patience your patience as a panoply. as your body armor. Let your treasures Let your works be your good works, be your deposits, that ye may receive that ye may receive the gift of God, your assets as it is just. due to you. Let your spirit Be ye therefore be enduring long-suffering towards each other one with another in meekness, in gentleness, as God towards you. as God is with you. I rejoice in you May I have joy at all times. of you always. [7.1] [ 7 ] Seeing that the church which is in Antioch of Syria hath peace, as it hath been reported to me, through your prayers, I myself also have been the more comforted since God hath banished my care; if so be I may through suffering attain unto God, that I may be found a disciple through your intercession. [7.2] It becometh thee, most blessed Polycarp, to call together a godly council and to elect some one among you who is very dear to you and zealous also, who shall be fit to bear the name of God's courier--to appoint him, I say, that he may go to Syria and glorify your zealous love unto the glory of God. [7.3] The Christian [7.3] A Christian has not power hath no authority over himself, over himself, but is ready to be but giveth his time subject to God. to God. This is God's work, and yours also, when ye shall complete it: for I trust in the Divine grace, that ye are ready for an act of well doing which is meet for God. Knowing the fervor of your sincerity, [see below] I have exhorted you in a short letter. [8.1] [ 8 ] Since I have not been able to write to all the churches, by reason of my sailing suddenly from Troas to Neapolis, as the Divine will enjoineth, thou shalt write to the churches in front, as one possessing the mind of God, to the intent that they also may do this same thing--let those who are able send messengers, and the rest letters by the persons who are sent by thee, that ye may be glorified by an ever memorable deed--for this is worthy of thee. [8.2] I salute all by name, and especially the wife of Epitropus with her whole household and her children's. I salute Attalus my beloved. I salute him I salute him who is accounted worthy that shall be appointed to go to Antioch to go to Syria. in my stead, Grace shall be with him always, and with Polycarp as I charged thee. who sendeth him. [8.3] I bid you farewell always in our God Jesus Christ, in whom abide ye in the unity and supervision of God. I salute Alce, a name very dear to me. Fare ye well in the Lord. ----- Adaptations and modifications (c) 1990 ATHENA DATA PRODUCTS Distributed by: University of Pennsylvania Electronic Text Archive