The only one of the seven written to a person rather than a congregation, and the easiest to read. It is an older man’s advice to a younger bishop he has just met, and it is almost entirely practical: stand firm, be patient with difficult people, do not neglect the widows, do not let anything be done without you, and do not be thrown by people who seem trustworthy and teach strange things. It ends with instructions about the married and about slaves.
*Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, bishop of the church of the Smyrnæans, or rather, who has, as his own bishop, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: [wishes] abundance of happiness.*
1
Commendation and exhortation
Having obtained good proof that your mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy [to behold] your blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I beg you, by the grace with which you are clothed, to press forward in your course, and to urge all that they may be saved. Maintain your position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord does with you. Support all in love, as also you do. Give thyself to prayer without ceasing. Beg additional understanding to what you already have. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every man separately, as God enables you. Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete [in the Christian life]: where the labor is great, the gain is all the more.
1*i.e.* to make personal acquaintance with one esteemed so highly.
1Or, “tolerate.”
1Comp. 1 Thess. v. 17.
1Some read, “according to your practice.”
2
Exhortations
If you love the good disciples, no thanks are due to you on that account; but rather seek by meekness to subdue the more troublesome. Every kind of wound is not healed with the same plaster. Mitigate violent attacks [of disease] by gentle applications. Be in all things “wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove.” For this purpose you are composed of both flesh and spirit, that you may deal tenderly with those [evils] that present themselves visibly before you. And as respects those who are not seen, pray that [God] would reveal them to you, in order that you may be wanting in nothing, but may abound in every gift. The times call for you, as pilots do for the winds, and as one tossed with tempest seeks for the haven, so that both you [and those under your care] may attain to God. Be sober as an athlete of God: the prize set before you is immortality and eternal life, of which you are also persuaded. In all things may my soul be for your, and my bonds also, which you have loved.
2Literally, “paroxysms by embrocations.”
2Matt. x. 16.
2Literally, “flatter.”
2Some refer this to the mysteries of God, and others to things yet future.
2Comp. Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, chap. xxi. etc.
3
Exhortations
Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines, fill you with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially, we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us. Be ever becoming more zealous than what you are. Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes. Impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes.
3Comp. 1 Tim. i. 3, vi. 3.
3Literally, “great.”
4
Exhortations
Let not widows be neglected. Be you, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without your consent; neither do you anything without the approval of God, which indeed you do not, inasmuch as you are steadfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent occurrence: seek after all by name. Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires.
4The word in the original (φροντιστὴς) denotes one who *thinks* or *cares* for another.
4Some refer the words to more *frequent* meetings, and others to these meetings being more numerous; no comparison is necessarily implied.
4*i.e.* so as to bring them out to the public assembly.
4Or, “act the part of slaves.”
5
The duties of husbands and wives
Flee evil arts; but all the more discourse in public regarding them. Speak to my sisters, that they love the Lord, and be satisfied with their husbands both in the flesh and spirit. In like manner also, urge my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the church. If any one can continue in a state of purity, to the honor of Him who is Lord of the flesh, let him so remain without boasting. If he begins to boast, he is undone; and if he reckon himself greater than the bishop, he is ruined. But it becomes both men and women who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. Let all things be done to the honor of God.
5Some insert μὴ, and render, “rather do not even speak of them.”
5Eph. v. 25.
5*i.e.* in celibacy.
5Some render, “to the honor of the flesh of the Lord,” as in the longer recension.
5Comp. 1 Cor. x. 31.
6
The duties of the Christian flock
Give you heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labor together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates, and servants of God. Please you Him under whom you fight, and from whom you receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the charge assigned to you, that you may receive a worthy recompense. Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, as God is towards you. May I have joy of you for ever!
6As this epistle, though sent to the bishop, was meant to be read to the people, Ignatius here directly addresses them.
6Comp. chap. ii. etc.
6Or, “assessors.”
6A military reference, simply implying the idea of faithful effort leading to future reward.
6Comp. Ignatius’ Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. ii.
7
Request that Polycarp would send a messenger to Antioch
Seeing that the church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encouraged, resting without anxiety in God, if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ]. It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very solemn council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God; and to bestow on him this honor that he may go into Syria, and glorify your ever active love to the praise of Christ. A Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for the service of God. Now, this work is both God’s and yours, when you shall have completed it to His glory. For I trust that, through grace, you are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I have urged you by this brief epistle.
7Literally, “in freedom from care of God.”
7Some read, “in the resurrection.”
7Literally, “most befitting God.”
7Literally, “God-runner.”
7Literally, “at leisure for.”
7Literally, “to Him.”
8
Let other churches also send to Antioch
Inasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] you, as being acquainted with the purpose of God, will write to the adjacent churches, that they also may act in like manner, such as are able to do so sending messengers, and the others transmitting letters through those persons who are sent by you, that you may be glorified by a work which shall be remembered for ever, as indeed you are worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus, my beloved. I salute him who shall be deemed worthy to go [from you] into Syria. Grace shall be with him for ever, and with Polycarp that sends him. I pray for your happiness for ever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom continue you in the unity and under the protection of God. I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. Fare you well in the Lord.
8Some suppose the reference to be to the soldiers, or perhaps to God Himself.
8Or, “as possessed of the judgment.”
8Literally, “men on foot.”
8Some have the plural “you” here.
8Literally, “an eternal work.”
8Some propose to read, “and of the bishop.”
8Literally, “name desired by me.”