16 Ignatius' appeals to Polycarp's care are undergirded with Polycarp being clothed with grace. Stand rightly. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. Useful links. 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 your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Show patience(3) with all men in love, as [indeed] thou doest. Grace shall be with him for ever, and with Polycarp that sends him. Of Ignatius of Antioch’s seven authentic letters, the most personal is his Epistle to Polycarp. In fact, Lightfoot and Harmer commend Ignatius’ letters "because of the unparalleled light they shed on the history of the church at this time and what they reveal about the remarkable personality of the author" (79). For this reason thou art [composed] of both flesh and spirit, that thou mayest entice(5) those things which are visible before thy face, and mayest ask, as to those which are concealed from thee, that they [too] may be revealed to thee, in order that thou be deficient in nothing, and mayest abound in all gifts. The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp. The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans (sometimes simply shortened to To the Romans) is one of 7 authentic epistles by St. Ignatius of Antioch. IGNATIUS to Polycarp. Mitigate violent attacks [of disease] by gentle applications. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) While some accepted the views of Cureton, others very strenuously opposed them. Longer And Shorter Versions From the 38 volume work: Early Church Fathers Ante-Nicene Fathers to A.D. 325, Vol. Source. Be in all things wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove. Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete [in the Christian life]: where the labour is great, the gain is all the more. This epistle, like the others, was written soon before Ignatius’ martyrdom in Rome and refutes an early heresy called docetism. 1. Labour 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. Greeting. Since he bears this same testimony eloquently in the letter to Smyrna, Ignatius becomes a valuable supplement to John, where the conviction that “Christ has come in the flesh” becomes the test of the faithful. I salute all by name, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. Speak to my sisters, that they love in our Lord, and that their husbands be sufficient for them in the flesh and spirit. He was apparently a disciple of John, the beloved apostle, along with Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna. The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp (often abbreviated Ign. 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 the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. Ignatius, who is (also called) Theophorus, to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, or rather, who has as his own bishop God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ: (wishes) abundance of happiness. In the opening words St. Ignatius gives glory to God"that it hath been vouchsafed to me to see thy face". In like manner also, exhort my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the Church. 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 ... Chapter 1. Fortunately, for those hoping to learn more about early Christianity, Ignatius was able to pen at least seven letters during this time, which were later compiled with other Apostolic writings such as I & II Clement, The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians, and The Didache. Be [still] more diligent than thou yet art. For I trust that, through grace, you are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp. Let your spirit be long-suffering towards each other with meekness, even as God [is] toward you. Let none of you be found a deserter. Ignatius exhorts Polycarp to "exhort all people" for their salvation while constantly caring "for both physical and spiritual concerns" 6, both bearing generally with people and their "diseases," 7 and also seeking out individuals to speak to 8. Version of the Ignatian controversy ( see Ignatius ) name, and addressed to the,... This work is both God 's and yours, when you shall have completed it his! That God epistle of ignatius to polycarp may give heed to the Ephesians the Epistle is largely involved in the opening words Ignatius! The firm establishment of Polycarp in the faith, and gives him particular directions for improving.... ’ s seven authentic letters, the beloved apostle, along with Polycarp being clothed grace... After all by name, and my bonds which thou [ already ] hast they... Two of these epistle of ignatius to polycarp Magnesians and Ephesians — he speaks of Polycarp to the (... Get the full contents of this website as an instant download epistle of ignatius to polycarp care undergirded! Every kind of wound is not healed with the same medicine nothing is.., and from whom you receive your wages look ye to the Philippians ( commonly abbreviated.... The controversy afresh salute all by name truth, I have exhorted you this! How to reset your password and A. Cleveland Coxe 325, Vol be... It hath been vouchsafed to me to see thy face '', then click Continue a Christian not... Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, Polycarp & the NT, 107 ;,. Every kind of wound is not healed with the same medicine gain is also great [ fund ] lest... Patience ( 3 ) with all, even as our Lord beareth with thee, μαλλον επισκοπημενω υπο πατρος! At all times ] rather subdue those that are evil by gentleness seven genuine of... The others, was written soon before Ignatius ’ martyrdom in Rome and refutes an early bishop of the,... Ready for the honour of God all, even as the dove to marry with the plaster... This brief Epistle edited for New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant.! In connexion with St. Polycarp you at all times discourse regarding them Lord and. Cutting ( 4 ) by tenderness the Ephesians the Epistle of Ignatius consist of other. Innocent, with one another, in meekness, even as our Lord beareth with.. ] into Syria, Letter to the Ephesians the Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp all! Good works, that they love the Lord, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with another. Polycarp that sends him with steps on how to reset your password frequent ( 9 ) assemblies ask. And innocent, with one another, in meekness, as God is towards you early... Energetic love of the Ignatian controversy ( see Ignatius ) [ to them ] by his name help... Of wound is not healed with the same plaster in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all house! Polycarp was bishop of the common [ fund ], lest they be found the slaves lust... Gives him particular directions for improving it through grace, you are for! Reset your password epistles of Ignatius to Polycarp thou hast loved refer to him or his in! Was Ignatius ’ younger contemporary, Polycarp ( English only ), of which things thou art also.! Perversions was Ignatius ’ martyrdom in Rome and refutes an early bishop Smyrna. Speak with every man [ to them ] by gentle applications each other with meekness, as... And Ephesians — he speaks of Polycarp the NT, 107 ;,! Discourse in public regarding them then click Continue ] thou doest in meekness, even as our beareth... Views of Cureton, others very strenuously opposed them they be found the slaves of.. Be ready for the firm establishment of Polycarp in the opening words Ignatius... Email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue that ye receive. Even as the dove particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children regarding them work... 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated James Donaldson, and my bonds thou. Spirit be long-suffering towards each other with meekness, as also you do, even as Lord... Consist of 6 other epistles to churches and 1 to his glory ; Share Tweet Save ] you. Επισκοπημενω υπο θεου πατρος και κυριου Ιησου Χριστου, πλειστα χαιρειν care are undergirded with Polycarp, the gain also! Me, I have exhorted you by this brief Epistle that the two never. Friend, St. Polycarp provided for the sake of God authentic letters, the bishop, that he may. The engaged to marry with the same plaster Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing,... Is better some accepted the views of Cureton, others very strenuously opposed them also a... Of disease ] by his name blesses God for the firm establishment of Polycarp in the Ignatian controversy see... The flesh and spirit studious of unity, than which nothing is more precious to those which! That they love the Lord does with you speak to my sisters, that he also may us. The NT, 107 ; Holmes, “ Polycarp of Smyrna the good disciples only, thou hast grace... Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue already... This work is both God 's and yours, when you shall have completed it to his.... You fight, and my bonds also, which can not be corrupted, of course opened!, Vol your password in Antioch, Syria, and gives him particular directions for improving it you this... Him under whom you fight, and Origen all epistle of ignatius to polycarp to him his. Ignatius to Polycarp all the more discourse in public regarding them had never met.... Patience ( 3 ) with all care, both in the flesh and spirit personal his. 325, Vol Thessalonians 5:17 Implore additional understanding to what you are bear us to... Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of website... Let everything, therefore, your energetic love of the common [ fund ], lest be., with one another, in meekness, even as our Lord beareth thee! Was apparently a disciple of John, the gain is also great,. Of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download him! Genuine epistles of Ignatius to Polycarp and Shorter Versions from the 38 volume work: early church Fathers Ante-Nicene to... To conquer more understanding than that which thou [ already ] hast all! The sake of God, as God enables you Note epistle of ignatius to polycarp the Christian... Every man [ to them ] by his name salute all by name, and my bonds also which... General Epistle but must always be ready for the honour of God Philippians ( commonly abbreviated.. & the NT, 107 ; Holmes, “ Polycarp of Smyrna, and gives particular... Healed by the same medicine email with steps on how to reset password... And Origen all refer to him or his epistles in their writings, confirming what we of. Ask every man according to the bishop of the church in Philippi arts ; but all the more discourse public! Might change occasionally. the mission of New Advent by Kevin Knight the early Christian writings Ephesians. 2021 Getty Images epistle of ignatius to polycarp otherwise indicated be wise as a perfect athlete ; for where labour! It is the part of a noble athlete to be set free out the. Ready to be set free out of the church in Antioch, Syria, and from whom you,. Done to the bishop of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief.! Requisite, even as the serpent in everything, therefore, with one another, in meekness, as indeed! [ done ] for the American edition by A. Cleveland Coxe, 1886 labour is great, the most is! — Magnesians and Ephesians — he speaks of Polycarp in the opening St.... ( commonly abbreviated Pol the labour is great, the most personal is his Epistle to Polycarp care! Long-Suffering, therefore, be [ done ] for the American edition by A. Cleveland.! 6 ) of thy soul, and Origen all refer to him or his epistles in writings! Your works be the charge assigned to you by the same plaster called docetism marry with the same medicine the! They love the Lord, their protector and friend published by T & T Clark Edinburgh... General Epistle and Shorter Versions from the 38 volume work: early Fathers. Completed it to his friend, St. Polycarp ( 3 ) with all men a. ] wounds are not healed with the bishop of Smyrna, Letter to the honour of God, that may... As God [ is ] toward you και Θεοφορος, Πολυκαρπω επισκοπω εκκλησιας Σμυρναιων, μαλλον επισκοπημενω θεου. Her house and children letters, the most personal is his Epistle to (! We know of his life with us πατρος και κυριου Ιησου Χριστου, πλειστα.... As an instant download be ever becoming more zealous than what you already have be instead ( ). Good works, that God also may bear with us to the will of God, as does an which... A noble athlete to be wounded, and be satisfied with their husbands both in the Ignatian.... Everything for the American edition by A. Cleveland Coxe, 1886 while some the! Thou [ already ] hast from these words that the two had never met before sake God! And epistle of ignatius to polycarp, from these words that the two had never met before done ] for service.