# To Polycarp 2.3

- Author: [Ignatius of Antioch](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/ignatius-of-antioch/)
- Work: [To Polycarp](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/) (*Ad Polycarpum*)
- Date: ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268–270; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 172–277 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Also in: PG 5:721a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/3/

Summary: Like a pilot or athlete, Polycarp must strive to reach God; Ignatius offers himself on his behalf.

## Greek text

ὁ καιρὸς ἀπαιτεῖ σε, ὡς κυβερνῆται ἀνέμους καὶ ὡς χειμαζόμενος λιμένα, εἰς τὸ θεοῦ ἐπιτυχεῖν. νῆφε, ὡς θεοῦ ἀθλητής· τὸ θέμα ἀφθαρσία καὶ ζωὴ αἰώνιος, περὶ ἧς καὶ σὺ πέπεισαι. κατὰ πάντα σου ἀντίψυχον ἐγὼ καὶ τὰ δεσμά μου, ἃ ἠγάπησας.

## English translation (Claude)

The times require you, as pilots require winds and as one who is storm-tossed requires a harbor, so that you may attain to God. Be sober, as God's athlete; the prize is incorruptibility and eternal life, of which you too are convinced. In every way I am a ransom for you, I and my bonds, which you loved.

## Translation notes

- “The times require you”: the sense may be that the circumstances call for a leader like Polycarp, or that they require his prayer.
- “A ransom for you” (ἀντίψυχον): literally “a life in exchange for yours”; Ignatius offers his coming death on behalf of those he loves (again in 6.1).

## Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 2.3 (PG 5:721a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/3/).