# To Polycarp 7.3

- 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 24:274–276; 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 5:725b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/7/3/

Summary: A Christian belongs to God; Ignatius trusts the Smyrnaeans to do this good work.

## Greek text

Χριστιανὸς ἑαυτοῦ ἐξουσίαν οὐκ ἔχει, ἀλλὰ θεῷ σχολάζει. τοῦτο τὸ ἔργον θεοῦ ἐστιν καὶ ὑμῶν, ὅταν αὐτὸ ἀπαρτίσητε. πιστεύω γὰρ τῇ χάριτι, ὅτι ἕτοιμοί ἐστε εἰς εὐποιΐαν θεῷ ἀνήκουσαν. εἰδὼς ὑμῶν τὸ σύντονον τῆς ἀληθείας, διʼ ὀλίγων ὑμᾶς γραμμάτων παρεκάλεσα.

## English translation (Claude)

A Christian does not have authority over himself, but gives his time to God. This is God's work, and yours as well, when you complete it. For I trust in grace that you are ready for a good deed that befits God. Knowing your intense zeal for the truth, I have exhorted you in few words.

## Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 7.3 (PG 5:725b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/7/3/).