# To Polycarp

- Author: [Ignatius of Antioch](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/ignatius-of-antioch/)
- Latin title: *Ad Polycarpum*
- Date: ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) (disputed)
- Source: 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)
- Translation: Claude, from the original text; each passage below gives the model and date
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/
- Passages: 22

## To Polycarp, inscription

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/0/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius greets Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna.

### Greek text

Ἰγνάτιος, ὁ καὶ Θεοφόρος, Πολυκάρπῳ ἐπισκόπῳ ἐκκλησίας Σμυρναίων, μᾶλλον ἐπισκοπημένῳ ὑπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, πλεῖστα χαίρειν.

### English translation (Claude)

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, bishop of the church of the Smyrnaeans, or rather one who has God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as his bishop: abundant greetings.

### Translation notes

- “Theophorus” (Θεοφόρος): “God-bearer,” a second name Ignatius uses in all his letters.
- “One who has … as his bishop” (ἐπισκοπημένῳ): literally “who is overseen by God,” a play on ἐπίσκοπος, “bishop, overseer.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 0 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/0/).

## To Polycarp 1.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268
- Also in: PG 5:720a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius rejoices that he has met Polycarp, whose mind is firmly fixed on God.

### Greek text

Ἀποδεχόμενός σου τὴν ἐν θεῷ γνώμην ἡδρασμένην ὡς ἐπὶ πέτραν ἀκίνητον, ὑπερδοξάζω, καταξιωθεὶς τοῦ προσώπου σου τοῦ ἀμώμου, οὗ ὀναίμην ἐν θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

Welcoming your godly mind, which is established as on an immovable rock, I give exceeding glory that I have been counted worthy of your blameless face; may I have joy of it in God.

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:24: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “I give exceeding glory” (ὑπερδοξάζω): Ignatius glorifies God for having met Polycarp in person.
- “May I have joy of it” (ὀναίμην): a stock wish in Ignatius, “may I have benefit or delight from it.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 1.1 (PG 5:720a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/1/1/).

## To Polycarp 1.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268
- Also in: PG 5:720a–720b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius urges Polycarp to care for his whole church, keep it united, and bear with everyone in love.

### Greek text

παρακαλῶ σε ἐν χάριτι ᾗ ἐνδέδυσαι, προσθεῖναι τῷ δρόμῳ σου καὶ πάντας παρακαλεῖν, ἵνα σώζωνται. ἐκδίκει σου τὸν τόπον ἐν πάσῃ ἐπιμελείᾳ σαρκικῇ τε καὶ πνευματικῇ. τῆς ἑνώσεως φρόντιζε, ἧς οὐδὲν ἄμεινον, πάντας βάσταζε, ὡς καὶ σὲ ὁ κύριος· πάντων ἀνέχου ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ὥσπερ καὶ ποιεῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

I urge you, by the grace with which you are clothed, to press on in your course and to urge all people to be saved. Do justice to your office with all diligence, both of the flesh and of the spirit. Take thought for unity, than which nothing is better. Bear all people, as the Lord also bears you; put up with all in love, as indeed you do.

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:2: allusion, medium confidence
- Gal 6:2: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Do justice to your office” (ἐκδίκει σου τὸν τόπον): literally “vindicate your place”; that is, fill your position as bishop worthily.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 1.2 (PG 5:720a–720b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/1/2/).

## To Polycarp 1.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268
- Also in: PG 5:720b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Polycarp should pray constantly, watch, speak to each person, and bear others' weaknesses.

### Greek text

προσευχαῖς σχόλαζε ἀδιαλείπτοις· αἰτοῦ σύνεσιν πλείονα ἧς ἔχεις· γρηγόρει ἀκοίμητον πνεῦμα κεκτημένος. τοῖς κατʼ ἄνδρα κατὰ ὁμοήθειαν θεοῦ λάλει· πάντων τὰς νόσους βάσταζε ὡς τέλειος ἀθλητής. ὅπου πλείων κόπος, πολὺ κέρδος.

### English translation (Claude)

Give yourself to unceasing prayers; ask for more understanding than you have; keep watch, with a spirit that does not sleep. Speak to each person individually, in the manner of God; bear the diseases of all, as a perfect athlete. Where there is more toil, there is much gain.

### Scripture references

- 1 Thess 5:17: allusion, medium confidence
- Matt 8:17: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “In the manner of God” (κατὰ ὁμοήθειαν θεοῦ): literally “according to likeness of character with God”; possibly “in godly concord.”
- “Bear the diseases of all” recalls Isa 53:4 as quoted in Matt 8:17.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 1.3 (PG 5:720b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/1/3/).

## To Polycarp 2.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A bishop must win over difficult people with gentleness, treating each according to need.

### Greek text

Καλοὺς μαθητὰς ἐὰν φιλῇς, χάρις σοι οὐκ ἔστιν· μᾶλλον τοὺς λοιμοτέρους ἐν πραότητι ὑπότασσε. οὐ πᾶν τραῦμα τῇ αὐτῇ ἐμπλάστρῳ θεραπεύεται. τοὺς παροξυσμοὺς ἐμβροχαῖς παῦε.

### English translation (Claude)

If you love good disciples, it is no credit to you; rather, bring the more troublesome into submission by gentleness. Not every wound is healed by the same plaster. Relieve fits of fever with cold compresses.

### Scripture references

- Luke 6:32: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “More troublesome” (λοιμοτέρους): literally “more pestilent.”
- Ignatius uses medical images for pastoral care: plasters for wounds, cold compresses for fevers.
- “Cold compresses” (ἐμβροχαῖς): wet dressings or fomentations; older translations render it more loosely (“gentle applications”).

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/1/).

## To Polycarp 2.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268–270
- Also in: PG 5:721a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Polycarp should combine wisdom and innocence, care for visible needs, and pray for spiritual insight.

### Greek text

φρόνιμος γίνου ὡς ὁ ὄφις ἐν ἅπασιν καὶ ἀκέραιος εἰς ἀεὶ ὡς ἡ περιστερά. διὰ τοῦτο σαρκικὸς εἶ καὶ πνευματικός, ἵνα τὰ φαινόμενά σου εἰς πρόσωπον κολακεύῃς· τὰ δὲ ἀόρατα αἴτει ἵνα σοι φανερωθῇ, ὅπως μηδενὸς λείπῃ καὶ παντὸς χαρίσματος περισσεύῃς.

### English translation (Claude)

Be wise as the serpent in all things and always innocent as the dove. For this reason you are both of flesh and of spirit, so that you may deal kindly with the things that appear before your face; but ask that the invisible things be revealed to you, so that you may lack nothing and abound in every spiritual gift.

### Scripture references

- Matt 10:16: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 1:7: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Deal kindly with” (κολακεύῃς): usually “flatter”; here “treat gently, coax.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 2.2 (PG 5:721a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/2/).

## To Polycarp 2.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:268–270
- Also in: PG 5:721a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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/).

## To Polycarp 3.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:270
- Also in: PG 5:721a–721b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Polycarp must stand firm against false teachers, like an anvil under the hammer.

### Greek text

Οἱ δοκοῦντες ἀξιόπιστοι εἶναι καὶ ἑτεροδιδασκαλοῦντες μή σε καταπλησσέτωσαν. στῆθι ἑδραῖος ὡς ἄκμων τυπτόμενος. μεγάλου ἐστιν ἀθλητοῦ τὸ δέρεσθαι καὶ νικᾶν. μάλιστα δὲ ἕνεκεν θεοῦ πάντα ὑπομένειν ἡμᾶς δεῖ, ἵνα καὶ αὐτὸς ἡμᾶς ὑπομείνῃ.

### English translation (Claude)

Do not let those who seem trustworthy but teach otherwise overwhelm you. Stand firm, like an anvil being struck. It is the mark of a great athlete to be beaten and yet to win. Above all, for God's sake we must endure all things, so that he may also endure us.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 1:3: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Teach otherwise” (ἑτεροδιδασκαλοῦντες): teach a different doctrine (compare 1 Tim 1:3; 6:3).

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 3.1 (PG 5:721a–721b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/3/1/).

## To Polycarp 3.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:270
- Also in: PG 5:721b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius points to Christ, eternal and invisible, who became visible and suffered for us.

### Greek text

πλέον σπουδαῖος γίνου οὗ εἶ. τοὺς καιροὺς καταμάνθανε. τὸν ὑπὲρ καιρὸν προσδόκα, τὸν ἄχρονον, τὸν ἀόρατον, τὸν διʼ ἡμᾶς ὁρατόν, τὸν ἀψηλάφητον, τὸν ἀπαθῆ, τὸν διʼ ἡμᾶς παθητόν, τὸν κατὰ πάντα τρόπον διʼ ἡμᾶς ὑπομείναντα.

### English translation (Claude)

Be more diligent than you are. Understand the times. Look for the one who is above time, the timeless, the invisible, who became visible for our sake; the one who cannot be touched, who cannot suffer, who became subject to suffering for our sake; who endured in every way for our sake.

### Scripture references

- Col 1:15: echo, low confidence
- 1 John 1:1: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Who cannot suffer” (ἀπαθῆ) … “subject to suffering” (παθητόν): the same paradox appears in Ign. Eph. 7.2; Ignatius insists against the docetists that the eternal one truly suffered.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 3.2 (PG 5:721b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/3/2/).

## To Polycarp 4.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/4/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:270–272
- Also in: PG 5:721b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The bishop must care for widows and oversee everything in the church.

### Greek text

Χῆραι μὴ ἀμελείσθωσαν· μετὰ τὸν κύριον σὺ αὐτῶν φροντιστὴς ἔσο. μηδὲν ἄνευ γνώμης σου γινέσθω μηδὲ σὺ ἄνευ θεοῦ τι πρᾶσσε, ὅπερ οὐδὲ πράσσεις· εὐστάθει.

### English translation (Claude)

Do not let widows be neglected. After the Lord, you be their guardian. Let nothing be done without your consent, and do nothing without God, as indeed you do not. Stand firm.

### Scripture references

- Acts 6:1: echo, low confidence
- Jas 1:27: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 4.1 (PG 5:721b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/4/1/).

## To Polycarp 4.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/4/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:272
- Also in: PG 5:721b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Polycarp should gather the church more often and know every member by name.

### Greek text

πυκνότερον συναγωγαὶ γινέσθωσαν· ἐξ ὀνόματος πάντας ζήτει.

### English translation (Claude)

Let meetings be held more often. Seek out all by name.

### Scripture references

- John 10:3: echo, low confidence
- Heb 10:25: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Meetings” (συναγωγαί): gatherings of the church for worship; the word is the source of “synagogue.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 4.2 (PG 5:721b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/4/2/).

## To Polycarp 4.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/4/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:272
- Also in: PG 5:724a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Slaves and masters should both avoid pride; slaves should seek God's freedom rather than church-funded release.

### Greek text

δούλους καὶ δούλας μὴ ὑπερηφάνει· ἀλλὰ μηδὲ αὐτοὶ φυσιούσθωσαν, ἀλλʼ εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ πλέον δουλευέτωσαν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἐλευθερίας ἀπὸ θεοῦ τύχωσιν. μὴ ἐράτωσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ κοινοῦ ἐλευθεροῦσθαι, ἵνα μὴ δοῦλοι εὑρεθῶσιν ἐπιθυμίας.

### English translation (Claude)

Do not be arrogant toward male and female slaves; but neither let them be puffed up. Rather, let them serve all the more to the glory of God, so that they may obtain a better freedom from God. Let them not desire to be set free at the common expense, so that they may not be found slaves of desire.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 6:2: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 7:21: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “At the common expense” (ἀπὸ τοῦ κοινοῦ): from the church's common fund, which was evidently used to buy the freedom of Christian slaves.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 4.3 (PG 5:724a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/4/3/).

## To Polycarp 5.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/5/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:272
- Also in: PG 5:724a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Wives should be content with their husbands, and husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the church.

### Greek text

Τὰς κακοτεχνίας φεῦγε, μᾶλλον δὲ περὶ τούτων ὁμιλίαν ποιοῦ. ταῖς ἀδελφαῖς μου προσλάλει, ἀγαπᾶν τὸν κύριον καὶ τοῖς συμβίοις ἀρκεῖσθαι σαρκὶ καὶ πνεύματι. ὁμοίως καὶ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου παράγγελλε ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἀγαπᾶν τὰς συμβίους ὡς ὁ κύριος τὴν ἐκκλησίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

Flee evil practices, or rather preach sermons about them. Tell my sisters to love the Lord and to be content with their husbands in flesh and in spirit. In the same way also command my brothers in the name of Jesus Christ to love their wives as the Lord loves the church.

### Scripture references

- Eph 5:25: allusion, high confidence
- Eph 5:29: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Evil practices” (κακοτεχνίας): literally “evil arts”; perhaps magic or dishonest trades, but the word is general.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 5.1 (PG 5:724a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/5/1/).

## To Polycarp 5.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/5/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:272
- Also in: PG 5:724a–724b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Celibacy must be kept humbly, and marriages should be made with the bishop's consent so that they are according to the Lord.

### Greek text

εἵ τις δύναται ἐν ἁγνείᾳ μένειν εἰς τιμὴν τῆς σαρκὸς τοῦ κυρίου, ἐν ἀκαυχησίᾳ μενέτω. ἐὰν καυχήσηται, ἀπώλετο, καὶ ἐὰν γνωσθῇ πλέον τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, ἔφθαρται. πρέπει δὲ τοῖς γαμοῦσι καὶ ταῖς γαμουμέναις μετὰ γνώμης τοῦ ἐπισκόπου τὴν ἕνωσιν ποιεῖσθαι, ἵνα ὁ γάμος ᾖ κατὰ κύριον καὶ μὴ κατʼ ἐπιθυμίαν. πάντα εἰς τιμὴν θεοῦ γινέσθω.

### English translation (Claude)

If anyone is able to remain in purity to the honor of the flesh of the Lord, let him remain so without boasting. If he boasts, he is lost; and if it becomes known beyond the bishop, he is ruined. It is fitting for men who marry and women who are married to form their union with the consent of the bishop, so that the marriage may be according to the Lord and not according to lust. Let all things be done to the honor of God.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:7: echo, low confidence
- 1 Cor 7:39: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 10:31: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Purity” (ἁγνεία): here celibacy (see the glossary).
- “If it becomes known beyond the bishop” (ἐὰν γνωσθῇ πλέον τοῦ ἐπισκόπου): the vow should be known to the bishop only. Others translate “if he is esteemed more than the bishop” or “if he thinks himself more than the bishop.”
- “With the consent of the bishop” (μετὰ γνώμης τοῦ ἐπισκόπου): this is among the earliest Christian texts about the church's role in marriage.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 5.2 (PG 5:724a–724b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/5/2/).

## To Polycarp 6.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/6/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:272–274
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius tells the whole church to obey its bishop, presbyters, and deacons and to work together as God's servants.

### Greek text

Τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ προσέχετε, ἵνα καὶ ὁ θεὸς ὑμῖν. ἀντίψυχον ἐγὼ τῶν ὑποτασσομένων τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ, πρεσβυτέροις, διακόνοις· καὶ μετʼ αὐτῶν μοι τὸ μέρος γένοιτο σχεῖν ἐν θεῷ. συγκοπιᾶτε ἀλλήλοις, συναθλεῖτε, συντρέχετε, συμπάσχετε, συγκοιμᾶσθε. συνεγείρεσθε ὡς θεοῦ οἰκονόμοι καὶ πάρεδροι καὶ ὑπηρέται.

### English translation (Claude)

Pay attention to the bishop, so that God may also pay attention to you. I am a ransom for those who are subject to the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons; and with them may it be granted me to have my portion in God. Toil together with one another, contend together, run together, suffer together, rest together, rise together, as God's stewards, assistants, and servants.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 4:1: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- From here on Ignatius addresses the church at Smyrna as a whole (“you” is plural).
- “Rest together, rise together” (συγκοιμᾶσθε, συνεγείρεσθε): literally “lie down together, get up together”; perhaps with a hint of death and resurrection.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 6.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/6/1/).

## To Polycarp 6.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/6/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:274
- Also in: PG 5:724b–725a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christians are soldiers of God, armed with baptism, faith, love, and endurance, and rewarded for their works.

### Greek text

ἀρέσκετε ᾧ στρατεύεσθε, ἀφʼ οὗ καὶ τὰ ὀψώνια κομίζεσθε· μή τις ὑμῶν δεσέρτωρ εὑρεθῇ. τὸ βάπτισμα ὑμῶν μενέτω ὡς ὅπλα, ἡ πίστις ὡς περικεφαλαία, ἡ ἀγάπη ὡς δόρυ. ἡ ὑπομονὴ ὡς πανοπλία. τὰ δεπόσιτα ὑμῶν τὰ ἔργα ὑμῶν, ἵνα τὰ ἄκκεπτα ὑμῶν ἄξια κομίσησθε. μακροθυμήσατε οὖν μετʼ ἀλλήλων ἐν πραότητι, ὡς ὁ θεὸς μεθʼ ὑμῶν, ὀναίμην ὑμῶν διὰ παντός.

### English translation (Claude)

Please the one under whom you serve as soldiers, from whom you also receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism remain as your weapons, faith as a helmet, love as a spear, endurance as full armor. Let your works be your deposits, so that you may receive the back pay that is due to you. Be patient, then, with one another in gentleness, as God is with you. May I have joy of you always.

### Scripture references

- 2 Tim 2:4: allusion, high confidence
- Eph 6:11: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Thess 5:8: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Ignatius uses Latin army words in Greek letters: δεσέρτωρ (desertor, “deserter”), δεπόσιτα (deposita, a soldier's savings held by the army), and ἄκκεπτα (accepta, the savings paid out at discharge).

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 6.2 (PG 5:724b–725a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/6/2/).

## To Polycarp 7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/7/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:274
- Also in: PG 5:725a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: News that the church at Antioch is at peace has cheered Ignatius as he goes to martyrdom.

### Greek text

Ἐπειδὴ ἡ ἐκκλησία ἡ ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ τῆς Συρίας εἰρηνεύει, ὡς ἐδηλώθη μοι, διὰ τὴν προσευχὴν ὑμῶν, κἀγὼ εὐθυμότερος ἐγενόμην ἐν ἀμεριμνίᾳ θεοῦ, ἐάνπερ διὰ τοῦ παθεῖν θεοῦ ἐπιτύχω, εἰς τὸ εὑρεθῆναί με ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει ὑμῶν μαθητήν.

### English translation (Claude)

Since the church in Antioch of Syria is at peace, as has been made known to me, through your prayer, I too have become more cheerful, in a freedom from care that comes from God, if indeed through suffering I may attain to God, so that I may be found a disciple at your resurrection.

### Translation notes

- “At your resurrection” (ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει ὑμῶν): so Lake's text. Some manuscripts read “through your intercession” (ἐν τῇ αἰτήσει ὑμῶν), which many editors prefer.
- “Is at peace”: the trouble in the church at Antioch that Ignatius mentions in several letters had ended.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 7.1 (PG 5:725a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/7/1/).

## To Polycarp 7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/7/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:274
- Also in: PG 5:725a–725b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius asks Polycarp to call a council and choose a messenger to go to Antioch.

### Greek text

πρέπει, Πολύκαρπε θεομακαριστότατε, συμβούλιον ἀγαγεῖν θεοπρεπέστατον καὶ χειροτονῆσαί τινα, ὃν ἀγαπητὸν λίαν ἔχετε καὶ ἄοκνον, ὃς δυνήσεται θεοδρόμος καλεῖσθαι· τοῦτον καταξιῶσαι, ἵνα πορευθεὶς εἰς Συρίαν δοξάσῃ ὑμῶν τὴν ἄοκνον ἀγάπην εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ·

### English translation (Claude)

It is fitting, most blessed Polycarp, to call together a most godly council and to appoint someone whom you regard as especially dear and tireless, who can be called God's courier; to count him worthy to go to Syria and glorify your tireless love, to the glory of God.

### Translation notes

- “Appoint” (χειροτονῆσαι): literally “elect by raising hands.”
- “God's courier” (θεοδρόμος): a word apparently coined by Ignatius, “God's runner.”

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 7.2 (PG 5:725a–725b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/7/2/).

## To Polycarp 7.3

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

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/).

## To Polycarp 8.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/8/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:276
- Also in: PG 5:728a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius, forced to sail on suddenly, asks Polycarp to write to the other churches on his behalf.

### Greek text

Ἐπεὶ πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις οὐκ ἠδυνήθην γράψαι διὰ τὸ ἐξαίφνης πλεῖν με ἀπὸ Τρωάδος εἰς Νεάπολιν, ὡς τὸ θέλημα προστάσσει, γράψεις ταῖς ἔμπροσθεν ἐκκλησίαις, ὡς θεοῦ γνώμην κεκτημένος, εἰς τὸ καὶ αὐτοὺς τὸ αὐτὸ ποιῆσαι, ʽοἱ μὲν δυνάμενοι πεζοὺς πέμψαι, οἱ δὲ ἐπιστολὰς διὰ τῶν ὑπό σου πεμπομένων. ἵνα δοξασθῆτε αἰωνίῳ ἔργῳ.ʼ ὡς ἄξιος ὤν.

### English translation (Claude)

Since I have not been able to write to all the churches, because I am sailing suddenly from Troas to Neapolis, as the will commands, you will write to the churches that lie ahead, as one who has the mind of God, so that they too may do the same (those who are able to send messengers on foot, the others letters by those whom you send), so that you may be glorified by an everlasting work, as you are worthy.

### Translation notes

- “The will”: Ignatius regularly means God's will by this phrase. Some older translations (e.g. the Ante-Nicene Fathers, 1885) take it as the will of the authorities (“the will [of the emperor]”).
- “The churches that lie ahead” (ταῖς ἔμπροσθεν ἐκκλησίαις): probably the churches farther along the road toward Antioch.
- The mix of singular and plural (“you will write … so that you may be glorified”) is awkward in the Greek. The quotation marks around “those who are able … everlasting work” are Lake's, following Lightfoot's punctuation.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 8.1 (PG 5:728a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/8/1/).

## To Polycarp 8.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/8/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:276
- Also in: PG 5:728a–728b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius greets members of the church at Smyrna by name.

### Greek text

ἀσπάζομαι πάντας ἐξ ὀνόματος καὶ τὴν τοῦ Ἐπιτρόπου σὺν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτῆς καὶ τῶν τέκνων. ἀσπάζομαι Ἄτταλον τὸν ἀγαπητόν μου. ἀσπάζομαι τὸν μέλλοντα καταξιοῦσθαι τοῦ εἰς Συρίαν πορεύεσθαι. ἔσται ἡ χάρις μετʼ αὐτοῦ διὰ παντὸς καὶ τοῦ πέμποντος αὐτὸν Πολυκάρπου.

### English translation (Claude)

I greet all by name, and the wife of Epitropus, with her whole household and her children. I greet Attalus, my beloved. I greet the one who is to be counted worthy to go to Syria. Grace will be with him always, and with Polycarp who sends him.

### Translation notes

- “The wife of Epitropus” (τὴν τοῦ Ἐπιτρόπου): or “of the procurator,” since ἐπίτροπος was also a title; she may have been a widow.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 8.2 (PG 5:728a–728b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/8/2/).

## To Polycarp 8.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/8/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:276
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ignatius closes with a farewell and a greeting to Alce.

### Greek text

ἐρρῶσθαι ὑμᾶς διὰ παντὸς ἐν θεῷ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ εὔχομαι, ἐν ᾧ διαμείνητε ἐν ἑνότητι θεοῦ καὶ ἐπισκοπῇ. ἀσπάζομαι Ἄλκην, τὸ ποθητόν μοι ὄνομα. ἔρρωσθε ἐν κυρίῳ.

### English translation (Claude)

I bid you farewell always in our God Jesus Christ; may you remain in him in the unity and oversight of God. I greet Alce, a name dear to me. Farewell in the Lord.

### Translation notes

- “Our God Jesus Christ”: Ignatius calls Christ God without qualification (see the glossary).
- “Oversight” (ἐπισκοπῇ): the same root as “bishop”; perhaps “in the bishop's care that comes from God.”
- Alce is also mentioned in Ign. Smyrn. 13.2 and Mart. Pol. 17.2.

### Citation (SBL)

Ign. Pol. 8.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ign-polycarp/8/3/).