# Martyrdom of Polycarp 1.2

- Author: Anonymous
- Work: [Martyrdom of Polycarp](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/mart-pol/) (*Martyrium Polycarpi*)
- Date: ca. 156–160 (approximate)
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:312–314; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 2, LCL 25 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1913), 312–345 (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 5:1029b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/mart-pol/1/2/

Summary: Like Jesus, Polycarp waited to be handed over, setting an example of love that seeks others' salvation, not only one's own.

## Greek text

περιέμενεν γάρ, ἵνα παραδοθῇ, ὡς καὶ ὁ κύριος, ἵνα μιμηταὶ καὶ ἡμεῖς αὐτοῦ γενώμεθα, μὴ μόνον σκοποῦντες τὸ καθʼ ἑαυτούς, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ κατὰ τοὺς πέλας. ἀγάπης γὰρ ἀληθοῦς καὶ βεβαίας ἐστίν, μὴ μόνον ἑαυτὸν θέλειν σώζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφούς.

## English translation (Claude)

For he waited to be handed over, just as the Lord did, so that we too might become imitators of him, “looking not only to what concerns ourselves, but also to what concerns our neighbors.” For it belongs to true and steadfast love to want not only oneself to be saved, but all the brothers as well.

## Scripture references

- Phil 2:4: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 11:1: echo, low confidence

## Translation notes

- “Handed over” (παραδοθῇ): the verb the Gospels use of Jesus being betrayed and delivered up; the letter draws many such parallels with the Passion.

## Citation (SBL)

Mart. Pol. 1.2 (PG 5:1029b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/mart-pol/1/2/).