Sophia Scriptura

To the Philippians (complete)

Polycarp of Smyrna · To the Philippians · ca. 110–135 · Smyrna · 38 passages

Greek text: Lake, LCL 24 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885).

Inscription

0Lake, LCL 24:282

Πολύκαρπος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ πρεσβύτεροι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ παροικούσῃ Φιλίππους· ἔλεος ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη παρὰ θεοῦ παντοκράτορος καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν πληθυνθείη.

Polykarpos kai hoi syn autǭ presbyteroi tę̄ ekklēsią tou theou tę̄ paroikousę̄ Philippous; eleos hymin kai eirēnē para theou pantokratoros kai Iēsou Christou tou sōtēros hēmōn plēthyntheiē.

Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the church of God that sojourns at Philippi: may mercy and peace from God Almighty and Jesus Christ our Savior be multiplied to you.

Jude 1:2 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp and his fellow presbyters greet the church at Philippi.

  • “That sojourns” (παροικούσῃ): the church lives in the city as a resident alien lives in a foreign land; the same verb opens 1 Clement and the Martyrdom of Polycarp.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. inscr. (Lake, LCL 24:282; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/0).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/0

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 1

1.1Lake, LCL 24:282

Συνεχάρην ὑμῖν μεγάλως ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, δεξαμένοις τὰ μιμήματα τῆς ἀληθοῦς ἀγάπης καὶ προπέμψασιν, ὡς ἐπέβαλεν ὑμῖν, τοὺς ἐνειλημένους τοῖς ἁγιοπρεπέσιν δεσμοῖς, ἅτινά ἐστιν διαδήματα τῶν ἀληθῶς ὑπὸ θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν ἐκλελεγμένων·

Synecharēn hymin megalōs en tǭ kyriǭ hēmōn Iēsou Christǭ, dexamenois ta mimēmata tēs alēthous agapēs kai propempsasin, hōs epebalen hymin, tous eneilēmenous tois hagioprepesin desmois, hatina estin diadēmata tōn alēthōs hypo theou kai tou kyriou hēmōn eklelegmenōn;

I rejoiced greatly with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because you welcomed the copies of true love and sent them on their way, as was fitting for you: those bound in the chains that befit the saints, which are the diadems of those truly chosen by God and our Lord;

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp praises the Philippians for receiving and helping on their way the prisoners, Ignatius among them, who passed through their city.

  • “The copies of true love” (τὰ μιμήματα τῆς ἀληθοῦς ἀγάπης): the prisoners, probably Ignatius and his companions, seen as imitations of Christ's love; compare 9.1.
  • “Diadems”: the prisoners' chains are pictured as royal crowns.
  • Some translators (e.g. the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation of 1885) take the clause as “you followed the example of true love”; but δεξαμένοις means “welcomed,” and the rest of the sentence is about the prisoners, which favors the rendering given here.

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 1.1 (Lake, LCL 24:282; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/1-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/1-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

1.2Lake, LCL 24:282; PG 5:1005c

καὶ ὅτι ἡ βεβαία τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ῥίζα, ἐξ ἀρχαίων καταγγελλομένη χρόνων, μέχρι νῦν διαμένει καὶ καρποφορεῖ εἰς τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, ὃς ὑπέμεινεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν ἕως θανάτου καταντῆσαι, ὃν ἤγειρεν ὁ θεός, λύσας τὰς ὠδῖνας τοῦ ᾅδου·

kai hoti hē bebaia tēs pisteōs hymōn rhiza, ex archaiōn katangellomenē chronōn, mechri nyn diamenei kai karpophorei eis ton kyrion hēmōn Iēsoun Christon, hos hypemeinen hyper tōn hamartiōn hēmōn heōs thanatou katantēsai, hon ēgeiren ho theos, lysas tas ōdinas tou hądou;

and because the firm root of your faith, proclaimed from ancient times, remains to this day and bears fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins endured to come even to death, “whom God raised, having loosed the pangs of Hades.”

Acts 2:24 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The Philippians' long-standing faith still bears fruit in Christ, who died for our sins and was raised by God.

  • “From ancient times” (ἐξ ἀρχαίων χρόνων): from the church's founding by Paul, some sixty years earlier.
  • Acts 2:24 has “the pangs of death”; Polycarp's “of Hades” agrees with some other witnesses to the phrase.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 1.2 (PG 5:1005c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/1-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/1-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

1.3Lake, LCL 24:282–284

εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἰδόντες πιστεύετε χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ, εἰς ἣν πολλοὶ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν εἰσελθεῖν, εἰδότες, ὅτι χάριτί ἐστε σεσωσμένοι, οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἀλλὰ θελήματι θεοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

eis hon ouk idontes pisteuete charą aneklalētǭ kai dedoxasmenę̄, eis hēn polloi epithymousin eiselthein, eidotes, hoti chariti este sesōsmenoi, ouk ex ergōn, alla thelēmati theou dia Iēsou Christou.

In him, though you have not seen him, you believe with joy inexpressible and full of glory, a joy into which many long to enter, knowing that “by grace you have been saved, not by works,” but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.

1 Pet 1:8 (quotation, high confidence) · 1 Pet 1:12 (allusion, medium confidence) · Eph 2:8–9 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Believers rejoice in the unseen Christ, knowing they are saved by grace and not by works.

  • “Into which” (εἰς ἣν) refers to the joy, not to Christ.

Topics: Grace

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 1.3 (Lake, LCL 24:282–284; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/1-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/1-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 2

2.1Lake, LCL 24:284

Διὸ ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας ὑμῶν δουλεύσατε τῷ θεῷ ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ, ἀπολιπόντες τὴν κενὴν ματαιολογίαν καὶ τὴν τῶν πολλῶν πλάνην, πιστεύσαντες εἰς τὸν ἐγείραντα τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ δόντα αὐτῷ δόξαν καὶ θρόνον ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ· ᾧ ὑπετάγη τὰ πάντα ἐπουράνια καὶ ἐπίγεια, ᾧ πᾶσα πνοὴ λατρεύει, ὃς ἔρχεται κριτὴς ζώντων καὶ νεκρῶν, οὗ τὸ αἷμα ἐκζητήσει ὁ θεὸς ἀπὸ τῶν ἀπειθούντων αὐτῷ.

Dio anazōsamenoi tas osphyas hymōn douleusate tǭ theǭ en phobǭ kai alētheią, apolipontes tēn kenēn mataiologian kai tēn tōn pollōn planēn, pisteusantes eis ton egeiranta ton kyrion hēmōn Iēsoun Christon ek nekrōn kai donta autǭ doxan kai thronon ek dexiōn autou; hǭ hypetagē ta panta epourania kai epigeia, hǭ pasa pnoē latreuei, hos erchetai kritēs zōntōn kai nekrōn, hou to haima ekzētēsei ho theos apo tōn apeithountōn autǭ.

“Therefore gird up your loins” and “serve God in fear” and truth, leaving behind empty, idle talk and the error of the many, “believing in him who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and gave him glory” and a throne at his right hand; to whom all things in heaven and on earth were made subject, whom every breath serves, who is coming as judge of the living and the dead, whose blood God will require of those who disobey him.

1 Pet 1:13 (allusion, high confidence) · Ps 2:11 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Pet 1:21 (quotation, high confidence) · Phil 2:10 (allusion, medium confidence) · Ps 150:6 (echo, low confidence) · Acts 10:42 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Pet 4:5 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Serve God faithfully, believing in the God who raised Christ, who now reigns and will come to judge the living and the dead.

  • “Of those who disobey him”: “him” may be God or Christ.
  • “Whose blood God will require”: the language of avenging a killing (compare Gen 9:5; Luke 11:50–51).

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text): οὖ τὸ → οὗ τὸ.

Topics: Christology, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 2.1 (Lake, LCL 24:284; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/2-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/2-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

2.2Lake, LCL 24:284

ὁ δὲ ἐγείρας αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐγερεῖ, ἐὰν ποιῶμεν αὐτοῦ τὸ θέλημα καὶ πορευώμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀγαπῶμεν ἃ ἠγάπησεν, ἀπεχόμενοι πάσης ἀδικίας, πλεονεξίας, φιλαργυρίας, καταλαλιᾶς, ψευδομαρτυρίας· μὴ ἀποδιδόντες κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἢ λοιδορίαν ἀντὶ λοιδορίας ἢ γρόνθον ἀντὶ γρόνθου ἢ κατάραν ἀντὶ κατάρας·

ho de egeiras auton ek nekrōn kai hēmas egerei, ean poiōmen autou to thelēma kai poreuōmetha en tais entolais autou kai agapōmen ha ēgapēsen, apechomenoi pasēs adikias, pleonexias, philargyrias, katalalias, pseudomartyrias; mē apodidontes kakon anti kakou ē loidorian anti loidorias ē gronthon anti gronthou ē kataran anti kataras;

But he who raised him from the dead will raise us also, if we do his will and walk in his commandments and love what he loved, keeping away from all unrighteousness, greed, love of money, slander, false witness, “not repaying evil for evil or abuse for abuse,” or blow for blow, or curse for curse,

2 Cor 4:14 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Pet 3:9 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: God will raise us as he raised Christ if we do his will, love what he loved, and refuse to repay evil for evil.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text): γρόνθον ἀντὶ γρόνθον → γρόνθον ἀντὶ γρόνθου.

Topics: Eschatology, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 2.2 (Lake, LCL 24:284; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/2-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/2-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

2.3Lake, LCL 24:284–286; PG 5:1008a–1008b

μνημονεύοντες δὲ ὧν εἶπεν ὁ κύριος διδάσκων· Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε· ἀφίετε, καὶ ἀφεθήσεται ὑμῖν· ἐλεᾶτε, ἵνα ἐλεηθῆτε· ᾧ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε, ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν· καὶ ὅτι μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ καὶ οἱ διωκόμενοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης, ὅτι αὑτῶν ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ.

mnēmoneuontes de hōn eipen ho kyrios didaskōn; Mē krinete, hina mē krithēte; aphiete, kai aphethēsetai hymin; eleate, hina eleēthēte; hǭ metrǭ metreite, antimetrēthēsetai hymin; kai hoti makarioi hoi ptōchoi kai hoi diōkomenoi heneken dikaiosynēs, hoti hautōn estin hē basileia tou theou.

but remembering what the Lord said when he taught: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged; forgive, and you will be forgiven; show mercy, so that you may be shown mercy; with the measure you measure, it will be measured back to you”; and, “Blessed are the poor and those persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”

Matt 7:1–2 (quotation, high confidence) · Luke 6:36–38 (quotation, high confidence) · Luke 6:20 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 5:3 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 5:10 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp quotes Jesus's teaching on not judging, on forgiving, and on the blessedness of the poor and the persecuted.

  • The first saying combines wording found in Matthew 7:1–2 and Luke 6:36–38 and closely matches 1 Clem. 13.2; the second combines Luke 6:20 and Matthew 5:3, 10.

Extrabiblical texts: 1 Clem. 13.2 (1 Clement; allusion)

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 2.3 (PG 5:1008a–1008b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/2-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/2-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 3

3.1Lake, LCL 24:286; PG 5:1008b

Ταῦτα, ἀδελφοί, οὐκ ἐμαυτῷ ἐπιτρέψας γράφω ὑμῖν περὶ τῆς δικαιοσύνης, ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ ὑμεῖς προεπεκαλέσασθέ με.

Tauta, adelphoi, ouk emautǭ epitrepsas graphō hymin peri tēs dikaiosynēs, allʼ epei hymeis proepekalesasthe me.

I am writing these things to you about righteousness, brothers, not on my own initiative, but because you first invited me to.

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp explains that he writes about righteousness only because the Philippians asked him to.

  • “Brothers” (ἀδελφοί): the customary address to the whole congregation.

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 3.1 (PG 5:1008b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/3-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/3-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

3.2Lake, LCL 24:286; PG 5:1008b

οὔτε γὰρ ἐγὼ οὔτε ἄλλος ὅμοιος ἐμοὶ δύναται κατακολουθῆσαι τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ μακαρίου καὶ ἐνδόξου Παύλου, ὃς γενόμενος ἐν ὑμῖν κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν τότε ἀνθρώπων ἐδίδαξεν ἀκριβῶς καὶ βεβαίως τὸν περὶ ἀληθείας λόγον, ὃς καὶ ἀπὼν ὑμῖν ἔγραψεν ἐπιστολάς, εἰς ἃς ἐὰν ἐγκύπτητε, δυνηθήσεσθε οἰκοδομεῖσθαι εἰς τὴν δοθεῖσαν ὑμῖν πίστιν·

oute gar egō oute allos homoios emoi dynatai katakolouthēsai tę̄ sophią tou makariou kai endoxou Paulou, hos genomenos en hymin kata prosōpon tōn tote anthrōpōn edidaxen akribōs kai bebaiōs ton peri alētheias logon, hos kai apōn hymin egrapsen epistolas, eis has ean enkyptēte, dynēthēsesthe oikodomeisthai eis tēn dotheisan hymin pistin;

For neither I nor anyone else like me can keep pace with the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who, when he was among you, taught the word of truth accurately and firmly face to face with the people of that time, and who also, when he was absent, wrote you letters; if you study them closely, you will be able to be built up in the faith that has been given to you,

Notes and citation

Summary: No one can match the wisdom of Paul, who taught the Philippians in person and then wrote them letters that still build up their faith.

  • “Letters” (ἐπιστολάς) is plural; whether Polycarp knew more than one letter of Paul to the Philippians or uses the plural loosely for one letter is debated.

Topics: Scripture and canon

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 3.2 (PG 5:1008b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/3-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/3-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

3.3Lake, LCL 24:286; PG 5:1008b–1008c

ἥτις ἐστὶν μήτηρ πάντων ἡμῶν, ἐπακολουθούσης τῆς ἐλπίδος, προαγούσης τῆς ἀγάπης τῆς εἰς θεὸν καὶ Χριστὸν καὶ εἰς τὸν πλησίον. ἐὰν γάρ τις τούτων ἐντὸς ᾖ, πεπλήρωκεν ἐντολὴν δικαιοσύνης· ὁ γὰρ ἔχων ἀγάπην μακράν ἐστιν πάσης ἁμαρτίας.

hētis estin mētēr pantōn hēmōn, epakolouthousēs tēs elpidos, proagousēs tēs agapēs tēs eis theon kai Christon kai eis ton plēsion. ean gar tis toutōn entos ę̄, peplērōken entolēn dikaiosynēs; ho gar echōn agapēn makran estin pasēs hamartias.

“which is the mother of us all,” while hope follows and love leads the way: love toward God and Christ and toward our neighbor. For if anyone is occupied with these, he has fulfilled the commandment of righteousness; for whoever has love is far from all sin.

Gal 4:26 (quotation, high confidence) · Rom 13:8–10 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Faith is the mother of us all, followed by hope and led by love, and whoever loves has fulfilled the commandment of righteousness.

  • “Which” refers back to “the faith” in 3.2; Galatians 4:26 says this of “the Jerusalem above.”
  • “Is occupied with these” (τούτων ἐντὸς ᾖ): literally “is within these.”

Topics: Ethics, Love of God and neighbour

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 3.3 (PG 5:1008b–1008c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/3-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/3-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 4

4.1Lake, LCL 24:286; PG 5:1008c–1008d

Ἀρχὴ δὲ πάντων χαλεπῶν φιλαργυρία. εἰδότες οὖν ὅτι οὐδὲν εἰσηνέγκαμεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλʼ οὐδὲ ἐξενεγκεῖν τι ἔχομεν, ὁπλισώμεθα τοῖς ὅπλοις τῆς δικαιοσύνης καὶ διδάξωμεν ἑαυτοὺς πρῶτον πορεύεσθαι ἐν τῇ ἐντολῇ τοῦ κυρίου·

Archē de pantōn chalepōn philargyria. eidotes oun hoti ouden eisēnenkamen eis ton kosmon, allʼ oude exenenkein ti echomen, hoplisōmetha tois hoplois tēs dikaiosynēs kai didaxōmen heautous prōton poreuesthai en tę̄ entolę̄ tou kyriou;

“But the love of money is the beginning of all troubles.” Knowing therefore that “we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we take anything out,” let us arm ourselves with “the weapons of righteousness,” and let us teach ourselves first to walk in the commandment of the Lord;

1 Tim 6:10 (quotation, high confidence) · 1 Tim 6:7 (quotation, high confidence) · 2 Cor 6:7 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Love of money is the root of every trouble, so believers should arm themselves with righteousness and first learn to keep the Lord's commandment themselves.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 has “root of all evils”; Polycarp has “beginning of all troubles” (ἀρχὴ … χαλεπῶν).

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text): κυριοῦ → κυρίου.

Topics: Ethics, Wealth and poverty

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 4.1 (PG 5:1008c–1008d; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/4-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/4-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

4.2Lake, LCL 24:286–288; PG 5:1008d–1009a

ἔπειτα καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας ἡμῶν ἐν τῇ δοθείσῃ αὐταῖς πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ καὶ ἁγνείᾳ στεργούσας τοὺς ἑαυτῶν ἄνδρας ἐν πάσῃ ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἀγαπώσας πάντας ἐξ ἴσου ἐν πάσῃ ἐγκρατείᾳ, καὶ τὰ τέκνα παιδεύειν τὴν παιδείαν τοῦ φόβου τοῦ θεοῦ·

epeita kai tas gynaikas hēmōn en tę̄ dotheisę̄ autais pistei kai agapę̄ kai hagneią stergousas tous heautōn andras en pasę̄ alētheią kai agapōsas pantas ex isou en pasę̄ enkrateią, kai ta tekna paideuein tēn paideian tou phobou tou theou;

then also our wives, to walk in the faith given to them and in love and purity, cherishing their own husbands in all faithfulness and loving all others equally in all self-control, and to train their children in the discipline of the fear of God;

Titus 2:4–5 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Wives are to be taught to live in faith, love, and purity, to cherish their husbands, and to raise their children in the fear of God.

  • The construction continues from 4.1: “let us teach … our wives to walk …”
  • “In all faithfulness” (ἐν πάσῃ ἀληθείᾳ): literally “in all truth”; here the truthfulness of fidelity in marriage.

Topics: Marriage, Ethics, Parents and children

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 4.2 (PG 5:1008d–1009a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/4-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/4-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

4.3Lake, LCL 24:288; PG 5:1009a

τὰς χήρας σωφρονούσας περὶ τὴν τοῦ κυρίου πίστιν, ἐντυγχανούσας ἀδιαλείπτως περὶ πάντων, μακρὰν οὔσας πάσης διαβολῆς, καταλαλιᾶς, ψευδομαρτυρίας, φιλαργυρίας καὶ παντὸς κακοῦ, γινωσκούσας ὅτι εἰσὶ θυσιαστήριον θεοῦ καὶ ὅτι πάντα μωμοσκοπεῖται, καὶ λέληθεν αὐτὸν οὐδὲν οὔτε λογισμῶν οὔτε ἐννοιῶν οὔτε τι τῶν κρυπτῶν τῆς καρδίας.

tas chēras sōphronousas peri tēn tou kyriou pistin, entynchanousas adialeiptōs peri pantōn, makran ousas pasēs diabolēs, katalalias, pseudomartyrias, philargyrias kai pantos kakou, ginōskousas hoti eisi thysiastērion theou kai hoti panta mōmoskopeitai, kai lelēthen auton ouden oute logismōn oute ennoiōn oute ti tōn kryptōn tēs kardias.

[let us teach] the widows to be sensible about the faith of the Lord, to pray unceasingly for everyone, to be far from all slander, evil-speaking, false witness, love of money, and every evil, knowing that they are God's altar, and that everything is inspected for blemishes, and that nothing escapes him, whether of thoughts or intentions or any of the secrets of the heart.

1 Tim 5:5 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Cor 14:25 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Widows are to pray constantly and avoid slander and greed, knowing that they are God's altar and that God sees every secret thought.

  • “God's altar”: the widows' prayers and the gifts they receive are offered to God, so their life must be without blemish.
  • “Inspected for blemishes” (μωμοσκοπεῖται) is a technical term for examining sacrificial animals.

Topics: Prayer, Ethics, Widows and consecrated virgins

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 4.3 (PG 5:1009a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/4-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/4-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 5

5.1Lake, LCL 24:288; PG 5:1009a–1009b

Εἰδότες, οὖν, ὅτι θεὸς οὐ μυκτηρίζεται, ὀφείλομεν ἀξίως τῆς ἐντολῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ δόξης περιπατεῖν.

Eidotes, oun, hoti theos ou myktērizetai, opheilomen axiōs tēs entolēs autou kai doxēs peripatein.

Knowing, then, that “God is not mocked,” we ought to walk worthily of his commandment and glory.

Gal 6:7 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Because God is not mocked, believers must live worthily of his commandment.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 5.1 (PG 5:1009a–1009b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/5-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/5-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

5.2Lake, LCL 24:288; PG 5:1009b

ὁμοίως διάκονοι ἄμεμπτοι κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὡς θεοῦ καὶ Χριστοῦ διάκονοι καὶ οὐκ ἀνθρώπων· μὴ διάβολοι, μὴ δίλογοι, ἀφιλάργυροι, ἐγκρατεῖς περὶ πάντα, εὔσπλαγχνοι, ἐπιμελεῖς, πορευόμενοι κατὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ κυρίου, ὃς ἐγένετο διάκονος πάντων· ᾧ ἐὰν εὐαρεστήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι, ἀποληψόμεθα καὶ τὸν μέλλοντα, καθὼς ὑπέσχετο ἡμῖν ἐγεῖραι ἡμᾶς ἐκ νεκρῶν, καὶ ὅτι ἐὰν πολιτευσώμεθα ἀξίως αὐτοῦ, καὶ συμβασιλεύσομεν αὐτῷ, εἴγε πιστεύομεν.

homoiōs diakonoi amemptoi katenōpion autou tēs dikaiosynēs hōs theou kai Christou diakonoi kai ouk anthrōpōn; mē diaboloi, mē dilogoi, aphilargyroi, enkrateis peri panta, eusplanchnoi, epimeleis, poreuomenoi kata tēn alētheian tou kyriou, hos egeneto diakonos pantōn; hǭ ean euarestēsōmen en tǭ nyn aiōni, apolēpsometha kai ton mellonta, kathōs hypescheto hēmin egeirai hēmas ek nekrōn, kai hoti ean politeusōmetha axiōs autou, kai symbasileusomen autǭ, eige pisteuomen.

Likewise the deacons must be blameless before his righteousness, as deacons of God and Christ and not of men: not slanderers, not double-tongued, not lovers of money, self-controlled in all things, compassionate, diligent, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who became “servant of all.” If we please him in the present age, we will also receive the age to come, just as he promised to raise us from the dead and that, if we conduct ourselves worthily of him, “we will also reign with him,” if indeed we believe.

1 Tim 3:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 9:35 (allusion, medium confidence) · Phil 1:27 (allusion, medium confidence) · 2 Tim 2:12 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Deacons must be blameless servants of God, following the Lord who became the servant of all and who promises that the faithful will reign with him.

  • “Slanderers” (διάβολοι): the same word as “devil,” used here as an adjective of people (see the glossary).
  • “Servant of all” (διάκονος πάντων) plays on the word “deacon.”
  • “Conduct ourselves” (πολιτευσώμεθα): literally “live as citizens.”

Topics: Church office, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 5.2 (PG 5:1009b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/5-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/5-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

5.3Lake, LCL 24:288–290; PG 5:1009b–1009c

ὁμοίως καὶ νεώτεροι ἄμεμπτοι ἐν πᾶσιν, πρὸ παντὸς προνοοῦντες ἁγνείας καὶ χαλιναγωγοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ. καλὸν γὰρ τὸ ἀνακόπτεσθαι ἀπὸ τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ὅτι πᾶσα ἐπιθυμία κατὰ τοῦ πνεύματος στρατεύεται, καὶ οὔτε πόρνοι οὔτε μαλακοὶ οὔτε ἀρσενοκοῖται βασιλείαν θεοῦ κληρονομήσουσιν, οὔτε οἱ ποιοῦντες τὰ ἄτοπα. διὸ δέον ἀπέχεσθαι ἀπὸ πάντων τούτων, ὑποτασσομένους τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις καὶ διακόνοις ὡς θεῷ καὶ Χριστῷ· τὰς παρθένους ἐν ἀμώμῳ καὶ ἁγνῇ συνειδήσει περιπατεῖν.

homoiōs kai neōteroi amemptoi en pasin, pro pantos pronoountes hagneias kai chalinagōgountes heautous apo pantos kakou. kalon gar to anakoptesthai apo tōn epithymiōn en tǭ kosmǭ, hoti pasa epithymia kata tou pneumatos strateuetai, kai oute pornoi oute malakoi oute arsenokoitai basileian theou klēronomēsousin, oute hoi poiountes ta atopa. dio deon apechesthai apo pantōn toutōn, hypotassomenous tois presbyterois kai diakonois hōs theǭ kai Christǭ; tas parthenous en amōmǭ kai hagnę̄ syneidēsei peripatein.

Likewise the younger men must be blameless in all things, caring above all for purity and reining themselves in from every evil. For it is good to be cut off from the desires in the world, because every desire “wages war against the Spirit,” and “neither the sexually immoral nor the effeminate nor men who have sex with men will inherit the kingdom of God,” nor those who do perverse things. Therefore it is necessary to keep away from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ. The virgins must walk with a blameless and pure conscience.

1 Pet 2:11 (allusion, high confidence) · Gal 5:17 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Cor 6:9–10 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Young men must live pure lives, because the sexually immoral will not inherit God's kingdom, and they must be subject to the presbyters and deacons; the virgins must keep a pure conscience.

  • “Against the Spirit” (κατὰ τοῦ πνεύματος): 1 Peter 2:11 has “against the soul”; Polycarp's wording is closer to Galatians 5:17. It could also mean the human spirit.
  • “The effeminate” (μαλακοί) and “men who have sex with men” (ἀρσενοκοῖται) quote 1 Corinthians 6:9. μαλακοί means literally “soft ones” and is often understood of the passive partner in sex between men; ἀρσενοκοῖται is literally “men who lie with males.”
  • “Sexually immoral” (πόρνοι): see the glossary entry for πορνεία.
  • “Younger men” (νεώτεροι) and “virgins” (παρθένοι): unmarried young men and women of the congregation.

Topics: Ethics, Church office, Sexual morality

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 5.3 (PG 5:1009b–1009c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/5-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/5-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 6

6.1Lake, LCL 24:290; PG 5:1009c–1012a

Καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι δὲ εὔσπλαγχνοι, εἰς πάντας ἐλεήμονες, ἐπιστρέφοντες τὰ ἀποπεπλανημένα, ἐπισκεπτόμενοι πάντας ἀσθενεῖς, μὴ ἀμελοῦντες χήρας ἢ ὀρφανοῦ ἢ πένητος ἀλλὰ προνοοῦντες ἀεὶ τοῦ καλοῦ ἐνώπιον θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἀπεχόμενοι πάσης ὀργῆς, προσωποληψίας, κρίσεως ἀδίκου, μακρὰν ὄντες πάσης φιλαργυρίας, μὴ ταχέως πιστεύοντες κατά τινος, μὴ ἀπότομοι ἐν κρίσει, εἰδότες ὅτι πάντες ὀφειλέται ἐσμὲν ἁμαρτίας.

Kai hoi presbyteroi de eusplanchnoi, eis pantas eleēmones, epistrephontes ta apopeplanēmena, episkeptomenoi pantas astheneis, mē amelountes chēras ē orphanou ē penētos alla pronoountes aei tou kalou enōpion theou kai anthrōpōn, apechomenoi pasēs orgēs, prosōpolēpsias, kriseōs adikou, makran ontes pasēs philargyrias, mē tacheōs pisteuontes kata tinos, mē apotomoi en krisei, eidotes hoti pantes opheiletai esmen hamartias.

And the presbyters too must be compassionate, merciful to all, turning back those who have gone astray, visiting all the sick, not neglecting a widow or orphan or poor person, but always “taking thought for what is good before God and men,” refraining from all anger, partiality, and unjust judgment, keeping far from all love of money, not quick to believe anything against anyone, not severe in judgment, knowing that we are all debtors because of sin.

2 Cor 8:21 (quotation, high confidence) · Prov 3:4 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rom 12:17 (echo, low confidence) · Ezek 34:4 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Presbyters must be merciful shepherds who seek the lost, care for the weak, and judge fairly, remembering that all are sinners.

  • “Debtors because of sin”: literally “debtors of sin.”

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 6.1 (PG 5:1009c–1012a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/6-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/6-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

6.2Lake, LCL 24:290; PG 5:1012a

εἰ οὖν δεόμεθα τοῦ κυρίου, ἵνα ἡμῖν ἀφῇ, ὀφείλομεν καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφιέναι· ἀπέναντι γὰρ τῶν τοῦ κυρίου καὶ θεοῦ ἐσμὲν ὀφθαλμῶν, καὶ πάντας δεῖ παραστῆναι τῷ βήματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἕκαστον ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ λόγον δοῦναι.

ei oun deometha tou kyriou, hina hēmin aphę̄, opheilomen kai hēmeis aphienai; apenanti gar tōn tou kyriou kai theou esmen ophthalmōn, kai pantas dei parastēnai tǭ bēmati tou Christou kai hekaston hyper autou logon dounai.

If then we ask the Lord to forgive us, we too ought to forgive; for we are before the eyes of the Lord and God, and “we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ,” and “each must give an account of himself.”

Matt 6:12 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 6:14–15 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rom 14:10 (quotation, high confidence) · Rom 14:12 (quotation, high confidence) · 2 Cor 5:10 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Those who ask forgiveness must forgive, since all will stand before Christ's judgment seat.

  • “Of the Lord and God” may name one person (Christ) or two (the Lord Christ and God); the Greek allows both.

Topics: Eschatology, Ethics, Love of enemies and forgiveness of wrongs

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 6.2 (PG 5:1012a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/6-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/6-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

6.3Lake, LCL 24:290–292; PG 5:1012a

οὕτως οὖν δουλεύσωμεν αὐτῷ μετὰ φόβου καὶ πάσης εὐλαβείας, καθὼς αὐτὸς ἐνετείλατο καὶ οἱ εὐαγγελισάμενοι ἡμᾶς ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ προφῆται, οἱ προκηρύξαντες τὴν ἔλευσιν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν· ζηλωταὶ περὶ τὸ καλόν, ἀπεχόμενοι τῶν σκανδάλων καὶ τῶν ψευδαδέλφων καὶ τῶν ἐν ὑποκρίσει φερόντων τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου, οἵτινες ἀποπλανῶσι κενοὺς ἀνθρώπους.

houtōs oun douleusōmen autǭ meta phobou kai pasēs eulabeias, kathōs autos eneteilato kai hoi euangelisamenoi hēmas apostoloi kai hoi prophētai, hoi prokēryxantes tēn eleusin tou kyriou hēmōn; zēlōtai peri to kalon, apechomenoi tōn skandalōn kai tōn pseudadelphōn kai tōn en hypokrisei pherontōn to onoma tou kyriou, hoitines apoplanōsi kenous anthrōpous.

So then let us serve him with fear and all reverence, just as he himself commanded, and the apostles who preached the gospel to us, and the prophets who announced beforehand the coming of our Lord; being zealous for what is good, keeping away from occasions of stumbling and from false brothers and from those who bear the name of the Lord in hypocrisy, who lead empty-headed people astray.

Ps 2:11 (allusion, medium confidence) · Heb 12:28 (echo, low confidence) · Acts 7:52 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Serve Christ reverently as the Lord, apostles, and prophets taught, and avoid false brothers and hypocrites who mislead the unwary.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text): κυρίον → κυρίου.

Topics: Heresy

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 6.3 (PG 5:1012a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/6-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/6-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 7

7.1Lake, LCL 24:292

Πᾶς γὰρ ὃς ἂν μὴ ὁμολογῇ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐν σαρκὶ ἐληλυθέναι, ἀντιχριστός ἐστιν· καὶ ὃς ἂν μὴ ὁμολογῇ τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ σταυροῦ, ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστίν· καὶ ὃς ἂν μεθοδεύῃ τὰ λόγια τοῦ κυρίου πρὸς τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας καὶ λέγῃ μήτε ἀνάστασιν μήτε κρίσιν, οὗτος πρωτότοκος ἐστι τοῦ σατανᾶ.

Pas gar hos an mē homologę̄ Iēsoun Christon en sarki elēlythenai, antichristos estin; kai hos an mē homologę̄ to martyrion tou staurou, ek tou diabolou estin; kai hos an methodeuę̄ ta logia tou kyriou pros tas idias epithymias kai legę̄ mēte anastasin mēte krisin, houtos prōtotokos esti tou satana.

For “everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is antichrist”; and whoever does not confess the testimony of the cross “is of the devil”; and whoever twists the sayings of the Lord to suit his own desires and says there is neither resurrection nor judgment, this one is the firstborn of Satan.

1 John 4:2–3 (quotation, high confidence) · 2 John 1:7 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 John 3:8 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp condemns those who deny that Christ came in the flesh, who deny the witness of the cross, and who twist the Lord's words to deny resurrection and judgment.

  • “The testimony of the cross” (τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ σταυροῦ): either the witness the cross gives, or the fact of Christ's real suffering on it.
  • “Twists” (μεθοδεύῃ): handles craftily, manipulates.
  • Irenaeus reports that Polycarp called Marcion “the firstborn of Satan” when they met (Irenaeus, Haer. 3.3.4).

Topics: Heresy, Christology, Eschatology, Incarnation

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 7.1 (Lake, LCL 24:292; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/7-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/7-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

7.2Lake, LCL 24:292; PG 5:1012b–1012c

διὸ ἀπολιπόντες τὴν ματαιότητα τῶν πολλῶν καὶ τὰς ψευδοδιδασκαλίας ἐπὶ τὸν ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἡμῖν παραδοθέντα λόγον ἐπιστρέψωμεν, νήφοντες πρὸς τὰς εὐχὰς καὶ προσκαρτεροῦντες νηστείαις, δεήσεσιν αἰτούμενοι τὸν παντεπόπτην θεὸν μὴ εἰσενεγκεῖν ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ κύριος· Τὸ μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμον, ἡ δὲ σὰρξ ἀσθενής.

dio apolipontes tēn mataiotēta tōn pollōn kai tas pseudodidaskalias epi ton ex archēs hēmin paradothenta logon epistrepsōmen, nēphontes pros tas euchas kai proskarterountes nēsteiais, deēsesin aitoumenoi ton pantepoptēn theon mē eisenenkein hēmas eis peirasmon, kathōs eipen ho kyrios; To men pneuma prothymon, hē de sarx asthenēs.

Therefore, leaving behind the futility of the many and their false teachings, let us return to the word handed down to us from the beginning, being watchful in prayer and persevering in fasting, asking the all-seeing God in our petitions “not to bring us into temptation,” just as the Lord said: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Pet 4:7 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 6:13 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 26:41 (quotation, high confidence) · Mark 14:38 (quotation, high confidence) · Jude 1:3 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Believers should hold to the teaching handed down from the beginning, watching in prayer and fasting as the Lord taught.

Topics: Prayer, Fasting, Heresy, Tradition

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 7.2 (PG 5:1012b–1012c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/7-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/7-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 8

8.1Lake, LCL 24:292; PG 5:1012c

Ἀδιαλείπτως οὖν προσκαρτερῶμεν τῇ ἐλπίδι ἡμῶν καὶ τῷ ἀρραβῶνι τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἡμῶν, ὅς ἐστι Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς, ὃς ἀνήνεγκεν ἡμῶν τὰς ἁμαρτίας τῷ ἰδίῳ σώματι ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον, ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ· ἀλλὰ διʼ ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ζήσωμεν ἐν αὐτῷ, πάντα ὑπέμεινεν.

Adialeiptōs oun proskarterōmen tę̄ elpidi hēmōn kai tǭ arrabōni tēs dikaiosynēs hēmōn, hos esti Christos Iēsous, hos anēnenken hēmōn tas hamartias tǭ idiǭ sōmati epi to xylon, hos hamartian ouk epoiēsen, oude heurethē dolos en tǭ stomati autou; alla diʼ hēmas, hina zēsōmen en autǭ, panta hypemeinen.

Let us therefore hold fast unceasingly to our hope and to the pledge of our righteousness, who is Christ Jesus, “who bore our sins in his own body on the tree,” “who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth”; but for our sake, so that we might live in him, he endured everything.

1 Tim 1:1 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Pet 2:24 (quotation, high confidence) · 1 Pet 2:22 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Christ, our hope, bore our sins on the cross without sin of his own and endured everything so that we might live in him.

  • “Pledge” (ἀρραβών): a down payment guaranteeing the rest.

Topics: Christology, Passion and death of Christ

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 8.1 (PG 5:1012c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/8-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/8-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

8.2Lake, LCL 24:292–294; PG 5:1012c

μιμηταὶ οὖν γενώμεθα τῆς ὑπομονῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐὰν πάσχωμεν διὰ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, δοξάζωμεν αὐτόν. τοῦτον γὰρ ἡμῖν τὸν ὑπογραμμὸν ἔθηκε διʼ ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς τοῦτο ἐπιστεύσαμεν.

mimētai oun genōmetha tēs hypomonēs autou, kai ean paschōmen dia to onoma autou, doxazōmen auton. touton gar hēmin ton hypogrammon ethēke diʼ heautou, kai hēmeis touto episteusamen.

Let us then become imitators of his endurance, and if we suffer for his name, let us glorify him. For this is the example he set for us in his own person, and this is what we have believed.

1 Pet 2:21 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Pet 4:16 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Believers should imitate Christ's endurance and glorify him when they suffer for his name.

Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 8.2 (PG 5:1012c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/8-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/8-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 9

9.1Lake, LCL 24:294; PG 5:1013a

Παρακαλῶ οὖν πάντας ὑμᾶς, πειθαρχεῖν τῷ λόγῳ τῆς δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἀσκεῖν πᾶσαν ὑπομονήν, ἣν καὶ εἴδατε κατʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς οὐ μόνον ἐν τοῖς μακαρίοις Ἰγνατίῳ καὶ Ζωσίμῳ καὶ Ῥούφῳ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν ἄλλοις τοῖς ἐξ ὑμῶν καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ Παύλῳ καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς ἀποστόλοις·

Parakalō oun pantas hymas, peitharchein tǭ logǭ tēs dikaiosynēs kai askein pasan hypomonēn, hēn kai eidate katʼ ophthalmous ou monon en tois makariois Ignatiǭ kai Zōsimǭ kai Rhouphǭ, alla kai en allois tois ex hymōn kai en autǭ Paulǭ kai tois loipois apostolois;

I urge all of you, therefore, to obey the word of righteousness and to practice all endurance, which you saw with your own eyes not only in the blessed Ignatius and Zosimus and Rufus, but also in others from among you, and in Paul himself and the rest of the apostles;

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp urges endurance like that the Philippians saw in Ignatius, Zosimus, Rufus, Paul, and the apostles.

  • Zosimus and Rufus are otherwise unknown; they were probably prisoners taken to Rome with Ignatius.

Topics: Martyrdom

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 9.1 (PG 5:1013a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/9-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/9-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

9.2Lake, LCL 24:294; PG 5:1013a

πεπεισμένους ὅτι οὗτοι πάντες οὐκ εἰς κενὸν ἔδραμον, ἀλλʼ ἐν πίστει καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ, καὶ ὅτι εἰς τὸν ὀφειλόμενον αὐτοῖς τόπον εἰσὶ παρὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, ᾧ καὶ συνέπαθον. οὐ γὰρ τὸν νῦν ἠγάπησαν αἰῶνα, ἀλλὰ τὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀποθανόντα καὶ διʼ ἡμᾶς ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀναστάντα.

pepeismenous hoti houtoi pantes ouk eis kenon edramon, allʼ en pistei kai dikaiosynę̄, kai hoti eis ton opheilomenon autois topon eisi para tǭ kyriǭ, hǭ kai synepathon. ou gar ton nyn ēgapēsan aiōna, alla ton hyper hēmōn apothanonta kai diʼ hēmas hypo tou theou anastanta.

being convinced that all these “did not run in vain,” but in faith and righteousness, and that they are in the place due to them with the Lord, with whom they also suffered. For they did not love the present age, but him who died for our sake and was raised by God for us.

Phil 2:16 (quotation, high confidence) · 2 Tim 4:10 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The martyrs did not run in vain; they are now with the Lord, because they loved Christ rather than this world.

  • “The place due to them”: the same phrase is used of Peter and Paul in 1 Clem. 5.4, 7.

Extrabiblical texts: 1 Clem. 5.4 (1 Clement; allusion)

Topics: Martyrdom, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 9.2 (PG 5:1013a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/9-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/9-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 10

10.1Lake, LCL 24:294

In his ergo state et domini exemplar sequimini, firmi in fide et immutabiles, fraternitatis amatores, diligentes invicem, in veritate sociati, mansuetudine domini alterutri praestolantes, nullum despicientes.

Stand fast, then, in these things and follow the example of the Lord, firm in faith and unchangeable, lovers of the brotherhood, loving one another, united in the truth, deferring to one another in the gentleness of the Lord, despising no one.

1 Cor 15:58 (allusion, medium confidence) · Col 1:23 (echo, low confidence) · 1 Pet 2:17 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Pet 3:8 (echo, low confidence) · John 13:34 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Stand firm and follow the Lord's example, loving one another and despising no one.

  • Chapters 10–12 and 14 survive only in a Latin translation; the Greek is lost.
  • “Deferring to one another” (alterutri praestolantes): the Latin is obscure; literally “waiting for one another.”
  • “Lovers of the brotherhood” (fraternitatis amatores): probably a rendering of Greek φιλάδελφοι.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): alterntri → alterutri; in his → In his.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 10.1 (Lake, LCL 24:294; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/10-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/10-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

10.2Lake, LCL 24:294–296

Cum possitis benefacere, nolite differre, quia eleemosyna de morte liberat. Omnes vobis invicem subiecti estote, conversationem vestram irreprensibilem habentes in gentibus, ut ex bonis operibus vestris et vos laudem accipiatis et dominus in vobis non blasphemetur.

When you are able to do good, do not put it off, because “almsgiving delivers from death.” All of you be subject to one another, “keeping your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” so that from your good works both you may receive praise and the Lord may not be blasphemed because of you.

Eph 5:21 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Pet 5:5 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Pet 2:12 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 52:5 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Do good without delay, since almsgiving delivers from death, and live blamelessly so that the Lord is not blasphemed.

  • “Almsgiving delivers from death” quotes Tobit 4:10 (compare Tob 12:9), a book outside the Protestant canon.
  • “Because of you” (in vobis): literally “in you” or “among you.”

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): dilferre → differre; volris → vobis; estotc → estote; cum / omnes → Cum / Omnes.

Extrabiblical texts: Tob 4:10 (Tobit [in RC, EO, ETH canons]; quotation)

Topics: Ethics, Almsgiving and care for the poor

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 10.2 (Lake, LCL 24:294–296; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/10-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/10-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

10.3Lake, LCL 24:296

Vae autem, per quem nomen domini blasphematur! Sobrietatem ergo docete omnes, in qua et vos conversamini.

But woe to him through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach sobriety, therefore, to all, and live in it yourselves.

Isa 52:5 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Woe to anyone who brings the Lord's name into contempt; teach and practice sober living.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin): wae → Vae; sobrictatem → Sobrietatem; docetc → docete.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 10.3 (Lake, LCL 24:296; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/10-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/10-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

Chapter 11

11.1Lake, LCL 24:296

Nimis contristatus sum pro Valente, qui presbyter factus est aliquando apud vos, quod sic ignoret is locum qui datus est ei. Moneo itaque ut abstineatis vos ab avaritia et sitis casti veraces. Abstinete vos ab omni malo.

I am deeply grieved for Valens, who was once made a presbyter among you, that he so fails to understand the office that was given him. I warn you, therefore, to keep away from greed, and to be pure and truthful. Keep away from every evil.

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp grieves over Valens, a presbyter at Philippi who misused his office, and warns the church against greed.

  • “Office” (locum): literally “place.”
  • “Greed” (avaritia): the Greek probably had φιλαργυρία, “love of money” (see the glossary). The letter implies, without saying outright, that Valens's fault involved money.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): walente → Valente; nimis / moneo / abstinete → Nimis / Moneo / Abstinete.

Topics: Church office, Ethics, Wealth and poverty

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 11.1 (Lake, LCL 24:296; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

11.2Lake, LCL 24:296

Qui autem non potest se in his gubernare, quomodo alii pronuntiat hoc? Si quis non se abstinuerit ab avaritia, ab idololatria coinquinabitur et tamquam inter gentes iudicabitur, qui ignorant iudicium domini. Aut nescimus, quia sancti mundum iudicabunt? sicut Paulus docet.

But how can someone who cannot govern himself in these matters preach this to another? If anyone does not keep away from greed, he will be defiled by idolatry and judged as one of the Gentiles, “who do not know the judgment of the Lord.” Or do we not know that “the saints will judge the world,” as Paul teaches?

Col 3:5 (allusion, medium confidence) · Eph 5:5 (allusion, medium confidence) · Jer 5:4 (allusion, low confidence) · 1 Cor 6:2 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: A leader who cannot control his own greed cannot teach others, for greed is idolatry and the saints will judge the world.

  • The text followed here makes “who do not know the judgment of the Lord” describe the Gentiles (echoing Jer 5:4). Some editions punctuate it as a separate question, “But which of us is ignorant of the judgment of the Lord?” (so the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation).

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): hoe → hoc; paulus → Paulus.

Topics: Church office, Ethics, Wealth and poverty

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 11.2 (Lake, LCL 24:296; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

11.3Lake, LCL 24:296

Ego autem nihil tale sensi in vobis vel audivi, in quibus laboravit beatus Paulus, qui estis in principio epistulae eius. De vobis etenim gloriatur in omnibus ecclesiis, quae dominum solae tunc cognoverant; nos autem nondum cognoveramus.

But I have not observed or heard of anything of the kind among you, among whom the blessed Paul labored, and who are [praised] at the beginning of his letter. For he boasts about you in all the churches, which alone knew the Lord at that time; we did not yet know him.

Phil 1:3–5 (allusion, low confidence) · 2 Thess 1:4 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp has heard nothing of such faults among the Philippians, whom Paul praised and boasted about when few churches yet existed.

  • “Who are [praised] at the beginning of his letter” (qui estis in principio epistulae eius): the Latin is obscure. It may refer to Paul's thanksgiving for the Philippians (Phil 1:3–5), or mean “who were [his letters] from the beginning” (compare 2 Cor 3:2).
  • “We did not yet know him”: the church at Smyrna did not yet exist when Paul wrote.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): solac → solae; paulus → Paulus.

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 11.3 (Lake, LCL 24:296; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

11.4Lake, LCL 24:296–298

Valde ergo, fratres, contristor pro illo et pro coniuge eius, quibus det dominus paenitentiam veram. Sobrii ergo estote et vos in hoc; et non sicut inimicos tales existimetis, sed sicut passibilia membra et errantia eos revocate, ut omnium vestrum corpus salvetis. Hoc enim agentes vos ipsos aedificatis.

I am therefore very sorry, brothers, for him and for his wife; may the Lord grant them true repentance. So you too must be sober in this matter: do not regard such people as enemies, but call them back as suffering and straying members, so that you may save the body of you all. For by doing this you build up yourselves.

2 Tim 2:25 (allusion, medium confidence) · 2 Thess 3:15 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Cor 12:26 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp prays that Valens and his wife repent and urges the church to restore them as straying members rather than treat them as enemies.

  • “Suffering” (passibilia): capable of suffering, frail.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin): walde → Valde; vestrun. → vestrum.

Topics: Church office, Repentance

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 11.4 (Lake, LCL 24:296–298; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-4).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/11-4

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

Chapter 12

12.1Lake, LCL 24:298

Confido enim vos bene exercitatos esse in sacris literis, et nihil vos latet; mihi autem non est concessum. Modo, ut his scripturis dictum est, irascimini et nolite peccare, et sol non occidat super iracundiam vestram. Beatus, qui meminerit; quod ego credo esse in vobis.

For I am confident that you are well trained in the sacred writings, and nothing is hidden from you; but to me this has not been granted. Only, as it is said in these scriptures, “Be angry and do not sin,” and “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Blessed is the one who remembers this; and I believe that it is so with you.

Ps 4:4 (4:5 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · Eph 4:26 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp trusts the Philippians' knowledge of Scripture and reminds them to be angry without sinning and not to let the sun go down on their anger.

  • “These scriptures” here introduces Psalm 4 and Ephesians 4:26 together; this is often discussed as an early case of a letter of Paul being called Scripture.
  • “To me this has not been granted”: either Polycarp does not claim their learning, or he does not claim the right to instruct them; the Latin is unclear.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (capitals lost in the digitization restored): confido / modo / beatus → Confido / Modo / Beatus.

Topics: Scripture and canon, Ethics, Anger and envy

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 12.1 (Lake, LCL 24:298; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/12-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/12-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

12.2Lake, LCL 24:298

Deus autem et pater domini nostri Iesu Christi, et ipse sempiternus pontifex, dei filius Iesus Christus, aedificet vos in fide et veritate et in omni mansuetudine et sine iracundia et in patientia et in longanimitate et tolerantia et castitate; et det vobis sortem et partem inter sanctos suos, et nobis vobiscum, et omnibus qui sunt sub caelo, qui credituri sunt in dominum nostrum et deum Iesum Christum et in ipsius patrem, qui resuscitavit eum a mortuis.

Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and without anger, and in patience and forbearance and endurance and purity; and may he give you a lot and share among his saints, and to us with you, and to all under heaven who will believe in our Lord and God Jesus Christ and in his Father, who raised him from the dead.

Heb 6:20 (allusion, medium confidence) · Col 1:12 (allusion, medium confidence) · Gal 1:1 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp prays that God the Father and Jesus Christ the eternal high priest build the Philippians up and give them a share among the saints.

  • “Our Lord and God Jesus Christ” (dominum nostrum et deum Iesum Christum): the Latin calls Christ “God.”
  • The words “and God” (et deum) are not reflected in the Ante-Nicene Fathers translation (1885), which followed an earlier edition; Lake's text includes them.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): lesus → Iesus; dorninum → dominum; iesu / iesum christum → Iesu / Iesum Christum.

Topics: Christology, Prayer

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 12.2 (Lake, LCL 24:298; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/12-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/12-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

12.3Lake, LCL 24:298

Pro omnibus sanctis orate. Orate etiam pro regibus et potestatibus et principibus, atque pro persequentibus et odientibus vos, et pro inimicis crucis, ut fructus vester manifestus sit in omnibus, ut sitis in illo perfecti.

Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings and authorities and rulers, and for those who persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, so that your fruit may be evident among all, and you may be perfect in him.

1 Tim 2:1–2 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 5:44 (allusion, high confidence) · Luke 6:27 (allusion, medium confidence) · Phil 3:18 (allusion, high confidence) · John 15:16 (echo, medium confidence) · 1 Tim 4:15 (echo, low confidence) · Jas 1:4 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Pray for all believers, for rulers, for persecutors, and for the enemies of the cross.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (capitals lost in the digitization restored): pro / orate → Pro / Orate.

Topics: Prayer, Persecution

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 12.3 (Lake, LCL 24:298; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/12-3).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/12-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).

Chapter 13

13.1Lake, LCL 24:298–300; PG 5:1016a–1016b

Ἐγράψατέ μοι καὶ ὑμεῖς καὶ Ἰγνάτιος, ἵνʼ, ἐάν τις ἀπέρχηται εἰς Συρίαν, καὶ τὰ παρʼ ὑμῶν ἀποκομίσῃ γράμματα· ὅπερ ποιήσω, ἐὰν λάβω καιρὸν εὔθετον, εἴτε ἐγώ, εἴτε ὃν πέμπω πρεσβεύσοντα καὶ περὶ ὑμῶν.

Egrapsate moi kai hymeis kai Ignatios, hinʼ, ean tis aperchētai eis Syrian, kai ta parʼ hymōn apokomisę̄ grammata; hoper poiēsō, ean labō kairon eutheton, eite egō, eite hon pempō presbeusonta kai peri hymōn.

Both you and Ignatius wrote to me that if anyone is going to Syria, he should also take along your letter. I will do this if I find a suitable opportunity, either myself or someone I send as an envoy on your behalf as well.

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp agrees to forward the Philippians' letter to Syria, as they and Ignatius asked.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text): ὄν πέμπω → ὃν πέμπω.

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 13.1 (PG 5:1016a–1016b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/13-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/13-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

13.2Lake, LCL 24:300; PG 5:1016b

τὰς ἐπιστολὰς Ἰγνατίου τὰς πεμφθείσας ἡμῖν ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄλλας, ὅσας εἴχομεν παρʼ ἡμῖν, ἐπέμψαμεν ὑμῖν, καθὼς ἐνετείλασθε· αἵτινες ὑποτεταγμέναι εἰσὶν τῇ ἐπιστολῇ ταύτῃ, ἐξ ὧν μεγάλα ὠφεληθῆναι δυνήσεσθε. περιέχουσι γὰρ πίστιν καὶ ὑπομονὴν καὶ πᾶσαν οἰκοδομὴν τὴν εἰς τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἀνήκουσαν. Et de ipso Ignatio et de his, qui cum eo sunt, quod certius agnoveritis, significate.

tas epistolas Ignatiou tas pemphtheisas hēmin hypʼ autou kai allas, hosas eichomen parʼ hēmin, epempsamen hymin, kathōs eneteilasthe; haitines hypotetagmenai eisin tę̄ epistolę̄ tautę̄, ex hōn megala ōphelēthēnai dynēsesthe. periechousi gar pistin kai hypomonēn kai pasan oikodomēn tēn eis ton kyrion hēmōn anēkousan. Et de ipso Ignatio et de his, qui cum eo sunt, quod certius agnoveritis, significate.

The letters of Ignatius that he sent to us, and the others that we had with us, we have sent to you, as you requested; they are attached to this letter. You will be able to benefit greatly from them, for they contain faith and endurance and all the edification that pertains to our Lord. [Latin only:] And let us know whatever you learn more certainly about Ignatius himself and those who are with him.

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp sends the Philippians a collection of Ignatius's letters and asks for any firm news of Ignatius.

  • The Greek of this chapter survives because Eusebius quotes it (Hist. eccl. 3.36.13–15); it ends at “our Lord.” The last sentence survives only in the Latin version, which the edition prints after the Greek.
  • This is the earliest reference to a collection of Ignatius's letters.
  • “And the others” (καὶ ἄλλας) may mean other letters of Ignatius or other letters in general; the Greek does not say.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (Latin sentence decoded from Greek letters: capitals restored and “l” read as “I”): et de ipso lgnatio → Et de ipso Ignatio.

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 13.2 (PG 5:1016b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/13-2).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/13-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.

Chapter 14

14.1Lake, LCL 24:300

Haec vobis scripsi per Crescentem, quem in praesenti commendavi vobis et nunc commendo. Conversatus est enim nobiscum inculpabiliter; credo quia et vobiscum similiter. Sororem autem eius habebitis commendatam, cum venerit ad vos. Incolumes estote in domino Iesu Christo in gratia cum omnibus vestris. Amen.

I have written these things to you through Crescens, whom I recently commended to you and now commend again. For he has conducted himself blamelessly among us, and I believe he will do the same among you. And you will regard his sister as commended to you when she comes to you. Farewell in the Lord Jesus Christ, in grace, with all who are yours. Amen.

Notes and citation

Summary: Polycarp commends the letter-carrier Crescens and his sister and says farewell.

  • “Recently” (in praesenti): or “in person.”

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR error in the digitized Latin; capitals lost in the digitization restored): hacc → Haec; cornmeudavi → commendavi; nune → nunc; babebitis → habebitis; crescentem / iesu christo → Crescentem / Iesu Christo.

Cite (SBL): Pol. Phil. 14.1 (Lake, LCL 24:300; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/14-1).

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pol-philippians/14-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin version (the Greek of this passage is lost), text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912).