# To the Philippians 11.1

- Author: [Polycarp of Smyrna](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/polycarp-of-smyrna/)
- Work: [To the Philippians](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/) (*Epistula ad Philippenses*)
- Date: ca. 110–135 (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:296; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 282–301 (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)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/1/

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

## Latin text

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.

## English translation (Claude)

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.

## Translation notes

- “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.

## Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 11.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/1/).