# To the Philippians 12.1

- 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 24:298; 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/12/1/

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.

## Latin text

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.

## English translation (Claude)

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.

## Scripture references

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

## Translation notes

- “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.

## Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 12.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/12/1/).