# To the Philippians

- Author: [Polycarp of Smyrna](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/polycarp-of-smyrna/)
- Latin title: *Epistula ad Philippenses*
- Date: ca. 110–135 (disputed)
- Source: 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, from the original text; each passage below gives the model and date
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/
- Passages: 38

## To the Philippians, inscription

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/0/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:282
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Jude 1:2: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 0 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/0/).

## To the Philippians 1.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:282
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

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;

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/1/1/).

## To the Philippians 1.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:282
- Also in: PG 5:1005c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Acts 2:24: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 1.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:282–284
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 1 Pet 1:8: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 1:12: allusion, medium confidence
- Eph 2:8–9: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/1/3/).

## To the Philippians 2.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:284
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

“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.

### Scripture references

- 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

### Translation notes

- “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).

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/2/1/).

## To the Philippians 2.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:284
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

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,

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 4:14: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Pet 3:9: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/2/2/).

## To the Philippians 2.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:284–286
- Also in: PG 5:1008a–1008b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- 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

### Extrabiblical texts

- 1 Clem. 13.2 (1 Clement): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 3.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:286
- Also in: PG 5:1008b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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

### English translation (Claude)

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

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 3.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:286
- Also in: PG 5:1008b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

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,

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 3.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:286
- Also in: PG 5:1008b–1008c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

“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.

### Scripture references

- Gal 4:26: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 13:8–10: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.”

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 4.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/4/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:286
- Also in: PG 5:1008c–1008d (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

“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;

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 6:10: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Tim 6:7: quotation, high confidence
- 2 Cor 6:7: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 4.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/4/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:286–288
- Also in: PG 5:1008d–1009a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

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;

### Scripture references

- Titus 2:4–5: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 4.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/4/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:288
- Also in: PG 5:1009a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

[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.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 5:5: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 14:25: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 5.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/5/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:288
- Also in: PG 5:1009a–1009b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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

### English translation (Claude)

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

### Scripture references

- Gal 6:7: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 5.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/5/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:288
- Also in: PG 5:1009b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 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

### Translation notes

- “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.”

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 5.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/5/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:288–290
- Also in: PG 5:1009b–1009c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

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

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 6.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/6/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:290
- Also in: PG 5:1009c–1012a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 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

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 6.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/6/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:290
- Also in: PG 5:1012a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- 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

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 6.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/6/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:290–292
- Also in: PG 5:1012a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/7/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:292
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 1 John 4:2–3: quotation, high confidence
- 2 John 1:7: allusion, high confidence
- 1 John 3:8: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “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).

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 7.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/7/1/).

## To the Philippians 7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/7/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:292
- Also in: PG 5:1012b–1012c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- 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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 8.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/8/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:292
- Also in: PG 5:1012c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 1:1: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Pet 2:24: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 2:22: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 8.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/8/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:292–294
- Also in: PG 5:1012c (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 1 Pet 2:21: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Pet 4:16: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 9.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/9/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:294
- Also in: PG 5:1013a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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·

### English translation (Claude)

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;

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 9.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/9/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:294
- Also in: PG 5:1013a (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Phil 2:16: quotation, high confidence
- 2 Tim 4:10: allusion, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 1 Clem. 5.4 (1 Clement): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 10.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:294
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 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

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 10.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/1/).

## To the Philippians 10.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:294–296
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 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

### Extrabiblical texts

- Tob 4:10 (Tobit): quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.”

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 10.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/2/).

## To the Philippians 10.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:296
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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

### English translation (Claude)

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

### Scripture references

- Isa 52:5: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 10.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/3/).

## To the Philippians 11.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:296
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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/).

## To the Philippians 11.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:296
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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?

### Scripture references

- 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

### Translation notes

- 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).

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 11.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/2/).

## To the Philippians 11.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:296
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Phil 1:3–5: allusion, low confidence
- 2 Thess 1:4: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 11.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/3/).

## To the Philippians 11.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:296–298
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

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

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 11.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/11/4/).

## To the Philippians 12.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/12/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:298
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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/).

## To the Philippians 12.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/12/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:298
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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.

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Heb 6:20: allusion, medium confidence
- Col 1:12: allusion, medium confidence
- Gal 1:1: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 12.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/12/2/).

## To the Philippians 12.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/12/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:298
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 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

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 12.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/12/3/).

## To the Philippians 13.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/13/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:298–300
- Also in: PG 5:1016a–1016b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 13.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/13/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:300
- Also in: PG 5:1016b (found by text match)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

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

## To the Philippians 14.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/14/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:300
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

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

### Latin text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

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

### Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 14.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/14/1/).