The epistle of polycarp to the philippians youtube. Saint polycarp of smyrna martyred in his 87th year, ca. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians conciliar post. According to eusebius, irenaeus said that polycarp wrote several epistles euseb. Polycarp uses expressions such as as paul teaches to quote several passages which are today found in different books of the new testament and the apocrypha, including romans, 1 and 2 corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, 2 thessalonians, 1 and 2 timothy, 1 peter, and 1 clement. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians, in which he believes one can derive the character of st. Project muse purity and danger in polycarps epistle to. One interesting feature of the letter is that the writer is very conscious of how polycarps death followed the. Polycarp and the presbyters that are with him unto the church of god which sojourneth at philippi. There is also a forceful epistle written by polycarp to the philippians, from which those. But anyway this is a cheap and slim and useful book. So, paul was very important to polycarp, particularly from his writings. Epistle of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians by polycarp. This article seeks to move beyond traditional interpretations of polycarps epistle to the philippians as formulated primarily as a response to the threat of heresy. Mercy to you and peace from god the allpowerful and jesus christ our savior be multiplied. Letter to the philippians work by polycarp britannica. Polycarp, and the elders with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the philippians. A note those who identify marcion as the false teacher against whom polycarp writes in his letter to the philippians continue to face difficult problems.
Polycarp was an old man, at least 86 see part 10, and probably the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of st. It was written during ignatius transport from antioch to. Polycarp epistle to the philippians bible translations. Polycarps letter to the philippians anglican church arnhem and. Polycarps letter to the philippians is no exception. Polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of smyrna and sent an epistle to the philippians c. The letter to the philippians penned by polycarp of smyrna is sometimes dismissed as an example of a prooftexting moralism, indicative of the postapostolic churchs fall from the heights of pauline christianity. Pdf polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians annotated kindle edition by polycarp. Jan 02, 2020 unfortunately, the only extant writing by polycarp is his letter to the philippians, but he is mentioned in other documents including the martyrdom of polycarp and a few papers written by irenaeus. Its always seemed unusual to me that irenaeus, from whom we know the most about this man of god and martyr, wrote such a huge work as against heresies. Polycarp of smyrna, letter to the philippians michael.
In addition, im unclear what manuscript sources were used in the polycarp martyrdom edition. Even polycarps letter to the philippians isnt a standalone document. He died a martyr when he was stabbed after an attempt to burn him at the stake failed. Polycarpdisciple of the apostle john history of the. Polycarps letter to the philippians often simply called to the philippians composed around 110 to 140 ad 1 is described by irenaeus as follows. Polycarp to the philippians early christian writings. We shall not, however, probably be far wrong if we fix it about the middle of the second century. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians annotated. Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. The martyrdom of polycarp letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia from kirsopp lake, the apostolic fathers, vol. Polycarp s faith and teachings, as well as other epistles now lost. Polycarp, in his turn, was known to irenaeus, who later became bishop of lyons in what. Polycarp, and the presbyters338 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. A modern translation of the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, written before a.
Polycarp s letter to the philippians often simply called to the philippians composed around 110 to 140 ad 1 is described by irenaeus as follows. This passage is embodied by eusebius in his ecclesiastical history iv. There appears to be some prefatory narrative parts concerning polycarp breaking his leg which i do not recognise from the howell edition, and i wonder where they came from. Historically, he formed a link between the apostolic and patristic ages. Mercy and peace be multiplied to you from god almighty and from the lord jesus the king, our savior. Epistle of polycarp to the philippians page 1 introductory. Polycarp, therefore, stood solidly in the apostolic tradition of the church, being a faithful deliverer of the teachings he had received. As with my earlier translation of the didache,1 i have consulted existing translations lake, lightfoot, holmes. Polycarps faith and teachings, as well as other epistles. Both irenaeus and tertullian recorded that polycarp was a disciple of the apostle john.
Polycarp, in which he addressed him as bishop of the church of smyrna. But he who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do his will. Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the church of god, the one temporarily residing in philippi. It is clear that to polycarp was written soon before the martyrdom of ignatius, but it is uncertain when precisely this martyrdom occurred. To polycarp is one of seven epistles attributed to ignatius that are generally accepted as authentic. Pray also for kings and powers and princes and for them that persecute and hate you and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest among all men, that ye may be perfect in him. The saint concludes in telling the philippians that he is sending copies of st. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ. Letter from the church of smyrna to the church at philomelion in phrygia from kirsopp lake, the apostolic fathers, vol. He is a very important figure in the early church era, as his letter to the philippians is one of the earliest surviving writings. The writings of early christianity known collectively as the apostolic fathers continue to fascinate me, and the text of polycarps letter to the. Polycarp to the philippians bunkertown church of the brethren. Polycarp and the philippians given the proof text approach of many catholic apologists today, using the writings of the apostolic and church fathers against protestants, only certain fathers are read.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Polycarp is said to have known the apostle john, and to have been instructed by him in the christian faith. Polycarp, and the presbyters2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Polycarp, in his turn, was known to irenaeus, who later became bishop of lyons in. Polycarp is recognized as a saint in both the roman catholic and eastern orthodox churches. Polycarp tells us that faith is the mother of us all, with hope following in her train, and love of god and christ and our neighbor leading the way. It is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times see unity, in the first half of the second century.
Polycarp to the philippians the authenticity of the following epistle can on no fair grounds be questioned. Jan 09, 2020 he is familiar of pauls epistles to the philippians and asks the philippians for letters and such if they have them. Now polycarp himself never met paul, but he knew pauls writings, quoted them often, and later himself wrote a letter to the church at philippi, as paul himself had written the book of philippians in our new testament. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians epistle of polycarp to the philippians page 2 polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Polycarp was a noted and respected bishop of smyrna, one of only two churches not admonished by jesus in the seven letters found in revelation 2 and 3. Among these is the fact that polycarp does not bother to name his enemy, and we still do not have the necessary irrefutable evidence to do it for him. Polycarp was a respected bishop of smyrna who knew the apostle. Jun 27, 2011 polycarp is said to have known the apostle john, and to have been instructed by him in the christian faith. Polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. Polycarps introduction to the epistle to the philippians. Epistle of polycarp to the philippians page 1 introductory note. Youre the firstborn of satan irenaeus, against heresies iii.
Near the conclusion of his letter to the philippians 11. By his major writing, the letter to the philippians, and by. Let a mans mind be wholly bent on these, and he has fulfilled all the demands of holiness. Polycarpus smyrnaeus epistula ad philippenses the epistle of. Irenaeus makes it clear that both polycarp and john were quite short with heretics. Polycarpdisciple of the apostle john history of the early. T he epistle of polycarp to the philippians1 polycarp, and the presbyters2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Quoting this, polycarp adds, whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross is of the devil. He is familiar of pauls epistles to the philippians and asks the philippians for letters and such if they have them. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the. Polycarps epistle to the philippians contains a lot of information about what he believed and taught note. Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians bible study tools. Clement, ignatius, and polycarp church of jesus christ. Jan 05, 2010 text of polycarp s letter to the philippians is no exception. It is abundantly established by external testimony, and is also supported by the internal evidence. Epistle of polycarp to the philippians reflections on. There is also a forceful epistle written by polycarp to the philippians, from which those who wish to do so, and are anxious about their salvation, can learn the character of his faith, and the.
It argues the letter was written to address the social chaos which resulted from the avarice of the presbyter valens 11. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting. Polycarps faith and teachings, as well as other epistles now lost. There was also a letter written about his martyrdom by the smyrnaeans which gives some insight. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our saviour, be multiplied. Read on its own terms, this complex exhortatory letter reveals a vigorous, pastorally sensitive effort to integrate both behavioural and theological aspects of righteousness. Polycarps epistle to the philippians, in which he believes one can derive the character of st. Yet polycarps position in leading the fight against apostasy is highly ambiguous. Pdf purity and danger in polycarps epistle to the philippians. In 5th century, this collection was enlarged by spurious letters. Read on its own terms, this complex exhortatory letter reveals a vigorous, pastorally sensitive effort to integrate both. Unfortunately, the only extant writing by polycarp is his letter to the philippians, but he is mentioned in other documents including the martyrdom of polycarp and a few papers written by irenaeus.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. To the philippians chapter 1 originally chapter 14 polykarpos and the elders together with him to the assembly of god, to the assembly sojourning at philippoi. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. Polycarp truly lived according to the following words from his only extant work, his epistle to the philippians. Justin the martyr is useful in proving the eucharist. I have read where it is said that possibly polycarp was getting the elements of what we know as the new testament in order. This letter is steeped in the language of the new testament, and many phrases echo the words of the new testament text. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, greek, latin. Purity and danger in polycarps epistle to the philippians. There is extant an epistle of polycarp written to the philippians, most satisfactory, from which those that have a mind to do so may learn the character of his faith, etc. Saint polycarp, bishop of smyrna and holy martyr, to the philippians. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the epistle of polycarp to the philippians annotated. A verse by verse examination of the apostle pauls epistle of joy to the beloved philippian church. Harrison proposed the thesis that this was not a single epistle, but rather two that had been joined together.
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