THE EPISTLE OF  IGNATIUS TO POLYCARP

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, Bishop of the Church 
of the Smyrnæans, or rather, who has, as his own bishop, God the Father, 
and the Lord Jesus Christ:[wishes] abundance of happiness.

CHAP. I.-- COMMENDATION AND EXHORTATION.  

    HAVING obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an 
immoveable rock, I loudly glorify[His name] that I have been thought 
worthy[to behold] thy blameless face,(1) which may I ever enjoy in God! I 
entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward in 
thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy position 
with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve 
unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord does 
with thee. Support(2) all in love, as also thou doest. Give thyself to 
prayer without ceasing.(3) Implore additional understanding to what thou 
already hast. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every 
man separately, as God enables thee.(4) Bear the infirmities of all, as 
being a perfect athlete[in the Christian life]: where the labour is great, 
the gain is all the more. 

CHAP.II.--EXHORTATIONS.  

    If thou lovest the good disciples, no thanks are due to thee on that 
account; but rather seek by meekness to subdue the more troublesome. Every 
kind of wound is not healed with the same plaster. Mitigate violent 
attacks[of disease] by gentle applications.(1) Be in all things "wise as a 
serpent, and harmless as a dove."(2) For this purpose thou art composed of 
both flesh and spirit, that thou mayest deal tenderly(3) with those[evils] 
that present themselves visibly before thee. And as respects those that are 
not seen,(4) pray that[God] would reveal them unto thee, in order that thou 
mayest be wanting in nothing, but mayest abound in every gift. The times 
call for thee, as pilots do for the winds, and as on  tossed with tempest 
seeks for the haven, so that both thou[and those under thy care] may attain 
to God. Be sober as an athlete of God: the prize set before thee is 
immortality and eternal life, of which thou art also persuaded. In all 
things may my soul be for thing,(5) and my bonds also, which thou hast 
loved. 

CHAP. III.--EXHORTATIONS.      

    Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange 
doctrines,(6) fill thee with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil 
which is beaten. It is the part of a noble(7) athlete to be wounded, and 
yet to conquer. And especially, we ought to bear all things for the sake of 
God, that He also may bear with us. Be ever becoming more zealous than what 
thou art. Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, 
eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes; impalpable and 
impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind 
of way suffered for our sakes.  

CHAP. IV.--EXHORTATIONS.  

    Let not widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector s 
and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou 
anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou dost not, inasmuch 
as thou art stedfast. Let your assembling together be of of frequent(9) 
occurrence: seek after all by name.(10) Do not despise either male or 
female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather 
let them submit themselves(11) the more, for the glory of God, that they my 
obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from 
slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own 
desires.  

CHAP. V.--THE DUTIES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES.

    Flee evil arts; but all the more discourse in public regarding them.(2) 
Speak to my sisters, that they love the Lord, and be satisfied with their 
husbands both in the flesh and spirit. In like manner also, exhort my 
brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as 
the Lord the Church.(3) If any one can continue in a state of purity,(4) to 
the honour of Him who is Lord of the flesh,(5) let him so remain without 
boasting. If he begins to boast, he is undone; and if he reckon himself 
greater than the bishop, he is ruined. But it becomes both men and women 
who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their 
marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. Let all 
things be done to the honour of God.(7)  

CHAP. VI.--THE DUTIES OF THE CHRISTIAN FLOCK.  

    Give ye heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul 
be for theirs(9) that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and 
to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labour 
together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer 
together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and 
associates,(10) and servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and 
from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let 
your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as 
your spear; your patience as a complete panoply. Let your works be the 
charge(12) assigned to you, that ye may receive a worthy recompense. Be 
long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, as God is towards 
you.May I have joy of you for ever!(13)  

CHAP. VII.--REQUEST THAT POLYCARP WOULD SEND A MESSENGER TO ANTIOCH.  

    Seeing that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has 
informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encouraged, 
resting without anxiety in God,(1) if indeed by means of suffering I may 
attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple[of 
Christ].(2) It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a 
very solemn(3) council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to 
be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God;(4) and to 
bestow on him this honour that he may go into Syria, and glorify your ever 
active love to the praise of Christ. A Christian has not power over 
himself, but must always be ready for s the service of God. Now, this work 
is both God's and yours, when ye shall have completed it to His glory.(6) 
For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work 
pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I 
have exhorted you by this brief Epistle.  

CHAP. VIII.--LET OTHER CHURCHES ALSO SEND TO ANTIOCH.  

    Inasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because 
I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will(7)[of the emperor] 
enjoins,[I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose(8) of God, 
wilt write to the adjacent Churches, that they also may act in like manner, 
such as are able to do so sending messengers,(9) and the others 
transmitting letters through those persons who are sent by thee, that 
thou(10) mayest be glorified by a work(11) which shall be remembered for 
ever, as indeed thou art worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in 
particutar the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute 
Attalus, my beloved. I salute him who shall be deemed worthy to go[from 
you] into Syria. Grace shall be with him for ever, and with Polycarp that 
sends him. I pray for your happiness for ever in our God, Jesus Christ, by 
whom continue ye in the unity and under the protection of God,(12) I salute 
Alce, my dearly beloved.(13) Fare ye well in the Lord.