Polycarp to the Philippians

Polycarp to the Philippians

Christian and other historians recognize the early Christian leader Polycarp a disciple of John, the apostle. He lived AD 69 to AD 155,[i] and was the bishop of the church of Smyrna (cf. Revelation 2:8-11). He died as a martyr. When charged to deny Christ, he replied, “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”

Polycarp wrote a letter to the Philippians, which date of writing is estimated to have occurred in the range AD 110-140. The letter has a number of interesting features.

Polycarp wrote at the invitation of the Philippians.

• 3:1 “These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not at my own instance, but because you first invited me.”

Polycarp defers to the accuracy and authority of Paul.

• 3:2 “For neither am I, nor is any other like me, able to follow the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who when he was among you in the presence of the men of that time taught accurately and stedfastly the word of truth…”

Polycarp recognized the power of Paul’s letters to build a church up in the holy faith.

• 3:2 “…also when he was absent wrote letters to you, from the study of which you will be able to build yourselves up into the faith given you…”

Polycarp alludes to and/or quotes apostolic writings. (a few examples from the translation by Kirsopp Lake)

• 1:3 “by grace ye are saved, not by works” Ephesians 2:8.
• 2:3 “Judge not that ye be not judged, forgive and it shall be forgiven unto you, be merciful that ye may obtain mercy, with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:36-38.
• 2:3 “Blessed are the poor, and they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” Matthew 5:3, 10.
• 3:3 “which is the mother of us all” Galatians 4:26.
• 4:1 “we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it” 1 Timothy 6:7.
• 5:1 “God is not mocked” Galatians 6:7.
• 5:2 “we shall also reign with him” 2 Timothy 2:12.
• 5:3 “every lust warreth against the Spirit, and neither fornicators nor the effeminate nor sodomites shall inherit the Kingdom of God” Galatians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
• 6:1 “ever providing for that which is good before God and man” 2 Corinthians 8:21.
• 7:1 “For everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an anti-Christ” 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7.
• 7:2 “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41.
• 8:1 “who bare our sins in his own body on the tree” 1 Peter 2:24.
• 9:2 “love this present world” 2 Timothy 4:10.
• 10:2 “having your conversation blameless among the Gentiles” 1 Peter 2:12.
• 11:2 “not know that the saints shall judge the world” 1 Corinthians 6:2.
• 12:1 “Be ye angry and sin not,” and “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath” Ephesians 4:26

In these quotes, Polycarp shows himself familiar with the Gospels, as well as the letters of Paul, Peter, and John. In chapter 12 he refers to “the Scriptures” as a recognizable body of truth in which they would be well-versed (which includes Paul, which he quotes as Scripture).

The letter of Polycarp is not equal to the Scriptures, and his writing makes that clear. It is nevertheless worthwhile as a testimony to his beliefs, and to readings already recognized as Scripture during his lifetime.

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[i] The exactness of the dating for his birth and death may be disputed.