Epistle to Polycarp (Short Version)

HAVING OBTAINED CLEAR PROOF THAT YOUR MIND IS FIXED IN GOD AS ON AN UNMOVABLE ROCK: I loudly glorify His name that I have been considered worthy to behold your blameless face, which may I always enjoy in God! I ask you, by the grace with which you are clothed, to push forward in your journey and to encourage all that they may be saved. Maintain your position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, for there is nothing better. Bear with all, just as the Lord does with you. Support everyone in love, as you already do. Devote yourself to unceasing prayer. Request additional understanding to what you already have. Be watchful, possessing a vigilant spirit. Speak to each person individually, as God enables you. Bear the weaknesses of all, being like a perfect athlete in the Christian life: where the labor is great, the gain is all the more.

IF YOU LOVE THE GOOD DISCIPLES: no thanks are due to you for that; instead, try to gently win over the more difficult ones. Not every kind of wound can be healed with the same remedy. Calm violent attacks [of disease] with gentle treatments. In all things, be "wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove." You are made of both flesh and spirit for this reason, so that you can deal gently with the visible evils before you. As for those that are unseen, pray that God reveals them to you, so you lack nothing and abound in every gift. The times need you as pilots need the winds, and as someone caught in a storm seeks the harbor, so that both you and those under your care may reach God. Be diligent as an athlete of God: the prize before you is immortality and eternal life, which you are also convinced of. In all things, my soul is with yours, along with my bonds, which you have loved.

DO NOT LET THOSE WHO SEEM WORTHY OF CREDIT BUT TEACH STRANGE DOCTRINES FILL YOU WITH APPREHENSION: Stand firm, like an anvil being beaten. It is the role of a noble athlete to be wounded and yet to conquer. Especially, we ought to bear everything for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us. Always strive to become more zealous than you are. Carefully consider the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet became visible for our sakes; intangible and incapable of suffering, yet became capable of suffering for us; and who in every way suffered for our sakes.

LET WIDOWS NOT BE NEGLECTED: Be, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without your consent; neither do anything without the approval of God, which indeed you do not, as you are steadfast. Let your gatherings be frequent: seek after everyone by name. Do not despise either male or female slaves, but neither let them be puffed up with conceit. Instead, let them submit themselves more, for the glory of God, so that they may receive a better freedom from God. Let them not long to be set free from slavery at the public expense, so they are not found to be slaves to their own desires.

Avoid evil arts; but discuss them even more in public. Speak to my sisters, that they love the Lord and be content with their husbands both physically and spiritually. Similarly, urge my brothers, in the name of Jesus Christ, to love their wives, just as the Lord loves the Church. If anyone can remain pure, to honor Him who is Lord of the flesh, let them do so without boasting. If they begin to boast, they are undone; and if they consider themselves greater than the bishop, they are ruined. However, it is fitting for both men and women who marry to form their union with the bishop's approval, so that their marriage may be according to God and not after their own desires. Let everything be done to honor God.

GIVE ATTENTION TO THE BISHOP: so that God may also give attention to you. My soul is for those who are submissive to the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons, and may my portion be with them in God! Work together; strive together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awaken together, as the stewards, associates, and servants of God. Please Him under whom you fight, and from whom you receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism endure as your armor; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete armor. Let your works be the duties assigned to you, so that you may receive a worthy reward. Be patient with one another, in meekness, as God is towards you. May I have joy in you forever!

SEEING THAT THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH: Syria, is at peace, as I have been informed, thanks to your prayers, I am encouraged and at ease in God. If through suffering I may reach God, then through your prayers I may be found a true disciple of Christ. It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to gather a very solemn council and choose someone you truly love and know to be active, to become God's messenger; and to give him the honor of going to Syria to glorify your constant love to the praise of Christ. A Christian does not have control over themselves but must always be ready to serve God. This work is both God’s and yours once you complete it for His glory. For I trust that, through grace, you are prepared for every good work related to God. Knowing your energetic love of the truth, I have urged you through this brief letter.

SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO WRITE TO ALL THE CHURCHES: because I must quickly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will [of the emperor] requires, I ask that you, being familiar with the purpose of God, will write to the nearby Churches so that they may also act in the same way. Those who are able can send messengers, and others can send letters through the people you send, so you may be honored by a work that will be remembered forever, as you are indeed worthy of such. I greet all by name, especially the wife of Epitropus, with all her household and children. I greet Attalus, my beloved. I greet the one who will be deemed worthy to go from you into Syria. Grace shall be with him forever, and with Polycarp who sends him. I pray for your happiness forever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom you continue in unity and under the protection of God. I greet Alce, my dearly beloved. Farewell in the Lord.