After the ApostlesOpening #
Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the Church of God sojourning at Philippi: Mercy to you, and peace from God Almighty, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, be multiplied.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
From Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the church of God living as visitors in Philippi. May mercy and peace from Almighty God and from Jesus Christ our Saviour be yours in full measure.
Chapter I.-Praise of the Philippians. #
I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days long gone by, endureth even until now, and bringeth forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] "whom God raised from the dead, having loosed the bands of the grave." "In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; " into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that "by grace ye are saved, not of works," but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
I was very glad for you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because you have followed the pattern of true love, and have welcomed, as was right, those who were bound in chains. Those chains are the fitting ornaments of God's holy people, and the crowns of those truly chosen by God and our Lord. I was glad too that the strong root of your faith, which people spoke of long ago, still stands and still bears fruit for our Lord Jesus Christ. He suffered even to death for our sins, but "God raised him from the dead, having freed him from the grip of the grave." "You have not seen him, yet you believe in him, and believing, you rejoice with a joy beyond words and full of glory." Many long to enter into that joy, knowing that "you are saved by grace, not by works," but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.
Chapter II.-An Exhortation to Virtue. #
"Wherefore, girding up your loins," "serve the Lord in fear" and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and "believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory," and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing," or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: "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; and once more, "Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God."
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
So "get ready for action" and "serve the Lord with reverence" and truth. Leave behind the empty talk and the mistakes of the crowd, and believe in the one who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, gave him glory, and set him at God's right hand. Everything in heaven and on earth is under him, every spirit serves him, and he is coming as judge of the living and the dead. God will hold to account those who do not believe in him. But the one who raised him from the dead will raise us too, if we do his will, live by his commands, and love what he loved. That means keeping ourselves from all wrongdoing, greed, love of money, slander and false testimony. It means "not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult," nor blow for blow or curse for curse, but remembering what the Lord taught: "Do not judge, so that you are not judged. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Show mercy, so that you receive mercy. The measure you use will be used on you." And again: "Blessed are the poor, and those persecuted for doing right, for the kingdom of God is theirs."
Chapter III.-Expressions or Personal Unworthiness. #
These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not because I take anything upon myself, but because ye have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and stedfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, "is the mother of us all." For if any one be inwardly possessed of these graces, he hath fulfilled the command of righteousness, since he that hath love is far from all sin.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
Friends, I am writing to you about right living, not because I take any authority on myself, but because you asked me to. Neither I nor anyone like me could match the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul. When he was among you, he taught the word of truth accurately and firmly to the people who were alive then. When he was away, he wrote you a letter. If you study it carefully, you will find it can build you up in the faith you have been given. That faith, followed by hope and led by love for God, for Christ and for our neighbour, "is the mother of us all." Anyone who has these qualities within them has fulfilled the command to live rightly, because a person who has love is far from all sin.
Chapter IV.-Various Exhortations. #
"But the love of money is the root of all evils." Knowing, therefore, that "as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out," let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness; and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord. Next, [teach] your wives [to walk] in the faith given to them, and in love and purity tenderly loving their own husbands in all truth, and loving all [others] equally in all chastity; and to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God. Teach the widows to be discreet as respects the faith of the Lord, praying continually for all, being far from all slandering, evil-speaking, false-witnessing, love of money, and every kind of evil; knowing that they are the altar of God, that He clearly perceives all things, and that nothing is hid from Him, neither reasonings, nor reflections, nor any one of the secret things of the heart.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
"But the love of money is the root of all evils." We know that "we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out." So let us put on the armour of righteousness, and first teach ourselves to live by the Lord's commands. Then teach your wives to live in the faith they have been given, in love and purity, loving their own husbands faithfully and loving everyone else equally and with purity, and to bring up their children in the knowledge and fear of God. Teach the widows to be sensible about the Lord's faith and to pray constantly for everyone. They should stay far from slander, gossip, false testimony, love of money and every kind of evil. Remember that they are God's altar, that he sees everything clearly, and that nothing is hidden from him: no thought, no reasoning, none of the secrets of the heart.
Chapter V.-The Duties of Deacons, Youths, and Virgins. #
Knowing, then, that "God is not mocked," we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In like manner should the deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ, and not of men. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued, or lovers of money, but temperate in all things, compassionate, industrious, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who was the servant of all. If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, "we shall also reign together with Him," provided only we believe. In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since "every lust warreth against the spirit; " and "neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God," nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
We know that "God is not mocked," so we should live in a way that is worthy of his command and his glory. In the same way, deacons must be blameless before God's righteousness, as servants of God and Christ, not of people. They must not be slanderers or double-talkers or lovers of money, but self-controlled in everything, compassionate and hard-working, living by the truth of the Lord, who made himself the servant of all. If we please him in this present world, we will receive the world to come, as he promised: that he will raise us from the dead, and that if we live in a way worthy of him, "we will also reign with him," provided we believe. In the same way, young men must be blameless in everything, taking special care to stay pure and holding themselves back from every kind of evil, as with a bridle. It is good for them to be cut off from the desires of the world, because "every desire wages war against the spirit," and "the sexually immoral, the effeminate and those who abuse themselves with men will not inherit the kingdom of God," nor will those who do other shameful things. So we must stay away from all these things and be subject to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ. The young women too must live with a blameless and pure conscience.
Chapter VI.-The Duties of Presbyters and Others. #
And let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always "providing for that which is becoming in the sight of God and man; " abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unjust judgment; keeping far off from all covetousness, not quickly crediting [an evil report] against any one, not severe in judgment, as knowing that we are all under a debt of sin. If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and "we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself." Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]. Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offence, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
The presbyters, for their part, must be compassionate and merciful to everyone. They should bring back those who stray, visit all the sick, and not neglect the widow, the orphan or the poor, but always "care about what is honourable in the eyes of God and people." They must avoid anger, favouritism and unfair judgment, keep far from greed, not be quick to believe a bad report about anyone, and not be harsh in judging, knowing that we all owe a debt of sin. If we ask the Lord to forgive us, we must forgive too, because we stand before the eyes of our Lord and God, and "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and each of us must give an account of ourselves." So let us serve him with reverence and fear, as he himself commanded, and as the apostles who preached the gospel to us and the prophets who announced the Lord's coming beforehand taught us. Let us be eager for what is good, keeping away from things that cause people to stumble, from false believers, and from those who bear the Lord's name hypocritically and lead foolish people astray.
Chapter VII.-Avoid the Docetae, and Persevere in Fasting and Prayer. #
"For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist; " and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from the beginning; "watching unto prayer," and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God "not to lead us into temptation ," as the Lord has said: "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
"Anyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an antichrist." Anyone who does not confess the testimony of the cross belongs to the devil. And anyone who twists the Lord's sayings to suit his own desires, and says there is no resurrection or judgment, is the firstborn of Satan. So let us turn away from the emptiness of the many and their false teachings, and return to the word handed down to us from the beginning. Let us "stay alert in prayer," keep on with fasting, and ask the all-seeing God in our prayers "not to lead us into temptation," as the Lord said: "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Chapter VIII.-Persevere in Hope and Patience. #
Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, "who bore our sins in His own body on the tree," "who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth," but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him. Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer for His name's sake, let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
So let us hold on without wavering to our hope and to the pledge of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, "who bore our sins in his own body on the tree," "who committed no sin, and in whose mouth no deceit was found," but who endured everything for us so that we might live in him. Let us imitate his patience, and if we suffer for his name, let us give him glory. He set this example for us in himself, and this is what we have come to believe.
Chapter IX.-Patience Inculcated. #
I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
I urge all of you, then, to obey the word of righteousness and to show every kind of patience, as you have seen it set before your eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius, Zosimus and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself and the other apostles. Be sure that none of these people ran in vain. They ran in faith and righteousness, and they are now in the place that is rightly theirs, with the Lord, with whom they also suffered. They did not love this present world, but the one who died for us and was raised again by God for our sake.
Chapter X.-Exhortation to the Practice of Virtue. #
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 of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because "alms delivers from death." Be all of you subject one to another having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles," that ye may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
So stand firm in these things and follow the Lord's example. Be steady and unshakable in the faith, love the community of believers, and stay close to one another, joined together in truth. Show the Lord's gentleness in the way you treat each other, and look down on no one. When you can do good, do not put it off, because "giving to the poor rescues from death." Be subject to one another, and keep your conduct blameless among the nations, so that you earn praise for your good works and the Lord's name is not insulted because of you. Woe to anyone through whom the Lord's name is insulted! Teach everyone to live soberly, and show it in your own conduct.
Chapter XI.-Expression of Grief on Account of Valens. #
I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and truthful. "Abstain from every form of evil." For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? "Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world? " as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known Him. I am deeply grieved, therefore, brethren, for him (Valens) and his wife; to whom may the Lord grant true repentance! And be ye then moderate in regard to this matter, and "do not count such as enemies," but call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
I am deeply grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he understands so little of the position he was given. So I urge you to keep away from greed, and to be pure and truthful. "Stay away from every kind of evil." If someone cannot control himself in these matters, how can he tell others to? If a person does not keep himself from greed, he will be tainted by idolatry and judged as one of the pagans. But who among us does not know the Lord's judgment? "Do we not know that God's people will judge the world?" as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of anything like this among you, among whom the blessed Paul worked, and who are praised at the beginning of his letter. He boasts about you in all those churches, which were the only ones who knew the Lord at that time; we in Smyrna had not yet known him. So I am deeply grieved, brothers, for Valens and his wife. May the Lord grant them true repentance. And you, be moderate about this, and "do not treat such people as enemies," but call them back as members who are suffering and have wandered, so that you may save your whole body. By doing this you build yourselves up.
Chapter XII.-Exhortation to Various Graces. #
For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted. It is declared then in these Scriptures, "Be ye angry, and sin not," and, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Happy is he who remembers this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who "raised Him from the dead. Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
I am confident that you know the Holy Scriptures well and that nothing in them is hidden from you, though I have not yet been given that privilege. It says in these Scriptures, "Be angry, but do not sin," and "Do not let the sun go down on your anger." Happy is the person who remembers this, and I believe that you do. May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ himself, the Son of God and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all gentleness, patience, endurance, forbearance and purity. May he give you a share among his holy people, and us with you, and everyone under heaven who will believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and in his Father, who "raised him from the dead." Pray for all God's holy people. Pray also for kings, rulers and princes, and for those who persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, so that your good fruit may be plain to everyone and you may be complete in him.
Chapter XIII.-Concerning the Transmission of Epistles. #
Both you and Ignatius wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were with him, have the goodness to make known to us.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
You and Ignatius both wrote to me asking that if anyone goes from here to Syria, they should carry your letter with them. I will see to this when I have a suitable opportunity, either myself or through someone I send, so that your wish is fulfilled. As you requested, we are sending you the letters of Ignatius that he wrote to us, and the others we have with us. They are attached to this letter. You will gain a great deal from them, because they deal with faith, patience and everything that builds us up in our Lord. Please let us know anything more certain you may have learned about Ignatius himself and those who were with him.
Chapter XIV.-Conclusion. #
These things I have written to you by Crescens, whom up to the present time I have recommended unto you, and do now recommend. For he has acted blamelessly among us, and I believe also among you. Moreover, ye will hold his sister in esteem when she comes to you. Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Modern English · AI rendering, not a translation
I am sending these things to you by Crescens, whom I have recommended to you up to now and recommend again. He has behaved blamelessly among us, and I believe he will among you as well. Please also show respect to his sister when she comes to you. Stay safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all. Amen.