Polycarp, therefore, stood solidly in the apostolic tradition of the church, being a faithful deliverer of the teachings he had received. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians greeting polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. This is confirmed by irenaeus 140 to 202 ad who was a pupil of polycarp of smyrna who himself had known john. Martyrdom of polycarp is a manuscript written in the form of a letter that relates the religious martyrdom of polycarp, bishop of smyrna the site of the modern city of izmir, turkey and disciple of john the apostle in the 2nd century ad.
He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a preeminent martyr, whose death all desire to imitate, being altogether consistent with the gospel of. This commentary on polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes. He loved and served his lord for over eighty years. Polycarp is regarded as a saint and church father in the eastern orthodox, oriental orthodox, roman catholic, anglican, and lutheran churches. Its primarily about ignatius, but it also has a significant amount of material on polycarp, since. It was as bishop of smyrna that polycarp received a letter from st. He described himself once as having been a servant of christ for eighty and six years martyrdom of polycarp ix, 3. The development of the canon of the new testament polycarp. Philippi was named after philip ii of macedon, who was the father of alexander the great. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our saviour, be multiplied. Howell is a seasoned scholar of ancient greek whose translations of ignatius and polycarp are accurate, vivid, and illuminating. It was sent to the christian church in philomelium, asia minor, from the church in smyrna modern izmir, tur. Ignatius of antioch to the smyrnaeans but if the lords passion was only in appearance, then am i also only in appearance. According to irenaeus, polycarp was instructed by the apostles, and was brought into contact with many who had seen christ.
A letter sent by the church at smyrna to the church at philomelium recounting the martyrdom of polycarp, bishop of smyrna for over fifty years until his death. Martyrdom of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible. Unknown polycarps letter to the philippians often simply called to the philippians composed around 110 to 140 ad 1 is described by irenaeus as follows. The account is in the form of a letter from eyewitnesses to other churches in the area. This book is polycarp s letter to the philippians and then a letter from smyrna christians writing in detail about polycarp s martyrdom.
Several ancient sources document the contributions of polycarp to christianity, including his letters written to the. Polycarp would have read extract from the epistle of st. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. It is true that we do not have many early official lists of the authorized or canonical books. 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 preaching of the truth. The martyrdom of polycarp was, says the book of christian martyrs, caused by.
The preliminary material investigates polycarpian traditions. It is the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the new testament. Settlers from the nearby island of thasos seized the area. Books by polycarp author of the epistle of polycarp to. Sep 01, 2015 for each of polycarps writings, hartog provides substantial introductions, greek text with english translation, and commentary. Bartholomew matthias cerinthus basilides mani hebrews laodiceans nag hammadi library v t e.
Polycarp has 40 books on goodreads with 3196 ratings. Irenaeus met polycarp as a child and both irenaeus and eusebius assert that he had known the apostle john. Several ancient sources document the contributions of polycarp to christianity, including his letters written to the church at philippi, in which he encourages. His words are, 86 years i have served him, and he never did me any injury martyrdom of polycarp 9. Saint polycarp, bishop of smyrna and holy martyr c. When you read it, youll recognize many verses from the bible as they are quoted by polycarp in his epistle. Epistle of polycarp to the philippians bible support. It is a commentary on the scriptures combined with oral tradition. After a lifetime of exemplary ministry, polycarp was martyred at the age of eightysix. Philippi was in an area of greek or thracian control until gold was discovered at a nearby mountain. 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. Polycarps faith and teachings, as well as other epistles now lost.
Among the writings preserved for our times are the letter to the philippians by polycarp himself and the martyrdom of polycarp written by those who witnessed his death at the stake. He became a christian while very young, and was a disciple of st. Grant, the apostolic fathers, a new translation and commentary. Ad 69 155 was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. Polycarps was among the first recorded christian martyrdoms. This large hardback book for children, from the pen of sinclair ferguson, is beautifully illustrated by alison brown. He welcomed ignatius and encouraged him when he was a temporary visitor in smyrna as a prisoner being escorted to rome. As a witness, he led a life of heartfelt purity ending his earthly sojourn as a faithful martyr to his.
John the apostle and evangelist, his ministry in ephesus, love, and passion for the truth and for souls. Cited by irenaeus, polycarp, eusebius, clement, cerenthius, and jerome. Martyrdom of polycarp encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. There is some question whether polycarp was 86 years old when he was martyred or whether hed been a christian 86 years. Irenaeus was his disciple, and tells us that polycarp was instructed by the apostles, and was brought into contact with many who had seen christ adv. Polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of. On page 52 there is a chapter on the martyrdom of polycarp, pastor of the church of smyrna.
His commentary in the accompanying notes on each document draws out the connections between ignatius, polycarp, and the new testament. It is recorded by irenaeus, who heard him speak in his youth, and by tertullian, that he had been a disciple of john the apostle. And from the beginning to the end his faith lasted. Polycarp, the bishop of the church in smyrna, a city in asia minor modern izmir in turkey devoted to roman worship. 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. This book contains some of the history and letters of the postapostolic preachers and accounts to their suffering and martyrdom.
The letter is one of a number believed to have been written by polycarp. Holmies is the author or editor of several books, including a commentary on 1 and 2 thessalonians. The third epistle of john, often referred to as third john and written 3 john or iii john, is the thirdtolast book of the new testament and the christian bible as a whole, and attributed to john the evangelist, traditionally thought to be the author of the gospel of john and the other two epistles of john. Either way, there is strong tradition that he was appointed bishop of smyrna by the apostle john. It forms the earliest account of christian martyrdom outside of the new testament. Are the letters of ignatius and polycarp forgeries. The life and martyrdom of polycarp logos resource pages. Five books of commentaries on the acts of the church ch.
The epistle of polycarp to the philippians bible blender. Martyrdom of polycarp patristic literature britannica. This commentary on polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. In fact there is this great legend in church history that as ignatius was johns disciple, and polycarp was johns disciple, then polycarp was also ignatius disciple.
Ancient tradition attributes all the books to john the apostle. Polycarp s epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. If this faithful christian leader were alive today, would he support the any of the protestant, roman catholic, eastern orthodox churches or instead be part of a group like the continuing church of god this article will try to help answer those questions and more. Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the. And at length, when he was brought up, there was a great tumult, for they heard that polycarp had been apprehended.
Introductory note to the epistle of polycarp to the philippians. This large hardback book for children, from the pen of sinclair ferguson, is beautifully illustrated by allison brown. Polycarp was martyred by the romans, and his death was influential, even among the pagans. The man whose faith lasted tells the story of a hero. The canon and how much did early christians refer to the. The letter of the smyrnaeans or the martyrdom of polycarp. 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. The canon and how much did early christians refer to the new testament notes oct. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians polycarp, and the presbyters 2 with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Authorship of the johannine works project gutenberg self. But as polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven. Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi.
Polycarp is a celebrated figure in the history of christianity. The whole history of polycarp, and his testimony to the books of the new testament, may be seen in lardner, ii. Extracts from various books concerning abgar the king and addaeus the apostle unknown date syriac. 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. This commentary on polycarps epistle to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp includes extensive introductions, the greek or latin texts, facing english translations, and substantial comments on each passage. Both ignatius and polycarp were the disciples of john. Martyrdom of polycarp, letter that describes the death by burning of polycarp, bishop of smyrna in asia minor. Eusebius remarks that, as is clear from his books, papias was a man of very.
Contains stories from the antenicene church fathers about st. Polycarp and the presbyters that are with him unto the church of god which sojourneth at philippi. Polycarp was an old man, at least 86 see part 10, and probably. The letter to the philippians is an epistle composed around ad 110 to 140 by polycarp of smyrna, one of the apostolic fathers, from antioch to the early christian church in philippi. But we can learn a lot by the way the early christian fathers quoted from the new testament. For example, they take issue with polycarp s use of 1 timothy the epistle of polycarp to the philippians ch. Polycarps most popular book is early christian writings. According to the martyrdom of polycarp he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him. According to irenaeus, polycarp was instructed by the apostles, and was. Polycarp was a second century bishop and martyr, and an important leader in the early church. The author has marked all the times the bible is quoted and has done a great job explaining the text.
The book carries an endorsement from the oxford patristic scholar mark edwards, who calls it the best available introduction to the world of ignatius of antioch. Papias he was bishop of hierapolis, near colosse, and flourished, according to cave, about 110 a. This epistle of the smyrneans is the first example of christian martyrology. A letter of the early church recounting the death of a bishop. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, greek, latin. Philomelium was a small center in pisidia, near the. The preliminary material investigates polycarpian traditions and reconstructs an outline of his life.
Revised texts, with introductions, dissertations, and translations. This is accurate except that the count is actually 18 books if you include polycarp quoting a verse of galatians god is not mocked 3 out of 14 greek words. Books by polycarp author of the epistle of polycarp to the. This is a modern translation of the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, the same church that paul wrote to almost a century earlier. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians bible study tools. Jun 04, 2008 it is true that we do not have many early official lists of the authorized or canonical books.
There is also a very graphic account given of polycarp by irenaeus in his epistle to florinus, to which the reader is referred. Polycarp was a bishop of the early church, a disciple of the apostle john, a contemporary of ignatius, and the teacher of irenaeus. One of the earliest of the church fathers that we have is polycarp 69155 ad. Jul 28, 2016 recommended books for the study of early christian writings information on martyrdom of polycarp polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of smyrna and sent an epistle to the philippians c. One interesting feature of the letter is that the writer is very conscious of how polycarp s death followed the. Polycarp saint epistle to the philippians the martyrdom of polycarp. Polycarp, greek bishop of smyrna modern izmir, turkey was the leading 2ndcentury figure in roman asia by virtue of his intermediary position between the apostolic and patristic ages and his work during the initial appearance of the fundamental theological literature of christianity. Polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of smyrna and sent an epistle to the philippians c. Polycarp was one of the most notable figures in the early postapostolic church.
Although these formulaic statements did not originate with paul. Briefly, let me share with you the story of his life and his death. Polycarp commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. The authorship of the johannine works the gospel of john, epistles of john, and the book of revelation has been debated by scholars since at least the 2nd century ad. A direct pupil of the apostle john, polycarp lived between 70 and 155 a. 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 saint, bishop of smyrna worldcat identities. For each of polycarp s writings, hartog provides substantial introductions, greek text with english translation, and commentary. We hope this outline of philippians will help you as you endeavor to study gods letter to you. John appointed polycarp as bishop of smyrna in modernday turkey, and st.
Jul 30, 2011 a large video collection of classic hymns, contemporary praise and worship songs, and the works audio books, devotional readings, and sermons of men greatl. Recommended books for the study of early christian writings information on martyrdom of polycarp polycarp resided in asia minor as bishop of. A leading scholar of the apostolic fathers, he is currently writing a major critical commentary on polycarp s letter to the philippians and the martyrdom of polycarp. The epistles of ignatius were collected by polycarp, a fact mentioned by irenaeus, origen, eusebius, jerome, athanasius, theodoret, and other ancients. Probably, therefore, he was born in a christian family. Polycarps epistle to the philippians, in which he believes one can derive the character of st. This is the story of the blessed polycarp, the twelfth martyr in smyrna, though he has a unique place memory of all people, being remembered even by all the heathen. Recommended books for the study of early christian writings.
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