Early Church Writings — historically valuable Christian documents, presented as noncanonical writings rather than Scripture.

Epistle to Polycarp

Ignatius

Chapter 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 1119 [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose 1120 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, 1121 and the others transmitting letters through those persons who are sent by thee, that thou 1122 mayest be glorified by a work 1123 which shall be remembered for ever, as indeed thou art worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in particular 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, 1124 I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. 1125 Fare ye well in the Lord.

Inasmuch, therefore, as I have not been able to write to all Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will 1126 [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose 1127 of God, wilt write to the adjacent Churches, that they also may act in like manner, such as are able to do so sending messenger, and the others transmitting letters through those persons who are sent by thee, that thou mayest be glorified by a work 1128 which shall be remembered for ever, as indeed thou art worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in particular 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. I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. 1129 Amen. Grace [be with you]. Fare ye well in the Lord.

Notes

  1. Some suppose the reference to be to the soldiers, or perhaps to God Himself. ↩
  2. Or, "as possessed of the judgment." ↩
  3. Literally, "men on foot." ↩
  4. Some have the plural "ye" here. ↩
  5. Literally, "an eternal work." ↩
  6. Some propose to read, "and of the bishop." ↩
  7. Literally, "name desired by me." ↩
  8. Some suppose the reference to be to the soldiers, or perhaps to God Himself. ↩
  9. Or, "as possessed of the judgment." ↩
  10. Literally, "an eternal work." ↩
  11. Literally, "name desired by me." ↩

Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume I, edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson; revised by A. Cleveland Coxe. Public domain. Electronic text courtesy of CCEL.