The Epistle of Polycarp to the
Philippians
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Polycarp,
and the presbyters with him, to the
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 froth 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.
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."
