Chapter VII.—Request that Polycarp would send a messenger to Antioch. - ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus

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Chapter VII.—Request that Polycarp would send a messenger to Antioch.
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Chapter VII.—Request that Polycarp would send a messenger to Antioch.

Seeing that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encouraged, resting without anxiety in God,¹¹⁰⁹

¹¹⁰⁹ Literally, “in freedom from care of God.”
if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ].¹¹¹⁰

¹¹¹⁰ Some read, “in the resurrection.”

It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very solemn¹¹¹¹

¹¹¹¹ Literally, “most befitting God.”
council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God;¹¹¹²

¹¹¹² Literally, “God-runner.”
and to bestow on him this honour that he may go into Syria, and glorify your ever active love to the praise of Christ. A Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for¹¹¹³

¹¹¹³ Literally, “at leisure for.”
the service of God. Now, this work is both God’s and yours, when ye shall have completed it to His glory.¹¹¹⁴

¹¹¹⁴ Literally, “to Him.”
For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief Epistle.

Seeing that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am the more encouraged, resting without anxiety in God,¹¹¹⁵

¹¹¹⁵ Literally, “in freedom from care of God.”
if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ]. It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very solemn¹¹¹⁶

¹¹¹⁶ Literally, “most befitting God.”
council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God;¹¹¹⁷

¹¹¹⁷ Literally, “God-runner.”

and to bestow on him the honour of going into Syria, so that, going into Syria, he may glorify your ever active love to the praise of God. A Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for¹¹¹⁸

¹¹¹⁸ Literally, “at leisure for.”
the service of God. Now, this work is both God’s and yours, when ye shall have completed it. For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief Epistle.
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