Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Polycarp and virtue

In chapter 10 Polycarp urges his readers to practice virtue. This is contrasted to the unfortunate example of a former presbyter Valens, and his wife, who have succumbed to coveoutness. Nonetheless Polycarp grieves for the couple and urges moderation towards them, desiring that his readers "call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves"

Thus in chapter 12 Polycarp continues to emphasise virtue. One item that I found striking, especially considering his martyrdom, was his plea for them to pray for all, including "those that persecute and hate you"

Finally chapters 13-14 conclude with adminstrative concern for the transmission of this epistle and similar one's written by Ignatius.

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