In chapter 2 Polycarp exhorts his readers towards virtue, once again weaving many NT passages into his text. What is particularly significant is the way in which he sees Christian virtue as part and parcel of Christian life and is thus able to affirm that God will raise us from the dead "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". It is probably anachronistic to read the faith x works dillemma into this text, but it stands as an expression of the classical Christian teaching that without holiness one cannot see the Father.
In Chapter 3 Polycarp is self-depreciating, emphasising that he is nothing compared to "the blessed and glorified Paul."
In chapters 4 and 5 the exhortations continue, once again following NT themes.
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