Polycarp was born around the year AD 69. He is a very important figure in the Early Church era, as his Letter to the Philippians is one of the earliest surviving writings. Both Irenaeus and Tertullian recorded that Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John.
Polycarp’s Life Work
Polycarp was a presbyter-bishop over the church of Smyrna in Asia Minor during the first half of the second century. Polycarp was not so intellectually active as Clement or Ignatius, but a man of truly venerable character, and simple piety. According to Irenaeus, Polycarp traveled to Rome to settle differences between Asia and Rome regarding when Easter should be observed. Polycarp and Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome chose to each observe Easter on different Sundays, with Polycarp following the Eastern practice and Anicetus following the Western practice.
Teacher to Irenaeus
Irenaeus of Lyons wrote in a letter to a fellow pupil Florinus, (who had fallen into Gnosticism) that has given us incredible insight into the teaching of “this blessed and apostolic presbyter”. Irenaeus remembers vividly how Polycarp held to apostolic tradition, his way of discourse with people, and his personal appearance. Irenaeus recollects Polycarp’s communications concerning the miracles and teaching of the Lord Jesus, as they had been handed down from the mouth of the Apostle John and other eyewitnesses, in agreement with the Scriptures.
In another place, Irenaeus says that Polycarp only taught all the time what was handed down from the Apostles. Irenaeus relates that Polycarp once called the Gnostic Marcion in Rome, “son of Satan.” It should not surprise us that an apostle of John, who, in spite of his mildness, would forbid people to greet those who deny the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is confirmed by a passage in Polycarp’s epistle to the Philippians, “”Whoever doth not confess, that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is antichrist, and whoever doth not confess the mystery of the cross, is of the devil; and he, who wrests the words of the Lord according to his own pleasure, and saith, there is no resurrection and judgment, is the first-born of Satan. Therefore would we forsake the empty babbling of this crowd and their false teachings, and turn to the word which hath been given us from the beginning, watching in prayer, continuing in fasting, and most humbly praying God, that he lead us not into temptation, as the Lord hath said: ’The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ “
Epistle to the Philippians
The epistle to the Philippians consists of fourteen short chapters and has been published in full since 1633. This is the only document of several Polycarp wrote that remains for us from the era of the Apostle John. The letter is mentioned by his pupil, Irenaeus. Jerome reports that the letter was publicly used by the churches of Asia Minor in his time. Its contents correspond with the known life and character of Polycarp; there is no reason to doubt the genuineness of the letter. It is a simple and earnest letter, one that breathes the noble spirit of Christianity. It was written after the death of Ignatius, who is mentioned in the epistle, in the name of Polycarp and his presbyters.
The epistle commends the Philippians for the love they showed Ignatius and his companions in bonds, and for their adherence to the faith. The letter then proceeds to with exhortation for love, harmony, contentment, patience, and perseverance. It encourages saints to pray even for their enemies and persecutors. The letter gives special directions for deacons, presbyters, youths, wives, widows, and virgins.
Polycarp guards against being seen as equal to the apostles: “I write these things, brethren, not in arrogance, but because ye have requested me. For neither I, nor any other like me, can attain the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who was among you, and in the presence of the then living accurately and firmly taught the word of truth, who also in his absence wrote you an epistle, from which ye may edify yourselves in the faith given to you, which is the mother of us all, hope following after, and love to God and to Christ, and to neighbors leading further. For when any one is full of these virtues, he fulfills the command of righteousness; for he, who has love, is far from all sin.
The epistle is interwoven with many quotes from the Synoptic Gospels and the epistles of Paul, John and First Peter, which give to it considerable importance in the history of the canon.
Polycarp’s Death
The Martyrium S. Polycarpi was written as a circular letter by the Church of Smyrna to the Church of Philomelium, and was shared amongst other churches as well, before the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Polycarp. The narrative gives this following description of the trial and martyrdom of Polycarp:
When the Proconsul demanded that Polycarp should swear by the genius of Caesar and renounce Christ, he gave the memorable answer:
“Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved me” (to;n basileva mou to;n swvsantav me)? Ch. 9.
Standing at the stake with his hands tied to the back, as the fagots were kindled, Polycarp lifted up his voice and uttered this sublime prayer as reported by disciples who heard it (ch. 14):
“Lord God Almighty, Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the grace of knowing Thee; God of angels and powers, and the whole creation, and of the whole race of the righteous who live in Thy presence; I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink of the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ, unto the resurrection of eternal life of soul and body in the incorruption of the Holy Spirit. Receive me this day into Thy presence together with them, as a fair and acceptable sacrifice prepared for Thyself in fulfillment of Thy promise, O true and faithful God. Wherefore I praise Thee for all Thy mercies; I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, through the eternal High-Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom to Thyself and the Holy Spirit, be glory both now and forever. Amen.”
Note: Material on this article was taken from Philip Schaff.