Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians

The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (commonly abbreviated Pol. Phil.)[1] is an epistle attributed to Polycarp, an early bishop of Smyrna, and addressed to the early Christian church in Philippi.[2] It is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times (see § Unity), in the first half of the second century.[1][3][4] The epistle is described by Irenaeus as follows:

There is also a forceful epistle written by Polycarp to the Philippians, from which those who wish to do so, and are anxious about their salvation, can learn the character of his faith, and the preaching of the truth.[5]

The epistle is one of a number believed to have been written by Polycarp, but is the only extant document.[6]

  1. ^ a b Hartog, Paul (2013). Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians and the Martyrdom of Polycarp. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. pp. 26–34. ISBN 978-0-19-922839-3.
  2. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: St Polycarp
  3. ^ Early Christian Writings on Polycarp. Raymond Brown (Introduction to the New Testament, 1997) p. 665 estimates 120-30.
  4. ^ Harrison, Pearcy N. (1936). Polycarp's Two Epistles to the Philippians. Cambridge University Press. pp. 15ff.
  5. ^ James Stevenson, A new Eusebius (London: SPCK, 1965), p. 120
  6. ^ Kirsopp Lake The Apostolic Fathers Volume 1. (London: Heinemann, 1912), pp. 280-281.

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