Introduction to Polycarp
As we wrap up discussing the seven letters of Ignatius of Antioch, I thought it would be good to give some attention to the last bishop Ignatius writes to: Polycarp of Smyrna. Polycarp is probably the most talked about among all the Apostolic Fathers. The two things he is most known for is allegedly being a disciple of the Apostle John, and his martyrdom account which details his dramatic execution by the Romans.
There are three writings about Polycarp found in the Apostolic Fathers collection: Ignatius’s Letter to Polycarp, Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians, and the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Unfortunately, his Letter to the Philippians is the only direct writing we have from him, but this one epistle does give us some insight into his personality and convictions.
“According to Irenaeus, Polycarp was not only a disciple of John and friends with others who had seen Jesus on earth, he was appointed by the apostles as the bishop of Smyrna. Tertullian specifies that the appointment was accomplished by none other than John the apostle himself. Polycarp, of course, was the bishop of Smyrna when Ignatius passed through en route to Rome around the year A.D. 110.”
Despite only having one writing from him, Polycarp is talked about quite a bit from later Church Fathers, and gained a highly praised reputation in the Church. Irenaeus especially praised Polycarp, and claimed to have learned from him when he was a young boy. Irenaeus also connects Polycarp with fellow Apostolic Father Papias, claiming he also was taught by the Apostle John.
Depending on when Polycarp became bishop of Smyrna, and when Revelation was written, it’s possible that Polycarp was in leadership when Jesus addresses the Church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11. Interestingly, Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches in that passage Jesus doesn’t rebuke. Again, we don’t know for sure if Polycarp was overseeing the church at that point, but it’s an interesting possibility!
Outside of what’s included in the Apostolic Fathers collection, there are a couple stories about Polycarp we have from later Church Fathers. One interesting story comes from Irenaeus, in which Polycarp allegedly encountered the heretic Marcion. Marcion requested that Polycarp acknowledge him, to which Polycarp replied, “Yes, I recognize you; I recognize the firstborn of Satan!” (Holmes, 2006, Pg. 156-157)
Before we go into Polycarp’s epistle and his martyrdom, it would be good to go back to Ignatius and analyze his final letter written personally to Polycarp. This will not only bring a fitting end to our current blogs on Ignatius, but it will hopefully bring a nice transition to Polycarp.
Bibliography
Howell, K. (2009). Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna: A New Translation and Theological Commentary. Zanesville, OH. CHResources.
Holmes, M. (2006). The Apostolic Fathers in English (3rd ed.) Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic.
Thumbnail Image: Church Icon at St Polycarp's Roman Catholic Church depicting Polycarp miraculously extinguishing fire of the city of Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey).
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Izmir_St_Polycarp_Church_Icon_Miraculously_Extinguishing_Smyrna_Fire.JPG