Ignatius of Antioch, Theophorus: EPISTLE TO POLYCARP Complete

Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (Shorter and Longer Versions)

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Page 4

Chapter IV. — Exhortations.

Let not widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector [1084] and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou dost not, inasmuch as thou art stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent [1085] occurrence: seek after all by name. [1086] Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves [1087] the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires.

Let not the widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou doest not. Be thou stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent [1088] occurrence: seek after all by name. [1089] Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves [1090] the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not wish to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires.


[1084] The word in the original (phrontistes) denotes one who thinks or cares for another.

[1085] Some refer the words to more frequent meetings, and others to these meetings being more numerous; no comparison is necessarily implied.

[1086] i.e., so as to bring them out to the public assembly.

[1087] Or, "act the part of slaves."

[1088] Some refer the words to more frequent meetings, and others to these meetings being more numerous; no comparison is necessarily implied.

[1089] i.e., so as to bring them out to the public assembly.

[1090] Or, "act the part of slaves."

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