Polycarp of Smyrna — One of the Apostolic Fathers and the Bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp lived between 69 and 155 CE. According to church tradition, he was a personal disciple of the Apostle John. He enjoyed a fulfilling ministry until he was martyred in Smyrna under Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius.
Teachings
Most of our information about his teachings comes from his letter to the Philippians. In the text, he discusses virtue, persecution, grace, Docetism, and qualifications for leadership.
The martyrdom of Polycarp is the record of his death, which may give some insight into his view of martyrdom, death, hell, and commitment to Christ.
Polycarp of Smyrna’s Ministry
Polycarp started his journey in ministry as a personal disciple of the Apostle John. According to Jerome and Irenaeus, John appointed him to be the bishop of Smyrna.
He dedicated his life to faithfully protecting the faith passed down to him by the Apostles. He also appears to have been well-versed in scripture. According to Irenaeus, he would talk about the actions and teachings of Jesus, “all in harmony with the Scriptures.”
Polycarp Against Heresies
Gnostic and other heresies were a big problem in his era. As the bishop of Smyrna, much of his ministry was dedicated to opposing these and similar teachings. In his letter to the Philippians, he warns believers against Docetism. He also seems to have been an opponent of Marcion. Jerome records a fiery exchange between the two.
(See: Who Was Polycarp Of Smyrna?)
His Meeting With Anicetus
A very notable event in his life happened during his trip to Rome. At the time, some fractures were forming between the churches in the West and East. He journeyed there to speak with Anicetus, the bishop of Rome at the time. Though they agreed on virtually everything, they disagreed about when to celebrate Easter.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Unlike his mentor, the Bishop of Smyrna was martyred for his faith. The events of his death are recorded in The Martyrdom of Polycarp. According to the text, he was taken to the Colosseum in Smyrna, where he was presented with lions and fire. Once properly threatened, the proconsul then offered the aged Christian a pardon if he reviled Christ. To which he replied,
“‘For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?’”
Martyrdom
Source Articles
- Who Was Polycarp Of Smyrna? (A short biography of his life and death.)
- The Last Words of Polycarp (A reflection on his death.)
- The Letter From Polycarp To The Philippians (The letter he wrote to the church in Philippi.)
- Irenaeus, a letter to Florinus