SYNTHESIS OF THE LETTER OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS

AUTHOR: Polycarp, assumed Bishop of Smyrna – Hellenic Turkey

DATE: Traditionally between 110 and 140 CE.

RECIPIENT: Christian Church of Philippi – Greece.

MAIN POINTS

1 – Early evidence of Episcopal system at Smyrna – Prologue.

2 – Salvation by Grace alone, through Christ – 1:3

3 – Jesus’s Second Coming – 2:1

4 – Resurrection for those who believe in God and Live a righteous life – 2:2

5 – Paul’s letter to the Philippians mentioned – 3:2

6 – Wives to live in purity and moral conduct – 4:2

7 – Widows to live soberly and in prayer – 4:3

8 – God will not be mocked, we must live according to His will – 5:1; 9:1-2

9 – Order of Deacons at Philippi – 5:2

10 – Young men to live in purity, homosexuality condemned – 5:3

11 – Presbyterian system in Philippi (No Bishop) – 5:3; 6:1; 11:1

12 – General Last Judgement before Christ – 6:2

13 – Diverse Gnostic heresies condemned – 7:1

14 – Call to preserve the Faith already received, with Prayer and fasting – 7:2

15 – Jesus, being sinless, paid for our sins on our behalf – 8:1

16 – Deceased Christians are conscious and in God’s presence – 9:2

17 - To be blameless in word and action as testimony for non-believers – 10:2-3

18 – Married clergy at Philippi – 11:1, 4

19 – Christians must be trained in Scripture – 12:1

20 – Divinity of Jesus – 12:2

21 – To pray for secular authorities and our enemies – 12:3

22 – Contemporary to Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch – 13:1-2

23 – Women as Church envoys – 14:1

Omar Flores.