Polycarp quotes

Polycarp was an early Christian bishop of Smyrna, renowned as one of the Apostolic Fathers. His writings and martyrdom greatly influenced the development of Christian theology and the early Church. He is remembered for his steadfast faith and his role in preserving apostolic traditions. Here are 15 of his quotes:

Hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian.

Polycarp

Let us, therefore, foresake the vanity of the crowd and their false teachings, and turn back to the word delivered to us from the beginning.

Polycarp

Beware of greed and remain pure and just. Restrain yourself from every vice. He who cannot restrain himself, how will he be able to teach others restraint?

Polycarp

Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved Me?....I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Polycarp

Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?

Polycarp

Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity.

Polycarp

by grace ye are saved, not of works,' but by the will of God through Jesus Christ . . . If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, 'we shall also reign together with Him,' provided only we believe . . .

Polycarp

The deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ.

Polycarp

For 86 years I have served Jesus Christ and he has never abandoned me. How could I curse my blessed king and savior?

Polycarp

If anyone does not refrain from the love of money, he will be defiled by idolatry and so be judged as if he were one of the heathen.

Polycarp

I exhort you, press on in your course, and exhort all men that they may be saved.

Polycarp

Be all of you subject one to another having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles, that you may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.

Polycarp

But why do you delay? Come, do what you will.

Polycarp