Syria enjoys peace through your prayer, I, too, gather fresh
Icnatius oF ANTIOCH soul.*® In like manner, exhort my brethren in the name of Jesus Christ to love their wives as the Lord loves the Church."
2 If anyone is able to remain continent, to the honor of the Flesh of the Lord, let him persistently avoid boasting." The moment he boasts, he is lost; and if he is more highly esteemed than the bishop,"* he is undone. For those of both sexes who contemplate marriage it is proper to enter the union with the sanction of the bishop; thus their marriage will be acceptable to the Lord and not just gratify lust. Let all things be done to the honor of God.
6. Heed the bishop, that God may heed you, too. My life is a ransom for those who are obedient to the bishop, presbyters, and deacons; and in their company may I obtain my portion! oil together, wrestle together, run together, suffer together, rest together, rise together, since you are stewards in God's house, members of His household, and His servants."
2 Win the approval of Him whose soldiers you are, from whom you also draw your pay. Let none of you turn deserter." Let your baptism be your armor; your faith, your helmet; your love, your spear; your patient endurance, your panoply.
Your deposits** should be your works, that you may receive your savings to the exact amount.
To sum up: be long-suffering toward one another and gentle, as God is with you. May you be my joy always!
7. Since, as I was informed, the Church at Antioch in Syria enjoys peace through your prayer, I, too, gather fresh courage, carefree and confident in God. If only I win my way to God, for at the resurrection I want to be found your disciple!
2 It is fitting, my dear God-blessed Polycarp, to convene a council invested with all the splendor of God and to appoint someone who is dear to you and untiring in his