Chapter XIII.—Concerning the transmission of epistles.
Both you and Ignatius411 wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter412 with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him413 to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any414 more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were415 with him, have the goodness to make known416 to us.
Footnotes
- 411
Comp. Ep. of Ignatius to Polycarp, chap. viii.
- 412
Or, “letters.”
- 413
Reference is here made to the two letters of Ignatius, one to Polycarp himself, and the other to the church at Smyrna.
- 414
Henceforth, to the end, we have only the Latin version.
- 415
The Latin version reads “are,” which has been corrected as above.
- 416
Polycarp was aware of the death of Ignatius (chap. ix.), but was as yet apparently ignorant of the circumstances attending it. [Who can fail to be touched by these affectionate yet entirely calm expressions as to his martyred friend and brother? Martyrdom was the habitual end of Christ’s soldiers, and Polycarp expected his own; hence his restrained and temperate words of interest.]