Chapter 7
On Sending a Deacon to Syria
1 Since the Church in Antioch of Syria is at peace, as I have been told, thanks to your prayer, I too have become more cheerful in the freedom from care that comes from God — provided that through suffering I may attain to God, so that by your prayer I may be found a disciple at the resurrection.[1]
2 It is fitting, Polycarp — most blessed of God — to convene a council most worthy of God and to ordain someone whom you hold very dear and who is tireless, one who can be called a courier of God. Count him worthy to go to Syria and there glorify your tireless love, to the glory of God.
3 A Christian has no authority over himself, but devotes his time to God.
4 This is God’s work, and yours too, when you bring it to completion.
5 For I trust in the grace that you are ready for the kind of good work that befits God.
6 Knowing how earnestly committed you are to the truth, I’ve urged you with only a few lines.