Nielsen’s Nook

ChurchYear.net has put together what looks to be a very helpful reading plan for Lent, composed of readings from the Church Fathers. It is available for download.

Translation

4 [1]And from what has been previously written, [2] I Pionius wrote it down again, after searching for it (according to revelation made known to me from the blessed Polycarp, just as I will make clear in what follows) [3] after already gathering it together when it had nearly been worn out from time, that the Lord Jesus Christ might also gather me with his elect into his heavenly kingdom. Glory be to him with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. [4] Amen.

[1] It is unclear to us why Lightfoot’s Greek text has vv 3-4 where this same passage (vv 3-4) in Lake and Holmes is conflated into a single verse 3. Again, since this project is to translate from Lightfoot’s Greek text, we are following that versification.

[2] προγεγραμμένου what is written before in an older document (BAGD, 704).

[3] ἐν τῷ καθεξῆς in what follows (BAGD, 388). This apparently refers to some sort of sequel to Pionius’ work here. Lake comments, “No explanation is given : probably because the ‘Pionian’ text was part of a larger ‘Acts of Polycarp.’ Either these Acts have entirely disappeared except for this letter of the church of Smyrna, or a fragment preserved in p may perhaps belong to them.” (The Apostolic Fathers, vol 2, 341).

[4] εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων lit. into the ages from ages, i.e., eternity, for ever.

Translation

3 And I, Socrates, in Corinth wrote from Gaius’ compilation. [1] The grace [2] of the Lord be with you all.

[1] ἀντιγράφων a transcript, copy, counterpart (Abridged LSJ, 77).

[2] ἡ χάρις is articular speaking about a specific type or instance of grace, conceptually assuming the grace of the Lord.

Translation

2 Gaius compiled [1] these things from the writings of Irenaeus, a student of Polycarp, who also lived together with Irenaeus.

[1] μετεγράψατο copy, transcribe (BAGD, 510). In book-keeping to transfer to another account (LSJ). to write differently, to alter or correct what one has written (H.G. Liddell, A Lexicon : Abridged from Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon, 501).

Translation

[ 1 We pray that you would be strong, [a] brothers, following the word of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel. [b] Glory to God is with Jesus [c] on account of the salvation of the holy elect; [d] just as the blessed Polycarp was martyred, in whose footsteps may we be found in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.] [e]

[a] Ἐρρῶσθαι perfect passive, to be strong (BAGD, 738).

[b] Stephen’s 1550 Textus Receptus version of Philippians 3:16 reads, πλην εις ο εφθασαμεν τω αυτω στοιχειν κανονι το αυτο φρονειν. Only that we follow what we have attained (author’s translation).

[c] μεθ ̓ οὗ Jesus, the antecedent for the pronoun οὗ for readability.

[d] ἁγίων ἐκλεκτῶν is a pair of substantives consisting of a tautological emphasis of each other. To say “for the salvation of the elect” is the same as to say “for the salvation of the saints/holy ones.”

[e] §22.1 is omitted from the Latin and Codex Mosquensis 159 but is included in a Greek Manuscript from the tenth to thirteenth centuries (Holmes, Apostolic Fathers, 244).

Translation

1 The blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second of the month of Xanthicus, [a] seven days before the calends [b] of March, on a great sabbath, during the eighth hour. He was apprehended by Herod during the time while Philipp of Tralles was high priest, while Statius Quadratus was proconsul, [c] and while Jesus Christ reigns for ever. To him be the glory, honor, majesty, the eternal throne from generation to generation. Amen.

[a] μηνὸς Ξανθικοῦ δευτέρᾳ ἱσταμένου, πρὸ ἑπτὰ καλανδῶν Μαρτίων i.e., February 22. See entry for μήν, μηνός, ὁ in BAGD, 518. Michael Holmes indicates that Eusebius’ mention of the year of St. Polycarp’s martyrdom as 167 AD is suspect. “Evidence that has come to light regarding the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus has led many to adopt a date around 156; this comports well with the fact that not long before his arrest Polycarp visited Bishop Anicetus of Rome, who became bishop there no earlier than 154.” (Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers : Greek Texts and English Translations (Updated ed.; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1999), 223).

[b] καλάνδαι “the first day of the month in the Roman calendar” (BAGD, 398).

[c] ἀνθυπατεύοντος to be proconsul (BAGD, 69). Acts 18:12 in the Byzantine Text form we read Γαλλίωνος δὲ ἀνθυπατεύοντος  τῆς Ἀχαΐας… When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia (author’s translation).