Chapter X.—Polycarp confesses himself a Christian.
And when the proconsul yet again pressed him, and said, “Swear by the fortune of
Cæsar,” he answered, “Since thou art vainly urgent that, as thou sayest, I should swear by
the fortune of Cæsar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me declare with
boldness, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the doctrines110 of Christianity
are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear them.” The proconsul replied, “Persuade the
people.” But Polycarp said, “To thee I have thought it right to offer an account [of my faith];
for we are taught to give all due honour (which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the
powers and authorities which are ordained of God.111 But as for these, I do not deem them
worthy of receiving any account from me.”112
110 Or, “an account of Christianity.”
111 Comp. Rom. xiii. 1–7; Tit. iii. 1.
112 Or, “of my making any defence to them.”
Chapter X.—Polycarp confesses himself a Christian.
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Chapter X.—Polycarp confesses himself a Christian.