Chapter I.—Acknowledgment of their excellence. I know that ye possess an unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only in present practice,253 but according to inherent nature, as Polybius your bishop has shown me, who has come to Smyrna by the will of God and Jesus Christ, and so sympathized in the joy which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess, that I beheld your whole multitude in him. Having therefore received through him the testimony of your good-will, according to God, I gloried to find you, as I knew you were, the followers of God. I know that ye possess an unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only for present use,254 but as a permanent possession, as Polybius your bishop has shown me, who has come to Smyrna by the will of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, with the co-operation of the Spirit, and so sympathized in the joy which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess, that I beheld your whole multitude in Him. Having therefore received through him the testimony of your good-will according to God, I gloried to find that you were the followers of Jesus Christ the Saviour. 253 Literally, “not according to use, but according to nature.” 254 Literally, “not for use, but for a possession.” Chapter I.—Acknowledgment of their excellence. 183 Chapter I.—Acknowledgment of their excellence.