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Polycarp

Epistle to the Philippians

About this book

Blameless Conduct Among the Gentiles

Chapter 10

1 Stand firm, then, in these things and follow the example of the Lord, firm and immovable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, devoted to one another, partners with the truth, outdoing one another in the gentleness of the Lord, despising no one. 2 When you are able to do good, do not put it off, for almsgiving delivers from death.⁠ All of you, be subject to one another, keeping your conduct blameless among the gentiles, so that from your good works you may receive praise and the Lord may not be blasphemed because of you. 3 But woe to the one through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed. Therefore teach everyone self-control, which you yourselves also live by.

Texts in conversation

Compare Tobit 4:10 and Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians 10:2

Deuterocanon · Early Christian

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Summary

The Christian theologian Polycarp draws on Tobit’s teaching that giving to the poor brings deliverance from death, demonstrating how Jewish texts like Tobit were being used as authoritative sources for Christian teaching and practice.

Passages

Tobit 4:10

Deuterocanon
5 My child, be mindful of the Lord all your days, and do not let your will be set to sin and to transgress his commandments: do acts of righteousness all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of unrighteousness. 6 For if you do the truth, success shall be in your works, and so it shall be to all that do righteousness. 7 Give alms of your substance: do not turn away your face from any poor man, and the face of God shall not be turned away from you, 8 As your substance is, give alms of it according to your abundance: if you have much, according to the abundance of it, give alms; if you have little bestow it, and do not be afraid to give alms according to that little: 9 for you lay up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity: 10 because alms delivers from death, and does not allow one to come into darkness. 11 Alms is a good offering in the sight of the Most High for all that give it.
225–175 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Tobit

Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians 10:2

Early Christian
1 Stand firm, then, in these things and follow the example of the Lord, firm and immovable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, devoted to one another, partners with the truth, outdoing one another in the gentleness of the Lord, despising no one. 2 When you are able to do good, do not put it off, for almsgiving delivers from death. All of you, be subject to one another, keeping your conduct blameless among the gentiles, so that from your good works you may receive praise and the Lord may not be blasphemed because of you. 3 But woe to the one through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed. Therefore teach everyone self-control, which you yourselves also live by.
135–155 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians

References

"... Barnabas (90-130) employs quotations from Wisdom of Solomon (20:2), 1 Enoch (16:5), 4 Ezra (12:1), and from unknown 'scripture' as in 7:3, 8, and 10:7. The Didache (70-90 CE) makes use of Wisdom of Solomon in 5:2 and 10:3 as well as an unknown quote in 1:6. Polycarp cites Tobit 4:10 (see also 12:9) in Martyrdom 10:2 ..."
Lee Martin McDonald, Forgotten Scriptures: The Selection and Rejection of Early Religious Writings (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009), 136.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Tobit 4:10 and Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians 10:2

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