What It Means To Be Led By Scripture

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen 

is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth 

he yet he for? Abut if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.

Romans 8:24-25

            The Greek word translated patience has a greater meaning: endurance, and it is endurance that all men and women need to be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Polycarp gives some exhortation as to how we can endure:

“I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run (Comp. Phil. ii. 16; Gal. ii. 2.) in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.”

            To endure is to “stand fast” and again Polycarp gives some very necessary advice:

“Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, (Comp. 1 Pet. ii. 17). and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because “alms delivers from death.   (Tobit iv. 10, Tobit xii. 9). Be all of you subject one to another (Comp. 1 Pet. v. 5.) “having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles, (1 Pet. ii. 12). that ye may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed!  (Isa. lii. 5). Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.”

            Today are you not grieved because there are men and women who are teaching another gospel? Those men who thrive on the emotions of others; gleaning from them their money, time, and emotions preying as lions dressed in sheep’ clothing. This is not something new as Polycarp also must address this problem:

“I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, (Some think that incontinence on the part of the Valens and his wife is referred to. [For many reasons I am glad the translators have preferred the reading πλεονεξίας. The next word, chaste, sufficiently rebukes the example of Valens. For once I venture not to coincide with Jacobson’s comment.]) and that ye be chaste and truthful. “Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thess. v. 22). For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, (Some think that incontinence on the part of the Valens and his wife is referred to. [For many reasons I am glad the translators have preferred the reading πλεονεξίας. The next word, chaste, sufficiently rebukes the example of Valens. For once I venture not to coincide with Jacobson’s comment.]) he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? “Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world? (1 Cor. vi. 2). as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended  (Some read, “named;” comp. Phil. i. 5.) in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known Him. I am deeply grieved, therefore, brethren, for him (Valens) and his wife; to whom may the Lord grant true repentance! And be ye then moderate in regard to this matter, and “do not count such as enemies, (2 Thess. iii. 15.) but call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves. (Comp. 1 Cor. xii. 26.)”

Polycarp advises that those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ become versed in Sacred Scriptures. It is from Scripture that we find the guidelines for our lives. It could be that Polycarp was referring to the Hebrew Scriptures, or there is a great probability that he was referring to the writings of such a Paul, Peter, Mathew, Luke, yet in either case we are admonished become versed in Scripture.

            “For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted. (This passage is very obscure. Some render it as follows: “But at present it is not granted unto me to practise that which is written, Be ye angry,” etc.) It is declared then in these Scriptures, “Be ye angry, and sin not, (Ps. iv. 5.) and, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. (Eph 1v.26) Happy is he who remembers  (Some read, “believes.”) this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord  Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.” (Gal. i. 1.) Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, (Comp. 1 Tim. ii. 2.) and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, (Matt. v. 44.) and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.”

            I continue to copy and paste those writing from the early Church fathers. These are men who knew, talked with, and instructed by those who were apostles of Jesus Christ. It is like getting “meat in due season” from the “horse’ mouth.” Now, as you might notice, there are many verses from the Bible that you can become versed so as to not be led astray by men or women who teach another gospel.  Let these men instruct you. You cannot do better other than reading the Bible.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;

     And what doth the LORD require of thee,

But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to

     Walk humbly with they God.

                      Micah 6:8

Become versed in the Sacred Scriptures

Richard L. Crumb