{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/001/0010093.htm","path":"chr/ecf/001/0010093.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/001/0010093.htm","text":"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, 397 and that ye be chaste and truthful. \u201cAbstain from every form of evil.\u201d 398 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, 399 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? \u201cDo we not know that the saints shall judge the world?\u201d 400 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 401 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 \u201cdo not count such as enemies,\u201d 402 but call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves. 403\nSome 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 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03be\u03af\u03b1\u03c2. The next word, chaste, sufficiently rebukes the example of Valens. For once I venture not to coincide with Jacobson\u2019s comment.]\n35:398 35:399\nSome read, \u201cnamed;\u201d comp. Phil. i. 5.\n35:402 35:403\nComp. 1 Cor. xii. 26.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol I: POLYCARP: Chapter XI.\u2014Expression of grief on...","type":"page"}