Paul Hartog: "Polycarp as ‘Prophetic' and ‘Apostolic' in his Philippians and in the Martyrdom"

The Martyrdom of Polycarp states that the bishop was “an apostolic and prophetic teacher” (16.2).  This paper compares the “apostolic” and “prophetic” images of Polycarp as found in the Martyrdom and in his own Philippians.  The Martyrdom underscores Polycarp’s “prophetic” character, and the primary exhibit appears in 12.3, where Polycarp “prophetically” relates that he would be burned alive (a prophecy fulfilled in 16.1-2).  On the other hand, apart from the notice that Polycarp rejoiced “with the apostles” following his execution (19.2), the notion of apostolicity does not reappear in the Martyrdom.  By contrast, the Epistle to the Philippians never emphasizes the “prophetic” character of the author, and the only mention of “prophets” concerns the authors of the Hebrew Scriptures (6.3).  Philippians refers to “the apostles who preached the gospel to us” and explicitly mentions “Paul himself and the rest of the apostles” (6.3; 9.1).  But the “apostolic” quality of Polycarp’s counsel pervades the entire epistle far beyond these few explicit references (cf. 3.1, 11.2, etc.).  Regarding the apostolic authority reflected in Philippians, scholarship has tended to focus on whether Polycarp stands in the “Johannine” or “Pauline” tradition.  Building upon (and adjusting and amending) the work of Stuckwisch (1997) and Berding (2008), this paper re-examines the shortcomings of the false dichotomy.  The “apostolic” nature of Polycarp’s counsel is far broader than one or two apostolic trajectories.  In conclusion, the images of Polycarp found in the Martyrdom and Philippians are quite distinct, and the latter reveals a fascinating cross-pollination of “apostolic” authorities.