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  EXPRESSION OF GRIEF
  by St. Polycarp of Smyrna
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Summary: St. Polycarp exhorts the Church to abstain from covetousness
and to be chaste and truthful, emphasizing the importance of self-
governance and the need for repentance.

Topics: "Christian Discipline", "Church Leadership"

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Polycarp of Smyrna expresses deep concern for Valens, a former
presbyter, urging the congregation to abstain from covetousness,
practice chastity, and truthfulness, while avoiding all forms of evil.
He emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and leading by example,
warning that failure to do so can lead to defilement and judgment.
Despite his disappointment in Valens, Polycarp commends the rest of the
congregation for their faithfulness and encourages them to show
compassion and bring back those who have strayed, in order to build up
the body of believers.

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CONTENT
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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, and
that ye be chaste and truthful. "Abstain from every form of evil." 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, 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 ?" 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 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," but call them back as suffering and
straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye
shall edify yourselves.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-polycarp-of-smyrna/expression-of-grief/
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