People’s Open Bible

Polycarp to the Philippians 6

Deacons Serve Christ Blamelessly Now

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1Knowing, then, that God is not mocked, we ought to walk in a manner worthy of his commandment and his glory. Likewise, deacons should be blameless before his righteousness, as deacons of God and Christ and not of human beings. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued, or lovers of money, but self-controlled in everything, compassionate, diligent, and walking according to the truth of the Lord, who became a servant (deacon) of all. For if we please him in this present world, we will also receive the world to come, just as he promised to raise us from the dead. And if we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of him, we will also reign with him—if indeed we have faith. Likewise, the younger men must be blameless in everything, caring above all for purity and restraining themselves from every evil. For it is good to refrain from the desires of the world, because every desire wages war against the Spirit. Neither the sexually immoral, nor effeminate people, nor those who defile themselves with men will inherit the kingdom of God, nor will those who do improper things. Therefore, it is right to abstain from all these things, submitting yourselves to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ. The virgins must walk with a blameless and pure conscience.

Composed from original Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Ge’ez manuscripts, rendered in multiple passes to stay as close to the originals as possible. About this project