# To the Philippians 10.2

- Author: [Polycarp of Smyrna](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/polycarp-of-smyrna/)
- Work: [To the Philippians](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/) (*Epistula ad Philippenses*)
- Date: ca. 110–135 (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:294–296; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 282–301 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/2/

Summary: Do good without delay, since almsgiving delivers from death, and live blamelessly so that the Lord is not blasphemed.

## Latin text

Cum possitis benefacere, nolite differre, quia eleemosyna de morte liberat. Omnes vobis invicem subiecti estote, conversationem vestram irreprensibilem habentes in gentibus, ut ex bonis operibus vestris et vos laudem accipiatis et dominus in vobis non blasphemetur.

## English translation (Claude)

When you are able to do good, do not put it off, because “almsgiving delivers from death.” All of you be subject to one another, “keeping your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” so that from your good works both you may receive praise and the Lord may not be blasphemed because of you.

## Scripture references

- Eph 5:21: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Pet 5:5: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Pet 2:12: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 52:5: allusion, medium confidence

## Extrabiblical texts

- Tob 4:10 (Tobit): quotation, high confidence

## Translation notes

- “Almsgiving delivers from death” quotes Tobit 4:10 (compare Tob 12:9), a book outside the Protestant canon.
- “Because of you” (in vobis): literally “in you” or “among you.”

## Citation (SBL)

Pol. Phil. 10.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pol-philippians/10/2/).