Is Polycarp the Angel of the Church at Smyrna?

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POLYCARP
31 Introductory Note to the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians

[A.D. 65–100–155.] THE Epistle of Polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of Ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader. Yet he was born later, and lived to a much later period. They seem to have been friends from the days of their common pupilage under St. John; and there is nothing improbable in the conjecture of Usher, that he was the “angel of the church in Smyrna,” to whom the Master says, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus
by Philip Schaff
Christian Classics
p95

ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.html

peace
 
Here is what I have in the Aquinas Study Bible

2:1 angel of the church in Ephesus: That is, its bishop. Moreover, the expositors commonly say it was Timothy, the disciple of Paul. St. Timothy was the apostle over all the bishops of Asia, nevertheless he mostly stayed in Ephesus. (Nicholas of Lyra) Or each church has its own guardian angel. (St. Gregory the Great) He addresses the Church through an angel; somewhat in the same manner as if any one should address a pupil who is undergoing instruction, through the medium of his teacher; since teachers are sometimes wont to transfer to themselves what pertains to their pupils, whether it be their errors or their distinguished actions ; for they endeavor to render their disciples as far as possible like to themselves. (Andreas of Caesarea)

2:8 angel of the church in Smyrna: This was commonly held by the doctors to be St. Polycarp. (Nicholas of Lyra) Polycarp was not only instructed by the Apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by the apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna. (St. Irenaeus)
 
hazcompat said:
POLYCARP
31 Introductory Note to the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians

[A.D. 65–100–155.] THE Epistle of Polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of Ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader. Yet he was born later, and lived to a much later period. They seem to have been friends from the days of their common pupilage under St. John; and there is nothing improbable in the conjecture of Usher, that he was the “angel of the church in Smyrna,” to whom the Master says, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus
by Philip Schaff
Christian Classics
p95

ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.html

peace
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I have no clue but found this and hope it is accurate.

newadvent.org/cathen/01486a.htm
 
Polycarp was a man, a bishop. Angels are created spirits who are messengers of God and who carry out missions for God. They serve, as part of their mission, as guardians, and thus we each have a guardian angel. At Fatima the guardian angel of Portugal appeared to the three children. Bishops, because they are the guardians of the church, and in particular their diocese, are sometimes referred to as the angel of their diocese. It is a metaphorical reference, not a literal reference.
 
Actually, teaching is the main function of a bishop being referred to. The bishop is responsible for making sure that everybody in his diocese is evangelized and taught, carrying the Lord’s message to his people. Thus, any teacher of God’s word is a messenger, and a messenger is an “angel” in that sense.

But a bishop, having been commissioned by God and the Church, is even more supposed to simply carry God’s message for Him. A bishop is not really his own man anymore, even more than a priest.

Also, if the “angels of the churches” being referred to had been their dioceses’ guardian angels and not the bishops of them, Jesus wouldn’t be rebuking them. It’s humans who are the screwups around here… 🙂
 
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