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    Philippians, Volume 43: Revised Edition
    Philippians, Volume 43: Revised Edition
    Philippians, Volume 43: Revised Edition
    Ebook949 pages12 hours

    Philippians, Volume 43: Revised Edition

    By Gerald F. Hawthorne and Ralph P. Martin

    4.5/5

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    • Christianity

    • Philippians

    • Biblical Studies

    • Humility

    • Theology

    • Hero's Journey

    • Power of Love

    • Quest

    • Loyal Friend

    • Divine Intervention

    • Call to Adventure

    • Spiritual Journey

    • Hope

    • Ascension

    • Mission

    • Salvation

    • Christology

    • Resurrection

    • Kenosis

    • Epistle to the Philippians

    About this ebook

    The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

    Overview of Commentary Organization

    • Introduction—covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology.
    • Each section of the commentary includes:
    • Pericope Bibliography—a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope.
    • Translation—the author’s own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English.
    • Notes—the author’s notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation.
    • Form/Structure/Setting—a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here.
    • Comment—verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research.
    • Explanation—brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues.
      • General Bibliography—occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZondervan
    Release dateJan 9, 2018
    ISBN9780310588320
    Philippians, Volume 43: Revised Edition
    Author

    Gerald F. Hawthorne

    Gerald F. Hawthorne is Professor of Greek Emeritus, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, where he served on the faculty from 1953 to 1995. He is the author of The Presence and the Power: The Signficance of the Holy Spirit in the Life and Ministry of Jesus and editor, with Ralph P. Martin, of Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. He received the B.A. and M.A. degrees from Wheaton College and the Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

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    Reviews for Philippians, Volume 43

    4.5/5

    14 ratings3 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The comments section following the commentary sections are the most helpful. In the comments, the author explains his translation reasoning and, in so doing, expands on the meaning of the passages. Very helpful for understanding the intent of the author. A great sermon prep guide.
    • 5/5
      A superb commentary. You will fill the pages of this otherwise short yet scholarly commentary (only 216 pages) with highlighting, underlining, and your own notes, and will be hard-pressed to put it down. It will give you a voracious appetite for a greater understanding of Philippians, as well as the whole Bible, and personal, practical involvement to it's teachings.
    • 5/5
      I did not expect to enjoy this commentary.

      In fact, I don't like the format of the Word Biblical Commentary series at all. The font size is small, the line spacing is cramped—even the paper quality is poor. I bought this book along with Fee's NICOT entry on Philippians to prepare a sermon series. I fully anticipated on using Fee as my go-to, with Martin & Hawthorne as a second opinion

      By the end of the introduction the tables had turned.

      Gerald F. Hawthorne wrote the WBC entry on Philippians in 1983. Two decades later, in 2003, Ralph P. Martin was tasked with revising Hawthorne's work. Martin wrote with charity and honesty when his views differed from Hawthorne's. In the places where their views diverged, Martin set an example of how to disagree with grace.

      This commentary excels in all areas. The introduction paints a good contextual picture of Paul's setting and life in Philippi. As with all WBC entries, the Greek text is listed and discussed throughout the "Comment" section. Still, you don't need to be a Greek scholar to understand the comments.

      The best quality of this commentary was Hawthorne and Martin's profound theological insight. Here are a few examples:

      On the word "saints" in 1:1:


      "Ethics and religion belong together; relationship to God requires a moral response; God's people must live like God" (7).

      On "prayer" in 1:4:

      "Intercession indeed is the fundamental response of love within the community of believers" (20).

      On "joy" in 1:4:

      "Joy is an understanding of existence that encompasses both elation and depression, that can accept with submission events that bring delight or dismay, because joy allows one to see beyond any particular event to the sovereign Lord who stands above all events and ultimately has control over them"(21).

      Those three quotes are from the first 21 pages of commentary—280 more insight-packed pages follow.

    Book preview

    Philippians, Volume 43 - Gerald F. Hawthorne

    Editorial Board

    Old Testament Editor: Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford (2011–)

    New Testament Editor: Peter H. Davids (2013–)

    Past Editors

    General Editors

    Ralph P. Martin (2012–2013)

    Bruce M. Metzger (1997–2007)

    David A. Hubbard (1977–1996)

    Glenn W. Barker (1977–1984)

    Old Testament Editors:

    John D. W. Watts (1977–2011)

    James W. Watts (1997–2011)

    New Testament Editors:

    Ralph P. Martin (1977–2012)

    Lynn Allan Losie (1997–2013)

    Volumes

    *forthcoming as of 2014

    **in revision as of 2014

    Word Biblical Commentary

    Volume 43

    Philippians

    Revised Edition

    Gerald F. Hawthorne

    Ralph P. Martin

    General Editors: Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard, Glenn W. Barker

    Old Testament Editors: John D. W. Watts, James W. Watts

    New Testament Editors: Ralph P. Martin, Lynn Allan Losie

    ZONDERVAN

    Philippians, Volume 43

    Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

    Previously published as Philippians.

    Formerly published by Thomas Nelson, now published by Zondervan, a division of HarperCollinsChristian Publishing.

    Requests for information should be addressed to:

    Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

    ePub edition January 2018: ISBN 978-0-310-58832-0

    The Library of Congress has cataloged the original edition as follows: Library of Congress Control Number: 2005295211

    All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

    Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

    The author’s own translation of the text appears in italic type under the heading Translation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

    This book is dedicated in gratitude

    to two special persons in the authors’ lives

    Jane Hawthorne

    and

    Doreen Martin

    who, like the women of Philippi,

    have labored beside us in the work of the gospel

    UXORIBUS CARISSIMIS

    Contents

    Editors’ Preface

    Author’s Preface to First Edition

    Preface to Revised Edition

    Abbreviations

    Commentary Bibliography

    General Bibliography

    Introduction

    Authorship

    The Integrity of Philippians

    The Recipients and Their City

    Place and Date of Writing

    Paul’s Opponents and the False Teachers at Philippi

    Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

    Outline of Philippians

    Aspects of the Theology of Philippians

    Text of the Letter

    Exegesis and Rhetorical Analysis, with Special Reference to Philippians 2:6–11

    Christology in Philippians

    Text and Commentary

    I. Introductory Section (1:1–11)

    A. Salutation (1:1–2)

    B. Thanksgiving and Prayer (1:3–11)

    II. News and Instructions (1:12–2:30)

    A. News about Paul (1:12–26)

    B. Instructions for the Church (1:27–2:18)

    1. To Stability in the Faith (1:27–30)

    2. To Harmony and Humility (2:1–4)

    3. Kerygmatic Center of the Letter: Christ, the Supreme Encouragement to Humility and Unselfishness (2:5–11)

    Excursus: On Kenosis

    4. Application: To Obedience, with Paul as Model (2:12–18)

    C. News about Timothy and Epaphroditus and Their Role as Models (2:19–30)

    1. About Timothy (2:19–24)

    2. About Epaphroditus (2:25–30)

    III. Digression: Warning against False Teachings with Paul’s Experience and Life as a Model to Follow (3:1–21)

    A. Warning against Circumcision and Pride in Human Achievements (3:1–3)

    B. Paul’s Own Life, Past and Present: An Answer to Opponents (3:4–11)

    C. Warning against Perfection Now (3:12–16)

    D. Paul’s Life: A Model to Imitate (3:17)

    E. Warning against Imitating Other Teachers (3:18–19)

    F. Paul’s Hope in the Future and Unseen (3:20–21)

    IV. Exhortations to Harmony and Joy (4:1–9)

    V. Gratitude Expressed for the Philippians’ Generosity (4:10–20)

    VI. Conclusion (4:21–23)

    Indexes

    Editorial Preface

    The launching of the Word Biblical Commentary brings to fulfillment an enterprise of several years’ planning. The publishers and the members of the editorial board met in 1977 to explore the possibility of a new commentary on the books of the Bible that would incorporate several distinctive features. Prospective readers of these volumes are entitled to know what such features were intended to be; whether the aims of the commentary have been fully achieved time alone will tell.

    First, we have tried to cast a wide net to include as contributors a number of scholars from around the world who not only share our aims, but are in the main engaged in the ministry of teaching in university, college, and seminary. They represent a rich diversity of denominational allegiance. The broad stance of our contributors can rightly be called evangelical, and this term is to be understood in its positive, historic sense of a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation and to the truth and power of the Christian gospel.

    Then, the commentaries in our series are all commissioned and written for the purpose of inclusion in the Word Biblical Commentary. Unlike several of our distinguished counterparts in the field of commentary writing, there are no translated works, originally written in a non-English language. Also, our commentators were asked to prepare their own rendering of the original biblical text and to use the biblical languages as the basis of their own comments and exegesis. What may be claimed as distinctive with this series is that it is based on the biblical languages, yet it seeks to make the technical and scholarly approach to a theological understanding of Scripture understandable by—and useful to—the fledgling student, the working minister, and colleagues in the guild of professional scholars and teachers as well.

    Finally, a word must be said about the format of the series. The layout, in clearly defined sections, has been consciously devised to assist readers at different levels. Those wishing to learn about the textual witnesses on which the translation is offered are invited to consult the section headed Notes. If the readers’ concern is with the state of modern scholarship on any given portion of Scripture, they should turn to the sections on Bibliography and Form/Structure/Setting. For a clear exposition of the passage’s meaning and its relevance to the ongoing biblical revelation, the Comment and concluding Explanation are designed expressly to meet that need. There is therefore something for everyone who may pick up and use these volumes.

    If these aims come anywhere near realization, the intention of the editors will have been met, and the labor of our team of contributors rewarded.

    General Editors: Bruce M. Metzger

    David A. Hubbard†

    Glenn W. Barker†

    Old Testament Editor: John D. W. Watts

    Associate Editor: James W. Watts

    New Testament Editor: Ralph P. Martin

    Associate Editor: Lynn Allan Losie

    Author’s Preface [to First Edition]

    Four years with Philippians seems like a long time. And it is! Yet it is not time enough to grasp completely all of the richness locked away in this beautiful letter that Paul wrote to his friends at Philippi, nor to master adequately the mass of literature that scholars, ancient and modern, have produced in an attempt to express what Paul meant by what he wrote. The Christ-Hymn itself (2:5–11), so majestic, so profound, could easily have absorbed the entire time allotted. And the literature on this single poem, so vast, so learned, could boggle far greater minds than mine. Thus to write this commentary has been an exercise in extreme pain and extreme pleasure. Ancient letters, by their very nature a conversation halved, are not at all easy to piece together and understand. This fact coupled with the great Apostle’s depth of thinking and depth of feeling expressed often in ambiguous and difficult Greek make the interpreter’s task most arduous. But when the clouds part and the brilliance of Paul’s ideas about God’s saving activity in Christ break through, when one at last begins to feel the intensity of Paul’s devotion to Christ and the sheer force of his appeal propelling him to follow the Savior—when all this happens as a result of painful mental toil, it constitutes rewards of incalculable delight, and the pleasure outweighs the pain.

    I am debtor to so many that like Paul I should mention no names (cf. 4:21–23) lest inadvertently I should fail to mention even a single person to whom I owe a great deal. But unlike Paul I will take the risk. First, I am grateful to Professor Ralph P. Martin for inviting me to take part in this venture, and for his own superb literary contributions to the overall understanding of Philippians.

    Then, too, I am greatly in debt to all those others who have gone before me, those many scholars of the first rank who long ago and more recently still have wrestled hard with the text of Philippians to interpret correctly and to express clearly its meaning. And if in places this commentary has but followed the thinking of others, I make no apologies, since old thoughts are new to the new and quickly passing generations. To republish a thought, then, is to give it new life; it is a kind of resurrection of the dead. As someone quipped, Why should a good observation or rule be lost because it is imprisoned in some monstrous folio? It is good to repeat worthy thoughts in new books, because the old works in which they stand are not read. Whenever I have borrowed another’s idea, I have done my best to indicate this and to give credit to whom credit is due. If by chance I have failed in this endeavor at any point, I apologize, and hereby own my indebtedness to everyone whose writings I have read.

    I am grateful, too, to my many students who tolerated me as I tested on them new ideas about Philippians. They were always patient and cheerful, but very ready to let me know the weakness of my arguments. I am certain I have been saved from many errors by their collected wisdom. Two former students in particular I wish to identify by name, John R. Jack Levison and Mark A. Rilling, both of whom have graduated with honors from Cambridge University, England, upon leaving Wheaton College. These young men allowed me to use them as sounding boards. They continuously supported me in my efforts, constructively criticizing, suggesting bibliography—books and articles I had overlooked—prodding to greater clarity and precision by their probing questions.

    I am also grateful to my college—Wheaton College—and to its administrative officers, especially Dr. Ward Kriegbaum, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. William Henning, Dean of Arts and Sciences, for their continued interest and their determination to free two summers for me so that I might turn from teaching to writing.

    Finally, I owe a very great debt of gratitude for the generous financial assistance that has come to me through the G. W. Aldeen Research Fund.

    GERALD F. HAWTHORNE

    Wheaton, Illinois

    November 1982

    Preface to Revised Edition

    In some ways, of what follows, this preface has been the easiest part to be written. Dr. Gerald F. Hawthorne’s commentary appeared in 1983 and has proved its worth to a wide audience, which has been willing to read it carefully, as it deserves.

    The tide of biblical studies flows relentlessly, and Paul’s friendship letter to the church at Philippi has been studied with increasing attention since 1983. It is clear that a new edition of this commentary is called for—a task that can only be taken up with great reluctance, not only because of the intrinsic value of the first edition but also because no one individual can claim to have consulted, let alone read, the massive literature on this short epistle. One disclaimer is, therefore, in order. What appears in the new edition represents a commentary on the text in the light of recent literature (1983–2002) that the present reviser has actually seen and read, however cursorily.*

    The approach to a revising enterprise ought to be stated for prospective readers. Is it worth investing in a new edition? What is the extent and scope of such revision? Fortunately the task is made easier by the now familiar layout of the Word Biblical Commentary series.

    The Bibliography has been updated with such pertinent references as the reviser has been able to consult; these include major commentaries, monographs, and articles appearing in scholarly journals since the time of Dr. Hawthorne’s earlier work. Occasionally a gap has been filled and some older references deleted.

    Then, the Translation is left virtually intact, with only an infrequent change, usually marked by square brackets to denote the first author’s expansion of the text. He has approved any minor changes. The Notes have been altered only in the interest of updating.

    The same approach is true of the major section denoted as Comment. Here the reviser’s additions have been woven into the first edition by a process (well-known in Synoptic studies) of conflation. These additions have sought not to break the continuity of the original author’s commentary but to update the discussion and sometimes to add a new paragraph of recent discussions and applications.

    The last named is particularly true of the Explanation section, a segment that is variously employed by different authors throughout the WBC series. Insights from what is called Wirkungsgeschichte (literally effective history, or the history of the letter’s effects on those who heard [and still hear] it, as M. Bockmuehl describes it, including the reception of a text and its subsequent effect in the church’s history) are occasionally developed, and the reviser has not been averse to promoting a devotional thought in an epistle whose secondary themes of joy in suffering and life in Christ are so well known.

    My regret, on a personal note, is that Dr. Hawthorne was not available to carry out the revision in his own name and inimitable style. The present reviser can only trust that what he has contributed to what is virtually a new work has met with his colleague’s concurrence. Dr. Hawthorne has seen the final draft and approved it. Places in the Introduction section and in the christological passage of 2:6–11 are obvious loci for scholarly and friendly disagreement, and here we must submit to the judgment of the reader. Yet we dissent from each other’s opinion only with reluctance and always con amore.

    So what is now offered is a joint enterprise, published under the two writers’ names as a substantial revision of an earlier book, and so deserving of a place in anyone’s library as an example of cooperative study. What appeared in 1983 was good; what is due to appear, since this preface is written as the revision is underway, is (it is hoped) better in the sense of being more up to date; whether it is the best the two of us can make is doubtful, given that the final word in biblical scholarship can never be spoken. And how serviceable this new book will seem to be is left to the verdict of the present and future generations of readers.

    My heartfelt indebtedness is acknowledged to those who have labored with me in preparing this revision, in particular Barbara Hayes, Benjamin Schliesser, Roberto Bustamante, and Thomas C. Hanson, Sr. With all the recent New Testament contributors a special word of thanks goes to the managing copyeditor Melanie B. McQuere and associate editor Dr. Lynn A. Losie.

    In conclusion, some readers may lay down this revised edition and wonder if the present reviser who has sought to play the role of Philip Heseltine to Peter Warlock has, in fact, rather become a Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll!

    RALPH P. MARTIN

    May 2003

    * It is regretted that, as this volume went to press, we were able to make only a passing reference to a Festschrift offered to Dr. Hawthorne. Under the title New Testament Greek and Exegesis: Essays in Honor of Gerald F. Hawthorne, ed. A. M. Donaldson and T. B. Sailors (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003), it has three essays devoted to the themes of Philippians, all of which are significant. They are Philippians 1:28b, Once More, by S. E. Fowl; Transformation of Relationships: Partnership, Citizenship, and Friendship at Philippi, by G. W Hansen; and Ephesus and the Literary Setting of Philipians, by F. S. Thielman.

    Abbreviations

    A. General Abbreviations

    B. Abbreviations for Modern Translations and Paraphrases

    C. Abbrevations of Commonly Used Periodicals, Reference Works, and Serials

    D. Abbreviations for Books of the Bible and Deuterocanonical Books

    OLD TESTAMENT

    NEW TESTAMENT

    E. Deuterocanonical Books

    F. Abbreviations for Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and Early Christian Books

    OLD TESTAMENT PSEUDEPIGRAPHA

    EARLY CHRISTIAN BOOKS

    G. Abbreviations for Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Texts

    H. Greek and Latin Works

    I. Philo

    J. Josephus

    Commentary Bibliography

    The following list of commentaries includes those that have been most frequently cited in this volume. They will be cited by author’s name only in the text of the commentary.

    Alford, H. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. London: Longmans, Green, 1894. Barclay, W. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975. Barth, K. The Epistle to the Philippians. Trans. J. W. Leitch. 40th anniv. ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002. Beare, F. W. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians. 3d ed. HNTC. New York: Harper & Bros., 1976. Beasley-Murray, G. R. Philippians. In Peake’s Commentary on the Bible. Ed. M. Black and H. H. Rowley. New York: Nelson, 1962. Bengel, J. A. Gnomon of the New Testament. Trans. C. T. Lewis and M. R. Vincent. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Perkinpine & Higgins, 1860–62. Reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1971. Originally published under the title Gnomon Novi Testamenti, 2d ed. (Tübingen: Schramm, 1759). Benoit, P. Les épîtres de saint Paul aux Philippiens, à Philémon, aux Colossiens, aux Ephésiens. Paris: Cerf, 1959. Biggs, C. R. D. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. London: Methuen, 1900. Bockmuehl, M. The Epistle to the Philippians. BNTC. London: A. & C. Black; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1998. Bonnard, P. L’épître de saint Paul aux Philippiens et l’épître aux Colossiens. CNT 10. Neuchâtel: Delachaux et Niestlé, 1950. Bruce, F. F. Philippians. NIBCNT. 2d ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1989. Caird, G. B. Paul’s Letters from Prison. NClB. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1976. Calvin, J. Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Trans. J. Pringle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1948. Collange, J.-F. The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Trans. A. W. Heathcote. London: Epworth Press, 1979. Originally published as L’épître de saint Paul aux Philippiens, CNT 10 (Neuchâtel: Delachaux et Niestlé, 1973). Cousar, C. B. Reading Galatians, Philippians, and 1 Thessalonians. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2001. Craddock, F. B. Philippians. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Atlanta: John Knox, 1985. De Boer, W. P. Die Briefe des Paulus an die Philipper und an die Kolosser erklärt. Wuppertal: Brockhaus, 1974. Dibelius, M. An die Thessalonicher I, II. An die Philipper. HNT 11. 3d ed. Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 1937. Ellicott, C. J. A Critical and Grammatical Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistles to the Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Boston: Draper, 1886. Ernst, J. Die Briefe an die Philipper, an Philemon, an die Kolosser, an die Epheser. RNT 7. Regensburg: Pustet, 1974. Ewald, P., and G. Wohlenberg. Der Brief des Paulus an die Philipper. 4th ed. ZKNT 11. Leipzig: Deichert, 1923. Fee, G. D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. ———. Philippians. IVPNTC 11. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999. Fitzmyer, J. A. Philippians. In Jerome Biblical Commentary. Ed. R. E. Brown, J. A. Fitzmyer, and R. E. Murphy. 2 vols. in 1. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1968. 2:247–53. Friedrich, G. Der Brief an die Philipper. NTD 8. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1962. Gnilka, J. Der Philipperbrief. HTKNT 10.3. 4th ed. Freiburg: Herder, 1987. Translated by R. A. Wilson under the title The Epistle to the Philippians (New York: Herder & Herder, 1971). Grayston, K. The Epistles to the Galatians and to the Philippians. London: Epworth, 1957. ———. The Letters of Paul to the Philippians and the Thessalonians. CBC. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1967. Haupt, E. Die Gefangenschaftsbriefe. KEK. 7th ed. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1902. Heinzelmann, G. Der Brief an die Philipper. NTD 8. 7th ed. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1955. Hendriksen, W. Philippians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1962. Hooker, M. D. Philippians. In New Interpreter’s Bible. Ed. L. E. Keck. Vol. 11. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000. Houlden, J. L. Paul’s Letters from Prison. PNTC. Baltimore, MD: Penguin, 1970. Huby, J. Saint Paul, les épîtres de la captivité. VS 8. Paris: Beauchesne, 1935. Jones, M. Philippians. Westminster Commentaries. London: Methuen, 1918. Kahlefeld, H. Der Brief nach Philippi. Frankfurt: Knecht, 1975. Keck, L. E. The Letter of Paul to the Philippians. In The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible. Ed. C. M. Laymon. New York: Abingdon, 1971. Kennedy, H. A. A. The Epistle to the Philippians. In The Expositor’s Greek Testament. Vol. 3. Ed. W. R. Nicoll. 1903. Reprint, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976. Lightfoot, J. B. St Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. London: Macmillan, 1894. Loh, I.-J., and E. A. Nida. A Translator’s Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Helps for Translators 19. Stuttgart: United Bible Societies, 1977. Lohmeyer, E. Der Brief an die Philipper, an die Kolosser und an Philemon. 10th ed. KEK 9. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1954. Marshall, I. H. The Epistle to the Philippians. London: Epworth, 1992. Martin, R. P. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. TNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959; rev. ed., 1987. ———. Philippians. NCB. London: Oliphants; Greenwood, SC: Attic, 1976. ———. Philippians. Rev. ed. NCB. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980. Reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1999. Melick, R. R. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Nashville: Broadman, 1991. Meyer, H. A. W. Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Trans. W. P. Dickson and F. Crombie. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1875. Michael, J. H. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. MNTC. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1928. Michaelis, W. Der Brief des Paulus an die Philipper. THKNT 11. Leipzig: Deichert, 1935. Morlet, R.-M. L’epitre de Paul aux Philippiens. CEB 3. Vaux-sur-Seine: EDIFAC, 1985. Moule, H. C. G. The Epistle to the Philippians. CGTC. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1897. Müller, J. J. The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955. Müller, U. B. Der Brief des Paulus an die Philipper. THKNT 11.1. Leipzig: Evangelische Verlaganstalt, 1993. O’Brien, P. T. The Epistle to the Philippians. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991. Osiek, C. Philippians, Philemon. ANCT. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000. Péry, A. L’épître aux Philippiens. Paris: Delachaux et Niestlé, 1958. Plummer, A. A Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. London: Scott, 1919. Rainy, R. The Epistle to the Philippians. EB. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1893. Schenk, W. Die Philipperbriefe des Paulus. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1984. Scott, E. F. The Epistle to the Philippians. In The Interpreter’s Bible. Ed. G. A. Buttrick et al. New York: Abingdon, 1955. 11:3–129. Silva, M. Philippians. Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1988. Reprint, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992. Soden, H. von. Der Brief des Apostels Paulus an die Philipper. Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 1889. Synge, F. C. Philippians and Colossians. TBC. London: SCM Press, 1951. Thielman, F. Philippians. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. ———. Philippians. In Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. Vol. 3, Romans to Philemon. Ed. C. E. Arnold. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. Tillman, F. Der Philipperbrief. In Die Gefangenschaftsbriefe des heiligen Paulus. Ed. H. Meimer and F. Tillmann. Bonn: Hanstein, 1931. Vincent, M. R. Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1897. Weiss, B. A Commentary on the New Testament. Trans. G. Schodde et al. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1906. Witherington, B., III. Friendship and Finances in Philippi: The Letter of Paul to the Philippians. New Testament in Context. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1994.

    General Bibliography

    Readers should also refer to the bibliography in M. Bockmuehl, The Epistle to the Philippians, BNTC (London: A. & C. Black; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1998) 273–97. The following list includes titles later than 1998.

    Achtemeier, P. J., J. B. Green, and M. M. Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Aune, D. E. The New Testament in Its Literary Environment. LEC. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1987. Bakirtzis, C., and H. Koester. Philippi at the Time of Paul and after His Death. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1998. Barker, G. W., W. L. Lane, and J. R. Michaels. The New Testament Speaks. New York: Harper & Row, 1969. Barrett, C. K. From First Adam to Last. New York: Scribner’s Sons, 1962. Blevins, J. L. Introduction to Philippians. RevExp 77 (1980) 311–23. Bloomquist, L. G. The Function of Suffering in Philippians. JSNTSup 78. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993. Bonhöffer, A. Epiktet und das Neue Testament. Giessen: Töpelmann, 1911. Bormann, L. Philippi: Stadt und Christgemeinde zur Zeit des Paulus. NovTSup 78. Leiden: Brill, 1995. Bornkamm, G. The New Testament: A Guide to Its Writings. Trans. R. H. and I. Fuller. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1973. Brown, R. E. An Introduction to the New Testament. ABRL. New York: Doubleday, 1997. Bultmann, R. Theology of the New Testament. 2 vols. Trans. K. Grobel. New York: Scribner’s Sons, 1951, 1955. Carson, D. A., D. J. Moo, and L. Morris. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. Cullmann, O. The New Testament: An Introduction. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1968. Dana, H. E., and J. R. Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament. New York: Macmillan, 1927. Danby, H. The Mishnah: Translated from the Hebrew with Introduction and Brief Explanatory Notes. London: Oxford UP, 1933. Davies, W. D. Paul and Rabbinic Judaism: Some Rabbinic Elements in Pauline Theology. 5th ed. Mifflintown, PA: Sigler Press, 1998. Deissmann, A. Light from the Ancient East. Trans. L. R. M. Strachan. New York: Doran, 1927. Delling, G. Philipperbrief. In Die Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart. 3d ed. Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 1957. Dibelius, M. A Fresh Approach to the New Testament and Early Christian Literature. New York: Scribners, 1936. Doty, W. G. Letters in Primitive Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1973. Dunn, J. D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. Dupont-Sommer, A. The Essene Writings from Qumran. Trans. G. Vermes. Oxford: Blackwell, 1961. Ellis, E. E. Paul and His Recent Interpreters. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961. Enslin, M. S. Christian Beginnings: The Literature of the Christian Movement. 3 vols. New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Feine, P., J. Behm, and W. G. Kümmel. Introduction to the New Testament. Trans. A. J. Mattill Jr. Nashville: Abingdon, 1966. Fuller, R. H. A Critical Introduction to the New Testament. London: Duckworth, 1966. Grant, R. M. A Historical Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Harper & Row, 1963. Guthrie, D. New Testament Introduction: The Pauline Epistles. 3d ed. Chicago: InterVarsity Press, 1970. Harrison, E. F. Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964. Holloway, P. A. Consolation in Philippians: Philosophical Sources and Rhetorical Strategy. SNTSMS 112. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2001. Hunt, A. S., and C. C. Edgar. Select Papyri. 2 vols. New York: Putnam’s Sons, 1932–34. Hunter, A. M. Introducing the New Testament. 2d ed. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1957. Jeremias, J. New Testament Theology: The Proclamation of Jesus. Trans. J. Bowden. New York: Scribner’s Sons, 1971. Kennedy, H. A. A. Sources of New Testament Greek: Or, The Influence of the Septuagint on the Vocabulary of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1895. Kim, S. The Origin of Paul’s Gospel. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. ———. Paul and the New Perspective: Second Thoughts on the Origin of Paul’s Gospel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. Klijn, A. F. J. An Introduction to the New Testament. Trans. M. van der Vathorst-Smit. Leiden: Brill, 1967. Koskenniemi, H. Studien zur Idee und Phraseologie des griechischen Briefes bis 400 n. Chr. Helsinki, 1956. Kümmel, W. G. Introduction to the New Testament. Rev. ed. Trans. H. C. Kee. Nashville: Abingdon, 1975. ———. The Theology of the New Testament. Trans. J. E. Steely. Nashville: Abingdon, 1973. Ladd, G. E. A Theology of the New Testament. Rev. D. A. Hagner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Lake, K., and H. J. Cadbury. The Beginnings of Christianity. Ed. F. J. Foakes-Jackson and K. Lake. Vol. 4. New York: Macmillan, 1933. Martin, R. P. Carmen Christi: Philippians ii. 5–11 in Recent Interpretation and in the Setting of Early Christian Worship. SNTSMS 4. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1967. ———. Carmen Christi: Philippians ii. 5–11 in Recent Interpretation and in the Setting of Early Christian Worship. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983. ———. A Hymn of Christ: Philippians 2:5–11 in Recent Interpretation and in the Setting of Early Christian Worship. [3rd ed. of Carmen Christi.] Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. ———. New Testament Foundations: A Guide for Christian Students. Rev. ed. 2 vols. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1999. ———. Reconciliation: A Study of Paul’s Theology. Marshalls Theological Library/New Foundations Theological Library. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott; Atlanta: John Knox, 1981. Reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1997. Marxsen, W. Introduction to the New Testament. Trans. G. Buswell. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1968. McNeile, A. H. Introduction to the New Testament. Rev. C. S. C. Williams. Oxford: Clarendon, 1953. Mengel, B. Studien zum Philipperbrief. WUNT 2.8. Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 1982. Michaelis, W. Einleitung in das Neue Testament. Bern: Buchhandlung der Evangelischen Gesellschaft, 1946. Moffatt, J. An Introduction to the Literature of the New Testament. New York: Scribners, 1911. Moule, C. F. D. An Idiom-Book of New Testament Greek. 2d ed. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1959. ———. The Origin of Christology. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1977. Moulton, J. H., W. F. Howard, and N. Turner. A Grammar of New Testament Greek. 4 vols. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1906–1976. Oakes, P. Philippians: From People to Letter. SNTSMS 110. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2001. Perrin, N. The New Testament: An Introduction. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1974. Peterlin, D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians in the Light of Disunity in the Church. NovTSup 79. Leiden: Brill, 1995. Peterman, G. W. Paul’s Gift from Philippi: Conventions of Gift-Exchange and Christian Giving. SNTSMS 92. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1997. Pfitzner, V. C. Paul and the Agon Motif: Traditional Athletic Imagery in the Pauline Literature. NovTSup 16. Leiden: Brill, 1967. Pilhofer, P. Philippi. 2 vols. WUNT 2.87, 119. Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 1995, 2000. Ramsay, W. M. St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen. New York: Putnam, 1898. Reed, J. T. A Discourse Analysis of Philippians: Method and Rhetoric in the Debate over Literary Integrity. JSNTSup 136. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997. Ridderbos, H. N. Paul: An Outline of His Theology. Trans. J. R. DeWitt. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975. Riddle, D. W., and H. H. Hutson. New Testament Life and Literature. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1946. Robert, A., and A. Feuillet. Introduction to the New Testament. Trans. P. W. Skehan. New York: Desclée, 1965. Sanders, E. P. Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1977. Schmithals, W. Paul and the Gnostics. Trans. J. E. Steely. Nashville: Abingdon, 1972. Schnelle, U. Einleitung in das Neue Testament. 2d ed. Göttingen: Vandehoeck & Ruprecht, 1996. Schreiner, T. R. Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001. Smyth, H. W. Greek Grammar. Rev. G. M. Messing. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1956. Stauffer, E. New Testament Theology. Trans. J. Marsh. London: SCM Press, 1955. Thrall, M. E. Greek Particles in the New Testament. NTTS 3. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962. White, J. L. The Form and Function of the Body of the Greek Letter: A Study of the Letter-Body in the Non-Literary Papyri and in Paul the Apostle. SBLDS 2. Missoula, MT: Scholars Press, 1972. ———, ed. Light from Ancient Letters. FF. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986. Whiteley, D. E. H. The Theology of St. Paul. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1964. Wick, P. Der Philipperbrief: Der formale Aufbau des Briefs als Schlüssel zum Verständnis seines Inhalts. BWANT 135. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1994. Wikenhauser, A. New Testament Introduction. Trans. J. Cunningham. New York: Herder & Herder, 1958. Zahn, T. Introduction to the New Testament. Trans. J. M. Trout et al. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1909.

    Introduction

    Authorship

    Bibliography

    Barnikol, E. Der Marcionitische Ursprung des Mythossatzes Phil 2, 6–7. Kiel: Mühlau, 1932. Baur, F. C. Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. London: Williams & Norgate, 1875. Best, E. Bishops and Deacons: Phil 1:1. SE IV (= TU 102 [1968]) 371–76. Enslin, M. S. Christian Beginnings. Evanson, E. The Dissonance of the Four Generally Received Evangelists. Ipswich: Jermym, 1792. Hooker, M. D. Philippians 2:6–11. In Jesus und Paulus. Ed. E. E. Ellis and E. Grässer. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1975. 151–64. Karris, R. J. A Symphony of New Testament Hymns. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1996. McArthur, H. K. Computer Criticism. ExpTim 76 (1965) 367–70. ———. Καί Frequency in Greek Letters. NTS 15 (1969) 339–49. Morton, A. Q., and J. McLeman. Christianity in the Computer Age. New York: Harper & Row, 1965. ———. Paul, the Man and the Myth: A Study in the Authorship of Greek Prose. New York: Harper & Row, 1966. Seeley, D. The Background of the Philippian Hymn (2:6–11). JHC 1 (1994) 49–72. Völter, W. D. Zwei Briefe an die Philipper. TT 26 (1892) 10–44, 117–46. Whittaker, M. A. Q. Morton and J. McLeman. Theology 69 (1966) 567–68.

    The letter to the Philippians claims Paul as its author (1:1), an association that rarely has been challenged since it was first made. And for good reason. In disclosing his innermost feelings (1:18–24), sharing autobiographical information (3:5–6), describing his present situation (1:12–13), naming his friends and co-workers (2:19–30), and referring to gifts sent him from Philippi to Thessalonica and elsewhere, including the place of his captivity (4:15–16; cf. Acts 17:1–9; 2 Cor 8:1–5), the author unconsciously and naturally draws a picture of himself that coincides precisely with what can be known of Paul from other sources (e.g., Acts and Galatians). In style and language, too, no letter can make a stronger claim to be from Paul (Enslin, Christian Beginnings, 3:280). And it deserves to be ranked with the Hauptbriefe, the capital epistles of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians—a status that P. Oakes (Philippians, 23) supports. An abundance of special Pauline vocabulary appears throughout Philippians. Phrases, ideas, and allusions to opposition of false teachers that show up here also appear in letters unquestionably written by Paul (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians). In this epistle surely, if anywhere, the two complementary aspects of St. Paul’s person and teaching . . . both appear with a force and definiteness which carry thorough conviction (Lightfoot, 74). Indeed, Lightfoot’s observation in his preface is so patently true, yet often forgotten, that it is worth reproducing.

    Though the Gospel is capable of doctrinal exposition, though it is eminently fertile in moral results, yet its substance is neither a dogmatic system nor an ethical code, but a Person and a Life.

    Echoes of Philippians may be heard in the writings of Clement (ca. A.D. 95), Ignatius (ca. A.D. 107), Hermas (ca. A.D. 140), Justin Martyr (d. ca. A.D. 165), Melito of Sardis (d. ca. A.D. 190), and Theophilus of Antioch (later second century). Polycarp of Smyrna (d. ca. A.D. 155) addresses himself to the Philippians and directly mentions Paul as having written to them (Pol. Phil. 3.2). Irenaeus (d. ca. A.D. 200), Clement of Alexandria (d. ca. A.D. 215), Tertullian (d. ca. A.D. 225), and later Christian writers not only quote from Philippians but assign the letter to Paul as well. Philippians appears in the oldest extant lists of NT writings—the Muratorian Canon (later second century) and the special canon of Marcion (d. ca. A.D. 160). There apparently never was a question in the minds of the early Christian leaders about the canonical authority of Philippians or its authorship.

    A few scholars, however, have questioned the Pauline authorship of Philippians, in whole or in part. E. Evanson (1731–1805) was the first to do so (Dissonance, 263), followed later by F. C. Baur (1792–1860) and the Tübingen school he founded. Baur’s historical studies led him to the conclusion that Paul wrote none of the epistles that bear his name except Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians. This radical view, though ably set forth by persons of learning, was not convincing and disappeared, only to be revived in recent years by A. Q. Morton and J. McLeman.

    With the aid of computers, Morton and McLeman are able to do intricate and detailed studies. For example, they claim that they can readily count the number of sentences in each epistle that bears Paul’s name and at the same time the frequency of καί, and, in each sentence. On the basis of such analysis they can profess, to their own satisfaction, which of the letters were written by Paul and which were not. Their conclusions harmonize with those of Baur. Philippians is not among the genuine Pauline letters. The validity of Morton and McLeman’s methodology and the quality of their work have been severely criticized (see H. K. McArthur, ExpTim 76 [1965] 367–70; idem, NTS 15 [1969] 339–49; M. Whittaker, Theology 69 [1966] 567–68). Therefore, their conclusions have not been widely adopted, nor are they likely to be. Here is an example of the way, in biblical study, ideas arise, have their day with limited appeal, and disappear without a trace.

    It is safe to say that most contemporary NT scholars consider that Paul did write Philippians and that the question of its genuineness has only historical significance (Gnilka). This statement, however, does not mean that all these scholars agree that Paul wrote all of Philippians. For example, W. D. Völter attempted to excise non-Pauline insertions in Philippians (TT 26 [1892] 10–44, 117–46). Phil 1:1b, with its mention of bishops and deacons, is looked upon by some as an addition to the original letter (Riddle and Hutson, New Testament Life and Literature, 123; Schenk, 78–80; on this verse, see esp. E. Best, SE IV (= TU 102 [1968]) 371–76). Still others consider that 2:6–7 is a Marcionite interpolation (E. Barnikol, Marcionitische Ursprung). Many see the whole of 2:6–11 as a song to Christ, not originally written by Paul but modified and used by him as a call for humility, obedience, and service and adapted from a pre-Pauline Vorlage (original edition) (see R. P. Martin, Hymn of Christ; idem, New Testament Foundations, 2:256–68, for details; see also M. D. Hooker, Philippians 2:6–11, for the problems involved in discovering pre-Pauline fragments in the Pauline letters). This literary feature of pre-Pauline fragments is now generally accepted, on grounds of contextual placement, literary features and style, and theological content. Its analysis goes under the name of tradition and redaction. See the popular treatment in R. J. Karris, Symphony. J. H. Michael (112) suggests the possibility that 2:19–24 was a brief Pauline note written to correspondents whose identity can no longer be determined. P. Wick (Philipperbrief) has divided the text into elaborately sectioned parts, hypothetically (and improbably) assigned to separate units.

    The Integrity of Philippians

    Bibliography

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    Although most interpreters agree that Paul wrote Philippians, by no means do all these agree about the question of integrity: Is Philippians a single letter or a compilation of

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