Lexham Research Commentary

Philippians

Derek R. Brown

Author

Douglas Mangum

Series and Volume Editor

Jim LePage

Graphic Designer

Lexham Press, 2013

Preface

The variety of views in biblical studies presents a maze of complexity. There are often as many interpretations as interpreters. With the Lexham Research Commentaries, we start from the premise that the best solution is to provide a map of the maze. The series is designed to be a research tool. Each guide presents a wide range of interpretive issues raised by Bible scholars. These resources meet the needs of those studying the Bible in academic settings, but the broad scope of coverage also makes them useful for preaching preparation.

The research engages with critical biblical scholarship and explains scholarly interpretations. Undoubtedly you will agree with some interpretations, disagree with others, and encounter some for the first time. Whatever the case, these are issues you will run across. We’re here to guide you through this rough terrain.

Each volume in the series links to standard scholarly works on the Bible. The authors of the Lexham Research Commentaries have made no attempt to identify where particular interpretations fall along the theological or denominational spectrum. This is a mark of the diversity of biblical interpretation, not a mark of implicit endorsement by the guides’ authors. Interpreters from different theological perspectives often have conflicting views on the same texts. As you encounter these views, we urge you to keep the biblical text itself central to your study.

The Lexham Research Commentaries provide the information you need to reach your own conclusions. Our summary will explain the issue and the main options. The annotated links will point you to a variety of resources that engage the issue in more depth. If all you need is an overview, the guide alone will give you easy access to the essential information. If you need to research a passage in depth, we will point you to the most relevant discussions among the thousands of available resources in the Logos library. Research takes time. The Lexham Research Commentaries save time.

Introduction to Philippians

Message

Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi touches on several theological issues that he deals with elsewhere in his letters. In particular, Philippians is known for its famous christological hymn, which narrates the incarnation of Christ (Phil 2:5–11). Paul’s message, however, does not focus on Christology or even the Philippians’ financial support of his ministry—a subject featured throughout the writing. Instead, his letter to the Philippians addresses the question of how to live as a Christian in a non-believing world. Paul begins with what many commentators regard as the thesis of the letter in Phil 1:27–30, urging the Philippians to live within society in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. In Philippians 2:5–30, Paul presents Christ, Timothy, and Epaphroditus as three examples for the ...