Philippians: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (2 vols.) (EEC)

by Mark J. Keown

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2017

Philippians

Philippians is considered one of Paul’s most encouraging letters. Mark J. Keown shows how Paul appeals to Christ’s exemplary acts of humility and sacrifice to encourage believers to live worthy of the gospel in every aspect of life. He draws attention to the pastoral heart of the imprisoned Paul, who warns the Philippians against false teachers while calling them to demonstrate their imitation of Christ through a commitment to mission and “radical generosity.”

Through rigorous examination of the original Greek text and engagement with the latest scholarship, Keown delivers an in-depth commentary on Philippians that captures the message of Paul’s encouraging letter for believers today.

Praise for Philippians

With a full introduction and a careful, detailed exegesis, Mark Keown takes us through a profitable journey through one of Paul’s little jewels of a letter. This commentary will answer questions you have about the meaning of the book and encourage the development of a servant’s heart who also knows the joy of the Lord. For those who teach and preach Philippians this volume will be a necessary and worthy companion.

—Darrell L. Bock, senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

Mark Keown has written an elegant and eminently readable commentary on Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. It is rich with detail, discussion, and sensible comments. It is a volume that will no doubt prove to be useful to students and preachers alike.

—Michael F. Bird, Lecturer in Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia.

Keown’s Philippians offers a 1000-page, thoroughly integrated commentary that is at once pastoral, grammatically informed, aware of current research, and theologically reflective. Pastors seeking to preach Paul’s most joy-filled book will find great joy in using this substantive tool!

—George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, Union University

Top Highlights

“This passage focuses not so much on action for the gospel (e.g., ‘stand, contend, struggle’), or suffering, as in the previous one, but on the attitude that should undergird this action and sustain their unity.” (Volume 1, Page 321)

“The emphasis falls on love, which is expressed with knowledge and insight. ‘In knowledge,’ then, suggests a discerning, knowledgeable love based on the triune God’s character and action, Christ, and the gospel, and expressed in any given situation with knowledge and insight as led by the Spirit, for human good.⁵⁸⁹ It is a relational concept, growing out of relationship with God (Fee 1995, 100; Martin 1987, 66; Hendriksen, 60).” (Volume 1, Page 159)

“Here Paul continues to address their need for corrected thinking by urging them not only to pray, but to also be proactive in focusing their attention on those things that reflect the goodness of the gospel.” (Volume 2, Pages 353–354)

“The notion of Paul and Timothy as servants of Christ is not a diminishing of status but an elevation to a position of privilege, their voluntary submission to Christ as a slave to a master.” (Volume 1, Page 99)

“Rather than praying for ‘knowledge and all insight’ as a distinct element then, Paul is praying that the love of the Philippians would be directed by ἐπιγνώσει καὶ πάσῃ αἰσθήσει.” (Volume 1, Page 158)

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series

The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (EEC) series is a premiere biblical commentary rooted in the original text of Scripture. Incorporating the latest in critical biblical scholarship and written from a distinctly evangelical perspective, each comprehensive volume features a remarkable amount of depth, providing historical and literary insights, and addressing exegetical, pastoral, and theological details. Readers will gain a full understanding of the text and how to apply it to everyday life.

Learn more about the other titles in this series.

Product Details

• Title: Philippians: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (EEC)
• Author: Mark J. Keown
• Editors: H. Wayne House, W. Hall Harris, and Andrew W. Pitts
• Series: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (EEC)
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2017
• Volumes: 2

About Mark J. Keown

Mark J. Keown is a Presbyterian minister, biblical scholar, and the Director of Evangelistic Leadership at Laidlaw College, New Zealand. Other writings include Congregational Evangelism in Philippians (2008), What’s God Up to on Planet Earth? (2010), Jesus in a World of Colliding Empires (2018), Discovering the New Testament (2018-2022), Romans and the Mission of God (2021), Understanding Mark’s Gospel (2022), and Galatians (2024).