Philippians (Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | AYBC)

by John H. P. Reumann

Publisher:

Yale University Press

, 2008

Overview

In Philippians John Reumann offers both classical approaches and new methods of understanding this New Testament book. With fresh commentary on the social world and rhetorical criticism, and a special focus on the contributions of the Philippian house churches to Paul’s work and early Christian mission, Reumann clarifies Paul’s attitudes toward and interactions with the Philippians.

Departing from traditional readings of Philippians in light of Acts, Reumann allows Paul to speak in his own right. His three letters from Ephesus shed new light on relationships, and we come to see how he approves some aspects of the dominant “culture of friendship” in Greco-Roman Philippi while disapproving of others. He seeks to help the Philippians discern how to be citizens of the heavenly kingdom and also Caesar’s state, though there is an undercurrent of “Christ vs. Caesar.” Scholars, students, and general readers alike will find much of interest in John Reumann’s deeply researched and insightful new volume.

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Key Features

• Offers original translations, including alternative translations, annotations, and variants
• Provides verse-by-verse commentary on the text
• Presents the reader with historical background, including analysis of authorship and dating
• Features an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary literature

Contents

• Letter Opening, 1:1–11
  • Prescript (Address, Salutation), 1:1–2
  • Prooimion (Prayer Report, Thanksgiving and Intercession), 1:3–11
• The Body of the Letter, 1:12–4:20
  • Letter B, Body, 1:12–3:1
    • Narratio (Paul Describes the Situation Where He Is), 1:12–18c
    • Narratio, Continued (Paul’s Expectations, as He Weighs the Balance: To Stay on in Service), 1:18d–26
    • Paraenesis (Propositio, with Reasons for the Admonitions), 1:27–30
    • Paraenesis (Exhortatio, with Further Reasons for the Comfort and Admonitions), 2:1–4
    • The Philippians’ Encomium, Applied by Paul to Christian Life in Philippi, 2:5–11
    • Paraenesis (Exhortatio, with Further Reasons for the Comfort and Admonitions), 2:12–18
    • Travel Plans for Mission and Some Paranesis, 2:19–30
    • Toward Concluding Paraenesis, 3:1
  • Letter C, Body, 3:2–21
    • A Brusque Warning: “Circumcision” and Us, 3:2–4a
    • Saul the Pharisee, Paul “In Christ”: Autobiographical Instruction on Law, Righteousness, Resurrection, and More, 3:4b–11
    • Paul and the Philippians: Running toward the Goal, but Not Perfected, 3:12–16
    • The Pauline Model Versus Enemies of Christ’s Cross: Future Change, Proper Glory, 3:17–21
    • Concluding Paraenesis (with Letter Closing), 4:1–9
  • Letter A, Body; Canonical Philippians Body Conclusion, 4:10–20
    • Friendship, Thanks, and God, 4:10–20
• Letter Closing, 4:21–23
  • Epistolary Postscript (Greetings, Benediction), 4:21–23

Top Highlights

“I pray that you may be flawless and unfailing ^c for the Day of Christ. Like 9b, hina + subjunct. Depends on proseuchomai in 9a, repeated in the Translation as I pray, to show the two hina cls. are parallel; 10b is not a second ramification, along with 10a, of Paul’s prayer that your love may continue to grow but rather a further prayer request alongside it.” (Pages 127–128)

“Letters B, C, and A were combined a.d. 90–100, probably in Philippi, to preserve Paul’s words to his favorite congregation for Christians elsewhere.” (Page 3)

“Greco-Roman gods and goddesses, Thracian deities, and Oriental cults” (Page 3)

“today, ‘authenticity of Philippians is not seriously challenged” (Page 8)

“For Paul, the mind (Gk. nous, sometimes kardia, ‘heart’; cf. Heb. lēb, lēbāb) within the human being as a person capable of having a relationship with self as well as with others (and with God)—i.e., as part of sōma (body, the whole person)—involves ‘the knowing, understanding, and judging which belong to man as man and determine what attitude he adopts’” (Page 116)

Product Details

• Title: Philippians
• Author: John Reumann
• Series: Anchor Yale Bible (AYB)
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication Date: 2008
• Pages: 808

About John H. P. Reumann

John Reumann was Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor of New Testament and Greek, emeritus, at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, where he taught for some 50 years. He studied and wrote on Philippians for over 30 years. He died in 2008.