Philippians 2 | |
---|---|
Book | Epistle to the Philippians |
Category | Pauline epistles |
Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 11 |
Philippians 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle about mid-50s to early 60s AD and addressed to the Christians in Philippi. [1] Jesuit theologian Robert Murray notes that a narrative in verses 5-11 about Christ, "who humbled himself, by becoming obedient to death" is central to this chapter. [2] German protestant theologian Ernst Lohmeyer argued in 1928 that verses 6–11 were an existing hymn about Christ which Paul quotes in his letter, a theory which "has come to dominate both exegesis of Philippians and study of early Christology and credal formulas". [3]
The original text was written in Koine Greek. Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
This chapter is divided into 30 verses.
This section centers on Paul's appeal for unity of minds and hearts among the people, which can be expressed by four phrases: two using the keyword phronein ("of the same mind" or "of one mind"), then agape ("love") and sumpsuchoi ("united in soul" or "being in full accord"). [5] Maintaining his reference to the joy which Paul already feels in respect to the Philippians ( verses 1:4 and 1:25), he speaks of this joy being "made full, like a measure". [6]
Meyer notes Paul's use of "four stimulative elements", which are assumed to apply and are not conditional. [6] H. C. G. Moule notes that the word " bowels", as in the King James Version, was not used in any English version before 1582, [8] and offers "tender mercies and compassions", as in the Revised Version (1881), as better wording: [9] likewise the New International Version (1973 onwards) refers to "tenderness and compassion. [10]
Following the exhortation in the earlier section, Christ is pointed as the model for discipleship, with a poetic narrative "beyond Paul's usual vocabulary", but not necessarily beyond his capacity. [11]
This verse uses the same word phronein ("mind") which Paul used at the start of this chapter.
This verse was interpreted in the following way by the 18th-century Baptist theologian John Gill: [15]
Based on Christ's example, Paul exhorts the people to "work out your own salvation... for it is God who is at work". [17]
Two of Paul's helpers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, are introduced and the reasons for their journey are explained in this part, mainly to show Paul's affection to the people of Philippi. [18]
In the Catholic Church Philippians 2:1-11 is appointed as the second reading on the 26th Sunday of Ordinary time in Year A of the Lectionary for Mass. Philippians 2:6-11 is appointed as the second reading at Mass on Palm Sunday; similarly in the Revised Common Lectionary, Philippians 2:1-13 is appointed as the Epistle lesson for Proper 21 in Year A, which may fall on any Sunday between September 25 and October 1, and Philippians 2:5-11 is appointed as the Epistle lesson on Palm Sunday.
In the Church of England Philippians 2:5-11 is appointed as the Epistle lesson for a second service on Christmas Day. [19]
In the Episcopal Church (United States), according to the Lectionary found in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), Philippians 2:9-13 is appointed as one of two options as the Epistle lesson for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus in Year A, celebrated on January 1. [20]
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