Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Editor’s Preface    ix
Abbreviations    xi

PHILIPPIANS

Author’s Preface    3

Introduction
I. Historical Backgrounds for the Study of Philippians    7
     1. The City of Philippi    7
     2. The Founding of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles    10
     3. The Circumstances of the Church as Seen in the Letter    16
     4. The Place of Women in the Philippian Church    19
     5. The Philippian Church after the Time of Paul    22

II. Literary Backgrounds for the Study of Philippians    24
     1. Paul and the Greco-Roman Letter    24
     2. The Authorship, Provenance, and Date of Philippians    28
     3. The Unity of Philippians    30
     4. The Form and Structure of Philippians in Light of Its Purpose    34
General Bibliography    39

Translation, Notes, Interpretation
Opening Formula/Greeting: 1:1-2    45 
Thanksgiving and Prayer Wish: 1:3-11    48
     Thanksgiving: 1:3-8    48
     Prayer Wish: 1:9-11    53
The Example of Paul: 1:12-26    56
     Results of Imprisonment: 1:12-14    56
     Motives in Ministry: 1:15-18a    59
     Paul’s Dilemma: 1:18b-26    62
Instructions to the Philippians: 1:27–2:18    67
     Their Manner of Life: 1:27-30     68
     Central Injunction: 2:1-4    72
   Excursus I: Hymns in Early Christianity    77
     The Christ Hymn: 2:5-11    80
     Their Manner of Life: 2:12-18    93
The Examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus: 2:19-30    99
     Timothy: 2:19-24    99
     Epaphroditus: 2:25-30    102
   Excursus II: The “Break” at 3:1    108
Instructions to the Philippians: 3:1–4:1    111
     Warning about “Dogs”: 3:1-4a    111
   Excursus III: Paul’s Opponents in Philippi    116
     The Example of Paul: 3:4b-14    120
     Warning About “Enemies”: 3:15–4:1    130
The Example of Euodia and Syntyche: 4:2-3    140
Instructions to the Philippians: 4:4-9    143
     On Prayer: 4:4-7    144
     Virtue List and Final Exhortation: 4:8-9    146
Thank You: 4:10-20    151
Final Greetings: 4:21-23    160

PHILEMON

Author’s Preface and Acknowledgments     167

Introduction
Slavery in the Greco-Roman World    169
Slavery in Israel    173 
Freedom and Slavery in Paul’s Letters    174
Philemon in the Pauline Letter Tradition    176
People, Places, and Possible Journey    178
The Occasion of the Letter    181
Movement of the Letter    182
The Dual Appeal of Philemon    184
Theological Significance of Paul’s Appeal    185
Supportive Rhetorical Strategy    192
Function of the Letter and Its Importance in the Canon    194
Early Christianity and Its Response to Slavery    195
General Bibliography    198

Translation, Notes, Interpretation
1. Formal Epistolary Opening and Salutation (1-3)    209
2. Thanksgiving Prayer and Theological Basis for the Appeal (4-7)    222
3. Basis for the Appeal and Relevant New Details (8-14)    232
4. Central Request: Providential Discernment, Love’s Imperative, Explicit Appeal and Guarantee of Acceptance (15-20)    245
5. Conclusion: Expression of Confidence, Plans to Visit, Final Greetings, and Blessing (21-25)    254

Indexes
Philippians
     Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings    263
     Index of Authors    274
Philemon
     Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings    278
     Index of Authors    288

Supplementary Bibliography, Philippians    291
Supplementary Bibliography, Philemon    294