The Epistle to Philippians (Black's New Testament Commentary)
Designed to make Philippians scholarship accessible to a broader readership, this commentary brings to life both the letter's historical setting and its vigorously theological purpose. Markus Bockmuehl considers a number of important studies of the social and religious context of first-century Philippi and critically engages with several approaches to Pauline interpretation, including questions of rhetoric and social convention. Theological highlights include the themes of Christian joy in all circumstances, the Philippians' active partnership in the gospel, and above all the pervasive passion for a union with Christ in following his self-humbling example of service. Giving due attention both to the theological heritage of St. Paul's Jewish background and to the Greco-Roman social and religious setting of his readership, this commentary relates a well-grounded understanding of the letter's first-century impact to the wider concerns of Christian theology.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.