The Epistle to the Philippians

by Markus Bockmuehl

Black's New Testament Commentary series has been hailed by both scholars and pastors for its insightful interpretations and reliable commentary. Each book in the series includes an insightful introduction to the important historical, literary, and theological issues; key terms and phrases from the translation highlighted in the commentary where they are discussed; explanations of special Greek or foreign terms; references to important primary and secondary literature; and a Scripture index.

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

About the author

Markus Bockmuehl (PhD, University of Cambridge) is a Fellow of Keble College and professor of biblical and early Christian studies at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. He previously taught at the University of Cambridge and the University of St. Andrews. Bockmuehl is the author or editor of numerous books, including Seeing the Word, Scripture’s Doctrine and Theology’s Bible, Paradise in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Views, and Redemption and Resistance: The Messianic Hopes of Jews and Christians in Antiquity.