Philippians: The NIV Application Commentary

The NIV Application Commentary, New Testament #11

by Frank Thielman, Paul the Apostle

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

Genres: Reference, Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian, New Testament

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 1995

Reviews

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Thielman writes an accessible yet well-informed commentary on Philippians. I'm amazed at how his exegesis, exposition, and application hold up even after nearly 30 years since its publication. Not only is his incredibly judicious in his exegetical discussions, but his prose is strong as well.

The reader who isn't as informed into Pauline studies might miss just how careful his comments are in navigating hot button issues in Pauline scholarship.

His application and social commentary remarkably applicable, even 30 years later. Dr. Thielman's favorite examples of faithfulness are Dietrich Bonhoeffer and non-American Christians. Several times, he applies his commentary to racial issues (this is in 1995) in ways that may be more resonant in 2022 than when he originally wrote them. I texted some friends while writing, "Evangelical pastors weren't carefully reading Frank Thielman's commentary on Philippians before 2020 and it shows."

For those familiar with Frank Thielman as a teacher or author, you understand that such rigorous scholarship, judicious exegesis, and lovingly applicable his writing always his. This commentary was the beginning and it certainly is reflective of the rest of his writing and teaching career.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philippians is one of the most studied books of scripture due to it’s size and contributions to Pauline theology as well as theology as a whole. While there have been more fuller bodied commentaries in recent years there is one that stands out among the rabble even though it is almost 25 years old. The commentary in question is Philippians of the NIV Application Commentary by Frank Thielman. Thielman is a conservative reformed scholar at Beeson Divinity School and is no stranger to scholarly pursuits yet this is his only foray into this stalwart series.

Philippians beings with the traditional introduction section, yet due to the structure of the NIVAC the introduction section is kept intentionally short. It is important to note that Thielman does argue for Pauline authorship, and does so with vigor, while taking no prisoners. With regard to the commentary proper Thielman writes with a considerable knowledge base on the original context and audience, yet this does not inhibit his attention to the modern reader and practical application. This commentary is considered my many scholars to be one of the very best New Testament commentaries in the series, that while brief packs a considerable punch. A pastor will find this volume not only helpful but stimulating. This is not a volume that should be missing from a pastor’s librarian or from laymen’s devotional collection.

In the end I would recommend this commentary as in mid-level work which will suit the needs of pastors and laymen alike, scholars will appreciate a few of his insights but will want to seek a more up-to-date commentary for higher scholarly pursuits.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Zondervan Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will always appreciate the NIV Application Commentary's goal to be just that... applicable to the lives and contexts of the readers. To that end, I appreciated Thielman's "Bridging Contexts" and "Contemporary Significance" sections, as I do with all the NIV Application Commentaries. Yet, I didn't find myself reaching for his overview of the passages as much AND, much more importantly, I found he had a frustratingly judgmental streak to his contextual comments. I could do without the disparaging of feminists - thank you very much - and a seemingly judgmental view of modern families and the younger generations. It kept missing the mark for me. So only 3 stars because of that.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great help in a recent sermon series through Philippians. It was one of my main exegetical references. My most technical and thorough was Hawthorne's Word Commentary on this book, but this was almost as helpful.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say this is my favorite commentary on Philippians. I feel that Thielman covers this book with vibrancy and freshness. His scholarship is at a high level and his applications helped me to see the practical applications of Philippians.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to gain a remarkable perspective from the NIV commentaries. I appreciate the attention to the original meaning of the text and the information provided to bridge the gap to contemporary application. Frank Thielman is knowledgeable and thorough while remaining accessible.

[Travis Agnew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thielman's treatment of Philippians stands aligned with the NIV Application Commentary series' goal to bridge the context and give contemporary application. It is a good offering to help the reader understand Philippians better.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully insightful. Great devotional commentary!

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good commentary. Theilman takes an opposing view as to where St. Paul was when he wrote this letter (most assume the Apostle is in prison in Rome, but Thielman suggests Ephesus).

[Jay Merrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scholarly yet accessible.

[Daniel R Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Jeff Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as commentaries go this is a pretty good one and was my favorite of the ones I read. I liked the length, format and modern application.

My favorite commentaries on Philippians in order:
1. NIVAC-Thielman
2. Paul's Letter to the Philippians-Ben Witherington
3. Paul's Letter to the Philippians-Gordon Fee
4. Tyndale New Testament Commentary-Ralph P. Martin

[John Hayward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given that Thielman rightly observes that ‘The term the NIV translates "citizenship" (politeuma) [3:20] appears only here in the New Testament, and like the verb "conduct yourselves" (politeuesthe) in 1:27, has political overtones’, it is disappointing that he fails to note in connection with Paul’s call for the Philippians to follow his example (3:17) that this means we should show ‘genuine concern for [the] welfare’ of others (Philippians 2:20) by taking a public stand against injustice, as Paul and Silas did in Philippi (Acts 16:35–9). He was striking, however, on Philippians 3:1-11: ‘Christians today are unwilling to identify heresy as heresy. Christian denominations rarely discipline ministers on theological grounds, pastors sometimes feed their congregations a diet of self-help sermons that avoid potentially divisive issues, and many church members would be hard-pressed to explain the meaning of the Apostles' Creed. Taking much of a stand on theological matters is simply too risky.’

[Joseph McBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been my experience that some of the NIV Application commentaries are better than others and this is one of the better ones. I like the way the whole series attempts to bridge the gap between what the Scriptures meant to the original readers and what they mean to us today. This one was more devotional than scholarship, and that's fine. The only downside to this one was that it was sometimes hard to follow which verse the author was expounding on. Still a solid resource.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my time getting ready to teach Philippians I kept forcing myself back to this commentary even though many times I disagreed with his handling of a passage or I felt he missed the main point (or at least the point I was getting from The Lord). So this score is a little jaded over all a decent commentary nothing overtly awful just not super helpful for me. (Also reading commentaries from different perspectives is good and I do that, this was some how not as helpful even though our church backgrounds are similar)

[Jeff Noble]

Philippians: The NIV Application Commentary by Mr. Frank Thielman (?)

[Justin Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been helpful so far in our journey through Philippians. Very practical.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Helpful!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed walking through Philippians with this helpful and practical commentary.