Philippians

IVP New Testament Commentary #11

by Gordon D. Fee, Paul the Apostle

Nothing cripples a church's effectiveness like internal strife. In Philippi, Paul addressed a congregation whose private struggles were compounded by opposition and suffering from without. Paul's strategy was to write them a letter of friendship and moral exhortation, reminding them of their "partnership in the gospel," their mutual suffering for the cause of Christ, and their need to "stand firm in one spirit." His approach and counsel can serve us well today. In this warm, well-written study of Philippians, readers will find an introduction that discusses the letter's occasion and purpose, authorship, and other background information, as well as its important theological themes. Passage-by-passage commentary follows that seeks to explain what the letter means to us today as well as what it meant for its original hearers. Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand the Paul's message for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Theology, Biblical Studies

204 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2008

About the author

Gordon Fee was Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College, where he taught for sixteen years. His teaching experience also included serving schools in Washington, California, Kentucky, as well as Wheaton College in Illinois (five years) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts (twelve years).

Gordon Fee was a noted New Testament scholar, having published several books and articles in his field of specialization, New Testament textual criticism. He also published a textbook on New Testament interpretation, co-authored two books for lay people on biblical interpretation, as well as scholarly-popular commentaries on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and on Galatians, and major commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Philippians. He is also the author of a major work on the Holy Spirit and the Person of Christ in the letters of Paul.

Gordon Fee served as the general editor of the New International Commentary series, as well as on the NIV revision committee that produced the TNIV. Besides his ability as a biblical scholar, he was a noted teacher and conference speaker. He has given the Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar lectures on fifteen college campuses as well as the annual NT lectures at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, North Park Seminary, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, the Canadian Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Golden Gate Baptist, Anderson School of Theology, Asbury Seminary, and Chrichton College. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Gordon Fee was well known for his manifest concern for the renewal of the church.

Gordon Fee was married and had four married children.

Reviews

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great commentary by one of my favourite New Testament scholars. Accessible for non-scholars.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fee's strengths are his knowledge of the Greco-Roman world and his unifying view of Paul's theology, centered around union with Christ. He sees Philippians a species of Greco-Roman friendship letters, an illuminating perspective on the structure and content of the book.

Fee almost manages to keep his egalitarian and Pentecostal background on the sidelines. Almost.

Overall, the commentary is a tremendous help for readers and preachers of Philippians.

[Jason Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this IVP NT Commentary series. This volume takes what is considered by many to be the best commentary on Philippians (Fee) and condenses it into a more concise form. Really very well done and very useful.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise readable theological commentary on Philippians. Not incredibly detailed but a helpful introduction.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Condensed version of Fee’s Philippians NICNT commentary. Delightful.

[James Bunyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dull and I’m not sure about some of his emphases or conclusions.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion read as we worked through the book of Philippians this fall in church. Definitely would have gained more from Fee’s insights if I was literate in Greek but nonetheless an informing and enjoyable read. I think I expected a book of sermons on Philippians but this was simply an explanation of what Paul is writing, from a historical, grammatical, theological perspective with just right bit of a pastoral nudge. I appreciated it.

[Jeff Noble]

Philippians (IVP New Testament Commentary Series) by Gordon D. Fee (?)

[Al Garlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this for my current series on Philippians, "Living with Joy".

[Brian LePort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good commentary for the lay read. Accomplished this aim, but not his best on the epistle.