Sabidius' Classics Blog: THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS

Introduction:

The city of Philippi, to the Christian congregation of which this epistle is addressed, was an important city of Macedonia, named after King Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, and situated on the Egnatian Way, the main highway that joined Rome to Greece and the Balkans, and about ten miles from the coast of the Aegean Sea. Philippi was a Roman colony, and many of its inhabitants were retired Roman soldiers who had acquired land in the vicinity, and, being a colony, its citizens were automatically Roman citizens as well. At the same time, its status as a colony will have meant that Paul's followers in this city would have been of predominantly Gentile extraction, and helps to explain the complete absence of any reference to the Old Testament in the text of this epistle. Philippi was originally evangelised by Paul during his Second Missionary Journey in A.D. 50 (see Acts 16: 12-40) and he visited it again twice during his Third Missionary Journey, in the autumn of A. D. 57 (see Acts 20: 1-2) and during the Passover in A.D. 58 (see Acts 20, 3-6).

It is evident that Paul was in a state of imprisonment when he wrote this letter, and the evidence suggests that he wrote it in c. 61 A.D. during the two years when he was under house arrest in his own rented house in Rome (see Acts 28, 14-21).

The outline or structure of this epistle is as follows:

A. Salutation (1:1-2).

B. Thanksgiving and prayer for the Philippians (1: 3-11).

C. Paul's personal circumstances (1: 12-26).

D. Exhortations (1: 27 - 2: 18).

E. Paul's associates in the Gospel (2: 19-30).

F. Warnings against Judaisers and Libertines (3: 1 - 4: 1).

G. Final Exhortations and Thanks (4: 2-20).

H. Greeting and Benediction (4: 21-23).

As a letter, "Philippians" is at root a report from a missionary on the progress of his work to a congregation which has been particularly generous to him personally. It is remarkable in that the word 'joy' appears in various forms some sixteen times in the letter, and this gives it a particularly optimistic tone. This epistle also contains one of the most profound Christological passages in the whole of the New Testament (see 2:5-11). If it is correct that this letter was written as late as 61 A.D. it is possibly the latest of the authentic letters of Paul to survive. While the Pastoral Letters to Timothy (I and II) and Titus appear to have been written later, they were not written by Paul.

At the end of this translation, Sabidius has followed his usual practice, in relation to his translation of Paul's letters, of providing a list of quotations. In each case, he has provided the words firstly in the original Greek, then a version in Latin according to the "Vulgate", and then the translation according to the Authorised Version of the Bible.

CHAPTER 1.

Greetings (vv. 1-2).

(1) Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with their guardians and deacons; (2) grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer (vv. 3-11).

(3) I thank God always, whenever you are mentioned in every entreaty of mine for all of you, as I make my entreaty with joy, (5) for your partnership in (promoting) the gospel from the first day until the present, (6) being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will continue with its completion until the (coming of) the day of Jesus Christ. (7) It is even right for me to think in this way with regard to all of you, because I have you in my heart, (and because,) both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you are all sharers in my grace.

(8) For, (as) God (is) my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender affections of Christ Jesus! (9) And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in the knowledge and total understanding (of God), (10) but may you put to the test the things that really matter, so that you may be flawless and without blame on the day of Christ, (11) being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which (comes) through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.

Paul's personal circumstances (vv. 12-26).

(12) Now, I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out rather to the advancement of the gospel, (13) so the fact that my chains (are) on behalf of Christ has become evident to the whole of the praetorian guard and to everyone else, (14) and most of our brothers in the Lord, feeling confident from my bonds, dare all the more to preach the word of God without fear.

(15) Some preach out of malice and strife, but some also out of good intentions; (16) the latter (do so) out of love, for they know that I exist for the defence of the gospel, but the former preach the Christ, not for pure motives, but on account of selfish ambition, thinking to add affliction to my chains. (18) But what does it matter? (Nothing at all,) except that in every way, whether for false motives or in truth, Christ is being preached, and for this (reason) I rejoice; and yes, I shall continue to rejoice, (19) for I know that "this will result in my salvation" (vid. Job 13. 16), through your prayers and the support of the spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) in accordance with my earnest expectation and hope that I will in no way be put to shame, but that now, as always, Christ will be glorified with all fearlessness in my body, whether in life or in death.

(21) For to me to live (is) Christ, and to die (is) gain. (22) But, if (I am) to live in the flesh, this (will involve) the fruit of my labour, - and yet, what I shall chose, I do not know. (23) I am torn between these two (things): I have the desire to be released and to be with Christ; for this is much the better (course) by far; (24) and yet to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (25) And, being convinced of this, I know that I shall remain, and that I shall remain with you all to (witness) your progress and joy in the faith, (26) so that your pride may abound in Christ Jesus on my account through my presence with you again.

(27) Only may you believe in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or I am absent, I may hear about the (things) that concern you, that you are standing (firm) in one spirit, contending with one soul for the faith of the gospel, (28) and not being frightened in any way by your opponents, (something) which is an indication of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this (indication is) from God, (29) because it has been granted to you, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, (30) as you are having the same struggle that you saw in my (case) and that you are now hearing about in my (case).

CHAPTER 2.

Imitating Christ's humility (vv. 1-10).

(1) So, if (there is) any encouragement (from union) in Christ, if (there is) any comfort from his love, if (there is) any fellowship with the Spirit, if (there is) any tenderness and compassion, (2) (then) make my joy complete in that you think the same, having the same love, (being) of one accord and of one mind, (3) (doing) nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, considering each one superior to yourselves, (4) each (of you) not just looking out for his own things, but each of you also (looking out for) the things of others.

(5) Let the same kind of thinking dominate you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he existed in the form of God, did not consider (it) a prize to be grasped at to be equal with God, and came to be in the likeness of men; (8) and being found (to be) like a man in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, and the death of the cross; (9) accordingly, God also greatly exalted him, and gave him the name that is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus "every knee should bow, those in heaven, those on the earth, and those under the earth, (11) and every tongue should confess" (vid. Isaiah 45. 23) that Jesus Christ (is) Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Shining as stars in the world (vv. 12-18).

(12) And so, my beloved (ones), just as you have always obeyed, not only when (you are) in my presence, but now much more (readily) during my absence, "do you bring about your own salvation with fear and trembling" (vid. Psalms 2. 11); (13) for God it is who produces in you (the power) both to will and to act in accordance with his own good purpose; (14) do everything without murmurings and disputes; (15) that you may become blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish, in the midst of "a crooked and depraved generation" (vid. Deuteronomy 32. 5), "among whom you shine out like stars in the world" (vid. Daniel 12. 3), (16) paying attention to the word of life, so that I (may have cause for) boasting on the day of Christ that "I did not run in vain nor labour in vain" (vid. Isaiah 49. 4). (17) Yet, even if my (blood) is poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service to your faith, I rejoice and rejoice with all of you; (18) And in the same way, you also rejoice and rejoice with me.

The mission of Timothy and Epaphroditus (vv. 19-30).

(19) Now, I hope in (the name of) the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I also may be glad when I learn about your affairs. (20) For I have no one (else) of a similar mind who will genuinely care about your concerns, (21) for they are all seeking their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. (22) But you know the proof (that he gave) of himself, that, like a child with his father, he slaved together with me for (the furtherance) of the gospel. (23) Therefore, I hope to send Timothy as soon as I have seen just (how) things (are getting on) concerning me; (24) and I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly (i.e. he was hoping to be released from prison).

(25) But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and fellow worker, and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my needs, (26) since he was longing to see you all, and he was severely troubled because you had heard that he was sick. (27) And, indeed, he was sick, almost to the point of death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but also on me, so that I should not have grief (piled) upon grief. (28) So, I have sent him with special urgency, so that, when you see him again, you may rejoice and I may be the less sorrowful. (29) Welcome him, therefore, in (the name of) the Lord with all joy, and hold such men in esteem, (30) because, through the Lord's work, he came near to death, risking his life to make up for your inability to provide a service to me.

CHAPTER 3.

Have no confidence in the flesh (vv. 1-11).

(1) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To be writing the same (things) to you (is) not a troublesome (thing) to me, but it is (a matter of) safety to you.

(2) "Beware of the dogs" (vid. Psalms 22. 16, 20), beware of evil doers, beware of mutilation (i.e. false circumcision). (3) For we are the (truly) circumcised, (those) who worship God and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (4) though I have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has confidence in the flesh, I (have even) more: (5) circumcised on the eighth day, (I was) of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew, (born) of Hebrew (parents), concerning the law a Pharisee, (6) regarding zeal I was a persecutor of the congregation (i.e. Christians), (and) regarding righteousness in the law, I proved blameless. (7) But the things that were a gain to me, these I have considered a loss on account of the Christ. (8) But, yet, I also consider all (things) to be a loss compared with the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I consider (them) rubbish so that I shall gain Christ (9) and be found in (union) with him, not having a righteousness of my own which (comes) from the law, but that which (comes) from faith in Christ, the righteousness which (issues) from God (based) on faith, (10) so that I know him and the power of his resurrection and a share in his sufferings, submitting myself to a death like his, (11) (to see) if somehow I may attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Pressing on towards the goal (vv. 12-21).

(12) Not that I have already received (it) or I am already made perfect, but I am pressing on (to see) if I may also lay hold of (that) for which I have also been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold of (it); (13) but (there is) one (thing I do know), (while) forgetting the (things that are) behind us, and stretching out to the (things) that are before (us), (14) I am pressing on towards the goal of (winning) the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us, therefore, as many (of us) as (are) mature, take this view: and if you are inclined to think otherwise in some ways, then God will reveal this (attitude) to you; (16) nevertheless, to the extent that we have made progress, let us agree to walk on the same (path).

(17) Brothers, be imitators together of me, and keep your eye on those who are walking this way, just as you have us (as) an example; (18) for (there are) many, of whom I often used to speak to you, and of whom I speak even now with tears in my eyes, who conduct themselves (as) the enemies of the cross of the Christ, (19) whose destiny (is) destruction, whose god (is) the belly, and their glory (is) in their shame, (and) they have their minds on earthly things. (20) For our citizenship is in the heavens, from where we also eagerly await our saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who will change our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.

CHAPTER 4

Exhortations (vv. 1-9).

(1) Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for (by me as you are), my joy and crown, stand thus firm in the Lord, my beloved.

(2) I call upon Euodia and I call upon Syntache to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) Yes, I beg you too, true yoke-fellow, keep helping these (women), who have striven along with me in the gospel, and with Clement, as well as the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in "the book of life" (i.e. the heavenly register of the elect, vid. Exodus 32. 32; Psalms 69. 28; Daniel 12. 1).

(4) Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice! (5) Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord (is) near; (6) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.

(8) Finally, brothers, whatever (things) are true, whatever (things are) above reproach, whatever (things are) just, whatever (things are) chaste, whatever (things are) pleasing, whatever (things are) of good report, if (there is) any virtue, if (there is) anything worthy of praise, think about these (things); (9) (the things) which you learned, and received, and heard, and saw in me, do these (things); and the God of peace will be with you.

(10) But I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you have revived your concerns on my behalf, (concerns) to which you were really giving thought, but you lacked the opportunity (to show it). (11) Not that I am speaking with regard to a lack (of provisions), for I have learned to be self-sufficient in whatever (circumstances) I am placed. (12) Indeed, I know how to manage with little, and how to have an abundance; in everything and in all (circumstances) I have learned the secret both of how to be full, and how to be hungry, and of how to have an abundance, and of how to suffer want. (13)

(14) Nevertheless, you did well to participate in my tribulation. You also know, Philippians, that at the beginning of (my preaching) the gospel, when I left Macedonia, not a single congregation had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving except for you alone, (26) because, even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me (assistance) once, and then a second time, according to my need. (17) Not that I am (now) seeking such a gift, but I am seeking the fruit that causes your account to grow. (18) Indeed, I have everything and I have it in abundance; I have been made full, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the (things) that (came) from you, "a sweet-smelling odour" (vid. Genesis 8, 21; Exodus 19. 18; Ezekiel 20. 41), an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to god. (19) My God will meet every need of yours in accordance with his glorious riches through Christ Jesus. (20) Now, to our God and Father (be) the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final greetings (vv. 21-23).

(21) Greet every holy (one) in Christ Jesus. The brothers (who are) with me send you their greetings. (22) All the holy (ones) greet you, but especially (those) who (are) of Caesar's household.

(23) The grace of our Lord. Jesus Christ (be) with your spirit.

APPENDIX TO THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS.

Listed below are quotations taken from the above text. In each case, the words are given in the original Greek, followed by a translation from the Latin Vulgate, and the English of the traditional Authorised Version of the Bible. Where the wording of the latter may be somewhat opaque, the reader can of course consult the translation above for an alternative, and hopefully more readable, version.

1) i. 21:

Ἐμοὶ γὰρ τὸ ζῇν Χριστὸς καὶ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν κέρδος.

mihi enim vivere Christus est et mori lucrum.

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2) ii. 5-11:

τοῦτο φρονεῖτε ἐν ὑμῖν ὃ καὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα θεῷ, ἀλλὰ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος: καὶ σχήματι εὑρεθεὶς ὡς ἄνθρωπος ἐταπείνωσεν ἑαυτὸν γενόμενος ὑπήκοος μέχρι θανάτου, θανάτου δὲ σταυροῦ: διὸ καὶ ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸν ὑπερύψωσεν, καὶ ἐχαρίσατο αὐτῷ τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα, ἵνα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ “πᾶν γόνυ κάμψῃ” ἐπουρανίων καὶ ἐπιγείων καὶ καταχθονίων, “καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσηται” ὅτι ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ εἰς δόξαν “θεοῦ” πατρός.

hoc enim sentite in vobis quod et in Christo Iesu, qui cum in forma Dei esset non rapinam arbitratus est esse se aequalem Deo, sed semet ipsum exinanivit formam servi accipiens in similitudinem hominum factus et habitu inventus ut homo humiliavit semet ipsum factus oboediens usque ad mortem mortem autem crucis propter quod et Deus illum exaltavit et donavit illi nomen super omne nomen, ut in nomine Iesu omne genu flectat caelestium et terrestrium et infernorum et omnis lingua confiteatur quia Dominus Iesus Christus in gloria est Dei Patris.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: / But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. / Wherefore God has also highly exalted him, and has given him a name which is above every other name: / That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; / And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3) ii. 12:

μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε.

cum metu et tremore vestram salutem operamini.

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

4) iii. 7:

Ἀλλὰ ἅτινα ἦν μοι κέρδη, ταῦτα ἥγημαι διὰ τὸν χριστὸν ζημίαν.

sed quae mihi fuerunt lucra haec arbitratus sum propter Christum detrimenta.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

5) iii. 13-14:

τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν ἐπεκτεινόμενος, κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω εἰς τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς ἄνω κλ ήσεως τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

quae quidem retro sunt obliviscens ad ea vero quae sunt in priora extendens me, ad destinatum persequor ad bravium supernae vocationis Dei in Christo Iesu.

forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, / I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

6) iii. 19:

ὧν τὸ τέλος ἀπώλεια, ὧν ὁ θεὸς ἡ κοιλία καὶ ἡ δόξα ἐν τῇ αἰσχύνῃ αὐτῶν, οἱ τὰ ἐπίγεια φρονοῦντες.

quorum finis interitus quorum deus venter et gloria in confusione ipsorum qui terrena sapiunt.

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

7) iv. 4-7:

Χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε: πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς: μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλ᾽ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετ᾽ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν: καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

gaudete in Domino semper iterum dico gaudete. modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus Dominus prope: nihil solliciti sitis sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum: et pax Dei quae exsuperat omnem sensum custodiat corda vestra et intellegentias vestras in Christo Iesu.

Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice. / Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. / Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. / And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8) iv. 8:

Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε.

de cetero fratres quaecumque sunt vera quaecumque pudica quaecumque iusta quaecumque sancta quaecumque amabilia quaecumque bonae famae si qua virtus si qua laus haec cogitate.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9) iv. 11:

ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμὶ αὐτάρκης εἶναι: οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι.