Gerald F. Hawthorne - Philippians

It is a distinct pleasure to introduce Gerald Hawthornes study of theological themes from Philippians. Conceived as a companion book to the authors larger and more technical commentary on the epistle in the Word Biblical Commentary series, it buildsas one might expecton a solid foundation of careful and comprehensive exegetical work. Yet it is no mere precis or reworking of the earlier commentary.

That commentary which has received a bevy of laudatory and appreciative reviews was designed to appeal to the scholar, the student, and the seminarian in the classroom. Here is a valuable distillation of the chief themes of Pauls joyful letter. It is designed for the busy pastor, the Sunday school teacher, and the layperson who wants an overview, in personal and practical terms and expressed in understandable language, of what this letter says to todays church and world.

Dr. Hawthorne is to be congratulated on achieving a fine balance. The exegetical discussions are largely taken for grantedand interested readers may go back to the Commentary for details; the applications of Pauls letter are clear and pertinent. Many a sermon will surely be sparked by this volume in what, it is hoped, will be a continuing series.

On the one hand, to be asked to do a study on the theological themes in Philippians is a very great honor, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Professor Ralph P. Martin for asking me to do this. On the other hand, to attempt to fulfill such a request is a humbling experience indeed. Who is capable of writing on such great themes as God, Christ, salvation, and so on?

When I began to bring together what Paul had to say in Philippians about God, plunging feverishly into the subject, I was arrested by the account of Stephens sermon in the Book of Acts. In rehearsing Israels history Stephen recounted how Moses saw a bush in flames without any signs of it being burned up, and how he brashly turned aside to examine it more closely (katanosai), until he heard a voice that caused him to tremble all overa voice that said, I am God..., and, in effect, Do you know where you are, or what you are doing? (Acts 7:31, 32).

Of a sudden I realized that I was quite like Moses on the occasion of the burning bushnot fully understanding where I was or what I was doing. For I was eagerly studying Pauls remarks about God, as though by close observation it would be possible to understand, to apprehend (katanosai) God, and thus be able to express him adequately. I was shattered by this flash of insight concerning my foolishness, and was forced to apologize to the Almighty for such thoughtless arrogance. This encounter stopped all my endeavors to proceed with my work, until I read on in Stephens sermon. The voice that caused Moses to tremble also commissioned him to trek on down to Egypt to do a work for God there. God is a gracious God, full of understanding, mercy, and forgiveness. He made me pause, to be sure, and to reflect, but then encouraged me to go on and finish.

I have done that now, not with any sense that all of the significant themes in Philippians have been dealt with, nor that those dealt with have been discussed adequately. But I send this volume on its way, confessing as I do so that I owe so much to so many people whose works I have read, and whose ideas have shaped my thinking. I am deeply grateful to each and every one, although they are too many to name. Most of these, however, have been identified in a larger work on Philippians that I had the privilege of writing (Philippians, Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 43, Word Books, 1983), and that book may be consulted for a full bibliography should one wish to have this information in hand.

I am also grateful to Jane and Lynn, and to Jack Levison, who helped me view these themes from different perspectives, and who forced me to express my ideas more clearly. Especially do I owe a debt of love to Bill and Judy Pollard, who, by honoring us in an ineffable way, gave us courage to continue to study, to think, and to write.

Gerald F.Hawthorne

Wheaton (Ill.) College