G. Walter Hansen - The Letter to the Philippians

General Editor

D. A. CARSON

G. WALTER HANSEN

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INTRODUCTION

COMMENTARY ON PHILIPPIANS

INDEXES

Commentaries have specific aims, and this series is no exception. Designed for serious pastors and teachers of the Bible, the Pillar commentaries seek above all to make clear the text of Scripture as we have it. The scholars writing these volumes interact with the most important informed contemporary debate, but avoid getting mired in undue technical detail. Their ideal is a blend of rigorous exegesis and exposition, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and the contemporary relevance of the Bible, without confusing the commentary and the sermon.

The rationale for this approach is that the vision of "objective scholarship" (a vain chimera) may actually be profane. God stands over against us; we do not stand in judgment of him. When God speaks to us through his Word, those who profess to know him must respond in an appropriate way, and that is certainly different from a stance in which the scholar projects an image of autonomous distance. Yet this is no surreptitious appeal for uncontrolled subjectivity. The writers of this series aim for an evenhanded openness to the text that is the best kind of "objectivity" of all.

If the text is God's Word, it is appropriate that we respond with reverence, a certain fear, a holy joy, a questing obedience. These values should be reflected in the way Christians write. With these values in place, the Pillar commentaries will be warmly welcomed not only by pastors, teachers, and students, but by general readers as well.

Casual readers of the letter to the Philippians might think that it is one of the slighter contributions penned by Paul. Here one does not find, say, the massive theological reasoning of Romans, the emotional intensity of 2 Corinthians, or the contentious apologetic of Galatians. Some might almost find it bland. Yet those who have probed this letter more closely know that the first chapter finds Paul in one of his most reflective moods as, toward the end of his life, he contemplates the benefits of "departing" and "being with Christ" over against living on in this world to bring further gospel blessing to the churches for which he is responsible; that the second chapter includes one of the high points of New Testament Christology, the third is embroiled in contemporary debates about the New Perspective on Paul, and the fourth contains one of the most revealing pictures of the relationship between Paul and a supporting church. In all of this, the letter sings with the theme of joy and appeals to the Philippians to learn to "think the same thing." Small wonder that this letter is so embracing when all along it keeps trumpeting the gospel.

With themes and emotions so varied, the letter to the Philippians needs a commentator with a sure grasp and a warm heart. It helps that Dr Hansen writes with admirable clarity and simplicity, even when he is unpacking notoriously complex matters. Perhaps he brings so many qualifications to the table because he himself has not only served as a pastor and a seminary professor, but as a missionary in another cultural context. Certain it is that this commentary will become "must" reading for many pastors, students, and scholars as they try to think Paul's thoughts after him while reading this letter.

D. A. CARSON

In the process of writing this exposition of Philippians, I gained a deep appreciation for the importance of partnership not only from Paul's development of the theme of partnership in this letter but also from my partners in this work of producing a commentary. I could not have written this book in isolation; I depended on a community of friends who invested in my life and my work. As Paul's letter expresses his joy in his partnership with the Philippians, this preface celebrates my partnership with those who contributed significantly to this work.

Writers of previous commentaries, especially Barth, Beare, Bockmuehl, Bonnard, Fee, Fowl, Hawthorne, Martin, Muller, O'Brien, and Silva, became my constant dialogue partners in a long and exhilarating conversation about Philippians. I am deeply grateful for their insights, even at points where I respectfully disagree with them. My friends, John McEntyre and Ron Mahurin, read portions of this commentary and gave me the benefit of their thoughtful feedback. Gifted students in my courses on the Greek text of Philippians at Fuller Theological Seminary sharpened my interpretation by their tough questions and fresh perspectives. Conversations about my discoveries with numerous friends, especially the Monday lunch circle, enriched my own understanding. Ben Chang found many valuable journal articles. Annemarie Moody carefully compiled the bibliography and list of abbreviations. Nancy Bullock patiently proofread the entire manuscript. Don Carson, general editor of the Pillar New Testament Commentary, gave wise and gracious counsel for the clarification of key points. Milton Essenburg, Eerdmans editor, provided warm encouragement and meticulous attention to detail.

I express my deepest gratitude to my wife, Darlene, to whom I dedicate this book. Her joyful partnership in all aspects of our life made the process of writing this commentary an enjoyable adventure in our journey together.

I have used Today's New International Version (TNIV) as the basis for my exposition, except in my commentary on the Christ hymn (2:6-11) where I follow my own translation of the Greek text. For the most part, I have kept the body of the commentary free from technical language. The footnotes point to the academic research and contemporary debate related to my exposition of the text. My reason for using this style is to provide a commentary that is accessible to a wide audience of readers, especially Bible teachers and pastors. I hope that this commentary will be a way for me to enjoy a partnership with my readers as we seek to "live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1:27).

G. WALTER HANSEN

July 2008

1. ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS AND PARAPHRASES