Philippians: A New Covenant Commentary (New Covenant Commentary Series) by Linda L. Belleville


Philippians: A New Covenant Commentary (New Covenant Commentary Series)
Title : Philippians: A New Covenant Commentary (New Covenant Commentary Series)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1498241204
ISBN-10 : 9781498241205
Language : English
Format Type : Kindle Edition
Number of Pages : 111
Publication : Published April 7, 2021

In this accessible and erudite commentary, respected New Testament scholar Linda Belleville shows how Paul's letter to the Philippians provides a unique opportunity to see the similarities between the culture of his day and ours and to understand not only what is needed to cope in a hostile society but also to be bold in sharing the sole hope for our global world. The value that Paul placed in a heritage and accomplishments that exceeded his peers is now merely rubbish compared with knowing Christ and eternal citizenship in heaven. Philippians was written while Paul was imprisoned in the imperial barracks, awaiting the outcome of a life-or-death trial. His most beloved church was facing strong opponents without and selfish division within. Paul's foes were taking advantage of his forced absence to stir up fear and division. Paul's strategy is to remind the church of the reasons to rejoice and forgo selfish opinion differences. There is much cause to rejoice because, despite imprisonment, the gospel had reached the entire imperial guard and emboldened Christians everywhere to boldly proclaim Christ. To help them reject selfish attitudes, Paul reminds them of his own selflessness. Although Paul considered a death verdict as the personal gain of union with Christ, a life verdict is the Philippians' gain. Paul's ministry of preaching Christ will continue and his example of finishing the earthly race with integrity and joy will carry on. Yet, even in his absence, their best exemplar is Christ himself, who, while enjoying his heavenly riches, willingly took on the human condition with its pain, suffering, and death so that they might gain their own heavenly riches.

Philippians: A New Covenant Commentary (New Covenant Commentary Series) Reviews

  • B.J. Richardson

    This was one of four commentaries on Philippians I acquired while taking my Greek Interpretive Tools class. If I were to rank them from best to worst, this one would be third. Most of the time, she does a decent job but every now and then she will have a "hot take" that is more crazy than clever. For example, in Philippians 2:1, she claims that the "fellowship" or "participation" in the Spirit refers to financial participation. Yes, the word does occasionally refer to a financial contribution (2 Cor 9). But almost always it refers to cooperative participation or an active fellowship. Just because sometimes that cooperative participation is a financial gift, does not mean it always is. In Phil 2, such an interpretation doesn't fit the context and is bad exegesis. But Belleville thought she was being clever by pointing out something pretty much every other exegete ever didn't notice.

    This was the most glaring moment for me, but there were a few other moments when I had and pause and think, did she really just write that? What was she thinking? They are minor moments in an overall decent commentary, but they are enough for me to drop a star. There are plenty of great commentaries on Philippians out there. I won't be ashamed to have this one in my library, but it won't be my first, or even my second go-to.