DESCRIPTION: This course is a detailed examination of Paul's Letter to the Philippians. After devoting a short time to the customary questions concerning such historical issues as authorship, dating, and provenance, we will move on to a line-by-line exposition of the Greek text, essentially following the author thought by thought, argument by argument. In carrying out this task, a balance will be sought between philological and grammatical points on the one hand, and practical and theological issues on the other.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: The many varied objectives of this course can be abstracted and described in four parts. First, the student will come to know the data and scholarly discussion thereof which provides the necessary context for interpreting the text: this encompasses such areas as literary style and historical and cultural setting. Second, it is intended that the student will become very familiar with the text of Philippians. This includes the actual recognition of the Greek text (textual criticism), as well careful and detailed translation of the text into English. In other words, we will seek to answer the question, What did Paul say? A third goal of this course is to ask and provide some answers to questions of the relevance of the text to the life and thought of the Christian community today. Finally, it is an expressed goal of this course that the student will be able to remember the various procedures for research, translation/interpretation, and life application and reuse them with other New Testament texts as well.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The ability to interpret the New Testament along valid hermeneutical principles is necessary for correct and effective preaching and teaching.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session. Class time will be divided among lectures, translation and interpretation of the Greek text, and discussion of student papers.

REQUIRED READING:

O'Brien, P. T. The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 1991.

Reumann, John. Philippians: A New Translation With Introduction And Commentary. Anchor Bible. Doubleday, 2005.

Students are also required to choose one other major commentary to be used as a consistent point of comparison in doing the short papers described in the next section. Possibilities include:

Bockmuehl, Marcus. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. BNTC. Hendrickson, 1998.

Fee, Gordon. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1995.

Martin, R. P. and G. F. Hawthorne. Philippians. WBC. Rev. ed. Word Publishing, 2004.

Silva, Moises. Philippians. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2005.

In addition, students are expected to have the standard reference books in the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available online and in the SOT Academic Advising office.