γάρ ought probably to be rejected with the best group of MSS. φρονείσθω, as the harder reading, has much in its favour, but φρονεῖτε is far better attested, τοῦτο φρονεῖτε κ. τ. λ. The ordinary translation runs, “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus”. This means the supplying either of ἐφρονεῖτο (ἐφρονήθη) or ἦν in the latter half of the verse after ὅ. Certainly any past tense (passive) of φρονέω is not only very harsh, but, when analysed, yields no appropiate sense. ἦν is scarcely less harsh, for it would presuppose τοῦτο φρονεῖν (not τοῦτο alone) as the antecedent of ὅ. Deissmann (following Hfm [92]) supplies φρονεῖτε (cf. parallel construction in 2 Timothy 1:5), and translates, “Have this mind within your community (so also Hoelemann) which ye have also in Christ Jesus”. This keeps the local meaning with both occurrences of ἐν (for we have here the common Pauline phrase ἐν Χ. Ἰ. as the sphere of the Christian life). It gives a vivid force to καί. It gets rid of the apparently superfluous use of ἐν ὑμῖν after φρονεῖτε. And φρονεῖτε is, of course, the easiest word to supply. The sense is thoroughly apt. Christians then, as now, were often different in their ordinary dealings and relations from what they were in their strictly Christian life. The two spheres were at times kept distinct. Those who professed to have made great sacrifices for the sake of Christ might never dream of making even the slightest for a brother. The keenest zeal may be displayed in religious work, accompanied by singular laxity of principle in the common concerns of daily business and social intercourse. At first sight the interpretation, perhaps, repels by its unfamiliarity. But it appears less difficult than the other possible expositions. For Lft [93] and Vinc. practically ignore the difficulty, the former taking ἐφρονεῖτο = ὃ καὶ Χ. Ἰ. ἐφρόνει ἐν ἑαυτῷκ. But that begs the question. Kl [94] thinks it impossible to separate the two spheres. (See Dsm [95], Das N.T. Formel, etc., p. 113 ff.; also Zahn, Luthardt's Zeitschr., 1885, p. 243, who quotes with approbation Victorinus ad loc., Hoc sentite in vobis quod sentitis in Christo.) [O. Hain, SK [96], 1893, pp. 169 171, following the same lines, takes the second φρονεῖτε = imperat. “As indeed ye must have in Christ Jesus.” This is difficult to arrive at.] ἐν ὑμῖν. Correct N.T. writers would usually employ ἑαυτοῖς. Classical authors use ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς.

[92] Hofmann.

[93] Lightfoot.

[94] Klöpper.

[95] Deissmann (BS. = Bibelstudien, NBS. = Neue Bibelstudien).

[96] Studien und Kritiken.

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Old Testament