Philippians 3:1-3
A SALUTATION CHANGED INTO A WARNING.... [ Continue Reading ]
A SALUTATION CHANGED INTO A WARNING.... [ Continue Reading ]
τὸ λοιπόν. Probably A.V. rightly translates “finally” (summing up all his exhortations to them). It must, however, be remembered that in late Greek λοιπόν had come to mean scarcely more than οὖν. Even in Plato, _Gorg._, 458 [17] D, there is something very closely approaching this usage. _Cf._ Matthe... [ Continue Reading ]
It is difficult to understand how anyone could find three different classes in these words (_e.g._, Ws [22]., who divides them into (_a_) unconverted heathens, (_b_) self-seeking Christian teachers, (_c_) unbelieving Jews. See also his remarks in _A. J. Th._, i., 2, pp. 389 391). The words are a pre... [ Continue Reading ]
ἡμεῖς. The contrast drawn, which has already been before his mind in the ironical expression κατατομή. ἡ περιτ. In LXX it is only found in Genesis 17:12; Exodus 4:25 (Jeremiah 11:16 has another sense). The verb περιτέμνω is very common. Perhaps the choice of this particular compound to denote the ri... [ Continue Reading ]
A very close parallel to the thought is found in 2 Corinthians 11:18-23. καίπερ … ἔχων. A rare construction in N.T. Three exx. occur in Hebrews. Viteau (who regards it as a survival of the literary language, see _Le Verbe_, p. 189) would resolve the clause and its context into εἰ καὶ ἔχω πεποίθησιν... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Apostle seems to feel a certain natural pride in recounting his hereditary privileges. περιτομῇ ὀκταήμ. The dative of περιτ. must be read, expressing the sphere to which ὀκταήμ. belongs. Literally: “Eight-days-old as regards my circumcision”. A.V. satisfies the requirements. He was born in Judai... [ Continue Reading ]
Probably ζῆλος (neuter) is the correct form here. In N.T. the neuter occurs only in 2 Corinthians 9:2, but it is found in Ignat., and, alternately with ὁ ζ., in 1 Clem. It is perhaps colloquial (so W-Sch [38]., p. 84), although ὁ ζ. is that used in LXX. ζῆλος would almost have a technical meaning fo... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀλλʼ ἅτινα. Although in later Greek ὅστις had lost almost all its peculiar force and become simply = ὅς (_e.g._, Matthew 22:2, etc. _Cf._ Jebb in Vincent and Dickson's _Handbook_, p. 302), one feels that something of that force is present here. “But these things, although they were of a class that w... [ Continue Reading ]
EARTHLY GAINS COUNTED LOSS THAT HE MIGHT WIN CHRIST.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε. Probably γε ought to be read (see crit. note _supr._), as its absence in some good authorities is accounted for by the ease with which it could be omitted (so D omits it in 2 Corinthians 11:16; [41] D [42] F [43] G in Romans 8:32; B in Romans 9:20). Almost = “Nay, that is a feeble way... [ Continue Reading ]
εὑρεθῶ. It is probably used here in the semi-technical sense which it received in post-classical Greek = τυγχάνω with participle (French _se trouver_), “turn out actually to be”. “And actually be in Him,” from the eschatological standpoint (see Viteau, _Le Verbe_, p. 192). The idea is involved of a... [ Continue Reading ]
τοῦ γνῶναι. This infinitive of purpose or motive is frequent in N.T. and later Greek. Among classical authors it is chiefly found in Thucyd., who favours it (see Goodwin, _MT_ [50]., p. 319; Viteau, _Le Verbe_, p. 169 ff.). It is perhaps connected with the use of the genitive after verbs of aiming,... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFORMITY TO CHRIST'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION.... [ Continue Reading ]
εἴ πως καταντ. This construction closely corresponds to the Homeric usage of εἴ κε or ἤν (as in _Odyss._, 3, 83, πατρὸς ἐμοῦ κλέος μετέρχομαι, ἤν που ἀκούσω) where the protasis really contains in itself its own apodosis “which consists of an implied idea of purpose” or hope (see Goodwin, _MT_ [54].,... [ Continue Reading ]
οὐχ ὅτι. There is a curious difference (see W-M [57]., p. 746) between the use of this phrase in classical and in N.T. Greek. λέγω is understood in both cases, but in the classical language the usage is rhetorical = “not only, but”. In N.T. its purpose is to guard against misunderstanding, “I do not... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MARK OF THE MATURE CHRISTIAN, TO PRESS FORWARD.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀδελφοί. This direct appeal to them shows that he is approaching a matter which is of serious concern both to him and them. ἐγὼ ἐμαυτόν. Why such strong personal emphasis? Is it not a clear hint that there were people at Philippi who prided themselves on having grasped the prize of the Christian cal... [ Continue Reading ]
κατὰ σκ. “In the direction of the mark.” Exactly parallel is Acts 8:26, πορεύου κατὰ μεσημβρίαν. Perhaps akin are uses like Thucyd., 6, 31, κατὰ θέαν ἥκειν; Hom., _Odyss._, 3, 72, κατὰ πρῆξιν (“for the sake of business,” Ameis-Hentze). It is needless to distinguish between σκοπόν and βραβεῖον in the... [ Continue Reading ]
τέλειοι. What Paul understands by τέλ. we can easily discover from Ephesians 4:13-14; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 4:12, 1 Corinthians 2:6 (_Cf._ also the definition of the word in Hebrews 5:14 taken in connexion with Hebrews 6:1). In all these passages τέλ. depends upon knowledge, knowledge gained b... [ Continue Reading ]
πλήν. It is quite common as introducing a parenthesis. “Only one thing! So far as we have come, keep the path” (Weizs.). For the word _Cf._ Schmid, _Atticismus_, i., p. 133, and Bonitz's _Index_ to Aristotle. εἰς ὃ ἐφθάς. In later Greek (as in modern) φθάνω has lost all idea of _anticipation_ and si... [ Continue Reading ]
συμμιμ. The compound is significant. _Uno consensu et una mente_ (Calv.). This emphasis on their unity justifies the interpretation of τῷ αὐτῷ favoured above. Paul is compelled to make his own example a norm of the new life. It was not as in Judaism where the Law lay ready to hand as a fixed standar... [ Continue Reading ]
A SOLEMN WARNING AGAINST THE EARTHLY, SENSUAL MIND.... [ Continue Reading ]
πολλοὶ κ. τ. λ. To whom does he refer? Plainly they were persons inside the Christian Church, although probably not at Philippi. This (against Ws [1].) is borne out by the use of περιπατεῖν compared with περιπατοῦντας (Philippians 3:17) and στοιχεῖν (Philippians 3:16), by κλαίων which would have no... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀπώλεια. Paul regards the two issues of human life as σωτηρία and ἀπώλεια (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16). The latter, is a common word for “destruction”. There is much in the Epistles to support the statement of Hltzm [3]. (_N.T. Th._, ii., p. 50): “To be dead and to remain dead eternal... [ Continue Reading ]
τὸ πολίτευμα. “Our commonwealth.” (Tertull., _municipatus_. Cyp., Iren., _conversation_.) The thought is certainly suggested by ἐπίγ. φρον. in Philippians 3:19 (this is the force of γάρ). This world has a characteristic spirit of its own. Worldliness is the common bond of citizenship in it. There is... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS AND ITS PROSPECT.... [ Continue Reading ]
μετασχ. It is doubtful whether, in this passage, any special force can be given to μετασχ. as distinguished from μεταμορφοῦν, carrying out the difference between σχῆμα and μορφή. The doubt is borne out by its close connexion here with σύμμορφον. Perhaps, however, the compound of σχῆμα has in view th... [ Continue Reading ]