Author: Administrador

Every year, the Sunday that begins Holy Week gives us this reading from Paul: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus … ” The brilliance and wisdom of Philippians 2:5-11 becomes especially poignant when the worship honors both the pageantry of the palm waving (Hurrah for Jesus!) and the darkness … Continue reading “Philippians 2:5-11 Commentary by Melinda Quivik”

To our present American culture obsessed with taking selfies and getting the most likes, views, and follows on social media, Paul’s message to the Philippian church about having the mind and attitude of Christ is a slap in the face. Significantly, it is worth noting the kenosis passage of Philippians 2:5-11, which ends with one … Continue reading “Philippians 2:5-11 Commentary by Sammy Alfaro”

What is an interesting, even if somewhat troubling, aspect of this text is the emphasis the apostle places on like-mindedness. He writes, “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, … Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-13 Commentary by Michael Joseph Brown”

Philippians 2:6 might be translated: “He did not regard snatching as worthy of a god.” This revision of a hallowed text throws a monkey wrench into the inner workings of Christian theology. So, let’s do it. Although scholars fret around the doctrinal edges of kenôsis (emptying), they agree that the customary translation of 2:6 (“he … Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-13 Commentary by David E. Fredrickson”

God with Us It would be difficult to find a more influential passage in all of Scripture than today’s epistle reading from Philippians. Often called “the Christ Hymn,” on the supposition that Paul is quoting at least in part a very early hymn from the worship of the church, these verses have generated and shaped … Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-13 Commentary by Susan Eastman”

The lectionary passage Philippians 2:1–13 continues Paul’s preceding recommendations on how followers of Jesus Christ should live (1:27–30). Specifically, the apostle emphasizes the need for unity: “be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (2:2 NRSV). His ideal for the congregation in Philippi is harmony and … Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-13 Commentary by Christian A. Eberhart”

Modern interpreters agree: Philippians is the friendliest of Paul’s letters. But how friendly? Throughout the letter, Paul casts his relationship with Christ in the language of ancient love poetry. For those readers with ears to hear, erotic motifs invented by the archaic Greek poets, echoing through Paul’s day and well into late antiquity, can be … Continue reading “Philippians 1:21-30 Commentary by David E. Fredrickson”

Reciprocating Glory The first part of today’s lesson from Philippians tells us Paul’s own thinking about his possible impending death at the hands of the Roman authorities. He writes from prison, not knowing whether he will be released and able to visit his beloved congregation again. One would expect him to feel helpless, caged, at … Continue reading “Philippians 1:21-30 Commentary by Susan Eastman”

The lectionary passage Philippians 1:21–30 starts with an impressive statement about life and death. The Apostle Paul wrote these lines during his imprisonment in Rome, probably some time between 61 and 63 C.E. This specific situation is important to understand our text. Most likely, Paul’s imprisonment was rather a situation of house arrest under military … Continue reading “Philippians 1:21-30 Commentary by Christian A. Eberhart”

“Friendship is essential to the soul.” This is the motto of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a black Greek-letter organization founded at Howard University in 1911. A similar statement could be made about Paul’s friendly letter to the Philippians. Much of this letter is about reconnecting and strengthening a relationship that is important to both … Continue reading “Philippians 1:3-11 Commentary by Michael Joseph Brown”