Produktdetaljer
Biographical note
Bonnie B. Thurston, after years as a university and seminary professor, lives quietly in her home state of West Virginia. She is the author of many books on Scripture and spirituality and eight books of poetry. These include Liturgical Press publications Saint Mary of Egypt: A Modern Verse Life and Interpretation;Shaped by the End You Live For: Thomas Merton’s Monastic Spirituality; Maverick Mark: The Untamed First Gospel; The Spiritual Landscape of Mark;Philippians in the Sacra Pagina series; and Belonging to Borders: A Sojourn in the Celtic Tradition (poetry).. . . edifying to all Christian groups.<i>The Catholic Biblical Quarterly</i>
. . . an excellent introduction and discussion of pertinent issues that will be of interest and use to . . . scholars, students, clergy and religious educators. . . . a valuable contribution to the <i>Sacra Pagina</i> series.<i>Toronto Journal of Theology</i>
. . .form a formidable programme for continuous reading, but a sensible and judicious selection from the material offered will enrich any reader anxious to grow in the knowledge and love of Scripture, and of the world in which it arose.The Way
. . . a welcome addition to the series, and will be useful to preachers in particular.<i>Interpretation</i>
I sincerely recommend this book to Bible professionals, clergy, theologian students, and laity committing to the Holy Scripture. Though it is not difficult to find good commentaries on the letter to Philippians and the letter to Philemon, this book has its own characteristic readers are not allowed to miss.<i>China Graduate School of Theology Newsletter</i>
Thurston’s avowed concentration upon prayer and spirituality is to be welcomed in a field of scientific study that too often forgets the ultimate purpose of the Bible, which is to build up the community of faith.<i>Cistercian Studies Quarterly</i>
I have made use of the commentary in sermon preparation and it is very good.<i>West Virginia Christian Church News</i>
Each of the authors of these commentaries does great justice to the beauty of these Pauline materials, providing a fresh working translation and theologically sensitive analysis of the text. Readers who might want to plunge deeply into Paul’s theology could do well to start here.<i>The Bible Today</i>
Although relatively brief, Philippians is one of the most interesting and beloved of Paul’s undisputed epistles. In Philippians and Philemon, Bonnie Thurston makes a convincing case that canonical Philippians is as Paul wrote it, one letter. Although there is not enough specific evidence to “name names,” she suggests a number of possible audiences. A translation conforming as closely as possible to the original Greek is provided, along with a careful analysis of the language of the letter that yields insights into the context and theological underpinning of this epistle.
The apostle’s very brief letter to Philemon stands solidly within the Pauline collection of authentic and canonical letters. In this volume, Judith Ryan argues that Philemon makes two specific appeals. The first seeks to elicit Philemon’s partnership and his community’s support in welcoming Onesimus back as both beloved brother and honored guest. The second requests that Onesimus be allowed to use the freedom he already has to serve Christ and his Gospel. In this commentary Ryan provides a fresh translation, critical notes for each verse, and interpretation on defined sections. She situates the letter in the historical context of slavery in the ancient world and shows how Paul combined his theology with contemporary rhetorical strategies to produce an effective challenge to his audience.
Bonnie B. Thurston, PhD, lives in West Virginia in solitude. She is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of several books, including The Spiritual Landscape of Mark and Religious Vows, the Sermon on the Mount, and Christian Living (Liturgical Press) and Preaching Mark (Fortress Press).
Judith M. Ryan, PhD,STL, is associate professor of New Testament at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology at St. Mary's Seminary, Houston, Texas. Previously she taught at Catholic University of America, Fordham University, the University of Scranton, College Misericordia, and St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Editor’s Preface ix
Abbreviations xi
PHILIPPIANS
Author’s Preface 3
Introduction
I. Historical Backgrounds for the Study of Philippians 7
1. The City of Philippi 7
2. The Founding of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles 10
3. The Circumstances of the Church as Seen in the Letter 16
4. The Place of Women in the Philippian Church 19
5. The Philippian Church after the Time of Paul 22
II. Literary Backgrounds for the Study of Philippians 24
1. Paul and the Greco-Roman Letter 24
2. The Authorship, Provenance, and Date of Philippians 28
3. The Unity of Philippians 30
4. The Form and Structure of Philippians in Light of Its Purpose 34
General Bibliography 39
Translation, Notes, Interpretation
Opening Formula/Greeting: 1:1-2 45
Thanksgiving and Prayer Wish: 1:3-11 48
Thanksgiving: 1:3-8 48
Prayer Wish: 1:9-11 53
The Example of Paul: 1:12-26 56
Results of Imprisonment: 1:12-14 56
Motives in Ministry: 1:15-18a 59
Paul’s Dilemma: 1:18b-26 62
Instructions to the Philippians: 1:27–2:18 67
Their Manner of Life: 1:27-30 68
Central Injunction: 2:1-4 72
Excursus I: Hymns in Early Christianity 77
The Christ Hymn: 2:5-11 80
Their Manner of Life: 2:12-18 93
The Examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus: 2:19-30 99
Timothy: 2:19-24 99
Epaphroditus: 2:25-30 102
Excursus II: The “Break” at 3:1 108
Instructions to the Philippians: 3:1–4:1 111
Warning about “Dogs”: 3:1-4a 111
Excursus III: Paul’s Opponents in Philippi 116
The Example of Paul: 3:4b-14 120
Warning About “Enemies”: 3:15–4:1 130
The Example of Euodia and Syntyche: 4:2-3 140
Instructions to the Philippians: 4:4-9 143
On Prayer: 4:4-7 144
Virtue List and Final Exhortation: 4:8-9 146
Thank You: 4:10-20 151
Final Greetings: 4:21-23 160
PHILEMON
Author’s Preface and Acknowledgments 167
Introduction
Slavery in the Greco-Roman World 169
Slavery in Israel 173
Freedom and Slavery in Paul’s Letters 174
Philemon in the Pauline Letter Tradition 176
People, Places, and Possible Journey 178
The Occasion of the Letter 181
Movement of the Letter 182
The Dual Appeal of Philemon 184
Theological Significance of Paul’s Appeal 185
Supportive Rhetorical Strategy 192
Function of the Letter and Its Importance in the Canon 194
Early Christianity and Its Response to Slavery 195
General Bibliography 198
Translation, Notes, Interpretation
1. Formal Epistolary Opening and Salutation (1-3) 209
2. Thanksgiving Prayer and Theological Basis for the Appeal (4-7) 222
3. Basis for the Appeal and Relevant New Details (8-14) 232
4. Central Request: Providential Discernment, Love’s Imperative, Explicit Appeal and Guarantee of Acceptance (15-20) 245
5. Conclusion: Expression of Confidence, Plans to Visit, Final Greetings, and Blessing (21-25) 254
Indexes
Philippians
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings 263
Index of Authors 274
Philemon
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings 278
Index of Authors 288
Supplementary Bibliography, Philippians 291
Supplementary Bibliography, Philemon 294