Description: In this commentary, Michael Bird and Nijay Gupta situate Paul's letter to the Philippians within the context of his imprisonment as well as the Philippians' situation of suffering and persecution. Paul draws the Philippians' attention to the power and progress of the gospel in spite of difficult circumstances. He also warns them about the dangers of rival Christian groups who preach out of poor motives or have a truncated gospel. Bird and Gupta unpack the rich wisdom and theology of the Christ Hymn (2:6-11). Throughout the commentary, they apply a broad range of exegetical tools to interpret this letter including historical, sociological, rhetorical, and literary analysis, and they give attention to the reception of this important Pauline text throughout history. Bird and Gupta also includes short reflections on the meaning of Philippians for today.
Brief description: Michael F. Bird is Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College, Melbourne. He is the author commentaries on Romans and Colossians, and the author of An Anomalous Jew: Paul among Jews, Greeks, and Romans (2016) and The Saving Righteousness of God (2007).
Review Quotes: 'Bird and Gupta have produced an important work on Philippians. Their language is often provocative, sparking need to rethink entrenched positions and, therefore, pushing the conversation forward regarding what Paul was attempting as an imprisoned author shaping this community from afar. Their ability to quickly home in on the most important aspects of the text, offering background and discussion on key issues, is a welcome help for practitioners working with Philippians, while their wealth of new insights provides needed impetus for scholars working on the letter.' Isaac Blois, Review of Biblical Literature