A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Tim Moss
As a pastor and aspiring theologian, I have found Zondervan’s Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament invaluable. Among the volumes in this series, the commentary by George Guthrie stands out for its depth and scholarly rigor. Dr. Guthrie, who currently serves as Professor of New Testament at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, Canada, has devoted considerable effort to this work. The commentary adheres to the series’ established format, beginning with a concise introduction to the book of Philippians. Guthrie then proceeds to analyze the text pericope by pericope, concluding with a brief but insightful discussion of the theology of Philippians.
Introduction
The commentary’s introduction opens with a fictional narrative depicting a strained relationship between Syntyche and Euodia in Philippi, illustrating the challenges faced by the early church. This story is a foundation for the rest of the introduction and the subsequent exposition. After this section, Guthrie identifies his intended audience for this commentary as both pastors and laypeople involved in ministry within the church. This intention is noteworthy, considering that many volumes in this commentary series seem to assume that readers have a solid grasp of biblical languages to benefit from them entirely. However, upon reviewing the commentary, it is evident that Guthrie avoids overly technical language. When discussing Greek terms, he explains them in a manner accessible to all readers. Consequently, I concur that this commentary is suitable for scholars, pastors, and laypeople seeking a deeper understanding of the book of Philippians.
Most of the introduction presents essential background information crucial for a comprehensive book understanding. Guthrie meticulously traces the political history of Philippi, beginning with its founding in 360 BC and continuing through the Romanization of the city in the first century. He then offers a detailed exploration of the cultural context relevant to the epistle. Although some background information may not directly contribute to a textual analysis of Philippians, Guthrie skillfully provides context that enables the reader to envision themselves in Paul’s position, thereby deepening their engagement with the text.
One of the central challenges in the study of Philippians is the precise determination of the date and location of its composition. The uncertainty surrounding these details compounds the difficulty in identifying Paul’s opponents. Guthrie carefully examines the traditional arguments for the letter’s provenance—Rome, Ephesus, and Caesarea—and ultimately endorses Rome as the most likely location. His arguments are built upon this presupposition. However, it is essential to note that Guthrie also engages with and presents current scholarly arguments that challenge the Roman hypothesis.
The concluding section of Guthrie’s introduction addresses foundational material, analyzing the Philippian church’s issues. He identifies Philippians 1:27-30 as the central passage of the epistle and extrapolates three critical conclusions from it. Following this, Guthrie provides a thorough overview of the background of Philippians. Notably, he includes an extended discussion on the genre of the letter, prompted by renewed interest in genre studies. Guthrie concurs with Gordon Fee’s assessment in this section, ultimately designating Philippians as a “Christian hortatory letter of friendship” (p. 27).
Before addressing some of the key arguments presented by the author, it is essential to outline the structure of the volume briefly. This work adheres to the standard format typical of this series. It begins by situating the passage within its literary context and providing a concise outline. Following this, the main idea of the pericope is presented, accompanied by a translation, structural analysis, and exegetical outline. The text is then explained in detail, culminating in a brief application section. For those unfamiliar with this series, each section is designed to assist pastors and teachers in crafting lessons and deepening their understanding of the text. The application section, in particular, offers a strong foundation for emphasizing the main point, with practical illustrations that can be utilized or adapted in a homiletical context.
One of the notable strengths of Guthrie’s commentary is his discussion of the grammatical construction of Philippians 1:15, which he argues has been largely overlooked in scholarly debates. Guthrie proposes that verses 1:15-17 exhibit a chiastic structure, with the outer elements referring to those commenting on Paul’s ministry, while the inner elements pertain to Paul’s allies (pp. 89–90). He offers a brief excursus on the grammatical nuances of the passage, suggesting that the μεν καί and δε καί constructions necessitate an adjunctive reading. Drawing from parallels in Greco-Roman literature, Guthrie’s translation of Philippians 1:15 begins with “In addition to these” (p. 99), signaling a shift in thought or an expansion of the discussion.
While Guthrie’s analysis is thought-provoking and introduces valuable insights, further examination of the text is warranted. Contextually, it may be more plausible that the construction functions consecutively, reflecting a seamless flow of thought and situation. Paul’s use of καί in verses 14 and 15 to introduce two distinct groups supports a consecutive reading. Moreover, the omission of καί in the chiastic parallels of verses 16 and 17 suggests that Paul intended to emphasize continuity in verses 14 and 15, making the conjunction unnecessary in the subsequent verses. Additionally, the reference to believers with impure motives in verse 17c reinforces the idea of a continuous narrative, as they believed their preaching would intensify Paul’s suffering.
Guthrie’s proposal offers an intriguing angle, especially in its reliance on Greco-Roman adjunctive readings to interpret Philippians 1:15. This approach opens up new possibilities for understanding Paul’s rhetorical strategies and the broader structure of the text. However, more comprehensive research is needed to substantiate Guthrie’s claim. A closer comparison of similar adjunctive constructions in other Greco-Roman writings could offer a firmer foundation for his argument and clarify whether Paul’s usage in this passage aligns more with an adjunctive reading or if a consecutive interpretation remains more contextually fitting.
Another notable section of this volume is Guthrie’s thorough examination of the structure of Philippians 2:5-11. He dedicates four pages to analyzing the passage’s grammatical and poetic structures. He follows with an additional four-page excursus exploring the pericope as a hymn. In this analysis, Guthrie dissects the poetic structure into two chiastic patterns, providing solid exegetical justification for this interpretation. His excursus offers a detailed historical overview of scholarship on the passage’s hymn-like qualities, enriching the reader’s understanding of the broader academic conversation. Furthermore, this section is well-supported by extensive footnotes, which guide readers to additional resources for further study, making it a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions about the nature and structure of Philippians 2:5-11.
In his exegesis of Philippians 2:25, Guthrie includes a brief excursus on Paul’s coworkers who assisted in the spread of the gospel. While the excursus lacks significant depth, it provides an essential examination of the various terms Paul uses to describe his coworkers, such as “coworker,” “brother,” and “servant.” The excursus may not substantially enhance Guthrie’s overall exegesis. However, it does offer a helpful list of relevant verses for those interested in studying Paul’s terminology and his relationships with his coworkers. This cataloging could be a helpful starting point for further research on Paul’s network of ministry partners.
In the pericope, 3:1-14, Guthrie includes an excursus addressing the identity of Paul’s opponents in Rome and Philippi. A key emphasis in this section is Guthrie’s assertion that any conclusions drawn about these opponents must be grounded in the text itself. Upon careful examination, Guthrie convincingly concludes that Paul refers to both natural and hypothetical opponents in Philippians. While this view may not garner unanimous agreement and could warrant a more extensive monographic treatment, Guthrie’s conclusions remain firmly rooted in the textual evidence presented.
The final chapter of Guthrie’s commentary addresses the theology of Philippians. Although this is primarily an exegetical work, and theological applications are offered after each section, this chapter comes across as somewhat supplementary. Within a concise five-page discussion, Guthrie highlights four key themes: “God the Father,” “Christ Jesus,” “The People of God,” and “The Mission of the World.” While Guthrie effectively traces these themes throughout the book of Philippians, a more robust theological treatment might have been achieved by extending the analysis to the broader Pauline corpus or the New Testament. This would have allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of these theological motifs within their broader canonical context.
In conclusion, Guthrie’s commentary on Philippians strikes an admirable balance between accessibility and scholarly rigor, making it well-suited for both pastors and laypeople. From the outset, Guthrie states that his intended audience includes those in pastoral ministry and general readers, and his approach reflects this intent. The language used throughout the work avoids overly technical jargon while engaging with important exegetical and theological issues. This ensures that the commentary remains readable and informative for a broad audience.
Guthrie’s exegetical insight is a particular strength of the commentary. He provides well-reasoned conclusions firmly grounded in the biblical text, supported by careful interaction with secondary literature. His ability to draw out the meaning of the text is commendable, and his exegesis offers valuable contributions to the study of Philippians.
The theological reflection in the “theology in application” sections is equally noteworthy. These sections offer practical examples that pastors and teachers can readily apply in sermons or Bible studies, enhancing the relevance of the commentary for those in ministry. However, while these reflections are beneficial, they would be enriched by a more explicit connection of theological themes to the broader canon, which could deepen the reader’s understanding of how these themes fit into the larger biblical narrative.
Overall, Guthrie’s commentary on Philippians is a valuable resource that would make an excellent addition to any library. It offers robust exegetical work and thoughtful theological reflection, making it useful for those seeking a deeper understanding of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Whether for personal study or ministry preparation, this commentary provides a solid foundation for engaging with the text meaningfully.
Tim Moss