The Epistle to the Philippians (New International Greek Testament Com (Eerdmans)) [Hardcover]

Peter T. O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 1991 | Series: New International Greek Testament Com (Eerdmans)

This commentary series is established on the presupposition that the theological character of the New Testament documents calls for exegesis that is sensitive to theological themes as well as to the details of the historical, linguistic, and textual context. Such thorough exegetical work lies at the heart of these volumes, which contain detailed verse-by-verse commentary preceded by general comments on each section and subsection of the text.

An important aim of the NIGTC authors is to interact with the wealth of significant New Testament research published in recent articles and monographs. In this connection the authors make their own scholarly contributions to the ongoing study of the biblical text.

The text on which these commentaries are based is the UBS Greek New Testament, edited by Kurt Aland and others. While engaging the major questions of text and interpretation at a scholarly level, the authors keep in mind the needs of the beginning student of Greek as well as the pastor or layperson who may have studied the language at some time but does not now use it on a regular basis.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter O'Brien is senior research fellow in New Testament, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 639 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (October 4, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802823920
• ISBN-13: 978-0802823922
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.6 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #396,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The VERY BEST on Philippians at any price! January 21, 2000

By A Pastor

Format:Hardcover

There is no other scholarly commentary on Philippians which even comes close to this one! Granted, this work is for the more advanced student, and if one is unfamiliar with Greek, one might want to consider looking elsewhere. (Remember, this is part of the New International Greek Testament Commentary series). But for the well-educated layperson, pastor or scholar, a more complete and accurate resource simply does not exist. O'Brien deals judiciously with the Greek text, always weighing the pros and cons of alternate readings. His bibliographies in each major section are invaluable (if one has access to a decent theological libray) and unsurpassed. Particularly pleasing is the author's magisterial treatment of the text of 2:5-11. In much less space, O'Brien has actually surpassed Ralph Martin's work ("Carmen Christi") on this passage! The author not only deals expertly with the grammar and meaning of the text, but also with its structure. Although O'Brien is rather conservative in identifying chiastic structure, his rationale for doing so is always based upon sound grammatical reasoning. I found this refreshing.

The truly surprising thing about this commentary, from the perspective of a pastor, is that the author's handling of the text lends itself easily to the homiletical task. If a diligent pastor or teacher will work through this commentary while teaching/preaching on Philippians, his/her messages will be more insightful, richer and more sharply applied. In short, O'Brien's commentary is light-years ahead of its competition, even the excellent volume by Gerald Hawthorne in the Word series.... For the seminarian looking for a fine example on how to use the Greek in doing exegesis for teaching and preaching, O'Brien provides a tremendously practical and inspiring model. Any serious Bible student looking for a scholarly work on Philippian will find this book a bargain and a treasure. Read more ›

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, thorough commentary, based on the Greek December 9, 2006

By Matthew Gunia VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Australian theologian Peter O'Brien is a highly respected Pauline scholar who (in addition to this book) has also written commentaries on Colossians/Philemon and Ephesians, in addition to books on the Biblical theology of mission.

This commentary on Philippians is part of the New International Greek Testament Commentary series, a series that places a heavy focus on the original Greek text of the Biblical book in question and use insights gained from this linguistic/grammatical study as a launching point to comment on theological and historical content.

The structure of this book does not differ much from other Biblical commentaries. Several pages of introductory material (e.g. questions of authorship, recipients, major themes, outline) are followed by the commentary proper: a translation of the pericope, notes on textual criticism, and extensive remarks on the pericope. What sets this commentary apart from others is 1) the above-mentioned emphasis on the Greek and 2) a high degree of interaction with other New Testament scholars. This reader especially enjoyed the emphasis on the Greek--not because I have an intrinsic love of the languages (I don't!) but because O'Brien thoroughly lays out and defends his translation, then uses this translation-defense in order to draw out theological/practical/Pauline remarks. As he does this, he often lays out the arguments of other scholars and points out the pros and cons of each--not in a way to set up straw men, but to show why one particular choice is the best among plausible explanations. The end result is that I have much confidence in and respect for O'Brien's conclusions.

O'Brien approaches Philippians from a conservative perspective.... He comes to the conclusion that the entire text was written by Paul (there were not redactors), that the recipients were the Christians at Philippi, and that the four major purposes in writing the letter were 1) to thank the Philippians for a gift he received from them, 2) to urge them toward greater unity (as it appears there was some conflict among them), 3) to encourage them to stand strong against a group of opponents from outside the church (who are trying to pull the Philippian Christians away from their Christian faith) and 4) to urge them to rejoice in Jesus, no matter what their earthly circumstances may be.

O'Brien's writing style is surprisingly conversational--I say surprisingly because it's difficult to come across as conversational when words and phrases like epexegetical, hapax, hortatory conjunction, and aorist indicative passive are used. When O'Brien remarks on the non-grammatical aspects of the text, his comments most often gravitate toward history, the personality/style of Paul, justification, sanctification, eschatology, and Christian unity. Absent or downplayed are the sacraments, vocation, the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of Scripture, and missiology (which is surprising to me considering this is one of his major scholarly pursuits).

In all, I recommend this commentary most highly for those who are have some background in the Greek. If you're concerned about the strength of your language skills (as I am), don't be intimidated. While it is based on the Greek, it is accessible while it remains scholarly and practical. Read more ›

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Classroom Text January 16, 2002

By David Alan Black

Format:Hardcover

I have used this commentary on Philippians for several years now in my classes. The students enjoy its balance between scholarship and devotion. It contains a wealth of insights into and applications of the text. It also shows an awareness of those discourse features of New Testament Greek that can make a real difference in interpretation. Highly recommended!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource January 20, 2003

By Gontroppo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

You will find O'Brien's to be one of the very best commentaries on Philippians, but you will get more out of it if you are familiar with New Testament Greek. The author writes from a theologically conservative viewpoint, but is always prepared to evaluate other views, while also clearly articulating his own.

The long section on Philippians 2:5-11 has been painstakingly researched. It is thorough and magnificent.

If you read commentaries to help you to understand the text, so that you can better serve Jesus Christ, you will really appreciate this one, as well as the author's commentaries on Colossians and Ephesians.

Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It Is Right & It Is Proper To Give Thanks Always & Everywhere November 3, 2007

By Jacques Schoeman

Format:Hardcover

On "in Christ" and "in the Lord":
'The favorite Pauline expression "in Christ" often appears in its double form in Philippians: "in Christ Jesus". It is a phrase denoting incorporation: believers are united with Christ ... "In Christ Jesus" frequently points to Christ Jesus as the sphere in which the Christian lives and moves. So the Philippians' glorying will abound "in Christ Jesus" (1:26). Christians glory in Him rather than put their confidence in the flesh (3:3). God's peace will guard the readers' hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (4:7), and their every need will be met in accordance with God's riches in glory in Him (4:19). Finally, the Philippians are to adopt the same attitude towards one another that was found in Christ Jesus (2:5). In other words, the whole life is to be determined by the fact of Christ Jesus.' p 46

"You too should rejoice in the same way." 2:18
"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!" 3:1

On verse 3:3 where Paul defines Christians by the term "the circumcision":
'The reason is now given why the derogatory term, "mutilation" (vs 2), and not "circumcision" is applied to ancient Israel. The following participial clauses provide a threefold description of those who are the true people of God, "the circumcision", marking out their distinctive qualities in terms of their 'worship', 'boasting' and 'confidence'. It is better, therefore, to understand "we are the circumcision" as applying figuratively to all Christians, believing Jews and gentiles alike. Although Paul states "the circumcision" can now be applied to us, it has not been spelled out how Israel forfeited this title. The negative implications are that Israel does not serve God by His Spirit, nor glory in Christ Jesus, but places its confidence in the flesh.... And the following paradigmatic example of Paul himself, which is mentioned in some detail (negatively in vv 4-6, and positively in vv 7-11) confirms this suggestion.' pp. 358-9 Peter O'Brien does not approve of the rendering "we are the true circumcision". The Christian practice of "boasting/glorying in Christ Jesus" O'Brien sees as the concomitant result, as did the apostle Paul - its single cause our union with Christ: 'Certainly this is consistent with the note of joy struck throughout the letter, sometimes even in the context of suffering.' p 362

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it myself. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 3:13-14

The aging apostle emphatically stated twice in the negative (once in v 12, and once more in v 13) that he had not "seized" or "taken hold of" [Strong's 2638, appearing three times here] the fullness of salvation, nor attained perfection. Rather, through the use of personal pronouns ("I..myself"), Paul spoke stirringly of his own perseverance through the athletic metaphor he employed in vv 13-14. John Calvin noted as part of the resurrection context: 'Thus Paul teaches us, that he does not think of what he has been, or of what he has done, but simply presses forward towards the appointed goal, and that, too, with such ardor, that he runs forward to it, as it were, with outstretched arms.' Commentary on Phil 3:13 The participle "straining forward" [Gk:epekteinomenos] appears only here in the NT and carries the meaning of 'epi' putting on + 'ekteino' extending towards, that which is divinely acceptable, to which Calvin then intentionally points: 'As, however, there has been mention made here of endeavor, aim, course, perseverance - lest anyone should imagine that salvation consists in these things, or should even ascribe to human industry what comes from another quarter, with the view of pointing out the cause of all these things, he adds - "in Christ Jesus".' Commentary on Phil 3:14 'The addition of "of the high" [Gk: ano] points not so much to the heavenly origin of this call as to the direction in which calling leads, that is, upwards, heavenwards.' p 432

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!" 4:4
"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord." 4:10 Read more ›