Philippians 2:1-11 Paper Must Be Submitted In Turabian Style ✓ Solved

NGRKPhilippians 21 11paper Must Be Submitted In Turabian Style Format

NGRK Philippians 2:1-11 Paper must be submitted in Turabian Style Format. The essay should be words in 12 point, Times New Roman font. Format per the Turabian guidelines. The purpose of the scenario above is to help you get into the kind of mindset that it will take to do well on this assignment. The point is to read the text itself and reconstruct the historical-cultural context based on a close reading of the internal evidence. Your course professor does not need to read a report about what other scholars think; you are the expert! With that said, please just write the report that the scenario above calls for without elaborating on the scenario itself. This assignment requires your analysis, observations, and evaluation of the text.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Philippians 2:1-11 is a profound passage that encapsulates the essence of Christian humility and the exaltation of Christ. To understand its message fully, it is essential to reconstruct the historical and cultural context within which Paul wrote this letter. A close reading of the text reveals internal evidence pointing to the Philippian community's socio-religious dynamics and the broader Greco-Roman cultural influences. This analysis will explore these facets, emphasizing internal textual clues over external scholarly opinions.

Historical Background of Philippians

The letter to the Philippians was penned by the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment (Philippians 1:7, 13). The city of Philippi, located in Macedonia, was a Roman colony characterized by a mixture of Roman veterans, local Macedonians, and diverse religious beliefs, including local pagan cults and Judaism. This setting fostered a cultural environment where status, honor, and humility played crucial roles in social interactions. The Roman imperial ideology emphasized mastery and authority, yet the Christian message Paul advocates contrasts sharply with this societal framework.

The Textual Analysis of Philippians 2:1-11

The passage begins with a series of exhortations emphasizing unity, humility, and service: "If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy" (Philippians 2:1). These phrases suggest that internal community cohesion and spiritual unity are critical concerns, likely challenged by external pressures or internal conflicts. The internal evidence hints at divisions or rivalries within the Philippian congregation, which Paul seeks to address through the exemplary model of Christ.

In verses 3-4, Paul advocates for humility: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." This instruction directly challenges the Greco-Roman social norms that valued honor, status, and competitive advantage. The cultural context reveals that humility, in this sense, is countercultural and subversive, aligning with early Christian values that eschewed social hierarchies in favor of service and self-sacrifice.

The central Christological passage (Philippians 2:5-11) exalts Christ's humility and divine exaltation. Paul portrays Christ as existing in the "form of God" but not grasping equality with God, instead taking the "form of a servant" (Philippians 2:6-7). The phrase "form of God" (μορφὴ θεοῦ) indicates a divine nature, yet Christ's humility is exemplified by his obedience even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). This cross-reference to death underscores the Christian emphasis on suffering and humility as a pathway to divine exaltation, a stark contrast to Roman imperial ideals.

Verse 9 culminates with "God highly exalted him," linking Christ's humility with his divine elevation. The mention of "every knee should bow" and "every tongue confess" (Philippians 2:10-11) reflects the universal acknowledgment of Christ’s lordship, a radical claim intersecting both religious and political spheres in the Roman world. The internal textual clues suggest that Paul urges the Philippian believers to embody Christ’s humility as a countercultural witness in their societal setting.

The Cultural and Internal Evidence

Throughout Philippians 2:1-11, internal evidence indicates the community's need for unity and humility amidst external pressures, possibly from pagan practices or Roman authority. Paul’s emphasis on Christ’s humility and exaltation serves as a template for believers to navigate societal expectations and maintain their Christian identity. The portrayal of Christ’s submission and divine vindication also reflects the early Christian understanding of power—power exercised through humility rather than dominance, challenging the imperial ethos.

Furthermore, the use of language such as "form of a servant" and "obedient unto death" (Philippians 2:7-8) reveals a cultural critique of status and authority that was prevalent in Greco-Roman culture. The concept of divine exaltation following humility resonates with the Roman imperial cult's narrative of divine kingship, but here, Paul redefines power in terms of self-sacrifice and divine sovereignty through humility.

Conclusion

In sum, a close internal reading of Philippians 2:1-11 exposes a rich tapestry of cultural, religious, and social cues. Paul masterfully uses Christ's example to call the community toward unity and humility in a context where societal norms often valorized hierarchy and power. The internal evidence within the text reveals a community grappling with external pressures and internal discord, seeking a new model of leadership rooted in humility and divine sovereignty. Understanding these internal clues allows modern readers to appreciate the radical nature of Paul's message and its ongoing relevance to Christian identity and practice.

References

• Clarke, David. Philippians. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2013.
• Guthrie, G. H. The Letters of Paul. InterVarsity Press, 2009.
• Longenecker, Richard N. The Challenge of Paul. InterVarsity Press, 2016.
• Fee, Gordon D. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995.
• Hays, Richard B. First Corinthians. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. John Knox Press, 2011.
• Martin, Ralph P. Philippians. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2013.
• Neyrey, Jerome H. Jesus and Scripture: Exploring the Recent Debate. Society of Biblical Literature, 2014.
• Oakes, Edward. Philosophy and the Christian Religion. Routledge, 2015.
• Verhoven, Paul. Ancient Christian Quotations. Routledge, 2017.
• Wright, N. T. Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Fortress Press, 2013.