Philippians and Philemon (2009): A Commentary (New Testament Library) - Hardcover

Cousar, Charles B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0664239897 ISBN 13: 9780664239893

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013

Synopsis

Pauls letter to the church at Philippi is a moving insight into early Christianity. No letter displays Pauls fondness for a church as much as Philippians, and this passion is accompanied by a profound sense of thanksgiving for the church and its generosity. In this letter, Paul reminds the church of the first day they heard the gospel, the present persecution that they experience in their imperial context, and their true reality as citizens of heaven. Jesus Christ grounds this eschatological framework as the one whom God has lifted up. But in Philippi Paul also faced opponents, and the interpretation of the letter requires that the reader understand these people whose vision of Jesus was other than Pauls.

The short letter to Philemon tells the story of a Christian slave named Onesimus. Through this appeal on Onesimuss behalf, Paul illustrates how the moral vision of social hierarchies, such as the one between slave owner and slave, are dismantled in Christ. He calls Philemon and Onesimus into a reconciliation that points to their shared participation in Christ.

Together, these two letters show Pauls vital passion for the church and the bonds that held early Christians together in their faith.

The New Testament Library offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, as well as classic volumes of scholarship. The commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, offer critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, pay careful attention to their literary design, and present a theologically perceptive exposition of the text.

About this title

About the Author:

Charles B. Cousar is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He is the author of numerous books, including Galatians in the Interpretation commentary series. He is also coauthor of the three volumes of Texts for Preaching.

About this edition

• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0664239897
• ISBN 13: 9780664239893
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 250