Interpreting the New Testament

Word Study Assignment

Student: Karina Loayza

WORD STUDY ASSIGMENT - in Philippians

1.

The use of the word "in Philippians

In order to grasp correctly the meaning of as it is used by Paul in Philippians, we

need to consider at least the following internal evidence of the letter. First, Paul is writing this
letter while in prison (1:19). Second, the only reason for his imprisonment is his work as a
proclaimer of Christ (1:13). Third, the believers in Philippi are well regarded by Paul, it is
noticeable that theres not any serious call for repentance or correction of a sinful behavior, all
the contrary, Pauls exhortation to the Philippians is to keep making spiritual progress (1:9, 1:27,
4:1, 10, 15). By having this background in mind we will be able to better perceive the nuances
of the word in the letter.
The meaning of as a work being made by Paul with the participation of the
Philippians is found in verse 5. Here, has the connotation of a corporate work (or
activity) category 1 since Paul is saying that all are participating in the gospel, it seems like
the gospel is something you work in, in fellowship, summing your effort to the efforts of others.
Then, Paul gives light to this idea in verse 7 when he describes this gospel as a matter of
defense and confirmation, so now this gospel has a new nuance: a kind of testimonycategory 2. It is truthfulness that needs to be defended and confirmed by Paul. In this sense,
verse 12 and 16 repeat the idea of a testimony that it is being propagated, and for which Paul is
his appointed defendant. Finally, in verses 17 and 18, Paul connects the word (in
v.16) with the proclamation of Christ category 3. Therefore, its possible to infer that the
testimony that Paul is defending, confirming, and propagating is (or about) Christ. This
possibility is confirmed in the next use of in verse 27 when he exhorts the believers

Interpreting the New Testament

Word Study Assignment
Student: Karina Loayza

to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Here, the relation between
gospel and Christ is one of an ownership.
Thus far, we have been reducing the concept of from a general idea of a corporate
work, a kind of testimony to one more specific, the testimony of Christ. Furthermore, Paul
develops this concept when he connects the testimony of Christ with the behavior of a group of
believers, then it could be said that this testimony is not only meant to be proclaimed by words,
and that needs to be defended and confirmed by Paul only, but also by a worthy behavior of the
entire community, a communal worthy behavior- category 4 (v.27). This is an interesting
nuance that seems to be very appropriate for the church at Philippi, a healthy and mature church
doing well so far. Finally, the use of in verses 2:22, 4:3, 15, repeat the concept of
gospel as a work that has to be made in fellowship (Paul and Timothy, Paul and Euodia and
Syntyche), and that of a testimony, or message, that is being proclaimed.
After considering the different nuances of , we are ready to define what Paul seems
to mean when he uses this word within the context of Philippians, as follows: The testimony of
Christ which is meant to be proclaimed by the fellowship of his followers.
2.

The use of the word "in Philippians in comparison with its use in
Galatians and Romans

The goal of this brief discussion is to compare the different nuances of Pauls use of
as it is presented in the letters to the Philippians, the Romans and to the Galatians, in
order to extend the range of meaning that this word may have in Pauls mind.
First, we do need to understand the different circumstances Paul had in each instance. Second,
we do need to identify some of the principal characteristic of his audience. Undoubtedly, his

Interpreting the New Testament

Word Study Assignment
Student: Karina Loayza

message in these three letters presents a different nuance, intention or purpose in mind and that
will influence the different connotations that Paul gives to the word "in his letter to
the church in Philippi, Rome, and finally to the church in Galatia.
The believers of the church in Philippi are very close to the heart of Paul, this is evident in his
very affectionate salutation, and many personal references of his imprisonment that show Pauls
heart so vividly. But his affection is not based merely on emotional ground but on their common
participation in the gospel. In this letter Paul doesnt describe the power for salvation of the
gospel as he does in Romans. It seems to be that his emphasis is on the gospel as a testimony, of
Christ, carried by the community of believers by proclamation and by their way of living. It is
well stated that Paul is the appointed defendant for the gospel, but he makes clear that hes not
alone in this effort because the church in Philippi is participating in the gospel by providing for
Pauls needs (4:15-16) and by their prayers (1:19).
The church in Rome is not only dear to Paul (1:11-12) but also well regarded by the apostle
(15:14), so much so that he gives them very solid aliment appropriate for mature Christians and
not just milk for babies (15:15). With this brief and preliminary comment, and without entering
in a heavy theological debate, we will just indicate that in this letter one of Pauls repetitive ideas
is to establish a very clear and explicit contrast between the Jewish nation, and the Gentiles. Why
Paul does so? In order to provide the gospel of a very special nuance, this is, to be the reference
point to understand Gods adoption (or engrafting) of the Gentiles and the partial hardening of
the Jewish Nation (11:28). In addition to this, it is also very interesting to notice that Paul defines
the gospel as the promised message announced by the prophets about His son (1:1, 9, 10:16,
15:19) from the very beginning, and also he states clearly the gospels purpose: to lead all the

Interpreting the New Testament

Word Study Assignment
Student: Karina Loayza

nations to obedience of faith (16:26). Finally, we consider that the main nuance in the concept of
is Pauls definition of the gospel as the power of God for salvation (1:16).
Finally, the letter to the Galatians is very different from the other two. This letter has a very brief
and general salutation, and begins just in v. 6 with a hard reprimand: I am astonished that you
are so quickly deserting him. This letter is the harshest since it is plagued with direct rebukes
like: Oh foolish Galatians! Paul is more than concerned about the believers in this region for
they are being influenced by the party of the circumcision, which is persuading the Gentiles to
circumcise, this is a turning back again to the rudiments of the Law that is opposed to the
freedom Christ has gained for the believers once for all. Therefore, in the light of this serious
issue we are going to perceive a different nuance in the letter to the Galatians: the gospel as a
message of freedom in Christ (2:5, 7, 14). But Paul doesnt go right to this point, he has set first
a solid ground for the validity of the gospel by stating in the beginning that theres no other
gospel (1:6-7), that the gospel is a message revealed to Paul through a revelation of Jesus Christ
and not mans (1:11), and that hes preaching the same gospel Peter is preaching to the
circumcised (2:2), in doing so Paul is affirming the universality of the gospel in contrast to this
gospel that the Galatians are following. Here, to the Galatians, the gospel is a set of God-given
beliefs, a message of freedom in Christ and therefore in total contradiction to the teachings of the
party of the circumcision.
After our discussion about the use of by Paul in three different letters, we notice that
the concept has different emphasis according to the needs of the moment that Paul perceives and
he wants to address. However, the concept of the gospel as the unique message revealed by God
about His Son is always central in Pauls mind.