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Philippians 3. 20–21 – a Hymnic Fragment?*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2009

John Reumann
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Short Studies
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New Testament Studies , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , October 1984 , pp. 593 - 609
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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References

NOTES

[1] Weiss, J., Beiträge zur paulinischen Rhetorik (Göttingen, 1897), pp. 28 f.Google ScholarRobertson, A. T., Paul's Joy in Christ (Nashville, 1917), p. 123Google Scholar (later ed., n. d., p. 69). Moffatt, J.. An Introduction to the Literature of the New Testament (3rd ed., Edinburgh, 1918), pp. 167 f., cf. 57 f.Google Scholar

[2] Dibelius, M., An die Thessalonicher I–II, An die Philipper (HbNT 11; Tübingen, 2nd ed. 1925), p. 72; 3rd ed. 1937), p. 93.Google Scholar

[3] Lohmeyer, E., Kyrios Jesus: Eine Untersuchung zu Phil. 2, 5–11 (SAH 1927/8, 4 Abh.; Heidelberg, 1928, reprinted 1961).Google ScholarDie Brief an die Philipper (KEK, Göttingen, 8th ed. 1928; 9th ed., rev. Schmauch, W., 1953), pp. 90–9.Google Scholar Summary in Martin, R. P., Carmen Christi: Philippians ii. 5–11 in Recent Interpretation and in the Setting of Early Christian Worship (SNTSMS 4, Cambridge, 1967), pp. 25–30, 38–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar For reservations that 2. 6–11 is a hymn, see Schenk, W., ‘Christus, das Geheimnis der Welt als dogmatisches und ethisches Grundprinzip des Kolosserbriefes’, EvTh 43 (1983), pp. 144–6: ‘eher missionskerygmatisches Beispiel’, with Col. 1. 15–20 having ‘katechetisch-didaktische Lehr- und Merkfunktion’.Google Scholar

[4] Lohmeyer, , Brief an die Philipper o.c., pp. 150 f., 156–63. There are also poetic or ‘sense lines’ elsewhere, e.g. 3. 12, 15–16.Google Scholar

[5] Flanagan, N., ‘A Note on Philippians 3, 20–21’, CBQ 18 (1956), pp. 8–9.Google Scholar

[6] Güttgemanns, E., diss. Bonn, 1963. Der leidende Apostel und sein Herr: Studien zur paulinischen Christologie (FRLANT 90, Göttingen, 1966), pp. 240–7.Google Scholar

[7] Strecker, G., ‘Redaktion und Tradition im Christushymnus Phil 2 6–11’, ZNW 55 (1964), pp. 63–78, especially 75–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar = Strecker, G., Eschaton und Historic: Aufsätze (Göttingen, 1979), pp. 142–57, especially 154–7.Google Scholar

[8] Ibid., p. 76 (155): ‘beide Stücke aus derselbe Überlieferungsschicht stammen, und es ist möglich, beide Abschnitte zur wechselseitigen Interpretation zu verwenden.’ On the combination of Hellenistic and Jewish elements, see Strecker's n. 51.

[9] Ibid., p. 77.

[10] Ibid., p. 76, n. 52.

[11] Merk, O., Handeln aus Glauben: Die Motivierung der paulinischen Ethik (MThSt 5, Marburg, 1968), p. 193, n. 128.Google Scholar

[12] Gnilka, J., Der Philipperbrief (HTheolKommNT X:3, Freiburg, 1968; 3rd ed. 1980), pp. 206–10.Google Scholar

[13] Ibid., pp. 209 f. His Letter B, the second of two behind our canonical Philippians, includes 3. 1b–4. 1 plus 4. 8–9. Verse 20 involves ‘ein Bekenntnissatz’, 21b an ‘Allmachtsformel … in Anlehnung an gottesdienstliche Formeln’, and the πολίτενμα-Idee and transformation image in v. 20 come from ‘die Predigt der Gegner’.

[14] Silber, P., Mit Christus leben: Eine Studie zur paulinischen Auferstehungshoffnung(AbThANT 61, Zürich, 1971), pp. 122–34.Google Scholar

[15] Mengel, B., Studien zum Philipperbrief: Untersuchungen zum situativem Kontext unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Frage nach der Ganzheitlichkeit Oder Einheitlichkeit eines paulinischen Briefes (WUNT 2/8, Tübingen, 1982), pp. 271 f., n. 172.Google Scholar

[16] Becker, J., ‘Erwägungen zu Phil. 3, 20–21’, ThZ 27 (1971), pp. 16–29.Google Scholar

[17] Friedrich, G., Der Brief an die Philipper (NTD 8, Göttingen, 10th ed. 1962), pp. 92 ff., especially 121 f.Google Scholar

[18] Wengst, K., Christologische Formeln und Lieder des Urchristentums (StNT 7, Gütersloh, 1972), p. 150, n. 26.Google Scholar

[19] Becker, , o. c., pp. 26 f. 2 Tim. 2.11–13 is a πιστ⋯ς ό λ⋯γος statement:Google Scholar εί γ⋯ρ συναπεθάνομεν, κα⋯ συζήσομεν· εί ὑπομένομεν, κα⋯ συμβασιλεύσομεν· εί ⋯ρνηοόμεθα, κ⋯κεῑνος ⋯ρνήσεται ⋯μᾱς· εί ⋯πιοτοῡμεν, ⋯κεῑνος πιστ⋯ς μένει, ⋯ρνήσασθαι γ⋯ρ ⋯αντ⋯ν οὺ δύναται.

[20] Deichgräber, R., Gotteshymnus und Christushymnus in der frühen Christenheit: Untersuchungen zu Form, Sprache und Stil der frühchristlichen Hymnen (StUNT 5, Göttingen, 1967), pp. 21–2, n. 3.Google Scholar

[21] Becker, J., Auferstehung der Toten im Urchristentum (SBS 82, Stuttgart, 1976), pp. 106–16, especially 109 n. 8 and 109 f.Google Scholar

[22] Müller, U. B., Prophetie und Predigt im Neuen Testament: Formgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zur urchristlichen Prophetie (StNT 10, Gütersloh, 1975), pp. 190–6Google Scholar: 3. la and 4. 4–7 are closing admonitions to rejoice, leading into the euchaiistic celebration; 3. 1b points back to 2. 18; the warning against false teachers (3. 2 ff.) has a place at this point in such a liturgy; the admonition of 3. 17 ff. is a concrete example of the anathema we have in 1 Cor. 16. 22a, and 4. 5 is a variation on the maranathaof 1 Cor. 16. 22b.

[23] Collange, J. F., L'épitre de S. Paul aux Philippiens (CNT 10, Neuchatel, 1973)Google Scholar, cited from trans, by Heathcote, A. W., The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians (London, 1979), p. 139: ‘… using traditional motifs, the polemical presentation of the nature of the Christian life is here brought to a close’; analogies to 2. 6–11 are explained by the fact that Paul wrote both, 2. 6–11 reflecting the ‘preoccupations of his youth’ (p. 93).Google Scholar

[24] Martin, R. P., Philippians (NCB, London, 1976), pp. 146–51.Google ScholarBarth, G., Der Brief an die Philipper (Zürcher Bibelkommentar NT 9, Zürich, 1979), p. 68Google Scholar seems closer to accepting a hymn here. Hawthorne, G. W., Philippians (Word Biblical Commentary 43, Waco, 1983), pp. 168–70Google Scholar: a christological hymn employed against Jewish opponents.

[25] Martin, , Carmen Christi o. c., cf. p. 58 n. 2Google Scholar; 292. Sanders, J. T., The New Testament Christological Hymns: Their Historical Religious Background (SNTSMS 15, Cambridge, 1971).Google ScholarDeichgräber, o. c., p. 180 n. 5, who had available when he wrote only the work of Lohmeyer and Strecker but not Güttgemanns.Google Scholar

[26] On criteria for ‘creedal formulae’, see Stauffer, E., Die Theologie des Neuen Testaments (Gütersloh, 4th ed. 1948), p. 316Google Scholar; trans, by Marsh, J., New Testament Theology (London, 1955), pp. 338–9.Google Scholar On the history of research and definitions for hymn types, see Deichgräber, o. c. pp. 11–23, 197–214Google Scholar; Wengst, o. c., pp. 11–26Google Scholar; Martin, , Carmen Christi o. c., pp. 18–19.Google Scholar

[27] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 26.Google Scholar

[28] Güttgemanns, o. c., p. 243.Google Scholar

[29] Gnilka, o.c., p. 209.Google Scholar

[30] Stauffer o. c., numbers 2, 3, and 4 in his list of twelve criteria.

[31] Lohmeyer, , Brief an die Philipper o. c., rev. ed. 1953, pp. 150 f.Google ScholarBecker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 17 n. 9, comments that Lohmeyer has had no following in his attempt to take 3. 17–19 in similar rhythmic fashion.Google Scholar

[32] Müller, , o.c., pp. 190–6.Google Scholar

[33] Ibid., p. 191; vv. 18b–19 is a ‘predicateless little sentence’; one would expect an adverb with περιπατεῑν; the accusative το⋯ς ἔχθρονς modifies οὔς, but the accusatives dangle, picked up only by the ὦν τ⋯ τέλος formula.

[34] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., pp. 16–18:Google Scholar 1) Gemeinde Paraenesis 2.1–5 3.17–19 2) Traditional christological material on which author and readers concur 2.6–11 3.20–21 3) Concluding address 2.12 4.1.

Admittedly, the parallel is not quite balanced in that 2. 12 contains the long clause ‘just as always you obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence …’ and 4. 1 simply the phrase ‘my joy and crown’; and 4.1 adds an additional ‘beloved’ at the end of the verse.

[35] See Martin, , Carmen Christi o. c., and his Philippians o. c., pp. 109–16.Google Scholar

[36] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 26, on γάρGoogle Scholar; Becker, , Auferstehung o. c., p. 109 n. 8.Google Scholar

[37] Eckman, B., ‘A Quantitative Metrical Analysis of the Philippians Hymn’, NTS 26 (1980), pp.258–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

[38] Robbins, C. J., ‘Rhetorical Structure of Phil 2: 6–11’, CBQ 42 (1980), pp. 73–82.Google ScholarGüttgemanns, o. c., p. 243, speaks of ‘die stark kolometrisch gegliederte Struktur’ of 3. 20 and especially 21, but he then refers only to Lohmeyer and offers no reconstruction of the Greek text with scansion, let alone cola and caesura such as Robbins claims for 2. 6–11.Google Scholar

[39] Stauffer o. c., criterion no. 5 on his list.

[40] For the criteria lumped together here under point 8, see Stauffer o. c., criteria 6, 7, and 10.

[41] Stauffer's list does not include this factor, of which much has been made in discussion of 2. 6–11. For Lohmeyer, , see Kyrios Jesus o. c.Google Scholar and Brief an die Philipper o. c.; Jeremias, J., ‘Zur Gedankenführungen in den paulinischen Briefen’, in Studia Paulina in honorem J. de Zwaan, edited by Sevenster, J. W. and van Unnik, W. C. (Haarlem, 1953), pp. 152–4Google Scholar; summary in Martin, , Carmen Christi o. c., pp. 39–41 and 32–5.Google ScholarKäsemann, E., ‘Kritische Analyse von Phil. 2. 5–11’, ZThK 47 (1950), pp. 313–60Google Scholar = Käsemann, , Exegetische Versuche und Besinnungen: erster Band (Göttingen, 1960), pp. 51–95Google Scholar; trans, by Carse, A. F., ‘A Critical Analysis of Philippians 2. 5–11’, in God and Christ, edited by Funk, R. W., JThC 5 (1968), pp. 45–88.Google ScholarBornkamm, G., ‘Zum Verständnis des Christus-Hymnus, Phil. 2. 6–11’, Studien zu Antike und Urchristentum (Ges. Aufs. II, BEvTh 28, Munich, 1959), pp. 177–87Google Scholar; trans, by Hammer, P. L., ‘On Understanding the Christ-hymn (Philippians 2. 6–11)’, in Early Christian Experience (New York, 1970), pp. 112–22.Google Scholar

[42] So, e.g., Strecker, o. c., pp. 72–75 and 76, especially nn. 50 and 51.Google Scholar

[43] Ibid., pp. 76–77 nn. 50, 51, and 54; Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 29 n. 46. Little has been made of the Semiticizing genitives in most discussions.Google Scholar

[44] Stauffer o. c., his criterion no. 12, citing Ign. Trall. 9. 1–2.

[45] Güttgemanns, o. c., p. 246.Google Scholar

[46] Carmen Christi o.c., p. 18.Google Scholar

[47] Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich, s.v. πολίτενμα, citing Dibelius, , An die Philipper o.c., p. 93Google Scholar; cf. Sampley, J. P., Pauline Partnership in Christ: Christian Community and Commitment in Light of Roman Law (Philadelphia, 1980), pp. 51–78, though without specific discussion of 3. 20.Google Scholar

[48] E.g., Güttgemanns, o. c., p. 243 n. 19, citing E. Schürer. Similarly Hawthorne o.c., p. 170.Google Scholar

[49] Gnilka, o. c., pp. 206, 209.Google Scholar

[50] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 19 n. 13.Google Scholar

[51] See above, n. 19.

[52] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., pp. 19–20.Google Scholar Statistics: 11x in the undisputed letters of Paul, 7 of those occurrences in the singular (Rom. 1. 18; 10. 6; 1 Cor. 8. 5; 15. 47; 2 Cor. 5. 2;Gal. 1. 8; 1 Thess. 4. 16), plus the ‘third heaven’ reference of 2 Cor. 12. 2. Of the two plurals besides Phil. 3. 20, that at 2 Cor. 5. 1, ‘an eternal oikia in the heavens’, may be a traditional phrase (compare the singular in the next verse), and 1 Thess. 1. 10 almost surely is from Hellenistic Jewish Christian missionary preaching (‘to await God's son ⋯κ τ⋯ν οὺραν⋯ν’); indeed, that verse is invoked by many as the nearest analogue to 3. 20 (Gnilka, , e.g. o. c., pp. 207, 210).Google Scholar

[53] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 20: 12x in Paul, regularly (10x) of earthly, this-worldly existence and relationships, = ‘be, exist’. Only Acts 17. 24, 27, and 29, about God ὺπάρχων κύρως of heaven and earth and about humans ‘being God's descendants’, are comparable with Phil. 2. 6 and 3.20.Google Scholar

[54] Besides commentaries, see Güttgemanns, o. c., pp. 241 f.Google Scholar; Silber, o. c., p. 123 n. 86Google Scholar; Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 20Google Scholar; Deichgräber, o. c., pp. 99 f.Google Scholar

[55] Six examples referring to God: 1 Tim. 1.1;2. 3; 4.10; Titus 1. 3; 2.10; 3. 4; four examples, referring to Christ: 2 Tim. 1. 10; Titus 1. 4; 2. 13; 3. 6; cf. also Eph. 5. 23. Some of these examples are hymnic or creedal.

[56] Gnilka, o.c., p. 207.Google Scholar

[57] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 20.Google Scholar

[58] Cf. Silber, o. c., p. 123; especially compare 1 Cor. 1. 7, ‘awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ’; similarly Rom. 8.19, 23, 25; Gal. 5.5.Google Scholar

[59] Strecker, o. c., p. 76 n. 50Google Scholar; Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., pp. 21 f.Google Scholar, citing Deichgräber, o. c., pp. 113–15 (earlier literature).Google Scholar

[60] Becker, , Auferstehung o. c., p. 109 n. 8.Google Scholar

[61] Silber, o. c., p. 123Google Scholar; cf. Gnilka, o.c., p. 210.Google Scholar

[62] 1 Cor. 4. 6 (‘I have applied all this to myself and Apollos’); 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14, 15 (false apostles ‘transform themselves into apostles of Christ’; Satan is transformed into an angel of light; Satan's servants are transformed as ministers of righteousness). If the opponents in Phil. 3 are like those of 2 Cor. 11, does Paul employ this verb (via a hymn) at 3. 21 to reflect on and against this characteristic of the opponents?

[63] Flanagan, o. c., p. 8Google Scholar; Güttgemanns, o. c., p. 241.Google Scholar

[64] Flanagan, o. c., p. 8Google Scholar; Güttgemanns, o. c., pp. 245–6Google Scholar; Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 22. Statistics in the acknowledged letters of Paul:Google Scholar ταπεωός – 2x (2 Cor. 7. 6; 10.1); ταπεωοΦροσύνη – 1x (Phil. 2.3); ταπεωόω – 4x (2 Cor. 11. 7; 12. 21; Phil. 2. 8; 4. 12); ταπείνωσις – 1x (Phil. 3. 21); 2x in Luke-Acts; plus James 1. 10.

[65] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 22.Google Scholar

[66] Silber, o. c., p. 125, especially n. 93Google Scholar; Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 23. Statistics, in Paul's acknowledged letters:Google Scholar ⋯νέργεια – only at Phil. 3. 21, but 3x in Eph. (1. 19; 3. 7;4. 16) and 2x in Col. (1. 29;2. 12), and 2x in 2 Thess. (2. 9,11); ⋯νεργέω – 12x (Rom. 7. 5; 1 Cor. 12.6, 11;2 Cor. 1. 6;4.12;Gal. 2. 8 [bis]; 3. 5;5. 6;Eph. 2.13[bis];1 Thess. 2.13); ⋯νέργημα – 2x (1 Cor. 12. 6, 10); ⋯νεργής 2x (1 Cor. 16.9; Phlm. 6).

[67] Silber, o. c., p. 125Google Scholar; Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., pp. 23 f.Google Scholar; Gnilka, o. c., p. 208.Google Scholar

[68] Güttgemanns, o. c., pp. 243–4.Google Scholar

[69] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 25.Google Scholar

[70] Martin, , Carmen Christi o. c., pp. 18 f.Google Scholar

[71] Gnilka, o. c., pp. 209 f.Google Scholar

[72] Müller, o. c., pp. 205–11.Google Scholar But contrast Schenk, , ‘Christus’ o. c., p. 146.Google Scholar

[73] Güttgemanns, o. c., pp. 244–5.Google Scholar

[74] Wengst, o. c., p. 150 n. 26.Google Scholar

[75] Strecker, o. c., pp. 76–7.Google Scholar

[76] Silber, o. c., pp. 122–4, especially n. 88.Google Scholar

[77] Rightly stressed with regard to passages like 1 Cor. 15. 3–5, Col. 1. 15–20, and Phil. 2. 6–11. Cf. with reference to Phil. 3. 20–21, Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., p. 16Google Scholar, and Müller, o. c., pp. 194 f.Google Scholar

[78] E.g. Strecker and Merk, nn. 10 and 11 above.

[79] E.g. Gnilka o. c.

[80] Ibid., p. 206, in agreement with Koester, H., ‘The Purpose of the Polemic in a Pauline Fragment’, NTS 8 (1961–1962), pp. 317–32).CrossRefGoogle Scholar

[81] Müller o. c.

[82] Becker, , ‘Erwägungen’ o. c., pp. 28–9.Google Scholar

[83] Rightly stressed by Silber, o. c., pp. 122–34, especially 129 ff.Google Scholar; cf. Hamerton-Kelly, R. G., Pre-existence, Wisdom, and the Son of Man: A Study of the Idea of Pre-existence in the New Testament (SNTSMS 21, Cambridge, 1973), p. 166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

[84] Ibid., p. 132; cf. also n. 80, above.

[85] Hence, e.g. Deichgräber o. c., though, in fairness, Phil. 3. 20–21 deserves appraisal in light of the evidence and discussion since Deichgräber wrote, in the context of the current understanding in the debate on New Testament hymnody.

[86] See above, A, Observation 4.

[87] E.g. Gnilka o. c.

[88] See Ibid., pp. 211–18, especially 214–15 for one effort.

[89] Ibid., p. 209.

[90] Becker, , Auferstehung o. c., pp. 109 f.Google Scholar