Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 28:3 (Sep 1985)
Article: Paul And Christian Unity: A Formal Analysis Of Philippians 2:1-4
Author: David Alan Black

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JETS 28:3 (September 1985) p. 299

Paul And Christian Unity:
A Formal Analysis Of Philippians 2:1-4

David Alan Black*

The extension of form-critical principles to Paul’s epistle to the Philippians has concentrated on the topic of the carmen Christi of 2:5–11, the original source, structure and redaction of which are matters fraught with special difficulty.1 Despite these problems, this line of investigation has been beneficial to demonstrate the special place form analysis has in the field of Pauline interpretation, both in opening a window on the literary structure and style in the Pauline documents and in throwing light on the form, setting and contents of any structural subsetting in terms of the whole letter.

Recognition of the hymnic features of Phil 2:5–11 has, however, tended to so affix scholarly attention upon this one specimen of early Christian liturgy that the rest of the letter has suffered from much neglect in comparison.2 At least one other pericope lends itself to Formanalyse and strophic arrangement. This passage comprises 2:1–4, which is a call to harmony and humility in the face of factiousness and which immediately precedes the Christological hymn in 2:5–11. Ernst Lohmeyer, whose epochal work on the carmen Christi marked the departure point for current exegesis of the hymn,3 was also a pioneer in the task of isolating these verses and arranging them into strophes. Later discussion has suggested a modification of his arrangement, but to date there has been no intensive or comprehensive attempt to recast the wording of 2:1–4 and to explain it in terms of the intent of the author. The purpose of this study, therefore, is (1) to set down these verses so as to best reproduce their literary structure and (2) to inquire for which purpose Paul decided to use this arrangement in connection with his pastoral appeal to the saints, overseers and deacons in Philippi (1:1).

I. The Literary Structure Of Phil 2:1—4

Among the few scholars who have acknowledged the unusual literary character of 2:1–4 there exists no unanimity as to the best method of arranging

*David Black is academic dean and professor of New Testament at Grace Graduate School in Long Beach, California.

JETS 28:3 (September 1985) p. 300

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