Price of Partnership in the Letter of Paul to the Philippians: "Make My Joy Complete"

Mark A. Jennings argues that the epistle to the Philippians was written to persuade the church to maintain its exclusive partnership with Paul and his gospel mission, based on three fundamental tenets: koinonia, proofs of Paul's apostolic mission, and finances. He proposes that Paul urges the church to be steadfast in their commitment to his gospel of Christ, which has profound ramifications for understanding the letter.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 25 July 2019
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Mark A. Jennings presents a compelling argument that challenges the prevailing notion that the epistle to the Philippians lacks a singular, overarching purpose. Instead, he argues that there exists substantial evidence suggesting that Paul wrote this letter with the sole intention of persuading the church to uphold its exclusive partnership with him and his gospel mission.

Jennings employs a comprehensive approach to analyze the epistle, employing standard historical-critical methods, rhetorical criticism, and social-scientific methods. Through his meticulous examination of each section, he establishes that Paul's argument is grounded in three fundamental tenets. Firstly, he emphasizes the concept of koinonia, highlighting the agreement that Paul and the Philippians had reached concerning his apostolic mission. Secondly, Jennings examines the repeated "proofs" that Paul offers, which simultaneously affirm the ordained superiority of his apostolic mission and repudiate the claims of his rivals. Thirdly, he delves into the issue of finances in the epistle, discussing how Paul rhetorically transforms the Philippians' financial support into a salient indicator of their esteem for his gospel mission.

In conclusion, while other scholars have argued that Paul entreats the Philippians to be steadfast in their commitment to the gospel of Christ, Jennings proposes a different interpretation. He suggests that Paul urges the church to be steadfast in their commitment to his gospel of Christ, a seemingly small distinction that holds profound ramifications for understanding the letter. Jennings then highlights the gap between these interpretations, emphasizing the significance of this distinction in shaping our understanding of the epistle to the Philippians.

\n Weight: 376g\n
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780567689597\n \n