philippians 2:12-18 shining as lights in the world

Philippians 2:12-18

Shining as Lights in the World

If we are to understand v. 14 with vv 12-13, then. . .

Who are the Philippians obeying? To whom are the Philippians to act

with “fear and trembling”? How does one work out “your own

salvation”?

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world.

How is Paul picturing Christian existence in comparison to the surrounding culture?

Philippi

Philippi is located about 9 mi. [14 km.] inland (north) of Neapolis (modern Kavala). It was founded in the fourth century B.C. After the battle of Philippi, in 42 B.C., veterans of the Roman legions were settled there and in 27 B.C. the city became a Roman Colony. It was an important city of Macedonia, and the main highway from the east that headed towards Rome, the 493 mi. [790 km.] long Via Egnatia, ran through the city.

On his Second Missionary Journey Paul visited the city (around A.D. 50–51) and there Lydia and the jailor, and their households, were converted to Christianity. Paul and Silas were unjustly imprisoned but were soon released by the magistrates of the city (Acts 16:12–40). Paul again visited the city on his Third Journey (Acts 20:20). During one of his imprisonments (probably in Rome in A.D. 61) Paul wrote "Philippians" to the church at Philippi.

Roman Culture

Governed under the Roman Law Place of retired Roman officials Commercial center of area

Excavations of Philippi -- Archaeological work has revealed a large and well-preserved forum, a theater, the alleged jail of Paul and several Byzantine churches, including one of the earliest churches known in Greece.

Do the Christians live apart from the rest of society or intermixed?

Religious diversity

Inhabitants both Roman citizens and non citizens Roman gods—Jupiter and Mars had their cults Thracian goddess Bendis—very popular Sanctuaries to gods from Egypt Sanctuaries to Cybele, a Phrygian goddess Jewish synagogue apparently located just outside

the city walls (Acts 16:13) First European Christian community established by

Paul in ca. 50 (Acts 16:12-40)

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world.

May be blameless and innocent NRS May be blameless and harmless KJV May be blameless and sincere DRA Will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent NAU May become blameless and pure NIV Remain faultless and pure NJB No one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent NLT

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world.

Shine—present indicative, indicating continual action “In which you continue to shine . . .”

Dt. 32 God suggests that the Israelites became like the people around them as they lost their identity.

Therefore, Christians are “in the world, but not of the world” so their lights shine in the world.

http://www.holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,4,12,21,329

http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm

Bibliography

The Harper Collins Bible Dictionary. Paul J. Achtemeier, editor. Harper San Francisco,1996.

Thursten, Bonnie B. and Judith M. Ryan, Philippians and Philemon. Sacra Pagina Series, Vo. 10, Liturgical Press., 2005.