After spending a brief 45 minutes on Philippians 2:19-30 in class, it became apparent that there was more to say. Philippians 2:19-30 is an underrepresented segment of Paul's letter to his dear co-workers and co-participants, and perhaps even co-conspirators for the kingdom, who happen to reside in a very Roman Philippi. Squished between the Kenosis Hymn (don't know if anyone has called it that but Philippian Hymn is overused) and the Pauline self-revelation, it is easy to overlook this brief, newsy, and predictably irrelevant part of the letter (since it is so very contextual in time and space). But that is really missing the point of the entire letter. The Kenosis hymn is only an example, but an example that for many individuals is completely theoretical (or if you please, theological). The segment under discussion is the whole organizational motif of the investment of time, money, and skill in sending someone--Epaphroditus--to Philippi.
Ancient Philippi was likely no different than modern America; individuals were idolized for all the right (sociologically speaking) reasons. But that is the point isn't it. This kingdom is not about being sociologically or politically correct. The kingdom is about being righteous. (A side note, since I'm not monetizing this blog I can do this--NT Wright's new book on Justification is tremendous for explaining this issue in simple words, although the argument is rather complex.) If the Philippian believers are to idolize anyone it should be someone who is willing to die for the affairs of another. This segment brings two individuals who are like that to their attention, Timothy and Epaphroditus.
The question becomes, who is idolized among American believers?
Just something to think about!
