TY - JOUR

T1 - Shedding Some Light on Economics in Philippians

T2 - Phil 4:10–20 and the Socio-Economic Situation of the Community

AU - Wojtkowiak, Heiko

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 by the author.

PY - 2024/6

Y1 - 2024/6

N2 - This essay considers what conclusions may be drawn concerning the socio-economic situation of the Philippian community from Paul’s response to the Philippians’ gift in Phil 4:10–20. It contributes to the recent discussions of the socio-economic situation of the Pauline communities, as well as to the current understanding of the possibilities, challenges, and limitations of a social-scientific interpretation of this letter. Phil 4:10–20 includes several potential hints about the Philippians’ socio-economic situation. These could indicate that their situation is quite precarious under shifting economic circumstances. Immediately after Paul founded the community, the Philippians supported him twice (4:15f). Afterward, however, they did not have the opportunity to do so, although they kept it in mind (4:10: ἐφ’ ᾧ καὶ ἐφρονεῖτε, ἠκαιρεῖσθε δέ). Eventually, they were able to send another, apparently large, gift to the imprisoned apostle (4:18). As a part of his response to this gift, Paul explicates his self-sufficient lifestyle (4:11–13), possibly as an example for the Philippians. He also promises them that God will satisfy all their needs (4:19), which may be understood as a consolation in view of socio-economic distress. This study reconsiders the potential socio-scientific interpretations of these hints. It explores to what extent they (even collectively) may shed light on the socio-economic situation of the Philippian community. In doing so, it also points out the uncertainties and challenges such an interpretation must address. It thus shows how the scope of social-scientific interpretation, at least in this case, is limited.

AB - This essay considers what conclusions may be drawn concerning the socio-economic situation of the Philippian community from Paul’s response to the Philippians’ gift in Phil 4:10–20. It contributes to the recent discussions of the socio-economic situation of the Pauline communities, as well as to the current understanding of the possibilities, challenges, and limitations of a social-scientific interpretation of this letter. Phil 4:10–20 includes several potential hints about the Philippians’ socio-economic situation. These could indicate that their situation is quite precarious under shifting economic circumstances. Immediately after Paul founded the community, the Philippians supported him twice (4:15f). Afterward, however, they did not have the opportunity to do so, although they kept it in mind (4:10: ἐφ’ ᾧ καὶ ἐφρονεῖτε, ἠκαιρεῖσθε δέ). Eventually, they were able to send another, apparently large, gift to the imprisoned apostle (4:18). As a part of his response to this gift, Paul explicates his self-sufficient lifestyle (4:11–13), possibly as an example for the Philippians. He also promises them that God will satisfy all their needs (4:19), which may be understood as a consolation in view of socio-economic distress. This study reconsiders the potential socio-scientific interpretations of these hints. It explores to what extent they (even collectively) may shed light on the socio-economic situation of the Philippian community. In doing so, it also points out the uncertainties and challenges such an interpretation must address. It thus shows how the scope of social-scientific interpretation, at least in this case, is limited.

KW - Early Christianity

KW - Philippians

KW - poverty and wealth

KW - social-scientific interpretation

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85197299629&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/rel15060650

DO - 10.3390/rel15060650

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85197299629

VL - 15

JO - Religions

JF - Religions

SN - 2077-1444

IS - 6

M1 - 650

ER -