For today's entry in the Friday Five interview series, we catch up with Lynn Cohick.
Lynn Cohick is professor of New Testament in the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College. Cohick has published several books including, Ephesians in the New Covenant Commentary Series and Women in the World of the Earliest Christians. Her latest volume, Philippians, is one of the first two volumes in Zondervan's The Story of God Bible Commentary series which launched this past October.
Today we chat with Lynn about the importance of Philippians, joy and contentment, and the goal of a believer's life.
It's not just pastors and professionals using biblical commentaries these days, is it? Who else uses these volumes?
The average interested believer and the lay leader are interested in exploring the biblical text more deeply. And the wider public is engaged more and more with questions about the truthfulness of Christianity and the Bible, so believers want to be better informed about what the Bible says.
Also, two trends are important within the Evangelical church that factor into a larger readership of commentaries. First, there is renewed interest in the social and historical world of the Bible. In the case of the New Testament, we find questions about the Roman political system, the Hellenistic social and cultural system, the ancient religious practices among Jews and Gentiles—these factors are recognized as important contexts for understanding the message of the Bible. Second, there is a rediscovery of God's redemptive story that sweeps across the ages and the pages of the Bible. Believers are reading not only deeply into individual books, but are appreciating anew a canonical reading that integrates across the Testaments, and among the books of each Testament.
Talking now specifically about Philippians, what is the importance of this particular book in the Bible?
One could argue that it is not what is said but how it is said that makes Philippians so special. As in other of Paul's letters, we have evidence of Christ's deity and humanity—but the Christ Hymn of chapter two sings down through the ages, fixing these great doctrinal truths into the heart of the church. Again, we have mention of the importance of Christian unity, but in Philippians, Paul's great joy in his fellowship with them shines through and adds joyful energy to his exhortations for unity within that local church. Thirdly, we find the promise of resurrected life, but in Philippians Paul presents his own passionate desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. Moreover, Paul encourages the believers that their Savior is returning, and will transform them by this resurrection power.
Paul wrote Philippians as a very personal letter. He was very vulnerable and honest about the ups and downs of ministry. How is that valuable information, for the Philippians and for us?
The Philippians were very concerned about Paul's wellbeing, and Paul indicated to them that his joy was strong, because his confidence was firmly rooted in God's work in and through him. In today's terms, I'd say Paul models for ministers a laser focus on Christ and a refusal to be distracted by worldly markers of success. Paul emphasizes joy and contentment as antidotes to the drama and dangers of ministry.
Paul's ministry goal was joy, and he asked that the Philippians make his joy complete by working towards unity. Perhaps an everyday analogy would help clarify what I think is going on. When my children were in high school, and were at odds with each other (fortunately a rare thing!), I would ask that they make peace with each other as a gift to me, because as their parent, one of my greatest joys is to see their love for each other.
Your question mentions the "ups and downs" of ministry, and I think Paul would respond that he learned contentment in all circumstances. He shows no fear for his reputation, should another believer seek one-upmanship out of envy. He sees opportunity for personal growth in his imprisonment and is transparent about his journey towards the goal of full transformation in Christ. These traits are not limited to Christian leaders, but are qualities each believer should model.
You say that the goal of union with Christ is not a happier, more prosperous life here and now. What would you say is the goal?
The goal of a believer's life is deepening fellowship with Christ—but not as an end in itself, for as one grows closer to Christ, one takes on Christ's likeness, including his servant heart. Paul is very invested in this world, because of his hope in the next. Paul embraces the sufferings that come from a life of service to others in Christ's name, because in this obedient self-giving, he operates with the power of the resurrection. As an illustration, I have run in a few road races. When I was tired towards the end of the race, if I let my gaze fall down to a few feet in front of me, I began to slow down and think of stopping. But if I lifted my eyes to the horizon and the promise of the finish line, I kept my pace. Paul wants believers to keep their eyes raised to the horizon, from which our Savior will return.
One of the most famous verses in Philippians is 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." You say this has been misquoted and misinterpreted many times. What do you believe to be Paul's original intention?
In Paul's day, the philosophy of Stoicism was very popular. It stressed the power of the mind or reason to overcome all passions. Paul does not embrace this goal, rather he is passionate for Christ, he struggles with his churches, and he longs for Christ's return. The "all things" in this passage refers to the many struggles and joys that Paul experiences in his ministry—it does not imply that Paul can pick any goal and God will automatically bless it. In the specific context of this quotation, Paul reassures the Philippians that their gift has great impact, but that if they had been unable to make this financial gift, still God would have provided for Paul. Paul's strength comes from Christ, and Paul's needs are met by God—and sometimes God uses the Philippians to meet the needs of their friend and apostle, Paul.
Daniel Darling is vice-president of communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Activist Faith.
