THE UNIVERSAL ESCHATOLOGICAL WORSHIP OF CHRIST IN PAUL'S LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

Abstract

This is a study on the Christological passage in Paul's letter to the Philippians (26-11), which focuses on one exegetical issue, the rhetorical function of the exaltation part (vv. 9-11) of this passage in the letter. To solve this exegetical issue, scholars usually situate this exaltation section within either the lordship-obedience of the humiliation-vindication schemes While these two paradigmatic readings have contributed to a better understanding of the role of this Christological passage in the letter, they tend to undermine the role of the universal eschatological worship of Jesus Christ at the end of the passage (vv. 10-11) in Paul's paracleses. The present study, therefore, intends to explore and highlight the significance of this eschatological worship motif in two major discourses in the letter, 1.27-2:18 and 3:2-4:4 The importance of the motif of the universal eschatological worship of Christ is noted in the examination of its Jewish and imperial coordinates. With regard to the former, the motif is carefully reworking of the biblical visions of the universal eschatological worship of YHWH in Isaiah 45:22-24 LXX in order to accommodate two complementary interests: (1) the Jewish eschatological hope that all nations will worship YHWH at the eschaton in holiness and (2) the Christian conviction about the universal worship of Christ on the day of judgment (cf Romans 14:10-12). Accordingly, this eschatological worship motif has a strong ethical impetus: at the day of Christ the Philippian believers are expected to worship Christ in holiness With regard to the latter, this worship motif has anti-imperial stance, as it responds to the struggle of the Philippian Christians who lived in the pagan imperial society of Philippi. The passage claims the supremacy of Jesus Christ over Caesar Augustus who was regarded as the God-sent emperor to save the world and thus worshipped across the Roman Empire, including in Philippi. In this light, this worship motif exalts the readers to remain faithful to their faith in Christ, their gospel-like conduct, and their proclamation of his gospel until the coming of the true savior Jesus Christ (3:20). To appreciate all this. Paul's eschatological frame of mind, which is expressed in his "think this statements (1:6-11; 2:5-11; 3:4-15), becomes crucially important. These passages call the readers to seriously work out their holiness through participation in God's salvific work within and among them until the day of Christ (1:6), so that on that very day they may all be found perfectly holy (1:10-11), worthy to join the universal worship of Christ (2:10-11). Accordingly, the two schemes noted above need to be situated within this call. Their obedience to Christ's lordship and their suffering-humiliation are being part of their active participation in God's work within them to perfect his salvation. Their eschatological vindication (resurrection) is not the end purpose, but to prepare them to join the universal worship of Jesus Christ in holiness.