SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002 – Page 7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:6

2:6

This passage is often called a Christ hymn, and it may have been an early Christian hymn or poem, used in the early church. Paul then used it at this point because it was appropriate to his message. Or Paul may have composed it himself when he wrote this letter to the Philippians. Try to translate these verses not as a prose description but as a hymn or as a poem. Some of the English versions print these verses in lines like a poem (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation). If you have a special way of printing poetry in your language, you could use it here.

2:6a

existing in the form of God: This could be literally translated as “being in the form of God.” The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as form is morphē. It refers to a form that accurately reflects the essential qualities of someone or something. Christ has always had the same nature as God (see the Good News Translation).

2:6b

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped: There are two main ways to understand this clause. The difference is in the interpretation of the rare Greek word harpagmos that the Berean Standard Bible translates as something to be grasped.

(1) The word harpagmos refers to a person holding on to something he already has. This would mean that, before he was born as a human, Christ was equal with God. But in order to become man, he did not try to hold on to the privileges that came with being equal with God. He was willing to give them up. This is probably the most common interpretation of 2:6b. (Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(2) The word harpagmos refers to a person snatching or taking by force something he does not yet have. This interpretation would mean that Jesus as a man was not equal with God, but he did not use force to try and become equal with God while he was a man.

Most English translations, like the Berean Standard Bible, are ambiguous, though they most likely follow the first interpretation. The context of 2:6 is Christ’s preparation for becoming man. So interpretation (1) fits better with this context.

In some languages it may be necessary to use a direct quote here. For example:

He didn’t say, “I must hold on to my equal status with God.”

Try to make it clear in your translation that this was the attitude that Jesus Christ had.

equality with God: This means “being equal with God” or “having the same power and privileges that God has.” It probably refers to outward status and the display of greatness. When he became man, Christ remained truly God, but he gave up the outward display of his power and glory.

© 2002 by SIL International®
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 3:17

Paragraph 3:17–21

Paul wanted the Philippians to act like citizens of heaven, as he did, and not to act like those who were proud of doing wrong.

3:17a

Join one another in following my example: Paul wanted the believers in Philippi to follow the same principles that he lived by. The phrase he used here literally means “become joint imitators of me.” This can be interpreted in several ways:

(1) The believers should unite with one another in imitating Paul. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible)

(2) They should join with others who imitated Paul. (New International Version, Revised English Bible)

(3) The command just means “imitate me.” The prefix sun – on the verb “imitate,” which the Berean Standard Bible has translated as Join one another, has no significance and can be ignored. (New International Version, Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

There is strongest commentary support for meaning (1), and it is recommended that you follow this in your translation. Paul wanted the Philippians to unite together in imitating his Christian way of thinking and acting.

brothers: The term brothers here refers to other Christians, fellow believers, not to literal brothers. You might translate this as “brothers and sisters,” “older and younger siblings” or “relatives.” The term brothers also occurs in 1:12, 3:13, 3:17, 4:1, 4:8. See the note on 1:12a.

3:17b

carefully observe: This means to watch something carefully.

those who walk according to the pattern we set for you: Other believers were following Paul’s example and his companions’ example of how Christians should behave. Paul wanted the rest of the Philippians to watch how those believers acted, and to imitate them.

walk: The word walk here refers to acting or behaving in a certain way.

we: This probably refers to Paul and some other apostles or teachers who had gone to teach in Philippi with him (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Revised English Bible). It does not include the Philippians.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:15

Paragraph 1:15–18d

Some Christians were jealous of Paul, but this caused them to proclaim the good news more, and so he was rejoicing.

1:15–17 contains a figure of speech called a “chiasmus.” A chiasmus is the ordering of information in a mirror image, like the pattern a-b-b-a. The chiasmus in 1:15–17 refers to two groups of people. The first part of the passage refers to the same people as the fourth part does, and the second part refers to the same people as the third part does. Here is an example using summary statements:

┌ 15a Some preach about Christ out of envy

│┌ 15b Others ⌊preach about Christ⌋ out of goodwill

│└ 16 The latter do so in love

└ 17a The former preach about Christ out of selfish ambition

See “General Comment” on 1:15–17 regarding the possible need to reorder this section in your translation.

1:15a

It is true that: This translates a Greek particle used at the beginning of a contrast. Another such particle is used in 1:15b for the other half of the contrast (see “but”). Together they mean “on the one hand…on the other hand.” Do not try to translate this statement as referring to the truth of Paul’s words. Instead, use an expression that indicates the first half of a contrast.

some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry: Paul referred here and in 1:17 to certain Christians who were causing him trouble. These are probably some of the same people mentioned in 1:15. Apparently they wanted to have more followers than Paul.

preach Christ: This means to preach about Christ. Despite their wrong motives these people were believers who were announcing the message about Jesus Christ. Since Paul rejoiced that they were preaching, it appears that what they were saying about Christ was true (1:18d).

out of: This means “because of, motivated by” and introduces the reasons why some people were preaching about Christ.

envy: This refers to feeling ill-will toward someone because of his good fortune. These people were jealous of what Paul had done and that he had been more successful than they were.

rivalry: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates rivalry refers to the strife that envy causes. These people wanted to gain more disciples than Paul had. They wanted to surpass him and appear to others as more successful and important.

1:15b

but: This represents the second of two Greek particles that indicate the contrast between the two groups of people. See the “It is true that” note in 1:15a.

out of: This again means “because of, motivated by.” The reason for their preaching was these believers’ goodwill toward Paul.

goodwill: The word goodwill means that these believers liked Paul and wanted to help him spread the gospel. They were preaching with good intentions.

One way you could translate 1:15b is:

Others preach about Christ to help ⌊me and the work of the gospel⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:17

Paragraph 2:17–18

Even though Paul’s work caused him to suffer, he was rejoicing and so should the Philippians.

2:17a

But: There are two ways to interpret how 2:16 and 2:17 connect, depending on the meaning of the Greek word alla, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as But.

(1) The word alla introduces an additional thought. The main clause in 2:17 (“I am glad and rejoice with all of you”) agrees with what the author said or implied in 2:16. It does not indicate a contrast to 2:16. Many commentaries support this interpretation. (King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The word alla means “but,” showing a contrast to the text preceding 2:17. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you translate 2:17 as a continuation of rather than a contrast to 2:16. This may mean that you do not need to translate alla explicitly. Many English translations have left it implicit, as English does not always need a conjunction to indicate a further thought. Or you may need to use a “Yes” or a “No” at the beginning of 2:17 in your translation. This will depend on what part of 2:16 the main idea of 2:17 is adding to and agreeing with. The New Jerusalem Bible uses “indeed” to indicate how the two verses relate.

even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith: Here Paul used a figure of speech to describe his situation. He referred to two different kinds of offerings. The Jewish priests killed animals on the altar as sacrifices. To accompany this they also poured wine out on the ground or on the dead animal (Numbers 15:1–12). This was called a drink offering. Paul compared the Philippians to the animal sacrifice, and he compared himself to the drink offering that completed their sacrifice.

Unbelievers were persecuting the Philippians because they chose to worship God and obey the good news of Jesus Christ. So their lives were like a sacrifice offered to God. Paul was suffering in prison and was in danger of death because he had preached the good news to many people. So he was like the drink offering that the priest poured on top of another offering. This does not mean that either Paul or the Philippians were about to die, though the drink offering could mean that Paul’s blood would soon to be poured out when he was executed.

If in your culture people do not sacrifice animals or make drink offerings, this metaphor may be very difficult for your readers to understand. If so, it will be important to make the comparison very clear in your translation. Or you may need to leave out the metaphor altogether and translate only the meaning behind it.

even if I am being poured out: The Greek verb here is in the present tense, but there are two ways in which that tense is understood here:

(1) It should be translated as “even if I am to be poured out….” Paul used the present tense to refer to the future. He knew that the Romans might execute him. He was comparing the “pouring out” with the possibility of his death. (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It should be translated as “even if I am being poured out….” Paul was referring to the suffering that he was already experiencing. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible)

There is stronger support in commentaries and English versions for interpretation (1). Also see 2 Timothy 4:6, where Paul used the same verb to speak of his approaching death.

2:26b

ill: Epaphroditus had been sick. The next verse shows that he had been seriously ill.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:7

4:7a

And: 4:7 is the result of 4:6.

the peace of God: This refers to the peace that God gives his people. See note on 1:2. See also peace, section A3c in Key Biblical Terms.

surpasses all understanding: The peace that God gives is much greater than people can ever imagine or understand.

4:7b

will guard your hearts and your minds: When God’s people pray to him and trust and depend on him, he gives them peace, which protects them and helps them not to worry or be afraid.

guard: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as guard is a military term which was used to describe soldiers guarding a city. Paul used it as a metaphor—God’s peace is like a soldier or sentinel which watches over believers and keeps them safe.

your hearts and your minds: The words hearts and minds refer to the inward part of a person. Commentators do not agree on how the two terms are different, but the term “heart” may refer to feelings and the term “mind” to thoughts.

in Christ Jesus: God gives his people this peace because they trust in Christ and belong to him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:26

1:26

so that: The phrase so that can be understood in two ways:

(1) in order that: 1:26 is the purpose of 1:25;

(2) with the result that: 1:26 is the result of 1:25.

The first interpretation is the most likely to be correct, and it is recommended that you follow it (1).

through my coming to you again: When Paul went to see them again, his visit would cause them to boast more about Christ. Compare with 1:27b.

your exultation in Christ Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exultation here means “cause for glorying” or “reason for boasting or being proud.” In this context this is a good kind of boasting or being proud. Therefore, another way to translate your exultation in Christ Jesus is: “you will be proud/boast about Jesus Christ.”

In some languages it may be necessary to use a direct or indirect quote here. For example:

you will say, “Christ Jesus is very good”
-or-
you will say that Christ Jesus is very good

will resound: The phrase will resound means “will increase, will be more abundant.”

on account of me: The Greek phrase en emoi that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on account of me literally means “in me.” There are two ways to understand it here.

(1) It means “because of me”; that is, the Philippians would boast about Jesus Christ because of Paul or on account of Paul. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means “about me”; that is, the Philippians would boast about Paul or be proud of Paul. (Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible)

The first interpretation is recommended (1).

The phrase on account of me repeats in part the meaning of the phrase “through my being with you again.” If it is unnatural in your language to include both phrases, you may need to combine the two phrases into one. See 1:26 in the Display.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 3:7

Paragraph 3:7–11

Paul was continuing to write against the Judaizers. In the last paragraph he listed all the things that he used to be proud of (3:5–6). In this paragraph (3:7–9) he said that he now considered all these things to be useless. Nothing mattered to him besides knowing Jesus Christ better.

3:7a

whatever was gain to me: Paul was referring mainly to the things he had mentioned in 3:5–6. These were things that he could be proud of as a person and as a Jew. But in his relation to Jesus Christ, these things did not make him proud. They did not help him to know Jesus Christ better.

gain: This term was used in business transactions to refer to financial gain. But Paul was using the term as a metaphor to mean “advantage” in general. In some languages it may be necessary to drop the metaphor and translate this meaning. Some ways to do this are:

the things for which I thought ⌊God⌋ accepted me
-or-
everything I ⌊mistakenly⌋ thought I could trust in ⌊so that God would save me⌋

3:7b

I count as loss for the sake of Christ: After he came to know Jesus Christ, Paul thought about the things he was formerly proud of in a new way. He realized that they were worthless in comparison to knowing Christ. And he chose to count them as without value so that he could belong to Christ.

I count: The Greek verb form here could be translated as:

I have come to realize
-or-
I have come to regard [them]

loss: Like “gain” in 3:7a, loss was a term used in business transactions. It referred to financial loss. Paul was using the term as a metaphor to refer to the uselessness of his worldly advantages. There are two possible ways to translate this Greek word:

(1) something that does not help, that is worthless or without value. In the context of 3:7b, you could translate this as:

these things did not help me ⌊to know Christ⌋ (God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) something that harms, hinders or prevents something from happening (NET Bible). This would mean that the things Paul used to be proud of actually hindered him from knowing Christ. In the context of 3:7b, you could translate this as:

these things hindered me from knowing Christ

The immediate context (in particular 3:8) strongly supports interpretation (1). It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

for the sake of: The Greek preposition that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the sake of occurs three times in 3:7 and 3:8. It could also be translated as:

because of
-or-
on account of

General Comment on 3:7

Two versions give additional ideas for translation:

But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. (Contemporary English Version)

But because of Christ, I have come to consider all these advantages I had as disadvantages. (Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:18

4:18

This verse connects to the previous one with a Greek particle, de, that often indicates a slight contrast or change of the direction of the thought. Many English versions omit any explicit connection here, but if you have a way in your language to show such a connection you may use it here.

4:18a

I have all I need and more: Paul continued his business metaphor by saying, in effect,

Here…is my receipt for everything (Good News Translation)

He meant that he had received their gift and it supplied all he needed.

and more: The Philippians’ gift was more than enough for what Paul needed.

4:18b

I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus: Epaphroditus was the one who brought the Philippians’ gift to Paul. See the note on 2:25c.

your gifts: The Greek literally means “the things you sent.” Apparently different people from Philippi sent things to help Paul, and this explains why the term gifts is in the plural.

General Comment on 4:18b

The three events in this part of the verse actually happened in this order:

(a) the Philippians sent Paul gifts;

(b) Epaphroditus handed them to Paul;

In some languages it will be necessary to reorder this verse so that the events are in the right order. For example:

You sent me gifts, and Epaphroditus has given them to me. So now I have all that I need.

4:18c

They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God: Paul again thought of the gifts from the Philippians in a collective sense, as a single large gift. He was saying that the help they sent was pleasing to God in the same way that the sort of sacrifice God required was pleasing to him.

a fragrant offering: This is literally “an odor of a sweet smell.” It refers to an offering to God that smells good. The Jewish people brought offerings to God as a way of worshiping him. When the priest burned these sacrifices, whether animals or grain and incense, God said that the smell was pleasing to him (See, for example, Leviticus 1:9, 2:1–2). Paul used these Jewish sacrifices as a metaphor for the gift the Philippians had sent. It may be necessary in some languages to translate this as a simile: “Your gift is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice….”

an acceptable sacrifice: Some sacrifices people made to God had something wrong with them or the people who offered them had the wrong attitude, and God did not accept those sacrifices. But God did accept the things the Philippians sent to Paul because they sent them lovingly.

well-pleasing to God: God approved of what the Philippians had done and the gifts they had sent to Paul. Their attitude and their gift were right.

Another way to translate 4:18c would be:

Your gifts to me are like the sweet-smelling offerings and sacrifices the priests offer to God. He accepts those offerings and they make him happy.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002