Fragments on the Letter to the Philippians · §1 · Oecumenius

Paul writes to clergy to cultivate humility

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Oecumenius opens his commentary by explaining the audience and purpose of Paul's letter to the Philippians.

In this letter Paul writes to clergy, not to laity. For this reason he did not need many moral corrections. His concern through the letter is that humility be set right among them. By the very advice he gives, he shows how exact their conduct is in every other respect. For it is rare for someone both to sin and to be proud. Pride takes hold of those who live the best lives and who, for that very reason, are usually lifted up by it.

Everywhere and through everything Paul shows that his sufferings and his defenses are not without profit. From your faith, he says, I make your steadfastness my proof (Philippians 1:7).

Greek

Phil: Prolog

̓Εν ταύτῃ τῇ ἐπιστολῇ κληρικοῖς γράφει οὐ λαϊκοῖς· δι' οπερ οὐδὲ πλειόνων ἐδεήθη

ἠδικῶν, σπουδὴ δὲ αὐτῷ διὰ τῆς ἐπιστολῆς τὸ τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης κατορθωθῆναι

ἐν αὐτοῖς. δι' αὐτῆς δὲ τῆς παραινέσεως δείκνυσιν αὐτῶν τὸ ἀκριβὲς τοῦ αλλου βίου.

σπανίως γάρ τις καὶ ἁμαρτάνει καὶ φυσιοῦται· τὸ γὰρ τῆς φυσιώσεως απτεται τῶν

κάλλιστα βιούντων καὶ ὑπ' αὐτοῦ τούτου ὡς τὰ πολλὰ ἐπαιρομένων. Phil 1,7

Πανταχοῦ καὶ διὰ πάντων δείκνυται οὐκ ἀνόνητά μου τὰ παθήματα οὐδὲ αἱ

ἀπολογίαι. ἀπὸ τῆς ὑμετέρας πίστεως ἀπόδειξιν ποιοῦμαι τὴν ὑμετέραν ενστασιν.

About this text

Short notes on Philippians: Paul's aim to teach humility, the fruit of his chains, and why he counts his former gains as loss.

These fragmentary comments on the Letter to the Philippians are attributed to Oecumenius, though the compiler of the Pauline commentary is unknown and the historical Oecumenius, a sixth-century commentator on the Apocalypse, is a different writer. The fragments were preserved in catenae, or chains of excerpts, and address clergy rather than laity. They explain difficult phrases and the purpose of Paul's letter.

Paul's main goal was to cultivate humility, since pride especially afflicts those who live well. The fragments also explain how Paul's sufferings and defenses prove fruitful through the Philippians' faith and steadfastness.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 118 – 119 (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.