Fragments on the Letter to the Philippians · §2 · Oecumenius

Paul's defenses and gains are proved fruitful by the Philippians; 'as' means intensity; former gains counted loss only by comparison; refuse is part of the stalk

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Oecumenius is explaining Paul's words in Philippians, showing that Paul's defenses, gospel-confirmation, and endurance of bonds are all proved fruitful by the Philippians' faith and steadfastness, then glossing the force of 'as' and the comparison by which former gains are counted loss.

For whether I make my defense when I am accused for the sake of those who believe, and you are among them, or whether I want to confirm the gospel for some, I do it from your steadfastness. And when I want to show that my chains are not without profit, I prove it from your faith.

Paul says, And being found in form as a man (Philippians 2:7). The word “as” does not express likeness but intensity. It is like the phrase “as good is God to Israel” (Psalm 73:1, LXX 72:1), and “as I have loved your law, O Lord” (Psalm 119:97, LXX 118:97), meaning “I have loved it very much.”

When Paul says, “holding fast to the word of life” (Philippians 2:16), he means “paying attention to the word of life.” To Timothy he also writes, “Pay attention to yourself” (1 Timothy 4:16), meaning “attend to yourself.”

If he considers these things loss for the sake of Christ, they were not bad things; they were gains. And he said “I have considered.” For they were not loss, but by comparison with the surpassing greatness of better things he considers them loss.

The refuse is part of the stalk, and the stalk and the ear of grain once came from the seed.

Greek

ἐάν τε γὰρ ἀπολογοῦμαι ἐγκαλούμενος διὰ τοὺς πιστεύοντας ων καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐστε, ἐάν τε βεβαιοῦν βούλομαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν τισιν, ἀπὸ τῆς ὑμετέρας ἐνστάσεως· ἐάν τε

δεικνύναι οτι οὐκ ἀνονήτως ὑπομένω δεσμούς, ἀπὸ τῆς ὑμετέρας πίστεως. Phil 2,7 Καὶ σχήματι εὑρεθεὶς ὡς ανθρωπος. τὸ ὡς οὐχ ὁμοιώσεώς ἐστιν ἀλλ' ἐπιτάσεως, οιόν ἐστι τὸ ὡς ἀγαθὸς ὁ θεὸς τῷ ̓Ισραήλ, καὶ ὡς ἠγάπησα τὸν νόμον σου, κύριε, ἀντὶ τοῦ πάνυ ἠγάπησα. Phil 2,16 ̓Αντὶ τοῦ προσέχοντες τῷ λόγῳ τῆς ζωῆς. καὶ τῷ Τιμοθέῳ δὲ γράφει· επεχε σεαυτῷ, ἀντὶ τοῦ πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ. Phil 3,8a Εἰ διὰ τὸν Χριστὸν ζημίαν ἡγεῖται, οὐκ ην κακά· ην γὰρ κέρδη. καὶ ηγημαι ειπεν· οὐ γὰρ ην ζημία, ἀλλὰ κατὰ παράθεσιν τῆς ὑπερβολῆς τῶν κρειττόνων ἡγεῖται ζημίαν. 314 Phil 3,8b Τὸ σκύβαλον μέρος ἐστι καλάμης, ἡ δὲ καλάμη καὶ ὁ στάχυς ποτὲ ἀπὸ τοῦ σπόρου.

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)

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