Philippians (Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament | EGGNT)

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“The application of the word group is hardly limited, however, to those in a position to dispense favors, e.g., ‘Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is (τὴν ἐπιείκειαν αὐτοῦ), and make trial of his forbearance’ (Wisdom 2:19; cf. Titus 3:2). It is preferable to see Paul commanding the Philippians to exhibit ἐπιεικές from a position of relative weakness vis-à-vis Roman opposition to the Christians in the colony (‘forbearance’ [RSV; H. Giesen, EDNT 2.26d]; ‘spirit of forbearance’ [BDAG 371c]; ‘gentle forbearance’ [Fee 406]; ‘patient steadfastness’ [O’Brien 487]; Reumann 613; Ragner Leivestad, ‘ ‘The Meekness and Gentleness of Christ’ II Cor. X.1,’ NTS 13 [1965–66]: 158).” (Page 237)

“we learn about Paul’s circumstances only in passing,” (Page 41)

“Father’ is never used in the OT of God’s relationship with all of humankind (Reumann 70). Jesus’ use of Father, addressing God with the intimate, filial term Abba, was likely a significant factor for early Christian use (cf. Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6).” (Page 14)

“God’ (cf. πρὸς τὸν θεόν [Rom 5:1]) but peace ‘from God’ (ἀπὸ θεοῦ), though the distinction must be qualified, since one cannot experience the latter apart from the former. God’s peace, moreover, is associated by Paul with relational concord among God’s people so that the Gk. sense of εἰρήνη remains on the horizon, as well (cf. Eph 2:14–18; Col 3:13b; Fee 71 n. 62).” (Pages 13–14)

“The parallel bears witness to ‘the exalted place Christ occupied in Paul’s thought” (Page 14)