The Sociological Factors Behind Philippians 3.1-11 and the Conflict At Philippi

Abstract

This article suggests that the argument in Phil. 3.1-11 was shaped by the particular sociological and historical situation of the Philippian church, namely, the ongoing conflict between the church and Roman society at Philippi. This was a conflict caused—at least in part—by a clash between the Christian gospel and the ideology of the civic cult of the city. The identity of the agitators in Phil. 3.2-6 was most likely Jewish-Christian, that is, Judaizers. Their appeal to accept circumcision would have been theologically attractive for the Philippian believers as a means of securing their identity as true members of God's people. Moreover, for a church which suffered from the clash with the surrounding society, the same message would also have been sociologically attractive as a means of mitigating the conflict and obtaining recognition as a religio licita and protection from Rome. Therefore, Paul strongly warns the Philippian believers against the agitators and encourages them to identify with the power and sufferings of Christ and not with the Jewish community.