This is a reissue of the 1988 Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary, and has been completely revised. Silva has written an excellent commentary on this epistle and can be ranked alongside Fee and Lightfoot. The exegesis is what one would expect from a good academic commentary, and the flow of the language is simple and easy to follow. Silva has discussed the text of 2:5 and 6 in details, and it is here where he exceeds Fee in his exegesis; but it cannot be compared to the detailed study done by Lightfoot on the word morphe in his commentary. I highly recommend this commentary to all alike for it will be useful to the scholar, student and pastor.

I have only read and annotated something less than 50 pages of Silva's commentary, and am convinced of its value for my studies in Philippians. His review and usage of the extant literature seems to be exhaustive. In this connection, Silva supplies a chronology of all the commentaries and homilies that have ever been recorded or published on this 4-chapter letter. Dr. Silva is convinced of his historical opinions concerning Philippians and of his interpretations of the letter; yet his tone is not dogmatic and his arguments are easy to follow. Another helpful feature for those (like me) who have not made the effort to learn N.T. Greek, is the routine transliteration of key Greek words that Paul uses. Dr. Silva's understanding of the theological issues at stake are mainstream and help to make sense of the letter. His insight that the church in Philippi was not virtually problem-free (save the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche), but rather was facing a rather persuasive Judaizing heresy. Moreover, they needed encouragement to rekindle their joy in Christ, to persevere in defending the gospel, and to grow in a love marked by true knowledge and discernment. Even though the Apostle felt a close and abiding kinship with his Macedonian friends; because they needed to get along and work together, because they were in danger of succumbing to their pagan environment, and because he could not send Timothy to them right away, Paul had to use considerable tact when he wrote. Moises Silva's commentary is sound and thought-provoking.