REPETITION IN PHILIPPIANS 1 AND 3

Elsewhere I have discussed the distinction between Hebrew poetry and prose (see “Poetry and Prose in the Bible”). But there is also an in-between category often labeled “exalted prose.” This type of biblical literature does not follow the usual rules of poetry but it often soars under the influence of the Holy Spirit and manages to evoke much more emotional response from the reader than mere prose. Prime examples of authors whose writings often reach this level are John and Paul (and I am not talking about the Beatles).

One way their writings achieve this effect is through the use of themes and specific words which are repeated within a few verses only to be replaced by other introduced words and themes which are repeated in turn. And often the first themes are then resumed. It might be roughly compared to a rondo or fugue form in music.

Below are two examples of such repetition leading to the exalted prose of Philippians 1 and 3 presented visually so that you can get an idea of what I am talking about:

Philippians 1

Verse

4     praying, prayers

4         joy

4              all of you

5                 sharing

5                     gospel

7              all of you (2x)

7                     gospel

8              all of you

9     prayer

12                    gospel

13                        imprisonment

14                        imprisonment

14                             speak the word with greater boldness

15                                 proclaim Christ

16                                 proclaim Christ

16                     gospel

17                                proclaim Christ

17                                     suffering

17                         imprisonment

18                                Christ is proclaimed

18         rejoice (2x)

19                                      I know

19     prayers

20                             speaking with all boldness

20                                          life, death

21                                          living, dying

22                                          live

22                                              flesh

24                                              flesh

25                                     I know

25              all of you

25         joy

26                  share

27                      gospel (2x)

27                                                     I...hear

27                                     I will know

29                                 suffering

29                                                     I...hear

The same sort of phenomenon occurs elsewhere in Philippians, such as in chapter 3:

Philippians 3:1-16

Verse

2     flesh

3          circumcision

3              confidence

3     flesh

4              confidence

4     flesh

4             confident

4     flesh

5          circumcised

5             as to

5                  the law

6              as to (2x)

6                      righteousness

6                 the law

7                          gains

7                              regard as loss

8                              regard as loss (2x)

8                          gain

9                      righteousness

9                 the law

9                                  faith

9                         righteousness

9                                  faith

10                                     resurrection

11                                         attain

11                                     resurrection

12                                             goal

14                                             goal

15                                                  let...us

16                                                  let us

16                                         attained

In both of these cases, we are gently led from one thought to the next logical thought while at the same time having each idea reinforced through repetition. Paul has this teaching technique in common with his Lord, whose style of instruction to His own disciples is best evidenced in John's Gospel.