ESV and Philippians 2:6-11

Ted Weis

Today I'm looking at Philippians 2:6-11 in the ESV and noticed that it's not formatted as a hymn, like 1 Timothy 3:16.

Is that how Philippians passage appears in your Logos?

If it's not indented as a hymn, is there any info available as to why the ESV editors made that decision?

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Graham Criddle

Hi Ted

Is that how Philippians passage appears in your Logos?

My ESV in Logos also doesn't show the passage formatted / indented as a hymn (sorry I don't have my paper one with me to compare)

If it's not indented as a hymn, is there any info available as to why the ESV editors made that decision?

In the notes in the ESV Study Bible it says - when introducing this passage:

This passage is often referred to as the “hymn of Christ.” Paul depicts Christ’s example of service in a stirring poem that traces his preexistence, incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. Paul wrote this magnificent theology to encourage the Philippians to consider other people’s interests first (see v. 4). Jesus is the paradigm of genuine spiritual progress: not a self-aggrandizing struggle for supremacy, but a deep love for God and neighbor shown in deeds of service. Verses 6–11 have some clear indications of poetic structure, leading some to believe that this is a pre-Pauline hymn adapted by Paul. It is just as likely, however, that Paul composed the hymn for this setting. In view of the myriad theological questions that arise in these verses, it is critical to keep two things in mind: (1) these verses were written not to spur Christians to theological debate but to encourage greater humility and love; and (2) the summary of Christ’s life and ministry found here is not unique: the same themes are evident throughout the NT.

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible, 2282 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

So they clearly recognise that it is a hymn, but they must have decided not to show it by formatting. I don't have any explanation for this.

Hope this helps a little

Graham

Kenny Larsen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249284#Comment_249284

It's not indented in the paper one!

Kenny

Mike Binks

Hi Ted.

Today I'm looking at Philippians 2:6-11 in the ESV and noticed that it's not formatted as a hymn, like 1 Timothy 3:16.

Is that how Philippians passage appears in your Logos?

Yes and also in the NKJV but not the NLT

If it's not indented as a hymn, is there any info available as to why the ESV editors made that decision?

The ESV Study Bible might just hint at it;

'Verses 6–11 have some clear indications of poetic structure, leading some to believe that this is a pre-Pauline hymn adapted by Paul. It is just as likely, however, that Paul composed the hymn for this setting.'

Ted Weis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249290#Comment_249290

Today I'm looking at Philippians 2:6-11 in the ESV and noticed that it's not formatted as a hymn, like 1 Timothy 3:16.

Is that how Philippians passage appears in your Logos?

Yes and also in the NKJV but not the NLT

NIV 1984 indents it as a hymn also.

I thought its hymnic features was settled debate in scholarly community. Maybe not!

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249297#Comment_249297

Hi Ted

I thought its hymnic features was settled debate in scholarly community. Maybe not!

I think - from what I can see - that the issue is less that the ESV translators see this as a hymn (I think they do) but more that they decided not to indent it.