Philippians Commentary by Karl Barth
Barth recognizes the emphasis given to the day of Christ in chapter 1:5, 6. It is to bring to completion the work begun in them through the Spirit. He accurately discerns that the work is of God, hence not of human will or power. He notes that the goal of reconciliation is redemption at the day of the Lord. This he connects with verse 11. Yet, what is absent from this is the application of these words to the Philippians. They appear to be generalized to cover Christians of every generation. This is perhaps best understood on the treatment Barth makes of verse 5 in chapter 4. The statement, The Lord is near draws forth the acknowledgment of imminence while denying it through an application of relativity with regard to time. The proximity of chapter 3:21, and its foregoing treatment of the resurrection certainly emphasizes the eschatology of the epistle. He comments that John Calvin was in right in the declaration that Christ was near, but historically inaccurate. We submit that the reason for the inaccuracy of Calvin is precisely the relativity assigned to the text by Barth. Leapfrogging its first century context, relativity in time is the only sensible way to make sense of what does not make sense. If the backdrop of Philippians was the coming of the Lord and that coming was near, then truly the epistle cannot be properly understood from any other viewpoint. How else can Christ complete the work he began in the lifetime of the Macedonian brethren if they are no longer with us? This is the problem of time and the Parousia. Paul solves the problem for us over and over again, but it is largely ignored by commentators, exegetes and bible students from all walks of life. The church at that time was experiencing severe persecution for there faith. This is evident from Paul's language that in nothing were they to be terrified by their adversaries. The enemies of Christ walked on every hand of which the apostle warned them even weeping. His comfort to them was the very soon coming of Christ to reward them for their fidelity. To view the epistle from this stance eliminates the need for relativity in time. Such is a tragic notion. Imagine being in distress, sending out an sos signal which brings back a response that help is near. What would any sensibly intelligent person think? Why of course that they would soon be delivered. But let that relief be delayed, protracted, postponed for hours, days, weeks, months and years, and even centuries and we have the result that lies before us with relativity regarding time, --a failed promise, a deferred hope and a heart made sick. Yes, the only relief from suffering was death, for no human could survive such endless waiting. The church at Philippi, if the coming did not occur in their lifetime, did not survive their fate. If Christ did not come, the work was aborted and abandoned. Such is fodder for the skeptics. If the Philippians were left a promise of non-fulfillment in that which was said to be near, what hope is there for us? Only fulfilled prophecy can sustain the integrity of God and the faith of man.
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