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George Fox University

2010

Philippians 2:6-11

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To Whom Was Christ A Slave (Phil 2:7)? Double Agency And The Specters Of Sin And Death In Philippians, Nijay Gupta Jan 2010

To Whom Was Christ A Slave (Phil 2:7)? Double Agency And The Specters Of Sin And Death In Philippians, Nijay Gupta

Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary

Paul’s so-called “Christ-hymn” in Philippians 2:6-11 is one of the most scrutinized passages in the Pauline corpus as questions abound regarding its origins, purpose, format, and the theological components of its Christology. One factor in the determination of this Christology is the interpretation of doulos in 2:7 focusing on the question to whom was Christ a slave? While a number of answers have been put forward, it will be argued that the best explanation involves “double agency.” That is, when the hymn is closely examined, as well as the theological character of the whole letter, Christ appears to be a …