I am sorry that I did not get to this a bit earlier, but think I can make a
slight contribution to the discussion.
First some bibliography:
Bruce W. Winter, "Civic Responsibility: Philippians 1:27-2:18," pp. 81-104
in SEEK THE PEACE OF THE CITY: CHRISTIANS AS BENEFACTORS AND CITIZENS.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans; Carlisle: Paternoster, 1994. ISBN 0-8028-4091-4.
Informed discussion with rich bibliographic entries in the notes.
W. Ruppel, "Politeuma. Bedeutungsgeschichte eines staatsrechtlichen
Terminus," PHILOLOGUS 82 (1927) 268-312; 433-
Second, I published an article in the Festschrift for John C. Hurd that
might be of interest:
Edgar Krentz, "Military Language and Metaphors in Philippians," pp. 105-127
in ORIGINS AND METHOD:TOWARDS A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF JUDAISM AND
CHRISTIANITY, ed. Bradley H. McLean. JSNTSS 86. Sheffied: Sheffield
Academic Press, 1993. I discuss the term POLITEUESQE on pp. 115ff, with
references to modern discussions in footnote 36.
Philippi was refounded by Mark Antony as a Roman military colony in 42 BC
after the battle of Philippi, and again by Octavian (Caesar Augustus later)
as a military colony after the battle at Actium in 31 BC. The settlers, all
Roman soldiers with families, had Roman citizenship and were sworn to
loyalty to Caesar through the sacramentum, the oath of allegiance.
There is a great deal of citizenship language in Philippians--including the
use of the term POLITEUMA in 3:20. I would translate something like "live
as a citizen in a manner worthy of the gospel," correlating 1:27 with 3:20
to determine where the Philippian citizens had their primary allegiance.
Hope this is of some help.
Edgar Krentz, New Testament
ekrentz@lstc.edu OR HOME: emkrentz@mcs.com
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 East 55th Street
CHICAGO IL 60615
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