A number of important recent studies of the social and religious context of first century Philippi are here considered with the author offering a critical engagement with several of the newer approaches to Pauline interpretation, including questions of rhetoric and social convention. Theological highlights include themes of Christian joy in all circumstances, the Philippians active stake-holding partnership in the Gospel, and above all the pervasive passion for union with Christ in following his self-humbling example of service. Giving due attention to both the theological heritage of St Paul's Jewish background and to the Graeco-Roman social and religious setting of his readership, this commentary relates a well grounded understanding of the letter's first century impact to the wider concerns of Christian theology.