Conversion on the Way to Damascus

Philippians

Paulc. 61
BibleEasyEpistleAncient GreekQuick · 9 pages

Read this if you…

  • like Paul writing joyful from a prison cell about the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
  • want the kenosis hymn (one of the earliest Christian poems, with Christ emptying himself)
  • care about the most affectionate of Paul's letters, written to his favorite church

Skip this if you…

  • don't want to read explicitly religious/Christian texts

Why It Matters

The Christ Hymn in 2:5-11, 'who, being in the form of God... emptied himself,' became one of the most important texts for Christian thinking about who Christ is, and it fed centuries of debate over his nature.

Gallery

Depicted in Art

Saul lies sprawled on his back beneath a massive horse, arms raised toward an unseen light; an aged groom steadies the horse while the apostle is overwhelmed by his vision.

Caravaggio, 1601

Paul sits in a darkened cell, pen and codex on his lap, a sword leaning beside him — caught mid-composition by a shaft of light from a small window.

Rembrandt van Rijn, 1627

An elongated Paul gestures toward an open letter inscribed with his own writing — the apostle pictured as author of the epistles.

El Greco, 1610

Rembrandt looks out from beneath a turban, a manuscript pressed to his chest and a sword-hilt protruding from his cloak — the painter casting himself as the letter-writing apostle.

Rembrandt van Rijn, 1661

John stands at the front holding an open New Testament, reading the opening verses of his Gospel; Peter looks over his shoulder holding the golden key.

Albrecht Dürer, 1526

Editions

Recommended Editions

#1Top Pick

King James Version

Cambridge University Press · 1611

The most influential and commonly quoted translation in English. The prose rhythm everyone else is responding to, even modern translations.

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Deep Dive

What It's About

Spoiler warning

This summary gives away plot details.

Notable Quotes

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

— Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

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