This book examines Paul's letter to the Philippians against the social background of the colony at Philippi. After an extensive survey of Roman social values, Professor Hellerman argues that the cursus honorum, the formalized sequence of public offices that marked out the prescribed social pilgrimage for aspiring senatorial aristocrats in Rome (and which was replicated in miniature in municipalities and in voluntary associations), forms the background against which Paul has framed his picture of Jesus in the great Christ hymn in Philippians 2. In marked contrast to the values of the dominant culture, Paul portrays Jesus descending what the author describes as a cursus pudorum ('course of ignominies'). The passage has thus been intentionally framed to subvert Roman cursus ideology and, by extension, to redefine the manner in which honour and power were to be utilized among the Christians at Philippi. "This readable and serviceable study makes a welcome contribution to discussions of honor and status in Philippians...Without question, this is aw ell-done and convincing thesis." - Stephen Fowl, Loyola College in Maryland, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly "While the Christ hymn in the Philippians has not lacked scholarly atention, Hellerman's monograph is a valuable addition to that bibliography. Clearly, the principal value of this study is in the examination of this familiar text from a less familiar perspective. New insights into the Christ hymn in particular and the entire epistle are gained when these facets are examined. Beyond this accomplishment, Hellerman has compiled copious background material (including primary sources), familiarity with which will enhance any study of this epistle...Finally, Hellerman has presented an accessible introduction to the concept and significane of honor in the NT social world, and has demonstrated the worth of sociological criticism." - Richard Warren Johnson, East Texas Baptist University Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society A survey of social values, especially stratification and honour-seeking, in the Roman colony at Philippi. Joseph H. Hellerman is Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Talbot School of Theology and Co-Pastor at Oceanside Christian Fellowship in El Segundo, California.