The Terminology in Philippians Directed to, and Influenced by, Local Conditions

The reader of the New Testament is ever aware that the Book he is reading has been written under the inspiration of God. He is not merely reading the results or man's wisdom, but he is opening his mind and heart to receive God's revelation of judgment and mercy presented in written words through the agents whom He Himself appointed. This often results in misunderstanding regarding the Biblical view of inspiration. Questions such as these often arise: “If this is God's Word, what part does the human author play?” "Is this inspiration a mechanical rendering whereby the author loses all personal identity?" "Does the author have any freedom in the formulation of his writings?" It is to these questions that this thesis is directed, and it will be shown that the ''human element” is not forced into the background in the writings of the New Testament. While the New Testament is God’s Word and written by men "moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:21), yet the writers wrote in accordance with their own style and in language which their hearers knew and understood.