The sense of closeness Paul feels with the Christians in Philippi reveals itself in the familiarity and straightforwardness of this letter. There are Pauline candor and intense emotions _ both tears and joy _ throughout this text. Philippians has always been one of the best-loved of all Paul's letters, in part because we can feel the pulse beat of Paul's own concern and commitment to this community beneath only the thinnest skin of literary and theological concerns.

The portion of the epistle read this week clearly demonstrates the intensity of Paul's relationship with these Philippians. In 3:17, he continues to warn them about those whose ideas and behavior are both theologically and ethically in grave error. Just as in 3:2, Paul had no qualms about calling those he knew to be touting wro…