Transmission 401 - The Variants of Phillippians 1-2

This article lists all 8 variants of Phillippians 1-2 as documented in "The Greek New Testament," published by United Bible Societies.

This reference work gives you the New Testament in the original Greek. If you're worried that 1 Tim. 3 might be translated wrong, when it says that to be an elder, one must have faithful children, then you can read it for yourself in the original Greek. (I did. That's what it says.)

The New Testament is based on more than 35,000 ancient manuscripts and manuscript fragments, as well as thousands of letters written back-and-forth between 2nd- and 3rd-century Christians, as well as other sources. The spiderweb of ancient literature that confirms the original content of the New Testament is colossal.

It is interesting to meditate on the difference between the NT manuscript situation, and that of the Book of Mormon.

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In reviewing these 8 variants of Phillippians -- those places in the book wherein the manuscripts aren't quite agreed -- you can get a feel for just how solidly the New Testament has been handed down over the years.

In every verse not mentioned below, the ancient manuscripts show NO significant variance from one MS to another.

As well, you can meditate on the difficulty of translating these simple NT words into English, or Spanish, or any language. There is nothing that is complicated about rendering these simple words in a second language.

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Variant 1

NT: Phi 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Possible alternate from certain manuscripts: Phi 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise *of Christ.*

Comment: this is the only variant in Phillippians which has any significant doctrinal interest. The likelihood of the variant is very low, according to the authors of "The Greek New Testament." "of God" is the correct reading. Still, we can see how minor the variation is.

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Variant 2

NT: Phi 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Possible alternate: Phi 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word *of God* without fear.

Possible alternate 2: Phi 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word *of the Lord* without fear.

Comment: it makes absolutely no difference which reading is correct. All are consistent with other NT passages.

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Variant 3

NT: Phi 2:2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, the one thing minding.

Possible alternate: Phi 2:2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, the *same* thing minding.

Comment: a trivial variation.

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Variant 4

NT: Phi 2:4 Let not each one (singular) consider his own things, but every man also the things of others.

Possible alternate: Phi 2:4 Let not each one (plural) consider his own things, but every man also the things of others.

Comment: a trivial variation.

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Variant 5

NT: Phi 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Possible alternate: Phi 2:5 *Now* let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Comment: a trivial variation. "Now" would connect the idea slightly more strongly with the idea of 2:1-4 -- that is, the motivations listed in 2:1-4 would lead into the example of Jesus in 2:5ff. This is true in any case.

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Variant 6

NT: Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Possible alternate: Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not *as* in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Comment: two letters' difference. Either idea would be sound and consistent with the NT.

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Variant 7

NT: Phi 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Possible alternate: Phi 2:26 For he longed *to see* you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Comment: no material difference.

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Variant 8

NT: Phi 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Possible alternate: Phi 2:30 Because for the work of *the Lord* he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Comment: no material difference.

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Discussing the transmission and the translation of the Bible in abstract terms leads nowhere. Actually viewing the nuts and bolts of the literary work is enlightening.

Kind regards,

Jeff

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