Exploring the Bible – Philippians
Geoff Treasure
Day One Publications, 2025 (ISBN: 9781846257995 pb, 299pp)
Geoff Treasure
Geoff Treasure, ex-headmaster turned minister, acknowledges in Chapter 1 of this study of Philippians that it has a “different emphasis” from many other studies that may line our shelves. “It is not offered as a critical commentary…Equally, it is not a book which might be defined as ‘expository’” (11). Other titles in this Day One series are subtitled: ‘A practical commentary’ (1 and 2 Thessalonians); ‘An expositional commentary’ (Hebrews) or ‘A devotional commentary’ (Joshua). “I am quite sure what kind of commentary (if indeed it merits that name) this volume is not” admits Treasure. What he is sure of is the value of applying Scripture to one’s life “twice daily”. “Apply yourself wholly to the Scriptures; apply the Scriptures wholly to yourself.” (11) He humbly acknowledges that what we are about to read is largely a reflection of his own personal experiences, failings and disappointments over the years. So while the text of Philippians heads each chapter, the writing that follows, whilst loosely connected, self-confessedly deviates from it.
Treasure’s writing is biblical, knowledgeable and pastorally insightful. Once we realise what the book is not, he nevertheless wins our attention by his sheer willingness to share his life as well as the gospel. His tone is experienced, warm, kind, insightful and practical. The treatment of the problem of anxiety in Chapter 18 ‘Pack up your troubles’, for example, is particularly sensitive with helpful suggestions on how to put into practice the instruction to ‘present your requests to God’ with thanksgiving.
A number of subjects is covered: church leadership, universalism, human sexuality, the prosperity gospel – to name a few. Imaginative re-tellings of the Philippians backstory are convincing and illustrations are accessible; gospel truth is simply, joyfully and faithfully stated; case studies explore pastoral challenges and Treasure’s love for the Lord is clearly expressed, biblically based and winsomely infectious. He is deeply committed to the principle that “conduct must be a visible expression of creed” (9) and that “the power of a Christlike life today” cannot be underestimated (11).
Chapter 9, ‘Being a Church in Difficult Times’ is an example of one of the books more structured and focused chapters. Treasure starts by quoting Philippians 1:27-30. The historical context is then given before the passage is helpfully summarised in four points each of which is then expounded in turn. Historical anecdotes, the hymnal and other passages of scripture support his textual explanations before suggestions for application are made. All things I would expect of a commentary. Often, however, chapters digress at length from the path of the text.
Editorial errors are not spiritually dangerous to a reader. They are, however, disappointing and abound in this work: inconsistent noun-verb agreement, missing full stops, unreferenced quotations, prepositions omitted, plurals usurping the place of a perfectly adequate singular, rogue capitalisations mid-sentence, even misspelt names.
I am reluctant to judge a book by its cover but I hope to be forgiven for judging it by its title. A book entitled ‘Philippians’ in a series called ‘Exploring the Bible’ suggests a commentary or bible study resource. I find myself wondering whether a different title would have been more appropriate for this book. ‘Thoughts from a Reading of Philippians’ or ‘New Testament Reflections’.
I am inclined to return to Tom Wright’s Philippians for Everyone for a popular level commentary or Alec Motyer’s The Message of Philippians in The Bible Speaks Today series. I have, however, enjoyed Treasure’s company and benefited from the wisdom of this faithful, reflective, persevering, Christian soldier.
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