God se betrokkenheid as argument in Filippense 1:3-26

God's involvement as argument in Philippians 1:3-26 A new trend in rhetorical analysis is to construct Paul's rhetorical strategy from the text itself, rather than applying ancient or modern rhetorical models to his letters. Such a textcentred approach, where the focus shifts from the formal to the functional, is briefly summarised in this article, followed by a discussion of the rhetorical situation of the letter to the Philippians, according to which it must be seen as a response to the severe spiritual problems experienced by the Christians in that city. In order to address the situation, Paul uses two dominant rhetorical strategies in 1:3-26. In 1:3-11 he tries to persuade them to persevere in proclaiming and living the gospel, while 1:12-26 is an attempt to reassure them that his own circumstances are for the advancement of the gospel. The main part of the article deals with the way in which Paul uses only one type of argument to persuade and reassure his audience in 1:3-26: the argument of God's involvement. It will be argued that he uses this argument to great effect, thereby persuading the Philippians to persevere in their task (1:6, 11) and assuring them that, because God is involved, his own adversities are and will be for the progress of the gospel (1:12, 14, 16, 19 and 20). Suggestions for the translation of these verses are also offered.