Philippians 2:16

Cited in 5 topics on this site.

Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.”

— WEB

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

— KJV

“holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.”

— ASV

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Corinthians 9:26 "I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,"
Galatians 2:2 "I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were resp…"
1 John 1:1 "That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touc…"
1 Thessalonians 3:5 "For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had…"
John 6:68 "Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life."
2 Corinthians 1:14 "as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus."
Luke 12:8 "“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;"
John 6:63 "It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life."

Commentary

Holding forth--to them, and so applying it (the common meaning of the Greek; perhaps here including also the other meaning, "holding fast"). The image of light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from Phi 2:15. As the heavenly luminaries' light is closely connected with the life of animals, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word" (received from me) which is the "life" of the Gentiles (Joh 1:4; Jo1 1:1, Jo1 1:5-7). Christ is "the Light of the world" (Joh 8:12); believers are only "light-bearers" reflecting His light. that I may rejoice in--literally, "with a view to (your being) a subject of rejoicing to me against the day of Christ" (Phi 4:1; Co2 1:14; Th1 2:19). that I have not run in vain--that it was not in vain that I labored for your spiritual good.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

Newsletter

A short reflection, a single passage, three articles to read. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Topics that cite this verse

Commentary

One verse, every Tuesday.