Amplified Bible
Philippians 2:15
15so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness],
Philippians 2:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
- New International Version (NIV)so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
- English Standard Version (ESV)that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
- New King James Version (NKJV)that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Context of Philippians 2:15
13For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. 14Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness], 16holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [my race] in vain nor labor without result. 17But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith [for preaching the message of salvation], still I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Read all of Philippians 2Philippians 2:15 word by word
ἵνα γένησθε ἄμεμπτοι καὶ ἀκέραιοι, τέκνα θεοῦ ἄμωμα μέσον γενεᾶς σκολιᾶς καὶ διεστραμμένης ἐν οἷς φαίνεσθε ὡς φωστῆρες ἐν κόσμῳ,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ye may beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- blamelessἄμεμπτοςamemptos · blamelessG273
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- harmlessἀκέραιοςakeraios · innocentG185
- the sonsτέκνονteknon · childG5043
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- without rebukeἀμώμητοςamōmētos · blamelessG298
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the midstμέσοςmesos · midstG3319
- of aγενεάgenea · generationG1074
- crookedσκολιόςskolios · crookedG4646
- perverseδιαστρέφωdiastrephō · to pervertG1294
- whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- ye shineφαίνωphainō · to shine/appearG5316
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- lightsφωστήρphōstēr · lightG5458
- the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
Cross-references for Philippians 2:15
- Luke 1:6They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 1:8And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 5:27so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Timothy 3:2Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- 1 Timothy 5:7Keep instructing [the people to do] these things as well, so that they may be blameless and beyond reproach.
- 2 Peter 3:14So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].
- Matthew 10:16“Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda].
- Romans 16:19For the report of your obedience has reached everyone, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
- Hebrews 7:26It was fitting for us to have such a High Priest [perfectly adapted to our needs], holy, blameless, unstained [by sin], separated from sinners and exalted higher than the heavens;
- Philippians 1:10so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin];
- Matthew 5:45so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].
- Luke 6:35But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor],
- Ephesians 5:1Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];
- 1 Peter 1:14[Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation].
Commentaries on Philippians 2:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15That ye may be blameless - In yourselves, and harmless to others. The sons of God - Showing by your holy conduct that ye are partakers of the Divine nature. Without rebuke - Persons against whom no charge of transgression can justly be laid. A crooked and perverse - Probably referring to the Jews, who were the chief opponents and the most virulent enemies which the Christian Church had. Among whom ye shine - Be like the sun and moon; bless even the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15That ye may be blameless - That you may give no occasion for others to accuse you of having done wrong. And harmless - Margin, “sincere.” The Greek word ( ̓́ akeraios) means properly that which is unmixed; and then pure, sincere. The idea here is, that they should be artless, simple, without guile. Then they would injure no one. The word occurs only in Matthew 10:16; Phlippians 2:15, where it is rendered “harmless,” and Romans 16:19, where it is rendered…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15you shine as lights in the world: Believers should attract others to God through their actions (see Matthew 5:13–16). in a crooked and perverse generation: See Deuteronomy 32:5; Romans 1:18–32; 3:10–23.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. blameless and harmless--without either the repute of mischief, or the inclination to do it [Alford]. sons--rather as Greek, "the children of God" (Ro 8:14-16). Imitation of our heavenly Father is the instinctive guide to our duty as His children, more than any external law (Mt 5:44, 45, 48). without rebuke--"without (giving handle for) reproach." The whole verse tacitly refers by contrast to De 32:5, "Their spot ... not ... of His children ... a…Read the comment
Topics related to Philippians 2:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Philippians 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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