Philippians 2:16

Philippians 2:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
• English Standard Version (ESV)holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
• New King James Version (NKJV)holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Context of Philippians 2:16

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:16 word by word

λόγον ζωῆς ἐπέχοντες, εἰς καύχημα ἐμοὶ εἰς ἡμέραν Χριστοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ εἰς κενὸν ἔδραμον, οὐδὲ εἰς κενὸν ἐκοπίασα.Read the interlinear

• as you hold forthἐπέχωepechō · to hold fast/outG1907
• wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• of lifeζωήzōē · lifeG2222
• in order thatεἰςeis · towardG1519
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• may boastκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
• dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• I did not runοὐou · noG3756
• I did not runτρέχωtrechō · to runG5143
• ·κενόςkenos · emptyG2756
• ·οὐδέoude · norG3761
• laborκοπιάωkopiaō · to laborG2872

Cross-references for Philippians 2:16

• Philippians 1:27Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,
• Psalms 40:9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.
• Psalms 71:17O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.
• Matthew 10:27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
• Luke 12:8I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.
• Romans 10:8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
• Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
• John 6:63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
• Acts 13:26Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• 1 Peter 1:23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
• 1 John 1:1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life.
• Philippians 1:26so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.
• 2 Corinthians 1:14as you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

Commentaries on Philippians 2:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Holding forth the word of life - An allusion, some think, to those towers which were built at the entrance of harbours, on which fires were kept during the night to direct ships into the port. Genuine Christians, by their holy lives and conversation, are the means of directing others, not only how to escape those dangers to which they are exposed on the tempestuous ocean of human life, but also of leading them into the haven of eternal safety and rest…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Holding forth the word of life - That is, you are under obligation to hold forth the word of life. It is a duty incumbent on you as Christians to do it. The “word of life” means the gospel, called the “word of life” because it is the message that promises life; or perhaps this is a Hebraism, denoting the living, or life-giving word. The gospel stands thus in contrast with all human systems of religion - for they have no efficacy to save - and to the law…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. 16hold forth the word of life: Believers must keep trusting in the good news about Jesus, which gives life. God is faithful, but believers must also remain faithful (1:6; 2:12–13). that I did not run or labor in vain: Paul often compares the Christian life to running a race or training for a competition (see 3:12–14; 1 Corinthians 9:24, 26; Galatians 2:2; 5:7; 2 Timothy 4:7).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. 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 Php 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; 1Jo 1:1, 5-7). Christ is "the Light of the world"…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 2:16

• Commandments
• Games
• Gospel
• Minister, Christian
• Race
• Word of God
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Day of Christ
• Apostle
• Companion
• Disputing
• Games
• Lowliness
• Nigh
• Presently

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