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 grumbling and arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18In the same way you should also 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Holding forthἐπέχωepechō · to hold fast/outG1907
• the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• of lifeζωήzōē · lifeG2222
• thatεἰςeis · towardG1519
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• may rejoiceκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
• the dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• I haveτρέχωtrechō · to runG5143
• notοὐou · noG3756
• vainκενόςkenos · emptyG2756
• neitherοὐδέoude · norG3761
• labouredκοπιάωkopiaō · to laborG2872

Cross-references for Philippians 2:16

• Philippians 1:27Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,
• Psalms 40:9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed — as you know, Lord.
• Psalms 71:17God, you have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim your wondrous works.
• Matthew 10:27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
• Luke 12:8“And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God,
• Romans 10:8On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim:
• Revelation 22:17Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.
• John 6:63The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
• Acts 13:26“Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the word of this salvation has been sent.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• 1 Peter 1:23because you have been born again — not of perishable seed but of imperishable — through the living and enduring word of God.
• 1 John 1:1What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life —
• Philippians 1:26so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.
• 2 Corinthians 1:14just as you have partially understood us — that we are your reason for pride, just as you also are ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

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