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. 15Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God’s children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world as you hold firmly to the word of life. Then I can brag on the day of Christ that my effort was not wasted and that my work produced results. 17My life is being poured out as a part of the sacrifice and service ⌞I offer to God⌟ for your faith. Yet, I am filled with joy, and I share that joy with all of you. 18For this same reason you also should be filled with joy and share that joy 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 1:27Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I’ll hear all about you. I’ll hear that you are firmly united in spirit, united in fighting for the faith that the Good News brings.
• Psalms 40:9I will announce the good news of righteousness among those assembled for worship. I will not close my lips. You know that, O Lord.
• Psalms 71:17O God, you have taught me ever since I was young, and I still talk about the miracles you have done.
• Matthew 10:27Tell in the daylight what I say to you in the dark. Shout from the housetops what you hear whispered.
• Luke 12:8I can guarantee that the Son of Man will acknowledge in front of God’s angels every person who acknowledges him in front of others.
• Romans 10:8However, what else does it say? “This message is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the message of faith that we spread.
• Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let those who hear this say, “Come!” Let those who are thirsty come! Let those who want the water of life take it as a gift.
• John 6:63Life is spiritual. Your physical existence doesn’t contribute to that life. The words that I have spoken to you are spiritual. They are life.
• Acts 13:26“Brothers—descendants of Abraham and converts to Judaism—the message that God saves people was sent to us.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.
• Hebrews 4:12God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions.
• 1 Peter 1:23You have been born again, not from a seed that can be destroyed, but through God’s everlasting word that can’t be destroyed. That’s why ⌞Scripture says⌟,
• 1 John 1:1The Word of life existed from the beginning. We have heard it. We have seen it. We observed and touched it.
• Philippians 1:26So by coming to you again, I want to give you even more reason to have pride in Christ Jesus with me.
• 2 Corinthians 1:14even though you now understand it only partially. We are your reason to be proud, as you will be our reason to be proud on the day of our Lord Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19Who is our hope, joy, or prize that we can brag about in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Isn’t it 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