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 Living Translation (NLT)Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Context of Philippians 2:16

14Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15that 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, 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. 17Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18For the same reason you 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 1:27Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
• Psalms 40:9I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know.
• Psalms 71:17O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
• Matthew 10:27“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
• Luke 12:8“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.
• Romans 10:8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):
• Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
• John 6:63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
• Acts 13:26“Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
• 1 Peter 1:23having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
• 1 John 1:1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—
• Philippians 1:26that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
• 2 Corinthians 1:14(as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ 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
• Day of Christ
• Apostle
• Companion
• Disputing
• Games
• Lowliness
• Nigh
• Presently
• Vainglory

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