Philippians 2:14-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 2:14-18

The apostle exhorts them in these verses to adorn their Christian profession by a suitable temper and behaviour, in several instances. 1. By a cheerful obedience to the commands of God (Phil. 2:14): ?Do all things, do your duty in every branch of it, without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it.? God's commands were given to be obeyed, not to be disputed. This greatly adorns our profession, and shows we serve a good Master, whose service... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

2:12-18 So then, my beloved, just as at all times you obeyed not only as in my presence, but much more, as things now are, in my absence, carry to its perfect conclusion the work of your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God, who, that he may carry out his own good pleasure, brings to effect in you both the initial willing and the effective action. Do all things without murmurings and questionings, that you may show yourselves blameless and pure, the spotless children of God in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

When we examine the chain of thought in this passage, we see that Paul sets down five signs of salvation, as we may call them. (i) There is the sign of effective action. The Christian must give continual evidence in his daily life that he is indeed working out his own salvation; day by day it must be more fully accomplished. The great tragedy of so many of us is that we are never really any further on. We continue to be victims of the same habits and slaves of the same temptations, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

This passage concludes with two vivid pictures, which are typical of Paul's way of thinking. (i) He longs for the Christian progress of the Philippians so that at the end of the day he may have the joy of knowing that he has not run or laboured in vain. The word he uses for to labour is kopian ( Greek #2872 ). There are two possible pictures in it. (a) It may paint a picture of the most exacting toil. Kopian ( Greek #2872 ) means to labour to the point of utter exhaustion. (b) It may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:14

Do all things ,.... Not evil things, these are to be abhorred, shunned, and avoided, even all appearance of them, they are not to be done, even the sake of good; nor all indifferent things at all times, and under all circumstances, when the peace and edification of others are in danger of being hurt by so doing; but all good things, all that are agreeable to the righteous law and good will of God; all those good things which accompany salvation, as hearing the word, and attendance on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:15

That ye may be blameless ,.... This, and what follows, show the end to be answered, by observing the above exhortation. This respects not their being blameless in the sight of God, which the saints are not in themselves, being not without sin, though they are, as considered in Christ, clothed with his righteousness, and washed in his blood; but their being blameless before men: and this may be understood both actively and passively; actively, that they might be without blaming others; some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the word of life ,.... By which may be meant, either Christ the essential Word, in whom life was, and is, and who is called the quick or living Word, John 1:1 ; and here may be styled the Word of life, because he has all life in him; he has a divine life in him, as God, he is the living God; and it is given to him to have life in himself, as Mediator, for all his people; and he ever lives as man to make intercession for them: and because he is the author of life in every... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:14

Do all things without murmurings - Γογγυσμων, και διαλογισμων· Without grumblings and altercations. Be patient in, and contented with, your work; and see that ye fall not out by the way. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:15

That 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 perverse and disobedient by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:16

Holding 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. That I have not run in vain - This... read more

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