Philippians 2:16 NIV

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 2:16

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 2:16

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:16

Verse 16 16Holding forth the word of life The reason why they ought to be luminaries is, that they carry the word of life, by which they are enlightened, that they may give light also to others. Now he alludes to lamps, in which wicks are placed that they may burn, and he makes us resemble the lamps; while he compares the word of God to the wick, from which the light comes. If you prefer another figure — we are candlesticks: the doctrine of the gospel is the candle, which, being placed in us,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-18

Exhortations. I. PERSONAL WORK FOR THE PHILIPPIANS . 1 . How he exhorts them he with pleasure. "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence." The exaltation of Christ, which is the subject of the three foregoing verses, is specially fitted to be an encouragement to the duty of humility. It is not this, however, that he now specifies, in descending from the sublime Example. He rather lays hold on that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:14-16

The importance of a contented and peaceful habit of soul. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings." I. THE CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE OF AN UNMURMURING AND PEACEFUL SPIRIT . 1 . Murmur ing is here meant against God. It may arise 2 . The disputings here meant point to those dissensions which war the peace of the Church. We ought to avoid disputings, because II. THE OBJECT AND AIM OF SUCH A SPIRIT . "That ye may be blameless and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:14-16

Church activity. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world holding forth the Word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." The Church is essentially as active society. An inactive Church is a solecism. Activity is not only the condition of its health,... read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:14-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:14-16

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