Holding fast (1907) (epecho from epí = upon + écho = have, hold) means literally have or hold upon. To hold fast. To hold firmly to (hold firmly to a particular belief) To direct towards. To give attention to. To hold out, then to hold one's mind toward. To observe.
It is found in the phrase in secular Greek "held straight for the beach".
In this verse the present tense calls for them to hold fast to the Word continually, continuing to believe it. The context also allows for the interpretation of the continuing to hold forth the Word of Life as described in next section.
Epecho can also mean to have hold out towards as an offer (e.g., as used in secular Greek of offering someone food or wine). Holding out like a torch.
When used of the mind it mean to fix the mind upon, give heed to, keep close watch on, pay attention (cf 1Ti 4:16). In this use the idea is that of a constant state of readiness.
In some contexts epecho means to direct one's mind or attention to a particular object or event, to notice or to watch (cf Luke 14:7, Acts 3:5) direct one’s mind to a thing,
Finally epecho can mean to stay or remain in a place beyond some point of time and so to stay on or remain. It can also mean to keep back or detain a person = hold oneself back. (cf Acts 19:22; Ge 8:10; 2Chr 8:5)
Epecho is found 5 times in the NAS (Luke; Acts 2x; Philippians;1 Timothy) and is translated: give...attention, 1; holding fast, 1; noticed, 1; pay close attention, 1; stayed, 1.
Here are the NT uses of epecho...
And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out (epecho) the places of honor at the table; saying to them, (Lk 14:7)
And he began to give (epecho) them his attention, expecting (epecho) to receive something from them. (Acts 3:5)
(Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey) And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he (Paul) himself stayed (epecho) in Asia for a while. (Acts 19:22) (Comment: here the meaning of epecho conveys the idea of to hold upon a place, to wait in a place, and so to stay)
Pay close attention (present imperative) (hold himself to strict account) to yourself and to your teaching (Comment: note personality before teaching); persevere (present imperative) in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. (1Ti 4:16)
Epecho is found 12 times in the Septuagint (LXX) :Gen. 8:10, 12; Jdg. 20:28; 1 Ki. 22:6, 15; 2 Ki. 4:24; 2 Chr. 18:5, 14; Job 18:2; 27:8; 30:26; Jer. 6:11
Related Resource: “Hold Fast” Versus “Hold Out” In Philippians 216 -- By Vern Sheridan Poythress (Annual $50 fee [click] is required to view entire article)
Note that in Phil 2:14-16, Paul emphasizes three characteristics of those who would be "lights" in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation.
(1) Uncomplaining spirit
(2) In contact with the people of this world, but not contaminated by them
(3) Holding to and holding forth the word of God
H C G Moule...
Holding forth - as offering it for acceptance; presenting it to the notice, enquiry, and welcome, of others. The metaphor of the luminary is dropped.—It is intimated that the faithful Christian will not be content without making direct efforts, however humble and unobtrusive, to win attention to the distinctive message of his Lord. (The Epistle to the Philippians)
Vance Havner...
Hold forth the word of life. We are not depositories but dispensers, stewards, and witnesses, not just to enjoy the gospel but to share it. It is not a secret to be hidden, but a story to be heralded.
Adam Clarke...
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 appears to be a part of the same metaphor; and alludes to the case of a weather-beaten mariner who has been long tossed on a tempestuous sea, in hazy weather and dark nights, who has been obliged to run on different tacks, and labor intensely to keep his ship from foundering, but is at last, by the assistance of the luminous fire on the top of the tower, directed safely into port. Live so to glorify God and do good to men, that it shall appear that I have not run and labored in vain for your salvation.
Life Application Commentary...
Christians can develop a "fortress mentality" about surviving in a depraved world. Such a mind-set prefers to withdraw into church or family, away from the evil world, shutting it out. But Paul didn't support a fortress mentality. Instead, he required believers to take the gospel out into the culture. It is a waste of energy just to leave a light on. Church people must help illuminate the way so that others can find Christ. (Barton, B, et al: The NIV Life Application Commentary Series: Tyndale or Logos or Wordsearch)
Ron Mattoon...
He, who would shine as a light, must burn. No candle can give light without the wax being consumed. If we are going to shine for Christ, we must give of ourselves. Don't be surprised if the Lord does not use you if you are unwilling to give of yourself and be used of God. (Mattoon's Treasures from Philippians)
Steven Cole...
Our lives shine as we put off grumbling and disputing and live in joy, especially during trials. But, also, we have a message we hold forth: “the word of life” (Phil 2:16). The gospel--that Christ died for our sins, that He arose victorious over sin and death, that He offers a full pardon from the wages of sin to all who will receive it by faith-- that good news is the power of God to salvation for all who believe. The gospel is not just a set of propositions or doctrines to subscribe to, although it involves certain non-negotiable doctrines. The gospel brings the very life of God to those who are dead in their transgressions and sins (Ep 2:1-10). Those apart from Christ are not pretty good people who just need a little help to solve some of their problems. According to Scripture, they are spiritually dead, separated from the life of God. But when we hold forth to them the word of life, God can use it to raise them from the dead, to give them eternal life. (Read the entire excellent message)
Word of Life - In Greek this phrase is placed first for emphasis. It is a beautiful descriptive name for the Scripture and in context refers to the Gospel which, when believed, produces spiritual and eternal life (cf. Eph 2:1-note, Jn 3:3, 5 5:24 6:63 12:48).
Word of Life means that it is the Word which is life (genitive of apposition) and which gives life (genitive of source). In other words the Gospel is not like just any word but is a word which has life in itself and which leads to life. Paul makes it clear that this "Word of life", the gospel, is unique and supernatural writing to the Colossians that...
the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world also it (the gospel) is constantly bearing fruit (What is constantly bearing fruit?) and increasing, even as it (the gospel) has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it (the gospel) and understood the grace of God in truth (Col 1:5b-note, Col 1:6-note).
When the angel released Peter from prison (where he was being held for preaching the gospel), the angel commanded Peter...
Go (present imperative) your way, stand and speak (present imperative) to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." (Acts 5:20)
Comment: Regardless of opposition or difficulties, the Lord expected Peter -- and all His spiritual children --to take a stand once and for all and to speak all the words of this life with boldness -- cf Acts 4:31.
Vine feels that...
The word of life is not here the Living Word, the Person (as in 1John 1); only John uses logos in that sense; it is the (living and life giving) message, the gospel. It is called the Word of life because it ministers spiritual life and imparts the knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, which the Lord said “is eternal life” (John 17:3). (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson )
Vincent adds that the word of life is...
the word ‘which has in itself a principle as well as a message of life’; or, as Meyer, “the divinely efficacious vehicle of the spirit of life.” (Regarding the Greek word for "life", zoe, Vincent adds)... "Zoe is the correlative of salvation. With quickening from the death of sin the believer enters upon ‘newness of life’ (Ro 6:4-note, Ro 6:11-note). This life, as to its quality, is that which shall be lived with the exalted Christ. Now it is hidden with Christ, because the exalted Christ is still hidden (Col 3:4-note; cp Col 1:5-note). But it will be manifested in glory when Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested (Col 3:4-note). Then will come the change into ‘the likeness of the body of his glory’ (note Philippians 3:21), and “mortality” will be “swallowed up of life” (2Cor. 5:4) (Online - Vincent, M. R. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon. New York: C. Scribner's Sons)
Jesus said that
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (Jn 6:63) (Peter added) "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. (Jn 6:68)
SCRIPTURAL DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE WORD OF GOD
Scripture has numerous descriptions of The Word as shown in the following list (based on the NASB translation) which is worth studying if you have time... (This list would be a fruitful Meditation [See also Primer on Biblical Meditation])
THE WORD IS A "WORD..."
...of all the good words Jos 23:14, 15
...of Thy lips Ps 17:4-note
...of the kingdom Mt 13:19
...of this salvation Acts 13:26, 13:44
...of God 1Sa 9:27, et al
...of the Lord Acts 13:48, et al
...of His Grace Acts 14:3, 20:32
...of the Gospel Acts 15:7
...of promise Ro 9:9-note
...of faith Ro 10:8-note
...of Christ Ro 10:17-note
...of the Cross 1Cor 1:18
...of reconciliation 2Cor 5:19-note
...of truth 2Co 6:7, Col 1:5-note, 2Ti 2:15-note, Jas 1:18-note
...of life Php 2:16-note
...of Life 1Jn 1:1
...of God's message 1Th 2:13-note
...of His power Heb 1:3-note
...of righteousness Heb 5:13-note
...of the oath Heb 7:28-note
...of exhortation Heb 13:22-note
...living and abiding 1Pe 1:23-note
...of My perseverance Rev 3:10-note
Metaphors (what is a metaphor?) for the Word of God...
Scripture Is like a Counselor - Ps. 119:24-note
Scripture Is like Fire - Jer 5:14; 23:29
Scripture Is like Gold - Ps 19:9, 10-note
Scripture Is like a Hammer - Jer 23:29
Scripture Is like a Heritage - Ps 119:111-note
Scripture Is like Honey - Ps 19:9, 10-note; Ps 119:103-note
Scripture Is like a Lamp - Ps 119:105-note
Scripture Is like a Light - Ps 119:105, Ps 119:130-note; 2 Pe 1:19-note
Scripture Is like Milk - 1Cor 3:1, 2, 3; Heb 5:11, 12, 13-note; 1Pe 2:2-note
Scripture Is like a Mirror - Jas 1:23, 24, 25-note (cp 2Co 3:18-note)
Scripture Is like Rain - Isa 55:10, 11
Scripture Is like a Seed - 1Pe 1:23-note
Scripture Is like Snow - Isa 55:10,11
Scripture Is like Solid Food - Heb 5:11, 12-note, Heb 5:14-note
Scripture Is like a Sword - Eph 6:17-note; Heb. 4:12-note
Scripture Is like Water - Eph 5:25, 26-note
Related Resources:
Memorizing His Word
Delighting in the Word of God - See discussion of delight
Quotations - Scripture or the Word of God
Inductive Study on the Power of God's Word
Memory Verses by Topic - consider bookmarking this page
SO THAT IN THE DAY OF CHRIST I HAVE CAUSE TO GLORY: eis kauchema emoi eis hemeran Christou : (Phil 1:26; 2Cor 1:14; 1Th 2:19)
CAUSE TO
GLORY
So that - Expresses the purpose of their (the Philippians saints) walking (conducting their lives) by either holding fast or forth the Word of life (Other descriptions of the Word). Either way (remaining faithful to the Word or giving out the Word) will be a praiseworthy situation for their "spiritual mentor" Paul when he stands before the Righteous Judge, Christ Jesus, at the Bema Seat. Are you so redeeming your short time on earth (Jas 4:14, Job 7:7, 14:1,2, Ps 37:2-note, Ps 90:9-note, 1Pe 1:17-note), pouring your life into others, intentionally discipling them, equipping them to be steadfast in the faith, so that you too might have cause to glory at the Judgment Seat of Christ? To ask it another way, are you so living in a manner worthy of the Lord that you are not looking forward to your personal appearance at the Bema Seat of Christ? Let me encourage you to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead (Phil 3:13-note), consciously, prayerfully (Pray Ps 90:12-note) determining to redeem the time you have left (Ep 5:15, 16-note, Col 4:5KJV, Col 4:6KJV-note), motivated not by guilt but by His promise of a reward for faithful, Spirit energized, grace endued labor for the Lord and His renown (cp Rev 22:12-note, 23-Col.3.25" class="scriptRef">Col 3:23, 24, 25-note Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17). As someone has well said "You can’t control the length of your life, but you can control its depth." (from The Brevity Of Life - Our Daily Bread)
Lehman Strauss...
Paul did not live to please himself. He lived and labored in the light of "the day of Christ." In that day he wanted to rejoice in abiding fruit. So he held forth the Word of life. To waste his time in performing works that have no lasting spiritual qualities, and that would be burned up, would be to labor in vain. He who would shine as a light must burn. No candle can give light without the wax being consumed. No lamp can give light if its oil is not being consumed. John the Baptist was "a burning and a shining light" (John 5:35). So was Paul! (Ed: And so too can you be dear saint!) (Lehman Strauss Commentary - Devotional Studies in Philippians)
John Phillips...
Paul wanted to be as successful as possible in spreading the gospel. He wanted to persuade people to accept Christ, and he wanted his converts to do the same. And he wanted his converts to teach their converts to spread the gospel. At the judgment seat of Christ their reward would be his reward. Paul's cup of rejoicing would overflow if those he had won to Christ were to hear the Lord say to them, "Well done." Then he would know he had not labored in vain. (John Phillips – Exploring Philippians: An Expository Commentary)
Day of Christ (see discussion of this "day" at note 1 and/or note 2, See also Second Coming) in the present context refers to Christ's return and His subsequent judgment of believers (see note on Bema Seat of Christ)...
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him (Why should we seek to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects? See Scriptural description of a "Worthy Walk" that pleases God), for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2Co 5:9-note, 2Co 5:10-note) (Compare Ro 14:10, 11, 12-note)
Paul voiced a similar thought in other letters...
(To the Corinthian saints) just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud (kauchema; KJV = "we are your rejoicing")) as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. (2Cor 1:14)
Comment: "A crown of rejoicing" awaits those who will be greeted by people won to Christ, in part through their witness, in the day when Christ returns.
(To the saints in Thessalonica) For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation (kauchesis)? Is it not even you (those who had become believers), in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (1Th 2:19-note)
Comment: Paul is alluding to the wreath given to winners in the Olympic games. Since the Thessalonian believers had come to Christ as a result of Paul's ministry there, their presence in the Christian host when Christ returns would be a great reward to Paul--his crown of rejoicing. The same, no doubt, will apply for all who have the joy of seeing those whom they have had a part in leading to Christ -- via praying, giving, sending, going, witnessing, etc -- in our Lord's presence when He comes again.
GLORY, BOAST:
KAUCHEMA
H C G Moule commenting on cause to glory writes...
Literally, "to (be a) rejoicing for me."...He looks forward to a special recognition of his converts at Philippi, at the Lord's Coming, and to a special "joy of harvest" over them. (The Epistle to the Philippians)
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)