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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philippians 2:14 - 2:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_2:14-18
14Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
Php_2:14-16 These verses are one sentence in Greek.
Php_2:14 "do all things without grumbling or disputing" There was obviously disunity in the Philippian congregation. Whether the source was
1. Christian leaders who were jealous (cf. Php_1:14-17)
2. the two women who were at war with each other (cf. Php_4:2-3)
3. the false teachers (cf. Php_3:2 ff)
is uncertain The text does not specify whether Paul, other Christians, or unbelievers were the object of the grumbling.
Php_2:15
NASB "that you may prove yourselves to be"
NKJV "that you may become"
NRSV, TEV "so that you may become"
NJB "so that you remain"
This is an aorist middle (deponent) subjunctive. As believers choose to be saved, so they must choose to live for Christ! The NT is a new covenant. The believer has rights and responsibilities!
▣ "blameless" This is literally "without defect" (cf. Php_3:6). Originally in the OT it referred to sacrificial animals but came to be used metaphorically for humans (cf. Noah, Gen_6:9; Gen_6:17 and Job, Job_1:1). It is applied to Jesus in Heb_9:14 and 1Pe_1:19. This was another way of referring to the Christlike life. This is God's will for His people (cf. Lev_19:2; Deu_18:13; Mat_5:48; 1Pe_1:16). God wants to reflect Himself in believers ("children of God," cf. Eph_1:4, eph 6:27; Col_1:22; Jud_1:24) and thereby draw the lost world to Himself (cf. Php_2:15). See Special Topic: Blameless at Col_1:22.
▣ "spotless" This is a term from the wine industry for "unmixed wine." It is used in the NT metaphorically for moral purity (cf. Mat_10:16; Rom_16:19).
▣ "above reproach" This was used in the Septuagint (LXX) for sacrificial animals. The term is often used metaphorically in the NT to indicate moral uprightness (cf. Eph_1:4; Col_1:22; Jud_1:24; Rev_14:5-6). This does not imply sinlessness, but maturity.
▣ "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" In Deu_32:5 this phrase refers to Israel, but in this context it refers to the unbelieving world. This is another example of NT author's universalizing OT passages to fit all mankind. The root of the terms "crooked" and "perverse" is related to the OT concept of the righteousness of God which is described as a "measuring reed" (a straight edge or ruler). Any deviation from His standard was described in terms of "crooked" or "bent." These terms are translated by "sin," "iniquity," or "trespass" in English. Notice that in this context it is the Church that is called on to be the light in a darkened world.
NASB "you appear as lights in the world"
NKJV "you shine as lights in the world"
NRSV "you shine like stars in the world"
TEV "You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky"
NJB "shining out among them like bright stars in the world"
Notice the plurals indicating a corporate context. This does not refer to individuals, as in Daniel 12, but to churches as a whole (cf. Php_2:12). There have been two possible understandings of this term:
1. as related to Dan_12:3, where believers are described as luminaries or stars shining in the sky
2. those who bear light (i.e., the gospel of Php_2:16) to the world (kosmos).
In Mat_5:14-16 believers are to be light-bearers, with Jesus as our example (cf. Joh_8:12; Eph_5:14).
Php_2:16
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV "hold fast the word of life"
TEV "so you offer them the message of life"
NJB "Proffering to it the Word of life"
This is a present tense participle which can be interpreted in two ways: (1) "holding fast," referring to believers' continued faithfulness or (2) "holding forth," referring to believers as witnesses. Both could fit this context (esp. Php_2:12).
▣ "in the day of Christ" This refers to the Second Coming of Christ. A very similar phrase is used in Php_1:6; Php_1:10. Often in the NT the Second Coming is used as a motivation for current Christian living. See Special Topic at Php_1:10.
▣ "I may have cause to glory" The godliness of the Philippian Christians (i.e., churches) was evidence of Paul's apostleship (cf. Php_4:1; 1Th_2:19-20).
▣ "I did not run in vain nor toil in vain" This is literally "that not in vain I ran nor in vain labored" (i.e., for the purpose of establishing effective, reproducing gospel churches). These are two aorist tense verbs. The first term, "ran," was used in the Egyptian papyri for water running to no purpose. In this context, "vain" must refer to their Christlike maturity (not their salvation) as they shine forth for Christ! Paul often expresses his anxiety about the new churches' maturity and steadfastness by using metaphors such as these (cf. Gal_2:2; Gal_4:11; 1Th_2:1; 1Th_3:3; 1Th_3:5). Paul often spoke of his ministry as an athletic contest (cf. 1Co_9:24-27; 1Ti_6:12; 2Ti_4:7).
Php_2:17-18 These verses contain four terms which are usually translated "rejoice." This shows that even at the prospect of death (Roman capital punishment while in prison), Paul was glad to be serving Christ and them (i.e., the churches he established). He also admonishes them to do the same. Believers are to give their lives on behalf of others as Christ gave His life for them (cf. Php_2:5-11; 2Co_5:13-14; Gal_2:20; 1Jn_3:16).
Php_2:17 "if" This is a first class conditional sentence which was assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes. This should not be taken as Paul's expecting the death sentence. In this same book he expressed his hope and expectation for release (cf. Php_1:25; Php_2:24).
NASB, NKJV "I am being poured out as a drink offering"
NRSV "I am being poured out as a libation"
TEV "my life's blood is to be poured out like an offering"
NJB "my blood has to be poured as a libation"
This is a present passive indicative. Paul views himself as a sacrifice on behalf of the faith of the Philippians (i.e., Gentiles, cf. Rom_15:16). Paul refers to his ministry as a sacrifice several times (cf. Rom_15:16; 2Ti_4:6). This Greek term reflects an OT term for a wine libation (cf. Exo_29:38-41; Num_15:3-10).
▣ "upon the sacrifice and service of your faith" Paul saw his life and ministry as a sacrifice to God (cf. Rom_12:1-2). He was offering the Gentiles to God (cf. Rom_15:16). Jesus was a sacrifice for all mankind (cf. Isaiah 53; Mar_10:45; 2Co_5:21; Eph_5:2). Believers are to emulate Jesus and Paul (cf.PHILIPPIANS 4:19).
The Greek word translated "service" (leitourgia) comes into English as "liturgy." It was used in the Septuagint (LXX) for a priest providing an offering. This may be another allusion to Paul's self sacrifice for the gospel.