Philippians 2:14-16

14. Do all things without murmurings and questionings; 15. that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perversed generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, 16. holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

Translation and Paraphrase

14. Do all things without murmurings or disputings,
15. so that ye may become blameless and pure (unmixed with evil), (being) children of God without blemish in the midst of (our) crooked and distorted generation, among whom you (all) shine as lights in the world;
16. (You shine by) holding forth the message (word) of life; (I pray that you will always do this) so that I may have something to glory about in the day of Christ, (namely) that I did not run (my race of life) in vain, neither have I toiled wearisomely in vain.

Notes

1.

God's people have been forbidden to murmur against Him in both the Old and the New Testament (1 Peter 4:9; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Numbers 11:1-3). Murmuring is one way of questioning God's reality, His power, and His care over us. It is tempting God.

2.

Similarly questionings (KJV disputings), whether they are directed toward God or men, are a serious offence. Disputings with men usually reflect the view that God will not punish evildoers, or that God does not care about us enough to do anything. Disputings with God may be direct challenges of His wisdom. There have been cases when God's saints asked Him why He did certain things. Thus Habakkuk (Philippians 2:1), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12:1), Abraham (Genesis 18:23-25), and others. But these men asked out of a heart of trust and faith. To question God because we do not like his judgments, or doubt that He is doing anything is another matter. Let us lift up holy hands to God, without wrath and disputings (1 Timothy 2:8).

3.

Blameless (Gr. amemptos) means not subject to blame, deserving no censure. Luke 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

4.

Harmless (Gr. akeraios) means unmixed, pure, free from evil, without mixture of evil. Matthew 10:16.

5.

Our generation is called crooked and perverse, and it certainly is. Perverse means turned aside, distorted, corrupted, perverted. Our generation is backwards in its thinking on many things. They call evil good and good evil. (Isaiah 5:20). It calls true religion fanaticism and superstition, while it calls alcoholism and fornication freedom! The whole world lieth in the evil one. 1 John 5:19. It is still, as in Christ's time, a faithless and perverse generation (Matthew 17:17). Christians are sheep among wolves. (Matthew 10:16).

6.

In the midst of this evil generation we are to become children of God without blemish, without moral flaw, or rebellious minds. Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22; Revelation 14:5.

7.

We are to be seen as lights in the world. Compare Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 5:8; Ephesians 5:11-13. An old proverb says, It is better to light a candle than to complain about the darkness. May the Lord raise up a new generation of committed Christians, who will give their light without flickering and without fear.

8.

2:16 indicates that we shine as lights in the world only when we hold forth the word of life. The light is not in ourselves, but in the divine message we bear.

Our message is the word of LIFE. See Acts 5:20. It is a living (quick!) message. Hebrews 4:12. Those who hear and believe it are made alive. John 5:24-25. Do you really believe that our gospel is the only source of life and light for the world? Then, brother, let it shine; let it be heard.

9.

Numerous passages teach us that as Christians our works will be remembered and rewarded on the day of Christ, that is, the day of judgment. Paul's words in Philippians 2:16 suggest this again. See 1 Corinthians 3:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12; Matthew 25:28-29.

10.

The day of Christ Jesus is the day of His second coming, the time of the last judgment. See notes on Philippians 1:10. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:14.

11.

Paul did not want to stand before Christ on the day of judgment with no victories won, no souls he had saved, no record of accomplishment. Like a runner who raced to win, or a worker who labored to get a job done, Paul did not want to have run in vain or labor in vain. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. If the Philippians did not remain true to Christ, then Paul's labors would have been in vain. Isaiah 49:4; Isaiah 65:23.