Philippians 2:16

“holding forth the word of life; that. may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that. did not run in vain neither labor in vain”

“Holding forth”: The present tense is here used. Either holding forth or holding fast, which really results in the same thing. “To hold forth or hold out” (Robertson p. 447). “To hold before, to hold out to others, like. torch which is held out before the bearer” (Muller p. 94). “The word of life”: The word of God that gives life. We are to hold forth the Word of Life and not our own opinions. When people encounter Christians, they should encounter the gospel message. One cannot hold forth the Word of God, if one does not have any confidence in it. Everybody "holds forth" something! It is impossible to avoid advocating some point of view, so why not admit the fact that our time would be best spent in promoting God's point of view? “No one would take their message seriously if their way of life was at variance with it. But if they lived in such. way that their neighbors asked what enabled them to lead such lives then they could tell them of the word of life that had revolutionized their attitude and conduct” (Bruce p. 85). The gospel is called the "Word of Life", because spiritual life is not found in any other message (Romans 1:16; Acts 5:20; Acts 13:26).

“That. may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ”: “So that. can be proud of you” (Mof). “The fidelity of these saints will result in Paul's glorying in them...as his ‘pride and joy'” (Jackson p. 50). “Only if they hold fast to this gospel and continually obey its demands will he be able to boast about them to Christ” (Hawthorne p. 104). “In the day of Christ”: That is, the day Christ returns (Philippians 1:6).

“That. did not run in vain”: Compare with Galatians 2:2. “I did not run my course for nothing” (TCNT). “Neither labor”: “Or toil for nothing” (TCNT). Galatians 4:11 “I fear for you, that somehow. have wasted my efforts on you”. “ Laboring indicates exerting oneself in exhausting toil” (Hendriksen p. 126). “To work to the point of weariness” (Jackson p. 50). Paul is very blunt at times. He could only have "pride" in the Philippians at the judgment, if they remained faithful and advanced in spiritual maturity. The following attitudes will not be accepted, “At least. tried for awhile”. “I did more than most, at least. became. Christian and lived the life for sometime”. “I was really on fire there for awhile”.. Christianity that comes up short, does not impress God (Luke 14:28; Luke 8:13; 2 Timothy 2:11; 2 Peter 2:20).