Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. HOLDING FORTH - to them, and so applying it [the common meaning of epechontes (G1907); perhaps here including also 'holding fast']. The image of light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from Philippians 2:15. As the heavenly luminaries' light develops the life of the world, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word" (received from me) as the "life" of the Gentiles (John 1:4; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:5...

16_Holding 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, diffuses light on all sides. Now he intimates, that we do injustice to the word of God, if it does not shine forth in us in respect of purity of life. This is the import of Christ’s saying, “No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it under a bushel,” etc. (Matthew 5:15.) We are said, however, to _carry the word of life _in such a

12-18 We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and...

Verse 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 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 _labour_ intensely to keep his ship from _foundering_, but is at last, by the assistance of the _luminous fire_ on the to

HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE - That is, you are under obligation to hold forth the word of life. It is a duty incumbent on you as Christians to do it. The “word of life” means the gospel, called the “word of life” because it is the message that promises life; or perhaps this is a Hebraism, denoting the living, or life-giving word. The gospel stands thus in contrast with all human systems of religion - for they have no efficacy to save - and to the law which “killeth;” see the John 6:63, note, and 2 Corinthians 3:6, note. The duty here enjoined is that of making the gospel known to others, and of thus keeping up the knowledge of it in the world. This duty rests on Christians (compare Matthew 5:14

EXPOSITION PHILIPPIANS 2:1 IF THERE BE THEREFORE, ANY CONSOLATION IN CHRIST. Mark the fervor of the apostle. Ὅρα πῶς λιπαρῶς πῶς σφοδρῶς πῶς μετὰ συμπαωείας πολλῆς (Chrysostom). He appeals to the Christian experience of the Philippians; if these experiences are real, as they are; facts verified in the believer's consciousness; not talk, not mere forms of speech,—then fulfill ye my joy. _Consolation_;_ _perhaps "exhortation" is the more suitable rendering in this place: if the presence of Christ, if communion with Christ, hath power to stir the heart, to stimulate the emotions, to constrain the will. If any comfort of love; comfort springing out of love. Love is the subjective result of the presence of Christ as an objective reality, and with love comes comfort. If any fellowship of the Spirit

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 sense, of natural life to all men, of spiritual and eternal life to as many as the Father has given him: or else the Gospel is intended, and the doctrines of it; and which are sometimes called the words of eternal life, and of this life, John 6:68; and that because they are a means of quickening dead sinners, they are a savour of life unto life,

Philippians 2:1. _if there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind._ Paul did not mean to doubt that there is «any consolation in Christ, any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any bowels and mercies,» for no one knew better than he did how those blessings abound to them that are in Christ Jesus. He put it by way of argument. If there be consolation in Christ, since there is consolation in Christ, since there is comfort of love, since there is fellowship of the Spirit, be one in Christ; be not divided; love one another: «be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.»...

THE DAY (_ See Scofield) - (1 Corinthians 1:8). _...

II. CHRIST, THE BELIEVER'S PATTERN CHAPTER 2 _ 1. Oneness of mind through self effacement (Philippians 2:1)_ 2. The humiliation and exaltation of Christ (Philippians 2:5) 3. Work out your own salvation (Philippians 2:12) 4. As lights in the world (Philippians 2:14) 5. The example of Paul (Philippians 2:17) 6. The example of Timotheus (Philippians 2:19) 7. The exampl