the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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King James Version
Philippians 2:16
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holding 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.
holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
Tie hard and fast to the word of life. Then, when Jesus comes back, I will be able to say I was proud to ride with y'all. The long miles and heartache I have suffered will then be washed away in the cool stream of his love.
Offering the word of life; so that I may have glory in you in the day of Christ, because my running was not for nothing and my work was not without effect.
holding forth [the] word of life, so as to be a boast for me in Christ's day, that I have not run in vain nor laboured in vain.
Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run or labor for nothing.
holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.
Holding fast the word of life, that I may glory in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
holding out to them a Message of Life. It will then be my glory on the day of Christ that I did not run my race in vain nor toil in vain.
Holding foorth the word of life, that I may reioyce in the day of Christ, that I haue not runne in vaine, neither laboured in vaine.
holding up the Word of Life, for a boast to me in the day of Christ, that I ran not in vain, nor labored in vain.
holdinge fast the worde of life, vnto my reioysinge in the daye of Christ, that I haue not runne in vayne, nether laboured in vayne.
you, who display the doctrine of eternal life) that in the day of Christ I may have the satisfaction of not having pursued my laborious course in vain.
holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [my race] in vain nor labor without result.
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.
holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
holdinge fast the worde of lyfe vnto my reioysynge in ye daye of Christ that I have not runne in vayne nether have labored in vayne.
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.
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
the word of life holding forth, for rejoicing to me in regard to a day of Christ, that not in vain did I run, nor in vain did I labour;
You offer the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran the race and won.
by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.
as you hold on to the Word of Life. If you do this, I will be able to boast, when the Day of the Messiah comes, that I did not run or toil for nothing.
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Holding forth the worde of life, that I may reioyce in the day of Christ, that I haue not runne in vaine, neither haue laboured in vaine.
For you are to them the light of life; for my pride and glory in the day of Christ, for I have not run in vain nor labored in vain.
holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Messiah, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.
as you hold outhold firmly to">[fn] the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or work hard in vain.2 Corinthians 1:14; Galatians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:5;">[xr]
to be unto them for a place of salvation, for my exultation in the day of the Meshiha, that I may not have run in vain, nor laboured to no purpose.
so that ye may be to them in place of life; for my glory in the day of the Messiah, that I may not have run in vain or toiled for naught.
holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Take a strong hold on the Word of Life. Then when Christ comes again, I will be happy that I did not work with you for nothing.
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 labour in vain.
It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
A word of light, holding forth, - as a matter of boasting unto me, for the day of Christ, - that, not in vain, I ran, nor, in vain, I toiled: -
Holding forth the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ: because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.
holding fast to the word of life, for a source of pride to me in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Holdyng fast the worde of lyfe, to my reioycyng in the day of Christe that I haue not runne in vayne, neither haue laboured in vayne.
and you offer them the teaching that gives life. So I can be proud of you when Christ comes again. You will show that my work was not wasted—that I ran in the race and won.
holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.
And holde ye togidere the word of lijf to my glorie in the day of Crist; for Y haue not runnen in veyn, nether Y haue trauelid in veyn.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Holding: Philippians 1:27, Psalms 40:9, Psalms 71:17, Matthew 10:27, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:8-16, Revelation 22:17
the word: John 6:63, John 6:68, Acts 13:26, 2 Timothy 2:15-17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 1:1
that I may: Philippians 1:26, 2 Corinthians 1:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:19
that I have: Isaiah 49:4, 1 Corinthians 9:26, Galatians 2:2, Galatians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Reciprocal: Genesis 7:1 - thee Genesis 39:3 - saw that Leviticus 24:2 - the lamps 1 Chronicles 28:8 - in the sight Song of Solomon 2:2 - General Isaiah 62:1 - the righteousness Daniel 12:3 - turn Matthew 5:9 - for Matthew 5:16 - your light Matthew 25:1 - which Mark 4:21 - Is a Luke 8:16 - when Luke 11:33 - may see John 4:36 - he that reapeth receiveth 1 Corinthians 1:8 - the day 1 Corinthians 9:24 - so run 1 Corinthians 15:58 - is not Philippians 2:2 - Fulfil Philippians 4:1 - my joy Colossians 1:29 - labour 1 Thessalonians 5:12 - labour 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - preserved 1 Timothy 4:15 - that 1 Timothy 5:17 - labour Titus 2:10 - adorn Hebrews 12:1 - and let us Hebrews 13:17 - with joy 1 Peter 1:15 - so 1 Peter 2:9 - show 1 Peter 2:12 - among 2 John 1:8 - that we lose Revelation 1:20 - and the Revelation 2:3 - hast laboured
Cross-References
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Gill's Notes on the Bible
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, 2 Corinthians 2:16, and the Spirit that giveth life, and of enlivening and comforting living saints; they treat of Christ who is the life; by the Gospel, life and immortality are brought to light; that gives an account of everlasting life; points out Christ as the way to it, shows that meetness for it lies in regenerating grace, and a right unto it is in the righteousness of Christ. Now this Word of life is held forth, partly by the preaching of it to a dark world, as by some; and partly by professing it publicly, as it should be by all who are enlightened with it; and also by living lives and conversations becoming and suitable to it.
That I may rejoice in the day of Christ. The apostle having observed the advantages that would accrue to themselves, and the benefit they might be of to the men of the world, by regarding the several exhortations he had given them, and which ends he mentions as reasons and arguments to enforce them, closes with taking notice of the use and service it would be to himself; it would give him joy and pleasure when Christ should come a second time to judge the world; and when dead in Christ would be raised, and set at his right hand, and these among the rest, to whom the apostle had been useful; and who continued to bear an honourable testimony in the world to Christ, and his Gospel, to the end:
that I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain; being blessed with such converts under his ministry, as were a credit to religion, an honour to the Gospel, and a crown of rejoicing to him. He expresses his ministerial function, and the discharge of it, by running in a race, as the ministry of a person is sometimes called his course, Acts 13:25; in allusion to the Olympic games, which the apostle often refers to, when the conqueror obtained a crown; and it was enough for our apostle, and a crown of rejoicing to him, that his spiritual children walked in the truth, and as became it, to the end: and also by labour, and hard service, as the ministerial work is, when faithfully performed; and especially as his was, which was attended with so many difficulties, and yet with such constancy, diligence, and indefatigableness, all which was not in vain; and he could look back upon it with pleasure, when his followers stood fast in the faith, and adorned the doctrine of Christ.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
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, Matthew 5:16), and they cannot escape from the obligation. They are bound to do this, not only because God commands it, but:
(1) Because they are called into the church that they may be witnesses for God, Isaiah 43:10.
(2) Because they are kept on the earth for that purpose. If it were not for some such design, they would be removed to heaven at once on their conversion.
(3) Because there are no others to do it. The frivolous ones will not warn the fools, nor will the proud warn the proud, nor the scoffer the scoffer. The thoughtless and the vain will not go and tell others that there is a God and a Saviour; nor will the wicked warn the wicked, and tell them that they are in the way to hell. There are none who will do this but Christians; and, if they neglect it, sinners will go unwarned and unalarmed down to death. This duty rests on every Christian.
The exhortation here is not made to the pastor, or to any officer of the church particularly; but to the mass of communicants. They are to shine as lights in the world; they are to hold forth the word of life. There is not one member of a church who is so obscure as to be exempt from the obligation; and there is not one who may not do something in this work. If we are asked how this may be done, we may reply:
(1) They are to do it by example. Everyone is to hold forth the living word in that way.
(2) By efforts to send the gospel to those who have it not. There is almost no one who cannot contribute something, though it may be but two mites, to accomplish this.
(3) By conversation. There is no Christian who has not some influence over the minds and hearts of others; and he is bound to use that influence in holding forth the word of life.
(4) By defending the divine origin of religion when attacked.
(5) By rebuking sin, and thus testifying to the value of holiness. The defense of the truth, under God, and the diffusion of a knowledge of the way of salvation, rests on those who are Christians. Paganism never originates a system which it would not be an advantage to the world to have destroyed as soon as it is conceived. Philosophy has never yet told of a way by which a sinner may be saved. The world at large devises no plan for the salvation of the soul. The most crude, ill-digested, and perverse systems of belief conceivable, prevail in the community called “the world.” Every form of opinion has an advocate there; every monstrous vagary that the human mind ever conceived, finds friends and defenders there. The human mind has of itself no elastic energy to bring it from the ways of sin; it has no recuperative power to lead it back to God. The world at large is dependant on the church for any just views of God, and of the way of salvation; and every Christian is to do his part in making that salvation known.
That I may rejoice - This was one reason which the apostle urged, and which it was proper to urge, why they should let their light shine. He had been the instrument of their conversion, he had founded their church, he was their spiritual father, and had shown the deepest interest in their welfare; and he now entreats them, as a means of promoting his highest joy, to be faithful and holy. The exemplary piety and holy lives of the members of a church will be one of the sources of highest joy to a minister in the day of judgment; compare 3 John 1:4.
In the day of Christ - The day when Christ shall appear - the day of judgment. It is called the day of Christ, because he will be the glorious object which will be prominent on that day; it will be the day in which he will be honored as the judge of all the world.
That I have not run in vain - That is, that I have not lived in vain - life being compared with a race: see the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:26.
Neither laboured in vain - In preaching the gospel. Their holy lives would be the fullest proof that he was a faithful preacher.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
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 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 laboured in vain for your salvation.
