Philippians Chapter 2, Verse 16
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16: λογον ζωης επεχοντες εις καυχημα εμοι εις ημεραν χριστου οτι ουκ εις κενον εδραμον ουδε εις κενον εκοπιασα
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.
16: 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 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 religions for they have no efficacy to save -- and to the law which "killeth." See "Jn 6:63"; See "2Cor 3:6".
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, Mt 5:14, Mt 5:16, and they cannot escape from the obligation.
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 pastor in the day of judgment. Comp. 3Jn 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 honoured 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 "1Cor 9:26".
Neither laboured in vain. In preaching the gospel. Their holy lives would be the fullest proof that he was a faithful preacher.
