notes

Main point summary

Do all things without grumbling by holding our gaze to the word of life(a manner of life that shows the worth of the gospel) and so be proven blameless and as a result be our pastors' reason for boasting at the coming of Christ, that they did not labor in vain nor we believed in vain.

Discourse

NT

Philippians 2:14-16

na28

net

mine

Πάντα ποιεῖτε χωρὶς γογγυσμῶν καὶ διαλογισμῶν,

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

Do all things without grumbling and disputing

ἵνα γένησθε ἄμεμπτοι καὶ ἀκέραιοι, τέκνα θεοῦ ἄμωμα

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish

μέσον γενεᾶς σκολιᾶς καὶ διεστραμμένης,

though you live in a crooked and perverse society,

even though you live in a crooked and perverse generation,

concessive

ἐν οἷς φαίνεσθε ὡς φωστῆρες ἐν κόσμῳ,

in which you shine as lights in the world 16

by which you shine as lights in the world

ideaexplanation

actionpurpose

λόγον ζωῆς ἐπέχοντες,

by holding on to 17 the word of life

by holding your gaze to the word of life

actionmanner

εἰς καύχημα ἐμοὶ εἰς ἡμέραν Χριστοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ εἰς κενὸν ἔδραμον οὐδὲ εἰς κενὸν ἐκοπίασα.

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.

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

na28

discourse

Notes

How to have a grumble free life(Philippians 2:14)? Doing all things without grumbling is a means to become blameless and shine as lights in the world(verse 15), and holding onto the word of life is also a means to that same end(verse 16). Which I think are not two means but one. You become grumble free by holding onto the word of life and as a result be blameless and shine. But what is the word of life? I think the word of life is the gospel. Here are my arguments from Paul and Christ for saying that: 1. In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul told us to live a manner of life that befits the gospel or show the worth of the gospel, and this is by standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not being frightened by your opponents. And when you do that, it will be a sign to them of their destruction and of your salvation. In Philippians 2:14-16, Paul is fleshing out this manner of life. You show the worth of the gospel if you are standing firm and not complaining, hence be a sign and shine as lights in this crooked generation. Holding fast the word of life is the same as saying standing firm for the faith of the gospel. 2. 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, The word preached is the gospel and it is a means to your salvation, which corresponds to life, if you hold fast, unless you believed in vain. 3. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul hinted on what is the secret of contentment. He said "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." All things means to be content in all situations, and Christ is the one who strengthens him to do that. In others word he must cleave to Christ. Paul said in chapter 3:7-8 he count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, and we know Christ through the gospel. 4. Christ said in John 15:7-11 that we abide in him when we abide in his word and this word is a means to fullness of Joy. What does it mean to have a reason for boasting at the coming of Christ in Philippians 2:17-18? - Hope, Joy, our glory or crown to boast of, namely you(1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) - Boast about your perseverance(2 Thessalonians 1:4) How can we make the ones who look after our souls proud at the coming of Christ? Or to put it another way, how can we complete their joy(Philippians 2:1-3)? Not by giving them cars, big paychecks, and big houses, but by holding to the word of life so that you would have not believed in vain and they would have not labored in vain.