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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →They are to hold out the word of life, so that Paul's labor among them will prove fruitful at Christ's coming.
What Does Philippians 2:16 Mean?
Paul tells how the Philippians shine: by holding forth the word of life, offering the life-giving message of Christ to the world around them. He adds a personal hope, that on the day of Christ he may rejoice that his labor among them was not in vain.
To hold forth the word is to extend it like a torch or to offer it like a gift, making the gospel available to others. Paul's joy on the last day is bound up with their faithfulness; if they shine and hold out the word, his running and laboring will be vindicated. There is tender accountability here, a teacher whose deepest reward is the perseverance of those he served. The word of life is the treasure they carry, and offering it to the world is both their mission and the proof that the gospel has truly taken root in them.