Here’s a great Wall Street Journal article from Brad Greenberg.
In the New Testament, we are commanded to do both:
- Share the Gospel by words.
- Share the Gospel by actions.
We dare not neglect either.
The following is a commentary on Philippians 2:15-16 from my book, True Giving:
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
so that you may become. The idea is that you may prove or show yourselves to be.
blameless. That no one can accuse you of doing any wrong (1 Pet. 2:12).
pure. Unmixed. Without guile. Blameless is outside; pure is inside – without either the reputation of evil, or the inclination to do it.
without fault. Unblemished.
in a crooked and depraved generation. Paul has already been shining as a light in very negative circumstances in prison (1:12-14) without any complaining or arguing.
shine like stars in the universe. Probably a reference to Daniel 12:3.
stars. Literally, “lights.” As Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4; 8:12), we, too, by His enabling, are lights (Matt. 5:14-16; Eph. 5:8-13). There are two ideas involved in shining as light – first, we shine in contrast to the darkness; second, our shining illuminates the darkness, creating a light for others to be drawn to and changed by.
When there is a “battle” between light and darkness (for example, when a match is lit in a deep, dark cave) the light always wins!
16 as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Living a good life (v. 15) is not enough. We must also share the Word of God with others (v. 16). Either one without the other will be ineffective.
hold out the word of life. Our ministry of the Word of God. True ministry impact is out of life – Paul’s (1:12-14) and now theirs (2:1-16).
the word of life. It is not the word of legalism, condemnation or religious duty; it is the word of life!
I may boast. Paul’s ultimate prize is the lives of those he served, presented to the Lord on the Last Day (4:1; 2 Cor. 1:13-14; 1 Thess. 2:19-20). “When you faithfully hold out the Word, then I can boast…”
that I did not run … for nothing. Life and ministry are compared with a race (1 Cor. 9:26).
or labor. Includes all of Paul’s work in ministry, including teaching and prayer (Col. 1:28 – 2:1).
To repeat the main point:
Living a good life (v. 15) is not enough. We must also share the Word of God with others (v. 16). Either one without the other will be ineffective.
