Verse 16
"There is a break in thought at this point. Paul continues his appeal to the Philippians, to be sure, but he shifts the basis of appeal from the example of Jesus (Philippians 2:3-15) to himself and to the judgment he must face at the day of Christ. Therefore, he now asks them to do something for his sake." [Note: Hawthorne, p. 103.]
Believers are also to hold out the word of life, the gospel (John 6:68), as the Statue of Liberty holds out her torch. This is another way in which we are lights in a dark world. In view of the context, however, it seems more likely that Paul was urging his readers to hold fast to the word rather than to hold forth the word. The former interpretation is possible, nonetheless.
"Only as we firmly ’hold fast’ to the gospel truth can we effectively ’hold it forth’." [Note: Martin, p. 118.]
Paul wanted the Philippians to continue serving as he explained so when he stood before the judgment seat of Christ (cf. Philippians 1:6; Philippians 1:10) he would have cause for justifiable pride (cf. Philippians 1:26). His investments in their lives would not have been in vain. Running pictures all of Paul’s energetic activity as a Christian, and toiling highlights the hard labor that he expended. [Note: See Adolf Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, pp. 313-14.]
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