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Selected Verse: Philippians 2:15 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Php 2:15 |
King James |
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
blameless and harmless--without either the repute of mischief, or the inclination to do it [ALFORD].
sons--rather as Greek, "the children of God" (Rom 8:14-16). Imitation of our heavenly Father is the instinctive guide to our duty as His children, more than any external law (Mat 5:44-45, Mat 5:48).
without rebuke--"without (giving handle for) reproach." The whole verse tacitly refers by contrast to Deu 32:5, "Their spot . . . not . . . of His children . . . a perverse and crooked generation" (compare Pe1 2:12).
ye shine--literally, "appear" [TRENCH]. "Show yourselves" (compare Mat 5:14-16; Eph 5:8-13).
as lights in the world--The Greek expresses "as luminaries in the world," as the sun and moon, "the lights," or "great lights," in the material world or in the firmament. The Septuagint uses the very same Greek word in the passage, Gen 1:14, Gen 1:16; compare Note,, see on Rev 21:11. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
That ye may be blameless - That you may give no occasion for others to accuse you of having done wrong.
And harmless - Margin, "sincere." The Greek word (ἀκέραιος akeraios) means properly that which is unmixed; and then pure, sincere. The idea here is, that they should be artless, simple, without guile. Then they would injure no one. The word occurs only in Mat 10:16; Phi 2:15, where it is rendered "harmless," and Rom 16:19, where it is rendered "sincere"; see the Mat 10:16 note, and Rom 16:19 note.
The sons of God - The children of God; a phrase by which true Christians were denoted; see the Mat 5:45 note; Eph 5:1 note.
Without rebuke - Without blame; without giving occasion for anyone to complain of you.
In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation - Among those of perverted sentiments and habits; those who are disposed to complain and find fault; those who will take every occasion to pervert what you do and say, and who seek every opportunity to retard the cause of truth and righteousness. It is not certainly known to whom the apostle refers here, but it seems not improbable that he had particular reference to the Jews who were in Philippi. The language used here was employed by Moses Deu 32:5, as applicable to the Jewish people, and it is accurately descriptive of the character of the nation in the time of Paul. The Jews were among the most bitter foes of the gospel, and did perhaps more than any other people to embarrass the cause of truth and prevent the spread of the true religion.
Among whom ye shine - Margin, "or, shine ye." The Greek will admit of either construction, and expositors have differed as to the correct interpretation. Rosenmuller, Doddridge and others regard it as imperative, and as designed to enforce on them the duty of letting their light shine. Erasmus says it is doubtful whether it is to be understood in the indicative or imperative. Grotius, Koppe, Bloomfield, and others regard it as in the indicative, and as teaching that they did in fact shine as lights in the world. The sense can be determined only by the connection; and in regard to it different readers will form different opinions. It seems to me that the connection seems rather to require the sense of duty or obligation to be understood. The apostle is enforcing on them the duty of being blameless and harmless; of holding forth the word of life; and it is in accordance with his design to remind them that they ought to be lights to those around them.
As lights in the world - The comparison of Christians with light, often occurs in the Scriptures; see at Mat 5:14, note, 16, note. The image here is not improbably taken from light-houses on a seacoast. The image then is, that as those light-houses are placed on a dangerous coast to apprise vessels of their peril, and to save them from shipwreck, so the light of Christian piety shines on a dark world, and in the dangers of the voyage which we are making; see the note of Burder, in Ros. Alt. u. neu. Morgenland, in loc. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
world
Greek, "kosmos", means "mankind".
(See Scofield) - (Mat 4:8). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
May be - harmless (γένησθε - ἀκέραιοι)
May be is rather may prove or show yourselves to be. Harmless, lit., unmixed. See on Mat 10:16. Better, guileless. Blameless in the sight of others, guileless in your own hearts.
Sons of God (τέκνα)
Rev., better, children. See on Joh 1:12. Compare Deu 32:5.
Without rebuke (ἄμωμα)
Rev., correctly, without blemish. See on Col 1:22. The word is epexegetical of the two preceding epithets, unblemished in reputation and in reality.
Crooked and perverse (σκολίας - διεστραμμένης)
Crooked, see on untoward, Act 2:40; see on froward, Pe1 2:18. Perverse, lit., warped, twisted. See on Mat 17:17; see on Luk 23:14.
Ye shine (φαίνεσθε)
Rev., more correctly, ye are seen. Compare Mat 24:27; Rev 18:23, A.V., where the same error occurs. Shine would require the verb in the active voice, as Joh 1:5; Joh 5:35.
Lights (φωστῆρες)
Only here and Rev 21:11, see note. Properly, luminaries. So Rev., in margin. Generally of the heavenly bodies. See Gen 1:14, Gen 1:16, Sept.
In the world
Connect with ye are seen, not with luminaries. The world, not only material, but moral. For the moral sense of κόσμος world, see on Joh 1:9. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| That ye may be blameless - Before men. And simple - Before God, aiming at him alone. As the sons of God - The God of love; acting up to your high character. Unrebukable in the midst of a crooked - Guileful, serpentine, and perverse generation - Such as the bulk of mankind always were. Crooked - By a corrupt nature, and yet more perverse by custom and practice. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
That ye may be blameless - In yourselves, and harmless to others.
The sons of God - Showing by your holy conduct that ye are partakers of the Divine nature.
Without rebuke - Persons against whom no charge of transgression can justly be laid.
A crooked and perverse - Probably referring to the Jews, who were the chief opponents and the most virulent enemies which the Christian Church had.
Among whom ye shine - Be like the sun and moon; bless even the perverse and disobedient by your light and splendor. Let your light shine before men; some will walk in that light, and by its shining God will be glorified. It is evident that the apostle, by φωστῃρες εν κοσμῳ, lights in the world, refers to the sun and moon particularly, and perhaps to the heavenly bodies in general. |
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.