Philippians 2:15
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;
Philippians 2:15 in other translations
| BSB | so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world |
|---|---|
| WEB | that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, |
| ASV | that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, |
| YLT | that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God, unblemished in the midst of a generation crooked and perverse, among whom ye do appear as luminaries in the world, |
| DARBY | that ye may be harmless and simple, irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation; among whom ye appear as lights in the world, |
| BBE | So that you may be holy and gentle, children of God without sin in a twisted and foolish generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, |
| Webster | 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; |
What does Philippians 2:15 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
And harmless. Marg., sincere. The Greek word (ακεραιος) 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 Mt 10:16; Php 2:15, where it is rendered harmless, and Rom 16:19, where it is rendered simple. Mt 10:16, Rom 16:19.
The sons of God. The children of God--a phrase by which true Christians were denoted. Mt 5:46; Eph 5:1.
Without rebuke. Without blame; without giving occasion for any one 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 here used was employed by Moses De 32:6 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. Marg., "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 connexion; and, in regard to it, different readers will form different opinions. It seems to me that the connexion 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. Mt 5:14, Mt 5:16. The image here is not improbably taken from lighthouses on a sea-coast. The image then is, that as those lighthouses are placed on a dangerous coast to apprize 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 Rosenmuller, Alt. u. neu. Morgenland, in loc.
(1) "harmless" "sincere" (c) "sons of God" Mt 5:45, Eph 5:1 (*) "rebuke" "reproach" (d) "crooked and perverse" De 32:5 (2) "ye shine" "shine ye" (e) "lights in the world" Mt 5:14,16
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 2:12-18
We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage…
Philippians 2:15 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Philippians 2:15
- Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- 1 Peter 2:12
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.
- Matthew 5:45
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.
- Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
- 1 John 3:1-3
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
- Deuteronomy 32:5
They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 3:14
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
- 1 Peter 1:14-17
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
- Ephesians 5:1-2
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
- 1 Corinthians 1:8
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 5:7-8
Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lu 1:6; 1Co 1:8; Eph 5:27; 1Th 5:23; 1Ti 3:2,10; 5:7; Tit 1:6
2Pe 3:14
and.
Mt 10:16; Ro 16:19; Heb 7:26
harmless. or, sincere.
1:10
sons.
Mt 5:45,48; Lu 6:35; 2Co 6:17; Eph 5:1,2,7; 1Pe 1:14-17; 2:9
1Jo 3:1-3
rebuke.
1Ti 5:14,20; Tit 2:10,15; Re 3:9
a crooked.
De 32:5; Ps 122:5; Mt 17:17; Ac 20:30; 1Pe 2:12
ye shine. or, shine ye.
Isa 60:1; Mt 5:14-16; Joh 5:35; Eph 5:8
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
- Philippians 2:15
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;
- 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.
Philippians 2:15 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Para que seáis irreprensibles y sencillos, hijos de Dios sin culpa en medio de la nación maligna y perversa, entre los cuales resplandecéis como luminares en el mundo; |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | afin que vous soyez sans reproche et purs, des enfants de Dieu irréprochables, au milieu d’une génération tortue et perverse, parmi laquelle vous reluisez comme des luminaires dans le monde, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | auf daß ihr tadellos und lauter seid, unbescholtene Kinder Gottes, inmitten eines verdrehten und verkehrten Geschlechts, unter welchem ihr scheinet wie Lichter in der Welt, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | ut sitis sine querela, et simplices filii Dei, sine reprehensione in medio nationis pravæ et perversæ: inter quos lucetis sicut luminaria in mundo, |