Philippians 2:15 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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; Blameless and harmless - without either the repute of, or the inclination to mischief (Alford). Outwardly "blameless;" inwardly "harmless," rather 'pure' х akeraioi (G185): from a, 'not,' and kerannumi (G2767) "mix," "simple"] (Romans 16:19).

Sons, х tekna (G5043)] - "the children of God" (Romans 8:14-16). Imitation of our heavenly Father is the instinctive guide to duty as His children, more than any external law (Matthew 5:44; Matthew 5:48).

Without rebuke - `unblameable.' A tacit contrast to Deuteronomy 32:5, "Their spot is not the spot of His children: they are a perverse and crooked generation" (cf. 1 Peter 2:12). [Septuagint, tekna amoometa, genea skolia kai diestrammenee.]

Ye shine, х Fainesthe (G5316)] - 'ye show yourselves' (cf. Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:8-13).

As lights in the world, х foosteeres (G5458)] - 'luminaries,' as the sun and moon, 'the great lights' in the material world. Septuagint use the same Greek (Genesis 1:14; Genesis 1:16; note, Revelation 21:11).

Philippians 2:15

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless,b the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;