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.
Holding forth - to them, and so applying it [the common meaning of epechontes (G1907); perhaps here including also 'holding fast']. The image of light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from Philippians 2:15. As the heavenly luminaries' light develops the life of the world, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word" (received from me) as the "life" of the Gentiles (John 1:4; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 1:5-7). Christ is "the Light of the world" (John 8:12); believers are 'light bearers,' reflecting His light.
That I may rejoice in, х eis (G1519) kaucheema (G2745) emoi (G1698) eis (G1519) heemeran (G2250)] - 'with a view to (your being) a subject of rejoicing to me against the day of Christ' (Philippians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:19).
That I have not run in vain (2 Timothy 4:7) - that it was not in vain that I laboured for your spiritual good.