Read & explore together
Lights in the World
Paul tells his beloved readers to keep obeying in his absence as well as his presence. He joins serious obedience, God’s work within them, everyday speech and attitudes, and shared rejoicing.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Philippians is written as direct teaching in a letter. Paul addresses the readers as beloved, refers to their obedience, gives commands about complaining and arguing, describes them as children of God and lights in the world, and ends by speaking about rejoicing together.
Philippians 2:12–18Main takeaway
Paul calls believers to obey with reverence, trusting that God works in them, doing all things without complaining, shining as lights in the world, and rejoicing together.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Serious obedience, with God at workPaul begins with affection and reminds them of their obedience both when he was present and absent.
Explanation
Paul begins with affection and reminds them of their obedience both when he was present and absent. He tells them to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. This is not presented as self-made effort alone, because God is the one working in them, both in their willing and in their working for his good pleasure.
02No complaining or arguingPaul then gives a plain instruction for daily life: do all things without complaining and arguing.
Explanation
Paul then gives a plain instruction for daily life: do all things without complaining and arguing. He connects this with becoming blameless and harmless, children of God without defect. Their conduct and speech matter because they live in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation.
03Lights in the worldAmong that generation, Paul says they are seen as lights in the world. He adds that they are to hold up the word of life.
Explanation
Among that generation, Paul says they are seen as lights in the world. He adds that they are to hold up the word of life. Paul also looks ahead to the day of Christ and says their faithfulness would show that his running and labour were not in vain.
04Gladness in costly servicePaul speaks of himself as possibly being poured out on the sacrifice and service of their faith.
Explanation
Paul speaks of himself as possibly being poured out on the sacrifice and service of their faith. Even with that costly picture, he says he is glad and rejoices with them all. Then he calls for the same response from them: they also should be glad and rejoice with him.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Paul connect the command to work out salvation with God’s action?
Read verses 12 and 13 together and notice that their obedience is matched by God working in their willing and working.
02Which everyday attitudes does Paul forbid, and what kind of people does he want them to become?
Look at the command in verse 14 and then the descriptions that follow in verse 15.
03What does Paul say believers do as lights in the world?
Read verses 15 and 16 carefully and stay close to the phrase about the word of life.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Philippians 2:12–18
12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14Do all things without complaining and arguing,
15that 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,
16holding up the word of life, that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.
17Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18In the same way, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.