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Philippians 2:12-16
New English Translation
Philippians 2:12-16
New English Translation
Lights in the World
12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,[a] 13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world[b] 16 by holding on to[c] the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Philippians 2:12 tn Grk “with fear and trembling.” The Greek words φόβος and τρόμος both imply fear in a negative sense (L&N 25.251 and 16.6 respectively) while the former can also refer to respect and awe for deity (L&N 53.59). Paul’s use of the terms in other contexts refers to “awe and reverence in the presence of God” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 284; see discussion on 282-84). The translation “awe and reverence” was chosen to portray the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) to accomplish their salvation.
- Philippians 2:15 tn Or “as stars in the universe.”
- Philippians 2:16 tn Or “holding out, holding forth.”
Philippians 2:12-16
New International Version
Philippians 2:12-16
New International Version
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,(A) 13 for it is God who works in you(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(C)
14 Do everything without grumbling(D) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(E) and pure, “children of God(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a](G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ(H) that I did not run(I) or labor in vain.(J)
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
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