Philippians 2:16-18
holding fast to the Word of life so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
We are dependent on the word of life, namely the Bible. We depend on the Bible. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." We are dependet on Jesus Christ, the solid rock. The actions listed in the previous verses only occur as we hold to the Bible and trust it and depend on it.
"In the day of Christ" - There is a future reward, a future joy, a delayed gratification for those in Christ Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus and have lived lives displaying evidences of faith will have joy in that day. We will boast in Christ on that day and be proud that all of our work and effort and longing has not been in vain, but rather, we will receive that crown of righteousness; not of our own righteousness but the righteousness of Christ that depends on faith.
Drink offering: I think Paul is saying that he rejoices if he leaves this world and gets persecuted while his disciples are growing in their faith and trusting Jesus more and more as the Gospel advances. Paul delights as his fruit is not in vain but rather the fruit of his work is lived out in the next generation.
posted by Michael at 5:21 PM
1 Comments:
When Paul says hold fast to the word of life, I think he is talking about the Gospel, that we should hold fast (keep close, treasure) the gospel, the words that give us life, the words of the gospel of Christ. Even as mature Christians, we are defined by the Gospel, nothing that we do but the work of the Cross. 40 years from now, I will not get my salvation by anything that I do, only what Christ has done.
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