Phili 2:16, 1Th 2:19 | JFB | STEP | 16. Holding forth —to them, and so applying it (the common meaning of the Greek; perhaps here including also the other meaning, "holding fast "). The image of light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from . As the heavenly luminaries' light is closely connected with the life of animals, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word" (received from me) which is the "life" of the Gentiles ( ). Christ is "the Light of the world" ( ); believers are only "light-bearers" reflecting His light. that I may rejoice in —literally, " with a view to (your being) a subject of rejoicing to me against the day of Christ" ( ). that I have not run in vain —that it was not in vain that I labored for your spiritual good.

Philippians 2:16

16. Holding forth—to them, and so applying it (the common meaning of the Greek; perhaps here including also the other meaning, "holding fast"). The image of light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from Php 2:15. As the heavenly luminaries' light is closely connected with the life of animals, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word" (received from me) which is the "life" of the Gentiles (Joh 1:4; 1Jo 1:1, 5-7). Christ is "the Light of the world" (Joh 8:12); believers are only "light-bearers" reflecting His light.

that I may rejoice in—literally, "with a view to (your being) a subject of rejoicing to me against the day of Christ" (Php 4:1; 2Co 1:14; 1Th 2:19).

that I have not run in vain—that it was not in vain that I labored for your spiritual good.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

19. For—giving the reason for his earnest desire to see them.

Are not even ye in the presence of . . . Christ—"Christ" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Are not even ye (namely, among others; the "even" or "also," implies that not they alone will be his crown) our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing before Jesus, when He shall come (2Co 1:14; Php 2:16; 4:1)? The "hope" here meant is his hope (in a lower sense), that these his converts might be found in Christ at His advent (1Th 3:13). Paul's chief "hope" was JESUS CHRIST (1Ti 1:1).