Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

to be disputed. This greatly adorns our profession, and shows we serve a good Master, whose service
is freedom and whose work is its own reward. (M. Henry) When we loosen our tongue and fall into
the sin of murmuring and complaining, we give unbelievers the excuse they are looking for to reject
what we say and the testimony of our lives for Christ. Keep your foot out of your mouth and keep
your mouth shut. (J. Pentecost)
Murmuring is here meant against God. It may arise from our experience of a disagreeable lot or from
dark providences, or from an unthankful spirit. Such an attitude of mind seems to imply a too slender
trust in the resources of Divine goodness and wisdom. (T. Croskery) When adversity comes, people
have a tendency to blame others or God for their difficulties rather than faulting themselves or
rejoicing in tribulation ... Both attitudes (grumbling & murmuring) reveal a spirit of carnality. They
constitute rebellion against what God wants people to do, when He wants them to do it, where it
should be done, and why it should occur. (R. Gromacki)
Philp. 2:14 Keep doing (poie,w, PAImp.2P, Iterative, Command;
executing) all things (Acc. Dir. Obj.; the exhortation to
embody it outwardly) without (adverb) complaining (Gen.
Attendant Circumstances; whining, bitching, murmuring -
onomatopoetic word; Godward emphasis) or (connective) arguing
(Gen. Attendant Circumstances; which undermines authority;
manward emphasis),
WHO Philippians 2:14 pa,nta poiei/te cwri.j goggusmw/n kai. dialogismw/n
VUL Philippians 2:14 omnia autem facite sine murmurationibus et haesitationibus
LWB Philp. 2:15 In order that you yourselves might become blameless in all respects [not
involved in the arrogance complex of sins] and innocent as far as evil is concerned [not
involved in the hatred complex of sins], students of God [always learning], blameless
[impeccable thoughts and behavior] in the midst of a crooked [unscrupulous] and perverse
[depraved] generation, among whom [not in isolation] you yourselves may shine as lights
[providing historical impact] in the world [Satan’s cosmic system],
KW Philp. 2:15 To the end that you may become those who are deserving of no censure, free
from fault or defect, and guileless in their simplicity, God’s children without blemish, in the
midst of a perverse and distorted generation among whom you appear as luminaries in the world,
KJV Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
If we are able to make progress in the spiritual life without complaining to God and arguing with
men, we will be well on our way to fulfilling the purpose we were all created for – attaining