“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;”
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 — katechō (hold fast, grasp firmly) suggests grasping the word of life as did Paul grasp Christ. 'Word of life' (logon zōēs) is the gospel message; it gives life, both now and eschatologically. The eschatological frame 'in the day of Christ' shows that present faithfulness issues in apostolic vindication. 'Run in vain' and 'labor in vain' (dromon... kopen) use athletic/labor imagery: Paul's apostolic effort depends on the Philippians' fidelity. Their faithfulness vindicates his suffering.
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