“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.
Church Fathers on Philippians 2:15
The admonitions which we give ought to be accompanied with commendations; for thus they become even welcome, when we refer those whom we admonish to that measure of zeal which they have themselves exhibited; as Paul, for instance, did here; and observe with what singular discretion; “So then, my beloved,” he says; he did not say simply “be obedient,” not until he had first commended them in these words, “even as you have always obeyed”; i.e. “it is not other men, but your own…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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